What a Week!

Wow!!! What a week. First, today is MLK Day!


I've had this song in my head for the past couple days.

Next is the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president tomorrow. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. He has brought hope to our country in a very unhopeful time. I hope that he's been eating his Wheaties, because he's got his work cut out for him.

Finally, on Thursday, my little chick, my one and only, my beautiful girl Hannah turns 18. Again, the "Happy Birthday" soundtrack starts playing in my head alternating with "Sunrise, Sunset." Also, again, Wow! I checked into the hospital to have Hannah the night of the MLK holiday 1991. It seems like yesterday in many ways. Happy Birthday Hannah! You're the best thing that ever happened to me.

It Came Upon an Afternoon Clear.

Picture this, if you will. Saturday, December 13, Burbank, California. The girl and I are shopping. It has finally cooled off and the temperature has dropped below 60 degrees (with sincere apologies to my peeps in the upper prairies where it is currently 40 below). What does this mean? It means that I can actually consider throwing on something handknit. First I try on my Silk Rhapsody ruana. Looks like reindeer crap. Then I remember my Spanish Dancer Shawl. Seven skeins of Koigu goodness. I put it on before we left the house. It looked great. In fact, it was perfect--not too warm, a flattering color, cool ruffle. I felt like a real knitter, as in, heck yes, I wear handknits I've made. It was the first time I'd worn it. EVAH! Here is a photo of it in better days (notice: foreshadowing):


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After a wonderful feast with H. at P.F. Changs, I am in the restroom and I notice one hole, no two, no three, etc., you get the idea. A total of at least six holes and a broken edge on one of the sides of the shawl. What is this? Poorly executed spit splices? kittens? eco-terrorism? No, my friends, it is much worse. The M-word...MOTHS. Moths? I said, dumfounded, when my friend suggested it. In Southern California? noooooooooooooooooo! Somehow, I thought we were too dry or too cool for moths. Moths are for Easterners, I thought...people with Pendleton coats and Hudson Bay blankets and such. Now, I ask you, what to do? I'm not willing to just scrap this shawl, nor am I crazy about undoing that ruffle. I'll wait here for your answer.

In Case You've Got Too Few Projects in Your Queue

The new Knitty is up! The new Knitty is up!!

Another new (?) knitting site is Popknits

You probably already know about these two updates, but they bear repeating:
Twist Collective, Winter 2008. Just look at that fab coat called Sylvi! I just love it, especially for the daughter. Who cares if we live in southern California and there is this little thing called Global Warming going on? It's funny, though, on Ravelry, most of the people who have started this live in Scandinavia. hmmmmm, I wonder what this means.

Secondly the new issue of Knotions is also up now. So many things to make, so few hands....I'd like a few more, ala Kali.

I'm a literary nerd!

When all else fails, post a quiz. Actual knitting content coming soon! Go Bruins!

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd   Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, we've given thanks, spent time with family, eaten the turkey, had the nap. Nothing left now but to relax and knit.

For some of us, the relaxing started early!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Beware the Black Friday madness! I'd rather be knitting.

Kitten Update

What a difference 5 months makes! Here are the same ragdoll kittens, Ruby and Max, almost 5 months to the day of their last appearance here. Ruby is on the left, Max on the right. The Ragdoll breed is known for its large size, and Max especially is rising to the challenge. In the last photo, I think he weighed about 3.5 pounds. We haven't had him to the vet again to be weighed, but he's over 10 pounds, I'm sure. They are wonderfully funny, loving and kooky kittens and we're having the best time with them. And yes, their names are inspired by the Max and Ruby siblings from the Rosemary Wells books. If you have young children, I highly recommend them.

Si, se puede!

Yes We Can, Yes We Did!!!



The historical significance of today's election is overwhelming. Rather than attempt to say something appropriately pithy, I'll just savor this moment.