What IS it With Some Men???

I wasn't going to blog today; I really didn't have much to say. But then I saw this story about a record-setting polar expedition, and the trolls that came out of the woodwork. And I just couldn't stand it. 

Jade Hameister, a 16-year-old girl, has completed a "trifecta" of sorts - she's been to both the North and South Poles and crossed Greenland. You can read about it here, and about her TEDX talk.  At age FOURTEEN (yes, 14), she became the youngest person to ski to the North Pole from the last degree of latitude, about 60 miles. She then did her TEDX talk. 

And out came the trolls, with "Make me a sandwich." Apparently, that's the latest meme meant to shame females who have the audacity to...be audacious! To do things. To be themselves. To be "more" if they want, to seek, to dream. To go beyond the confines of what "someone" thinks they need to be or do. 

Well. Jade made that sandwich. At the South Pole. And basically said, "Ok, here's your sandwich (ham & cheese). Now, ski 37 days and 600km to the South Pole so you can eat it."

I think that's an incredibly witty and totally appropriate response. 

What is with some men these days? I thought it was 2018. I thought we were supposed to be able to get out of the kitchen if we so chose -- or stay IN the kitchen if that was our choice. 

At least, I thought we had a choice; we didn't have to be dictated to by men. I thought we had some -- some options. We don't have full equality, but for the love of Heaven - at least in this country, we can vote. And we can run for office. 

However, in some circles, apparently, we should "make [him] a sandwich." I would love to see what those people think of my own Hubby, who does 90% of the cooking, mainly because of my crazy work schedule. I'm pretty sure they think that I'm a "feminazi" and he's a "wimp" (or worse). I'm hoping, honestly, that that particular subspecies dies out. Soon. Sooner rather than later. The ones who see us - women, I mean - as one-dimensional characters who are there to spit out babies and clean up and "know our place."

Our place? It's anywhere we want it to be. North Pole. South Pole. Greenland. Holding office. Running a business. Running a household. Mother. Not a mother. Artist. Doctor. Lawyer. Truck driver. Priest. Astronaut. President. Whatever we want. No limits. 

Take a note from Jade - listen to her TEDX talk. And think about what YOU did at age 14. I'm not trying to shame anyone (except the "make me a sandwich" crowd of cretins). But when I was 14? I was babysitting... We didn't have a ton of options. I wish we did, looking back. My family situation was such that I was helping to run the house and did the side job of babysitting while in high school. It was what it was. Now, in my 6th decade, I look back and wonder what kind of opportunities I could have had "if." 

Sometimes, I think "if" is the biggest word of all. In the entire English language. "If" is also the saddest. 

Knitting...

Every sock starts out the same. It's a rather mundane row of loops on a needle. You always, always think, "This is not gonna work." No matter how many years you've been making them, you (or at least, I) always marvel that this little row of stitches grows into a pair of socks. 

The other day, at the studio, I had a gong event. I wore the Teal Socks. Proof that, yes, I will wear them. I think I have to wash them a couple of times so the Trekking yarn softens up. The sole is plain knitting, and for some reason, it bothered my feet. I'm barefoot a LOT. I usually don't have trouble with hand-knitted socks. 

These need to be exorcised or something. 

Anyway, while I was waiting for the presenter to get there, I got out my "traveling knitting" and figured I'd cast on a plain sock. I'm rooting through stash for yarn (mainly Opal, let's face it...I have a ton of it, the colorways are luscious, and it wears like iron!) to make into plain socks that can stay in the car or with me when I'm waiting somewhere. I'm determined to memorize that Vanilla pattern this year! 

As I cast on, I thought about it - everything starts from something simple. From beings who start out as sperm-and-egg, to plants, to a brownie that starts with simple disparate ingredients that come together to make chocolate goodness. Everything starts out simply. 

I'm working on the Petty Harbour socks, and I'm planning my next shawl. Every once in a while, I get overwhelmed by a pattern, and I have to think: it's only knits and purls. One stitch at a time. It starts out simply. 

It's a somewhat fiddly pattern. It's not difficult at all; a simple 4-row repeat, just that it's lots of knits and purls. The texture is lovely. It'll be beautiful, and I'm modifying it so that all I'm knitting in-pattern is the leg. I don't want this pattern across the top of my foot. It started out just like the Dreaded Teal Sock, this Green Traveling Sock, and every sock I've done so far. 

Loops on a needle. Connect them properly. Set the stitches so that the ridge is on top and you've got no twists in the loop. For me, I start with 4 rows of knitting, for a little curl on the top. And then, off you go. Round and round and round for about 12 rows or so of ribbing, then whatever you do in the leg portion. The heel flap. 

Then the oh-so-magical turning of the heel, closing the gusset and then rows and rows of foot in plain knit (for me - I don't like a pattern on my foot). Decreasing the toe. Kitchener the toe closed. 

Voila - socks. Start with loops. End with socks. 

I think I'm going to start a shawl after I get at least this first Petty Harbour off my needles. I will then, if all goes well, finish Petty Harbour, then finish off the two singles I have left: Bowties are Cool and Blue Sole-to-Sole. Those are my last singletons. I still want to do a number of pairs of socks for 2018. And I also want to finish a few sweaters, plus the shawls. 

So much to do. 

Quinn...

You all remember my little "Patch-Puppy" and her continual wearing of the ThunderShirt while her latest surgeries healed. We kept the ThunderShirt on her for a longer time, because it's been cold and she's been bald. 

Well, now she's just about back to full coat. There are still a few bare patches, but her undercoat is coming along and she's more comfortable. As I was brushing her the other day, I noticed two things: she has almost no "undercoat." She never has, poor baby. What I was brushing and what was coming off onto the brush was mainly top coat. And the texture of her coat has changed a bit. Not sure if it's the new food, the supplement she's getting to help keep the cysts under control, the fact that she wore the ThunderShirt for so long, or the fact that she's now an "older" dog. She's 7 now, and an 'adult' even though she acts like a foolish puppy still. That's just her. 

So far, she still has a few smaller cysts. We're watching them. I'm hoping that what we're doing has helped her. She's such a sweet soul. 

Random Picture...

This was from Preston's Gong Event. He sets up this little "portable temple" and plays his instruments. I was worried because it moves, and then, last night, it hit me... That's the point. As he's playing his gongs and drum, there's this tap-tap-tap -- and I realized that the coconut chimes (barely visible there on the right) were keeping time with him, and accenting the music. 

If you're local, you need to investigate this! It's a marvelous event that leads to a fantastic state of relaxation. This time, I found myself agitated. It seemed "louder" than before, almost aggressive. But then, I've been thinking about it...this is a year of change for me. Things are happening - and I'm making them happen. Things are in a bit of flux. I'm a little "un-centered" myself! Maybe that came through on the music. It's something that I've been pondering on since the event. 

We had nearly a full house, and I was happy about it. A few people didn't show, but we had a few walk-ins. I had to put up a "Registration & Policies" page on our website for the studio because I've been getting people who will register and then cancel the day of or the day before and want a refund. 

Hey, I know. Stuff happens. But as a business owner, I can't wait on you, and not know how many people will come. I'm pretty generous with my refund policy, but day of the event? Usually not gonna happen. Presenters come out specifically to do their job, and it's their livelihood. We hold these workshops and events for our students and the community, and we hope you like us and want to attend. 

And we hope you understand that we're a small business. We'll bend over backward for our students (yogis and all that...) but there comes a time when we have to have a policy and we have to have it across the board, for everyone. 

If You Aren't Alarmed, Check Your Pulse...

Finally, Pictures...

OK, we got the Crappy Red Camera fixed. Well, it was working. Somehow, the Evil Software Elves ate the software that helps me download the pics. Still doesn't explain the fact that the computer wouldn't read the memory card, but I'll take the victory. I reloaded the software and we're back in business. 

So here are some pics...

Knitting...

Cheesy TKGA picture

So it's cheesy - but here's a picture of my Teal Sock (Nice Ribbed Sock @ Ravelry) at the TKGA show. No, I didn't take pictures of us. Yes, I did take pictures of what I was attempting to knit. See the post from a few days ago. 

Yes, I should've taken pictures of the 3 of us. I'll do it next time. We'll be going to the Wisconsin Sheep Festival next year. You'll just have to wait unless I can get some taken earlier. 

Heel Turned!

And yes, I'm still enthralled at the magic of the turning heel. Funny enough, yes, I did follow the designer's instructions. I wasn't going to. I was going to use my Red Sock-Shaped Book... But I bit the swatch and did it her way. And jeeze - it worked! It's even working with my splitting the heel and going back to 4 DPNs. She did her socks on 3, apparently, and frankly, I don't like that. First off, it's hard to avoid ladders where the rounds join, and second, it seems more squished for my fingers. 

Inside of heel - still magical!

I was a bit concerned with this sock perhaps being "inside out" but as you can see from the picture here, the K3P1 rib is working out quite nicely, and the heel, though you can't tell from the picture, is actually almost "doubled" - it's a sl1,k1 and then the WS is sl1,p1. It makes a very sturdy heel, kind of like the Doris Heel that I had learned for my hiking socks. I will still try the Doris Heel on the next pair of socks; it's a very pretty one, particularly with a solid yarn. Maybe I'll use it on the Blue-faced yarn. We shall see. 

I guess I have to type more so that you can see the pictures in the order I want them... 

Which is fine, because I can talk a lot. Particularly about yarn. I haven't gotten any of this up on Ravelry yet. I do also have to search for some patterns while I'm there. I love Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Pretty Thing." It may go into my queue. Very much worth the money for a pattern for that one skein of perfectly luxe yarn. 

Blue-faced Leichester sock yarn

Also in this post are some of the yarns I purchased at TKGA. The Blue-faced Leichester sock yarn is a bit thicker, but not quite worsted. It will make up beautifully. Looks like I have a "teal blue" theme going on here, but I really wanted to do something different, since the stash is looking a little too purple lately. They had a wonderful collection of yarns, and it was also the first booth in the exhibit area, which is a double-edged sword. Either you get lots of traffic, or they sprint past you on the way to the other booths. This was from a company which also makes a rose yarn.

Yep, yarn made from rose fibers - the ones on the stems, that is. Talk about using alternative plant-based materials! It was interesting, but I didn't buy any. This stuff was on sale. The rose yarn wasn't. I'm trying to be fiscally responsible. Don't laugh. For what it's worth, she had some roving of the rose stuff she made. It was soft, not as "crimpy" as wool, and I couldn't tell how it would've been to spin with. But then I'm not a spinner. 

"Probably way too fine" merino for shawls

The "probably wayyyyyyyyyy too fine" merino will be a couple of shawls. Probably out of one of the "sock yarn shawl" patterns or maybe just a lace from the pattern books. 

Here's the "silkworm" thickness merino. It's Italian. That yarn was at the back of the shop area, in a huge, huge, HUGE pile of "stuff." Everything from glittery yarn to kid mohair (thanks, but I don't want to torture myself). And all of it was on sale. I saw a lot of very nice colors of this merino, but I thought basic was better. And the gal said I'd need 2 hanks. A few of the prettier colors had only 1 left. 

Shawl pattern & yarn

Love this one at the right: the yarn is actually in a "cupcake" kind of container. It's a local designer, and her mom made goodies for her booth. Which of course made it the most popular one! It's a very pretty shawl. The yarn has charms/stitch markers included. It's not as vivid as it looks, and it's hand-painted, so there are various gradients in the yarn. You can see it more clearly in the close-up picture. 

Again, lots of pretty colors, but I was on a mission to avoid anything in the purple range. They did have a lovely selection, so if you can find Toluca Knit Jewelry and Fine Yarns, then please visit them. I don't have their website handy, otherwise, I'd put a link up here. 

The yarn with charms

Of course, that "avoid purple" thing didn't count the Namaste mini-messenger cross-body bag. My excuse for that is that the eggplant color was the only one there! So there. And it was a more secure bag than the others in that booth, most of them having open tops. This one is going on my trip. I can put a smaller bag inside it with wallet, etc. for the actual travel, and it's got plenty of room for knitting. 

Which will be coming in this kind of bag. My very favorite project bag for travel. It's a KnowKnits bag. My LYS (yeah, the one I'm kind of mad at) actually ordered this for me. They used to carry them under the previous owner, but this gal likes the simple cloth ones. Heck, I sew, and while I don't want to deny anyone the option of making a living, I'm also not paying $15 for a bag that's got about $1.66 in materials and would take me 20 minutes to sew up. I want to spend that money on yarn, not the bags. 

Project bag

And I'm not a bag snob either (stop laughing). I have my share of WIPs in the reusable grocery bags. Just check my closet. Well, don't check my closet. 

As you can see, the bag is just perfect for socks. It's got 2 little amazing strokes of genius. The outside has a loopy thing you can use on a hanger (right now, it perches on the pattern holder of my OttLite). And inside, the other loopy thing holds the yarn and keeps the ball from popping out onto the floor of the plane, train or automobile. 

The perfect bag for a trip

I love the fact that you can zip this thing closed and it STAYS closed. I don't care if the inside is black. And it's pretty tough stuff. But to be cautious, yes, I'm using needle holders on my DPNs. It's silver, so I can find it in my bigger purse, and it's waterproof. My friend Doris can attest to this because I've borrowed her purple one - which I'm returning to her, since I now have this silver one. She spilled a Coke on hers, and it didn't ruin the knitting. Good to know. It comes in a pretty good range of sizes and colors. I think they're just grand, and I do have to laugh: one website shows one clipped to a belt so the knitter can walk and knit. No. I don't think so. 

I contemplated walking on the treadmill and knitting. Then I contemplated a whole-body tattoo, and to each of these propositions, upon long reflection, I reacted with equal enthusiasm. 

New Needle #1

As I'm moving along on the Teal Sock, I've discovered a dreaded "gusset hole." I'm not ripping back. I love how this ribbing folds gently into the gusset, and I almost knew I was creating the hole as I picked up those stitches. I'm absolutely fine with pulling it together once the sock is done with a little slip stitch in the back. Nobody will know. 

Ok, all of you will know, but the first one who sees me wearing these can come up and ask about it. 

I've read enough reference books to know that sooner or later that would happen. And now that it has, I've got some solutions. Picking up a small stitch in behind is one. I could've twisted the stitch making the hole, if I caught it early enough so as not to have to rip out a good inch-and-a-half of knitting. But since I didn't catch it, I'm not too worried about it. I know it's there, and I know how to fix it. Problem almost solved. 

Dreaded "gusset hole"

The pattern calls for a simple gathering at the toe, or Kitchener Stitch. Not sure which one I'll do. I'll see how the decreases go. One day, a Star toe! 

Yoga and the Full Moon...

So we had our (for me, final) Community Class at the studio where I'm taking my certification training. I can tell you it was a full moon. We had 12 people, and totally had "2 classes" -- the absolute newbies, who needed to be up in front, were in the back row. The experienced folks were in the front, when they probably could've been in the back.

And I screwed up a couple of cues. I had them go into a wide-legged forward fold (Prasarita Padottanasana if you're interested in the Sanskrit) and I had two mats: one long-wise and one skinny, crossed over each other. I was on the right mat, but I forgot to cue them to "come to the long side of the mat." They took me literally and didn't move. Yikes!! 

I also apparently forgot to cue heel-to-arch alignment in Trikonasana (a/k/a Triangle Pose). I thought I did. The mentor supervising us said I didn't. I've been teaching on my own now for several months, but for some reason, this class just flipped me out. 

It happens. All 3 of us were nervous, and the mentor did say that what rattled her was the absolute inexperience of some of the students. And a couple who could've used the help refused it. You can't force help on them unless they're about to blow out a body part, like a knee or shoulder. All in all, it was a humbling and teaching evening, and I'm also glad it's over. 

I'm teaching my favorite class, the Yin class, tonight. My teacher is taking a much-needed sabbatical for August, and we're in the midst of rearranging schedules. We dropped the Tuesday a.m. class till September. That may come back as a Yoga 101, and we hope to have more than 3 students in there! 

Tippi...

...is healing fine from her surgery. Now if she'll only leave her foot alone, we can remove the Cone of Shame. It comes off while she's in our sight, but she often sneaks off to lick her foot. I know the re-growing of the hair must itch like crazy. Heck, I'm itching (still) from that heart monitor. But she will lick to extreme, so we have to watch her. 

Once I can get a nice picture of her in her "summer duds" we'll post it. 



Climate Deniers?

OK, so I did find this on Facebook. But pay attention, people. Crikey, just look at the summers and winters we've had lately. 

There's a lake at the North Pole. No, not a "lookee what we have under the ice" lake. An actual, visible from a camera, LAKE with a bouy floating on it. And it happened this year. July 22, 2013. 

I don't know about you, but this scares the jeepers out of me. The North Pole. It's supposed to be frozen. Well, climate deniers, what do you think of this? 

http://www.livescience.com/38347-north-pole-ice-melt-lake.html