Durwood decided that he wanted to take a nap so I got to solo to AAA to consult about an alternate route home that avoids the bridge building snarl in Louisville. I was moderately successful, mostly because AAA doesn't track smaller roads and construction on them but got us routed around the Louisville mess. We'll have to get to the Indy construction where traffic is detoured for a few miles onto a state highway but we'll stay on that highway and join Highway 41 on the western edge of Indiana and make our way home from there. This way adds about half an hour which is more than satisfactory if it keeps us out of the Interstate Highway Construction parking lot system.
After AAA I programmed the GPS to take me to Magpie Yarns in downtown Lexington. There are two yarn shops here. DD works all week and she and I will go to knit night at her favorite yarn shop tonight but I wanted to visit the other one too--so I did. Magpie is in a tiny old house on a narrow one-way street. She's got the yarn arranged by color along the walls with a special sock yarn section at the entrance, a plant fibers area, and an area of superwash yarns. The impact of the rainbow of yarn is great when you walk in with laceweight all across the top, DK, then worsted, then bulky, then superbulky as you reach the bottom cubbies. She has one skein of each line of yarn she carries in the cubbies with additional skeins in the back so it's a bit difficult to see, for instance, what colors of Cascade 220 she has, but there are lots of nice samples all around, comfy couches to knit on, and a big table in the middle of the room where she displays the newest arrivals before they get shelved with their pals. I managed to nab a skein of Delicious Yarns Sweets Sport in the Black Cherry colorway. Then I trolled through her 40% off baskets. (we all know I'm a sucker for "% off" sales) There was that 100% baby alpaca I'd found at Spin in different colors so I made three of the Lava Red and three of the Khaki mine. I may be going back for more... It was my birthday two days ago, remember?
Because having two projects OTN isn't enough, I cast on a washcloth last night. A couple posts ago I exhorted the Bay Lakes Knitting Guild (BLKG) members to find a stitch they liked and make a washcloth out of it, oh, once a month. That way they'll build up a supply of washcloths to use or give away plus they'll learn a new stitch. I'm taking my own advice. The Yarn Harlot used Bee stitch in the layette she made for her latest nephew and linked back to making washcloths with the same stitch. I liked it, I'm making one, and in white just like she did. I started it after supper, got the garter border knitted and then started the stitch, adding knit stitches at the beginning and end of the rows so it'd look nice. I got a couple of the 4-row repeats done and decided I wasn't thrilled with the edges so I frogged it and started over. I got one repeat done before I turned out the light.
September 3--Skip Caplan, Starfish. Savannah snorkeled over the white sand shallows in the protected cove in front of the villa. She watched her shadow glide over the bottom, seeing the tiny fish and crabs dart away at her approach. The sun felt hot on her back. She was glad she'd asked Leo to rub sunscreen on her back before leaving for his deep sea fishing trip. He had been as excited as a kid, talking about the world-record marlin he hoped to catch. When she asked him if they were good to eat he had been horrified. "You don't eat marlin, you have them stuffed to hang over the mantle," he said. Not over my mantle, she thought but didn't say. Why send him off with an argument? The whole stuffed fish over the mantle discussion could wait until he'd caught one. If he caught one. She kicked a bit and glided over a seagrass bed. Tiny silver fish darted among the swaying blades and a bright red starfish with four arms and a stub crept along on its hundreds of tiny suction cup feet.
Man, I could be there right now feeling the silky salt water caress my skin as I move along, the hot sun on my back, hearing the whoosh of air through my snorkel. But we're getting ready to follow the driving tour map I got from Miss Frances, that should be fun too. Toodle-oo!
--Barbara
Last night DD & SIL1 took us to Hall's on the River for supper. It's about 30 minutes from Lexington up a narrow, twisty road out into the boonies. It reminded me of rural Wisconsin supper clubs, all wood paneling with handmade tables and chairs and at a crossroads where it's about the only thing around, but there weren't any stuffed things on the walls. Snappy Beer Cheese is their signature appetizer. It's good, comes on a plate with crackers, pretzels, carrots, celery, and radishes for scooping up the cheese. I especially like the radishes with the cheese on top, and the dip/spread comes in a shallow plastic tub with a lid so you can take home the leftovers. Beer cheese sounded real Wisconsin-y to me but the menu was anything but Wisconsin-y. I had spicy shrimp & grits with a puck of greens on top. It was out of this world delicious, even the greens and I'm not usually a cooked leaves fan. Durwood had crab cakes without the mustard and horseradish-laden remoulade sauce that he intelligently ordered on the side. DD had a Hot Brown, a singular Kentucky "sandwich" and SIL1 had a beer cheese burger with what I thought was a fillet of fish on top but turned out to be a battered and fried banana pepper. He also made Durwood's "too hot for him" remoulade sauce go away by dipping his fries in it. I tried it, it was very tasty.
After we'd ordered I took the camera out onto the deck to see the river. Well. It might be a river in Kentucky but it'd be a creek in Wisconsin. It was very low and looked like it was barely moving but I'm a big fan of rivers/creeks/streams that have carved their beds through rock so I liked it a lot no matter what they call it. It was a very peaceful spot for a meal and if it hadn't been so blamed hot and humid I'd have lobbied to eat outside.
We drove back sort of into the sunset and I managed to snap this one picture out the backseat window of the van when the twisty road gave me a sort of side view of the setting sun. If the road had been wider or if there had been any kind of shoulder I'd have made DD pull over so I could take a proper picture but this was a country road, paved was its major attribute.
I knitted the first repeat of the Virgo Hat, even managed to drop down six stitches, one at a time, to fix a major boo-boo close to the ribbing. Two more repeats to go before decreasing for the crown. This is a nice, easy pattern. I like it.
September 2--Peter Armenia, Birch Tree. Jan kicked a small box when she stepped out the front door to get the mail. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. "To Janet" was printed in marker on the top. No one called her Janet. Her mom had but she'd been gone for years. Jan turned the box over to see if there was anything else written on it but there wasn't. There wasn't even a postmark so it hadn't been delivered by the mailman. She looked up and down the street. No one was in sight and the only car was Mr. Anderson's ancient Buick baking to a uniform ashen green in the sun. She hesitated to take the six-inch cube of a box inside the house. She didn't know why. The package was too light to be a bomb. In fact, it felt so light she thought it might be empty.
Today we seek out a AAA office to plot a route home that avoids the snarl that is road construction in Louisville. Big plans but then it is our vacation. We're vacating like crazy, naps and knitting and family time and eating. What could be better?
--Barbara
I am confident that I'll have that old Beatles song running through my head all day--"will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" No big birthday plans, just supper at a nice restaurant with DD and SIL1. I'm sure I'll knit some, maybe Durwood and I will cruise through Meijer since they're building one a couple miles from our house, kind of get a preview. That's it.
We braved downtown Lexington's traffic and picked up a driving tour map since they don't have those handy CDs anymore. Drat. Naturally the ones we left with the kids here got shuffled off somewhere in the move. They'll turn up one of these days, I'm sure, but for now we'll have to make do with a paper map. How retro! It was an unpleasant surprise to discover that there was roadwork smack dab in front of the Visitor Center but I went around a few blocks (a few times) to find my way back to the place, parked the van in a loading zone (what? I turned on the flashers and, besides, who'd ticket a van with disabled plates and the disabled guy in it?), dashed in to get the map from Miss Frances whom I'd spoken with on the phone, and dashed back out before the long arm of the law could scoop Durwood up.
Hmm, Miss Frances... I remember when I was little and TV was new I watched Miss Frances and Ding Dong School, and look what I found on YouTube. It's Miss Frances making a peanut butter, banana, and lettuce sandwich on white bread. Um, no, thank you, but I love watching the innocent, homey little clip from the show. Do you think Miss Frances could get a job on TV today, boys and girls? Not on your nelly.
I took Durwood to Trader Joe's yesterday on our way home from the Visitor Center. He had a blast scooting up and down every aisle. We brought a few things back with us, including a shopping bag. Cool, huh? It would have been impolite not to buy anything, right?
I managed to knit a couple rounds on the Virgo Hat yesterday. See the markers? That means I started the pattern repeats. Maybe I'll get more done today.
Didn't write last night. I spent the evening crafting with DD and SIL1 figuring out centerpieces for a friend's wedding reception. It was fun. I was bushed when I got back to the room, turned out the light and zonked off.
--Barbara
As promised, here is a roll call of the Lexington contingent of grand-pets. First is the venerable North Dog, part Border Collie so he's diligent about herding all his "sheep" into one room. He's eight years old and has been SIL1's pal for all of them. Next is George, DD's boon companion since she found her as a tiny kitten in the vestibule of her first apartment here (named for the Bugs Bunny movie cartoon character who was hugging the stuffing out of Bugs saying, "I will love him and squeeze him and call him George"). George laid claim to Durwood's lap, even curling up with him for his after-dinner snooze. Then came Sully, a Chow Corgi mix who had a hard early life and is very very very much a fraid-y dog but is so sweet and so soft. Durwood is determined to lure him out for a pat before we leave. Next is Rummi who reached out of a cage and caught SIL1's shirt; I think her name comes from a favorite family card game. Finally there's Orange (is the new Black cat), a timid black kitten they call "Adventure Cat" because she is into everything, so much so that DD put a bell on her collar so they can find her among the boxes. Both dogs are boys, all the cats are girls. It seems like a happy furry household--with tumbleweeds of pet hair and lots of vacuuming.
We celebrated my birthday yesterday because it's really tomorrow and DD & SIL1 have to work all day, so we sort of co-opted Mom's birthday since she wasn't using it. We give them our Smokey Joe Weber grill, some charcoal, fire starters, and a lighter for a housewarming gift (yes, I scrubbed it clean first) so they inaugurated it making shish-kabobs for our dinner which were absolutely delicious and perfectly marinated. There were fresh tomatoes with olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzle for salad, boiled baby reds, and Sunny Hill Farms corn imported from home. And chocolate cake! With Fun-fetti sprinkles! And candles to blow out! Which I did in one breath but, to be frank, there weren't 64 candles or I'd never have made it. We were having so much fun that I neglected to take pictures of the food but DD sent a couple pieces of cake home with us so you can at least see that.
There were presents too--a belated hand-crocheted potholder for Durwood since he lit one of the previous ones DD made for him on fire (it was an accident and it still works, it's just a little singed) and a coffee mug for me with an outline of Wisconsin with a tiny heart where Green Bay is and then a squiggley dotted line around the mug to an outline of Kentucky with a tiny heart where Lexington is. I don't need to tell you that I cried, right?
Do not despair, there IS knitting. I finished Sudoku Maize #7 after supper and instead of casting on #8, I started the Fringe Association Hat-Along #1. It's the Audrey hat and I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool (wool & silk yarn with a little nylon for strength, it's yummy) in the Rusty Brown colorway. I'm calling it Virgo Hat because I started it on what would have been Mom's 87th birthday. But I will cast on the next Sudoku square soon, I promise. I will not be letting it languish for another seven years, I want to have it done by the end of the year. (a goal but not an unreasonable one)
August 31--R. Perron, Mexico Gulf of CA Tiburon Spits. Gabe and Frannie rolled off the side of the dive boat and into the warm ocean. As soon as the flurry of silver bubbles cleared Frannie looked for Gabe. Her hands were busy checking her buckles, making sure her gauges were secure, and settling her mask on her face. She ran her hand over and up across her forehead to make sure no hair was under her mask to make it leak. Gabe was usually right beside her but this time he wasn't there. She looked all around and down on the reef. No Gabe. Finally she thought to look up and saw his distinctive fins--one blue and one yellow--at the stern of the dive boat. She figured he must have broken a strap and was getting help from the boat guy. She adjusted her buoyancy and had started down to join the group when a dark gray shadow fell over her, blotting out the strong Caribbean sun.
Do you realize that today's the last day of August? Already? But we're on vacation this week so there are absolutely no chores in my future, Durwood's down for his morning nap, and I'm going to go knit. I might even shower today. Relaxation, ah.
--Barbara
Did you see the full moon last night? It was a beauty, big and round and orange as it rose above the horizon. I looked it up on the Old Farmer's Almanac website to find its name and it's the Full Sturgeon Moon, named by the Great Lakes fishing tribes because supposedly sturgeon are easier to catch in August. I suspect that most fishermen would dispute that assumption.
While we sat in DD's new kitchen visiting with her and SIL1, Durwood petted any animals that wandered by, especially North Dog who is part Border Collie and only happy when all his "sheep" are in the same room. He was quite busy and distressed when DD took Durwood on his tour of the house; North kept trying to herd them back into the kitchen where the rest of us were. Their other dog, Sully, is a very shy rescue dog who is part Chow and part Corgi (they're sure about the Chow part and assume the Corgi part due to his short legs and stocky body). Sully didn't seek out petting but I did get to pet him a tiny bit and his fur is so soft and a gorgeous red color. I'll see if I can get a picture of all of the grand-pets here.
I got almost halfway on Sudoku Maize #7 while we visited. DD made me realize last night that I need to weave in all of the blocks' tails since I won't be using the block colors to join them. Cotton and acrylic yarn doesn't hold onto its tails like wool does so the weaving in is very important. You can't skimp on it. Goodie.
August 30--Light Image Inc., Homage to Eliot Porter No. 2 The stones beneath Willa's feet were worn round and they liked to roll when stepped on like out-of-whack ball bearings. The lake was low this year because last winter had been nearly without snow and it was the night of the full moon which pulled more water still. Fallen maple leaves the color of flames stuck to the damp stone reminding her that autumn's days were fleeting this far north, winter would be upon them soon
Today would have been Mom's 87th birthday. Happy birthday, Mom, I miss you.
Love, Barbara Sue
We drove off Thursday after work into the sunset, well, alongside the sunset, to Kenosha. And then yesterday drove all-l-l-l-l-l the way to Lexington to visit DD and SIL1.
I drove us from Kenosha around Chicago and into Indiana where I turned the wheel over to Durwood and he got us the rest of the way. (turns out I had a better deal, my part had way better traffic) Round about Lafayette, IN there's a long swath of windmills. I know people hate them but I like seeing them. They look small from the highway but they're enormous. We stopped in Indy for lunch at a Steak 'n Shake (not bad burgers, didn't try the shakes). Traffic sucked for a while south of Indy where they're playing with the road but it REALLY sucked in Louisville where they funneled four lanes into two when we were crossing the Ohio River and then had to immediately take an exit. Yikes.
Today we got to see DD and SIL1's new house, still full of boxes from their very recent move, and Durwood got to pet as many cats and dogs as would hold still. Here he's holding George, a very dog-like cat. We love their house. It's in a nice neighborhood and I've never seen a bathtub like the one in the master bath. It's like a small swimming pool.
I like when Durwood drives because then I get to knit. I finished Sudoku Lake #8 and #9 so it's on to Sudoku Maize #7, which I already started. I'll knit three Maize, three Almond, four Stone--and then it's the slog of eight Berry, eight Snow, and eight Violet. Good thing these are just 5" squares. I planned something right all those years ago. Then I'll crochet them into the correct arrangement with Charcoal, knit the Charcoal dividing strips, sew the whole thing together, and figure out an edging. Maybe by then I'll be so tired of it I'll crochet a couple rounds and call it done. I'm chugging away at it; it's (almost) all I brought to do this week.
No writing last night, I was too tired to shove the pencil over the paper. Time for more visiting.
--Barbara
This morning the air changed. I swear it did. Or maybe it was the light but something shifted overnight and now it's not really summer anymore. The sun was barely up when I opened the curtains this morning with pale, creamy yellow on the horizon and the birds were doing acrobatics. I wasn't fast enough to snap a picture of an oriole perched for a second on the hanging sculpture out the patio doors, the hummingbird made a flash visit to the feeder, and even the bluejays were extra raucous and extra fast, although one did display its peanut from the top of a crook and then swoop down for a drink so I got his picture. (I think all bluejays are males because they're so brash. Stereotyping, I know, but I call 'em as I see 'em.) The only calm and deliberate bird was the downy woodpecker hanging on the suet feeder, holding nice and still so I could snap its picture. Good birdie.
I finished the Dobby Hat(s) at work yesterday. I even made the pompom, but I only tied it on with a bow because I am going to have to do a little felting of the hat because it turned out ginormous. I should have followed my math at the beginning and not been swayed by how small the ribbing looked when I started. Oh well, I love the way it looks and if I have to thread elastic cord through the ribbing to keep it in place I'll wear it because I love it. It's like one of your kids; you love them even if they're a little goofy looking. I've had a rash of too-big hats lately so I should probably cast on another hat in a simpler pattern to get my hat mojo (if I ever really had any) back.
Sudoku Lake #8 is over halfway done so that means after one more blue square I get to shift to Maize (gold) to make 3, then Almond (pale yellow) for 3, then Stone (pale gray) for 3, before tackling Violet, Berry, and Snow to make 8 of each. I can do this. But I discovered just last night that Lion Brand discontinued Cotton Ease last month so I think I'll stop at Michael's on my way to work to see if they've got a skein of the Berry (pink). That's the only one I'm iffy on having enough of. Wouldn't it be a kick in the slats if I get almost to the end and am one pink square short? Someone on Ravelry's bound to have even a partial skein they'll consent to sell me if I get desperate.
August 27--Walter Bibikow, Aspen Trees. The thin trunks of the leafless aspens grew so close together that every step was more of a stumble and they lined up so Therese felt like she was walking through walls. The knee-high grass was a bright yellow gold that made a sharp contrast with the dark green pine trees edging the clearing. A pair of crows leapfrogged ahead of her in the treetops, cawing as if taunting the snow out of the thick and tumbling clouds overhead. She shrugged her backpack more comfortably on her shoulders and kept moving. She could see the smoke from Micah's cabin rising above the trees on the downslope ahead. A smile played on her lips and her breath was visible in the still air when she said, "Downhill, yeah."
Time to shower and do all that worky stuff. Enjoy your day.
--Barbar
After AAA I programmed the GPS to take me to Magpie Yarns in downtown Lexington. There are two yarn shops here. DD works all week and she and I will go to knit night at her favorite yarn shop tonight but I wanted to visit the other one too--so I did. Magpie is in a tiny old house on a narrow one-way street. She's got the yarn arranged by color along the walls with a special sock yarn section at the entrance, a plant fibers area, and an area of superwash yarns. The impact of the rainbow of yarn is great when you walk in with laceweight all across the top, DK, then worsted, then bulky, then superbulky as you reach the bottom cubbies. She has one skein of each line of yarn she carries in the cubbies with additional skeins in the back so it's a bit difficult to see, for instance, what colors of Cascade 220 she has, but there are lots of nice samples all around, comfy couches to knit on, and a big table in the middle of the room where she displays the newest arrivals before they get shelved with their pals. I managed to nab a skein of Delicious Yarns Sweets Sport in the Black Cherry colorway. Then I trolled through her 40% off baskets. (we all know I'm a sucker for "% off" sales) There was that 100% baby alpaca I'd found at Spin in different colors so I made three of the Lava Red and three of the Khaki mine. I may be going back for more... It was my birthday two days ago, remember?
Because having two projects OTN isn't enough, I cast on a washcloth last night. A couple posts ago I exhorted the Bay Lakes Knitting Guild (BLKG) members to find a stitch they liked and make a washcloth out of it, oh, once a month. That way they'll build up a supply of washcloths to use or give away plus they'll learn a new stitch. I'm taking my own advice. The Yarn Harlot used Bee stitch in the layette she made for her latest nephew and linked back to making washcloths with the same stitch. I liked it, I'm making one, and in white just like she did. I started it after supper, got the garter border knitted and then started the stitch, adding knit stitches at the beginning and end of the rows so it'd look nice. I got a couple of the 4-row repeats done and decided I wasn't thrilled with the edges so I frogged it and started over. I got one repeat done before I turned out the light.
