Being a caretaker for an elderly parent is a challenge in and of itself. Throw in a group of mean, vindictive women and a crazy sister, you now have an unbelievable story of survival that Mrs. Ring went through.
This story is written from Mrs. Ring’s heart. She had my heart yearning to be with her and to be her friend, to encourage, and to let her know how compassionate and caring she was through it all. She has such a caring and fabulous husband, Jack, who was her support, rock and champion.
Caring for her mom was difficult so finding a release in knitting seemed like a great idea….until a group of women knitters she was learning from, were beyond belief.
Not only is Mrs. Ring taking on the challenge of caring for her mom, a jealous and hostile group of women knitters, but in comes a sister who does such crazy and disruptive things, that chaos erupts concerning their mother.
This book took me into feelings and places that made my heart hurt. I had tears for what Mrs. Ring went through. My heart felt every emotional high and low she felt. I admire her for her determination and strength she found to overcome what seemed impossible at times. She says in this passage:
“I’ve learned a huge lesson, Jack. Bullies do come in the form of sixty-plus-year-old women. And I learned something else, too. I won’t stop knitting, and I am not going to let those women destroy me. I’ve been looking for something, and that something was myself!”
This story is definitely one of survival through what was a very emotional and heart wrenching time. It’s not easy to put your life out there like this but I am grateful for Mrs. Ring to write and share her story of coming out the other side better because of it.
This is a memoire of unbelievable events….written by a very caring and giving lady.
Thank you, Mrs. Ring, for the privilege of reading and reviewing your story.
Five stars for me!
Author
lhamod
3 years ago
This is a most pleasant read! I enjoyed it on a rainy afternoon. Concerns the twist generation. Those of us under the extreme stress of caring for children and at the same time elderly parents. The stress can become unbearable and then what? Highly recommended!
Author
dhulgan
3 years ago
For those of you looking for a quick read – you have found it! An Author’s true story about taking care of her sick Mother, coping with deaths in the family, and trying to learn how to knit to give her something enjoyable to do – during her long hours at the care facility, and hopefully to interact with a knitting group. The story shows just how people can be cruel from jealousy and hearsay. It reminds us all to be kind to one another – because we don’t know what other people are having to deal with in their personal lives. Erina, I am grateful that you didn’t give us the sweater pattern!! I recommend this book highly!
Author
dlamar
3 years ago
Loved this and was a quick read but also showed how evil and cut throat some people can be. I was shocked at times the way this group of women worked and at times so surprised with what they would come up with. This was actually a true story based on the author’s own experience. This was the author’s 2nd book I have read and I loved both of them, Highly recommend.
Author
christineedavis
3 years ago
Going through tragic family times is hard enough but then to have those you think are your friends turn on you is a dilemma the author faced in this emotional tale of her own experiences!
Erina Bridget Ring tells readers of her time being a caretaker to her ailing mother in an easy to read compelling story. Ring describes how she sought out a way to relax in between the mental and physical difficulties she was experiencing caring for her mother. Knitting became her source of focused stress reliever after visiting a local knitting store. But oh what happens next!
Friends, Family and life drag Ring through the ringer as she describes her trials of that time of her life. My eyes could not believe what I was reading, my heart twisted as I read how people could treat each! And my soul soared as Ring found the courage to face her difficulties with dignity!
This book is a superb read and will be a help to those who have had to be a caretaker to anyone. You learn from the writing that your not alone facing such difficulties during emotionally draining situations. With all my heart I encourage the purchasing of this substantial novel as a great addition to ones personal library!
Author
reenag
3 years ago
This is the first book I have read by Erina Bridget Ring which I truly enjoyed. The book is about a caretaker and her strength and frustrations that she goes through. The characters in the story are very relatable and opens one’s eyes about the dynamics of a family and the role of a caretaker for elderly parents. The author in this case who is a caregiver finds her sanity through knitting in order to overcome her frustrations. The book will totally resonate with people who are in similar situations with aging parents. A wonderful easy read which I will highly recommend.
Author
cytap
3 years ago
I rated this book as a 5 Star because once I started reading it, I had a very tough time putting it down. There was drama, family issues, friendships, truth and lies, sadness, loss, determination, love and loyalty all in a very enjoyable book to read.
Author
fletcher65
3 years ago
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 by Bridget Erina Ring is a heartwarming, heartbreaking memoir of a daughter who is the caregiver for her aging mother. For me personally, it really hit home and brought back memories of when I was my mother’s caregiver. I don’t know how I did it, but as I think back now, I’m so glad and proud I was there for her and wouldn’t have had it any other way. Without giving any spoilers, this memoir touches on all the points of being a caregiver, including the heartache, exhaustion, being overwhelmed, guilt, loneliness, frustration but most especially love. This author has the uncanny way of really bringing out the details, sometimes with a slight touch of humor, she never disappoints her readers and her writing is outstanding. I rated it a five.
Author
lucillebransfield
3 years ago
This book hit very close to home. My dad had Alzheimer’s and passed in July. My mom is an avid knitter. As I’m writing this review she is knitting a scarf with a blanket started next to it. I think it also helped her get through all the caregiving of my dad. My siblings were mostly all so great with my dad and helping my mom. I, unfortunately, live out of state, but took over when I went to give them breaks. We also had a sibling that sat back making things difficult. It’s terrible that something so sad as a loss of parent would do this.
Then on top of that you had the mean grown women bullying you when all you wanted was to learn a wonderful art to distract from cargiving. What a heart pulling story you wrote. Thank you for sharing with us readers, Erina Bridget Ring.
Author
cherylmasciarelli
3 years ago
This is the third book that I have read by this author. I previously read The Neighborhood and Breakfast With The FBI and not only enjoyed her writing style, but also that her books are based on real-life incidents of her’s.
Jeanne Ryan, 89 years old, mother to 7 children including the baby of the family, Ms. Ring and due to location became the caretaker of her mother. It chronicles the life of her life while in this role, and how she found knitting as a pastime during this difficult time in her life. It is also a raw look into what can happen to a family facing the inevitable end result.
This book hit a nerve with me and triggered the time when I was in the same role as the author. And since I had been, I could feel all of the emotions that the author talks about, worry, both mental and physical exhaustion, frustration, love, anger, guilt, and fear, and even how one has to hold on to humor to name a few.
I also connected, and it was somewhat ironic, that she had her faith to draw from and a Priest who she leaned on. In my case, the last week of my Mom’s life, I was able to draw strength from a cousin who is a priest and stayed by both my Mom and my’s side.
There were so many parallels with the author’s recount of that time and mine, that I read this book in one sitting. The only differences were that I crochet and not knit, she has many siblings and I only have one, however, since I’m here POA, it was only me making decisions and having to break down my Mom’s house. But even with those differences, I related to this entire book.
A poignant explanation of what it is like to be in the role of caretaker. A story that was moving and impactful!!!
Ms. Ring opens her heart and soul in this book and I highly recommend if you are presently a caretaker or foresee it in your future because you will understand that you aren’t alone with your emotions.
Author
susanhcampton
3 years ago
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, my Fellow Book Dragons! I hope Old Man Winter is treating you well! Tonight’s Gem is bright red, it is round and the edges are carved with uneven lines…if you hold it in the light it doesn’t sparkle or glare, but it is clear and the light seems to resonate through it. In fact, when not in the light it looks like a ball of yarn. The artisan has carved it so caringly. This is Gem Maker Erina Bridget Ring’s “Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2” .
It is Bridget’s own story of being her mother’s main caregiver of her mother while she was dying. Her story may be familiar to you, if you have been the primary caregiver of an elderly parent or spouse or child.
Constant trips to doctors, hospitals, specialists and the like had her physically exhausted, mentally frazzled and emotionally spent. She needed something to calm her nerves, give her a temporary escape and allow some beauty in where sickness and medical procedures were so often was the view of the day. She comes across a yarn shop and sees a woman she knows. She decides to step inside. The colors are inviting and as Bridget already has a crafty, artistic bent, she decides she might learn to knit. It’s something portable, convenient to do and she can start and stop while waiting on her mother to get done at appointments or when she must stay the night with her.
Unfortunately, she finds the women in the shop less than inviting, curt, cold and inconsiderate, though their mouths say otherwise. They are rude and at times, down right mean. Odd thing for a shop that depends on paying customers to stay in business.
As usual, this would not be an Erina Bridget Ring book without the zany cast of characters. Those people all of us know and many of have successfully learn to avoid or to make friends with, because all of us need a bit of eccentricity in our lives. Her Mom. Columbia educated, fun, intelligent, excellent mother, grandma and friend until that old thief Dementia came in the night. There is her husband Jack, ever present with loving support and a calm demeanor. Father Castro, always ready with prayerful support and a good idea. The Nutty Knitting Negative Nancys as I call them: Corrie – brusk and rude, but helpful, Rachel – seems sweet, if not a bit ‘touched’, Dede – seems to live on a diet of raw lemons with a vinegar chaser, Lydia – sweet behind closed doors but scared of Corrie and Janie – loves to ask how are you and then scuttle off to whisper with another lady while throwing sidelong glances in Bridget’s direction. These women seemed to have stopped maturing somewhere around grade six. As in the group from Bridget’s ‘Diapers, Drama and Deceit‘ our heroine seems to be a magnet for this type of personality. Then there is her family, a multitude of siblings.
None of the siblings lives close enough to help with Mom. Bridget makes trips daily to care for her, she lives in an assisted living facility, and so they only provide so much help. The additional aids that are starting to be needed must be found, interviewed and paid for out of pocket and still her mother will need more care. It is up to Bridget to carry out her mother’s wishes. Will she get through it without cracking up?
If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one, I would really encourage you to read this book and know you are not alone. I wish I had been able to read it when I was helping my mother care for my father. It is currently available on Amazon at a very reasonable price.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
Author
jamiegillespie
3 years ago
This is a hard review for me to write. Reading this book was ALMOST like reading about my own life. Erina Bridget Ring writes a “from the heart” story about being her mother’s caregiver. That is a hard enough task in itself (I know, I was both of my parents’ caregiver) but, add to that the fact that she had to deal with a heartless, vindictive sister who contributed nothing when it came to taking care of their mother. Then, when the author decides to do something for herself to relieve some stress, she joins a knitting group. That was a horrible mistake because those women were backstabbing, lying, busybodies who make her life a living hell. Thankfully, she had her husband, Jack, who was her rock and her “safe place”. He helped her to get through all the ugliness that was happening around her and, at times, to her. The two things she was determined to do were to take care of her mother and to learn to knit for her own enjoyment. She did both. I am proud of the way she handled the situations and also I am so thrilled that she wrote this book about it. This story will have you crying, cursing, happy and sad before it is over. I highly recommend this book!
Author
lzagon
3 years ago
Erina Bridget Ring has written an emotional, thought-provoking, intense, heart-breaking, and touching memoir. I appreciate how the author describes with compassion and dignity her relationship with her aging and ailing mother. Erina Bridget Ring and her husband Jack become caretakers for her mom, as she slowly deteriorates.
Between doctors visits, hospital stays, and family drama, Erina takes up knitting as a hobby. Erina soon has a stash of yarns in her garage and is trying to create new projects. As a beginning knitter, Erina depends on the local knitting stores for guidance and companionship when she has some time off. For some reason, these are quirky people, that seem to be “mean-spirited” to Erina. Often she is missing a piece of her work and is given the wrong pattern. Something certainly feels off.
I can empathize with the author when I was a caretaker for my father and mother-in-law. It is a very difficult and heartbreaking task. I appreciate the strength, courage, and wit that Erina showed. I would highly recommend this memoir.
Author
vickihardman318
3 years ago
This is a true story based on one woman’s, the authors, trek through the intimidating, confusing, heartbreaking and difficult world of being the central caretaker for a parent. With brutal honesty she tells the story of the emotional ups and downs of this extremely difficult task. You will feel her anger, frustration, heartbreak and vulnerability. This story also delves into the toxic people that may be in your own life and sometimes one of those toxic people may be a family member.
Erina Bridget Ring has written a beautiful and truly difficult story of what it’s like to be the main caregiver for a parent. As you read the pages, you can feel the healing that went on with her as she wrote the pages.
I highly recommend this book! This book evokes so many emotions and trust me when I say, there were several times this book brought me to tears having lost my father a year ago. My advice, get this book, you’ll be happy you did!
Author
denisebirt
3 years ago
BOOK REVIEW:
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2- A Caretakers Story of Survival by Author, Erina Bridget Ring
My second read by this author is Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2, which is Ms. Rings’ first published work, and has everything you could want in a memoir as to being a parent’s caretaker; with the good, the bad and everything that leads us up to and through her “nightmarish” account of a particularly chaotic time in her life.
Although a shorter book in length than most memoirs I’ve read, it is packed with emotion, and them some!
You will find this to be written with grace, purpose and meaning. A story of this woman’s journey and how with the passage through time and the unwavering help of her husband- through all the pivotal highs and lows, deals with a very difficult family situation. She does so with strength, dignity and determination in the hopes of getting to the other side of a devastating loss and turmoil all the while dealing with a family saga that is cringe-worthy.
Author, Erina Bridget Ring has brought to us a narrative that resonates, one of honesty and strength and whole-heartedly puts her trust in us, the readers, with her most intimate, life-changing challenges and shows us the confidence and strength she has gained in herself as to the experience.
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 is an intriguing yet heartbreaking look at life itself and how quickly and erratically things can change, along with the strength it takes to make things right within your world again.
I thank the author for my personal, signed copy- one I not only enjoyed reading but in reviewing as well.
5 Stars
Wild Sage Book Blog (FB)
Novels N Latte Book Club
#Knit2Purl2Kill2
#ErinaBridgetRing
Author
bethmoylan
3 years ago
Another great read by this author. This book shows the hardships and heartbreak of being a caretaker for an elderly parent. This is a quick easy read but a hard subject if you have ever been a caretaker for an elderly parent. My husband and I just went thru this with his father who had dementia, his father died in January but we and his sister took care of him from the start of COVID. Like Erina his other brothers tried to dictate his care from afar.
She learns how to knit as a way to help with the stress. Who knew adult women could be as nasty and petty as teenage girls? This is a true heartwarming story that you will sure to enjoy especially if you are a caretaker.
Author
piddlesworthbeli
3 years ago
As I read this story of the author`s journey through her mother`s illness, I found comfort in knowing that I was not alone.
My father passed in 2016 from Alzheimer`s. It is a terrible disease, and if you are mostly alone in your parent`s care, this book will be a much needed balm for your sanity and well-being.
Erina Bridget Ring has written a marvelous book about her emotions during this time, and anyone going through this journey with a loved one will find it extremely helpful.
I would most certainly recommend this one.
Author
ostensonpatti
3 years ago
This book is not only inspirational but such a true story of love, truth and “stick-to-it” guts of a daughter determined to help care for her mother no matter the circumstances. The way she was treated when she joined the simple knitting group was unforgivable, but the heroine, who was the author, taught how believing in truth, love and justice could overcome
Author
aruss1965
3 years ago
True life can be tough. Taking care of an ill family member even tougher. It was hard for me to get into this book.She takes up knitting. Meets new people to try to release stress and find time for herself.If you like drama this is probably a good read
Author
pfayo68
3 years ago
The author has written this memoir with the raw emotions and feelings she has while taking care of her mom as she suffers from dementia and aging. Having been a caregiver to my mom at end of life, I can surely understand and appreciate the challenges and heartache she faces. Erina joins a knitting group with a bunch of women hoping to find guidance and understanding about what she is going through. Instead these women turn out to be a nasty and hostile group. And if that isn’t hard enough to deal with, add in a sister who is unstable and a troublemaker. Thank goodness she had a husband who she could count on and was by her side through this heartbreaking, emotional journey. Wonderful book but did not see the ending that came but I was not disappointed by it.
Patricia Fayo
Novels N Latte Reviews
Hudson Valley, NY
Being a caretaker for an elderly parent is a challenge in and of itself. Throw in a group of mean, vindictive women and a crazy sister, you now have an unbelievable story of survival that Mrs. Ring went through.
This story is written from Mrs. Ring’s heart. She had my heart yearning to be with her and to be her friend, to encourage, and to let her know how compassionate and caring she was through it all. She has such a caring and fabulous husband, Jack, who was her support, rock and champion.
Caring for her mom was difficult so finding a release in knitting seemed like a great idea….until a group of women knitters she was learning from, were beyond belief.
Not only is Mrs. Ring taking on the challenge of caring for her mom, a jealous and hostile group of women knitters, but in comes a sister who does such crazy and disruptive things, that chaos erupts concerning their mother.
This book took me into feelings and places that made my heart hurt. I had tears for what Mrs. Ring went through. My heart felt every emotional high and low she felt. I admire her for her determination and strength she found to overcome what seemed impossible at times. She says in this passage:
“I’ve learned a huge lesson, Jack. Bullies do come in the form of sixty-plus-year-old women. And I learned something else, too. I won’t stop knitting, and I am not going to let those women destroy me. I’ve been looking for something, and that something was myself!”
This story is definitely one of survival through what was a very emotional and heart wrenching time. It’s not easy to put your life out there like this but I am grateful for Mrs. Ring to write and share her story of coming out the other side better because of it.
This is a memoire of unbelievable events….written by a very caring and giving lady.
Thank you, Mrs. Ring, for the privilege of reading and reviewing your story.
Five stars for me!
This is a most pleasant read! I enjoyed it on a rainy afternoon. Concerns the twist generation. Those of us under the extreme stress of caring for children and at the same time elderly parents. The stress can become unbearable and then what? Highly recommended!
For those of you looking for a quick read – you have found it! An Author’s true story about taking care of her sick Mother, coping with deaths in the family, and trying to learn how to knit to give her something enjoyable to do – during her long hours at the care facility, and hopefully to interact with a knitting group. The story shows just how people can be cruel from jealousy and hearsay. It reminds us all to be kind to one another – because we don’t know what other people are having to deal with in their personal lives. Erina, I am grateful that you didn’t give us the sweater pattern!! I recommend this book highly!
Loved this and was a quick read but also showed how evil and cut throat some people can be. I was shocked at times the way this group of women worked and at times so surprised with what they would come up with. This was actually a true story based on the author’s own experience. This was the author’s 2nd book I have read and I loved both of them, Highly recommend.
Going through tragic family times is hard enough but then to have those you think are your friends turn on you is a dilemma the author faced in this emotional tale of her own experiences!
Erina Bridget Ring tells readers of her time being a caretaker to her ailing mother in an easy to read compelling story. Ring describes how she sought out a way to relax in between the mental and physical difficulties she was experiencing caring for her mother. Knitting became her source of focused stress reliever after visiting a local knitting store. But oh what happens next!
Friends, Family and life drag Ring through the ringer as she describes her trials of that time of her life. My eyes could not believe what I was reading, my heart twisted as I read how people could treat each! And my soul soared as Ring found the courage to face her difficulties with dignity!
This book is a superb read and will be a help to those who have had to be a caretaker to anyone. You learn from the writing that your not alone facing such difficulties during emotionally draining situations. With all my heart I encourage the purchasing of this substantial novel as a great addition to ones personal library!
This is the first book I have read by Erina Bridget Ring which I truly enjoyed. The book is about a caretaker and her strength and frustrations that she goes through. The characters in the story are very relatable and opens one’s eyes about the dynamics of a family and the role of a caretaker for elderly parents. The author in this case who is a caregiver finds her sanity through knitting in order to overcome her frustrations. The book will totally resonate with people who are in similar situations with aging parents. A wonderful easy read which I will highly recommend.
I rated this book as a 5 Star because once I started reading it, I had a very tough time putting it down. There was drama, family issues, friendships, truth and lies, sadness, loss, determination, love and loyalty all in a very enjoyable book to read.
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 by Bridget Erina Ring is a heartwarming, heartbreaking memoir of a daughter who is the caregiver for her aging mother. For me personally, it really hit home and brought back memories of when I was my mother’s caregiver. I don’t know how I did it, but as I think back now, I’m so glad and proud I was there for her and wouldn’t have had it any other way. Without giving any spoilers, this memoir touches on all the points of being a caregiver, including the heartache, exhaustion, being overwhelmed, guilt, loneliness, frustration but most especially love. This author has the uncanny way of really bringing out the details, sometimes with a slight touch of humor, she never disappoints her readers and her writing is outstanding. I rated it a five.
This book hit very close to home. My dad had Alzheimer’s and passed in July. My mom is an avid knitter. As I’m writing this review she is knitting a scarf with a blanket started next to it. I think it also helped her get through all the caregiving of my dad. My siblings were mostly all so great with my dad and helping my mom. I, unfortunately, live out of state, but took over when I went to give them breaks. We also had a sibling that sat back making things difficult. It’s terrible that something so sad as a loss of parent would do this.
Then on top of that you had the mean grown women bullying you when all you wanted was to learn a wonderful art to distract from cargiving. What a heart pulling story you wrote. Thank you for sharing with us readers, Erina Bridget Ring.
This is the third book that I have read by this author. I previously read The Neighborhood and Breakfast With The FBI and not only enjoyed her writing style, but also that her books are based on real-life incidents of her’s.
Jeanne Ryan, 89 years old, mother to 7 children including the baby of the family, Ms. Ring and due to location became the caretaker of her mother. It chronicles the life of her life while in this role, and how she found knitting as a pastime during this difficult time in her life. It is also a raw look into what can happen to a family facing the inevitable end result.
This book hit a nerve with me and triggered the time when I was in the same role as the author. And since I had been, I could feel all of the emotions that the author talks about, worry, both mental and physical exhaustion, frustration, love, anger, guilt, and fear, and even how one has to hold on to humor to name a few.
I also connected, and it was somewhat ironic, that she had her faith to draw from and a Priest who she leaned on. In my case, the last week of my Mom’s life, I was able to draw strength from a cousin who is a priest and stayed by both my Mom and my’s side.
There were so many parallels with the author’s recount of that time and mine, that I read this book in one sitting. The only differences were that I crochet and not knit, she has many siblings and I only have one, however, since I’m here POA, it was only me making decisions and having to break down my Mom’s house. But even with those differences, I related to this entire book.
A poignant explanation of what it is like to be in the role of caretaker. A story that was moving and impactful!!!
Ms. Ring opens her heart and soul in this book and I highly recommend if you are presently a caretaker or foresee it in your future because you will understand that you aren’t alone with your emotions.
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, my Fellow Book Dragons! I hope Old Man Winter is treating you well! Tonight’s Gem is bright red, it is round and the edges are carved with uneven lines…if you hold it in the light it doesn’t sparkle or glare, but it is clear and the light seems to resonate through it. In fact, when not in the light it looks like a ball of yarn. The artisan has carved it so caringly. This is Gem Maker Erina Bridget Ring’s “Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2” .
It is Bridget’s own story of being her mother’s main caregiver of her mother while she was dying. Her story may be familiar to you, if you have been the primary caregiver of an elderly parent or spouse or child.
Constant trips to doctors, hospitals, specialists and the like had her physically exhausted, mentally frazzled and emotionally spent. She needed something to calm her nerves, give her a temporary escape and allow some beauty in where sickness and medical procedures were so often was the view of the day. She comes across a yarn shop and sees a woman she knows. She decides to step inside. The colors are inviting and as Bridget already has a crafty, artistic bent, she decides she might learn to knit. It’s something portable, convenient to do and she can start and stop while waiting on her mother to get done at appointments or when she must stay the night with her.
Unfortunately, she finds the women in the shop less than inviting, curt, cold and inconsiderate, though their mouths say otherwise. They are rude and at times, down right mean. Odd thing for a shop that depends on paying customers to stay in business.
As usual, this would not be an Erina Bridget Ring book without the zany cast of characters. Those people all of us know and many of have successfully learn to avoid or to make friends with, because all of us need a bit of eccentricity in our lives. Her Mom. Columbia educated, fun, intelligent, excellent mother, grandma and friend until that old thief Dementia came in the night. There is her husband Jack, ever present with loving support and a calm demeanor. Father Castro, always ready with prayerful support and a good idea. The Nutty Knitting Negative Nancys as I call them: Corrie – brusk and rude, but helpful, Rachel – seems sweet, if not a bit ‘touched’, Dede – seems to live on a diet of raw lemons with a vinegar chaser, Lydia – sweet behind closed doors but scared of Corrie and Janie – loves to ask how are you and then scuttle off to whisper with another lady while throwing sidelong glances in Bridget’s direction. These women seemed to have stopped maturing somewhere around grade six. As in the group from Bridget’s ‘Diapers, Drama and Deceit‘ our heroine seems to be a magnet for this type of personality. Then there is her family, a multitude of siblings.
None of the siblings lives close enough to help with Mom. Bridget makes trips daily to care for her, she lives in an assisted living facility, and so they only provide so much help. The additional aids that are starting to be needed must be found, interviewed and paid for out of pocket and still her mother will need more care. It is up to Bridget to carry out her mother’s wishes. Will she get through it without cracking up?
If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one, I would really encourage you to read this book and know you are not alone. I wish I had been able to read it when I was helping my mother care for my father. It is currently available on Amazon at a very reasonable price.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
This is a hard review for me to write. Reading this book was ALMOST like reading about my own life. Erina Bridget Ring writes a “from the heart” story about being her mother’s caregiver. That is a hard enough task in itself (I know, I was both of my parents’ caregiver) but, add to that the fact that she had to deal with a heartless, vindictive sister who contributed nothing when it came to taking care of their mother. Then, when the author decides to do something for herself to relieve some stress, she joins a knitting group. That was a horrible mistake because those women were backstabbing, lying, busybodies who make her life a living hell. Thankfully, she had her husband, Jack, who was her rock and her “safe place”. He helped her to get through all the ugliness that was happening around her and, at times, to her. The two things she was determined to do were to take care of her mother and to learn to knit for her own enjoyment. She did both. I am proud of the way she handled the situations and also I am so thrilled that she wrote this book about it. This story will have you crying, cursing, happy and sad before it is over. I highly recommend this book!
Erina Bridget Ring has written an emotional, thought-provoking, intense, heart-breaking, and touching memoir. I appreciate how the author describes with compassion and dignity her relationship with her aging and ailing mother. Erina Bridget Ring and her husband Jack become caretakers for her mom, as she slowly deteriorates.
Between doctors visits, hospital stays, and family drama, Erina takes up knitting as a hobby. Erina soon has a stash of yarns in her garage and is trying to create new projects. As a beginning knitter, Erina depends on the local knitting stores for guidance and companionship when she has some time off. For some reason, these are quirky people, that seem to be “mean-spirited” to Erina. Often she is missing a piece of her work and is given the wrong pattern. Something certainly feels off.
I can empathize with the author when I was a caretaker for my father and mother-in-law. It is a very difficult and heartbreaking task. I appreciate the strength, courage, and wit that Erina showed. I would highly recommend this memoir.
This is a true story based on one woman’s, the authors, trek through the intimidating, confusing, heartbreaking and difficult world of being the central caretaker for a parent. With brutal honesty she tells the story of the emotional ups and downs of this extremely difficult task. You will feel her anger, frustration, heartbreak and vulnerability. This story also delves into the toxic people that may be in your own life and sometimes one of those toxic people may be a family member.
Erina Bridget Ring has written a beautiful and truly difficult story of what it’s like to be the main caregiver for a parent. As you read the pages, you can feel the healing that went on with her as she wrote the pages.
I highly recommend this book! This book evokes so many emotions and trust me when I say, there were several times this book brought me to tears having lost my father a year ago. My advice, get this book, you’ll be happy you did!
BOOK REVIEW:
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2- A Caretakers Story of Survival by Author, Erina Bridget Ring
My second read by this author is Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2, which is Ms. Rings’ first published work, and has everything you could want in a memoir as to being a parent’s caretaker; with the good, the bad and everything that leads us up to and through her “nightmarish” account of a particularly chaotic time in her life.
Although a shorter book in length than most memoirs I’ve read, it is packed with emotion, and them some!
You will find this to be written with grace, purpose and meaning. A story of this woman’s journey and how with the passage through time and the unwavering help of her husband- through all the pivotal highs and lows, deals with a very difficult family situation. She does so with strength, dignity and determination in the hopes of getting to the other side of a devastating loss and turmoil all the while dealing with a family saga that is cringe-worthy.
Author, Erina Bridget Ring has brought to us a narrative that resonates, one of honesty and strength and whole-heartedly puts her trust in us, the readers, with her most intimate, life-changing challenges and shows us the confidence and strength she has gained in herself as to the experience.
Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 is an intriguing yet heartbreaking look at life itself and how quickly and erratically things can change, along with the strength it takes to make things right within your world again.
I thank the author for my personal, signed copy- one I not only enjoyed reading but in reviewing as well.
5 Stars
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Another great read by this author. This book shows the hardships and heartbreak of being a caretaker for an elderly parent. This is a quick easy read but a hard subject if you have ever been a caretaker for an elderly parent. My husband and I just went thru this with his father who had dementia, his father died in January but we and his sister took care of him from the start of COVID. Like Erina his other brothers tried to dictate his care from afar.
She learns how to knit as a way to help with the stress. Who knew adult women could be as nasty and petty as teenage girls? This is a true heartwarming story that you will sure to enjoy especially if you are a caretaker.
As I read this story of the author`s journey through her mother`s illness, I found comfort in knowing that I was not alone.
My father passed in 2016 from Alzheimer`s. It is a terrible disease, and if you are mostly alone in your parent`s care, this book will be a much needed balm for your sanity and well-being.
Erina Bridget Ring has written a marvelous book about her emotions during this time, and anyone going through this journey with a loved one will find it extremely helpful.
I would most certainly recommend this one.
This book is not only inspirational but such a true story of love, truth and “stick-to-it” guts of a daughter determined to help care for her mother no matter the circumstances. The way she was treated when she joined the simple knitting group was unforgivable, but the heroine, who was the author, taught how believing in truth, love and justice could overcome
True life can be tough. Taking care of an ill family member even tougher. It was hard for me to get into this book.She takes up knitting. Meets new people to try to release stress and find time for herself.If you like drama this is probably a good read
The author has written this memoir with the raw emotions and feelings she has while taking care of her mom as she suffers from dementia and aging. Having been a caregiver to my mom at end of life, I can surely understand and appreciate the challenges and heartache she faces. Erina joins a knitting group with a bunch of women hoping to find guidance and understanding about what she is going through. Instead these women turn out to be a nasty and hostile group. And if that isn’t hard enough to deal with, add in a sister who is unstable and a troublemaker. Thank goodness she had a husband who she could count on and was by her side through this heartbreaking, emotional journey. Wonderful book but did not see the ending that came but I was not disappointed by it.
Patricia Fayo
Novels N Latte Reviews
Hudson Valley, NY