New Beginnings

Silly me.  I thought this blog was long gone.  Who knew that the interwebs would allow my small words to remain in the cloud, never touched.  Never read.  Not a sad thing.  A good thing.  Something to revisit - a bit like a long lost photo album.  But I must admit, turning the pages of a physical entity is much more satisfying.

Today we have snow.  My husband thought I had lost my mind when I told him I truly believed we could avoid it this year.  But I had been fooled.  Up until last week I was walking around wearing nothing but a heavy sweater.  Now find the woolens. The scraper.  The snowblower.  

So today I feel a bit like Amy's SnowBaby Igloo..

Time for Break

This is an image of what stopped me from washing the window from the outside earlier this afternoon.  I 'googled' this one as I am never going to sit still long enough to take a picture of any snake.  Yuck...I was leaning out the window when he suddenly slithered by...really hate those things!

Trying to make each day count is getting a bit exhausting.  Sunday was a pleasant day all around:  we took my brother and his wife out for a birthday breakfast, then off to spend the afternoon at Longmeadow Farm in Freedom, NY.  Sandy has beautiful yarns and roving.  Each time I look at her colorwork I ask myself why anyone would want to go to the trouble of processing and dying their own when she does it so much better!  She does not have a web presence other than FaceBook, and on many a fiber festival vendor list.  It was a beautiful afternoon sitting in the shade next to the sheep grazing pasture with good friends and food:)

Today, no crafting yet.  I did add a few more blocks on the hexi project.  And then I worked my plantars into a frenzy.  Washed six windows and screens, washed and folded several loads of wash, washed the kitchen floor, a quick vacuum in the family room and made a potato salad for dinner.

I think I deserve a pedicure right about now:)

The Marathon Continues

Finally!  This 1/2 fleece was purchased, to the best of my recollection at the Genesee Fiber Festival in Hemlock, NY about four years ago.  It sat for an entire year in the bag lost in the garage, the following summer it was washed, it took two years to flick each lock by hand before spinning.  And as I type, the final skein of 1344 yards is now drying.  I won't admit to being in love with the final product; I am really not a very good spinner.  The fleece had inconsistent staple lengths that made it a poor candidate for carding and I have found that some skeins are much nicer than others depending on the section of the fleece from which they came.  There was also a significant amount of color variation - I am still trying to decide if I should dye this a deep wine before knitting up.  I actually have plans for this beast, let me only hope that it knits at the gauge I have in mind.

The little project below is my sister's Christmas present.  The English Paper Piece hexis have been in the work basket for about two years.  I really was just playing for the sake of practice, but some digging on Pinterest inspired me to get them out again.  She is planning on doing her kitchen in a black & white theme with yellow accents and I thought this would be just the ticket for her tiny table after finishing with a yellow backing.

Early Finish

 Today the drum carder and I had our final meeting.  Let it be written that I shall never purchase a raw fleece again.  I do feel pleased that I have been able to successfully complete two; however, the fact that the first took over four years from purchase to final spin and the second (a quarter fleece) has taken two years just to card should clearly indicate my enthusiasm for the task.

Time to hit the wheel:)

Forced Productivity

When I counted the days of summer vacation, I told myself that I would not waste it as I did last year.  Instead of spending my time running to PT for my insane IT band, and moping on the couch I decided to tickle a part of my brain that has never been touched.

My goal is not to become artistic, but to increase my creativity.  From attending author lectures over the years, the message has been clear:  the way to improve writing is by writing every day.  My assumption is the only way to become more creative is by attempting something creative each day.

Last week I played with paper cloth; when I finish the projects I will post the pictures and explain the process.  This week I played with papers.

The top photo was inspired by a vessel I found on Pinterest.  I took used cone shaped natural coffee filters, burned the edges, and added a coat of Perfect Paper Adhesive.  After drying I ripped edges and sewed with embroidery floss.  I then hit it again with the matches and spray bottle and have what I hope will be a rustic flameless votive holder.

On the right is yesterday's experiment with collage.  Last week I found that used dryer sheets can be very interesting.  I know, don't ever use dryer sheets as they are allegedly worse for your clothes than the dryer.  Anyhoo, one water dampened dryer sheet, next add a layer of long forgotten Japanese papers adhering with the Perfect Paper Adhesive.  Add another dryer sheet and layer with tissue paper and handmade papers and a final coat of PPA.  Held up to the light, an overall pleasing design.  I did make an additional one with a few different placements and colors and was not as pleased with the overall effect.  So it's a 'no show'.

Blazing

For the last week Icarus has been on my mind. You remember, the boy who refused to listen to his father and flew to close to the sun? And his wings held together with was melted away? Well that is a bit how I feel - even with the air conditioning.

My son's summer job is in an unconditioned body shop at our local garage. 9 hours a day. Wearing jeans. And a respirator. Need I say more.

Today I come one step closer to an emptier nest: taking the daughter shopping for her dorm supplies. Thinking about her leaving at the end of August makes me grateful I have a good job and many hobbies to keep me busy. But I have a feeling it still won't fill the gap.

Sigh number two...

The Joys of Technology

I could not resist!

After all this time, I have decided I miss my little blog. It serves as an outlet for writing that my everyday life does not afford. And, more importantly, it provides me an opportunity to write with more depth and a sort of anonymity that Facebook does not provide.

What has been on my mind, as I sit at the computer yet again, is how much time I actually spend in cyberland. At least twice a day I check my seldom used cell phone, Facebook, Ravelry, my three e-mail accounts and hit a blog or two. All in an attempt to remain connected to people I either will never know in my actual life or with whom I have almost daily contact.

My children use technology to send pointless text messages about the quality of their morning cereal, a critique of their current life experience, or an order to their servile mother that they feel needs fulfilling.

I know I am not the only one thinking these thoughts. Have you seen the current Toyota Venza adverts? The 'adult' children commenting on their parents' meaningless lives? Hysterical. And a friend who stated that our ability to instantly communicate every thought we have is actually crippling us. How true! When my children phone me the second something they become lost, a plane is delayed, a connection is missed, they never learn the skill of stopping and thinking. To just be still and wait for the obvious solution to a problem to present itself.

So, as wait for my Nook to finish its download, charge my Ipod, and check my bank balance, I think I will watch a few more YouTube videos.

Sigh...

Nothing Like My Wednesday Night Knitting Club

I was in the mood for a no-brainer and I think this one hit the mark. A friend had given this to me suggesting that it was a good fit for travel. Kate Jacobs created a group of characters, that while not being totally believable, were certainly likable.

Georgia and her daughter, Dakota, are a great little team - one that every mom dreams of. And she is surrounded by people that adore her. Her problems do not even begin until the end of the novel; instead, the conflicts of the novel are really centered around the minor characters that make up the knitting group.

I suggest this book only for those looking for a an interesting distraction. Kinda like potato chips - not necessarily good for you, but yummy just the same.

Back on the Merry Go Round!

I don't mean to sound negative, but I am a bit fearful of what this school year will bring. Why? On the third day I was told that, " XYZ says you're fat," and "Snicklefritz. My name is SNIIIIIIIIICLLLLLLLLEFRIIIIIITZZZZZZ." Yep.

It is also my middle child's senior year of high school and she is dreaming large, very large. The mailbox has been crammed full of flyers and brochures from every college large and small, known and unknown on the eastern seaboard. The choices she is faced with are overwhelming.

My high school classmates and I never seemed to feel we had so many choices. We all applied to either two or three schools, we all picked a major without any fear of making a bad decision. Drama. English. Science. None of us changed majors. Were we naive? Were we more mature? Did we just listen to our parents more? And yet as I now reconnect with people on FaceBook, I see that many of my classmates had very successful careers - for many, better than they ever hoped when they left our small town and headed off to uni.

So wish my daughter luck! Pray that she limits her choices, works hard, and has a little blind faith that all will work out as it should.

Random Wednesday

1. I am really thankful people do not 'know' about Ravelry! Common sense kids!
2. Tomorrow is my first 'official' day back at work; based on the link above I shall say nothing more.

The Lost Summer

of Louisa May Alcott was a wonderful book. And what did I enjoy most? The fact that this well researched novel was within the realm of reason. Unlike my last selection's author, McNees understands how to artfully integrate fact and fiction. She employs her research in a way that does not, as my friend Phyllis states "smell too much of lamp oil."

And who does not love Little Women and wonder about the life of its author? Well done Ms. McNees; I shall look forward to more from this author.

a ton of bricks

would have been a better title for Susan Rebecca White's novel, a soft place to land.

So what's my problem with this tale? First, I cannot tolerate authors who make gratuitous use of events - especially 9/11. Setting can be established without mention of this event. Add to that the use of the US Airways Flight 1549 to bring Ruthie to appreciate/understand/love her sister? Lame.
Second, the over use of research. All authors research for their novels - it is their job. A good researcher has more notes than they will ever use. This read smacked of an overt attempt to use every stinking bit of it. We know the main character loves food. We do not need to know that the wings ordered at the bar are "meaty" when she is in the midst of an argument with her husband over her unwillingness to have a baby. Pointless.
Third, the reader needs a character with whom they can strongly identify or hate. Nope. Ruthie is a sweet child who once she becomes an "adult" is whiny and petulant. Julia, for whom we should have no sympathy, is actually the more balanced of the two.
Fourth, authors should never overtly push their political agendas in a narrative. Julia's "wanna be a Jew", Catholic bashing was just abhorrent. The coffee scene was nice; a young couple meets for hours and has a great time talking. She finds out that he is pro-life and she suddenly leaves and then refuses his phone calls. Only 9/ll and going to church brings them together? Lame.
Finally, an unnecessarily complex plot always muddies the waters. Relationships between sisters is difficult. The custody arrangements made in the will, while plausible, was not necessary. Julia could have experienced the same issues living with her sister after the death of the parents. Knocking on the door of the old homestead, being invited in with the country club drunk and being given the mom's old treasures found in a 'secret' closet? I could go on and on...
I need a really good book to flush this one out of my mind!

Her Fearful Symmetry

The reviewer was kind. Too kind. Seriously one of the worst books I have ever read. I only continued because I was happy to picture so many of the places in London that were mentioned. My time would have been better spent with my map.

I Tried, But It Didn't Help

I tried to do good things today, but for some reason I am still in a summer funk. I get this way every August once the back to school letter arrives. My SIL thinks that is ridiculous, but all the education folks know exactly what I mean! Hey, I know several teachers who actually cry all day Labor Day! Does that clue anyone in on how this job can stress a person?

So my good deeds for the day? Taking the neighbor's dog to the vet - again. And I donated blood to the Red Cross.

Then I ate cake.

The Pitfalls of Being an Adult

My children are learning that with new privileges comes great responsibility. My son, the new driver, pulled into the driveway last night to find his oil pan had cracked. The trail he left on the road, not to mention our driveway, was far more telling than anything Hansel and Gretel left behind.

The girl child has now worked over 14 consecutive days between babysitting, a desk job and an internship. The realization that you cannot call into work sick 15 minutes before your start time is a hard one.

The mother is learning it sucks to have two additional drivers who always want a car!

The Crazies

Another Top 10:

1. One of our hometown finest treating his newly adopted cat to a special bath in the trunk of his car.
2. The 17 year old new driver thinking I should know where she is when she is lost.
3. The other 17 year old thinking we should not ask how his first date went.
4. Lindsay Lohan.
5. New York State allowing people who already have a phone to use their 'free' cell phone service.
6. The 'Real Housewives' series.
7. End of life Medicare spending.
8. Thinking that this tuition is realistic for this program.
9. Me, after a full month of vacation.
10. Planning a mother-daughter road trip.

*Not to be implied that all items are equal in value or scope.

Seriously?

Yes, I finished something this summer! Two somethings that are on my way to my sister's.

These are the best fitting socks I have ever made. And they are not 'normal'. Toe up, reverse heel flap and an 8 stitch gusset. Yes, apparently I have some very odd feet. But they don't gap at the ankles and they are great - and they also fit my sis like a dream so whatever the deal is, it's genetic! The pattern is generic and lord knows what the yarn is - I lost the ball bands in the bag ages ago - some kind of cotton/wool blend.

My sister has also lost 30 pounds so I thought that deserved the summer tank made of Catania (rav link) in a beautiful peachy/salmon color. I would post a photo, but it refuses to play nice on the upload. So both are in the mail and on their way to Delaware.

That Old Cape Magic

No, I am not going. But it sure sounds like a good idea:) Richard Russo is quite good at capturing the angst of the middle aged man. And cheese whiz, you men sure are a bunch of babies. So many of the men he writes about would be so much happier if they simply dealt with their emotions and thoughts up front, but what the hell do I know...

Last night's book club offered a wide range of opinions; we were a fairly split group. About half found the book horrid. They had a hard time finishing the book and hated the ending. The rest of us found it a realistic portrayal of the crazy mess a family can be. And really some of the scenes were downright comical - Ben Stiller would kill for that rehearsal dinner incident.

So if you like messy families and revisionist history, grab it for an easy beach read.

And the answer is...

Boarding school!

Oh Stop Whining!

It's done. And you know you are in trouble when you cannot find a decent review. It's like this: Kate Morton loves old books and brilliant authors and she has a serious problem in the amount of influence she allows them to have in her writing. Too much like The Secret Garden, too much Dickens, and many others of whom I am sure are there, but of whom I have not the knowledge.

But - I could not put the flipping thing down. Better than her last book, yet I am always shocked at what her editors allow.

So what did my first month of vacation look like? London, Paris, Barcelona, four days of curriculum writing, about 5 books, a little bit of knitting, a 50th birthday party, lots of cleaning and washing up, far too many hours on the internet, many walks with the dog, some spinning, a big family picnic, far too many hours on the telephone, Shakespeare in the Park, Dug's Dive, some ice cream, a lot of beer, a birthday tea, letter writing to a friend, and lots of time in the car with the kid who needs a license.