Huh?

For several years now I've had trouble hearing. I have tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Twenty years ago I was told there wasn't much to be done about it. The ringing would always be there. Now, in the age of digital hearing devices, hearing help can be had for enough money.

While Googling around the web, I found Hearing Planet. I got in touch with them and Gina, from somewhere in Tennessee put me in touch with Jim at Alliance Hearing in Roseville. (I want this to be a surprise, so don't tell David. I feel safe putting this in my blog because I'm pretty sure he rarely reads it. If he does, oh well.)

For just about what I paid for my 1996 Saturn a couple years ago, I'm GOING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR AGAIN!!! No more asking people to take their hands away from their faces. No more asking them to turn around and look at me so I can see their mouths move. No more TV AT FULL VOLUME. (Was that too loud?)

I put one in my ear (no battery) just to feel it. I will have to be careful to remember they're there so I don't go swimming with them. Bad idea to get them wet. But, for the first year or two (can't remember which), they are covered for water damage: shower, rain, whatever. It comes in colors but I think dull, boring, skin color would be best.

Jim said I could probably get them in by next Tuesday or Thursday. That means I'd have them when we go see Spamalot. I won't miss any words!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

Shhh. Don't tell David. It's a surprise.

Aaaahhhh . . . Summer!

Fresh sweet corn, melted butter, a little salt. Fresh tomatoes cut in wedges and served at room temperature. Bing cherries for dessert. A lovely ending to a lovely weekend.

I'm finally on Clue #3 of the MS3 (see earlier posting). Some rows go really easily; some have to be tinked and reknit two or three times. But I just finished row 162. There's hope.

Isabel

This is Isabel. She lives in Mozambique. That's southern Africa on the east side. She turned 10 years old on my birthday (last spring).

Last fall my church, Eagle Brook Church, joined with World Vision to support Mozambique. Wells will be dug, cow dips (like sheep dips but much bigger) will be built, schools will be funded, teachers taught, homes built, medicines supplied, trades taught.

In February, six of our members traveled to Mozambique to tour the area we have been assigned. Unfortunately, there was a hurricane bearing down on that area of the country and our people were not allowed to go there. As an alternative, they went to an area of Mozambique where World Vision has been working to help people for the last several years.

In March our travelers brought back photos, videos, and stories of the people of Mozambique. We just don't know how good we have it here in America. As Isabel wrote in her first letter to me, "My house is made of sticks. My roof is made of grass." I'm sitting in my apartment on the third floor of a lovely brick building with a garage for my car underneath, writing on a desktop computer, looking at an LCD screen, creating my blog over a broadband connection.

Her house is made of sticks. Her roof is made of grass. "I'm willing to become a teacher."

Over the next couple of weeks, about 1500 children were sponsored by Eagle Brookers, as we like to call ourselves. The number may be even bigger by now. I haven't checked recently. Thanks for reading this entry. If you're interested in helping one small child learn and grow and acquire a way to make a living, click on World Vision to see what $35 a month can do.

Hey, Knitter Knitter!

Three Kittens Yarn Shoppe hosted a Stitch 'n' Pitch again this year. It was great fun. Well, the Minnesota Twins lost to the A's but it was a fun time anyway.




Mitten Goes to the Game









Lady in Front








Lisa R.











Steven of the Yarn Garage.













Lady Behind









Lady to my Left









The 3 of Us








Oh, Yeah...the Game









Felting Project










Betty's Sock. Thanks to her for getting us to the game and for letting me borrow my camera, since I forgot to bring mine.

Well, back to the Mystery Stole, #3. I'm nearly done with Clue 2!

Who are those people and why are they laughing?

The photo at the top of my blog is from 1909. From left to right, Lela Stinson, Ethel McConnell (my grandmother), Charles McConnell (my dad), Ernest Stinson, Emma Stinson (Ethel's aunt), Lowell McConnell (my grandfather). I have no idea why they are laughing. It is very nearly the only photo of my grandmother smiling.

This picture is more typical of how I remember her. It is 1913, she's sitting on a swing with my father who is about 4. See her smile? No? I don't either. I notice he isn't smiling, either.

Where do I knit my Mystery Stole?

The MS3 e-mail list has often asked where knitters are working on their project. Here is where I work.

I used to have a computer from the office and when I no longer needed it, I still had the little desk. The keyboard tray is low so I can keep my knitting low and not pull it up too close to my eyes where I can't focus anyway. (Don't know why I do that. It's counter-productive.) I borrowed a large, white Rubbermaid cutting board from a friend that I put the pattern on. I have a long aluminum ruler with a cork back so it doesn't slip. I use a green highlighter to mark each row when it is done. I have size 10 pink crochet thread to use as lifelines. The Ott lamp makes the dark green cashmere visible to my aged eyes. And, often, there's a cup of coffee (not too much so I don't start shaking) that is a great tool.

I turn on the TV to something I can listen to rather than watch or I listen to music. Keeps my mind from wandering.

Clues 2 and 3

I'm officially behind in knitting the Mystery Stole #3 (MS3). Clue #3 came out this morning and I only just finished Clue 1, tonight, at 7:45. This is it. The pink lines are called "life lines" so that if a mistake is made or a stitch dropped, you can frog (rippit rippit) back to a lifeline and all the stitches at that point can be recovered. No beads. Too hard.

Well, now for Clue 2. I hope I don't get too far behind. There are several clues and I'd like to have this done before Christmas.