tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245694722024-03-15T20:12:42.055-05:00Writes, Knits & ReadsWriting, posting pictures of all kinds and links to some of my favorite places. An electic mix of politics, commentary, knitting and food - let's just sit and enjoy each other's company and a cup of tea. Come join me - I'd love to chat with you!KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.comBlogger693125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-54604757873203900012024-03-15T14:24:00.000-05:002024-03-15T14:24:14.348-05:00Quinn Unn Gerda<p></p><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqo6pCDsbG-o5JURB88KcOBTTFqOf-XTjM8L5VIHDeX5mKnNy2T15OWNcdT6T4AjbUJo5pqrvhncgOlJShIkJVXmlpa4GX3Mkbey07oH33AxA0COBdz81Ei8dXe8FFjohnUAdBQaqw9jMjfKTO9nAK8EXfTJohflGZkJWcnug-hVrOmnXopgfQ/s1200/quinn%20portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqo6pCDsbG-o5JURB88KcOBTTFqOf-XTjM8L5VIHDeX5mKnNy2T15OWNcdT6T4AjbUJo5pqrvhncgOlJShIkJVXmlpa4GX3Mkbey07oH33AxA0COBdz81Ei8dXe8FFjohnUAdBQaqw9jMjfKTO9nAK8EXfTJohflGZkJWcnug-hVrOmnXopgfQ/w150-h200/quinn%20portrait.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Saturday will be 3 weeks...And I still find myself sifting through memories. Buckle up, grab a beverage and settle in. Here is The Story of Quinn.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;">A little while after we got Tippi, we got news that Quinn was in need of a home. At first, my sister said she'd take her, so up Hubby went to get her. I was recovering from hand surgery, and Tippi was still getting used to us, so...that' show that went. It turned out that Quinn wasn't all that fond of men. And she took quite some time to adjust to our mainly-male household. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;">I have a clear memory (though no photo) of Kid #1 trying to hand-feed Quinn, who was hiding under the dining room table. Ultimately, she was not only an EPIC foster-fail, but she feel in love with ALL THE GUYS...She definitely overcame her fear. I'm pretty sure our friend and facilitator of this "foster" knew in her heart that it was going to "fail." </span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3333px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ03tpvR11aZ5Ke8_50QGeyud7xCBsA9ALAd5xcuRYXDyBYNtUYxLXT90ma6qRsbV3UGwoMUBV8ZDWsYWevrzhWLheLQwTu0WPBdjVcn_0T9LUVoG-TYkQC-axTogiY50OOgyCJzVLWjnDi7wf3YV0ik2ECxMCqXEnIz8pWtDrkLmYANg7fE06iw/s1200/relaxedquinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ03tpvR11aZ5Ke8_50QGeyud7xCBsA9ALAd5xcuRYXDyBYNtUYxLXT90ma6qRsbV3UGwoMUBV8ZDWsYWevrzhWLheLQwTu0WPBdjVcn_0T9LUVoG-TYkQC-axTogiY50OOgyCJzVLWjnDi7wf3YV0ik2ECxMCqXEnIz8pWtDrkLmYANg7fE06iw/w200-h150/relaxedquinn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Quinn had her personality challenge, let's be honest. She was a snot. At that time, we had Tippi and our red husky, River, who was a retired show dog. Tippi wanted NOTHING to do with Quinn. (I know - Tippi was hardly "mother of the year.") River, taking a look at the situation, and assessing as a Husky would, swatted Quinn upside the head and then pinned her down with The Husky Paw of Pain and Quinn -- surprisingly -- fell in love and was devoted to Rover for the rest of River's life. (that is her sharing River's space - they often slept close to each other)</span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPdJgeIvszp2RDqkMlcDNf0H_p8O2Pu9IpqHd1CAaOg325eDgA9TzzZTUCNCh4Uw-3OqV-qbixjEOMF0U9A7f5PN7-A7UcgSV2TNLu_Q90W2bf1j7slJvmFDSxhNGS_2HAWjKygwadQTja7NK1oDAl1L_KWdOywuv6UrtgMce2XO3laxrdDjwXg/s4368/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4368" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPdJgeIvszp2RDqkMlcDNf0H_p8O2Pu9IpqHd1CAaOg325eDgA9TzzZTUCNCh4Uw-3OqV-qbixjEOMF0U9A7f5PN7-A7UcgSV2TNLu_Q90W2bf1j7slJvmFDSxhNGS_2HAWjKygwadQTja7NK1oDAl1L_KWdOywuv6UrtgMce2XO3laxrdDjwXg/w200-h133/IMG_1161.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Quinn
was our snuggle-bunny. She loved getting right in the middle of where the
people were. She loved her "kids" and she loved to sit on them. Yes.
ON them. She also found "under my chair" her favorite space. As a
puppy she could get her whole self under there. As she grew, it was eventually
only her head. For a good 12 years, I was never able to recline that chair - at
least without checking first to see if she was anywhere near it.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">She
would bark. And bark. And bark. She was capable of at least a two-octave range.
She sounded like we had at least 3 MORE dogs!! Her favorite perch was a little
stool we placed at the front window, just to save the window's woodwork.
Everyone knew Quinn. Everyone... </span><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5ArwpXU8xyOArFffTG9nJzAcsG0I6FgDdy_f5-S_5Ff33R4WtnG1hOhNObQ_KjMyiq9d28YMOzLmCH7_vqydOVU_fpCGos072Gq3h0WYAdvn4hLMe_LEstzp2K3wFHLKztQ3qMS5ZtcSs2m2ikAL7-04DSU04PXcbF_Ac7PQnC5AdU_3ocPyZg/s4368/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4368" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5ArwpXU8xyOArFffTG9nJzAcsG0I6FgDdy_f5-S_5Ff33R4WtnG1hOhNObQ_KjMyiq9d28YMOzLmCH7_vqydOVU_fpCGos072Gq3h0WYAdvn4hLMe_LEstzp2K3wFHLKztQ3qMS5ZtcSs2m2ikAL7-04DSU04PXcbF_Ac7PQnC5AdU_3ocPyZg/w200-h133/IMG_1165.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She also loved to challenge her place on the couch - it was usually between me and Hubby. If we dared to sit close to each other, one of two things happened: She either sat in front of us and stared, aternately, at each of us with that special, piercing Elkhound gaze -- till we gave her space. OR -- she jumped up alongside whichever one was in the middle part of the couch, and then wormed (bulldozed) her way between us. It was always a question of which one of us would get her butt in our face. When I had my hip replaced this past summer and Hubby helped me do home PT, she was right there on that couch, touching me in some way, and making sure he was taking care of me properly. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">She went through all 4 levels of obedience, and attained her Canine Good Citizen. She never really had the temperament for a therapy dog; and that was fine. She was who she was.</span><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4mGV-YWNQzUFucaVamwATYIU9uP-egdchPm_Gyd5qC0LmJkQ4LCQcdQE6p6xT_F9Kj2q1zpdCKi_r9n0kJ2oz8YHK1n48tpWPt3I6xtJkBrlX4dcf0jGJbzpqAuS1zXyU4wO0884m0byQk_HMgFAN9FB60wDgJhyx0Q5jwNb2wCQPLcnzu0PQA/s3648/I%20can't%20fit!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4mGV-YWNQzUFucaVamwATYIU9uP-egdchPm_Gyd5qC0LmJkQ4LCQcdQE6p6xT_F9Kj2q1zpdCKi_r9n0kJ2oz8YHK1n48tpWPt3I6xtJkBrlX4dcf0jGJbzpqAuS1zXyU4wO0884m0byQk_HMgFAN9FB60wDgJhyx0Q5jwNb2wCQPLcnzu0PQA/w200-h150/I%20can't%20fit!.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Her
worst nightmare was the awful curse of sebaceous cysts that she suffered with.
In the Elkhound world, we've all had that discussion - we wish Quinn would've
been one of those who "grew out of them," but sadly, she was plagued.
Sidney was able to take on most of that care -- my job was holding her head and
telling her she was the BESTEST GIRL while he did what had to be done. Needless
to say, she was not happy when she had a bad flare up. Otherwise, though? She
was the healthiest dog. She had beautiful teeth till she died. Her smile was
contagious.<span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">When
we brought Raisa into the house, we were still a happy band of three till Raisa
hit her teens (around age 3-4). Then, she and Quinn? Not good. To be honest, I
had several long conversations with the late, great <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/126358494085023/user/100000214383518/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZXEhgH6FsQGGT28gFZIM3xeCark9MJq24TUIK4xtMl1umizIqLIk7iOq757ur2ki7VvibMyIzth_xkPA610B4ZBXyOlODzdeUUPwYFAOOmSzo0htod1TxA9uAxNwiiNzdOC4YKmwlYktxM1x3lKPcjefHwk2lT7k2qSAnPf7nGujAWOWKzZ7-Ueu_PdWEQk7rM&__tn__=-%5dK-R"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: blue; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Steve Chester</span></a>...a giant in the rescue world; his advice
saved my sanity more than once. We were a gated community until Raisa's
untimely death in September 2023. Quinn suddenly became an "only
dog," and to be honest? I don't know that she liked it. And sadly, she
didn't have much time to adjust, since her diagnosis of advanced lymphoma was
in October 2023... Definitely not divine timing. </span><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e_KudsSI2vGs4OCqB0Wg3Nq-ERiQ7Fj4tUPB-KABcjGEdOb9vzj23JcoK4B35z_vSalcQ2cYizJxlXB8gdzCBVT2p-xBxZvefs0gSM5GyWQr0B7dfcUs5zWm-T3IFJ1n1NYF1ei4a-qjUecUfHsrIfUatEMpdY86qvcUzuaCxn-9DG68KO6ASA/s4368/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4368" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e_KudsSI2vGs4OCqB0Wg3Nq-ERiQ7Fj4tUPB-KABcjGEdOb9vzj23JcoK4B35z_vSalcQ2cYizJxlXB8gdzCBVT2p-xBxZvefs0gSM5GyWQr0B7dfcUs5zWm-T3IFJ1n1NYF1ei4a-qjUecUfHsrIfUatEMpdY86qvcUzuaCxn-9DG68KO6ASA/w200-h133/IMG_1394.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Her
other love, aside from snuggling and dressing up in weird hats and costumes for
Howl-O-Ween, was running in the snow. None of us is a fan of the current
snow-less winters, and we took complete advantage of the dog park when we got
blizzards. Nobody else in town was crazy enough to join us, so we had the park
to ourselves. Sadly, there were never enough blizzards for either of us. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">She
was our "perpetual puppy" -- she always looked younger than she was,
up till she was about 12 years old. She was alwas skinny -- "Skinny
Quinnie" was just one of her many nicknames. She was always active. I
remember trying to teach Tippi to go up a ramp to get into my truck. I had both
dogs out there. Treats on the ramp. Tippi went up far enough to scoop up 3 or 4
treats. Quinn just went airborne, leaped into the truck and looked at me as if
to say, "Ok, treat, please!" Both of them entirely missed the point
of the ramp. Elkhounds....what can you do?? </span><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogEGxvTESd2X6b5WFOqZtXKgCkP5aZtj4nR7-RlcSIe_PRk0F0cfEv1UEi7tidqFyNzSu1oJR6oax1CznIx5AWZapF3SQFVIPdwmtwIszZhqUSqTTHZN1sDf7Z5UjRV5fVHa7PxGs48QRLSuKXudFrnozS85Lxpd54EI4lDhhR-iz7cYGWfMGMg/s720/curly%20tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogEGxvTESd2X6b5WFOqZtXKgCkP5aZtj4nR7-RlcSIe_PRk0F0cfEv1UEi7tidqFyNzSu1oJR6oax1CznIx5AWZapF3SQFVIPdwmtwIszZhqUSqTTHZN1sDf7Z5UjRV5fVHa7PxGs48QRLSuKXudFrnozS85Lxpd54EI4lDhhR-iz7cYGWfMGMg/w200-h150/curly%20tail.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">She
was a leggy girl, with a cinnabon tail, and a rogue-ish personality. She had
three tricks in her arsenal, and that's what you got. She loved to dress up,
stalk Hubby for toast, play with her Kong bone, and she used to jump up and
sit on my lap in my chair (all 60 pounds of her) -- she would do that till she
was about 12 years old. I had to make sure to pay attention, because she didn't care if I was knitting or not. When she wanted up, she wanted up. She loved frozen blueberries and cheese, and from a
dead-sleep, she could tell which one I was opening up and she'd be right behind
me before I knew it. <span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Almost
14.5 years. Wasn't nearly enough time. We miss her.</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-8903677166400497932024-02-24T18:09:00.000-06:002024-02-24T18:09:06.971-06:00And Then There Were None...<p> Quinn Unn Gerda</p><p>11/2009 - 2/2014</p><p>Our beloved Norwegian Elkhound Warrior Princess has earned her wings. We knew from the diagnosis in October 2023 that she was not going to have a lot of time. She gave us more time than the vet (and we) expected. Because that's how she rolls -- rolled. She was just shy of 14 1/2 years old. </p><p>I'll write more later, once my brain settles down a bit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYMrgZ8KY4FVuKKTTY0ZHAKuuX2CKcQ8tqnbRA1vsClLFmDqFSHn3eupWnClyjRALQN8o3iOzBEoRkE1_qvIE-_oY-Zkrp_RP_cCa0YfGAV50qdZ4AaaeXQwCBTyt_DzzqZntUQxeDTBVW9D5IfhlvLze9g8Zz1YusjhBcWh2yJVxx4vhnck9mg/s4368/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4368" data-original-width="2912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYMrgZ8KY4FVuKKTTY0ZHAKuuX2CKcQ8tqnbRA1vsClLFmDqFSHn3eupWnClyjRALQN8o3iOzBEoRkE1_qvIE-_oY-Zkrp_RP_cCa0YfGAV50qdZ4AaaeXQwCBTyt_DzzqZntUQxeDTBVW9D5IfhlvLze9g8Zz1YusjhBcWh2yJVxx4vhnck9mg/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-22562583969641220492023-11-22T20:53:00.001-06:002023-11-22T20:53:21.686-06:00What. The. Fluff....<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I mean, really. I refuse to ask "what now?" but I will say WHAT. THE. FLUFF...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last week, at our women's group meeting, I said, "I'm sitting here and staying away from everyone, because I feel like I'm coming down with a cold."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">By that Friday, I ended up at the urgent care. They said a vague "there's a crud going around, just watch so that you don't end up with pneumonia." Sent me home with OTC meds because apparently, some of the prescription stuff I'm on, they can't prescribe certain things. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This past Sunday was our family's Thanksgiving. So Hubby made the turkey, I did the vegan stuffing, a soba noodle dish, and a vegan lemon cake. Oh, and we were planning home-made whipped cream (my sister adored Cool Whip - ugh - and the rest of us loved the stuff in the can). I had purchased a carton of heavy cream and didn't end up using it, so I figured we'd use our homemade vanilla and treat the fam to something interesting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But after the Friday appointment, I made the decision to stay home. I just didn't feel like it was a good idea to go. And when Kid #2 came over to do the spuds, I masked up and stayed away from everyone. I was hacking up a storm, but I had no fever, no chills, nothing. Oh, I was sore from the coughing, and lemme tell ya - a big honking cough with a 65-year old bladder? Yikes... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turns out it was a very good choice to stay home. Not because of Quinn, though I was worried about leaving her home alone for an extended period of time. Her potty calls are getting to be a bit more frequent, though she hasn't had any accidents in the house. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">On this past Tuesday, I went back to the doctor. I hadn't really slept since the Thursday-ish before because of the coughing. It wasn't getting better with the OTC stuff. And I had lost my voice. Cancelled my remaining PT appointments and pushed them back 10 days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turns out, I have RSV.... <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html">Check here </a>for what this is. The commercials you may have seen regarding either the babies or the elders -- they're not wrong. I am sick as the proverbial dog. Still no fever to speak of, the body aches are because I'm trying to sleep sitting up and I'm coughing like crazy. And what I have is considered "mild." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was a good call to not go, because we have a 6-month-old baby and my mom. There is a bright spot here... my mom and several friends, seeing how sick I am, have gone and gotten their RSV vaccine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUANaPPVMAc3dLFv9-fB0xgYwnbwkWNR-yT4oaRoGWHtsjwygEwvk_vTGdDsVacu3lAvQ0ypK9-k39rTIw2TpanA4g9R2tSQ0DgTkdiTDCH3lXZbjRaa8f18Hr9qoX63gI6Zv-aRfMaHEAox3NQCLj2ZDYYe3xuMaRz1ZD3VZR3duXfeb8MvL__A/s571/1000001743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUANaPPVMAc3dLFv9-fB0xgYwnbwkWNR-yT4oaRoGWHtsjwygEwvk_vTGdDsVacu3lAvQ0ypK9-k39rTIw2TpanA4g9R2tSQ0DgTkdiTDCH3lXZbjRaa8f18Hr9qoX63gI6Zv-aRfMaHEAox3NQCLj2ZDYYe3xuMaRz1ZD3VZR3duXfeb8MvL__A/w150-h200/1000001743.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They have me on an OTC med, tessalon pearls, a nasal spray and an inhaler now. The OTC med is ridiculously difficult to get open. I mean, I see the point, since the pills look like orange jelly beans. But I need scissors and basically a small knitting needle to get into the "tear here" portion of the package. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is supposed to be an expectorant and decongestant. Like in the Shrek movie, "Better out than in." The pearls make it so that you don't hurt when you cough. And the inhaler opens up the bronchials. No antibiotics - this is a virus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">RSV is EXTREMELY contagious. Thankful for Hubby's wonky souped-up immune system. He's managed to not be seriously ill since he was in high school. I'm coughing into my elbow. Washing my hands. Staying kind of in my own area. We were supposed to have a small dinner on the "real" Thanksgiving, but I told everyone -- Hubby told everyone, since I can't talk much -- to stay home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will be able to go to work next week, but I'm wearing a mask. My voice is still a little rocky, so I'll stay home from church, and I got a sub for my yoga classes; at this point, I can say a few words in a row, but that triggers coughing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as soon as I can, I'm getting the blasted vaccine. I was waffling. See what good it did? I don't even know where I picked this up. But it sucks. And I'm over it. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thanksgiving... </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So everyone enjoyed everything and even ate the vegan dishes! Win-win! My mother has also decreed that "henceforth, we shall have home-made whipped cream," so I guess I need to buy 2 cartons for Christmas. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-CNwf8qNeiYvb3Lmd31rybMtMWU0qKfQL_Ij3ATxZkYB47wUEQbB1wSyJrkWZ9Vm7oxn0DJhXCTu19m_f-usxjG6-mSsJd18-bY-1iQY2POCz2RFvjTqusTfDpqsT3fhPOnngdObNBR2Qc-sE7OptNBvlrYwHzlA1PrSqN5f1qkVsDHEJgayIA/s4000/IMG20231118114232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-CNwf8qNeiYvb3Lmd31rybMtMWU0qKfQL_Ij3ATxZkYB47wUEQbB1wSyJrkWZ9Vm7oxn0DJhXCTu19m_f-usxjG6-mSsJd18-bY-1iQY2POCz2RFvjTqusTfDpqsT3fhPOnngdObNBR2Qc-sE7OptNBvlrYwHzlA1PrSqN5f1qkVsDHEJgayIA/w151-h200/IMG20231118114232.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The lemon cake was really pretty good. As Kid #2 puts it, there's no magic in vegan cooking - just using other ingredients. It was meant to be a layer cake, or a 13x9, but I did it in a Bundt pan. Not sure that I'd do that again. I have a nice 12" ring pan that might be better. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The recipe had some erzatz "buttercream," but I'm told that if you use vegan butter and regular shortening, my own recipe for buttercream turns out just fine. Nonetheless, this one got a dusting of powdered sugar. Hubby managed to scrape together some whipped cream from the vultures... and so I had a slice of this with the whipped cream. It was really nice and moist. Good crumb. I would probably add more lemon zest in the batter. And I might try my own buttercream on this one, just vegan it up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2GahItxLB-oFmMLy_GGSg-I_ASE9yADvp8QU9GGclqOS3IbcQCWSHuCSHC5N8ZNhnIj-rHWRiGccI_6Tk_DsVQ6xSM2g7SoEsUNIMJf3M1PIvDMEANOdbvMysKFZibjX1_46DbP6l0fl2UdTyDTZJ6bFuhQs2HxqbW1p0Z3oqBhFW16mU8d8jQ/s571/1000001742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2GahItxLB-oFmMLy_GGSg-I_ASE9yADvp8QU9GGclqOS3IbcQCWSHuCSHC5N8ZNhnIj-rHWRiGccI_6Tk_DsVQ6xSM2g7SoEsUNIMJf3M1PIvDMEANOdbvMysKFZibjX1_46DbP6l0fl2UdTyDTZJ6bFuhQs2HxqbW1p0Z3oqBhFW16mU8d8jQ/w150-h200/1000001742.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The stuffing went well too. I did 4 kinds of bread: a French loaf, sourdough, pretzel bread and pita bread. Cut them up, dried them in the oven and then added all the veggies, dried cranberries, cut up a couple apples and tossed them in there. Leeks. Veggie broth and vegan butter. It was really pretty good. Just juicy enough, not soggy and not heavy. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I asked The Kid about the "main" vegan dish, and ended up going with a soba noodle concoction with a Greek dressing. I diced up a butternut squash, roasted it along with mushrooms (white and mini bellas), shredded carrots, chopped spinach, and roasted red peppers. Tossed it with the noodles and the vegan Greek dressing. It was warm; but it could also be served cold or room temperature. You could also add beans to it, but I didn't this time. Funny enough, everyone ate some of it! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We boiled the carcass with the veggies I stuffed inside of it (we don't stuff our bird). The fruit & veggies this year were: 1 lemon, 1 apple, 2 carrots, 4 celery stalks. Just cut 'em up and poke them into the cavity, and then the front end of the bird. The bird then gets a massage of olive oil, some salt & pepper, and rosemary under the skin and in the cavity. Roast it... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So after we boiled the carcass and veggies, we plucked the bones clean, set that meat aside, and whizzed the broth. I made soup with thin egg noodles, and have been eating that all week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seems like everyone liked everything, from the texts I got. And yes, they were appreciative that I kept my sick behind at home!</span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Reading...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq489CTcqZwv6dgh_27TzHOK063vKUm1OAblqpZizVrhJvm8hjJ2kfMYb9ddUL-qn8cQeIDU9wgm8AZytXPJjsEMVh0_0-vr17Z2346oA2HT_qSNzQuyK_oeD23nCFpS3Jr6PNo1Y8Di8j9b_8SnaXl6oFwKmoLFGeFBHyIC6eJViLXokiXDghQ/s571/1000001759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq489CTcqZwv6dgh_27TzHOK063vKUm1OAblqpZizVrhJvm8hjJ2kfMYb9ddUL-qn8cQeIDU9wgm8AZytXPJjsEMVh0_0-vr17Z2346oA2HT_qSNzQuyK_oeD23nCFpS3Jr6PNo1Y8Di8j9b_8SnaXl6oFwKmoLFGeFBHyIC6eJViLXokiXDghQ/w150-h200/1000001759.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been reading my usual mysteries, but I bought this actual book, Greg Louganis' autobiography entitled "Breaking the Surface." It's fascinating. And an easy read. I admired him during the Olympics, and now after reading this, I feel sad. Pick it up. You'll learn a lot. I was amazed, watching him compete, how a guy his size (I don't know - it was hard to judge, but he's not a small man like some of the Japanese divers) could rip into the water with nary a splash. Nobody does it like he did it. And he's still, in my opinion, the world's greatest diver. I don't think anyone has beaten his record of 4 golds in consecutive Olympics. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been reading and going down the rabbit hole of YouTube, lots of Harry & Meghan videos. Though I did see the tiara that Katherine, Princess of Wales wore recently. I was so happy to see the Strathmore Rose tiara come out into the light of day. As I recall, this tiara was in contention for Meghan to wear, but once I saw her (not too well-tailored) wedding dress, I realized the tiara she wore actually matched it much better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pWtips17E45lIyBnBuokTvkuOjioiBCSdLyOxETo9KYjX639wH5Kqg-aRiFxvViNPzu1ClbbSoGdcnS8zd0gs4fWi8GmUptzICS3qw9gqZgpcbL5HyhyphenhyphenZLHFIvDw-aM-MjXrzxrW4Zsf6A3MZNAJCzV-E-0iKvD-sE-ZmpefAXORWFwx9MOXJg/s1200/kate-middleton-strathmore-rose-tiara.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pWtips17E45lIyBnBuokTvkuOjioiBCSdLyOxETo9KYjX639wH5Kqg-aRiFxvViNPzu1ClbbSoGdcnS8zd0gs4fWi8GmUptzICS3qw9gqZgpcbL5HyhyphenhyphenZLHFIvDw-aM-MjXrzxrW4Zsf6A3MZNAJCzV-E-0iKvD-sE-ZmpefAXORWFwx9MOXJg/w200-h200/kate-middleton-strathmore-rose-tiara.jpg.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, Katherine could wear a sack and look good, but on this instance she was a real stunner... and the tiara was perfect. She's not suited to the bigger, bolder ones (except for the Cambridge Lover's Knot). Camilla can carry those big honkers off much better. The fact that this tiara was just kind of stuck in the vault for a century is kind of bonkers. But it suited her dress and her head. <a href="https://katemiddletonstyle.org/item/strathmore-rose-tiara/">Here's some info </a>on this little bauble..and also where I plucked this picture from, giving credit where credit is due. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do like the "flapper" version but I honestly don't think Kate could have carried that one off. The dress was too modern. It wouldn't have looked right. And if nothing else, she usually does try to make everything perfect. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBISjetlR7Me8400MONS-F9tmJ-mtPvV3T1nVmmJvK0CG6YrGTmo2FRa13T6ukzjIrKIMu6UlIooxCrwkOng0te_TdVVo-d-UdC5CE-ZZnl1bVke7qm76RT-AItl14FDjbgkYGPN6aUPUc2YD1NcXvaw4h7m74_-pwgBK4P7oLmLxVImTMaUZp7w/s571/1000001758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBISjetlR7Me8400MONS-F9tmJ-mtPvV3T1nVmmJvK0CG6YrGTmo2FRa13T6ukzjIrKIMu6UlIooxCrwkOng0te_TdVVo-d-UdC5CE-ZZnl1bVke7qm76RT-AItl14FDjbgkYGPN6aUPUc2YD1NcXvaw4h7m74_-pwgBK4P7oLmLxVImTMaUZp7w/w150-h200/1000001758.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm also getting a lot of knitting done. The mindless Part 2 of the Bias Before & After scarf is coming along well. I'm really digging the "matcha latte" color. I think I've got about 31" or so. I can see the ball of yarn coming down, which is perfect. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really think this will be done if not in December, early in January, so I can block them both and still have enough of the cooler weather to wear them. Hopefully - they're calling for an El Nino winter and sometimes I feel like they don't even really know what that means. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I kind of want to speed this along so that I can get to the beading. And I want to see how that updated provisional caston un-picks, considering that I really faffed up the one on the peacock scarf. It was just so clunky. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After that, I may go back and finish the sock for the North-South-East-West pair to have them off my needles and in the sock rotation. And then I have to decide: The DROPS sweater? The black/brown Expression Fiber Arts shawl WIP? Start up the Long Sands? It's going to be tough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, and an update from the Cascade Heritage Sock - the Petty Harbours that I finished? They washed up like a dream. Were so yummy to wear. And they didn't pill. Though I've only worn them once. So we'll see how they wear long-term. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If nothing else, I'd buy a solid in that yarn and do the most warm and cuddly shawl. It would be awesome. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2iQ_M_7RSGf8x4s6LellOAJbMc32gFB-MabDuT-7fGU1lc0NXkfWsrQW_sqRSlzPxZ7albDeEnzuIolzJuTGF9kamhRl-fomSm7i8ArcXhWsfkLVz-3P3p03Gm-iZjiXHWdfNCL3UI2Ra3GS0oID5nAEgbYZrleFnkswL4Cuf3jBS9lowmKrXw/s4368/IMG_8899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4368" data-original-width="2912" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2iQ_M_7RSGf8x4s6LellOAJbMc32gFB-MabDuT-7fGU1lc0NXkfWsrQW_sqRSlzPxZ7albDeEnzuIolzJuTGF9kamhRl-fomSm7i8ArcXhWsfkLVz-3P3p03Gm-iZjiXHWdfNCL3UI2Ra3GS0oID5nAEgbYZrleFnkswL4Cuf3jBS9lowmKrXw/w133-h200/IMG_8899.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was all set to give you an update on the ornaments, when I remembered I had already done that! Yikes. My brain... </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So instead, I reached back, WAYYYYYYYYYYY back, into the NAS and found this picture. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's St. Mary Lake, Goose Island in Glacier National Park. I can't even tell you how old this is. I am pretty sure I took this with my honest-to-God CAMERA, my Canon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is one of my favorite spots in Glacier. We didn't go often enough. I'm hoping we will have time to go again. We haven't been back since my mother-in-law's funeral, and at that, we certainly didn't have time to go to the park. Being that it was in April, if I remember, the park wasn't open. It usually doesn't open till June. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now with the new hip, I'm in better shape to actually travel without being bound by the pain. Just have to figure out where we want to go. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-39023592722634937412023-11-17T15:55:00.000-06:002023-11-17T15:55:29.684-06:00General Update...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7sEXhVl9-bwtpiczK1fxXp41_dVqZNSFVn2FlxOuYPYA2Rf3F19-SXF6CvrodLEWPE8u7bwQ_a295UnicBWgFO9lU3OpVIIf-YKQi5RsUtl7q3GHl4_yu6h5yS5ilFhfCaeKwkQg39o17UTZ0ZFa_R527hhBRraZvzAuEWpJQWoROlETbDjLUQ/s571/1000001640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7sEXhVl9-bwtpiczK1fxXp41_dVqZNSFVn2FlxOuYPYA2Rf3F19-SXF6CvrodLEWPE8u7bwQ_a295UnicBWgFO9lU3OpVIIf-YKQi5RsUtl7q3GHl4_yu6h5yS5ilFhfCaeKwkQg39o17UTZ0ZFa_R527hhBRraZvzAuEWpJQWoROlETbDjLUQ/w150-h200/1000001640.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We're hanging in there with Quinn. We can see changes; we know what's coming. Now, it's all in the timing. Not letting our hearts rule, but our heads. Or in the words of our vet, "Better a day early than a day late." She's moving slower. She's taking longer to eat. She can't get on the couch as easily as she used to. She's going out MANY times per day, and drinking a lot of water. She paces, and sometimes stares out into space. The lymph nodes are increasing in size and her stomach is a bit bloated - but rest assured, the poop factory is working well!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hubby takes her for short walks, and she seems to enjoy them - when she's done, she turns him toward home and they come back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She's getting "reasonably" spoiled. I'm not about to totally toss all the food she'd like at her -- no sense cleaning it up when it comes back up. Quinn has always had a dicey tummy, and even though she might WANT to eat stuff, there is a lot she should NOT eat. She gets to lick out my yogurt cup, she gets frozen blueberries, a snik of chicken or turkey (no skin or fat), her usual toast, half a banana at bedtime (this has been a life-long thing, so she has a little something on her stomach overnight)... lots of treats, considering. She got salmon skin the other night when we had it for dinner. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She still gets the occasional "back rub zoomies," and seems happy. But there's an air about her, and I can't put my finger on it. Hubby has asked me "how much do you want to know," because he's keeping a tighter track on her. I told him that a lot of me is in denial. I just don't want to know. But it's not fair to him, so I told him I would like to "judiciously" know. I'm not using the internet to look for symptoms (he is). I'm not doom-scrolling the pet-grief pages. I'm trying to be present with her, as she is, right now. Some days, it's easier than others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. We wait. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The First Cold...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not of the season. I'm talking common cold. Round about Tuesday, I wasn't feeling great, but hey - not like there's nothing going on around here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Started out feeling stuffed up and then it moved, as it typically does, down my throat. I have a lovely situation where, instead of being able to blow my nose with any results, all the gunk goes down my throat (sorry...TMI). Results are, of course, a cough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I took Thursday off, because I woke up without a voice. Cancelled my yoga class. Then Friday, just as bad -- thankfully no worse, and not The Plague (I tested Tuesday & Wednesday to be sure). It's fine, as long as I don't talk. So I'm also cancelling my Saturday sub job and Sunday Yin class. It's hit me like a ton of bricks, and I just want to sit and stare at a blank wall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe it'll go away by Saturday, but I'd rather not pass these germs to anyone else. I want to be able to attend our family's Thanksgiving, which we do on this Sunday. Not like we're Canadian or anything (all due respect to our neighbors up north), we just have a lot of kids who have to carve up their holiday like you'd carve that bird...so we just have it the Sunday before and it seems to work ok for everyone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year, it's back at my mom's house. She just wants what she wants, and it's hard to change some folks. We're doing the following:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turkey, vegan stuffing, gravy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vegan Lemon cake</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Homemade whipped cream with our own vanilla</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bread & mashed potatoes</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cranberry sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soba noodles & roasted veggies for the resident vegan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Other family members are also contributing, but we usually do the turkey and the vegan stuff because --- we do it better!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After he gets done roasting the turkey, I get the carcass, add more veggies and herbs and reduce it down for broth for later. Turkey soup with noodles is delicious! Just have to have a robust broth. So I use carrots, celery, onion, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and Penzey's Tuscan Seasoning, which is a salt-free blend. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then on the regular day, Hubby has ordered a take-out dinner - not like we need the food, but that way, my mom doesn't have complaints about "never being invited anywhere." Personally, I'd shove an old movie on, eat a turkey sandwich and call it a day. Instead, we're doing the catered dinner and the following:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vegan pumpkin pie & vegan whipped cream</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gnocchi and roasted brussel sprouts with tomatoes for the resident vegan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There will be a non-vegan dessert included in the take-out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So... random memory: Raisa used to howl like the dickens when Hubby got out the electric carving knife. He's carving up the turkey (we bake it before then reheat, and yes, it's usually delicious!). With the electric carving knife. And there's not a peep, because if she IS howling along, it's over the Rainbow Bridge, and we can't hear her. Just one of those "jabs to the heart," as we try to grapple with her loss and the pending issues with Quinny...</span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAPnAtJEpUDcpgtBdh7FHaDA4qdzwz2mfpqpEa8Zm4tgjIzfFX03HCQOdlhDA7GscTEd2NwhHBi7zz74ZsPn5J2lGKHamOumUi5NGgTq4lrxru5vD5rdH65Leix-dZv02ZGbOb89zwz8d4GtNCtmPk5J1ul1hAkWUfGZvg8wH5LRlb4pHbbYTEA/s571/1000001726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="571" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAPnAtJEpUDcpgtBdh7FHaDA4qdzwz2mfpqpEa8Zm4tgjIzfFX03HCQOdlhDA7GscTEd2NwhHBi7zz74ZsPn5J2lGKHamOumUi5NGgTq4lrxru5vD5rdH65Leix-dZv02ZGbOb89zwz8d4GtNCtmPk5J1ul1hAkWUfGZvg8wH5LRlb4pHbbYTEA/w200-h150/1000001726.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a result of All. The. Stuff. -- I'm sticking with a mindless knitting project and am trying to finish what may well be my oldest, or nearest to, WIP. It's the Bias Before and After, which I've mentioned. Well, I finished the peacock one, did the beading (which I'm now all jazzed about) and undid the provisional cast-on to bead that end. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are some Things I Would Do Differently. So on the matcha-colored one (which, when I bought it, I thought it was lime, but it's not "lime" enough and it's not "sage" enough - it looks like my matcha latte, so that is what I shall call it) -- I did a different provisional cast on, over the needle and used a slightly smaller yarn. I think it will help when I tink it and do the beading. It will also help that the thing isn't going to be 10 years old... Just sayin.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmiYxCgWx4d1InGVG5YFz82KTisYEaUpXeH1xZxoM2ZPM7JF1VGZhxQlOUMs_sx6iluG0ZZbqp_7EfBOxxW0xRO2OBUm-bfpn01xun9F161_0K05cbvbcLnT2MgquhIJeCK6Mjz-qX_t7LmxMlIV7S93ZZxFqyfTJ48CjIbpSuUP5YRCwgb6MlQ/s571/1000001725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="571" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmiYxCgWx4d1InGVG5YFz82KTisYEaUpXeH1xZxoM2ZPM7JF1VGZhxQlOUMs_sx6iluG0ZZbqp_7EfBOxxW0xRO2OBUm-bfpn01xun9F161_0K05cbvbcLnT2MgquhIJeCK6Mjz-qX_t7LmxMlIV7S93ZZxFqyfTJ48CjIbpSuUP5YRCwgb6MlQ/w200-h150/1000001725.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can see here why it's called "Before and After." This thing definitely needs a blocking. I will likely block them both after Christmas. I will need space, and some time to get the blocking wires just right. I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks blocked out. The matcha green matches that green in the yarn. Due to vagaries in lighting and camera quality, the pictures aren't as nice as I would like. In real life, it's actually quite pretty. Though maybe I should have picked that light blue as the contrast, I really loved how the matcha green looked. While I don't wear green a lot, I do wear basic colors such as black, navy blue and grey, so this could go with a few sweaters I have. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi456AKeBBCyNtixlcTExa3DJi_HXZja8uETaAikyovQvTunB7K1fT1e0g_pOhcdeIk3djZZvAmYdpAPQekiN7Kvxs8R4TPUT6qyz4lJ80ToDNfmIJS3POD5cLe7hMcrwTk2ro0nE09c3l2_7bixjLTDyoIFGT8o6FimYGfzFgsL0zt95XJz-fK7A/s571/1000001724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi456AKeBBCyNtixlcTExa3DJi_HXZja8uETaAikyovQvTunB7K1fT1e0g_pOhcdeIk3djZZvAmYdpAPQekiN7Kvxs8R4TPUT6qyz4lJ80ToDNfmIJS3POD5cLe7hMcrwTk2ro0nE09c3l2_7bixjLTDyoIFGT8o6FimYGfzFgsL0zt95XJz-fK7A/w150-h200/1000001724.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I did buy wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too many beads. I only needed 1 tube of each color and I have 3 of each color. So there will be Things To Bead at some point. Who knows? Maybe I'll bead some socks. (Yeah, probably not, but I know it's a thing) Or maybe a scarf, which will be nice. Wristlets or fingerless mitts would also be good. Lots of ideas. But they'd have to be fingering-weight or less, because these beads are going on lace weight. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The green is knitting up pretty fast. It's a simple increase/decrease on the K side, and purl back, and I've got about 14-16" even though it doesn't look like I've made a dent in the ball of yarn. The other colorway went the same till ZAPPO --- I was near the end. I have to have 2 feet or so (and I'll likely do a bit more) to bind off with the beads. I use a crochet hook to put the bead on the stitch, instead of pre-stringing them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is definitely one of those "knit when you're tired" or "knit when you're stressed" projects. I can zip along when I'm watching a movie or reading. Or as a wind-down before bedtime. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The lace yarn is like butter in my hands. The alpaca will have a bit of a halo to it once it's rinsed and blocked. I love that - because you don't have to wear pounds of yarn to stay warm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the Drops sweater will wait till 2024. I just don't have the bandwidth or the brain power to deal with it right now. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Ornaments...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsL2eiEv-L_103Sj0OcA3OPUXUoCzQteO7K_bdh93sqPGTiv3GWgbyEWMEEjdbnLbm3yuUm3mJlpd2mbPuY4fU5ecDL6j3EImCrAeu6s8ucDJ2pYHmZp5viOmZnFHgvzlKTQBsavnztwnqbieKe_c8p4Tb6Xje7-M3V-H-E1IEM-1jRsltgzeUw/s4000/IMG20231113082317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsL2eiEv-L_103Sj0OcA3OPUXUoCzQteO7K_bdh93sqPGTiv3GWgbyEWMEEjdbnLbm3yuUm3mJlpd2mbPuY4fU5ecDL6j3EImCrAeu6s8ucDJ2pYHmZp5viOmZnFHgvzlKTQBsavnztwnqbieKe_c8p4Tb6Xje7-M3V-H-E1IEM-1jRsltgzeUw/w200-h151/IMG20231113082317.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year, I'm doing 7 of them, because of the new baby. I had to order the whole 18 years, plus a few more in case of breakage. So the theme for this little one is "angels and stars." I finished out one (theme of trees) and I have another one who's ending in about 4 years (theme of wreaths). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's probably a condition of "doing them for decades" -- but I generally have, in the past few years, picked a color scheme and I manage to do them all in that same scheme for everyone. Back in the very, very beginning, I think I used all 300 of my colors (not actually that many, but I did it more as individual ornaments rather than an assembly line). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGFO_pazqKv7aDUQdhg7qvkz5zAA9Ma5PHRlzjWpHAEfdP033lngQ78iVf_yEwwSRR_vQZI3liTd1cYTpO4CiE1Tsx0lp2KaOCxX_x3F96irqM2991GDbYK8pnX-Or__BMd1T2gFRna3xYn6KReErAXvTw_-5grecv7dZBtH1uV6coslqVnm5ew/s571/1000001719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGFO_pazqKv7aDUQdhg7qvkz5zAA9Ma5PHRlzjWpHAEfdP033lngQ78iVf_yEwwSRR_vQZI3liTd1cYTpO4CiE1Tsx0lp2KaOCxX_x3F96irqM2991GDbYK8pnX-Or__BMd1T2gFRna3xYn6KReErAXvTw_-5grecv7dZBtH1uV6coslqVnm5ew/w150-h200/1000001719.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know I will be doing white, black, and some shade of green (though now that the tree series is over, maybe less green??). And some years, I stain some of them. Others may get a different varnish. Some get artificial "snow" effect paint, and most of them get glitter. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still enjoy doing them, and I still get enthusiastic responses (or maybe just polite and I'm extrapolating). Doesn't matter to me, I will keep doing them as long as my hands are steady. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These are them - finished. I did blot out the names on the "name tag" themed ones. Just my own plug for safety. Regardless of how the parents handle social media, I will omit names where necessary. Call me old-school, won't make me lose any sleep. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Four of these all got glitter and a bunch got metallic paint. There was a happy accident on the angel's gown. The copper paint leaked over to the barn red, so I blended the two of them. It looks cool to me. I did an angel series a few years ago, and it was nice to have some fun with the garments. These angels are a little more old-fashioned, but I can work with them. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYHY1NAs8IXpxcegQJmpL-_6b9vi7CFu7Y8XqugtVno8UfvPLBw7Hw2B6YyU5B7ewTIOoXcXmxxg6cOWzj3DaPeGOn27oEamQs2Zz7O8rY0rHPgxI5ItkaTEvYBZARWmxJTooo6sIxejTHdMbkkFTCxHpsCr9kVYqt-dloMcR17hwICeK7VSMXg/s658/1000001728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="658" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYHY1NAs8IXpxcegQJmpL-_6b9vi7CFu7Y8XqugtVno8UfvPLBw7Hw2B6YyU5B7ewTIOoXcXmxxg6cOWzj3DaPeGOn27oEamQs2Zz7O8rY0rHPgxI5ItkaTEvYBZARWmxJTooo6sIxejTHdMbkkFTCxHpsCr9kVYqt-dloMcR17hwICeK7VSMXg/w200-h151/1000001728.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And a rant. So since I've been feeling rotten, I've had the TV on just for noise. This commercial has been on every single time. That, or the one with "Martha," who's screeching about her Medicare. Or the frosted blond who screams at her husband about Medicare Part C. Or Medicare Advantage. Or The Great Rip-Off Perpetrated by Big Insurance... People. It's the biggest scam going. Big insurance companies, such as Humana, Aetna, United Health Care and others have bought & paid for politicians. Who allow them to use the "Medicare" name, which is trusted as a solid government program which helps elders receive medical care. We've all paid into it since we started working, just like Social Security.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The ad has a sonorous male voice urging you to CALL NOW. NOW. RIGHT NOW. Drop what you're doing, grab the phone and talk to a "licensed insurance representative" (there's your first clue to the scam) to see if "plans are available in your ZIP code." The ad voiceover tells you in reassuring tones that it's good to "check your Medicare benefits" each year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is it? Probably. I know my mom does it each year. But she does have Medicare Advantage, because our trusted insurance guy worked it out for her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Personally, I'm going on regular Medicare. My doctors have already told me they don't take Medicare Advantage because those "free plans" are basically HMOs full of "benefits," like a gym membership, but as far as health care, there are a crap-ton of gag orders they don't tell you about. So you will get sub-par medical care because your doctor is forbidden to mention certain treatments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because the insurance companies treat patients like cogs in a wheel - they want our money but don't want to pay out in claims. So they tell the doctors they simply cannot give a good standard of care by mentioning Treatment A, B, or C. Because it's expensive. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Hitchcock classic, "To Catch A Thief," Jessie Royce Landis was the actress who played the mother, often dripping in jewels. She says to the insurance adjustor, "If you can't stand the risk, you need to get out of the business," or something close to it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I say to insurance companies and CEOs with billion-dollar bonuses: If you can't provide the care we contracted for, get out of the business. I didn't contract for 'the cheapest care' - I contracted for at least the standard of care. And because the insurance lobby is powerful, they have their stable of purchased politicians, and they get huge profits while cutting care. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Maga-psycho-nutballs would have you believe that Social Security and Medicare are "entitlements" which is now a bad word, because it's a "hand-out." Um. No. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I paid in to both Medicare and Social Security for decades. That's MY money. And YOURS. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If Congress would stop raiding each of these, they'd be financially stable. If we could get legislation passed to have Medicare for All, Medicare would also be financially stable - open it up to the 40-50 year old crowd. Yeah, it would hurt Blue Cross and the other big boys. But hey, they can lop off a zero from that executive bonus... they won't even feel it. Honest. </span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-17934410966503491522023-11-10T21:20:00.000-06:002023-11-10T21:20:01.938-06:00A Chance to Breathe?<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4M4P7Z_W38-LbCD60xoVTXrPylJGefkEpCrU-ODc2lZ1sV8yEQahJxql-kalakDzE5vfrg4jc-jLxtk3JOuzT-vvX17Bm39JJq54essKLZ4pNopVzIowAfb-hBzcMeZEbOLzs1JbG4-3XblS04V7jgGm3ZljleUarUpotW5B4nxVj-5BP2ckGw/s556/1000001636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="281" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4M4P7Z_W38-LbCD60xoVTXrPylJGefkEpCrU-ODc2lZ1sV8yEQahJxql-kalakDzE5vfrg4jc-jLxtk3JOuzT-vvX17Bm39JJq54essKLZ4pNopVzIowAfb-hBzcMeZEbOLzs1JbG4-3XblS04V7jgGm3ZljleUarUpotW5B4nxVj-5BP2ckGw/w101-h200/1000001636.jpg" width="101" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Probably not... As I mentioned (late) in the last blog, Quinn has been diagnosed with Lymphoma and it's advanced. So right now, all we're doing is breathing. And waiting. There's nothing we can do in the way of chemo - she's 14, and it's in ALL her lymph nodes, so it's too far advanced. All we can do at this point is keep her comfortable, spoil her within reason, and spend time with her. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She just celebrated her 14th birthday this past week, so we had some freeze-dried sprats, she licked my yogurt cup clean (vanilla & cinnamon), and she had lots of belly rubs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lucky for us, we are able to mostly have one of us at home for her the whole day. So we don't know how much time she has, and that's the hard part. I mean, on a metaphysical level, NOBODY knows how much time they have, but we're numbering Quinn's time in weeks, not years. So there's that. All we can do - or hope to do - is time it so that she's not suffering. Our vet usually says, "better a day early than a day late." It's really hard. Elkhounds are notorious for "not telling." A very stoic breed. We shall see. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I have progress to report on what may be my oldest WIP (or at least the oldest I can lay my hands on. I know there's a lap robe and a shawl that I can't find, so those 2 are still MIA) - the Before & After Scarf, which is now called <a href="https://www.churchmouseyarns.com/products/bias-before-after-scarf-pattern">The Bias Before & After Scarf</a> and now the beads are an alternative. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJVzuGBrOZR0wNV2QdPtOciG7vIPAKVcr4SVWB2tgA0RmFJNhNafBXGYdnhAv1_8Tg_YnYI9UATicHjeoc3YeeWRP_J6Xk8IsctEfI3zGASu28wMIwTG4g03wETId-scMzSCCNYMhvVaRWNPr2Y6WHO95CHEFRFsgtckgI5vb_tEqyyOachXqYA/s571/1000001653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJVzuGBrOZR0wNV2QdPtOciG7vIPAKVcr4SVWB2tgA0RmFJNhNafBXGYdnhAv1_8Tg_YnYI9UATicHjeoc3YeeWRP_J6Xk8IsctEfI3zGASu28wMIwTG4g03wETId-scMzSCCNYMhvVaRWNPr2Y6WHO95CHEFRFsgtckgI5vb_tEqyyOachXqYA/w150-h200/1000001653.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really don't like Provisional Cast On - and the first one, I will say, was INCREDIBLY clunky. I think I used a yarn that was too big, compared to the Silky Alpaca Lace (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk), by Classic Elite Yarns. I've used Classic Elite Yarn a couple of times, and the only thing I might have done differently is to knit this on bamboo needles. I'm using Addi Turbos, and those suckers are SLICK. They're meant to be smooth, and the fact that this is an open fabric and the needles are huge compared to the yarn? It can get a little slippery. So far, though, I haven't dropped any stitches. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The reason it's called "before and after" is basically because before, it looks like a wrinkled rag. AFTER the blocking, the magic is truly exposed. As you can see in the picture at the right, it looks like a hot mess till you block it. That little wad of yarn in the picture is what you use to bind off. You set aside about 2 feet (I did more like 2.5 feet because I'm just that extra) and tie it up and out of your way at both the beginning and the end so you have it to add the beads to the finish. I'll get to use my blocking wires with this project! A few new skills to learn, with the provisional cast on, the beaded bind off and blocking with wires. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtroDKoKnyH_xdtT5FSbPGb3-npyAJ7IDuBTVI_Gi7FRHYqpPcbGk0lgc-B5gqzYwFmrP6sIVG1pKoeDdO2tiBqNYuG3DqHTkGaQPkWho5uq6ErHx_csn23YD5JFOPps7KSB6P1Udekr3BqT7n2APvCJ_rpaLiGnSzxuTr0SJ42-cOdjUcIMy8sw/s571/1000001655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtroDKoKnyH_xdtT5FSbPGb3-npyAJ7IDuBTVI_Gi7FRHYqpPcbGk0lgc-B5gqzYwFmrP6sIVG1pKoeDdO2tiBqNYuG3DqHTkGaQPkWho5uq6ErHx_csn23YD5JFOPps7KSB6P1Udekr3BqT7n2APvCJ_rpaLiGnSzxuTr0SJ42-cOdjUcIMy8sw/w150-h200/1000001655.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The peacock colorway, the first one of the 2 scarves in the pattern, is the one I chose to do first. and this was my long-time "travel project." I wasn't in any hurry, and would bring it whenever I was going to a bunch of trade shows, and this peacock also has the distinction of being <i>The Project I Took to Switzerland</i>... I have pictures (I'll have to dig them up) of me knitting in various places in France and Switzerland with this project. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I finished it yesterday, and I really am now hooked on the beading technique of using a crochet hook (see what I did there??) -- the jewel-toned beads for that scarf are really pretty. Can't wait to block this one!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did start the green one; I'm not sure exactly what shade this is. At first, I remembered it as more "lime" but now, I'm thinking a bright sage. Opinions??? Take a peek below and right...what do you think? There's only a color number, so I guess we have to use our imaginations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JXHhlKB4XgC8oRyUx-27GE7yKuI43n6OUEiLNff3Av_8L-jAHKqIGQYa5-yIzNfz0Ux4tvY_gJ9Gk1jn0148BfCqrOlFsmBzii_Q6bNbf3nLn3sodD2o_F26uGXOVgnSoPzvFmTWMdhA3-yyo7FJvcIDdbNgr_aooX76guHyonaOVyYorFUWEQ/s582/1000001662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="437" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JXHhlKB4XgC8oRyUx-27GE7yKuI43n6OUEiLNff3Av_8L-jAHKqIGQYa5-yIzNfz0Ux4tvY_gJ9Gk1jn0148BfCqrOlFsmBzii_Q6bNbf3nLn3sodD2o_F26uGXOVgnSoPzvFmTWMdhA3-yyo7FJvcIDdbNgr_aooX76guHyonaOVyYorFUWEQ/w150-h200/1000001662.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I initially said, "screw it, I'm putting the beads right on the hem as I cast on," but then, a cooler moment prevailed. The purpose of the provisional cast on is to make each bind off identical... so I sucked it up and learned how to do it over the needle, so it's a lot neater than the first one I did. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The scarves are knit on the bias, so it's an increase at the beginning and a decrease at the end. It's amazing how nicely the green is knitting up. Of course, it hasn't sat jammed into a project bag for 12-ish years, too... that might have something to do with it. Let's put it this way: I probably have 3-4 copies of this pattern just because I've had it in the works for so long and kept losing the paper pattern! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The idea behind the project is that you can wear either or both. The one is a hand-painted and the other is a coordinating solid. Looking at the green, I probably should have pulled a light blue or a lilac to go with the peacock, but the green does match the peacock...I just don't wear a lot of green, so it might be a challenge. The plus of this, though, is that the beads for the green are a beautiful peridot color. So they will look spectacular once it's done. The scarves are in a lace-weight yarn, but I'm using a size 7 needle, so it will be a fairly open fabric, kind of like the Sally Mellville "Wingspan" which I also did in alpaca (but no silk in that yarn). The beauty of this is that alpaca has a slight 'halo' effect, and it's incredibly warm, even in a lace-weight. And it will drape beautifully. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know I was talking about the Drops sweater, but I want to chug a way on this for a bit and see if I can churn it out. It's kind of mindless, and with everything going on with Quinn, right now I need mindless. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hI8rYRYdqR01BbLENSYld_ieC0BwGo9QXR7b7jCVl2Lek7mFfKI-gI-vqnqJ79ADiJNzd62aUf-gOaJpqhhvVEvuAAqTCww-SVEq_sXnvDTGWgH13ziJl_8nQa8ZCHuW-dSn5nu-XGS5OzfrP8VlZNU1IO13ccr75rhOustGjynP9-Rmw_UIGQ/s571/1000001638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hI8rYRYdqR01BbLENSYld_ieC0BwGo9QXR7b7jCVl2Lek7mFfKI-gI-vqnqJ79ADiJNzd62aUf-gOaJpqhhvVEvuAAqTCww-SVEq_sXnvDTGWgH13ziJl_8nQa8ZCHuW-dSn5nu-XGS5OzfrP8VlZNU1IO13ccr75rhOustGjynP9-Rmw_UIGQ/w150-h200/1000001638.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of which, I finished the last 3 washcloths. The person for whom they are planned "doesn't like to receive gifts," but this is a relatively "un-gifty" thing. It's practical and I don't care if they use them on their face or on their dishes...either way works for me. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I chose tones of blue because I understand that's kind of the theme of their home, so there's that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for now, I am officially D.O.N.E. with wash cloths and knitting with cotton. My hands hurt. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have re-stocked the cloths for my own use, along the way I've knitted 6 for Xmas gifts, and these 3 as an extra gift. I think I can check "washcloths" off my list for 2023. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Tea...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wy2gjMH8IGMDT6K7YFrBTm553fM50Y78db1ZyZSc1rH3XY_oJYun9HJN80iVVSiYg_EK65yoshNlz97bqSSJyNlrg-a-KUjONQD8j6hZYho0WssGj0zIk7PBsPFGKysxCFlAZWEIl4ioiT7uWIIE6RY06zqR7rqsWqnZ7dNkUydUsQYAaUbL0g/s571/1000001573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wy2gjMH8IGMDT6K7YFrBTm553fM50Y78db1ZyZSc1rH3XY_oJYun9HJN80iVVSiYg_EK65yoshNlz97bqSSJyNlrg-a-KUjONQD8j6hZYho0WssGj0zIk7PBsPFGKysxCFlAZWEIl4ioiT7uWIIE6RY06zqR7rqsWqnZ7dNkUydUsQYAaUbL0g/w150-h200/1000001573.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No, I'm not spilling any tea. I have none to spill... </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been accustomed to drinking chammomile tea at bedtime, but it's lately been aggravating my allergies, which is really annoying. I haven't slept well since Raisa got sick and passed, and now with everything else, I'm so scattered. I don't need to not sleep. I read about Butterfly Pea Flower tea, and I just loved the idea of blue tea. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I didn't know that research has been done talking about the effects it had as a sleep aid. High in magnesium, helps with blood pressure, helps to relax you... though honestly, any herbal tea is, in my opinion, relaxing. Hot beverages are inherently relaxing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I've been experimenting for (a) the right TIME to drink this; and (b) if it makes any difference in my sleep. I have noticed that if I drink it too close to bedtime, I'm up at 3 a.m. to pee, even if I'm in a rare moment of sleep...who needs that? I don't think I've done it enough to determine if it works, but I'm sure that, as the weather gets colder, I will drink more tea at night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Funny, the mug I used to like to use with these "strong colored" teas (like the rose hibiscus, which is a deep pink)... it broke. And I broke it. I was washing it, I said, "Self, put this in the sink first so you don't bump it," and of course, I bumped it, and it broke into a bunch of pieces. Crap. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOC3zSf_7fI3UGy90wW45HAStvVjBfuC18uXpjqvEP5E8XKTJ7SPX9viAZ9ouozyUPAKXrVMRkK3phF4260ZpbI_cwwZSjYvWQKz9Ayqa9Y_qw1D590uF75LQpHqXyhxDL7ElOiPdOzGUhVZypz-fZVu6nJ5XDNZ4JqDpcjm3v4HzH77S6S-UsQ/s571/1000001543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOC3zSf_7fI3UGy90wW45HAStvVjBfuC18uXpjqvEP5E8XKTJ7SPX9viAZ9ouozyUPAKXrVMRkK3phF4260ZpbI_cwwZSjYvWQKz9Ayqa9Y_qw1D590uF75LQpHqXyhxDL7ElOiPdOzGUhVZypz-fZVu6nJ5XDNZ4JqDpcjm3v4HzH77S6S-UsQ/w150-h200/1000001543.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's pretty much Fall, though the temps are kinda spring-ish -- till they're not. And it being Illinois, this can happen within one day. But I got to "Birken-SOCK" and I love the way my new sandals and the orange socks kind of match the leaves in the yard. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who says I have no fashion sense? Well, probably a lot of people, but do I look like I actually care? Nope. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I have hand-knitted socks, so there... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I bought the sandals, the leather looked a bit darker when I chose the color. Not sure if it'll get darker or if it will stay this color. I am stuck with them, however, because I'll wear them till they fall apart, which I did with my other ones. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love to wear my socks, and when the weather cooperates, I do wear them with the Birkenstocks. I know there are these "transparent" shoes and clogs, but I'm sorry, they seem sweaty to me. Ugh. No thanks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-58443125394963549012023-10-31T16:29:00.000-05:002023-10-31T16:29:35.841-05:00Blowing a Gale...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Holy moley... It's Halloween, and it's literally snowing sideways here. Lord knows how many (if any) kids we'll get. I saw a couple headed toward the grade school. The local Lions Club does a Halloween bash, so a lot of the kids start there. And our porch light is out -- the sensor is wonky and the thing won't stay on. So I have The Great Pumpkin lit up out there, our only Halloween decoration, and I'm hoping that's enough for the kids. But it's still too light outside to see that it's lit up. </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Catching Up...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where do I start?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk65FC9jQNuw2pQRcltcYHSlLKxqFs5Ka9Yx2uwZRqJkuS7q4k-l8sO_y8o7Cfr_JZJMK4XdlBOF-S5hEIoZleXxm7g1_QRjiSWJDRNuLIwaot5JOvb4qC82Pad2lTszVgqw6a8Ai3EDzGOGpPoCTgTv-Z-XSF0TpnH9xDa-EllRMyKiD6UZMmw/s3264/IMG20230901171247.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk65FC9jQNuw2pQRcltcYHSlLKxqFs5Ka9Yx2uwZRqJkuS7q4k-l8sO_y8o7Cfr_JZJMK4XdlBOF-S5hEIoZleXxm7g1_QRjiSWJDRNuLIwaot5JOvb4qC82Pad2lTszVgqw6a8Ai3EDzGOGpPoCTgTv-Z-XSF0TpnH9xDa-EllRMyKiD6UZMmw/w150-h200/IMG20230901171247.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, let's see. Quinn may be coming out of her very natural funk. She's stopped looking for Raisa, but she still looks to see when one of us is coming home. Doesn't matter WHICH of us. If I'm gone, she waits. If Hubby is gone, she waits. I think this may have triggered a bit of separation anxiety. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A funny thing. My friend D (not the knitting one) came by - I was driving us to an event recently, because she wasn't sure where it was. And it was a good thing, because they'd closed off a few more roads since I'd last been downtown. Yeesh. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, THIS particular D is very involved in Lab rescue. She has 3 dogs now, and is staying at her sister's - and Sis has a dog. So she came in the house and Quinn barked, as she does. She approached D, and D being a dog person, knew how to act for an introduction. After the appropriate sniffs, Quinn sat down, put her nose in the sky and started "talking" to her. I mean, like, singing/howling. Having some sort of words with her. That's a first! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We gave D a couple bags of cow ears (chews we use for the dogs). We did an inventory of the treats we have, and there will be leftovers -- Quinn can't - and shouldn't - consume that many treats. She's 14. Healthy, but still, 14. We're going to have her checked out by the vet, just for our own sake. Peace of mind is at a premium here lately.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I got Raisa's memorial stone. I couldn't locate the green granite ones I usually get, so I tried a company from Etsy. I'm sorely disappointed in the laser-etched image. It's pretty much invisible unless you tilt the piece. I'm waiting to calm down a bit before I leave a review. </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuxg0zUvQbbfUcS4EjvfvjQGmUlWAAvZFNrLAeAfhDaXh6FSujClR9yNljjVDU5_Wqk_shNmxs10oVTH0brTd_dROnsHrOrl4p2nQSiGZnMARUqtA2zh52Dv8TXbBZNkHzfxUJweRr9JzFPrAhBmw7n9RSZCI3N6Tdn57BdH82QqHv5BXqsZbwQ/s571/1000001370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuxg0zUvQbbfUcS4EjvfvjQGmUlWAAvZFNrLAeAfhDaXh6FSujClR9yNljjVDU5_Wqk_shNmxs10oVTH0brTd_dROnsHrOrl4p2nQSiGZnMARUqtA2zh52Dv8TXbBZNkHzfxUJweRr9JzFPrAhBmw7n9RSZCI3N6Tdn57BdH82QqHv5BXqsZbwQ/w150-h200/1000001370.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have finished the washcloths for Christmas, and I've started a set of 3 more for a gift. I will wrap those 3 in special ribbon as a set. The others will be given individually with some special soap. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I did an insane thing. First, the story of the latte... The Friday after Raisa died, I sat down with a matcha latte. I got hit by a fit of tears, as one does, and I reached for a tissue. And dumped 16 oz. of latte. <b>All. Down. The. Knitting. </b>It hit books, 3 project bags, the power strip, went under the standing lamp, under the area rug, hit the side of the chair, splashed up the wall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I mean, physics. Liquids dropped from a height will splatter. I hollered, "CRAP!" and Quinn took off to the back of the house. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Prior to this, I had been kind of skittish about getting up and down off the floor - we hadn't really tried it in PT, and I thought I didn't want to do something wrong. But the latte...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I grabbed a roll of paper towels and started sopping everything up. I was not happy. I got 90% of it, dumped out all the bags, mopped up and propped up everything so that it could dry. Wiped off several soaking wet tool bags. One ball of acrylic got pretty soaked. But it's acrylic; I wiped it as best I could. I'm going to make a couple baby hats, and then wash them. It'll be fine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Under that, I found (thank you Knitting Goddesses) three hanks of Expression Fiber Arts mulberry silk + camel. THANKFULLY in their sealed bag. The bag had matcha latte on it. I would have wept if it had gotten to the yarn. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's for <a href="https://www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/etude-no-1.html">Etude #1 from Expression Fiber Arts</a>. I reprinted the pattern and put it with the yarn. That's what I want to start in January. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Except... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTo9NY3pOosKeNerrlUdV5DVbJiV3utqMK9pDMZZPH-g5I3gKzwt31NEqSIaYnTH3jPzKjnjKoi1-7M9O_Cj9rIYKrAGQGWo65HiPpFV0-rrT5X2coZTb-i0r29iKVGU9AW2M0Xl48QktRqMgDN-IdjX8sRR815M9jH41U2WT4pcoP0UJo_GPug/s571/1000001466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTo9NY3pOosKeNerrlUdV5DVbJiV3utqMK9pDMZZPH-g5I3gKzwt31NEqSIaYnTH3jPzKjnjKoi1-7M9O_Cj9rIYKrAGQGWo65HiPpFV0-rrT5X2coZTb-i0r29iKVGU9AW2M0Xl48QktRqMgDN-IdjX8sRR815M9jH41U2WT4pcoP0UJo_GPug/w150-h200/1000001466.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I found a DROPS pattern I want to knit It's the <a href="https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=9849&cid=17&fbclid=IwAR3umH2byGC7kTlq7KszER_TnCRIPfdEP6IsjKv4B_yD2q4QMIcJCjXLsbE">Abstract Rose Sweater</a>, and I chose to knit it in the yarn they suggested, but I'm hoping it's comfortable. It's DROPS Nepal, a wool/alpaca blend. Like 75/25 so it's mostly wool. Not superwash either. This will be interesting. I've heard conflicting things: "DROPS patterns are lovely and easy." "DROPS patterns are awful, good luck!" and I'm lengthening the thing to a tunic length - well maybe not that long, but at least to my hip bones, like below my tummy. I like my sweaters a bit longer. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So as I went to grab the link, I see I could have used A + A -- which means instead of doing the Nepal yarn (which is still ridiculously cheap), I could've used yarn from the "A" category, held double. Oh well. If I love it, I can knit it again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ordered the yarn from the UK, as it's not available here. It was something like $48 for the entire thing, including 3 extra balls, just in case. First off, for lengthening it, but also because I've seen reviews that the "marled" version of the yarn, which is what I bought, is prone to random knots. We'll see. Yes, forty-eight dollars (US) for a sweater's worth of yarn. Insane, right? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know when I'm going to start that. I also have the Copland shawl to finish, which I'm keeping for myself. It was going to be a gift, but now I'm keeping it. It's about 2/3 done, so maybe after I finish these last 3 washcloths, I can pull it out and finish it up over the holidays. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I also have the Long Sands Tee to re-start. I think I'm done with baby knitting for a while, so that is kind of a relief. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Socks will, as always, be my fill-in work. </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Dancing...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yep. Dancing. So recently, we had our women's club's 50th anniversary. We had <a href="https://www.westphillipsband.com/">Brandye Phillips</a>, and the Tina Turner Experience as our entertainment. Now, not only is Brandye a local gal, having gone to the larger public high school, but her father was a renowned musician. She also has done extensive research on Tina Turner. Our organization works with domestic violence issues, among other things, and Brandye was able to educate us more in detail about what Tina Turner went through, from her humble beginnings as a sharecropper's daughter to international superstar twice over. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp-79t5q6U9YSpYH6N0NB1B0xiyRO_Xp7LINnWgmFwrjdk08UJJdFmUzflREJAlxSqQMYh60Z5eUrTdGmZFfRk7kTjk9VB1F-3EyRNShh4B4zLiQFNm-hZ3zp9sF8xHqyAtIj8KfpVAmWIbDjDHpXU-TldrGfrImPbAggXQm1DXNtMJwT9-FTOQ/s544/1000001401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="544" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp-79t5q6U9YSpYH6N0NB1B0xiyRO_Xp7LINnWgmFwrjdk08UJJdFmUzflREJAlxSqQMYh60Z5eUrTdGmZFfRk7kTjk9VB1F-3EyRNShh4B4zLiQFNm-hZ3zp9sF8xHqyAtIj8KfpVAmWIbDjDHpXU-TldrGfrImPbAggXQm1DXNtMJwT9-FTOQ/w200-h150/1000001401.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We listened, we clapped, we interacted with her, and we danced. Yes, even me. Now you have to understand that I look like a baby with a full diaper when I dance. I can count the rhythm, because I'm a singer. But I'm not graceful. But I had fun. And today? I paid for it. My legs were sore. Not "killing me," but "yikes, I haven't felt this sore since I last mucked out a horse stall."</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was good. And my PT took a little (very little) pity on me. I was lucky enough to meet up with good friends, we had a great time, and it was a late night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then, I had to go staff an info table at a 5K walk/run. And it's chilly here in the mornings. So I'll need to balance out my "need tea" with "need to pee." I don't do porta-potties if I can at all help it. And baking an apple cake for church on Sunday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was a full weekend. </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Reading...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I finished "The Loved One," and I wonder if I'm "today's years old" to realize that one of the characters has a last name which references, in Greek, death. Evelyn Waugh certainly had a way with words. So that was a hand-held book. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've finished several on my Kindle, mostly mysteries. Margery Allingham, the Campion mysteries, and I'm also done with another Lord Peter Whimsy compilation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm working on another Lisa See book, "Dreams of Joy," which is a two-parter. The first was about the generation before. It's interesting to follow along, seeing as this one delves pretty deeply into the formation of Communist China. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whacking away at my TBR (to be read) stash, I can read while I knit, as long as it's not a difficult pattern. I don't like audio books, though. They're usually disappointing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I'm not reading, just knitting, I'll often have Star Trek on as "background noise." It's too quiet in the house with just one dog...</span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Life Goes On...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cz8kQ5D-PzU1-CLL_FCI647vV5UqG32RhSqYiVmqAjUfBiMuTXEWy_0xv-Gv5qlQK2rDMkx2it7-6EG8D92AJWnpsBhYoRAr21vbyIMxsxplETS5XeQ3DzVLnpDBYcrE6xc2sLpKHJpoGqmjf4uYtzyVZ0713L7Ng3pKMLM5LcgJvtuOuPl_Jw/s4000/IMG20231029100657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cz8kQ5D-PzU1-CLL_FCI647vV5UqG32RhSqYiVmqAjUfBiMuTXEWy_0xv-Gv5qlQK2rDMkx2it7-6EG8D92AJWnpsBhYoRAr21vbyIMxsxplETS5XeQ3DzVLnpDBYcrE6xc2sLpKHJpoGqmjf4uYtzyVZ0713L7Ng3pKMLM5LcgJvtuOuPl_Jw/w200-h151/IMG20231029100657.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This past Sunday, I had to cancel my Yin class. I pulled up the notice of cancellation and I sat back as if I was pushed. You see, the last time I cancelled that class was the day my sister died. This time? It was the day her granddaughter (whom she will never meet this side of the veil, as they say) was getting christened. My mom did the part of the ceremony which my sister would have done. I did have a small part, as they put a small cross necklace around the little one's neck and the priest had "fat fingers," I was the closest, so he asked if I could help. Thankfully, I managed it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lzKmc9qcCGt9HeioTbJlH9AvwFfEfj6vKW_sR2IfUUufKdaCMBZGr5QIWQywcoqZE5_bWe4nh_7KuEArw3ZeyFAoFm4fukUgauML_D5hFOn7mGI9hT_S1OUtBs0cauzmkEJTCStZMrRpEzqbVjpBzxAHzxVDALVSSgPhAdBXOyK8YE-Is-B0Cw/s4000/IMG20231029101033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lzKmc9qcCGt9HeioTbJlH9AvwFfEfj6vKW_sR2IfUUufKdaCMBZGr5QIWQywcoqZE5_bWe4nh_7KuEArw3ZeyFAoFm4fukUgauML_D5hFOn7mGI9hT_S1OUtBs0cauzmkEJTCStZMrRpEzqbVjpBzxAHzxVDALVSSgPhAdBXOyK8YE-Is-B0Cw/w200-h151/IMG20231029101033.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it really was a shock to see the notice. It brought back again that loss is part of life. Not that I needed a reminder, but still... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not to bury the lede here, and not to minimize it, but Hubby just came back from the vet with Quinn. Seems that our luck lately is rotten. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She's got lymphoma. She's 14. All her lymph nodes are involved, and really at this age? Steroids, but sooooooooo many side effects. Including internal bleeding. Chemo is too rough at this age, and realistically won't buy any time; Elkhounds can live between 14-15(ish) years, so why put her through whatever time she has left in misery. Palliative care it is. No clue how much time she has. Could be a month, could be weeks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not processing this very well. I think that my entire train of thought for this blog has gone right off the rails and down into the ravine. </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV8cUV8Jhg_x13_v53rcFvZqKS6uCsziBRcATTnTLm06ltskiAIpjmCCLMGcjDq1pXJfMAjNQ5jhmwKL3EdPyaVjYFIXxP3VZ6OJnhfzzs8zqm3aLLPZwjKVRtf9YWw5PEI-YmrMYdPKWeQQO9ilu4asBYo87hRTHCg8tFAj8j7s0w2M6-vBE8A/s571/1000001362%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV8cUV8Jhg_x13_v53rcFvZqKS6uCsziBRcATTnTLm06ltskiAIpjmCCLMGcjDq1pXJfMAjNQ5jhmwKL3EdPyaVjYFIXxP3VZ6OJnhfzzs8zqm3aLLPZwjKVRtf9YWw5PEI-YmrMYdPKWeQQO9ilu4asBYo87hRTHCg8tFAj8j7s0w2M6-vBE8A/w150-h200/1000001362%20(1).jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quinn "checks the mail" for us. She waits (and barks) for when the mail comes and we let her "snurffle" it. She checks it all, from any and all angles and pronounces it safe for us. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We've been doing that for her for a while now, and she's come to enjoy the game of it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If it's too quiet with one dog, what is it going to be like with NO dog??</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-18725511870898685392023-10-04T19:43:00.000-05:002023-10-04T19:43:03.205-05:00She's Back Home...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We just got her home today. I felt like I could write about her. </span></span></p><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="6ga9a-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ga9a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ga9a-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZL-2BndwKOz4Nr1JOKvBPXivrJHkmP061GL8l_zTUKkyEkT-lVH7OZ7jQ0x2nquVKUg5Xj21pP4GEry289S7CqIUbaTiNGL0I45N0R-bewfHIGzmqKfvOsNOE_W2q8OisKBmZGEFcs5_JiMV_qmw4oPUGIABiyy50xM8cNv1sA5_Fi7F3MIaWw/s1826/raisa%20close%20up%20(002).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZL-2BndwKOz4Nr1JOKvBPXivrJHkmP061GL8l_zTUKkyEkT-lVH7OZ7jQ0x2nquVKUg5Xj21pP4GEry289S7CqIUbaTiNGL0I45N0R-bewfHIGzmqKfvOsNOE_W2q8OisKBmZGEFcs5_JiMV_qmw4oPUGIABiyy50xM8cNv1sA5_Fi7F3MIaWw/s320/raisa%20close%20up%20(002).jpg" width="229" /></a></div><b><i>RAISA THE FURRY FLYER (2013-2023)</i></b></span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="25trd-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="25trd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="25trd-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raisa (formerly known as Dolly) burst into our lives at 12 weeks old, just as her proverbial namesake would’ve done – full of sass and glitter, bigger-than-her-size personality, and an energy level that just about added a second floor to our house.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="b2sv6-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b2sv6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b2sv6-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We decided to re-name her Raisa – which means “Princess” in Russian. We joked later that we only named her Raisa because we couldn’t find a good Russian equivalent to “Goofball.”</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="c3uei-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c3uei-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="c3uei-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn’t always sunshine and doggie treats. Having 3 females in the house got…interesting. Eventually, for everyone’s sanity, we gated and everyone got a chance to breathe. The elkhounds got their space and Raisa had hers. They all traded off “couch time,” and things eventually settled down.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="2kg04-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2kg04-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2kg04-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In typical Husky fashion, she could enter a room regally, surveying all and deciding where she would bestow her attention. And then, turn it into “Husk-Clown” mode: nosediving onto the couch where her intended victim was, somersaulting over, tucking her head, with her butt in the air and getting as close to that person as possible. We never figured out whether it was because she adored butt-rubs, or because, being in “perpetual shed mode” she wanted to deposit as much Husky-glitter as possible on her intended target.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="e8tca-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e8tca-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e8tca-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raisa completed 4 levels of obedience training (who says they can’t be trained?) and passed her Canine Good Citizenship test, to the astonishment of all. Our trainer Bobbie was continually amused as, with pockets full of treats, Raisa would ignore her, preferring the snack bag of buttered toast bits we used. That dog would climb a wall for a nibble of buttered toast. However, for some reason, she hated the basement stairs. No amount of toast would persuade her to go down those steps. Fireworks and thunderstorms never bothered her. She wondered what the fuss was about.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="7cugr-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7cugr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7cugr-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was intended that, at the right time, she would take over our Elkhound Tippi’s position at Lewis University. Tippi was TDI-trained, and we never got around to that with Raisa. However, upon Tippi’s retirement, Raisa assumed her duties as a “comfort dog.” While there was a bit of dialogue with the students about how “this certainly was not Tippi, and all things change” (Tippi held the position of the University’s only therapy dog for 10+ years), all Raisa had to do was figure out what her job was. She did that job with relish. The first “butt in the sky nosedive” won her the hearts of all the students and library staff. When she sang the song of her people in the normally quiet atmosphere of the 2-story library, the smiles and surprise of those on the 2nd floor were well worth it. She earned her name of Furry Flyer for the University, known for its aviation program, and for the fact that, as a red-and-white, she matched the school’s colors.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="23uot-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="23uot-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="23uot-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, her time at the library was shockingly brief. In true Husky fashion, she did things her way. We found a lump on her thyroid gland and on September 2nd it was removed. About 4 days later, she had seizures, resulting in 3 days in doggy-ER, and she came home a bit wobbly, but with good expectations of being back to herself. The doctors were quite positive in their treatment plan and said that, at her age (9), she would come through chemo pretty easily, believing we’d caught everything early.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="6g2oe-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6g2oe-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6g2oe-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the morning of Sept. 28, she didn’t eat, which was ok considering it was her 2nd chemo treatment. By 7 a.m. she was not doing well. The vet & staff worked hard to get her high fever down, but she chose her time and place, slipped into a coma and died peacefully. Everyone – even the vet – was stunned. But if by now you’re humming Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” you have perfectly intuited how Raisa lived her life. It wasn’t always perfect. It was always unexpected.</span></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="7c2eb" data-offset-key="5dpge-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5dpge-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5dpge-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She loved her job of comfort dog. She loved walkies, loved stare-down contests with the neighbor’s chickens (she didn’t move, didn’t even attempt to catch one – the neighbor was amazed), loved staring up at the poles and wires for those nasty squirrels. Loved her family and car rides. Loved “pizza bones” and salmon skin. She sang along with the electric carving knife, the stick blender, the guitar and the harmonica. She has left a husky-sized hole in our hearts.</span></span></div></div>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-3099232538895145502023-09-29T18:53:00.000-05:002023-09-29T18:53:15.668-05:00Just...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gutted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raisa, the Furry Flyer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2013 - 2023</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijinMCWRslMgAn80BwwucRXpotnxPVszJuxQsLAB4rrPuNKlOlEjOwoUxVp7CLZsEwPeG0849JxKEmOw3eIsPr1M9HIRmTyhp23Xzlbo7C-WeNGFjvX_i6RdPg_Kcw1NwCWSPneBCUxHAH5CAVWeaiZdtoeXTCft0eC3VTDWx1Q_46dqfcNl7fXQ/s1826/raisa%20close%20up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="1304" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijinMCWRslMgAn80BwwucRXpotnxPVszJuxQsLAB4rrPuNKlOlEjOwoUxVp7CLZsEwPeG0849JxKEmOw3eIsPr1M9HIRmTyhp23Xzlbo7C-WeNGFjvX_i6RdPg_Kcw1NwCWSPneBCUxHAH5CAVWeaiZdtoeXTCft0eC3VTDWx1Q_46dqfcNl7fXQ/w286-h400/raisa%20close%20up.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-33429630904468030382023-09-15T21:43:00.000-05:002023-09-15T21:43:26.015-05:00Holy Crap, What a Week...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh. My. God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just when we thought we had a handle on stuff. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Red Hot Mess...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWTYBN_Al_RkfExEYIdikyhOGkinVm7O9LOwh--nMWaP47HcxhpUV4fuCOVmxauGdYgP775HHvETvpdmNXaM4H3BD3wEgYY4zjKb_3YNYRJFLmwl2hPxXhz1nNsExsHKjIJ0-TWSK70BVYQ6ttJHX6IoT0XAXEW8aLhU06P-TEWi9NhHSdZZLmw/s3072/WP_20140522_20_37_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="3072" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWTYBN_Al_RkfExEYIdikyhOGkinVm7O9LOwh--nMWaP47HcxhpUV4fuCOVmxauGdYgP775HHvETvpdmNXaM4H3BD3wEgYY4zjKb_3YNYRJFLmwl2hPxXhz1nNsExsHKjIJ0-TWSK70BVYQ6ttJHX6IoT0XAXEW8aLhU06P-TEWi9NhHSdZZLmw/w200-h113/WP_20140522_20_37_01_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So along about the time I was prepping to have my hip replaced, I found a knob on Raisa's throat. I remember feeling that same king of knob on Tippi's throat and my stomach dropped. We had our vet do a biopsy, but she said it was in an area where she couldn't get a clear sample. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then there was the hip replacement, and things got shoved aside for a while. So now that I'm 3 months post-op, we took her to the specialist. They did an Xray and scan and found masses on BOTH sides of the thyroid. The doctor said it's gotta go, so she was taken in for surgery. That was on a Friday. She got home and we thought, "Ok, wait for pathology."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That wasn't what we wanted to hear -- they got all the thyroid out, left a bit of the parathyroid, and found tumor cells in her blood and lymph system. That was Saturday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tuesday, I awoke to Hubby telling me that at 4 a.m., Raisa had a seizure. He was staying home to watch her. Her eyes were dilated, and I was concerned. Late in the afternoon, he texted that she had had 2 more. I had a meeting to attend, and he knows what to do, so I would only have been in the way. During the meeting, she had 2 more, so he called our usual vet, who said take her to the ER vet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was not a comfortable ride for Raisa; the seizures were really bad. They got her stabilized, and it was a bit touch-and-go for a while. They kept her overnight, and started pumping her with phenobarbital. The idea is to get her up to a therapeutic level quickly so the seizures stop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are several theories: Either it's a side-effect of the thyroidectomy or it's a thing that happened to her as a pup and they manifested after the trauma of the surgery; or -- huskies have seizures. Or her low calcium levels caused the seizures. In other words, not a lot of answers, but the phenobarb is a good, older remedy that works well with dogs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She finally got home Thursday (yeah, 3 days at the ER vet...). She shakes like Katharine Hepburn, and she sploots on the floor, and is incontinent. That's just her body adjusting to all the phenobarb; it should be about a week and she'll be back to herself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have the big harness on her, which has a handle. Hubby has to literally carry her down the steps to get outside. Quinn's not sure what's wrong, but she knows something is off. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have an oncology appointment next week so we'll figure out where we go from here. The good news is that since they found those cells, it was a very specific test - if it's early enough, perhaps we can catch this before it goes all the way pear-shaped. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She may have a very swift retirement from comfort dog work, which will be unfortunate, but we just don't know right now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's going to be a very long week. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Hip Update...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">On a related note, I can get down on the floor...I have to get down there to rub her belly to calm her to sleep, apparently. Getting up isn't exactly poetry, but hey - I can do it! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've also got permission to add the Warriors to my yoga practice. And the doctor is pleased with my progress. I'll see him in 3 months, and next week, I drop down to PT two times a week. We now begin the strengthening segment in earnest. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am still not doing a full yoga practice, but when I did the warriors the other night, my students said, "Does your PT know???" I'm tellin ya - I've got eyeballs on me! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm now walking without a cane; the first few steps might not be pretty, but I am doing it and my gait gets better with walking. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS13noDp0EvZz44Dr37G8ggAFFv-fDbtzJhrUV8L0xmX2rmAbhMo6q5-sgBRM-m1sWHjA9SsJeqQoua4JTEz1FDB_QDPe_DaJdRb1qC-GJ4VYXFtuOQOiIA2hOk6ehm3gM8YS9ekZGBdhoYR-1M_4YVzAe9ZbShjchOn-4nAVNuBkX5lcbA6Ndgw/s4000/IMG20230909162607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS13noDp0EvZz44Dr37G8ggAFFv-fDbtzJhrUV8L0xmX2rmAbhMo6q5-sgBRM-m1sWHjA9SsJeqQoua4JTEz1FDB_QDPe_DaJdRb1qC-GJ4VYXFtuOQOiIA2hOk6ehm3gM8YS9ekZGBdhoYR-1M_4YVzAe9ZbShjchOn-4nAVNuBkX5lcbA6Ndgw/w151-h200/IMG20230909162607.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Washcloths. I'm on a washcloth binge. I am teaching my friend K how to do this and I'm hoping it sticks with her. She needs an outlet, and washcloths lead to other things, and knitting is a good hobby. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The washcloth binge is alongside my Star Trek binge, so I can knit without too much brain work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's the "Grandma's Dishcloth Recipe" - the one on the bias. It's a nice one to learn to knit with, as you learn increases, decreases, yarnovers and knit 2 together -- these are pretty much the basics. And it's all knit, so there's no fighting the curl. Yeah, there's no purling, but that can come later. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've still got Long Sands in time-out, and it's going to take a bit for the linen yarn to unkink from frogging it. And I still have that blue striped sock, so we're good to go. I will be switching up the projects as soon as I finish a couple more cloths - those are Christmas gifts, so I figured while I was on a roll, I'd knock those out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I want to make some progress on denting the stash, so I'm going to go through my patterns and see what I've got in the closet. I just feel like I'm in the mood to de-clutter the stash and get a handle on it. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Counted Cross-Stitch...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfxot7D0NxKilKh0-JpWyRiKBnniBlwzO6I5Hr2F3q5hSXowbuHRpkkOwwN1lKIsnMDL5BBske6vOxF25h3Igk9UhwlUoBe36hyJTrJnradAN4k3YOgFGXxH4mi0__COWVuub48cx_EuImrWw3DgVr0Vz3ZhIltdqWI_oC5PzyQofr8roOorBAg/s680/earth%20angel%20xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="680" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfxot7D0NxKilKh0-JpWyRiKBnniBlwzO6I5Hr2F3q5hSXowbuHRpkkOwwN1lKIsnMDL5BBske6vOxF25h3Igk9UhwlUoBe36hyJTrJnradAN4k3YOgFGXxH4mi0__COWVuub48cx_EuImrWw3DgVr0Vz3ZhIltdqWI_oC5PzyQofr8roOorBAg/w200-h159/earth%20angel%20xs.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. I joined a Facebook group on counted cross stitch. Boy, was that a bad thing to do. I also now want to get back into that. Luckily for me, I have all the stuff. I just need to figure out how to balance that and knitting and teaching and working... </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I truly think my mom has given up on a large angel project I started for her. Hubby figured out that, if I did 60 stitches a day, I'd have it done in a year. I suppose if I could dig it out, dig out all the floss (and there's a LOT of floss), find the beads... I could re-start it and get my act together and perhaps have it ready for her 87th birthday... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is an image of it - I'm done with her head and the top of her wings. I've got a ways to go. My mom picked out a dusty blue linen. It's going to be gorgeous. I just have to get skippy and do it. Maybe if I give up knitting for a year? Or if it's "only 60 stitches a night," I can balance the two? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A girl can dream. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Recipe...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was talking about breakfast to Kid #1, who has been a chronic breakfast-skipper. I have found a sort-of solution, because I am kind of the same way, especially if I have something early in the morning to do - I have to shuffle around how I eat. I call this my go-to <b><i>Overnight Oats with Apple Pie</i></b>. This is one serving; I usually do 4, so I set my containers out and scoop everything in there. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87lBwpvcE7jSatbLb_ixcf9LXe_sjDgQni4y2JPTG4ZsCH8GvekSvXQ6V3LbH3GpH5SBg_TRrJGysz0gvn-b-UCevEqPwTUZeR-zZlM36WKZ_XYU7_zXsac60u_zI5D-upkvJ5fPYqCAH6mkLuYpMq2t_O8vZYj88jUh8I1kFHJRZafjVYgXYRA/s4000/IMG20230905210013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87lBwpvcE7jSatbLb_ixcf9LXe_sjDgQni4y2JPTG4ZsCH8GvekSvXQ6V3LbH3GpH5SBg_TRrJGysz0gvn-b-UCevEqPwTUZeR-zZlM36WKZ_XYU7_zXsac60u_zI5D-upkvJ5fPYqCAH6mkLuYpMq2t_O8vZYj88jUh8I1kFHJRZafjVYgXYRA/w151-h200/IMG20230905210013.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 c. old-fashioned oats<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 c. your favorite dairy or non-dairy liquid</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 t. maple syrup</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Small handful dried cherries or cranberries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 T. chia seeds</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 T. cacao nibs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and diced (peel on)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 T. brown sugar or coconut sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/4 c. water</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 t. chai seasoning or apple pie spice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Put the first 6 ingredients in a container and set aside. In a small saute pan, add the sugar, spices, and apple and stir around over medium-high heat, so the apples soften and caramelize slightly. After about 5-ish minutes, add the water, clamp a lid on the pan, turn the heat down, and then let the apples soften for about 2 minutes. Set the pan aside for a few minutes to cool slightly and allow the sugar + water to make a slight syrup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stir the contents of your containers thoroughly. Then divide the apples between all 4 containers (if you're making 4 -- the apple mixture will go for 4 containers-worth of oats). Put the lids on the containers and stick them in the fridge. Next morning, grab a container and off you go! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, as always, There Are Notes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">NOTES:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can skip sauteed apples and simply top your mixture with frozen berries of your choice. Overnight, they also add a bit more moisture to the oats. If you use frozen berries, all you need is that maple syrup - you won't need (or want) added sugar. The berries take care of that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Add a bit more milk if you want your oats a little looser.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feel free to add nuts when you're ready to eat. I like slivered almonds or chopped walnuts for extra crunch. Sunflower seeds also work well here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are a ton of Overnight Oats recipes out there, so have some fun with it. I've added nut butters, I've added chopped dates...it's really a blank canvas. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1jXJz17zgHIYBR-_k18o3mwDoxQxkPaSYcnH_4xETHSMt5QTgxo4D8sMBCbD5hF0w0q_RA3zwoqXnXmmELZ2PaebA_FuYZHHwA9KZmsyDJCkUUC9N012GB5GnN7b_hi3BeY-cOeZCRotPM1UerxSCIVAotot-r60ICadDAToqN61C0V2VlZdhQ/s4000/IMG20230901171936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1jXJz17zgHIYBR-_k18o3mwDoxQxkPaSYcnH_4xETHSMt5QTgxo4D8sMBCbD5hF0w0q_RA3zwoqXnXmmELZ2PaebA_FuYZHHwA9KZmsyDJCkUUC9N012GB5GnN7b_hi3BeY-cOeZCRotPM1UerxSCIVAotot-r60ICadDAToqN61C0V2VlZdhQ/w151-h200/IMG20230901171936.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes, you just want to eat like a kid. One night, Hubby and I looked at each other and said, "fish chunks and tots." </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Little did I know that he had scored a deal on "dinosaur tots." Hey. Why not?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The fish chunks were cod that he hand-breaded with panko and fried. They were delicious and flaky. I love cod. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Most every day, I get a text saying, "What do you want for dinner?" and I can tell you that it's usually timed (unfortunately) for right after I've eaten lunch. It's a pain because Hubby works from home so he's the one doing the cooking. And I'm never thinking of dinner. Especially after I've just eaten lunch. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know I'm extremely lucky to have someone who cooks and is good at it. And I also cook, but usually only on the weekends. But it inevitably happens that he times that text inadvertently right after I've finished eating. He doesn't know it, but it seems to always fall that way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-26064736152959485822023-08-22T19:08:00.000-05:002023-08-22T19:08:45.055-05:00We're Having a Heat Wave...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">...and it's going to be obnoxious by Thursday. August has decided to just be itself all in one week, seeing as last week, it was 67 degrees at night. What's a girl to do, except hunker down in front of the fan and knit. Small stuff, of course. By Thursday, the temps will be 105-ish. Not the "feels like," but the actual temperature of the area. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjIvOqHgacs9TgjcD-j80Oufn1PioyABTOA5zSS8TpcHfczVgG0gAuXtd0MlCTeMmDZSh0PEPpyqzUfDP6mc3-YKyT1pZokJc2UbTYvK4qq0fvXSZADhqgbo2OHgPHOwkh3LruBEdWePkLDtcuf-lXAtVVdquZf4a4aIG94cw71OySsZXVYwVVw/s4000/IMG20230810143820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjIvOqHgacs9TgjcD-j80Oufn1PioyABTOA5zSS8TpcHfczVgG0gAuXtd0MlCTeMmDZSh0PEPpyqzUfDP6mc3-YKyT1pZokJc2UbTYvK4qq0fvXSZADhqgbo2OHgPHOwkh3LruBEdWePkLDtcuf-lXAtVVdquZf4a4aIG94cw71OySsZXVYwVVw/w151-h200/IMG20230810143820.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I needed a break from the sock. I was knitting along on it and just finding myself dreading it. I mean, it's not like I haven't been knocking out socks like crazy - at least for me. I figured I needed a break, so I figured I'd whack out a wash cloth. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It just seems like that 5 1/2" leg is taking FOR. EVER. I knit a bunch of rows, and measure. And it's still not there. So I do it again. And it's still not there! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's when I knew that I had to do something, because otherwise, that sock would go into Time-Out, and I'd be left with a finished singleton that I whacked out and a partial of its mate, ruining my streak. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have at least 2 singletons left, at my count. I just have to figure out where I stashed them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My friend K is trying to quit smoking, so I toddled off to Michael's and got some cotton yarn, knitting needles, and a little bag for her. If you're going to set someone up to knit, do it up right, I think. I have a project bag, her needles, a little workbag, and I'll find one of my 16 tape measures and give it to her, along with folding scissors and a tapestry needle, and crochet hook. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I find that what discourages me from knitting or any other craft is not having tools to hand when I need them. So starting something then finding that I need X -- and having to go hunt for it, or realizing that I actually need to go buy it? That's a pain in the rear, and it's frustrating. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I would imagine that quitting smoking is equally as frustrating. I saw my dad try at least 8 times, and I'm not exaggerating. He tried everything. He tried the tools available to him, because it was so long ago, there were no nicotine patches or pills. He tried a rubber band which he snapped at his wrist. He tried a staple in his ear (acupuncture-ish). He tried crocheting - seriously, he was pretty good at it. He tried cold turkey - which was the thing that eventually worked. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But once he got cancer, 8 years after he quit, he found that smoking was somethign that actually helped the nausea from the chemo. Drove my mom nuts, but as the doctor said, "That's not what's going to kill him."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So for K, I want to set her up for success. If nothing else, maybe she'll knit up a few wash cloths. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you know, I use them on my face. The knitted ones are really nice for exfoliation. The crocheted ones, in my opinion, are better for dishes, but Hubby likes those for after he shaves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDAjkNX34bqB_jOSl3GgA5z29T4G8LEiGccLMqy6DpTruXmLka3T3uc7Ya1VFFf2B82wPbaKU8QvR7YTGlL0MMlwqlNBAuJCmRbUZc2t1YS53hku6EpW9K9ddzhuhnLc0SHH8UPS78HiQoRzCxthOAixm42dUqI245-foIlYv3Qa0yMBXfJk0uA/s4000/IMG20230821103047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDAjkNX34bqB_jOSl3GgA5z29T4G8LEiGccLMqy6DpTruXmLka3T3uc7Ya1VFFf2B82wPbaKU8QvR7YTGlL0MMlwqlNBAuJCmRbUZc2t1YS53hku6EpW9K9ddzhuhnLc0SHH8UPS78HiQoRzCxthOAixm42dUqI245-foIlYv3Qa0yMBXfJk0uA/w151-h200/IMG20230821103047.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I did was a diagonal pattern, sometimes called "Grandma's Dish Cloth," though in my mind, it's "Sister Albert Marie's Dish Cloth" because that was one that this nun could whip out in a day. Technically, I probably could too, but I'd have to have been knitting with larger needles. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's hard for me to transition from size 1 to size 8. Technically, the Sugar & Cream yarn calls for size 7 needles, but I had a set of 8s handy, and I knew I was going to knit tighter, having just been knitting socks. So that's what I used. The yarn was what I had in stash, sothat's what we have. And I have at least 4 cloths that are beyond repair now, so this is just a replenishing mission here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My top and bottom finishing isn't great, but it's a wash cloth. I did go to Betsy's to pick up some Butterfly Pea Flower tea, and I bought out their stash of light blue. My mission is going to be to do cloths for my yoga teachers, and I've got some lovely charcoal soap, and that's what they're getting for Christmas. It took me a weekend to do this cloth, and even if I do a different pattern for each one, they do go quickly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I prefer to do a wash cloth for new knitters. Even though cotton yarn is pretty unforgiving in terms of its stretch (it doesn't), I think it can take a beating if you need to frog it a couple times. I know a scarf is the thing most of us learned to knit, but to me, that can be mind-numbing. This diagonal pattern teaches useful techniques, and it's far enough apart for you to get the hang of just straight knitting for a bit. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>End of An Era...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQmRHvpZNiHV5FpbCrokAa8N9AgyHB-chZ0gBtzFxcrRGC_YU-paKLDWqw3HcyATuUAgNXL54n7Ik6-eq9_JqrWu-ueeqg581_7E-C76E1Ybj9lu5PsgolO9pt_QWDYheb6NeaXlf1LQQztZe0XN8Z_Kbh2nh1WzKtl7tO3sRy5S-jOa-eiMmqw/s4000/IMG20230818164025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQmRHvpZNiHV5FpbCrokAa8N9AgyHB-chZ0gBtzFxcrRGC_YU-paKLDWqw3HcyATuUAgNXL54n7Ik6-eq9_JqrWu-ueeqg581_7E-C76E1Ybj9lu5PsgolO9pt_QWDYheb6NeaXlf1LQQztZe0XN8Z_Kbh2nh1WzKtl7tO3sRy5S-jOa-eiMmqw/w151-h200/IMG20230818164025.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I couldn't put it off any longer. I had to finally ditch my old Birkenstocks. The footbeds were just done. The one pair was so old that they're not made anymore. And the other pair was quickly following. And the soles were getting too slippery for me. New hip, can't afford any mis-steps or slips. So out they went. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ended up buying a pair of the Arizona style (which is what I usually wear, and that's how I show off my socks), and then I got a pair of clogs, which would look like a loafter with long pants. Works for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Arizona (yes, I have weird feet) are unoiled leather, so they'll end up with a nice patina on them. It's different to feel these "new" ones, as opposed to ones that just literally molded themselves to my feet. The break-in is annoying but you do have to take it slowly. Blisters are no fun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9_Jy4L4SbdeN1lDyfJvSRhohuo-7jswKh7JJloYQ2596uwoRn4A0ciDQov2bLotdO5UmKMuBNm2pIcE4alR8QMmMRnFMGdU0NGThLAAgau1TTem1duhNmBuIg_ZI0439iszcIkOCW37FNYY5CboyO4DUYIa-dRgR3kUisZXs6WSqEss9xet3iA/s4000/IMG20230820151310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9_Jy4L4SbdeN1lDyfJvSRhohuo-7jswKh7JJloYQ2596uwoRn4A0ciDQov2bLotdO5UmKMuBNm2pIcE4alR8QMmMRnFMGdU0NGThLAAgau1TTem1duhNmBuIg_ZI0439iszcIkOCW37FNYY5CboyO4DUYIa-dRgR3kUisZXs6WSqEss9xet3iA/w151-h200/IMG20230820151310.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The clogs are really comfortable, and I can wear them around the house since it's too stinking hot to wear regular house slippers, and I don't want to go barefoot (!) because it's Shed-mageddon here in the house. Doggo floof the size of bunnies coming from both dogs. It's everywhere. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The clogs are a light lilac, you almost don't notice the color. I went by shoe size. Back in the day, I was European 39 which is 8-8.5... My feet have grown a bit, as they are wont to do as you get older. I'm a size 9 now, so they sent me European size 40. A little room at the back of the heel, but when I wear them with socks, it'll be fine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'll wear these sandals clear through till the snow flies. They're really comfortable and supportive, and as you can tell - they do last. My brown ones were at least 30 years old, and the black ones nearly 25. Not too bad - I really got my money out of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wore my Boston clogs for the hip replacement and the nurse refused to let me wear them home - she was afraid I'd trip. I get it, but those things are molded to my feet. I wore them at home just fine. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Pedicure Time...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the other problem with the hip is that for now, I can't externally rotate my hip, which means I can't take care of my left foot. I use a long scrubby brush to wash the foot, but otherwise, I am just getting to where SOMETIMES I can put a sock on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once I got more mobile and felt comfortable, I got out to Diva's, my usual spot for a pedicure. I had the tech use my color; I feel better just bringing my own, though the summer colors (aside from a crap-ton of Barbie pink...) were cute. I had a "Metallic Blend," which is a nice neutral. And sparkly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUr_JFAj1BbftopatHGUzTbl0ELZQJpvz20Ap5ACNHrRnCPxdE9r5Vz4jTEfI-4kifRt_21QGrqHheY29lhlXXdzjAS6cJKtr45YsWDOpZpjn9U96usBQHjCrLZJ1fY26SAebzhgnHNWHfHe2KsUuSELFW-bsXz7EGEdeVtjA5B9tK9Pkl0AKGg/s4000/IMG20230812133951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUr_JFAj1BbftopatHGUzTbl0ELZQJpvz20Ap5ACNHrRnCPxdE9r5Vz4jTEfI-4kifRt_21QGrqHheY29lhlXXdzjAS6cJKtr45YsWDOpZpjn9U96usBQHjCrLZJ1fY26SAebzhgnHNWHfHe2KsUuSELFW-bsXz7EGEdeVtjA5B9tK9Pkl0AKGg/w151-h200/IMG20230812133951.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wore my "remedial flip flops," a pair of Sanuk sandals. As you can see, there's a strap around the back, which actually helps me walk in the things! So after a pedicure, your feet are usually really, really smooth with lotion, and I had regular Sanuk flip flops, and they just didn't work. Especially with that left foot, with the wonky toe that wants to cross over the big toe? I was a mess walking to the parking lot. No way I was doing it with a healing hip. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The part of the sandal that goes thru the toes is the part that goes round the back of the foot. At Diva's, once they get you to the polish point, you get your sandals back on, so you're already set and your toes don't smudge. The fabric that wraps around the instep is lovely, too. These are just a tiny wedge, and they're very easy to wear. I feel stable in them, which is a huge deal. At that point, I was still using a cane. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawWMIBiwxxiDafzlAZ1ocKgFqRAWnVBmd2Eb5k3FyEy3r2yF1iI7AgxWrW7Osv_0DRZhBZvEBwTXgtdKKi2hfzn6ImSHfZSy5zItC_VIqkeNqNR1l0xUl7SkNUNvBBFTG-KskHinhmr7EdXXNp4Fag14dEWJn0_q1tMcgdk7k2TwuRwmHx8s-Qw/s4000/IMG20230812102545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawWMIBiwxxiDafzlAZ1ocKgFqRAWnVBmd2Eb5k3FyEy3r2yF1iI7AgxWrW7Osv_0DRZhBZvEBwTXgtdKKi2hfzn6ImSHfZSy5zItC_VIqkeNqNR1l0xUl7SkNUNvBBFTG-KskHinhmr7EdXXNp4Fag14dEWJn0_q1tMcgdk7k2TwuRwmHx8s-Qw/w151-h200/IMG20230812102545.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hardest thing, once I got in there, was putting my left leg up and into the tub, and then lifting it on to the shelf where the tech can work on my foot. Of course I told her the issue, and she was more than careful, which made me feel comfortable. And it felt soooooooo good. Not only the pampering, but just knowing that I was able to do this bit of care for my feet. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I asked her about those "foot masks" that you see at the drug store and she emphatically told me NOPE. She said that my feet were really soft (I thought I had calluses, but apparently, not as bad as some folks), and that the masks had the potential to burn softer tissue. Thanks, but I really don't need that, right? My feet were dry, however, and so are my legs. I still have to work on folding over to get to my ankles. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm looking forward to the next trip to Diva's and picking out which color I want next. Maybe a lovely blue? I'll have to go shopping in my bathroom cabinet. See what hasn't been used in a while. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Otherwise, the hip is doing quite nicely, almost as if things are slotting into place in the correct order. I can do a few yoga poses (VERY few), and I am forgetting my cane every so often in the house. I'm set to come back to the office full time in September, and today at PT, I was told that while I still had some ways to go, my stride is more fluid than it was and my strength is building in the way it should. Yay!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXBj67fLW5ixKVePH0wBWzTQ5_rWK_mBoBoLYhBPpKqBjDrjgG7t362pWqyAWJOP1KsyqoQj3al14Uicsrjw5j-vs7UP1FlE-L52aZl5dLYYECza9rAZOBDWptggFRRPUGFhh1zo5ldSsCc5_gLeQW2RHv0DZfMEI6HPnF58uR1tSyhUe3xlv7A/s4000/IMG20230821134454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXBj67fLW5ixKVePH0wBWzTQ5_rWK_mBoBoLYhBPpKqBjDrjgG7t362pWqyAWJOP1KsyqoQj3al14Uicsrjw5j-vs7UP1FlE-L52aZl5dLYYECza9rAZOBDWptggFRRPUGFhh1zo5ldSsCc5_gLeQW2RHv0DZfMEI6HPnF58uR1tSyhUe3xlv7A/w151-h200/IMG20230821134454.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Monday was my first trip to the grocery store. In almost 18 months. Seriously, I had stopped going because it was so hard to get around. I went to the Fresh Thyme, and I stuck to my list. Crap, though - they moved a lot of stuff around! I couldn't find things! And you can tell there are shortages in some things. But it was nice to get out and do my own shopping. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I haven't gone to a bigger store yet. And seriously, the first few times that I went even to a CVS, I needed a nap!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it was good to see the progress; the fact that I <i>could</i> go shopping (sorry, dear!). The fact that I <i>could </i>walk a ways longer than I could the week before. I'm trying to not compare with anyone else. My journey to being whole again is my own. Nobody else's.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I anticipate further progress. I anticipate that someone, somewhere, may say that I'm "babying" my leg. And I anticipate that, if that's said to my face, the person saying it will probably regret that they said it. I'm a big girl and not afraid to tell someone to buzz off. <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-30657408950425654702023-08-01T14:45:00.002-05:002023-08-01T14:45:42.790-05:00Moving Right Along...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, the groin/hip flexors still hurt. And I'm getting more challenges with the PT (which is good, and to be expected). I'm betting that this week is The Big Dangle... Where I skooch my butt to the very edge of the long side of the PT table and my therapist guides my left leg down....as far as it will go before I think I'm back in labor, I guess, and we stretch the hip flexors as well as increase my range of motion. He'll be holding on to the leg. It's just creepy, because I actually hang on to the side of the table - it feels that close to falling off. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Am I looking forward to that? About as much as I look forward to a nice case of constipation. At least with labor, I got a baby in the end... but it is necessary, so I'll suck it up and deal with it. He's lucky I don't cuss. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S-7uDCScuTDllp1OJJ8PKVNNoidEDZRoOuJiXnYlbqCzJwe3KNksAnnJiQ4_oRJ-jtF1MzDbf2tEWKiFZZiJsAXdJqMz47gUigDS0Oiu0llQxESEWmArU9ifzHf55q81HnvmJDX9PLW_PRQsh9h9zASqPXhgUMUMDG0Qz5zYwhj27QIfdxwqrg/s4000/IMG20230730162854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S-7uDCScuTDllp1OJJ8PKVNNoidEDZRoOuJiXnYlbqCzJwe3KNksAnnJiQ4_oRJ-jtF1MzDbf2tEWKiFZZiJsAXdJqMz47gUigDS0Oiu0llQxESEWmArU9ifzHf55q81HnvmJDX9PLW_PRQsh9h9zASqPXhgUMUMDG0Qz5zYwhj27QIfdxwqrg/w151-h200/IMG20230730162854.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One more pair down! I've finished the Petty Harbour socks. I didn't put a link here because you can get this pattern on several different sites. It's free, as far as I know. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So to recap: The yarn is Cascade Heritage Sock, and it's like knitting with spun butter. I moved to my next project, in Opal, and what a difference! Heritage Sock is a bit finer, too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These were done cuff-down on 5 DPNs, size 2.5 mm. The second sock actually took about a month of pretty consistent knitting. I'm not fast, but I am a good plugger-alonger. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This may be my best Kitchener Toe yet. From me to you? SKIP THE SET-UP ROW. Just go right to it. No ears. Seriously, look at that toe!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibrclDeh18qcFmWNo8nKuWdWgnUGq4QyY8B5RO4DXcSyRRJsUf_L0jCQilZG1HHCFAFNIcDMtGuMrYvityLUQ-A0aZgDSy6Jx47W9qQcZiGyKYi5VF2cCzpeQJxQqEa-FABnbNTQ9dccn6GHmRqEisoqzBM-ssvKI7z_XDX1Hw4zvQCR6MT8TDg/s4000/IMG20230730162624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibrclDeh18qcFmWNo8nKuWdWgnUGq4QyY8B5RO4DXcSyRRJsUf_L0jCQilZG1HHCFAFNIcDMtGuMrYvityLUQ-A0aZgDSy6Jx47W9qQcZiGyKYi5VF2cCzpeQJxQqEa-FABnbNTQ9dccn6GHmRqEisoqzBM-ssvKI7z_XDX1Hw4zvQCR6MT8TDg/w151-h200/IMG20230730162624.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And again, my hint on SSK: Slip the 1st stitch KW and the 2nd stitch PW...to me, that matches the K2tog the best. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This pattern was easy to memorize. It's a nice 4-row repeat and two of the rows are knit around. I'm not sure how I'm going to like the pattern on the instep - that's not normally my thing. But I figured I'd do this one as written, except for my patented* 6 rows of knitting at the top to slightly roll the cuff so it goes over my high instep and sits comfortably on my biker's calves. *It's really not patented. Go ahead and try it if you want. Enjoy!</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'd do this again, make the leg longer (it's written as 5 1/2" and I like 7" better), and not do the pattern on the instep. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Qualms: It is sooooooooo soft. I'm hoping it wears well. On a FB group, I contemplated frogging both socks, and making this into a shawl. But I read more reviews and people said that the wear was good. Mind you, I'm used to Opal, which wears like iron. We shall see on these. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These socks have been sitting in time-out since 2015 at least. I had one cuff partially done. And they just sat there. They may have been set aside for baby knitting; that was about the time that the family was in baby-making mode and it felt like all I was doing was baby garments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will probably buy more of this yarn, to do a shawl. It's just fluffy, soft and looks like it's going to be nicely warm, and not too heavy to wear. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvqmIoskST3HBth_oWo3vqbAFofp7pObtDYKd2i1oGVtfUn4lgBwDwmDq9WJ7_GG2rZmdA69Efsnosq5S0gmZftQmOhwcnE0a2GkZfKCj55Ww4sSGLoPEAtd7drw1MyrqUYV3LewHqCVXUFD7JZVW9lQU9ZGHdyiXCE8Eb43LmSU4eOp-2T-jIg/s4000/IMG20230731131606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvqmIoskST3HBth_oWo3vqbAFofp7pObtDYKd2i1oGVtfUn4lgBwDwmDq9WJ7_GG2rZmdA69Efsnosq5S0gmZftQmOhwcnE0a2GkZfKCj55Ww4sSGLoPEAtd7drw1MyrqUYV3LewHqCVXUFD7JZVW9lQU9ZGHdyiXCE8Eb43LmSU4eOp-2T-jIg/w151-h200/IMG20230731131606.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the next project, The Mystery Sock... I think I may have figured out that this is the NSEW project I created in my head -- which would be my second "design" if you will. This is done on 68 stitches. I needed a midpoint between 64 and 72, which is where most patterns jump. This gives you 17 stitches per inch. The NSEW stands for North South East West - which is how those big swaths of knitting sit on the sock, with the purls bisecting it. So north and south on your calf, and east and west is where you'll see the knitting, if that makes sense. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I want to say that my 8x8 Rib Sock design was also 68, but I'd have to go look that up and I'm not inclined to do that right now. I mean, honestly, I don't like my 8x8 pattern. But I'd do the NSEW pattern again. I bet it would look great in a gradient yarn. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyhow, on each of 4 needles, you K7, P3, K 7. I think that's what this second sock is - or was intended to be. And even if it's not, it's close enough. It has a Strong Heel, and a regular toe, and for some odd reason, I carried this pattern down the instep as well. What was I thinking? Well, since this has been sitting here since 2021, I can't remember. But at least this WIP isn't as "vintage" as the Petty Harbour!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's an easy TV knit, and I guess my only qualm with this is that for the first few inches of the leg, you can't really see the pattern - it's not looking like the one on the blocker. But then again, that's the problem. I may have created a new way of doing "fraternal" socks where you use the same yarn but two complimentary patterns! Always fashion-forward, kids - that's me! (ha!)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I volunteered for a group called "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/looseendsproject">Loose Ends Project</a>" where you can offer to finish projects for families. Like, if Granny passes and an afghan is half-done, someone might volunteer to finish it for the family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We'll see how that goes. It encompasses a lot of different techniques, so we'll have to see what shows up. It could be very rewarding to finish off projects like this, but I don't want it to become "another job."</span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Floof...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Do they shed?" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Um. Yeah. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pZjuM2bUfj4qLvrMfxa9IwkiOSjy7mLd4YyAIGCPDF2SgfWwIcfbDfXOQrmHTUCXc3Y3H5T_Xyg0CFf12kHGOIC1YRwisbu1qo61OzYMHNhu6gp2a8LLxzCK012SCF8ASOXEqphagNHxmE7wW8xxyFdhJ87AC83dVUwNMoi1pTGBaDoZNvb3IQ/s3264/IMG20230728171319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pZjuM2bUfj4qLvrMfxa9IwkiOSjy7mLd4YyAIGCPDF2SgfWwIcfbDfXOQrmHTUCXc3Y3H5T_Xyg0CFf12kHGOIC1YRwisbu1qo61OzYMHNhu6gp2a8LLxzCK012SCF8ASOXEqphagNHxmE7wW8xxyFdhJ87AC83dVUwNMoi1pTGBaDoZNvb3IQ/w150-h200/IMG20230728171319.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raisa is one of those huskies who doesn't like to be brushed. She's a weirdo, let's face it. Cute, but weird. And we have been pushing her to be combed at least. Her guard hairs are very long; longer than other Huskies I've had. So it'll mat up nicely with the undercoat if it's not taken care of. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if she dislikes brushing, she HATES mats in her fur. But she doesn't quite get the logic of "if we brush you, your fur won't mat." Dogs... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This picture is one-half of her tail. One. Half. Of. Her. Tail. And we're still working on finishing the tail and her "pants." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can sit there at night and literally pull out blobs of hair. She gets aggravated after a while, but I tell her to hush. Or she moves away. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Double-coated dogs...you gotta love 'em and you gotta be willing to roll with the tumbleweeds you're gonna get 2 times a year, 6 months at a time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We call it "doggie glitter." </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quinn loves to sniff. Well, she is, after all, a hunting dog. So we have this game we play called "Snurffling." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rjqn6Nh-KjeY2Gwm6vNJBikq-qeURmL3oTjYxCspfsMXpHKrocvS-jkPATowSu8Xs71L9WLFFSQlKonreeAoBUbo3yBMwdXOxLMMOSsvWsZ_08k9TZ2FKsw385LqOYg7z7ySCRXX13y5XQQnLQTQXsZoeT7l7KU68Qvftn9NoVKmO1gQZ2xHpQ/s4000/IMG20230730162751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rjqn6Nh-KjeY2Gwm6vNJBikq-qeURmL3oTjYxCspfsMXpHKrocvS-jkPATowSu8Xs71L9WLFFSQlKonreeAoBUbo3yBMwdXOxLMMOSsvWsZ_08k9TZ2FKsw385LqOYg7z7ySCRXX13y5XQQnLQTQXsZoeT7l7KU68Qvftn9NoVKmO1gQZ2xHpQ/w151-h200/IMG20230730162751.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the mail comes, she gets to 'snurfle' it. When a package comes, same thing. When I get home from visiting my mom or someone else who has a dog or cat -- or when I come home from the stables, she gets to sniff me from stem to stern.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So when I finished the last sock, I set them down to photograph, and her nose went to work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She sniffed so hard that my socks and my blockers were wet! She even stepped on my socks!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In my memory, these socks haven't ever been anywhere except for my knitting bag, here in the house. I wonder what the heck she was smelling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She had a good time. She approved of the socks. So says the Queen... </span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-3684918512527402292023-07-19T20:52:00.000-05:002023-07-19T20:52:37.656-05:00Into the Out and Over-Doing...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I'm getting more out-and-about and of course I over-did it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It started Friday, after PT. It was a later session than I'm used to, but it is what it is. I was feeling pretty good and I said to Hubby, "Let's take a walk; just a short one, about half a block." The new neighbors were having a party and we figured we'd walk by and wave. Well, a half block walk is actually a block if you consider there and back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1E6LRIKy_ohUjur-RGqltpGwhwyHmLx_UPPS3iTHwEWkYkcC2aQcEtrRgsRYpmpYOP5ElgxIDfazLobxXf_poHsP7PvISJ8ZBm1Dk0oIBUMJ8QKNZtJ8i2S31KnUsLcMzFHoFmY3p5Y6vaSf3s14tid__qWKpt_bDDxohejtKc8k1Ry2BQB5Zw/s4000/IMG20230715094142.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1E6LRIKy_ohUjur-RGqltpGwhwyHmLx_UPPS3iTHwEWkYkcC2aQcEtrRgsRYpmpYOP5ElgxIDfazLobxXf_poHsP7PvISJ8ZBm1Dk0oIBUMJ8QKNZtJ8i2S31KnUsLcMzFHoFmY3p5Y6vaSf3s14tid__qWKpt_bDDxohejtKc8k1Ry2BQB5Zw/w151-h200/IMG20230715094142.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Saturday, we went to the Sketcher's store and I took advantage of their Before School Sale, and got 2 pairs of shoes, with the 2nd one 50% off. One of them was the step-ins, which need a little more wear before they're easier to slip into. I wanted to get shoes which I could slip into myself without Hubby having to help tie them (it's bad enough that I still can't put my own sock onto the left foot yet), and without me having to bend too much to use a shoehorn. And another pair we picked up are these purple shoes that Hubby picked out. Hey, if he's going to pick out shoes, I'm all in! I wanted colorful shoes, and he knows me well. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The slip-in shoes are a taupe color. I can get those on by myself, but for now, he has to tie these purple ones for me - at least the left foot. I still am not supposed to turn out my hip, nor bend fully forward. I mean, I do bend to pick up something once in a while, but it's not recommended. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHlOy8hV0jjKizNEUhVkONiLLQOfFuewITDgkTmxYFgt-dSVl7G4Mwzlm5oNzy84pevhe0MqmIvvqpzT0D27WM0gtWkIS79u3IHBKSJiMzApfmq5XpAZE3JaebA3fJXuzTlEdUNbvJfMhbYflDkxvS5OGfGzc9fvdv6LqNDY1J2YBYDarErt_ig/s4000/IMG20230715102545.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHlOy8hV0jjKizNEUhVkONiLLQOfFuewITDgkTmxYFgt-dSVl7G4Mwzlm5oNzy84pevhe0MqmIvvqpzT0D27WM0gtWkIS79u3IHBKSJiMzApfmq5XpAZE3JaebA3fJXuzTlEdUNbvJfMhbYflDkxvS5OGfGzc9fvdv6LqNDY1J2YBYDarErt_ig/w151-h200/IMG20230715102545.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love the purple because it's a pretty ombre colorway and they're also very comfy. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So that's what I wore to church on Sunday (this is all part of the over-doing). It was great to be back; and we're Episcopalian, so there's "pew gymnastics" (thanks, Robin Williams) - stand, sit, kneel, repeat. Sat for a while in Coffee Hour, and visited. Lots of hugs, a very warm welcome. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then we went to return a walker we'd borrowed, and then home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I woke up Monday sore as heck. But I pushed through and did some cooking. Mind you, I haven't been able to stand long enough to do more than maybe fill a water bottle. But see below for what I made. On none of these occasions (aside from PT) did I bother using my ice pack. Dumb idea, I know, but we got busy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tuesday's therapy was a little rough, though I did use the ice pack again. </span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sock is moving right along. I'm finished with the gusset decreases, and I'm on the first few rows of the instep. It currently measures 4" from the heel to the needles, and I'm aiming for a 7.5" foot. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The only problem I have is that I've been hearing some bad things about the Cascade Heritage Sock yarn -- when you knit socks with it. There are rumors that it pills and doesn't wear well, which is what I was sort of worried about, because it is so soft. I probably should have frogged the first sock and done what I believe might have been a better use: made a shawlette. </span></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE7LMfGXtWi4PsXDhlrDyaor7TzpP9iFjI32rL2gklowLjq--vB_JU5aNPQLQxLnv6o2bYby4jhLILMOZe8g9fTCrKYgGOB-rRLwd5KvnayPVXmO3v_bJoM_RixL7ijIYxw4Vp77MqEFu22pcYvrBBfoey0QEUNh2dLAr_SIY9_UBch_RyvfyTw/s4000/IMG_20230718_212911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE7LMfGXtWi4PsXDhlrDyaor7TzpP9iFjI32rL2gklowLjq--vB_JU5aNPQLQxLnv6o2bYby4jhLILMOZe8g9fTCrKYgGOB-rRLwd5KvnayPVXmO3v_bJoM_RixL7ijIYxw4Vp77MqEFu22pcYvrBBfoey0QEUNh2dLAr_SIY9_UBch_RyvfyTw/w151-h200/IMG_20230718_212911.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know if I've shared this before, but I've been writing it on every sock pattern I have, for the SSK decreases. Normally, a K2tog looks really neat, and the SSK side looks more sloppy. There are several theories and methods to make it neater, but the one I like, and which to me sort of matches the K2tog is where I take the first stitch of the SSK knitwise, and the second stitch purlwise. </span><p></p><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now I just have to remember that for the heel turns. I can't quite get them to look smooth on the SSK side. At any rate, the sides of the gussets now look really neat and I like how it feels on my foot. <br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think that I've decided to do a 4x2 rib on the Other Blue Sock, and that's what I'll be working on once this is done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That will make a total of 3 pairs finished (singletons + mates) for this summer, and I'll take that as a win/win. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvv9W4Y83mW1rRGE5pDtLTEx7ZnhGb91l5hUxGB2GQaXk81npCoIQGhZ4-s3gI64QKYpuplwaEnpV2x4blG2JATqioroBBHDDSzxIWiBm7MHDOuUCuDD31GsctSPlVgx_4l97R0PveuMHOi8UZiyWSuzO7wVuBdewamY8lSpt1F0SHW2NyK7Mgg/s4000/IMG_20230717_084138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvv9W4Y83mW1rRGE5pDtLTEx7ZnhGb91l5hUxGB2GQaXk81npCoIQGhZ4-s3gI64QKYpuplwaEnpV2x4blG2JATqioroBBHDDSzxIWiBm7MHDOuUCuDD31GsctSPlVgx_4l97R0PveuMHOi8UZiyWSuzO7wVuBdewamY8lSpt1F0SHW2NyK7Mgg/w200-h151/IMG_20230717_084138.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After that, I may start the Long Sands again or I might work on a baby sweater for the little one, before she grows out of the size kit I have! Of course, I have to see if I can do the sweater; it seems odd, since I can knit socks, and I can follow a pattern, but sometimes, it also depends on how the pattern is written. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We shall see. It's a beautiful rose colored boucle yarn, so I think it's going to be lovely. I just have to knit it up. </span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Cooking...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEZHq6s3rj-5w5WSIpNqKWNgZLhmxsStreE6zltbHhcQxf5clUzDtUxoJNJsTKWQboE_iqdb1gqKMCQMWLCpEB1lY6wXRJyOzXwMsBitJSM6sb6sYjzlkjfs9UQ5BoafSyKCwoJLlyXngWTbv7BsByguxBdLSNLhPCNfn5C53S9tNUu6swBLXTA/s4000/IMG20230717120707.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEZHq6s3rj-5w5WSIpNqKWNgZLhmxsStreE6zltbHhcQxf5clUzDtUxoJNJsTKWQboE_iqdb1gqKMCQMWLCpEB1lY6wXRJyOzXwMsBitJSM6sb6sYjzlkjfs9UQ5BoafSyKCwoJLlyXngWTbv7BsByguxBdLSNLhPCNfn5C53S9tNUu6swBLXTA/w151-h200/IMG20230717120707.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I spent some time in the kitchen, also walking without the cane for a bit, as long as I had a counter to grab if I felt wobbly. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I made <a href="https://monchef.recipes/dish-type/sauces-and-condiments/lentil-potato-carrot-patties-37527">Lentil Potato Carrot Patties</a>. I used green lentils, because that's what I had. I figured I could use them for lunch, and I could use a little more plant-based protein in my diet anyway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It felt good to get back to cooking. I subbed shallots out for the yellow onion (had those in the freezer) and used 2 medium carrots and 2 medium potatoes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I feel like I could've used more flour to make it more "batter"-ish. The first few cakes fell apart. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrTPyHoWCP15sXAR3UEwQBerZe7bjBRH1tPBTTAnUBkQ_XoThhGs0QSqw6GkbmPjL0X3qEZ2ClRZ0jBjXWW9ZCtDQVF1Fo8IrfmzP_ePoo2pe2DjDvTqShRFV19TRNk8RLqWIDo7Jd9AdvJUbRo1wg_zfnLvGY-OhQrGzYusiylNaRRoj9Sd-A/s4000/IMG20230717120712.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrTPyHoWCP15sXAR3UEwQBerZe7bjBRH1tPBTTAnUBkQ_XoThhGs0QSqw6GkbmPjL0X3qEZ2ClRZ0jBjXWW9ZCtDQVF1Fo8IrfmzP_ePoo2pe2DjDvTqShRFV19TRNk8RLqWIDo7Jd9AdvJUbRo1wg_zfnLvGY-OhQrGzYusiylNaRRoj9Sd-A/w151-h200/IMG20230717120712.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ended up using a scoop, because when I tried to form them by hand, everything stuck to my hands. I'm not moving fast enough to make a pattie, plop it in a frying pan, wash my hands and then flip the thing. The scoop worked well, and I gently flattened the scooped batter and made them about 1/2" thick. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The oil was an avocado-safflower blend I had, and I should have had it get a smidge hotter. And I'd like to play with adding more herbs, like maybe some chopped parsley. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will admit I got frustrated at the first 3-4 cakes. I was almost going to just plop the whole thing into the pan like a ginormous potato latke but then I realized I would be unable to flip it over... So I ended up, once I got my frying groove on, putting 4 cakes in the pan at a time. They only took 3-4 minutes per side - enough to soften the shallots and carrots a bit, and the potatoes and lentils were already cooked, so they have a nice al dente feel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe next time I'll use sweet potato instead of white potato - it's mashed in my version, so while it's a rough mash, there's the fact that the spud and the flour are the "glue" that hold this vegan dish together. I guess if I wanted to un-vegan it, I'd add an egg as a binder, which would also work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or I could make a <a href="https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-a-flax-egg/">flax egg</a> and add that for even MORE fiber. I use flax eggs for my black bean brownies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSgnwjskbmBcRVeZHgqZLHBbagx2MvaLaPnMLnb5KqCmbBj4QU3-gllE8Xd2xVWpeDlGhQc7khse-vtAZpYuaFH8cyoxxtFPLLHD4jZhDkpgU7xv10L0TwCIdu-peaJyATDVzkLN8pIT8fXkbtiF8coSKIROrRQdxIdTW_NEip5HbfhCTgL6RKg/s4000/IMG20230717122147.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSgnwjskbmBcRVeZHgqZLHBbagx2MvaLaPnMLnb5KqCmbBj4QU3-gllE8Xd2xVWpeDlGhQc7khse-vtAZpYuaFH8cyoxxtFPLLHD4jZhDkpgU7xv10L0TwCIdu-peaJyATDVzkLN8pIT8fXkbtiF8coSKIROrRQdxIdTW_NEip5HbfhCTgL6RKg/w151-h200/IMG20230717122147.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I tried a couple of the patties - they're best warm, after you drain the excess oil off, and yeah, I broke "vegan code," because I used ranch dressing as my "sauce." You can use whatever condiment you want; that was just handy and I was hungry. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Looking at this, I can tell you that I'm not a professional stager of photos... you can see my essential oils bottles just lying there. Oh well. Focus on the food, kids!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you were to make a meal of these, you'd probably want to add a green salad and maybe some fruit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">They're going to be easy to transport once I get back to work, and I can do that for lunch with an apple and be pretty happy. </span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Update on Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, today, I did remember to use the ice pack again after PT. And today, I did a solo flight... I walked the length of the clinic back and forth without the cane. That was a little weird. I felt a bit wobbly, but I did it. He said I could take "short trips" around the house, as long as I wasn't trying to dodge the dogs. So I'll probably walk solo in the bathroom and bedroom, for now. Though I'll still have a cane handy for after I shower, for a little bit. Not that I'm unsteady - just for safety's sake. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The PT will continue to build my muscle, regain my balance and keep me walking without the cane (at least inside). We're also going to work on stairs. Still no walking outside on uneven ground without a cane. Or actually, ANY walking around outside without a cane, for now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I'm waiting on a step stool so that I can get in and out of my car on the driver's side more safely. It's just a tad too high. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Otherwise, I'm also hoping that a good night's sleep will soon be my reward for...something. </span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXdU14cVLddZbw6t5JVD-4oYuY3wlcPHNQJEkr0kOe95Mh85XzgPc-VJ2RzVj7L9EYI013xtOdyHuklpdKNTtcBldoobZqpL7UstBwl8KJbOdbqZEhGLW10tErdSGz0mHET8hBDqn6mtrqeBQ7EtRnXgWTqsupfpLF5eBBMWbHM4aiJ1sPo9GVg/s4272/IMG_2769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXdU14cVLddZbw6t5JVD-4oYuY3wlcPHNQJEkr0kOe95Mh85XzgPc-VJ2RzVj7L9EYI013xtOdyHuklpdKNTtcBldoobZqpL7UstBwl8KJbOdbqZEhGLW10tErdSGz0mHET8hBDqn6mtrqeBQ7EtRnXgWTqsupfpLF5eBBMWbHM4aiJ1sPo9GVg/w320-h213/IMG_2769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I dug into the archives for this one, kids.... It's a church (I don't know which one, because there wasn't a sign on it) in Lugano. There were so many magnificent pieces of artwork but I thought I'd focus on the altar. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think that of all the places we visited in 2021, Lugano is possibly the place where I feel like I could live, if ever I was going to move out of this country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A friend of mine and her husband lived their dream by moving out of the US to New Zealand. On a recent visit "home" (back here), they said the difference is palpable. Which is sad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">While we were in Lugano, we found that it was all walkable, and seemed like they would welcome visitors whether long- or short-term. But then, maybe since it's in Switzerland, they wouldn't take us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We in the US are at the cusp of some sort of immense shift. The climate crisis is catching up with us. We are more polarized than ever politically, our Supreme Court is a blasted mess, and there's a larger percentage of people than you'd think (though not mathematically significant if every Democrat votes in the upcoming presidential election) who would willingly install a dictator-for-life who's a criminal and a con man. If the DOJ can't put him in prison first. Which we can only hope for, at this point. Hopefully, his teflon coating is wearing thin. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps in the next few editions of this blog, I'll go into the archives more. Who knows what kinds of pictures I'll come up with!<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p></div>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-16315379882814486662023-07-11T10:16:00.000-05:002023-07-11T10:16:02.444-05:00Things I'd Like to Ask my Sister...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know why this hit me today. Well, yes, I do. My friend's sister's one-year anniversary of death is today, and I just saw a commercial on TV about Subaru's work with cancer patients. "When you have cancer, you want support."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not always... My sister, sadly, retreated deeply into herself and got extremely panicked with the thought of anyone coming to see her. It was quick (while simultaneously seeming to be forever because we were shut out), and it wasn't peaceful. And we, her extended family, were distraught that we were unable to support her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So here's what I'd like to ask her:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">How long did you really know that you had cancer? You were an extraordinarily talented diagnostician as a nurse. You had to have a clue. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why did you retreat? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Were you afraid we'd judge you?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Please don't tell me you were too vain to let us "see you like that" because I don't want to believe it (though, to be honest, you had a wide streak of "vain" in you, not gonna lie!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Did you know back in September the year before that there was something wrong? That cough of yours...I should have pressed you more. And you said you had a "bug bite" that wouldn't heal. I should have asked about that. But I know your propensity to rip my head off if I come off as "giving advice that's not wanted."</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Would you have changed your mind if you knew how much this would rip our family up? You have siblings who remain devastated. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I'd like answers, though I'm not sure I will ever get them, this side of Heaven.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which brings up a good question. My sister wasn't religious. So does that mean that if I believe in an afterlife, she doesn't and we'll never meet again? I can't quite wrap my head around that. It's something I do grapple with. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Recipe...</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOZnyb5dWUIP4qM6HhzHjZPzaCas4aCwW0H41B6qdCDaPhQVHlJ37GrfsjDK6YXIqHgZkxh8xj8oXDXb0rMfSvOuO6Hia90IK_99JW39bdig2Qfhg06OSuARdg1qq72A8QT4akVi5vc6bTUOO0XmRgpXIlEb2X2JHxYphaibEXGdn0E3ZnvFnww/s4000/IMG20230708170335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOZnyb5dWUIP4qM6HhzHjZPzaCas4aCwW0H41B6qdCDaPhQVHlJ37GrfsjDK6YXIqHgZkxh8xj8oXDXb0rMfSvOuO6Hia90IK_99JW39bdig2Qfhg06OSuARdg1qq72A8QT4akVi5vc6bTUOO0XmRgpXIlEb2X2JHxYphaibEXGdn0E3ZnvFnww/w151-h200/IMG20230708170335.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>I need, after the surgery, to get more veggies/fiber in my diet. That surgery really did a number on my bowels, to be honest. And I know that even though the doctors said I'm "borderline anemic," and they want me to eat more protein, I don't do well with a lot of meat in my diet. I never have; I asked my mom. I thought it was a "later in life" peculiarity, and she said that I never was one for eating a lot of meat. Nice to know. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I took a page from the Vegan Kid's book and I've made these "dump salads" before. Here's the latest version.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Vegan Dump Salad #4</span></i></b> (I have no idea which number this actually is, but let's just say it's the fourth version)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 box Chickpea and Lentil pasta cooked per package directions</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 can of French-style green beans, drained</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 can garbanzo beans, drained</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4 radishes, sliced thin and quartered (depending on the size of the radish)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 pieces roasted red pepper, diced</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4 green onions, sliced thin, white and green parts</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 can bamboo shoots, drained</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Salt & pepper to taste</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 T. Penzey's Potato of Love</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 c. roasted Butternut Squash (optional)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 c. slivered almonds or chopped walnuts (optional)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Balsamic Dressing (see below for recipe)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">SMALL BATCH BALSAMIC DRESSING: (This is good for 2 large salads and can be refrigerated for a couple weeks)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 T. balsamic vinegar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 T. Dijon mustard</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 T. honey (or maple syrup if that's your preference)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/4 t. kosher salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6 T. olive oil</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In a medium bowl, so you have some "whisking room," add everything EXCEPT the oil. Whisk to blend and make sure it's blended well. This is a small batch, so it's easier to whisk by hand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Add, BY TABLESPOON, the oil, mixing well after each addition of oil. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">SALAD: Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water. Dump everything into a large bowl (I use a Rubbermaid one with a cover so I can keep it in the fridge). Add about half the dressing and mix well. Let it cool for a couple hours. Upon serving, sprinkle with the nuts if you're using them. Serve with crunchy bread or crackers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OPTIONS: I always love options. Normally, if I had them, I would add a can of corn, a handful of dried cranberries, maybe golden raisins. You can use regular pasta in any variety or shape if you want, and you can add chopped chicken if you want - shrimp would be good, too, if you're not styling this as a vegan dish. Instead of pasta, try quinoa for even more protein. Add more beans. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Guilty Pleasure...</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really don't have many vices. OK, excessive purchase of yarn and books. But I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke or swear. Mainly I drink tea and water. I'm pretty boring. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have found Nutella. Yeah, I know - a gazillion grams of sugar in that stuff. But oh, my word! It's just addictive on English muffins. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just a random note about me, I guess. I have a sweet tooth. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjQiQwSQ9BTurL7Hf4kfXZDSbmeRDn0eGDI7_Km7fS6Bl_oV6k6KWJQNIQBmn1g58Jazptq6wTXQVVZGOtd0vYqk7gTLK5XttWzAt_bJmr1wb3J58kbkkIFw6bZ5mJCP-UCcWtGsT7usvajwNUJlM6duh70Deqww1UASNS2ET99xl9gK-f5UhaA/s3264/IMG20230709123750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjQiQwSQ9BTurL7Hf4kfXZDSbmeRDn0eGDI7_Km7fS6Bl_oV6k6KWJQNIQBmn1g58Jazptq6wTXQVVZGOtd0vYqk7gTLK5XttWzAt_bJmr1wb3J58kbkkIFw6bZ5mJCP-UCcWtGsT7usvajwNUJlM6duh70Deqww1UASNS2ET99xl9gK-f5UhaA/w150-h200/IMG20230709123750.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Yesterday, I was "in the out." I sat outside while Hubby was putting together our little fountain. He was cussing. Apparently, the old pump motor froze up and it won't go. We have a spare one, but by the time he realized he couldn't make the old one go, he was pretty frustrated. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I brought out my $10 solar fountain. Yeah - it's not exactly top of the line, and it needs to be replaced every year because our water is so hard and full of minerals. But it works well in our little bird bath, and it keeps the water moving. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And we tried a "hack" I found on a gardening forum of putting 7 pennies in the bottom of the bird bath to keep algae at bay. We'll see if that works. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sky was beautiful. It was unseasonably cool for July in Illinois, and the birds were chirping. We sat for a while and just enjoyed the view. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This morning, I saw a hummingbird stop briefly at my new feeders (we're pretty late in the season, but better late than never). Storms are supposed to move in later; I hope it's not a tease because we need the rain. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Enjoy whatever today brings you! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><p></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-49546932864198568362023-07-08T21:14:00.000-05:002023-07-08T21:14:53.733-05:00More Than I Expected...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYESFfE5EvZFBG9E4F7KOaRC2ZKYlnsA1fPEkrymc8hxAW7CjgnLWHplAK2eZ6qZ_mBd7iJJ7HWLj_dsuAsqzNEoNfIZrl9PlhS5xcZQvOhcqM4ItnCz-1zNNAazpncPKnmhox3w4bFqaukHksUhtTuGxfwQNFo_tXmdTrzZoyKLRWJKXyeK_Ag/s4000/IMG20230708132735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYESFfE5EvZFBG9E4F7KOaRC2ZKYlnsA1fPEkrymc8hxAW7CjgnLWHplAK2eZ6qZ_mBd7iJJ7HWLj_dsuAsqzNEoNfIZrl9PlhS5xcZQvOhcqM4ItnCz-1zNNAazpncPKnmhox3w4bFqaukHksUhtTuGxfwQNFo_tXmdTrzZoyKLRWJKXyeK_Ag/w151-h200/IMG20230708132735.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. That didn't go as expected. I thought I had about 6-7" on that Long Sands Tee. Seems like I was wrong. I had most of the front done. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I frogged it anyway. Took me most of the afternoon. I cut out a join that I had used; untangled a bunch of knots (I have got to get better about either ending the ball at the seam or weaving in my ends, since this is in the round...), and generally picked my way through it till it was all nicely set back into the raw material that I started with. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was working away at my sock (more on that below), and I thought, "I have to grab that thing; I need to frog it today." Call it an irresistable impulse. I thought I knew where it was, but it took me a couple times to find it in the office - slash - junk room (#goals will be to clean that thing out once my hip is rehabbed...It's making me nuts). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I found the bag, and sat down with "Star Trek: Enterprise" on the TV and started ripping. And ripping. And ripping. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see, that's a whack of knitting to rip out. I don't know why I thought I had less done. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmY79JbcDm4Gpd3_t8otoPP9CrPFdXA-EmKd-Yq6ibJJyYmtZyLRzSid6vNTwzr0EDOTn-9BRfOHyAIu6vfzUmkckTzPdSrHkkEo5uszE_9gO5aCXXl1aUBGFDGu5dgy3PJE9FCEOT0QJ_b7ZTYdRyTRWjgkRg-_gf85PCMizWPTZjabZ9xODbQ/s4000/IMG20230708154332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmY79JbcDm4Gpd3_t8otoPP9CrPFdXA-EmKd-Yq6ibJJyYmtZyLRzSid6vNTwzr0EDOTn-9BRfOHyAIu6vfzUmkckTzPdSrHkkEo5uszE_9gO5aCXXl1aUBGFDGu5dgy3PJE9FCEOT0QJ_b7ZTYdRyTRWjgkRg-_gf85PCMizWPTZjabZ9xODbQ/w200-h151/IMG20230708154332.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Luckily, it's linen, so it can kind of take a pounding. I unwound four balls. Four. As you can see, I have a total of seven hanks. And that dinky little ball is the "two ball cast on" technique that I have to revisit so that I can get the thing cast on in one go rather than try to estimate a couple hundred stitches and have to do it over a couple of times. I had found that on YouTube, and I really liked it. I don't know why I didn't do it this time, but I'm going to give it a go this next cast on. Since it's smaller than the size I initially knitted, it should be enough on that dinky ball. I know it's a risk; I may be in the same trouble of having to rip the thing out if it doesn't work. But again -- linen yarn can take it. <br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje13rAlyjRcD4ppQPIgy9IEvTGG8J47A3Umc6--7_a9SnD2VAMPDd9RvU7w9T1yo-9zxbJuw8c3wcqE4U8D1_7EUK2D0F6HbZ1vYw8BrnLYRJi5DbQ8_b2ofWiCI5VywifMz66JTp2nIH2Anrbl2DCZ7TmsXcYFoVq6EeiSJ2vXE0soxm20DfnbA/s4000/IMG20230707140921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje13rAlyjRcD4ppQPIgy9IEvTGG8J47A3Umc6--7_a9SnD2VAMPDd9RvU7w9T1yo-9zxbJuw8c3wcqE4U8D1_7EUK2D0F6HbZ1vYw8BrnLYRJi5DbQ8_b2ofWiCI5VywifMz66JTp2nIH2Anrbl2DCZ7TmsXcYFoVq6EeiSJ2vXE0soxm20DfnbA/w151-h200/IMG20230707140921.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm "getting a leg on" with the Petty Harbour sock. I think the reason I wanted to frog the Long Sands is just that I wanted a break from the leg of the sock. It's not like it's a forever-long leg, either, but I have to say I've been very faithful to this project, and I just needed to do something a little different. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ripping things apart usually does that for me. I've got a little over 3" on the leg, and it's a 5" length, so by tomorrow, I should be able to start the heel flap. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm already imagining the rest of this yarn as the tops of a pair of scrappy socks. I'd have to knit those 2 at a time, just to make sure I got all my colors in a row. I need to investigate the "leftovers" bag to see what I've got there. I know it'll be colorful, if nothing else. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will have to wait to re-start the Long Sands; probably a month, so the yarn gets a chance to relax. So I could pick up a shawl I have sitting around; I'm not about to frog that puppy - it's about 2/3 done and it would be nice to have it ready for the holidays. I know - thinking ahead for once! </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Monarchs...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So we're trying to control our milkweed population. We really went nuts the first year and had far too many plants; they almost took over the whole wildflower bed, which wasn't my intention. Gradually, over the last few years, we've pulled them out and kind of tried to have order among chaos. This year, what with my hip and all, we really have done nothing with the garden and it's looking rather pathetic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A drought doesn't help, just so you know. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmePvZIO-FJDJ-9mFWRnjEZ2YEfKqWF7qbkaU8ORYNl469z6IJx_eWNin11i6sRaJ_Lw-ZISV3ecYBQXA9hYX2xjLVUb9Dz1UxHReToyzMS3Vsh_jT3M2Vf89Wtn1OuMPFlCcteLqE8xS7avXPmQzhYuOtm2C-qMTch0NIDjW316XuIWUcyC7UA/s4000/IMG_20230708_161131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmePvZIO-FJDJ-9mFWRnjEZ2YEfKqWF7qbkaU8ORYNl469z6IJx_eWNin11i6sRaJ_Lw-ZISV3ecYBQXA9hYX2xjLVUb9Dz1UxHReToyzMS3Vsh_jT3M2Vf89Wtn1OuMPFlCcteLqE8xS7avXPmQzhYuOtm2C-qMTch0NIDjW316XuIWUcyC7UA/w200-h151/IMG_20230708_161131.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, I was sitting on the porch the other day and noticed a Monarch butterfly dancing among the few milkweeds we had. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And we always have some stragglers in the yard; Hubby tries to pull them up or mow them down - and it's a constant battle. Well, Mama Monarch decides to lay her ONE EGG on the one plant in the lawn. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seriously. You can see the tiny speck she laid there. Hubby is NOT amused that I want to put a cage over the plant. I have been trying to establish a Monarch garden for a while, and we just haven't had any luck. This time, of course, she picks the worst place. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can't mess with Mother Nature, that's for sure. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know if this is true for others, but over the past two days, it's like a switch has flipped. I'm walking better with the cane, my appetite is back (which is a blessing and a curse...), and most all systems are back to normal. Except my bowels (yeah, TMI) have been a bit slow to recover. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm being a renegade and stopping the iron pill. Those things always give me tummy trouble, and I don't need any help there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The PT is amazed at the change in my gait. We start to do the hard work on Monday; I had the evaluation and it was a lot of walking up and down so he could see how I did, and some measurements were taken. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm still doing some of the home PT that I was given, as well as trying to walk more each day. </span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX50qxrmRcALHxMlNidy5pUUagsbx6FcaXgXyXh9uJrN4wOH22HJGDql6ZWMNVqUQzIUzoKD2Wart2cwqMMFYQKMffDKNBralXGATmUxtXXLvQ2Fi5glViGHKlZOrlMmvSGXo1yZesGqCaMt0ySViyc6SbT_GCszLZtASXxcQijAr0KtRQ6Z1IZA/s4000/IMG20230623151823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX50qxrmRcALHxMlNidy5pUUagsbx6FcaXgXyXh9uJrN4wOH22HJGDql6ZWMNVqUQzIUzoKD2Wart2cwqMMFYQKMffDKNBralXGATmUxtXXLvQ2Fi5glViGHKlZOrlMmvSGXo1yZesGqCaMt0ySViyc6SbT_GCszLZtASXxcQijAr0KtRQ6Z1IZA/w200-h151/IMG20230623151823.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Memorializing my first post-surgery meal in the hospital, it was an egg salad sandwich, small salad and tea. Now mind you, I'd been having IV fluids, and at least 2 of those large styrofoam glasses of water. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet I had to gag that sandwich down. I was hungry, but I honestly thought I'd choke on it because my throat was so dry. Perhaps I should've stuck to soup...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hospital has an interesting set-up - you can call and order your meals anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. - kind of like a concierge kitchen. My favorite sandwich is egg salad, though mine is more wet than they make theirs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At that point, beggars couldn't be choosers, I suppose. Anyway, it was food, it was tea and I was both hungry and under-caffeinated. So it worked. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-17843293790955075062023-07-04T21:48:00.000-05:002023-07-04T21:48:35.013-05:00Not Ribbed For My Pleasure...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBxKJ9-lSaqUYnPueCM9ZlBlBcQ-a_76GhgJKZEKNA6u7IpGbgQZ-e9I-8NxR2oG8HcUqvyrVP_bZFcx2olNpfa75QIUS_n5SMfimueGDr0HoLeb_ZGPt5YJObowiq4Mm2jWAAiEshbARAoNZ8-EnNo-bTAgdLW9t7cT4yrLjO9SIyKdxQ4p8mg/s4000/IMG20230629100858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBxKJ9-lSaqUYnPueCM9ZlBlBcQ-a_76GhgJKZEKNA6u7IpGbgQZ-e9I-8NxR2oG8HcUqvyrVP_bZFcx2olNpfa75QIUS_n5SMfimueGDr0HoLeb_ZGPt5YJObowiq4Mm2jWAAiEshbARAoNZ8-EnNo-bTAgdLW9t7cT4yrLjO9SIyKdxQ4p8mg/w151-h200/IMG20230629100858.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really hate ribbing. I mean HATE it. Those 12 rows may as well be 1200 as far as I'm concerned. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hate ribbing as much as I hate the 4th of July weekend. As I type, there are boomers going off. One dog is in the kitchen, relatively clueless. The other is in the bathroom, somewhat heavily medicated, and will be even more medicated in about 2 hours or so, when it really gets nuts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyone blowing off illegal fireworks (I'm in Illinois - if you're not a professional and it's down the block from me, it's illegal) needs to be fined. Not only for blatantly breaking the law, but for being a bass-pole and a dirtbag who doesn't care about their fellow neighbors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not only the pets. It's the folks with PTSD. The people with sensory disorders. The veterans. The livestock (where I'm at, there's a fair bit of livestock). Go visit any of the 4 or 5 towns which are having lovely, FREE displays of fireworks. It's safer, you don't have to worry about drunks, and you get to keep your digits. And those are over by 9:45 or 10 p.m. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last night it was 1:30 or so and tonight it'll be even later. I expect these shenanigans to go on all week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I get upset because these are the same people who complain that their water bill is going higher, their garbage bill goes up, or whatever. I have no sympathy. None. You blew your wad on pyrotechnics that you shouldn't have had, and now you have no money? Tough bananas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the other thing? It's always the same people. It's always the house one block over and up, and one on the end of our block. The town knows this. They choose to do nothing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And -- we're in a drought. Yeah, it rained the other day. Not enough. So maybe we wait till the houses catch on fire? Sounds like a solid plan. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the detested ribbing is done and I've completed the first row of the leg. This is the second sock of the Petty Harbour pair. My hand hurts, and I have learned to stop when it gets cranky. Otherwise, I'm off knitting for a while. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This weekend (I'm already thinking of the weekend), I think I'll go ahead and frog the Long Sands Tee. I will have had my first outpatient PT appointment on Friday, so Lord knows how sore I'll be Saturday and Sunday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to try to stay monagamous to the socks till I have the pair done. I feel like I want to finish stuff. So Long Sands is going to have to be in time-out for a bit anyway till the knitted yarn relaxes, and till I can wind up a few of the hanks that haven't been caked yet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That gives me time to make a mis-matched pair of the blue striped socks, since I don't think I can lay my hands on the pattern of the one sock that's finished. I may (go ahead, get ready to laugh) do a 4x2 rib on the second one. I think the first sock is something like an 8x2 rib, but I can't find the notes, so I figure if I get it "close enough," nobody's going to mind. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I might start a trend. Not only of fraternal twins, but of "almost" the same patterns. Who says it might not be a new thing? </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRRuWE111K7jhnToeW5smiUeVHzfKY1NnGo1VIRZXsIjQCyQFF5fUkkdWzpfSjqZk500W6nvyj7RlMBM7RS4X65zhud9hiNVjUl8FvzjugvbZBSGObuin4UOCCwN3FGUi0dnKQMHPV-5z96kvPZWFxyM2nXvtHSiqCGC6ZovDEbg1sqXde8YhHw/s4000/IMG20230630131256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRRuWE111K7jhnToeW5smiUeVHzfKY1NnGo1VIRZXsIjQCyQFF5fUkkdWzpfSjqZk500W6nvyj7RlMBM7RS4X65zhud9hiNVjUl8FvzjugvbZBSGObuin4UOCCwN3FGUi0dnKQMHPV-5z96kvPZWFxyM2nXvtHSiqCGC6ZovDEbg1sqXde8YhHw/w151-h200/IMG20230630131256.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Things are progressing. I am FREE of the TED hose! One week post-op, I showed the nurse the marks on my left thigh, just above the knee. She was not happy, because the skin was being compromised. We didn't want to risk an infection so she determined I was very low risk for blood clots and off they came!! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My skin is lizard-like, and I can't get around to my left foot yet, so that's been interesting. I've also started to sleep on the incision side. I checked with the PT and the nurse and they said it wasn't going to hurt. The hip is in there; it ain't goin nowhere... It's more building up your mind that it's ok. And I'm a left-side sleeper, so there's that. Even if I stay there for 3-4 minutes, my MIND says, "OK, we can move to the other side now." It's all a game. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Physical therapy is doing well, except I'm not having fun with the hip flexor stretches. Your hip flexors are the muscles right in the crease of your hip, so if you sit down and place your thumbs at the very top of your thighs, you're close. My left side got really jacked up with the hip injury, and I was walking very bent over. Well, that's gotta be stretched out. And it's not happy about that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have my last day of in-home PT on Wednesday, and then I go to outpatient. I'm off all the pain meds, and I have been "let outside" on my walker, with a companion and a gait belt. I'm also using a cane in the house.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So that using a cane thing... Wowza. I was using TWO canes pre-surgery, just so I could take the weight off the bum leg. Now, though, I have to use ONE cane to just lightly support the now "remodeled" hip, and bear more weight on the left hip. It's a real mind-trick, and has been an interesting adjustment. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other exercises, I can do pretty easily, thanks to some pre-hab work I did and just an overwhelming urge to get this therapy behind me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But that walking with a cane does have me slightly wobbly. I can tell how far my balance has been affected, and how much work I have to do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been practicing my Tadasana (Mountain Pose), just to straighten up my posture and get that balance back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiukMtOwXHtkB8eBf-Ld2YwqDD3otBgRgVNMkL6CkKrXQ1fpO8EUzd_uFD1uOnnVKKsAQl3vQDybu8qjKezdRREMBls3TWxvpAyXHbFGrheB8Rj-IwumnLsPJENbGGtggu_dXK40SFnEbktK8OOLuZFSFIGKGilHtVSLLenl4iyFE9tgaPh0PjQ/s4000/IMG20230703154421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiukMtOwXHtkB8eBf-Ld2YwqDD3otBgRgVNMkL6CkKrXQ1fpO8EUzd_uFD1uOnnVKKsAQl3vQDybu8qjKezdRREMBls3TWxvpAyXHbFGrheB8Rj-IwumnLsPJENbGGtggu_dXK40SFnEbktK8OOLuZFSFIGKGilHtVSLLenl4iyFE9tgaPh0PjQ/w200-h151/IMG20230703154421.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have a helper. We have a massage table, which has been a blessing for the PT, as it's firmer than a bed, and easy to adjust. And recently, when Hubby was helping me do the exercises, Quinn hopped up on the couch next to me to help. I have to tell you, it was a nice relaxing treat. I didn't think she had it in her. She's always been a snuggler, but this was deliberate - she came up to where I could reach her, put a paw on the table and moved so that I didn't have to reach too far. Hubby said that I actually relaxed my leg more as I was petting her, so I guess she's hired for my in-house therapy dog for as long as it takes me to get this hip back in order. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Reading...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL76cVzSGePSzA0Dh_eWOCUDR0IyuqM12LGJ1BlhyQNJH2cK5O6-VTFcA6FCua2FVnmGP2Te_TxPry-FvcFHXho2MuBHBJuDy-xZ1OUsRN57qkvyzuEyVeiZCu4-3jiltfSDQ3vcFyI8fY8Cpku8kYOaEQEp6XwrTShVur4Mt_a2DBVB0NQXi5w/s4000/IMG20230703192551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL76cVzSGePSzA0Dh_eWOCUDR0IyuqM12LGJ1BlhyQNJH2cK5O6-VTFcA6FCua2FVnmGP2Te_TxPry-FvcFHXho2MuBHBJuDy-xZ1OUsRN57qkvyzuEyVeiZCu4-3jiltfSDQ3vcFyI8fY8Cpku8kYOaEQEp6XwrTShVur4Mt_a2DBVB0NQXi5w/w151-h200/IMG20230703192551.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So aside from having a problem with my Kindle, which I will explain, I am reading Evelyn Waugh's "The Loved One." It's the book upon which the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059410/">movie</a> was based, and the movie is as camp as it gets. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm enjoying the book, which is a skinny little thing considering how long the movie is. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The book is enough like the movie that I can follow it. I love the skewering that Waugh gives the whole Hollywood scene, and he does it so lightly and completely. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was able to borrow this book from Kid #1, and I have to admit, I'm getting the vibe I had when I took "As I Lay Dying" on a plane trip... this might not be a book which you'd want to take as a travel book, but then again -- maybe you would. It would certainly start a conversation. Or stop one. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, the Kindle problem. I love Agatha Christie. I have a bunch of her mysteries on my Kindle and I noticed that the last 3 of them which I purchased had a problem with the downloads. It wasn't just me, because looking at the reviews/comments, this problem seems to be pretty consistent. It's as if all the "Alt" characters: *%&$^#@)>< -- all of that stuff just appears randomly in the text, making the books impossible to read. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I complained to Amazon, which may or may not accomplish anything, but it's annoying because I paid for the books, and I cannot read the books. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not sure if it's an off-shore place which is digitizing the books. But I can tell you that when I was working in publishing, I had several projects in which I had to clean up stuff like this. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm hoping that there's some resolution. But I'm not holding my breath.</span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Shed...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So everyone always asks, "how much do your dogs shed?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5zEpIMna4IGkWKKxlrRIQN0e65FL0xwj2PPdTe-1ifg0151mhx8RC_2hYE3ibmDPi1YsHcO4QOIg3vjvLMVP1C2OgBIrIFfp050KWPkQqLbrI19cE2j7jjdBVTGYpgT9rj473W9G6MvwSOLj6usmGp96JcUVMrDbDmaJZMiNHlQrxrk6ahUJEQ/s3264/IMG20230704164024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5zEpIMna4IGkWKKxlrRIQN0e65FL0xwj2PPdTe-1ifg0151mhx8RC_2hYE3ibmDPi1YsHcO4QOIg3vjvLMVP1C2OgBIrIFfp050KWPkQqLbrI19cE2j7jjdBVTGYpgT9rj473W9G6MvwSOLj6usmGp96JcUVMrDbDmaJZMiNHlQrxrk6ahUJEQ/w150-h200/IMG20230704164024.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here's a PART of ONE side of Raisa. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see, she is NOT amused. She is one of the few dogs I have had who doesn't like to be brushed. She grumbles, but tolerates it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even Quinn is shedding more this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I'm asked, I always say, "Twice a year, six months at a time." My mom grumbles about her dog's hair (a puggle) and I just laugh. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As long as you keep on top of it, it's not all that horrible. I did have one husky who liked to be vacuumed, which isn't all that common, I can tell you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So this is the "summer shed." There'll be another in the fall when their winter coats come in. Don't even try to figure it out - it's just how it works. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOUzwMrhwapmz1z1Duf7jo5W6r3U8CD5C-wwVBM48QcCVIlNkhw9Ed9NxU1AU-I1WFR0nsmkOpmvtRtXqFA42Nc7gSe7R08U__3FL_DHROH7A6co8Y7FgOqHM5e2biYYtSpWAQKSV6qgh99aCVX320loFDcSn40r_gWMeCNObSVoT6yHDL1bkjw/s4368/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4368" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOUzwMrhwapmz1z1Duf7jo5W6r3U8CD5C-wwVBM48QcCVIlNkhw9Ed9NxU1AU-I1WFR0nsmkOpmvtRtXqFA42Nc7gSe7R08U__3FL_DHROH7A6co8Y7FgOqHM5e2biYYtSpWAQKSV6qgh99aCVX320loFDcSn40r_gWMeCNObSVoT6yHDL1bkjw/w200-h133/IMG_1461.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Talk about a throw-back. This is River. She's my first red husky. She's long across the Rainbow Bridge, and this was when we had the "perfect pack" of River, Tippi & Quinn. Quinn was so attached to River. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She came to us just after Topaz (my black & silver husky) died, and was a boon to our then-first elkhound Gracie, who went into extreme mourning after Topaz died - so much so that my neighbor thought that BOTH dogs had passed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">River was a retired show dog. She would have been the dog I trained to be a therapy dog if I had the job flexibility. This was after she was diagnosed with glaucoma, and before she had Cushing's Disease. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She was definitely the queen. She had a presence; even people who were afraid of big dogs were drawn to her. I miss her. </span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-50669019396607171052023-06-27T13:37:00.000-05:002023-06-27T13:37:28.132-05:00Warrior's Drink...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P930v5tfHXlSrb4Fzsf8j6aeTBCCJNOidDClY3fIDLbmL929cYPhheWCAB9gtFjb0R8vM6Isaaqe6BUEZ0gJJtPjMXg8CJCfQGd7-hEy6Vg9yTMqSSy7BWoCgVIdAEFzmhs_Obh7pfHEENGgln30HqsF2QxvgH16wM2SCpPG5py60vBITI0Trg/s195/prune%20juice%20worf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="194" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P930v5tfHXlSrb4Fzsf8j6aeTBCCJNOidDClY3fIDLbmL929cYPhheWCAB9gtFjb0R8vM6Isaaqe6BUEZ0gJJtPjMXg8CJCfQGd7-hEy6Vg9yTMqSSy7BWoCgVIdAEFzmhs_Obh7pfHEENGgln30HqsF2QxvgH16wM2SCpPG5py60vBITI0Trg/w199-h200/prune%20juice%20worf.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't care how many stool softeners they give you. Warm prune juice. That is all. And as to the image, IYKYK...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is wayyyyyyyyyyy too much TMI, but if you've ever been under general anaesthesia, you know it can wreak havoc with your stomach and your other systems. So not only are you foggy-brained, but you can't pee or poop for a while. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I had my hip replaced on Friday, June 23. I was truly pain-free for the first 24 hours post-surgery. There was no 16-penny nail hammering into my hip, there was no knee pain, nothing. Except my back hurt because I don't sleep on my back and I had to. The hospital bed allowed me to tilt my head up and I was able to bend my knees a bit by raising the base of the bed, so it wasn't miserable. And they were in and out all night checking on me, so there was that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really liked the "leg massage devices" they used on my legs, and I wish I'd have had the option to take them home. The nurses said a lot of people object, but it's like -- it's to prevent a life-threatening clot. What's to object? </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbWD_Eaw_-g6te-xfWteDxwCstq1Lzz1QCj_g1Jzqg6L0emlBwLtes7d0uEWk0QDwm40oAoMSxYDiZBSdnVrHNiCUHIPXNP2BQoJpFXD5M61NEiGeXwPpGhJIvs_zyPtlpzhxT2b4EXMvudi7T6maPrD6XQwK4YBDV9_h5XoFyWYzwEddqG2ecA/s4000/IMG20230623170828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbWD_Eaw_-g6te-xfWteDxwCstq1Lzz1QCj_g1Jzqg6L0emlBwLtes7d0uEWk0QDwm40oAoMSxYDiZBSdnVrHNiCUHIPXNP2BQoJpFXD5M61NEiGeXwPpGhJIvs_zyPtlpzhxT2b4EXMvudi7T6maPrD6XQwK4YBDV9_h5XoFyWYzwEddqG2ecA/w151-h200/IMG20230623170828.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also came home with a "wound vac" which I wasn't expecting. It occasionally growls at me. But nothing is coming out, which is apparently a good thing. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankfully, I had pooped (see, TMI) the morning before my surgery - one of the blessings of not having to be up at "rooster o'clock" for the procedure. Because I knew I would have all kinds of meds, I knew there would be some stool softeners. And - pain meds kill my appetite. They honestly don't do much for pain, and they make me want to vomit, which seems beside the point - so while I'm doing the minimum so I don't get caught up in the pain, I have been having the "I really don't want to eat" thing. And of course: nothing in, nothing out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Funny story: Part 1 -- I was up and walking with assistance 2 hours after I was out of recovery. They do not mess around. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part 2 -- I hadn't had any pain meds, and the nurse said "just take it, you will wish you had" and so I did. Anyway, I was up and going to the bathroom. They turned the sink on - that trick apparently works for potty-training kids, and adults with sleepy bladders. I peed, they said, "nope, there's more. Try again." So I did. And there was. I've never had my bladder take this long to wake up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part 3 -- I was getting ready to be discharged (which did take forever, the only bad part) and not only did ALL MY PAIN RECEPTORS WAKE UP but so did my bladder. So it's "ouch, pee, ouch, pee, ouch, pee..." Luckily, I made it to the toilet in good time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still no poop. I'd been faithfully taking my stool softeners, but like I said, not eating too much. I was feeling really queasy and was about to send Hubby out to get a laxative (which is what the home health nurse recommended, because you have to wake up your system). Instead, I had him warm up about 1 cup of prune juice. I prefer it warmed for the purpose I was planning. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And...in the middle of his conference call, I stood up, and I said, "You need to help me" because we have a dog gate and he lifts the walker over it. He looked at me and said, "You're moving with a purpose." Yep. I was. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Success. That is all. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdfyRNZ3YIyARwX1O9IvnLA_G_76PGIvf-UBdUTu6xMlad-F7VaEZTkyBgct83Dk1lIa7pjX95yd5DlPI3Tt4XxP9iTmsbhLy9DJIGBxFIxUJEQ3bB6xGwOptUx1fQTfSbkZf9lg-yT8bZyT4zQ33pWxxOGb38j8u-CiLq0o6FgY13Zwvl_hxjQ/s4080/IMG20230622195546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdfyRNZ3YIyARwX1O9IvnLA_G_76PGIvf-UBdUTu6xMlad-F7VaEZTkyBgct83Dk1lIa7pjX95yd5DlPI3Tt4XxP9iTmsbhLy9DJIGBxFIxUJEQ3bB6xGwOptUx1fQTfSbkZf9lg-yT8bZyT4zQ33pWxxOGb38j8u-CiLq0o6FgY13Zwvl_hxjQ/w200-h150/IMG20230622195546.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Petty Harbour #1 is done. I finished it Thursday night and started #2. I'm at the ribbing already. I want to plow through, then frog Long Sands. And then start that one. And finish the other blue singleton. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm still very much loving the yarn and I think that, while I've seen this pattern done in a variegated yarn, for me - a solid is the way to go. But also - nothing too dark. I find that the older I get, the less I like knitting with black or dark navy. Hard to see the stitches. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r509PGjiSVD-vGRjPZwYlOsTEoQFU4NXNmcwqCALkZ02ueYB6Be57ymNM3vhslMzDAavhJLkC8gCs26ME760UwWaW0zEvIIW3GCbC5G54jkQgXqS8AnnCfqZ5WOveqXtvII9t3isZM_2RXNFL1o-At8XhNUPw7sR9Mo3diaixEmAvGChFFcCkQ/s4000/IMG20230622195247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r509PGjiSVD-vGRjPZwYlOsTEoQFU4NXNmcwqCALkZ02ueYB6Be57ymNM3vhslMzDAavhJLkC8gCs26ME760UwWaW0zEvIIW3GCbC5G54jkQgXqS8AnnCfqZ5WOveqXtvII9t3isZM_2RXNFL1o-At8XhNUPw7sR9Mo3diaixEmAvGChFFcCkQ/w151-h200/IMG20230622195247.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This sock fits really well. I was a bit worried because it's smaller than I would usually knit. But when I tried it on, it was not too snug, and it had plenty of room in both the toes and the heel. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not even too bummed about the short leg. I think it's definitely the softness of the yarn, so I'm also hoping that it wears as well as it feels. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's always nice to see that your initial instinct for a colorway and pattern work out so well. I wasn't quite sure about this khaki color, but it has worked out just fine and I could see this in maybe a medium blue, or -- finally -- a purple, seeing as it's my favorite color and I have ZERO socks in that color. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91cX3pnlnsiEYFuLmqv6TGE-jWL3x7ksFp1nS_jkRLu6rEo2reCOFkc03mRuZ75AZY8XJGd5emuAV-f-4yeVM32QwiV9AFW64iczAAeO5QNruL_su0oNiNIRBkRAquC0D2vzJuZvwtzU7KS9L9xk0Th1g523imYchOqKkzfYw2mDRf6Btr369UQ/s4000/IMG20230622195311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91cX3pnlnsiEYFuLmqv6TGE-jWL3x7ksFp1nS_jkRLu6rEo2reCOFkc03mRuZ75AZY8XJGd5emuAV-f-4yeVM32QwiV9AFW64iczAAeO5QNruL_su0oNiNIRBkRAquC0D2vzJuZvwtzU7KS9L9xk0Th1g523imYchOqKkzfYw2mDRf6Btr369UQ/w151-h200/IMG20230622195311.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I have a life-hack for you, my knitterly friends! You know Kitchener Stitch and that set-up row? Well. Eliminate the set-up row. Start right in with Row #1 and you won't get "ears" on your sock. Who knew?? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I like Kitchener, though I know some folks don't. I prefer a star toe, though, because it does fit my feet better. I just massively dislike the ears I used to get on the Kitchener bind off. And I think a 3-needle bindoff for a sock is one step too fiddly. And for a sock knitter to worry about "fiddly" is saying something!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think that #2 will work up pretty quickly. The pattern repeats on the leg are easily memorized and once you get the hang of it, the whole sock just kind of flows. And of course, it's the shorter leg. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the other things I want to do is to try to do an "arch support" on the bottom of the instep. That's a pattern for another day, though. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWTecMbWCY8geQpZHxmkrYUmT5sR-8MTJ1-4terjbVtMk5ZO3fHLFg61qjfZEK-frJuLOpZd5eiRDumGO4xsEIrFJR0rGOl1-ECTOtMTSLeJofpdvX3t8cE8dEIDGunbm5VmhFVvbNxOiqMyE1-bF7Q2m1XXGTMk8y2pZWsv93ijQzl-cERwDPQ/s776/WP_20140527_13_43_35_Pro20140527134944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="436" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWTecMbWCY8geQpZHxmkrYUmT5sR-8MTJ1-4terjbVtMk5ZO3fHLFg61qjfZEK-frJuLOpZd5eiRDumGO4xsEIrFJR0rGOl1-ECTOtMTSLeJofpdvX3t8cE8dEIDGunbm5VmhFVvbNxOiqMyE1-bF7Q2m1XXGTMk8y2pZWsv93ijQzl-cERwDPQ/w113-h200/WP_20140527_13_43_35_Pro20140527134944.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is Prairie Blazing Star. It should be blooming in my garden right about now, but since we had what we can kindly call a weird spring, and we're in a drought, I've got greens but no blossoms. Soon enough, I expect. Hubby said he saw a Monarch Butterfly on the milkweed, so I know that the native plants are making an impact. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My Brown-Eyed Susans are also behind, as is the Bee Balm. I think Mother Nature is just taking her own time, as she should. I will have flowers eventually. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What's growing in your garden this summer? Inquiring minds want to know! </span><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-88276014154198143192023-06-20T16:50:00.000-05:002023-06-20T16:50:03.557-05:00DEFCON 5<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's really weird to talk to the hospital as they give you pre-op instructions. "Take this medication, have a driver. Do not take that medication. No food or water after midnight the night before, but in the morning you can take this pill with a sip of water. Shower the night before and the morning of, using Dial or other antibacterial soap."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And from the doctor's office: "5 days prior to your surgery you're going to be doing a major antibacterial detox using Hibiclens showers once a day, and then the night before the surgery, scrubbing yourself with a special anti-bacterial wipe, and then do that again in the morning before surgery..." and they'll be scrubbing you AGAIN when they get you on the table. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was tempted to do the "hospital version," till a friend of mine said, "You know, the orthopedic surgeon is basically sticking a big metal and porcelain piece of equipment into your body. He's asking you to go DEFCON 5 so that you don't accidentally transmit any bacteria into the surgical site, which will go directly to the bone." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">OK. So we're going DEFCON 5. I've never felt so...sterile. Though it's a sink bath. Because I'm - quite honestly - scared witless of slipping in the shower; even though we have grab bars, a non-slip mat and there's a seat there, it's all in my head, and then there's the "get out" part. It's about 2" to step over and shifting weight onto the left leg at this point is an iffy proposition. My leg hurts. And it's kind of my own fault...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other day, Hubby was out. I made lunch (which I could carry in a pocket, it was a sandwich that I put into a plastic container) and some chai. That was in a travel cup. I have a very small house, so I'm lucky enough (?) to have little waystations where, if I'm careful, I can move something, bit by bit, to my point of destination. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I got careless. I was stumping along with my 2 sticks, thinking how slick I was, and I grabbed the travel cup wrong. The lid sprang off, the bottom (14 oz) fell to the ground, and chai went. All. Over. The. Place. It was on the couch. On the sewing machine. On the floor. On the dog. On me. On. The. Ceiling... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To say I was dismayed would be an understatement. Hubby was not long gone, so I had no recourse. I stumped back to the kitchen, told Quinn to "leave it" (the last thing I need is a dog buzzed on chai and sugar). Grabbed a towel and a roll of paper towels and started to mop up. I sponged it off the knick-knacks on the sewing machine. Wiped off the legs - of the sewing machine cabinet and then my own legs. Got it off the couch, where I could see it. Then, the floor. Ice cubes and chai. Me on sticks. What's a girl to do? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I got down onto the floor, on my knees (yeah, about as much fun as you'd think) and started to gather the cubes into the cup, and swab up the chai. There was no way I was going to be able to mop, but if I could get it up off the floor, at least that was something; Hubby could mop. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quinn just settled herself on the rug near the TV, well out of the way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I got it all up. Managed to get MYSELF up off the floor in a very wonky wide-legged downward-facing dog in reverse. It was not fun. I got myself to the kitchen and rinsed out the towel. Put the paper towels in a small bag and left them there for a bit. Sank into my chair and wanted to just weep. Ate my sandwich. Took a fitful nap and berated myself more than a bit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And Hubby mopped after he got home. He and I didn't notice that it got to the ceiling till the other day... And that's cleaned now too. </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcN7wM0rjNN48Mfry7MHOytDhEWgVv2ki2XXIdThHaOn8-vcwyzyhcubNHCpmw2e9LzVscN02__o-tOcV0gjNEhEgUZDzYr7n1R82WMAmPhlP5PrTfzuby5zitamvIttzOj6yy4BzgTmxxe6leBRp0aUopbV9zZpmVUkwzPelGg7e0MNu1GqIcQ/s4000/IMG20230619074917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcN7wM0rjNN48Mfry7MHOytDhEWgVv2ki2XXIdThHaOn8-vcwyzyhcubNHCpmw2e9LzVscN02__o-tOcV0gjNEhEgUZDzYr7n1R82WMAmPhlP5PrTfzuby5zitamvIttzOj6yy4BzgTmxxe6leBRp0aUopbV9zZpmVUkwzPelGg7e0MNu1GqIcQ/w151-h200/IMG20230619074917.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know why I'm dallying. Usually at this point, I'm whizzing along to get the sock finished, but I'm doing bit by bit on the toe of the first Petty Harbour. I know part of it is me being fidgety. I hurt, in my hip and in my hands (death grip on the canes). The surgery is this Friday (it's Tuesday as I type this). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tonight, I have a Zoom meeting, but before then, I'll try to get a few more rows in. Tomorrow, I'm at the office till late - the last office visit till I'm let loose by the docs, so I have several things that must be done. And that 12-hr day wipes me out. I don't get home till 7 p.m. and I can't do much for meals, because I'm careful of what I can carry in safely, since I probably -- <strike>if I had any sense at all </strike>-- would have planned to stay home like any normal person. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sock was started December 19. 2017...it's not like I'm in a hurry. Maybe if I can get this one done in the next few days, I'll feel better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will look in the stash after the surgery to see what I might have to do another pair of these. I like the texture on the leg; and maybe the next pair will be pattern on leg only, which is my usual style. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know I'm not frogging the Long Sands till after surgery. I just figured that would be a good "between walks" project. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll start the second Petty Harbour sock before surgery. Not counting on it, but one never knows. I just can't seem to focus on much right now. </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JGL69P6DUK7EAqUm4YOwWh_6HyHGLsC092xhd6_z5PbH-zGiYmzRSur8Pu5hKtuMqRKukllsd12Exm-5hANLhQ1K6YxOtKbVnaH_3G2p86SYRmQRpEjMOsXz8wwlf-gmAb0Ypj8yQnSFznMrpyGTqbF37TycIIpvsW_ruKNC0Lr1vfdnzsMnSw/s3264/IMG20230619145514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JGL69P6DUK7EAqUm4YOwWh_6HyHGLsC092xhd6_z5PbH-zGiYmzRSur8Pu5hKtuMqRKukllsd12Exm-5hANLhQ1K6YxOtKbVnaH_3G2p86SYRmQRpEjMOsXz8wwlf-gmAb0Ypj8yQnSFznMrpyGTqbF37TycIIpvsW_ruKNC0Lr1vfdnzsMnSw/w200-h150/IMG20230619145514.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This will be a very short blog, kids. Again - that lack of focus thing... This was Quinn yesterday.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Totally zonked and getting some of her "solid 18" in the form of a snorting, snoring nap in the afternoon. She even slept through several people walking across the street. She didn't even mind the little bit of blanket covering her nose, which normally would have bugged her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Normally, if a cricket farts 3 blocks over or a leaf drops in the next town, she's going nuts barking. As a senior (she's 12 now), the sleeps are deeper. It's sort of melancholy to watch, because I know that she's getting older. Does she drive me nuts sometimes? Yeah. But. She's my Quinnie... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-69158830074624434942023-06-13T15:53:00.002-05:002023-06-13T15:53:53.631-05:00Standing on One Leg...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I used to joke that "I can stand on one leg an awfully long time..." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I realized now, that, yes, I actually <b><i>have</i></b> been standing on one leg an awfully long time. From what I can figure, about 18 months. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As I get closer to my surgery date (it's 10 days from today), I am feeling the injury more and more. Sleep is a little harder to come by. I ended up one day on my recliner, which was a good idea, but wasn't, since Hubby gets up before the roosters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually have 3 yoga blocks next to the bed (it's a Sleep-Number, so it's a bit higher than a normal bed), and I use those to step up so I can actually get into it. I put my "good" foot on the block, then the injured one, put the "good" knee on the mattress and swing my rear end around, with my "good" leg supporting the injured one. It's a 9 out of 10 usually! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, I'm both looking forward to the surgery and having generally an attack of nerves, as one does when one contemplates a major operation. My overall facade is calm, but my stomach has other ideas. Oh well, I guess a couple more pounds lost before surgery is a good idea. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I miss my sister. I want her here to talk to and be my back-up. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMQ3hjZWzDygoZV-KJPtBAblQeVloMaiMF1AmO8FhtuCHY0sXg0jPKBjbOJGz3FAw-e8zHfQi5oFKTZoN-6WClBbv9ShxJrSY0ItuYhzoVQedxgZhwcy9-Pu1Q8rXVuf-erSNAcnzp5I9OUo8ZNsaYWiVPzTNkrhrwpSuz9yKkvHVnQSfEW8/s4000/IMG20230609170748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMQ3hjZWzDygoZV-KJPtBAblQeVloMaiMF1AmO8FhtuCHY0sXg0jPKBjbOJGz3FAw-e8zHfQi5oFKTZoN-6WClBbv9ShxJrSY0ItuYhzoVQedxgZhwcy9-Pu1Q8rXVuf-erSNAcnzp5I9OUo8ZNsaYWiVPzTNkrhrwpSuz9yKkvHVnQSfEW8/w151-h200/IMG20230609170748.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I finished The World's Ugliest Socks. I measured, but my tension on the second sock is almost totally different. It's looking a bit smaller, but I'm going with it. It should be fine, and I'm not too worried. Nobody is looking at my feet anyway. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I like: I like the star toe. I think I've finally found a pattern that will work easily, and while it's on 64 stitches, I will play with it to see if it's workable for other stitch amounts. I usually do 68 stitches, but if these fit ok, then I might be able to stick with 64, which is where I see a lot of women's sock patterns written. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I like the colorway overall, but for me, I don't wear a lot of orange and it's still strange that this will be the 3rd(?) pair with green and orange. I think it was probably the name of the sock yarn that grabbed me, which I believe was St. Charles. Long story, for another blog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still like my Eye of Partridge with Selvedge heel. It's sturdy and it looks good. I think I picked up too many stitches for the gusset, though (see next paragraph). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I don't like: I don't think I'll be doing a 3" heel flap again. It's a bit too big. I think I'm somewhere around 2.5" and I need to stick with that. With the 3" heel flap, there's a <strike>CRAP-TON</strike> a lot of stitches to pick up and then that makes the gusset wonky. It makes an odd gap-y thing from the heel to the first bit of the gusset, which you can kind of see in the top sock. The top sock is on top because it's the one with the least mistakes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't really like the texture of the yarn. It's scratchy. Now granted, this project was from 2017. (Yes. 2017) But wool is wool. It's more scratchy than Opal, which - while it's my go-to - IS scratchy till you wear/wash a few times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have a few more hanks of Lorna's Laces; not sure if I'll use them for a shawl or a pair of socks. I will have to see what's in the stash. I did ask Hubby to pull up a bag from a stash tote we have in one of the closets. But eventually, I just looked at what was tucked into project bags alongside my knitting chair. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPrspNH5yY2xHOcGyoEGRqMteqzftfXBvDN-qb_bcdCFvy6kb_wMpBkcoW5LEYA_bTE9gEKtpzZEUB8fZeXoTqWNuKMcqcfkstUdPPljvpqUOtgh6tLa19yJeL3wAy612R1ll-4Y10rvB0DE-60rfrP-xSov_JyY0zaAp_9V2p3Pj0b9xK_0/s4000/IMG20230613141804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPrspNH5yY2xHOcGyoEGRqMteqzftfXBvDN-qb_bcdCFvy6kb_wMpBkcoW5LEYA_bTE9gEKtpzZEUB8fZeXoTqWNuKMcqcfkstUdPPljvpqUOtgh6tLa19yJeL3wAy612R1ll-4Y10rvB0DE-60rfrP-xSov_JyY0zaAp_9V2p3Pj0b9xK_0/w200-h151/IMG20230613141804.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I have this sock -- and I can't find the pattern. Not only that, but I'm not sure which yarn it is. I'm almost sure it's Opal, because that's what 90% of my sock yarn in balls is. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">All I know is that it has a Strong Heel and a square-ish toe. I've looked through my clipboard and two notebooks, but I can't find it. What I might do is take advantage of the current "sort of matched socks" trend and do maybe a 6x2 rib or something close. Who knows? Maybe that's what I did anyway. I can't seem to get a good count on the pattern itself on the sock that's done. And I have absolutely NO idea where the pattern is. Of course, I know <strike>I will find it</strike> it will magically appear after the second sock is done. But that's coming later. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYw104t-_hu-iWk1-yKH4CIc3YP09DJ4tHRZfVCFM-PUgbnJte8cP6e3k76UySDZZ2_pDaCZ9sxTfjGIp2o8pNKzANHDFDBdW6rPY6vwRC2UXga4Cha4ebicd-VlAzQ97wyFPNUOHNnB395Rhl_Mcf4up9RGWUI4RMGGsyJgMvxkTrdZSQsI/s4000/IMG20230613140213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4000" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYw104t-_hu-iWk1-yKH4CIc3YP09DJ4tHRZfVCFM-PUgbnJte8cP6e3k76UySDZZ2_pDaCZ9sxTfjGIp2o8pNKzANHDFDBdW6rPY6vwRC2UXga4Cha4ebicd-VlAzQ97wyFPNUOHNnB395Rhl_Mcf4up9RGWUI4RMGGsyJgMvxkTrdZSQsI/w200-h151/IMG20230613140213.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For now, I've picked up Petty Harbour (yes, UK spelling, that's how the pattern references it). I'm loving the Cascade Superwash Merino sock yarn. It's sooooooooo squishy. And I like the khaki color because it really shows the pattern. What I don't really like is the 5" leg - it's a bit on the short side for me, but I'm so far along (on the foot now) that I'm absolutely not going to frog. When I look in my sock box, I note that my first few pairs were with a 5" leg. As I got better at it, I got better at customizing the parts. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And honestly, it's beautiful. I'll live with it and when I do this pattern again - which I will, in a different solid color - I can do the 7" leg I want. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The only concern I have is that it's so squishy that it won't wear well. This is the only pair I will have which is made from Cascade sock yarn. I remember the Robin's Egg Madelaine Tosh yarn. I was so happy with its squishy-ness, and that pair of socks has pilled like crazy. I don't wear them often because of how pill-y they are. They also have a 5" leg. Just sayin'... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That being said, my experience with the Cascade has led me to the idea to use it for a shawl. It would be lovely as a cowl, too. So if by chance there's a hank or two in my stash (and I honestly don't know. I don't think so, but you never know...), I could use it for something like that rather than socks. This would be gorgeous as the Sally Melville "Wingspan" neck wrap. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, I'm going FROGGING. The Long Sands Tee? Well. I've lost about 20 pounds. The pattern has a little over 13" of positive ease (which means it's "flowy" in the first place). The size I was knitting was for my previous weight. I'm afraid that with this weight loss, it won't look "flowy," but will look like, "she didn't know how to knit the right size" and I'll be swimming in it. No picture for now; what I last posted was the last time I worked on it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lucky for me, I've only done about 6" of it, so I may as well frog and do it over. And it'll allow me to fix some of the mistakes I had in the original one. This is the one main reason I stick to socks and shawls. My weight fluctuates too much. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Long Sands is meant to be worn over a camisole or tank top, as it's in linen and knitted on larger needles. But even if I gain some of it back, there's enough ease in there for me to have some room. I'm hopeful, of course, that I won't gain it back, with the new hip and being able to actually, you know, WALK and stuff like that. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Indictment...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESy-AXowb2wz_u85knB8C7JmS5p34Mb1jjjaRyWoT0uLeMthOYcKHSNZW3k04TsrDpt_JZ3u-x09fmJ9TiCGeHq8CfsG1iPxnwYwcdkBh9m8CWSoXk8IT2WbYHMox6_YRS5jrAtlwiiyYqsXI6nE5YZ0zO7HzKjdtT39lcbgfGGTg3BcV2GI/s1072/IMG_20230610_082230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1072" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESy-AXowb2wz_u85knB8C7JmS5p34Mb1jjjaRyWoT0uLeMthOYcKHSNZW3k04TsrDpt_JZ3u-x09fmJ9TiCGeHq8CfsG1iPxnwYwcdkBh9m8CWSoXk8IT2WbYHMox6_YRS5jrAtlwiiyYqsXI6nE5YZ0zO7HzKjdtT39lcbgfGGTg3BcV2GI/w200-h160/IMG_20230610_082230.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is my fervent hope that TeflonDon has something stick to him. We were all happy about Merrick Garland, who seems to have misplaced not only his sense of justice, but his spine as well. I don't see anything coming out of him, except that he had sense enough to appoint Jack Smith. Who has his own checkered past as far as conviction rates, but for the love of Justice? Merrick, dude. You're playing wayyyyyyy too safe by allowing Mango Mussolini to get away with all that he's gotten away with. Is it reverence to the cult or a perceived loyalty to the Federalist Society? He's billed as a "moderate liberal" who is "pro-prosecution," but in this case? He seems to be running away from any hint of prosecution. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the grift continues. Mango Mussolini pled not-guilty. I'm sorry, I know it's part of the process, but there's ample evidence that he did indeed not only take the documents, but showed them off, and had no intention of giving them back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I want to know what's buried with Ivana. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Social media is awash (in parts where, honestly, I don't go) with conspiracy theorists who are this very day protesting the indictment. What is it about this guy? What makes him such a cult figure? Whatever it is, it is that which makes him so dangerous for this country and this political system. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We weren't founded on the premise of a demi-god or a king. We walked away from that when the tea was dumped in the harbor and we stayed away. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As we watch rights being stripped from women, the Black community, the LGBTQIA+ community - as we watch the Supreme Court - our last, best hope for justice - become just one more vessel of governmental corruption; as we watch our children and grandchildren act as literal and actual sacrifices to the gun lobby and the politicians they've purchased? The last thing we need is a cult leader who's only in it to grift and sell our nation to the highest bidder. Which might be Saudi Arabia, North Korea, or China. Russia, while it would be the ultimate coup, is in no position. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we've already been sold to Putin by his puppet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know about you, but I'm so overwhelmed. It's been a battle since that trip down the golden staircase. Outrage after outrage. Dumping of norms. Incivility on a massive scale. A pandemic that killed millions. Almost total destruction of what was a once-honorable profession of journalism for the more "palatable" concept of "info-tainment" where there's more entertainment and less "info" to be had. Lying with absolute impunity. Long-established rights stripped with glee. And more of that to come, kids. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's exhausting. Technically, we outnumber the rabid voices. But we need to be committed to doing the work. We need to turn out. We need, overall, to be a lot less "nice" and start calling out the lying liars and turning their tactics back on them. This isn't how I expected to spend my time. But if I want my nieces and nephews, and my GRAND-nieces & nephews, to have a world fit to live in? I've gotta keep going. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Are you in with me? This is an all-hands-on-deck situation, folks. We're fighting for the lives of those who will come after us. </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPkGjYGfjLcJfa8ZEg73nNo-cWp_nGsdfsrZhmu7HIUyYFX_iSnxql2Jaj-J3JxMb2OehcdAl3Y_f3u-he_at1V8eDY4Plg2UJ8GI25Or2VW1RLZmwC_vaqlDSlhSHrEqrRznS9CSuYGONyTYrH9wURKkC1gps7ip604Vet4-03sfpSjR_2s/s4000/IMG20230606180927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPkGjYGfjLcJfa8ZEg73nNo-cWp_nGsdfsrZhmu7HIUyYFX_iSnxql2Jaj-J3JxMb2OehcdAl3Y_f3u-he_at1V8eDY4Plg2UJ8GI25Or2VW1RLZmwC_vaqlDSlhSHrEqrRznS9CSuYGONyTYrH9wURKkC1gps7ip604Vet4-03sfpSjR_2s/w151-h200/IMG20230606180927.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Peeps. You either love them or hate them. I personally love them. Stale, if possible, because they're better that way. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So my oldest friend, knowing I wasn't out and about, got me a package. And yes, I ate them. Not all at once, but I didn't let them go as stale as I usually would. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm a traditionalist. Just give me the birdies. No bunnies. No funky colors. No flavor changes. Just the marshmallow goodness and the sugar rush. It's a thing. I believe I'm the only one in my family who eats them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's good to be an individual!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-70770746535465285332023-06-04T15:27:00.001-05:002023-06-04T15:27:11.116-05:00June 23, 2023<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. It had to happen, and so it did. My hip is, according to one doctor, "trashed," and to the surgeon, "really, really bad." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So surgery has been set up. Coincidentally, on a date which is important to me and which will be easy to remember. And, it's about 3 weeks away, which doesn't give me a lot of time to freak out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, I was so shocked at the xrays that I didn't snap a picture. Let's put it this way: First of all, it's been TWO years, not one, which I thought. And second, I went, in TWO years, from "ok, but arthritic," to "the head of your femur is destroyed." I couldn't tell where the socket ended and the femur began. In a way, it's nice confirmation that it is indeed as bad as it feels. But in another way, it's freaking shocking. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Do you have any questions?" said the doctor. Yeah. How soon can I get this done! They did say they'd "expedite" it, but you never know. Lo and behold, I was asked which hospital I wanted, and they gave me the date. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ-Fh1JrcnyiFQizEgDD8QrM645dgqzfktoWfs40tvVLwA8d6PwLc_h3uQ_4GSCgbVwiGZV0nRRpgJVgtpM7HlLi4MGBfGZ1FJBIEyJJcR8POwjeQd__0T5xxG1Fc5L6RhvRqA3BNXa61-yW4XF-WeoDucQzDRLhMtNoI8nVsePIAuchLAic/s4000/IMG20230604125120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ-Fh1JrcnyiFQizEgDD8QrM645dgqzfktoWfs40tvVLwA8d6PwLc_h3uQ_4GSCgbVwiGZV0nRRpgJVgtpM7HlLi4MGBfGZ1FJBIEyJJcR8POwjeQd__0T5xxG1Fc5L6RhvRqA3BNXa61-yW4XF-WeoDucQzDRLhMtNoI8nVsePIAuchLAic/w151-h200/IMG20230604125120.jpg" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">They needed more x-rays, including one standing up, which wasn't pretty. That being said, when the techs had to help me swing my left leg back over the table to get down, it went into quite the "snap, crackle, pop, and lock" routine. They were so sympathetic, but it wasn't exactly painful - it was more noisy and uncomfortable. It's when I have to walk or stand where it kills me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm chuffed, because it's been horrible. But I'm also scared. But I'm also looking forward to getting my life back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been using a TENS unit on my knee. Yeah, the hip is shot, but you know the old "knee bone connected to the hip bone" jingle. My knee took the brunt of being unable to bear weight, so the TENS unit has been helping me keep the pain within range. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the gals at work gave me a walker, which you'd think was a great idea. It is, and it isn't. I tend to baby the left leg more with a walker, and I need to make sure that I'm not making it worse. And I do need to bring the walker to the hospital for therapy/rehab, but from what I understand, they'll want to get a patient off all assistive aids as soon as possible. The doctor said that I would not feel the arthritic pain, but since my leg has lost a lot of muscle tone, the new joint is going to want to move, but the muscles will be out of whack. That sounds like fun. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XHVfBq4WWTRDaZG_0VE4ppklraQiKv4J9CUlI6Dt8pVYCnj6Tvt9fH8UanbEWPZKSubpTkNl2WPzUrL_YwFIOrxXO923b5zEJebp-vBv-MALo1oqeuShpzyFoSXu6Zx_4Ku7KBo98bJJ5lNX1_pvkBGnBp3XMwUKjHWKOe2MXj1aUK3YR8Q/s4000/IMG20230603161850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XHVfBq4WWTRDaZG_0VE4ppklraQiKv4J9CUlI6Dt8pVYCnj6Tvt9fH8UanbEWPZKSubpTkNl2WPzUrL_YwFIOrxXO923b5zEJebp-vBv-MALo1oqeuShpzyFoSXu6Zx_4Ku7KBo98bJJ5lNX1_pvkBGnBp3XMwUKjHWKOe2MXj1aUK3YR8Q/w151-h200/IMG20230603161850.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm on the foot of the second sock. I've just been working away at this, figuring that I'd have my "hip replacement socks" done. Then I can move on. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have a kit of a baby sweater that I want to do; I've had it in stash for a few years; the original recipient is now 12 years old. But I have a Little Bug to knit for again, so if I can get my act together, this sweater will be out of stash and ON A BABY! It's a beautiful dusty rose boucle yarn. I don't think the kit includes buttons, but I can get those. That's the least of my worries. I think the kit has a button band, which is a first for me. Lucky, the Little Bug is still...little. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Except for a few blips, which seem to be in every thing I knit, this sock is definitely going smoother than the last one. Of course, the last one sat for <strike>10 years</strike> wayyyyyyyyyyyy too long and my brain was mushy from baby knitting. No excuse, but it was like I had completely forgotten how to knit a sock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I believe I can finish this one by the date of surgery. I'm not teaching, having subbed all my classes. So my evenings are free...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have to get myself back on the Long Sands Tee, otherwise that will sit for another <strike>10 years</strike> wayyyyy too long. And I do want to wear that sometime this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also bought another shawl pattern because I do have a few single skeins of sock yarn in the stash which I really don't want to use for socks. I bought them specifically for a shawl or shawlette. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As far as I know, there are no more babies in the pipeline, so I can now concentrate on some of the projects that I had had to set aside due to said baby knitting. Not that I mind it - I love knitting for babies, and I really do want to do a "Baby Surprise Jacket" just to do it. You can always stash one of those, right? And I'd like to learn the EZ method without having to be on a baby deadline. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Postcards...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt5__f0RHvhCgqs8JTdei0ypBOR13aLdNHaGVJL6-ojodqlj6qojbrXSS7nJwO8ZzyP-3C-sqFBwuFvF6kdfd9xpisCd0zMpPc_c4cFJrmCXtpYLYkOH1NnvWq-sYXkSvvZOyyBFnSRVItigrzRFtLTvth8pBRhhoqLIK-rRZTprWmlk7GAA/s4000/IMG20230516123246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt5__f0RHvhCgqs8JTdei0ypBOR13aLdNHaGVJL6-ojodqlj6qojbrXSS7nJwO8ZzyP-3C-sqFBwuFvF6kdfd9xpisCd0zMpPc_c4cFJrmCXtpYLYkOH1NnvWq-sYXkSvvZOyyBFnSRVItigrzRFtLTvth8pBRhhoqLIK-rRZTprWmlk7GAA/w151-h200/IMG20230516123246.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The squeaky wheel ministry continues. I wrote a batch to the Supreme Court with that perfect quote from Thomas Paine:<i><span style="color: #351c75;"> <b>"A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody."</b></span></i><b> </b>I asked some if they would get the heat put under other justices to actually effect meaningful ethics reform, and I asked the other ones if they wanted their legacies to be as unethical losers... You can guess which is which. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've also been working on postcards to the various committees and generally to legislators letting them know how I feel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The postcards were from an online printer, and so the investment was relatively small. It's an easy way to make an impact and a point. Not sure who's listening, but I'm contacting them and making myself a pest, so there's that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can write to compliment. You can write to complain. It's an easy way to get your voice heard. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNbugr2RHVX-JCdaKY9eKbRCQtU5Id8roS1bFYQyJBmKVQNF-k2jrpMx94BygrZhJgrRuPnW3tJSpk1zW0sZpWf8Nww5LF4yotgiP_X9ETNdGiVgLo1BjG-ahHP71LV66HF2lJtESrKCi628ZL2INy_BW64Jwcv5pq1SvkebszUoEImo0w8Q/s4000/IMG20230601094312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNbugr2RHVX-JCdaKY9eKbRCQtU5Id8roS1bFYQyJBmKVQNF-k2jrpMx94BygrZhJgrRuPnW3tJSpk1zW0sZpWf8Nww5LF4yotgiP_X9ETNdGiVgLo1BjG-ahHP71LV66HF2lJtESrKCi628ZL2INy_BW64Jwcv5pq1SvkebszUoEImo0w8Q/w151-h200/IMG20230601094312.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now you know I'm not any kind of "influencer," and I don't get any compensation fromanyone for anything, but I do have to rave about a new product I found. It's called "Tablespoon Chai" from The Republic of Tea. It's so super easy, it's spicy, and not too sweet. I just love it. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I tried to make my own blend, and I really couldn't get the hang of it. There are some great recipes, but for some reason, they never tasted right.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was dedicated to Tazo's brand, till it got to be too sweet for my taste. This isn't. There's a nice after-bite that I appreciate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you are so inclined, try it! I find chai a nice alternative to the matcha I usually drink, and I make mine with oat milk. Hot or iced, it's really delicious. It's black tea, so unless you're related to Hubby, this is a morning-to-early-afternoon drink. Anytime, for me, after 3 p.m., and I'm counting sheep. And counting sheep. And counting sheep.... </span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-44306908647941394212023-05-23T13:43:00.000-05:002023-05-23T13:43:19.503-05:00Humble Up...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ...well, I pulled the metaphorical trigger. I finally went to the orthopedic doc and we have a date to meet the surgeon on June 1. I'm shedding my hip and getting a new one. I'm over it. I'm in constant pain, and I don't want to hold off till my posture is permanently ruined. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've told people and they say, "You're so calm." I'm not. I'm terrified. I feel like I've left it too long, yet I also feel like I should have more time before I make this decision. In reality, I am kind of where I'm at. The head of my femur is flattening, so I'm not imagining the sound effects and the pain. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. That's done. Moving on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm home from the day job - they basically said, "bye-girl, work from home!" though I'm going in one day a week. And I've subbed out my yoga classes till this is done and I'm released. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've had to ask for help, and that is so freakin' hard. But I've had to realize that those who want to help me, they want to do it because they care. And it's a grace to allow the help. And, frankly, it's helpful. So I've got help on all sides and it's really amazing. I'm very self-sufficient. Just let me do it and get out of my way (please). But to have people offer everything from rides to meals to prayers to "can I just take this over to the other building for you?" -- talk about humbling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For now, I'm using two canes. Kind of like a walker. I was using one cane, but my right hand is numb from bearing the weight, and my right shoulder is popping. Not what I need. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkizCalCIWi-iBu31psTLEcBUcBtPYNj66suEW_ZqaUNklh1KvZ-w0mrk1ytcCN1-BfNY2q0mWC-3rGwTMqOGS0K5lm6F33AW5vXDpSXdLPAhPJBPtSXf6RNnWUFhtVGmDXVRoy4WJWc3FDP2X0ZXzhl9wgScPyD2365Jy869FPCUlpNlAfSA/s4000/IMG20230520103551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkizCalCIWi-iBu31psTLEcBUcBtPYNj66suEW_ZqaUNklh1KvZ-w0mrk1ytcCN1-BfNY2q0mWC-3rGwTMqOGS0K5lm6F33AW5vXDpSXdLPAhPJBPtSXf6RNnWUFhtVGmDXVRoy4WJWc3FDP2X0ZXzhl9wgScPyD2365Jy869FPCUlpNlAfSA/w151-h200/IMG20230520103551.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">New #goals -- The orange 8x8 rib sock (the second one) is my "hip sock." As long as I'm sitting here on my butt between light exercise sessions, I'm knitting. I'm also watching movies. Knitting to movies is a good thing. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This also helps eliminate "Second Sock Syndrome." I may as well get this thing done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was chilly the other day. So, since Hubby wasn't home and I can't get a normal pair of socks on by myself (at least on the left foot), I grabbed the FIRST PAIR of socks I ever made. Yes. I still have them. They're made of Encore Worsted, and I knitted them on size 7 DPNs. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHlljexnC1Qsw8oJFdceNpzoKfxNNYix-pJ2Vz34Bdwzd3qVz-6mOFuE8_HdTSKvvWjNu7wfQTvky8wb81qB3nqvNe_PK-QP2dTwULt_q2dnVgU14vCWt-o8B67XmG5sD1o5m1n9LdAXs423Vq8IoMg73o4t0kUiy4PvginmIXZr14mOpHZk/s4000/IMG20230520105435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHlljexnC1Qsw8oJFdceNpzoKfxNNYix-pJ2Vz34Bdwzd3qVz-6mOFuE8_HdTSKvvWjNu7wfQTvky8wb81qB3nqvNe_PK-QP2dTwULt_q2dnVgU14vCWt-o8B67XmG5sD1o5m1n9LdAXs423Vq8IoMg73o4t0kUiy4PvginmIXZr14mOpHZk/w151-h200/IMG20230520105435.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Frankly, they're "house socks." The yarn pills like crazy for socks, and it's mostly acrylic. It's thick, and on days when your toes are cold, they fit nicely. And -- I can get them on one-handed! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was struck because -- look at the picture. So I don't really even like orange. It's not in my top 10 favorite colors and it looks horrible on me. And yet - this is the third pair that has orange in it. What is that???<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sock on the bottom of this picture is the First Sock. The colorway of this current sock is too close! And there's another pair that's a green + orange combo. Not sure what that's about, but apparently, this colorway has called to me more than once. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you notice, you may tend toward the same colorways. Now, I love purple. But I have yet to make a purple pair of socks. Or even socks with a hint of purple. Why is that? I've got lots of greys and blues. But not even my favorite color. It does make you wonder. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Movies...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So today's movie is "A Chorus Line," whihc I remember doing as a musicial in high school. My all-girls Catholic high school. Oh dear God... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I mean, I've seen the movie many times. But I didn't realize till today just how much the Sisters cut out of that thing to make it palatable for supposedly innocent high school girls. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The songs are spectacular. "What I Did for Love" is one of my all-time favorites. I could belt that sucker out like a Broadway star. Unfortunately...I can't dance a lick. I mean, I was never in dance lessons, and the girls who got the parts weren't particularly strong vocally. But they went to The Local Dance School. So they got the goodies. I was in the non-dancing chorus when they needed me because I could sing soprano (first and second), alto, and tenor. So you could hear me, but I was usually not anywhere near a spotlight. Often, I was a voice off-stage because I was really good at make-up so I was normally the one who did everyone's faces. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not that I'm jealous, but it did sting a bit because I have always had a good voice - and I'm not bragging. The Sisters told me, and they were not prone to giving praise. Humility was their thing. Don't let your light shine (though they did love the academic prowess of our students since we were college-prep). Don't stand out. Just blend in. Must be the convent mentality, and of course, we were all in plaid uniforms...like couch covers!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, watching the movie and singing the songs that I remember. And admiring the athletic ability of the dancers. It's a sad story all in all, but it's a well-written story. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Later on, I'll check what's on because I'm going to be knitting. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Mother's Day...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje04Oq1n7gAScd_7oQfKfz1A8cRkwrFR1pSw0DTv1myeG7PxtI52d1X_BzcBd8OvHExKkdzUyT4y247pSGHBCimJWco2ppxqDLKqLz_YTlfUarkqgkihzn0tWHKVPILdeCZuMB_n-mYm0r-ZPp6KfVz3OZE13mGoeXlUvHs7ZJNW59PANzOdA/s4000/IMG20230514153510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje04Oq1n7gAScd_7oQfKfz1A8cRkwrFR1pSw0DTv1myeG7PxtI52d1X_BzcBd8OvHExKkdzUyT4y247pSGHBCimJWco2ppxqDLKqLz_YTlfUarkqgkihzn0tWHKVPILdeCZuMB_n-mYm0r-ZPp6KfVz3OZE13mGoeXlUvHs7ZJNW59PANzOdA/w151-h200/IMG20230514153510.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had a quiet Mother's Day. Kid #2 came over. Kid #1 called. I have a lovely calla lilly. I think I can plant it in the ground, but I think we're just going to put it in a pot. It's not going to last over the winter because we're not in the right zone, and I'm not inclined to bring it in and over-winter it. I've never had one before, and I've seen different varieties growing here - the more hardy ones. They aren't as pretty, but then again, these are beautiful, but delicate. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I once decorated a wedding cake with the black ones, which you might think was creepy. But it was pretty elegant. We had burgundy ribbon around the cake, and the flowers were in the center of each tier. They were tied with matching ribbon and it was really prettier than I thought it would be. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LBIqQrNhV1i1Atk7fuAd5GMepWxtboNsrrkau3bKEO59lvuDOX0un9BdDRHz_WS7lWxqfx5cT5gzhnMf9QrCN_SCLc2R1I8Tnt0blPQ4rIlWT6u2oPcj9ghHMTA35D4RaMNiRBh0__zgc9GcIh5okU2oZ60UWXEbosIK62t_WIy6fZl54oI/s4000/IMG20230516123246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LBIqQrNhV1i1Atk7fuAd5GMepWxtboNsrrkau3bKEO59lvuDOX0un9BdDRHz_WS7lWxqfx5cT5gzhnMf9QrCN_SCLc2R1I8Tnt0blPQ4rIlWT6u2oPcj9ghHMTA35D4RaMNiRBh0__zgc9GcIh5okU2oZ60UWXEbosIK62t_WIy6fZl54oI/w151-h200/IMG20230516123246.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm back to writing postcards. It's important to be in touch with your legislators, and let them know what you're thinking. Whether it's praising them for a job well done -- and let's face it, they get more complaints than compliments, so be nice where it's deserved -- or telling them how you feel about a particular piece of legislation. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The postcards are an easy way to communicate. They force you to concentrate your message, and get to the point. And they're different. It's easy to ignore an email and it's easy to "not get the message" when you call the office. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Postcards stand out. Whether you use an online print place to do special postcards (which I did, cost me about $25 for 100 of them) or you go find postcards and buy them - either way. There are a multitude of options. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know a person who used to be a state legislator, and I asked him what was the most effective way of communicating. He told me, "Anything handwritten." Becaes if people took the time to actually write something, rather than even typing it out, it's obviously important to them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Write your legislators. It is that important. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-67417181973709435482023-04-25T18:40:00.000-05:002023-04-25T18:40:00.686-05:0050%<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooidLHSdT4vKhqI3Mbl7-j0-V_xjSXaB0GPip1Vthks-q6b9cBTrZh_23JPF6Ncz-_sf5XFC77Nx6IxYhGBshxYrsxJRcrPRH_q-lhTivhbrs3KZ0mJa-ANv2hY2FvWA_HALNJUwgnOmApfETSBWlRDKeZTQ9irF0MLMOamzZmT54nbIzScs/s4000/IMG20230421212114.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooidLHSdT4vKhqI3Mbl7-j0-V_xjSXaB0GPip1Vthks-q6b9cBTrZh_23JPF6Ncz-_sf5XFC77Nx6IxYhGBshxYrsxJRcrPRH_q-lhTivhbrs3KZ0mJa-ANv2hY2FvWA_HALNJUwgnOmApfETSBWlRDKeZTQ9irF0MLMOamzZmT54nbIzScs/w113-h200/IMG20230421212114.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. Given enough time on my butt and enough "Bar Rescue" (don't judge...), the first sock is done. I can now move my ticker to 50% and I've started on Sock #2. I panicked for a moment, because for some reason, I thought I had less yarn to work with, being as I made such a rookie boo-boo on sock #1, but I'm pretty sure that I'll have enough. There may be less "left-over," which is fine with me. I feel like I have quite a good haul of left-overs for at least 2 pairs of scrappy socks. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will point out a few things; take them as a learning experience or leave them - if you've been a knitter for any length of time, I'm sure some sort of "knitting screw-up" has happened to you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see at the heel flap and across the ankle, there's a line of purl stitches. That would be because, after an intense spate of baby knitting (see prior blogs), I picked this sock up after a long, long, long, LONG time. The yarn is easily 10 years old, Lorna's Laces, and I think the colorway is St. Charles. I remember because I had hopes of getting a job where St. Charles was concerned. And - as I recally, these were going to be a set of 4x4 rib socks, but I frogged them when I dropped a load of stitches (like an entire needle's worth) and got frustrated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ahem. I digress. What I did here to create that lovely purl ridge, which goes all the way around, mind you, was to ... knit backward. I literally knitted from left-to-right somehow, not quite knowing what I was doing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do I know why I did that? I do not. Why didn't I just frog it? I do not know that either. I think it was me being in a mood and saying something like "screw it, it's just a sock..." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I corrected course and started the gusset. And as you can see by the little raised spots, I totally grabbed too many stitches on the heel flap. Now, mind you, the heel flap is a whole 3" because I needed more than the 2" originally in the pattern. I find that somewhere between 2.5" and 3" is better for my heel. Anyway. The gusset went on. And on. And on. And on. I ended up taking k2tog several times as I did the sole, just to tighten it up a bit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Again - truly. No disrespect, but it's just a sock. Most of the stuff I screwed up will be in a shoe. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EMdSGoznqO5n0ogJPSEpG0rVwul-m9zXYlI1RuyOrib4X3mypXdGQYyGupQn0z6iiPyAlIkqQXr0_LAydTLfK9atUtMcJl3MB9mGY8QF09UY0cCwvfwjA-opIJQrMpWHwbz58eoNVY-P-eGwhovbE4wu56wofAS5VvL2qDirPV3MGXmxfao/s4000/IMG20230421212131.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EMdSGoznqO5n0ogJPSEpG0rVwul-m9zXYlI1RuyOrib4X3mypXdGQYyGupQn0z6iiPyAlIkqQXr0_LAydTLfK9atUtMcJl3MB9mGY8QF09UY0cCwvfwjA-opIJQrMpWHwbz58eoNVY-P-eGwhovbE4wu56wofAS5VvL2qDirPV3MGXmxfao/w113-h200/IMG20230421212131.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But then there's the toe. The toe is, totally and completely, a thing of beauty. I believe I've finally found a star toe that I like. It's just perfect. I prefer the star toe mostly because it fits one's foot better. The rounded toe and the traditional "paired decrease" toe can tend, when I'm knitting them, to have "ears" at the sides, and I don't like that. To avoid it? Star toe. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have to say, I love the colorway. I love the even stitches. And the only odd thing to me is the really long gusset. I attribute that to the mess-up as noted above. As you see, I don't carry the pattern down the top of the foot. I don't like how it feels. Never have. My own preference. You do you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's the beauty of socks. You can make them yours. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmark5DsfGAoG31Ew9Z4a19aG7yT3PQuz3zN7gw3dpE3uCKGHtJLdrAtm-l_uKZeKUhUqAe-yU_vJrb076riR0DxNBHx_QyfkTt-I5bMx4cCKlOiakIUGwHzX8TzSzsOT-oDQOsp1ORlk2hADEenmupKqUJcfOv9HgpYUKN28eeDivXpc3HQ/s4000/IMG20230422112127.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmark5DsfGAoG31Ew9Z4a19aG7yT3PQuz3zN7gw3dpE3uCKGHtJLdrAtm-l_uKZeKUhUqAe-yU_vJrb076riR0DxNBHx_QyfkTt-I5bMx4cCKlOiakIUGwHzX8TzSzsOT-oDQOsp1ORlk2hADEenmupKqUJcfOv9HgpYUKN28eeDivXpc3HQ/w200-h113/IMG20230422112127.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think that next time, I'll grab TWO sets of DPNs, and try knitting two at a time. How bad can that be? I mean, at least I'll get a pair finished by the time I'm 70. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did start Sock #2 right away. No sense faffing about. Get it going, deal with it ASAP. And hopefully, I won't make the same mistakes twice. I don't need these to match. Though I did play a bit of yarn chicken on the cast on. Gotta have some fun, I suppose. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>End of an Era...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hubby has been on a cleaning kick. Not just "housework" cleaning, but Swedish Death Cleaning. The city is putting new water meters into the houses, and ours is in our basement. He got a bug in his butt to clean the basement. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4vtGqQmKLZwhFwY8CqLRI_S12neUXug0ZCCMUyyMtyvh8yupH3oyNHLF0Pp2JJ7TO007BOKAD5EyEjp3mra-DqGTnLl5pUNaIGZHWKmwUuX6oigh8PhkdvR9xqNJ30-QxYESAkflWNvU-PtZmBWihLpsYcgPWXGxb3OQ7YiNY-bFVE1S9YQ/s4000/IMG20230423133822.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4vtGqQmKLZwhFwY8CqLRI_S12neUXug0ZCCMUyyMtyvh8yupH3oyNHLF0Pp2JJ7TO007BOKAD5EyEjp3mra-DqGTnLl5pUNaIGZHWKmwUuX6oigh8PhkdvR9xqNJ30-QxYESAkflWNvU-PtZmBWihLpsYcgPWXGxb3OQ7YiNY-bFVE1S9YQ/w113-h200/IMG20230423133822.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been nagging suggesting that he and I tackle that project for....years. We have stuff that's just archaeological by this time. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the basement is now 99% organized. There are boxes I need to go through, and holiday decorations to sort. But all in all, it's a done deal. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's just say we'll have a lot of stuff for the upcoming church rummage sale!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then he moved on to the kitchen. And we finally decided to put Tippi's crate out on the curb. She's been gone 2 years now. I still feel the hole in my heart, but it was truly time. I now have a small shelf there, with the dog treats, various kitchen supplies and a spot where I can stash my purse when I come in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her crate was picked up rather quickly. I'm trying to be ok with it, and it may sound weird, but when you have a dog who's been a part of your life for so long, there's still an absence there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Realistically, we won't have another dog. Maybe we might foster, but that's not a decision we can make right now. But I have many good memories. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Mother Nature...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mother Nature is having a hissy fit of massive proportions. Yesterday, Hubby went over to mow the church. I texted, "Hey, it's bucketing rain here." Then I texted, "Hey, it's snowing." And then I texted, "Hey, the sun is shining."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">All in about 4 hours. My friend in Alaska asked if Illinois got "break-up" and apparently, we do now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDNUI11PgosunJm9VVfzY68Onu1JCINA9R7MD09etdmsTnvsUN1KGsExhcHZw7IBYNQEpK7ETlwhctayHBdwZXGIU_jLsAvMxfVie3BPtFWAaPrczATb41_2-yEG-4aE4FUDphSP5wATSMH2S2s0K7PvnZXh0PawqmwrzvrNi56M883ewmzI/s4000/IMG20230411142539.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDNUI11PgosunJm9VVfzY68Onu1JCINA9R7MD09etdmsTnvsUN1KGsExhcHZw7IBYNQEpK7ETlwhctayHBdwZXGIU_jLsAvMxfVie3BPtFWAaPrczATb41_2-yEG-4aE4FUDphSP5wATSMH2S2s0K7PvnZXh0PawqmwrzvrNi56M883ewmzI/w113-h200/IMG20230411142539.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was what I had on my radio a week ago. Today, I'm sitting here in a sweatshirt. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had actually put on the AC in the studio for class one day, because it was in the 80s in the practice area. Too hot for us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today, it's sunny, with a slight breeze, but still - in the low 50s. And next week, it's May. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have the sad suspicion that we had spring, about 10 minutes of it, and we'll whomp right into summer. I hate when that happens. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's going to be another week of freeze warnings here. And next week is May. In the midwest, we're being told that this is going to be the norm now. Joy. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the things that many people comment on in our church is our beautiful stained glass. It's in a really different style from many churches, where the figures are clearly depicted in medallions within the entire pane of glass. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV90Ma2Mc6Z6DQzxajj_xQA0C0kMbbKlfpztHhtUE-8MUMle8NjFBIFGZscAcmiS0MsAJGJnNH3AJjXA9nAbx6uWVl6rq1bNo94Up4DQqYkCT8lyl_diSlPhujwndJLmYxTftkMQ3nrLusm59V6DsGh4ijGWWNj5at2MVmgsLb4flAmXzXNS8/s1080/71772414-47B0-45A0-B4BB-285D522025EF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV90Ma2Mc6Z6DQzxajj_xQA0C0kMbbKlfpztHhtUE-8MUMle8NjFBIFGZscAcmiS0MsAJGJnNH3AJjXA9nAbx6uWVl6rq1bNo94Up4DQqYkCT8lyl_diSlPhujwndJLmYxTftkMQ3nrLusm59V6DsGh4ijGWWNj5at2MVmgsLb4flAmXzXNS8/w200-h200/71772414-47B0-45A0-B4BB-285D522025EF.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Behind our altar are the angels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and one more, who I can't remember! I really love the colors of these windows, when the sun shines through - literally jewel-toned light bouncing around the sanctuary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The church itself is black walnut on the bottom of the walls (about halfway down) and plaster up toward the vaulted roof. There's a pipe organ. The church has "homely" creaks and noises. Some say it's haunted, and that's cool. When I go in there, I always mentally say, "Good morning, God and all the ghosts!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One organist friend of mine said she felt "someone" come up behind her when she was practicing. She hoped it was a friendly spirit, since she was new at the organ and "I know I was making mistakes!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You'd think the colors would be jarring. They look like they absolutely don't go together. But they just ... do. I can't explain it. It just works!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-89239225068306117372023-04-13T14:12:00.000-05:002023-04-13T14:12:31.968-05:00Stripping...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not talking about taking one's clothes off. I'm talking about stripping as in "removing." In this case, the out-in-the-open stripping of rights from women. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rights to bodily autonomy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rights to equality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rights to vote (I'm not kidding - it's <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/21/politics/john-gibbs-womens-suffrage-19th-amendment-kfile/index.html">being said out loud</a> now...).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rights to make our own choices. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Are you terrified yet? If you have a uterus or vagina, you should be. And if you're not terrified, yet?? WAKE UP!! Just because it might not be happening in your area doesn't mean you're safe and sound. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Crap like this, like venereal disease, will spread. Yes, I went there. The generation of women who are now coming into their own have LESS RIGHTS than I did when I was in high school. And I'm in my mid-60s. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I haven't even touched on the area of LGBTQIA+ issues, book banning, voter suppression, and gerrymandering. If women's issues aren't your jam, there are PLENTY of other things we need to get involved in!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do something. Anything -- preferably something to create action. Call your legislators. Contact groups such as <a href="http://plannedparenthood.org">Planned Parenthood</a> or <a href="http://PROCHOICEAMERICA.ORG">NARAL</a> or <a href="http://reprorights.org">Center for Reproductive Rights</a>, or <a href="http://now.org">National Organization for Women</a> to get involved on a local level. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are so many other areas where you can get involved: <a href="http://momsdemandaction.org">Moms Demand Action</a>, <a href="http://aclu.org">ACLU</a>, your local organizations which empower women. Find them. Get yourself a mission and do it. Whether it's a postcard campaign, organizing around voting rights, helping by being an election judge, pollwatcher, or getting involved with a candidate whose vision aligns with yours -- go do that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, please. The rights of our daughters, grand-daughters and women in this country depend upon our actions. And yes, individual actions count. Never let yourself believe that you can't do something because "it doesn't matter." It does. More than you know. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, and VOTE!!! In EVERY election, local, consolidated, national... All of 'em. Enjoy the right that your grannies fought for. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Ugly Sock...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KgOEiHCyLVJFmI_JjLWPP1FtBGo9Rua2aoWxS5mmDkNiurRUvLwp82Tmk30mv_-k5K9zlnjLfKVooeV_RCN5ttR12sp1J2XNhpENrhr5_IDbuioiGXcRvx8jE3j9BO8UWkNDiGleFMFFP7jOnVv3nJuk5cKOYwD7bbZv6w_mM-niKp9pYYU/s4000/IMG20230409181134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KgOEiHCyLVJFmI_JjLWPP1FtBGo9Rua2aoWxS5mmDkNiurRUvLwp82Tmk30mv_-k5K9zlnjLfKVooeV_RCN5ttR12sp1J2XNhpENrhr5_IDbuioiGXcRvx8jE3j9BO8UWkNDiGleFMFFP7jOnVv3nJuk5cKOYwD7bbZv6w_mM-niKp9pYYU/w113-h200/IMG20230409181134.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. It's not going to win a prize, but it's coming along. Judicious use of decreases on the "knit around" round helped me tighten up that gusset area. It's not perfect. It's not going to be frogged - I can live with it. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm really at the point of just wanting to get this pair off the needles. I'm not sure whether I should try the "two at a time on separate circulars" thing. I don't care about whether my socks match; I think fraternals are cool. They're "close enough." So to me, (sorry) it's like a waste of yarn to cut a yard or so off just so the stripes match. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So my task is to buckle down, get skippy, and knit. I've got a couple rows more of gusset decreases, then the foot. I'm doing NOTHING fancy; just a round toe. There are enough "design elements" that ended up in this one sock. Not going to make myself crazy about this.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, if I'm being honest,I really SHOULD pick up a singleton. Maybe "Bowties are Cool" - which at one point wouldn't have fit me, but since I've lost a pretty decent amount of weight, maybe it will. It's one of those patterns where, I got it because -- Dr. Who... but there's not much variance in sizing. It also uses Lorna's Laces, and I've got this glorious TARDIS blue yarn. It's a dark-ish navy, but not black-dark. The first sock is actually done and in my sock box. I really just need to get #2 done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Petty Harbour is also on the needles; the first one, I think partially down the leg. It's in a lovely tan color - a neutral I kinda love. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then there's Sole to Sole - a vanilla+ sock. Meaning, Vanilla with a bit of spark to it. There's a line of ribbing down the outside of each sock. It's a lovely self-striping blue/tan/gold colorway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that's all I have on my mind right now. There are most likely others (just look at my project list alongside the blog...). But hey. Gal's gotta start somewhere, right?</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>She's Back...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtbbmcHO_kZX_3fMGyWkyOXUJUHLQN5AV9K10maKWb2D0m66-X8H3sTdgUd9zq6QtpxqlquH3ysd5R3LE6jQFP7bYGvg_JU04cBvwvz9tQX9ppMmsBtnpFF0epeHzn0vUUF0dxBG__tUhrzhGUge-41-LzobUNPEGr4SDtYHDtFT142a6e84/s4000/IMG20230412153353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtbbmcHO_kZX_3fMGyWkyOXUJUHLQN5AV9K10maKWb2D0m66-X8H3sTdgUd9zq6QtpxqlquH3ysd5R3LE6jQFP7bYGvg_JU04cBvwvz9tQX9ppMmsBtnpFF0epeHzn0vUUF0dxBG__tUhrzhGUge-41-LzobUNPEGr4SDtYHDtFT142a6e84/w113-h200/IMG20230412153353.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I was really worried about our Very Weird Winter. And it's not done yet. This week, it was gorgeous. GOR-----GEOUS!!! Like in the 70s and 80s and sunny. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And Monday, rain + snow are forecast. Of course. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My friend D wants a cutting from The Monster Bleeding Heart. But I was quite concerned, because I hadn't seen her pushing her way up thru the dirt. And I should have. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I needn't have worried. She's up and green. Hopefully, the weather won't kill her off. My friend is jazzed. She's admired this Monster for years, and was broken-hearted when I gave her a Bleeding Heart (not from mine, the timing wasn't right), and the lawn service she used mowed the thing down and killed it. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For those who might be new here... The Monster Bleeding Heart has been in my garden for over 30 years. She's at the northwest corner of my front yard, and she kinda wraps around. On the true north side, she's bordered by lily of the valley and hostas. On the west side, she's got a fountain. Which the birds seem to think is their personal spa, because they empty it at least once daily "taking a shower" so she's well-watered. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Across from her is the "baseball diamond bed" -- a bed that's shaped a bit like home plate. That is filled with native plants and some herbs - mostly for the hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Bee balm, Prairie Blazing Star, Purple Coneflower, hyssop, Icelandic Poppy, and a few other things. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the other side of the yard is a bed of Brown-Eyed Susans, and that's where most of the feeders are located. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the next few weeks (even though I'm itching to do it NOW), I'll be getting at least 4 hanging baskets. I try for, again, stuff that is colorful, hardy (it's a west-facing yard, so it bakes in the summer) and which will attract the pollinators. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once upon a time, I had a gorgeous rose garden. I had about 50 bushes, people would walk down the block to see it. And then, our maple tree got a fungus. Bad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two years, and it decimated the roses. I talked to a biology professor I know and said, "What now???" He told me that the roses are done and done. No more roses. I planted some of those for people who I've lost. It took me 5 years to rebuild and renew with the native plants. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm honestly having fun with it, and as things have progressed, people are now walking down the block to see what's coming up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've even got a sort-of plan for the veggie garden. Wayyyyyyyy scaled back. I say that now. Watch this space, because sure as God made little green apples, it's more than likely that I will bring back a few too many tomato plants. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture... </i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhc6GZuoaQvkt25eBuTNnzkScoZYtkGTb7zUHYjvR5uoqf9atJJyzAXmbMw8zogESSOAnnxP1kwrJlyCspyS8J_f19shR0x9clJlMoYYsqAJYXeqSnKLEEYlHhTUA4tdD2NFUiTnvHAY2S-dIwYyz-SVxhAY-vfK8RVgeoWAFqlQaRxFz6g8/s2412/Screenshot_2023-04-04-08-31-51-15_7c6675ada7b05a8d2d5c5ffa2a487337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2412" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhc6GZuoaQvkt25eBuTNnzkScoZYtkGTb7zUHYjvR5uoqf9atJJyzAXmbMw8zogESSOAnnxP1kwrJlyCspyS8J_f19shR0x9clJlMoYYsqAJYXeqSnKLEEYlHhTUA4tdD2NFUiTnvHAY2S-dIwYyz-SVxhAY-vfK8RVgeoWAFqlQaRxFz6g8/w89-h200/Screenshot_2023-04-04-08-31-51-15_7c6675ada7b05a8d2d5c5ffa2a487337.jpg" width="89" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, funny enough, my phone is nuts. If I grab it the wrong way, I get a screenshot. Which is cool, but in my "photos" app, I have at least a dozen of these... And while I still miss Tippi, it's just laughable that I can't manage to grab my phone without taking another shot.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still need to organize my pictures, just because I feel like I'm scrambling around to find things every so often. And yeah, everyone says that. I've been saying it as long as I've had singleton socks in the knitting bags. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyone have a decent system to organize them? I have most of them stored on the cloud, because otherwise, my computer's hard drive would be the size of a room. My phone has an Android operating system, and I have to do something to get things into folders, on the phone. On the cloud, I can do it easier. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm open to suggestions! In the meantime, I'm going to go knit some more, and probably will grab my phone once or twice more today and get more pictures of Tippi...<br /><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-83074005082436403892023-03-25T18:54:00.000-05:002023-03-25T18:54:47.685-05:00One Ugly Sock...<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfHeFWmFJk0TOrBB66nXFynf6YffrShgnhjbLLlJImuhOBGfq1W3vF_V8ZpAPEHBJECVOTui_gz9baIfpgOXIwQmE-EkX_L1QjnIJ6-JBlUcRAC8rT-LACdHztCYvvTc3FiE-fYWXDm5w_-hDITalewn7WZ0KnySUGp9M4-mW7_nKWj1l3U/s4000/IMG20230325161440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfHeFWmFJk0TOrBB66nXFynf6YffrShgnhjbLLlJImuhOBGfq1W3vF_V8ZpAPEHBJECVOTui_gz9baIfpgOXIwQmE-EkX_L1QjnIJ6-JBlUcRAC8rT-LACdHztCYvvTc3FiE-fYWXDm5w_-hDITalewn7WZ0KnySUGp9M4-mW7_nKWj1l3U/w200-h113/IMG20230325161440.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've gotta say it: This is going to be one ugly sock. And I'm not really sure I care, because most of the time, my feet are in shoes. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I'll try my best to make the other one prettier. It doesn't help when you start the gusset the wrong-way 'round... There are rookie-style boo-boos in this sock, but again. I don't particularly care. I'm just happy to be knitting socks again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are purl rows where there ought not to be, and there are some spots where I'm going to have to do some judicious weaving to close up some gaps. Not like me at all. And on top of it, the tension in this sock is SO TIGHT. I mean, it's like I know I've been under stress, and this sock is going to show it. I hope it fits on my leg and foot. It might not. This could be interesting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The yarn is Lorna's Laces, and I believe the colorway is St. Charles. I could be wrong, but this is deep-stash yarn, and the original ball band is...somewhere. Probably stuck in a notebook or in a project bag. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The leg is my own design. I always do a plain foot, and a heel flap. Not sure which toe style I'll do this time. Crap - I may do something on the heel and toe entirely different on the second sock. Live large, right? As long as the legs match. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think I can say that I will never do an 8x8 rib again. What a pain in the rear end... Oh well. In the end, I will have another pair of socks, whether I'm in love with them or not. Just so they're wearable. </span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Heel Turn...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wZhqovj2RKzyg7g_SavGc3967i698P8p0tusAF2G-uEgz7SH6AdJ7jZH7u0XfJn_8FUyPtKGGKpuG18y7TOhv791ogrfwuPGvMksQH3B-30eANhDlJR4S1ig51exKlTBEV_1U6cbB20ORoQdnQTyefJdVB_yIIxoQQ7dHNN81NiSnm2LI8/s4000/IMG20230324170724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wZhqovj2RKzyg7g_SavGc3967i698P8p0tusAF2G-uEgz7SH6AdJ7jZH7u0XfJn_8FUyPtKGGKpuG18y7TOhv791ogrfwuPGvMksQH3B-30eANhDlJR4S1ig51exKlTBEV_1U6cbB20ORoQdnQTyefJdVB_yIIxoQQ7dHNN81NiSnm2LI8/w113-h200/IMG20230324170724.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turns out, a "heel turn" is a wrestling term, too!! Kid #2 wore a shirt that said something about "heel turns," and I asked where I could purchase "this knitting shirt." Well, after a few laughs, I Googled it. Apparently, it is a wrestling term as well as a knitting term. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I find heel turns (the knitting term, I mean) to be magical. Here's a teeny-baby heel turn on this sock, and then a picture a few rows in, where you can definitely see the short rows at work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is also funny, because when I see a shawl or something that has short rows in it, I freak out. But I do them in socks all the time. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ0LGflhZOOdPT7G7XDe2gT9l-qcTmtenNSvoiNVsbX6Sa07sDjIUBF0ct5CjcT_NhXkMMMzKEEW5uGKGwlL1ewEQMsZcZ4K0Qa0K6BsrjY7Li3IVKpXmtW9hNw5Q99Dyt8_BVNyGSJs60hTNlSjGlyWCWLi_fBHGpkV5vHu7hD8GAj4Lx1M/s4000/IMG20230324211930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ0LGflhZOOdPT7G7XDe2gT9l-qcTmtenNSvoiNVsbX6Sa07sDjIUBF0ct5CjcT_NhXkMMMzKEEW5uGKGwlL1ewEQMsZcZ4K0Qa0K6BsrjY7Li3IVKpXmtW9hNw5Q99Dyt8_BVNyGSJs60hTNlSjGlyWCWLi_fBHGpkV5vHu7hD8GAj4Lx1M/w113-h200/IMG20230324211930.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet, there might be a sweater or something that uses short rows, and I just nope on outta that idea. I need to transfer sock knitting skills to other projects. I have a couple sweaters - or more like t-shirt things, not full-blown sweaters. They're in my to-do list, and I need to be courageous and just do them. It's only yarn. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see here, my technique is a bit rough. That's what I get for setting these aside for over a year. I have to share a pro-tip with you: Do your SSKs (slip slip knit) purlwise. Then you don't have that obnoxious little yarn carry-over. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've taken to writing myself notes to do that, because I don't remember, and then I'm half-way through a heel turn and I have a weird looking heel. Again, not that anyone notices, but I do. And it bugs me. </span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Baby Knitting...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUWPxUJjMrRL7O_AUo4lz1-YHreQZnumCn8HzAmqfQ3HomfwrDRJOH9OkpaF6V0MYeTYmP_BFxgdfRhLF6DTKr76sZKFmk0zctRoutLGs0HGg3Cb07pS9KJLPD9Mg-aSvnhsCLaP2waEj-ZGJIM-ZKK2zRrQuHMO2tI2vmVKn9iHzWbbSQsI/s4000/IMG20230304155910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUWPxUJjMrRL7O_AUo4lz1-YHreQZnumCn8HzAmqfQ3HomfwrDRJOH9OkpaF6V0MYeTYmP_BFxgdfRhLF6DTKr76sZKFmk0zctRoutLGs0HGg3Cb07pS9KJLPD9Mg-aSvnhsCLaP2waEj-ZGJIM-ZKK2zRrQuHMO2tI2vmVKn9iHzWbbSQsI/w200-h113/IMG20230304155910.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the shower went ok. It was weird not having my sister there, since it was for her soon-to-be-born grandchild. They got some nice gifts. Mine, as usual, was the only one that was hand-made, and I'm not saying that to brag. It's just how it turns out. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, the afghan is to the left. It was with yarn held double. The afghan and the smallest hat were Bernat Baby Softee. The striped hat and the sweater are Cascade 220 Superwash. I biggened up the sweater, so I think it's going to fit by the time the kid will need it. The baby is due in early May, so while it's my "usual" pattern, it only goes up to 6 months and if the kids are bigger, the sweater will stretch a bit (garter stretches nicely) but it would be a one-time wear... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3rwxmHBa8zN_vvDXQ1hqN1zMLUTc8QGDTSLTLJmJ2atXFfMARBLzFWxUPsC0S75GLhj5b3MXpmj6EhV8EI5yyKM0yNyrFyhhzbx1KiaIIvwCaKEEIhhHG8yk_lMYnG3s8MXjCL7a7RA7JUyzt6foNy_wsxpe11sVcHZKOB03buMQ0ZO23-w/s4000/IMG20230304144248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3rwxmHBa8zN_vvDXQ1hqN1zMLUTc8QGDTSLTLJmJ2atXFfMARBLzFWxUPsC0S75GLhj5b3MXpmj6EhV8EI5yyKM0yNyrFyhhzbx1KiaIIvwCaKEEIhhHG8yk_lMYnG3s8MXjCL7a7RA7JUyzt6foNy_wsxpe11sVcHZKOB03buMQ0ZO23-w/w113-h200/IMG20230304144248.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pompom maker worked out well. I did tassles on the smallest hat, and the pompoms on the bigger one. It's not my usual device, because, of course, that one is stuck somewhere in a project bag in the depths of the stash closet. I bought a new one, with two sizes, because maybe you might need a bigger pompom, right?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It took me a hot minute to figure out how to use this one, but once it was in process, it was pretty easy. I was probably more anxious about trimming the balls, because I wanted to make sure everything looked perfect. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There was an aunt of my niece-in-law's who was inspecting VERY closely the stitching on the afghan. Go for it, sweetie. The kids loved the items, and I was glad to get them done. I hope they got the care instructions (everything's washable in cold water and warm dryer), because it's easy to forget when you're a sleep-deprived parent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Funny story: My nephew said, "We were told that they may want to induce, so we've had this plan, and a date in our head." I looked him in the eye, and said, "You know that the word 'plan' is now irrelevant, right? I mean, you're gonna have no control over anything for the next 18 years, at least." My mom was snickering, he looked a little abashed, but he also laughed. I told him it was my duty as his aunt to tell him straight... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sad story: They made a speech at the end about "people who should have been here, but who are no longer with us." That caught all of us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think that's why my sock is so messed up (aside from just all the other crap going on in life right now...) -- going from size 8 needles to 1.5? Yowza. </span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl5qZ5jbOqIEKUZ4pzl-Kh7sv9Bf8zHuMwggg-66TUYIpaeq-xZP4kkVvoF36DrDqWSW4DE8BRHLzzW5rQhlMdR4j2oG2wjRr7i3qW2PdMg_1Z_feDrkjCAw2jcUYxalHstNoeb3QdmSHl8yL0ztVf8Ql0ptyETTwKX6zL2gnUsutQMHX-9I/s960/'David'_by_Michelangelo_Fir_JBU005_denoised.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl5qZ5jbOqIEKUZ4pzl-Kh7sv9Bf8zHuMwggg-66TUYIpaeq-xZP4kkVvoF36DrDqWSW4DE8BRHLzzW5rQhlMdR4j2oG2wjRr7i3qW2PdMg_1Z_feDrkjCAw2jcUYxalHstNoeb3QdmSHl8yL0ztVf8Ql0ptyETTwKX6zL2gnUsutQMHX-9I/w133-h200/'David'_by_Michelangelo_Fir_JBU005_denoised.jpg.webp" width="133" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Art or Porn...</i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh dear, the State of Flori-DUH is once again in the news. Apparently, art is now porn. Just as books are "woke," Michelangelo's "David" has cost a school prinicipal their job, because one parent (yeah, one parent) complained that their child was "damaged" by viewing a picture of this statue. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yeah. It's not 1540, though since this statue was so well-received in the era in which it was created, that's pretty progressive. But wait. In 2023, some poor little flower saw a naked guy carved out of stone and was shocked. Or something. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes. It's a naked man. No, it's not pornography. It's art. It's a magnificent sculpture that was supposed to be in a cathedral (remember David & Goliath? This is THAT David... who was said to be "...ruddy, handsome, and strong." In the bible. 1 Samuel 16:12, if you care to look. It's in a museum. Nuns, children, old people -- tourists of all stripes -- visit and take selfies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's bad enough that Flori-DUH wants to ban books such as the history of Rosa Parks because white kids might be "upset" that racism is an ugly, ugly thing -- that still exists "loud and proud," if you will, right here and now -- and parents don't want their kids exposed to certain subject matter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, that's cool. But what YOU want for YOUR kid doesn't mean that it has to apply to MY kids unilaterally. If YOU get to make decisions about YOUR kids, then -- logically (and I know this may come as a shock, so take a deep breath) --- I get to make decisions about MY kid. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If parents don't like the education system, there's a quick solution to that: homeschool your kid. There is a small (yet noisy) minority which loves to complain that teachers are indoctrinating or grooming our kids. That same minority thinks that, because they <i>went </i>to school, they can <i>teach </i>at school. Um. No. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So if they're so dissatisfied, they can take their kids out of school and home school them. Oh, that's inconvenient to you because you work? Well. Then you have a decision to make. Get your head out of your keister and realize that teachers give a large part of their lives, and generally suffer economically compared to other professions so that your kids learn things. Learn to think. Learn to communicate. Learn to work together -- you know, all those "adulting" things that one has to do when one works in the grown-up world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don't like the books in the local library? Here's another easy-peasy pro-tip: DON'T CHECK THEM OUT. Nobody is forcing you to read the entire freakin' library. Though I do agree with Stephen King when he says that when folks want to ban books, kids should run to the library to read them ASAP so they know what they're going to be missing... </span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, PT is going ok. I'm working on loosening up my hip flexor. I'm finally able to go all the way 'round on the recumbent bike, after a few minutes of loosening things up. I can only do 1-2 minutes all the way, but that's ok. It's a work in progress. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm able to have further PRP shots, and I'm hoping that I can rehab this hip back toward normal. It'll never be "back to where it was," just because of age, arthritis, etc. But I would like to ditch the cane, ride a bike, do my yoga practice, and muck out stalls again. Oh, and walk without pain. That would be nice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of my favorite "exercises," if you want to call it that, is lying on the massage table with my feet hanging off (like just toes and tops of feet off the table so they're not extended so far (even though I can do that comfortably), on my stomach. Eventually, I'm supposed to get onto my elbows, which is a classic "Sphinx" pose. I'm not there yet. But I'm getting there. </span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Flo...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the students at the yoga studio named our new (well, inherited) ficus, and her name is Flo. We repotted her, and while you can't tell in this picture, she has blue Christmas lights on. I was going to remove them, but the students want her to keep them. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4KPHe7vbpNEb7aBQK_cTdOBByiQWnuSfYy_GdiButKdjfxw0H8gWxRahjcfaSH3dKFyHhTRUEj3DH1IbWr9pXRc4a5T2BvZrVRJGGVVQbKLHLggrbxMt_RoSbvbg4jZQ8PGHd2XMsN7yXRuhyzP5dlNsFBZd9fe3nnTByQRBB7ZjzN1RHvQ/s4000/IMG20230319174753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4KPHe7vbpNEb7aBQK_cTdOBByiQWnuSfYy_GdiButKdjfxw0H8gWxRahjcfaSH3dKFyHhTRUEj3DH1IbWr9pXRc4a5T2BvZrVRJGGVVQbKLHLggrbxMt_RoSbvbg4jZQ8PGHd2XMsN7yXRuhyzP5dlNsFBZd9fe3nnTByQRBB7ZjzN1RHvQ/w113-h200/IMG20230319174753.jpg" width="113" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I need to rearrange her lights, because as you can see, she's topping up toward my one pendant light. I might have to add another string of lights to her, as her canopy grows. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She must like it there; she hasn't dropped leaves like she did at first, and she seems to have lots of new growth at the top. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soon, it will be warm enough to get two pots of plants replaced: I'm working on a snake plant, which will be in a lovely pot near the corner where its vertical lines will look really nice. And then a spider plant, on top of the cubbies, because even though it's not going to be a hanging plant, it will still look nice on top there. All of the plants in the studio are there for their ability to clean the air. We do have top-of-the-line air filters in our HVAC system, but it's always nice to have some green in the studio.</span></p><p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktyLSChbUHYxCXyKta13gL8-nwuJbgls2WSQ__HX0J_Xa9zgtIVa40DZdhBwBMPmOBhJMOPXzB7Z2kASzZBu3P41YM36rq9UZZdKklTPa9gU5VYnTfJA0tdzAlUQUejTZTVqW--vJYFqQefJ4ggjL-kPoNtU2aNYF5zE4lNyXcM9m8sYrTj8/s4000/IMG20230325131959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktyLSChbUHYxCXyKta13gL8-nwuJbgls2WSQ__HX0J_Xa9zgtIVa40DZdhBwBMPmOBhJMOPXzB7Z2kASzZBu3P41YM36rq9UZZdKklTPa9gU5VYnTfJA0tdzAlUQUejTZTVqW--vJYFqQefJ4ggjL-kPoNtU2aNYF5zE4lNyXcM9m8sYrTj8/w200-h113/IMG20230325131959.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quinnie seems to like cheek skritchies... I caught this photo quickly, because when she sees the camera, she looks away. Stinker. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can tell she's slowing down a bit. She still barks like crazy, but at times, we can have someone walk past the house and she doesn't hear them. She sleeps that "old lady sleep" where it's pretty deep. She loves her pets till she's done with you and then she's done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her face was once fully black. She had a classic Elkhound dark face, with "eyeliner" around her eyes. There's a lot of grey on that muzzle now. Her eyes are still that beautiful liquid brown and can be quite expressive. Especially when she's begging for food...which is always an Elkhound trait. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She has a hot spot on her tail, thus the Cone of Shame. I can only take it off her when I'm in the same room and have my eyes on her. </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-19874247289577091302023-03-03T11:55:00.000-06:002023-03-03T11:55:18.941-06:00I Really Should be Knitting...<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Calendars... Ugh!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For some reason, I had it in my head that the shower was March 19. It's the 12th. Yikes...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY_XFtI9fTpSG0tdrxnZJ0fK8J9hFAFaxG6MY9ko9Jk_JcW05_Bg3CrJiMq8-nfH88tQkdYpEoiuD7TrsY8uAcAh18tvcty7L7Z6dP5o5Pqja02vsX04IWvUsmOkCC29Habc-JrDLe1sJddCO-j4d4IlOMGsVD7u-fOJEiEFXuKndkllxxFc/s4000/IMG20230303101904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY_XFtI9fTpSG0tdrxnZJ0fK8J9hFAFaxG6MY9ko9Jk_JcW05_Bg3CrJiMq8-nfH88tQkdYpEoiuD7TrsY8uAcAh18tvcty7L7Z6dP5o5Pqja02vsX04IWvUsmOkCC29Habc-JrDLe1sJddCO-j4d4IlOMGsVD7u-fOJEiEFXuKndkllxxFc/w200-h113/IMG20230303101904.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So far, I've got the afghan done, the sweater, and a baby-sized hat. Working now on the Toddler hat, just because the sweater is big enough for perhaps a 12-month old. I figured I'd do a 2-row pattern on that - a little more sophisticated, and maybe just do the tan pompoms. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I biggened the pattern, and I'm mostly ok with how it turned out. It needs refinement, which I will do at another time, with no deadline! I'm doing a "Dagwood." One big button. Funny enough, I don't have a picture of the sweater - yet. I think I'll do the picture of the whole layette soon. As soon as I get my fingers flying to finish the last hat!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did tassles on the baby hat, and they were cute, but tiny (as befits a baby hat). I have enough yarn and a decent pompom maker device to do bigger ones on the bigger hat, which makes sense. I love this pattern, "Easiest Baby Hat" available on Ravelry. Sorry, there's no link, it's in my library as a download. It's basically a rectangle. You can do two colors, with the contrasting color at the crown. I did that on the baby hat, and it was a bit of a miscalculation, but as I think of it: now it can be worn 2-sided with a larger stripe in front, or a smaller one. The one above is stripes, and I've calculated how long the 2-row repeats need to be before I can finish with the same 4-row swaths and the back cuff. Then, just knit it up the sides. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The baby hat is in the Baby Softee. The toddler hat is in the Cascade 220 Superwash. The sweater is in the Cascade, so I figure that was a good choice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then there's the packaging. I haven't even gotten the stuff I need to put together the gift, but I can get that next week. I don't have to go "baby," especially if what I find is all gendered. My mom said that at Party City it was all either boy or girl - which is kind of silly, because there are those rare birds like my nephew and his wife. They didn't want to find out the gender "unless it was blatantly obvious on the ultrasound," and even if THEY know, we don't. Which is kind of cool. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There aren't enough good surprises in this life, right? </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Saga of the Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. I went for my 3rd PRP shot. I'm now scheduled for PT, which I'm taking at a place a few doors down from my studio. It's a unique set-up: instead of a batch of patients assigned to the PT, this person spends the hour on you alone. For those of us who are hyper-mobile, we need supervision! I'm really glad to be able to not only have a place close-by, but also -- let's be honest -- not be exposed to a batch of strangers. I have a mom to be aware of. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTQ8LlUtDbY1Tx7CmkLdBuUv-tm6KxN3AvGaE-LYsftNQN2Ex9H2Rs6-f6FABfh8vboBJAlu5dnYP13No5Syy8qE86yOxZhX7GckukU8Yo9qY0cyp5MTFG5l9B8s61JMm_a03Dy0gUf89VXzYbDBZ7_ne7Pu9veqPtjomYX7AjXD-S6zUpBw/s4000/IMG20230224094834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTQ8LlUtDbY1Tx7CmkLdBuUv-tm6KxN3AvGaE-LYsftNQN2Ex9H2Rs6-f6FABfh8vboBJAlu5dnYP13No5Syy8qE86yOxZhX7GckukU8Yo9qY0cyp5MTFG5l9B8s61JMm_a03Dy0gUf89VXzYbDBZ7_ne7Pu9veqPtjomYX7AjXD-S6zUpBw/w113-h200/IMG20230224094834.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I took a picture of the device that spins the blood down. For some reason, it reminded me of something out of Star Trek: one of those "I'm growing nanobytes" kind of pods. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The doc was very happy, because I once again was able to produce a large amount of plasma. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have to say that while I notice some improvements, this treatment is not for the impatient folks. The changes are incremental, some are pretty subtle, and it's going to take a long time to get to a plateau where I'll be more stable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have some goals: Get back to a yoga practice that's not in a chair; ditch the cane; get back to the stable to muck out stalls; ride my bike. Not feel pain when I get up off a chair, or try to sit in one. Just the basic stuff. Oh, put my own socks on. That would be nice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The PT and the doctor assure me that those are indeed reasonable goals, and that I can expect to get near 100% of achieving them in some fashion. Of course, I'll never be "before arthritis." But that's to be expected. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It seems also that they're more concerned with the arthritis than the torn labrum. I did ask about "blasting the bone spurs," and the doc said, "Yes, but no." In other words, yes, there's technology. And no, it won't fit my situation. Fair enough. I'd rather he be honest instead of just doing something that would mean I'd be back time and again to repeat the process. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So today is my second PT treatment. I was sore after the evaluation, so this could be interesting!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>It's Supposed to Snow...Or Not...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As per usual this winter, it's all weather hysteria all the time. Two school districts cancelled school today, because we were supposed to get "whalloped" with snow - up to 8" if you followed certain weather info. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mind you, yesterday, it was 50 degrees and sunny. Today is grey. And not a flake in sight. I'm really not sure what it's going to do today. Snow? Rain? Both? Neither? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I mean, 10 years ago, we were sub-sub-zero and had 2 feet of snow on the ground. Today, I'm looking at my hyacinths starting to break through the ground, and whispering, "Go back! It's not time yet!!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitemWFb4mkwPS7yEfZkckOSqGTvKfzgDzEp6-BQK5yBc9JucqkFFplljgVwp8octQEHYoRO-ObQHw9eP6-9saL3NKaYH6bGTmM6ZeVKcanXahjjiSsSKbtF8au6b9tQrPF0Y7UMPz3_h8UcZLFeeE5RDFeAjo2YaNW7mlgil2h297KB-OUflY/s3264/IMG_20220924_114719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitemWFb4mkwPS7yEfZkckOSqGTvKfzgDzEp6-BQK5yBc9JucqkFFplljgVwp8octQEHYoRO-ObQHw9eP6-9saL3NKaYH6bGTmM6ZeVKcanXahjjiSsSKbtF8au6b9tQrPF0Y7UMPz3_h8UcZLFeeE5RDFeAjo2YaNW7mlgil2h297KB-OUflY/w150-h200/IMG_20220924_114719.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And of course, we could be in California, suffering with feet and feet of snow, in areas where they never usually get snow. I have a friend in Tucson who was posting pictures of the 2" of snow on her car. I honestly have no idea if it has ever snowed in Tucson, but apparently, this was news. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The weather is totally jacked up, but what's going on in DC? They're banning (or trying to) everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community because they can. They're also trying to ban free speech. They're also destroying legitimate safety nets as fast as they can. Because who needs them? Only the marginalized, and if the marginalized aren't rich donors? Pffffffffth.... be-gone!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>And Then There's Flori-DUH...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seriously. Wanna watch a slide into fascism, let's go to the Land of the Mouse. Dirtbag DeStoopid is hurtling down that road quickly and apparently, there's not much to stop him. Their latest is an <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/florida-republicans-bill-ban-state-democratic-party-rcna72917">attempt to ban the Democratic party</a>. I'm not kidding and it's not on some erzatz "news" channel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Digging into the history they're wanting to ban (because we don't want to upset the feelings of little white kids...), they've realized that once upon a time, the Democratic party was the conservative party. The Whigs (a/k/a the present-day Republicans - though not quite as crazy as this bunch) were the liberals. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, they decided to ban "any political party which, at any time, had ties to slavery." Neat trick - use the history you deem to "offensive" to teach our kids, to virtually eliminate your biggest political rivalry. THAT is offensive, folks. DeStoopid is making a kingdom. He's paving the way to the biggest opportunity there is, and if he can finagle his way into the White House, we're in big trouble as a country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where are the folks who can do something about this? I'm honestly asking, because if this is allowed to prevail, then our country as we know it will eventually cease to exist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And people wonder why I'm actually happy to have no grandkids...</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkcY7uU2SQpTpUrCvgB90msKrudbMwHeCtPiGJLmBRjpErdZXAaKwk_a4V1m-ahD6y2KWNmI1CJvx7DT62IZCNfCsYz2cXSvtcEYUTcCIpjRr_SbDKLecrI7LX6Lrj4x3O-1nOgCIDquqlwzIA4TKjF_pIA1qeX-6n1TVyXU6ttv1QrqqNNo/s4000/IMG20230227203744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkcY7uU2SQpTpUrCvgB90msKrudbMwHeCtPiGJLmBRjpErdZXAaKwk_a4V1m-ahD6y2KWNmI1CJvx7DT62IZCNfCsYz2cXSvtcEYUTcCIpjRr_SbDKLecrI7LX6Lrj4x3O-1nOgCIDquqlwzIA4TKjF_pIA1qeX-6n1TVyXU6ttv1QrqqNNo/w113-h200/IMG20230227203744.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A student handed this to me. "I know you make your own, but..." -- it's Mexican Vanilla. Hubby says it smells really strong, in a good way. Can't wait to bake something with this. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I feel humbled to have students who are friends. They've hung in there with me with this hip thing, and they're dedicated to their practice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We're hoping to increase our student population. We've got workshops scheduled for March, April, and May. Hoping to get more students to decide that a regular yoga practice is a good idea. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Covid has been rough. Small businesses are still struggling. If you have a local shop, whether it's a book store, yarn store, coffee place, pub or restaurant -- do them and yourself a favor and patronize them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Small businesses are indeed the backbone of communities. We are invested in the area, we want to be able to serve you and your family. And we need your support. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Often, I hear, "I can get yoga free at my gym." Yes. You can. But can you get personalized attention, do you know your teachers and their qualifications, and do you understand the time we spend making sure that the classes we have fit you and your fellow yogis? Do you know the money we've spent on training - because it's a lot, for sure. And we use that to ensure that our classes are safe, effective, and helpful to each student. Learning about modifications, adapting a sequence on the fly for students, holding specialized workshops for your benefit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a lot, and we do it for you. So please support us!</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24569472.post-22671219491159220772023-02-10T16:25:00.000-06:002023-02-10T16:25:03.845-06:00Plot Twist!<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. Lots of news to share, and updates to provide. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY41W5_bJC5nyf_IzPsCGsPAvzhZEURrcmtRF9ILqNEwmiLyj9w01bWUZRubAuejo-hgtvEnBSp_VS3NKpvmerO_n33LxhR94ELZfGLAOrCGL_z2CJInpwTYWFjmqyNpAIi6AnNu7mg0bmJl_S8qyOyRVAmflyWJm_iFapcB2Gs9L4eBUQ70/s4000/IMG20230204191009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY41W5_bJC5nyf_IzPsCGsPAvzhZEURrcmtRF9ILqNEwmiLyj9w01bWUZRubAuejo-hgtvEnBSp_VS3NKpvmerO_n33LxhR94ELZfGLAOrCGL_z2CJInpwTYWFjmqyNpAIi6AnNu7mg0bmJl_S8qyOyRVAmflyWJm_iFapcB2Gs9L4eBUQ70/w200-h113/IMG20230204191009.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">First, I have already frogged the baby jacket. It wasn't working. It's a lovely pattern by Lion Brand, but I ended up messing it up, got frustrated and went back to my "old standby." Figured I'd biggen it a bit, and now I'm in full EZ-mode: THINKING about my knitting and making changes to a pattern on the fly. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have never done this. I'm a pattern-follower to the nth degree.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm a Capricorn, we follow the rules. To. The. Letter. But here I am, goin' rogue! It scares the crap out of me. And I had to order more of the "latte" colored yarn, because I don't think I'll have enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So of course, I added a few hanks extra, because you know. You never know when you'll need a random hank of Cascade 220 Superwash. I do plan to make a neckerchief/shawlette thingie, but it's nice to have a bit of extra just in case. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see, the bottom is the turquoise and the top is the latte. So I'm on a search for turquoise buttons now. I had some brown/tan ones for the other version, but now they won't work. And do you think I can find ALL those baby buttons that I bought years ago and "stashed in a place where I can find them again"? Nope. Of course not. That would be too easy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I've got a month to finish this AND two baby hats. The baby hats will be out of the Softee, same as the afghan. It will all get done. I keep saying that to myself. I'm trying to knit faster, but it's garter stitch. It just seems to go on forever. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Winter Tries to Kill Us...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So awhile back, it was freezing. Like "sub-zero, your face freezes, eyeballs feel cold" frozen. Like "why do I live here?" frozen. And I don't have a garage (long story). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpX-XSXndDEJF2fu3exU9AVHrjt7Uk8SRhQ5ZkFk6wbJYxs6TJ7MFTO4DvRpAGQqCCYjCvFscUQiN3Fd5jkdLImV01euNymixmObm5aDL2T7UKv4S8M0pFnxXOtfqQJwEQN40AMghPanCpay_eRnlMnJRGNSFjOl3_iXjth__JZpK9zYHY4Q/s4000/IMG20230205165015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpX-XSXndDEJF2fu3exU9AVHrjt7Uk8SRhQ5ZkFk6wbJYxs6TJ7MFTO4DvRpAGQqCCYjCvFscUQiN3Fd5jkdLImV01euNymixmObm5aDL2T7UKv4S8M0pFnxXOtfqQJwEQN40AMghPanCpay_eRnlMnJRGNSFjOl3_iXjth__JZpK9zYHY4Q/w113-h200/IMG20230205165015.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, we're in Illinois - it's just weather. Stick around, and it'll change. But my car has a nasty habit of the driver's side door freezing. Which it did. Three times. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the solution to that is, I open the passenger door, crawl over the seat, open the door from the inside, then crawl back down and walk around the car and get in the driver's side. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Imagine doing that with a cane, when you can't put a lot of weight on one of your legs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yep. That was fun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the best part was grabbing the door handle on the outside and the thing snapping back at me. I didn't even realize that I was bruised till I noticed it a few days later. My ring finger got whacked. You may notice the lovely color of that part of my finger. I was kind of surprised, but then, not - it's happened before. Hubby said it looked like I'd broken it. No, just the joys of being on a blood thinner and a door that was out to get me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today is sunny; it's 38 degrees outside. Beautiful day. But give it a moment. Winter is still out to kill us. We'll be whipsawing from the 50s to the teens over the next 10 days. Never cold enough, long enough, to kill off the crud, but enough to keep our immune systems guessing. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Latest Read...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just finished Jennifer Chiaverini's book <i>Switchboard Soldiers</i>. You need to read this. It'shistorical fiction - meaning that the story is based mostly on facts. A couple of characters were created out of an amalgam of real people, but several are "real people" and their story is amazing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Back just before WWI, in the era of switchboards which were staffed by women, and you had to talk to an actual operator to make a call, the idea that a young woman could have a promising career as an operator, or even a supervising or instructing operators. That was big stuff. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhoOxNqr0yPREa_jOmg3GGRjEChsqftXbRBZahQ3PkiEfLa8Pe0Ko9yO2IAHm1JW1uETFZUVwXkwe0EEeAYNE09bvYvD_SaiqQixoMOGfa_d5slHorWgfUDfmME1wnAyx6JER0cMcFE7Llfccfdjjpre98P90bI_WWacvKDCoSe58wP-39Vk/s1024/jchia_cover_3d_switchboard.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="752" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhoOxNqr0yPREa_jOmg3GGRjEChsqftXbRBZahQ3PkiEfLa8Pe0Ko9yO2IAHm1JW1uETFZUVwXkwe0EEeAYNE09bvYvD_SaiqQixoMOGfa_d5slHorWgfUDfmME1wnAyx6JER0cMcFE7Llfccfdjjpre98P90bI_WWacvKDCoSe58wP-39Vk/w147-h200/jchia_cover_3d_switchboard.png" width="147" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then, WWI happened, and General Pershing needed operators. The male telegraph operators weren't fast enough. So AT & T (not the AT & T we know now - the one BEFORE all the consolidation) advertised for bilingual French/English operators to serve in the battlefield. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's an enthralling, untold story. It's a beautiful read, and would make a great book club selection. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm on to <i>A Murder of Crows</i>, a mystery, and I'll report back when I've finished that one. But for now, go grab a copy of <i>Switchboard Soldiers</i> and learn something!</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The State of the State of the Union...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. Talk about adults in the room. There was one. And the idiots walked right down the cookie-crumb trail he laid for them. "Dark Brandon" definitely came out, though I can tell you that the Republicans are still bound and determined to cut Social Security and Medicare. You know, those safety nets YOU AND I PAY INTO, and we've paid into them ever since we drew a paycheck. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I used to say that I'd be grateful enough for my grandma and my parents to get theirs. Well, my dad died before he could draw his first check. My mom is in her mid-80s. She's terrified. And I just hit my mid-60s. And I'm mad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Morons in Washington who were and are insurgents and traitors are sitting in the House and Senate because enough voters are idiots (and enough districts are gerrymandered) and those voters don't know or care that these folks DO. NOT. CARE. They want raw power and the squirrel-brained Magats who voted for them will be out on their pasty-white keisters into the cruel, cold world. Without a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of, as my dad would say (cleaned up, of course!). They think that their little red hats will protect them. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwisY-tD_sIMR4JFW21qo5s9lGqz763fymQQqc-SF5rbFNu9meNJli1rcxwLuBY25QZCihOH-CjvmkgHudzYsd3UdYT_yt9_SJPBp9Sf85nkkEZwuESE2HwujHw2YARZAqq0LPmcRyHnZteqwBQYXKMy1lnmHQfdbvy2sAeu6wnIMWalX-EY/s680/dark%20brandon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="680" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwisY-tD_sIMR4JFW21qo5s9lGqz763fymQQqc-SF5rbFNu9meNJli1rcxwLuBY25QZCihOH-CjvmkgHudzYsd3UdYT_yt9_SJPBp9Sf85nkkEZwuESE2HwujHw2YARZAqq0LPmcRyHnZteqwBQYXKMy1lnmHQfdbvy2sAeu6wnIMWalX-EY/s320/dark%20brandon.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They're sadly mistaken. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">He led them by their twitchy little noses right into admitting that, "of course" they're standing up for seniors and "of course" they wouldn't DREAM of cutting the social safety nets that everyone has been paying into. Because, why would they do that? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">(Though, to be sure, the subsequent appearances on Fox to state that "obviously" they want to protect seniors fools <i><u>absolutely nobody</u></i>. They don't even believe evidence when the smoking gun is set in front of them, so the day they want to vote these safety nets down? They'll swear on the souls of their respective grannies that they NEVER said that they weren't going to do that...that their souls are pure and they're doing this "for the good of the people." To which I say, HORSE-PUCKIES.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In spite of the shenanigans (or malarkey, if you prefer) of the screeching gibbon MTG and the scowls of Lauren "Food Poisoning" Boebert, the president actually played them like phonograph records. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Couldn't have happened to a nicer set of sub-human criminals. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, calling the DOJ... Would you PLEASE start arresting the people higher up the food chain? Particularly the Mango Maggot? It's time. It's well past time. You're sending absolutely the wrong signal - that they can get away with saying - and DOING - anything and y'all aren't going to do a blessed thing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That would be a tragic lesson for us to learn. And would be another nail in the coffin of decent, respectful discourse and civil behavior. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Toilet Water...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A long, long time ago, "toilet water" was a lightly scented perfume used after bathing or shaving. "Eau de toilette" was an elegant way of saying "light scent." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">People used base scents, like lavender, geranium, and the like. And it's pretty concentrated, though "light" - about 8% perfume oil, where cologne is more like 3-5%. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. Then there's the OTHER toilet water. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCed_LPLEC-Jn9dLvoAmNaUrdUCJ32-Cx4QprT5ZsxWKlAxGhEx2NUSWVwnSF6A3zKknWteISkqsGHuWYR_67gBQRzKj8iuL6Rs0fwc3HWiBlexbTzrJEGBe20g30LaBANgORKapoYnyWKJ5qVhKTcSxcj3LrXUlsPYfmzkYWEebmqkqpUfU/s3072/WP_20140422_17_36_09_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="1728" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCed_LPLEC-Jn9dLvoAmNaUrdUCJ32-Cx4QprT5ZsxWKlAxGhEx2NUSWVwnSF6A3zKknWteISkqsGHuWYR_67gBQRzKj8iuL6Rs0fwc3HWiBlexbTzrJEGBe20g30LaBANgORKapoYnyWKJ5qVhKTcSxcj3LrXUlsPYfmzkYWEebmqkqpUfU/w113-h200/WP_20140422_17_36_09_Pro.jpg" width="113" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other day, Quinn didn't drink after eating, which is her normal pattern. She eats, drinks her fill and is done, so she drinks about 3 times a day. Ok, well, everyone's entitled to a change in pattern. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I heard slurping and thought that Raisa had been drinking out of the bowl, which is normally in the kitchen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you may remember, we have a "gated community," because the girls don't get along. I mean, seriously don't get along, and while we thought it would get better as they got older, it really hasn't. So for our own sanity and safety, we keep them separated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wasn't Raisa. It was Quinn, drinking out of the "Porcelain Water Bowl." See, in the one bathroom, Hubby leaves the lid up. I am a "keep it closed" kind of person, because first, that's how we did it growing up, and second, I've always had dogs. Never a potty-drinker, but why take chances? And of course, in the days when you used toilet cleaners that were the in-the-tank kinds of things (which I no longer use), the potty-drinkers would've been poisoned!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have never had a potty-drinker. Till now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gives a new name to "toilet water," and the toilet is now closed. There's a second bowl in the bathroom, and the one time Hubby forgot to shut the lid, Quinn went back to the Porcelain Water Bowl because apparently, that's the vintage of water she prefers. Um. No. Lesson learned. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Saga of the Hip...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. I totally blew January, as I figured I would. It was a rough month. I was supposed to have the 3rd shot, but I didn't. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have now acquired a sore shoulder because I think I've been using the cane wrong, and my muscle tone in the left leg is shot. And of course, the right shoulder being the side I use the cane on -- shoulders aren't meant to take our body weight over a period of time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, hey -- let's throw in me being on the spectrum with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, because my muscle tone has been shot to smithereens, my joints are killing me. There's nothing to "cure" with EDS. All you can do is strengthen the muscles around the joints. Which is what my regular yoga practice was doing. I am literally not practicing...and I mean that in the grammatical sense of "literally." I am not practicing at all. Which has really wreaked havoc on my body. A lot of it was and is the pain. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And a lot of it was January. The month I lost my sister, a year ago. That was a clumsy sentence, but that's what has been whirring in my mind. It's depression and grief expressing themselves physically. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It also doesn't help that (a) I've had a lot of work which involves sitting my butt in front of a computer up to 6 hours a day; and (b) knitting is safer when I'm sitting! I'm on a baby deadline. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been exercising as much as I can. But it's not enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have a plan... I'm going to get the 3rd shot in the series. Then I'm going to ask my doctor to send me to physical therapy. And then we're going to talk about a scope to see if they can blast those bone spurs off the ball of my hip and the socket of my hip. I don't necessarily think they'll do anything with the labrum. For those of us who are flexy-bendy beings, our joints are inherently unstable in the first place -- so trimming or removing any of that labrum is just going to destabilize it further. But -- I'm thinking that if they can remove the bone spurs, that might alleviate a lot of the pain. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You should hear my hip. It snaps, crackles, and pops. It's not cool. It's kinda freaky. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I'm waiting for the doctor's office to call me back to schedule things and we'll move forward. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>Random Picture...</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzN0epAXaKuX-zQ4KTl8TO3pC15kVVR6hO3wLqwYsWgpBy_18rUV8Gx1EFwUteZIYiQPjdvR98HqJl3QC9zMGh-Yz9Qtlhe2MlKgVkbi6RDYupwmte8g5gEpNYY9Ow99vt6l1rCSsts4KZpmnejFTbzTsRdaSiG5SrIVQNWOjona6TnX0IvQ/s4000/IMG_20220920_090310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzN0epAXaKuX-zQ4KTl8TO3pC15kVVR6hO3wLqwYsWgpBy_18rUV8Gx1EFwUteZIYiQPjdvR98HqJl3QC9zMGh-Yz9Qtlhe2MlKgVkbi6RDYupwmte8g5gEpNYY9Ow99vt6l1rCSsts4KZpmnejFTbzTsRdaSiG5SrIVQNWOjona6TnX0IvQ/w150-h200/IMG_20220920_090310.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I live in a town next to another town known for its drawbridges. Bridge roulette is a thing here. The canals are heavy traffic areas for barges, and I grew up knowing that if you wanted to get from one side of town to the other, you needed to build in "bridge time."</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And all of the bridges are old. Like "we have to hand-make parts" old. We run cycles of which bridge is closed. There used to be individual bridge tenders in their little towers next to the bridges, but now they're trying to centralize and computerize the raising and lowering of the bridges. So one by one, the bridges are now cycling through the process of being upgraded with computers and software. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A few months ago, I got caught. If you're a "lifer" in this town, you can usually anticipate the bridges, and you know the side roads, and alternate routes, and a way to get around without being caught. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well. Occasionally, you lose at "bridge roulette." There's even a high-rise bridge which is known to back up for a mile or two if you don't time it right... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was one of the bridges which lies south of the high rise bridge. And it was a beautiful morning. So I sat and listened to the radio while I was waiting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because sometimes that's all you can do. Waiting. An art that all of us who live here have cultivated. Because like time, you can't stop a bridge from going up or coming down. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>KnitWithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349480410452714773noreply@blogger.com0