Some days, I feel like I've nothing to say when I update my journal, but I actually did manage to do quite a bit last week.
1) I've started helping to teach an Irish dance class, focusing on the ceili dancing. It was my first dance form, but I haven't had to break it down to teach before. I'm slowly discovering the vocabulary I need.
2) I posted a poem on my Facebook page every single day for National Poetry Month. Some have personal resonance for me, some don't. I have enjoyed them all.
3) I drank a deliciously chilled retsina; a mojito; and many, many hard ciders, one of which was a locally brewed raspberry. This week I may rest my liver a bit.
4) I cooked several palatable meals for vegan houseguests. Vegetarian is easy. Vegan is much, much harder.
5) I napped, probably an average of two a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. I'm starting to think my current insomnia jag is age-related. We'll see. I'm feeling surprisingly functional and sane for so little sleep, which is odd for me.
6) I met a friend to walk our dogs in the park. I need to do that much more often than I do.
7) The dog and I finished up our final tricks class with a private lesson from the trainer. After a month, I came away with 3 or 4 new tricks to work on and a renewed love of working with my boy.
8) I'm not saying. A girl gets to have a few secrets here and there.
9) I took apart and cleaned a 1910s banjo.
10) I was a rock star.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Waterloo Bridge
A very winding yarn follows.
A few months ago on my way back from a gig in Tennessee, LB and I stopped in Paducah, KY where I found this great billikin charm.
Not being from St. Louis, the woman in the antique store didn't recognize it for what it was, so I scored it for only $8. It's likely carved in Alaska from walrus ivory and has a gold nugget embedded in its belly. I was just thrilled to find it and posted this photo to Facebook.
There, someone I had never even met told me that a similar billikin charm is a recurring symbol in the film Waterloo Bridge. Wanting to check it out, I went to Netflix and ordered Waterloo Bridge. Oops, there are two versions of Waterloo Bridge, and I had accidentally requested the 1930s version, out of a collection of pre-code films. Fortunately, I'd never complain about watching a pre-code film. They're saucy! And this one even had knitting.
The heroine, a former chorus girl who now ekes out a living as a prostitute, meets a WWI soldier and resolves to change her wicked ways. To show her attempts at reform, she takes up knitting.
You can tell by her knitting technique, especially by the way she's squinting past her fag, that she's not likely to succeed. She had spoken of learning to knit socks, but she's actually working on a balaclava, a relatively sensible first project.
She knows the relationship has no future, but he badgers her into travelling to his family's estate for the weekend. Of course, he has a family estate. Of course.
His mother knits as well, and it's fun to watch the relationship between the two women. They're surprisingly frank with one another. The heroine realizes she will never really fit in to this world and flees back to her squalid little flat where she immediately snaps her yarn, rips out the needles, and unravels her project.
I won't spoil the rest, and besides, that's the end of all the knitting.
As for me, here's a teaser for a project I'm currently working on:
They're for my mother, so no spoilers please.
A few months ago on my way back from a gig in Tennessee, LB and I stopped in Paducah, KY where I found this great billikin charm.
Not being from St. Louis, the woman in the antique store didn't recognize it for what it was, so I scored it for only $8. It's likely carved in Alaska from walrus ivory and has a gold nugget embedded in its belly. I was just thrilled to find it and posted this photo to Facebook.
There, someone I had never even met told me that a similar billikin charm is a recurring symbol in the film Waterloo Bridge. Wanting to check it out, I went to Netflix and ordered Waterloo Bridge. Oops, there are two versions of Waterloo Bridge, and I had accidentally requested the 1930s version, out of a collection of pre-code films. Fortunately, I'd never complain about watching a pre-code film. They're saucy! And this one even had knitting.
The heroine, a former chorus girl who now ekes out a living as a prostitute, meets a WWI soldier and resolves to change her wicked ways. To show her attempts at reform, she takes up knitting.
You can tell by her knitting technique, especially by the way she's squinting past her fag, that she's not likely to succeed. She had spoken of learning to knit socks, but she's actually working on a balaclava, a relatively sensible first project.
She knows the relationship has no future, but he badgers her into travelling to his family's estate for the weekend. Of course, he has a family estate. Of course.
His mother knits as well, and it's fun to watch the relationship between the two women. They're surprisingly frank with one another. The heroine realizes she will never really fit in to this world and flees back to her squalid little flat where she immediately snaps her yarn, rips out the needles, and unravels her project.
I won't spoil the rest, and besides, that's the end of all the knitting.
As for me, here's a teaser for a project I'm currently working on:
They're for my mother, so no spoilers please.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Hot Springs
Last month I was down in Hot Springs for a couple of rock star gigs. While the band was rehearsing, I explored the town. LB swears we spent a few hours there on our honeymoon, but I have no recollection of ever being there before. It was a lovely honeymoon, but there's no way I was that starry-eyed as to forget the awesomeness that is Hot Springs.
Anyhoo, with the assistance of the internet, I managed to score six pressed pennies, but totally without the use of the internet, I managed to find a relatively new yarn store, Knittin' on the Corner. I'm amazed I even stumbled across it because it's not on a corner; it's tucked up on the back of the second floor of a little shopping complex.
It was a lovely, airy shop, with heavy stock in Feza, Plymouth, and Tahki.
After looking and looking, I came up with this wildly exciting skein of brown yarn.
I actually am excited about it as I had been looking for a worsted weight in a natural sheep color for a thrummed cap.
Also while there I checked out a Civil War exhibit and spotted this beautiful dolly.
Family history says she came from France to Memphis in 1850. Later, the owner gave the doll to her niece in Pine Bluff, Ar. Check out the wee knitted hose.
The weekend gave me the chance to do my thing is this gorgeous ballroom. Here's hoping I get to go back next year.
Anyhoo, with the assistance of the internet, I managed to score six pressed pennies, but totally without the use of the internet, I managed to find a relatively new yarn store, Knittin' on the Corner. I'm amazed I even stumbled across it because it's not on a corner; it's tucked up on the back of the second floor of a little shopping complex.
It was a lovely, airy shop, with heavy stock in Feza, Plymouth, and Tahki.
After looking and looking, I came up with this wildly exciting skein of brown yarn.
I actually am excited about it as I had been looking for a worsted weight in a natural sheep color for a thrummed cap.
Also while there I checked out a Civil War exhibit and spotted this beautiful dolly.
Family history says she came from France to Memphis in 1850. Later, the owner gave the doll to her niece in Pine Bluff, Ar. Check out the wee knitted hose.
The weekend gave me the chance to do my thing is this gorgeous ballroom. Here's hoping I get to go back next year.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Old Times (part 3 of 3)
On my way back from New Madrid, I stopped at one of my favorite places. I stop there to stretch my legs nearly every time I drive by, even though it adds nearly thirty minutes to my trip.
It's a concrete yard, but also a sort of petting zoo. When you park, pearl guineas come running up to see if you have any treats.
There are your fairly typical petting zoo birds,
but also more exotic ones.
Likewise, there are a variety of typical petting zoo animals
but also more exotic ones.
The first time we stopped, Miss C here tried to drink LB's coffee. You can see how close the highway is behind her.
From either direction, take the Fruitland exit and go about 1 mile north on the outer road. Even if the store is closed, you can still stretch and visit the critters.
This time, there was a surprise:
a litter of Great Pyrenees puppies.
I have to say, from the re-enactment to the the journey home, this was one of my favorite trips of 2012,
It's a concrete yard, but also a sort of petting zoo. When you park, pearl guineas come running up to see if you have any treats.
There are your fairly typical petting zoo birds,
but also more exotic ones.
Likewise, there are a variety of typical petting zoo animals
but also more exotic ones.
The first time we stopped, Miss C here tried to drink LB's coffee. You can see how close the highway is behind her.
From either direction, take the Fruitland exit and go about 1 mile north on the outer road. Even if the store is closed, you can still stretch and visit the critters.
This time, there was a surprise:
a litter of Great Pyrenees puppies.
I have to say, from the re-enactment to the the journey home, this was one of my favorite trips of 2012,
Old Times (part 2 of 3)
After the event, we toured the Hunter-Dawson home and I photographed a few gems, including this blue glass darning egg (prob. 20th century, but still lovely)
There was a beautiful silk embroidered doily (likely also from the early 20th century)
This 1840s portrait of the owner and her son shows one of my favorite accessories: a coral necklace.
Upstairs were some exquisite little baby things (perhaps from a variety of mid- to late-19th century dates)
Just look at the details on this tiny coat
One room had some mourning items, including this necklace
and this watch fob
The tiny little man got a chance to display himself as a font of knowledge and I got to see a a few of the garments he had made for the display. He has a coarse hand and has fortunately given up sewing.
... more to come ...
There was a beautiful silk embroidered doily (likely also from the early 20th century)
This 1840s portrait of the owner and her son shows one of my favorite accessories: a coral necklace.
Upstairs were some exquisite little baby things (perhaps from a variety of mid- to late-19th century dates)
Just look at the details on this tiny coat
One room had some mourning items, including this necklace
and this watch fob
The tiny little man got a chance to display himself as a font of knowledge and I got to see a a few of the garments he had made for the display. He has a coarse hand and has fortunately given up sewing.
... more to come ...
Old Times (part 1 of 3)
One of my first events this spring took place down in New Madrid, and I am finally getting around to posting the pix.
LB and I had gone to this event a few years ago and were bored out of our skulls. The organizer, a lovely gent, had planned all these "scenarios," but they were geared towards the military. We spent most of the day hungry and with absolutely nothing to do, except for 10 minutes here and there where we had the pleasure of being accused of spying. All this fun and a five-hour drive too.
This time, I knew what to expect, so I left LB home, took a pile of mending to work on, and made up my mind to create my own good time. Of course, after I got all the way down there, I discovered one of my least favorite reenactors was in attendance: a tedious little man overly fond of complicated scenarios, whom I try to avoid when I can. Still, my resolution stuck, and part of my enjoyment of the event involved spreading period-appropriate rumors about the little man, trying to get him in trouble with the officers.
I had my own projects to work on, but I let it be known ahead of time that, in exchange for shelter from the army, I would be willing to darn socks, an activity I genuinely love to do.
Some were in worse shape than others, but I did the best I could. The one below sparked a discussion about variegated yarns (which this isn't). To match the thickness of the yarn in these socks and mend the toe, I had to hold 3 strands of thinner yarn together. I did what I could with the colors already in my workbasket. I have seen original yarn that was plied together using 2 different yarns (not exactly the same as this), and I'm okay with this kind of fix.
Taking in darning would help explain my presence around the occupying troops and would still allow me to sit and work on the porch of a beautiful antebellum home. It also meant that a local pup, who had been spooked by the thunderstorm the night before and gotten lost, spent the day with me before her owner came and fetched her.
The mornings were very chilly, so I moved from the side porch to the front, chasing the sun as the day went on. I kept my hands warm by drinking some tea out of one of my favorite possessions: a handle-less teacup.
I thought I would amuse myself by seeing if I could read my tea leaves, and look what I got!
The event had a small sutlery, and I sold a few knitted things, which basically paid for my gas and let me buy a few things of my own. I ate the whole box of worm pills in one day and didn't notice any ill effects (they were Good & Plentys, which I love).
...more to come...
LB and I had gone to this event a few years ago and were bored out of our skulls. The organizer, a lovely gent, had planned all these "scenarios," but they were geared towards the military. We spent most of the day hungry and with absolutely nothing to do, except for 10 minutes here and there where we had the pleasure of being accused of spying. All this fun and a five-hour drive too.
This time, I knew what to expect, so I left LB home, took a pile of mending to work on, and made up my mind to create my own good time. Of course, after I got all the way down there, I discovered one of my least favorite reenactors was in attendance: a tedious little man overly fond of complicated scenarios, whom I try to avoid when I can. Still, my resolution stuck, and part of my enjoyment of the event involved spreading period-appropriate rumors about the little man, trying to get him in trouble with the officers.
I had my own projects to work on, but I let it be known ahead of time that, in exchange for shelter from the army, I would be willing to darn socks, an activity I genuinely love to do.
Some were in worse shape than others, but I did the best I could. The one below sparked a discussion about variegated yarns (which this isn't). To match the thickness of the yarn in these socks and mend the toe, I had to hold 3 strands of thinner yarn together. I did what I could with the colors already in my workbasket. I have seen original yarn that was plied together using 2 different yarns (not exactly the same as this), and I'm okay with this kind of fix.
Taking in darning would help explain my presence around the occupying troops and would still allow me to sit and work on the porch of a beautiful antebellum home. It also meant that a local pup, who had been spooked by the thunderstorm the night before and gotten lost, spent the day with me before her owner came and fetched her.
The mornings were very chilly, so I moved from the side porch to the front, chasing the sun as the day went on. I kept my hands warm by drinking some tea out of one of my favorite possessions: a handle-less teacup.
I thought I would amuse myself by seeing if I could read my tea leaves, and look what I got!
The event had a small sutlery, and I sold a few knitted things, which basically paid for my gas and let me buy a few things of my own. I ate the whole box of worm pills in one day and didn't notice any ill effects (they were Good & Plentys, which I love).
...more to come...
Monday, July 02, 2012
Scenes from a Rock-Star Weekend
Having managed to score exactly 5 1/2 hours of temp work this summer, I am essentially making a living as a rock star. The last time we did this, I finally had to turn to a food pantry and only got through it because I was hired to be a rock star on a reality show. We're okay so far, just barely, and the few lucrative gigs I've got fall just before the mortgage is due at least.
This weekend, minus gas, I probably made about $10. At least I got these photos.
This weekend, minus gas, I probably made about $10. At least I got these photos.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Ranty Pants
Because I have been living a particularly insular life of late, I haven't been able to vent much. Whining is bad, but the occasional vent is good. Releases pressure and all that.
Trouble is, much of my internet life is observed ... by my parents, now both of them; by co-workers or even supervisors; by potential clients, etc. I've had to hold back on quite of bit of venting.
The pressure having built to a critical mass, however, I'm going to allow myself one tiny rant.
At one of my rock star gigs this weekend, people kept coming up to me to tell me about oncoming storms. I was at a reenactment, where there were tents and horses and such, but our part of it was indoors and the people with horses always have someone on picket duty. It had rained heavily earlier in the day, and at that moment we could also all see the gathering clouds out the window.
Here's a typical conversation:
Guy comes up to me at the microphone between tunes (never a great time) and holds his iPhone up for me to see.
Me, noticing it's not on: It's black.
Him, thinking he's actually showing me something: Yes, I know, scary isn't it.
Me: No, your phone is black.
Him: Yep, that's quite the storm coming.
Me: Yes, I can see the clouds.
Him: Oh, my iPhone is off. Hold on. [fiddles with iPhone]
Me, in my head: [Dude, I'm trying to run a dance here. What do you want me to do about it?]
Him: Here you go! [shows me the radar on his phone, which confirms what we can all see out the window]
Me, just to get rid of him and get back to my job: Thanks, I'll make an announcement.
I tell the dancers that a storm is coming and that they may want to tend to their tents. A few people glance at the window, but no one leaves. Not five minutes later, another guy (why is it always a guy?) comes up to tell me a storm is coming with quarter-size hail.
Really? Because I just announced a storm. A storm we could all see out the window. Clearly, because you didn't hear me announce it, another announcement probably won't alert anyone, let alone prevent the storm. What else do you want me to do?
The hail, btw, never materialized.
Trouble is, much of my internet life is observed ... by my parents, now both of them; by co-workers or even supervisors; by potential clients, etc. I've had to hold back on quite of bit of venting.
The pressure having built to a critical mass, however, I'm going to allow myself one tiny rant.
At one of my rock star gigs this weekend, people kept coming up to me to tell me about oncoming storms. I was at a reenactment, where there were tents and horses and such, but our part of it was indoors and the people with horses always have someone on picket duty. It had rained heavily earlier in the day, and at that moment we could also all see the gathering clouds out the window.
Here's a typical conversation:
Guy comes up to me at the microphone between tunes (never a great time) and holds his iPhone up for me to see.
Me, noticing it's not on: It's black.
Him, thinking he's actually showing me something: Yes, I know, scary isn't it.
Me: No, your phone is black.
Him: Yep, that's quite the storm coming.
Me: Yes, I can see the clouds.
Him: Oh, my iPhone is off. Hold on. [fiddles with iPhone]
Me, in my head: [Dude, I'm trying to run a dance here. What do you want me to do about it?]
Him: Here you go! [shows me the radar on his phone, which confirms what we can all see out the window]
Me, just to get rid of him and get back to my job: Thanks, I'll make an announcement.
I tell the dancers that a storm is coming and that they may want to tend to their tents. A few people glance at the window, but no one leaves. Not five minutes later, another guy (why is it always a guy?) comes up to tell me a storm is coming with quarter-size hail.
Really? Because I just announced a storm. A storm we could all see out the window. Clearly, because you didn't hear me announce it, another announcement probably won't alert anyone, let alone prevent the storm. What else do you want me to do?
The hail, btw, never materialized.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Foofy Scarves
Whoa Nelly! I step away from blogger for a few weeks, and they did a massive formatting change in my absence. This may take a bit of getting used to.*
No.
Our visit was a bit poignant as my aunt has entered hospice, so I didn't really want "souvenir" yarn. Instead, I picked up a two balls of novelty yarn and knitted two quick scarves, one for my aunt and one for her aide. We hemmed and hawed over colors, but LB was the one who noticed and remembered that the aide wore bright pink nail polish. He was even able to describe two of her outfits in their entirety.
In the shop, he also spotted a pattern for Zuzu's Petals that really struck his eye. The cowl calls for a distinctive, fairly obscure worsted weight yarn with three long bands of color. Sigh. He's right; it is just lovely and I will probably have to order some.
______________________
*One of mymany pedantic pet peeves is what I call The Floating This. Generally, try to stick a noun after "this": This upgrade, this change, this new format, etc. The preposition at the end of the above sentence, however, bothers me not one whit.
We've just returned from four days in Florida where I had a chance to stop by a yarn store on Sanibel Island. We love the island as a whole, and LB picked up a few books on the early history of the island while we were there. It's funny to see that most of their historic homes date from 1910 or so, when the government finally got the mosquitoes somewhat under control.
The only other time I'd visited Sanibel, I went to a different craft store, which is apparently quite popular. Every single person who heard me mention buying yarn on Sanibel assumed I went to Three Crafty Ladies.
No.
We checked out Geez Leweez.
The shop was lovely with very nice customer service. The aisles were just wide enough to fit my aunt's wheelchair (although we did have trouble with the gravel parking lot). The staff welcomed us, but left me alone enough to shop.
In the shop, he also spotted a pattern for Zuzu's Petals that really struck his eye. The cowl calls for a distinctive, fairly obscure worsted weight yarn with three long bands of color. Sigh. He's right; it is just lovely and I will probably have to order some.
______________________
*One of my
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Cheshire Cat Swap -- Incoming
When I signed up for a new Alice in Wonderland swap group, I was kind of nervous. Frankly, they're pretty bad about posting photos and thank yous, and it didn't look like they were sticklers for deadlines.
It turned out just fine though--I got a great partner, new to the group also: lovely degree of chattiness, easy to spoil, and she did a great job spoiling me too. Here's what I got:
I need to remember to decorate my boxes more often; it's such a nice touch.
I cannot believe how much she fit inside. The box was practically bursting.
Many of the items were labelled with Alice-inspired tags.
My spoiler said she was inspired by Alice’s journey through the woods where she encountered the Cheshire cat, which metaphorically spoke to the two of us--we both live on the Mississippi River but many hundreds of miles apart--and included a ton of travel brochures and postcards.
There were lots of woodland-inspired and whimsical goodies. Steu's teacher's little boy is very sick right now, so I might send some of these in a care package for him.
My spoiler included purse findings as well as Alice-themed lotion and perfume. I don't usually use lotions, but I've put this one next to my chair and have been slathering it on. Love it.
It took me a few days to realize that what I thought were charms were stitch markers. My spoiler worked in a bead store for many years, so her hand-eye coordination to make the tiny little beaded bonus charms blows my mind.
She enclosed an Alice book and a beautiful print on handmade paper to add to my Alice ephemera collection.
The yarn was just gorgeous! A skein of Malabrigo worsted and an exquisite, luminous light blue handspun. I can’t wait to knit with it. I like how they go together, but they're different weights, I think.
Finally, there was just the most amazing shawl, Skewed. It’s in one of my favorite colors, heathered lilac. I didn’t even have to change clothes to model it. I love its asymmetry and the alpaca is lusciously soft.
Didn't she do an amazing job? I am so impressed with how well she considered the theme. I feel well and truly spoiled.
It turned out just fine though--I got a great partner, new to the group also: lovely degree of chattiness, easy to spoil, and she did a great job spoiling me too. Here's what I got:
I need to remember to decorate my boxes more often; it's such a nice touch.
I cannot believe how much she fit inside. The box was practically bursting.
Many of the items were labelled with Alice-inspired tags.
My spoiler said she was inspired by Alice’s journey through the woods where she encountered the Cheshire cat, which metaphorically spoke to the two of us--we both live on the Mississippi River but many hundreds of miles apart--and included a ton of travel brochures and postcards.
There were lots of woodland-inspired and whimsical goodies. Steu's teacher's little boy is very sick right now, so I might send some of these in a care package for him.
My spoiler included purse findings as well as Alice-themed lotion and perfume. I don't usually use lotions, but I've put this one next to my chair and have been slathering it on. Love it.
It took me a few days to realize that what I thought were charms were stitch markers. My spoiler worked in a bead store for many years, so her hand-eye coordination to make the tiny little beaded bonus charms blows my mind.
She enclosed an Alice book and a beautiful print on handmade paper to add to my Alice ephemera collection.
The yarn was just gorgeous! A skein of Malabrigo worsted and an exquisite, luminous light blue handspun. I can’t wait to knit with it. I like how they go together, but they're different weights, I think.
Finally, there was just the most amazing shawl, Skewed. It’s in one of my favorite colors, heathered lilac. I didn’t even have to change clothes to model it. I love its asymmetry and the alpaca is lusciously soft.
Didn't she do an amazing job? I am so impressed with how well she considered the theme. I feel well and truly spoiled.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
