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.

The First Clue

My friend and I met in a park near my home to enjoy the cool weather and work on the first clue of the Mystery Stole #3. (See Wrapping Yarn Around Holes - below.) It was great fun. Even though it wasn't going to participate, I brought my current sock project (second one in a pair, yippee [those who knit socks will understand, those who don't, skip on]) so it too could enjoy the lovely weather. Betty brought her sock as well.


Then, getting down to work, she and I finished the first 32 rows of the clue. There are 100 rows. Unfortunately, since this is a corner, we did not (repeat NOT) complete 1/3 of the clue. I'm happy that I only made one mistake and that a cooler head (Betty's) prevailed in knowing how to get around the mistake. I'll bet only experienced Clue #1 knitters will see it.

PS to April's comments: No I didn't get an e-mail about St. Paul knitters. And I didn't have time to read your blog. I would, however, consider getting together next Friday evening somewhere. Maybe my friend would like that to happen as well.

My Balcony - a good place to sit and knit

I started planting on my balcony May 13, 2007. This old, old pot came from a friend and has four plants in it: dusty miller, vinca vine, snap dragon, and a lovely dark purple/green fuzzy leafy thing.








This is the whole balcony with the hanging petunia plants, some solar lanterns, a cement dragon that I got from my son and his wife. Oh, and the strawberry pot I got from QVC. Cool.












June 14, you can see some progress. Everything is bigger.










The pot full of plants is really full today, June 28.












This is the purply fuzzy plant. It has tiny 3/4" flowers in it.












And this is where I like to sit and knit and read when the weather is not too hot or rainy.

Thanks for the comments

The yarn is from Colourmart. I washed the swatch in warm soapy water, not hot. More later.

Wrapping yarn around holes

Well, my bestest friend Betty has roped me into another challenge: Mystery Stole #3. A lady named Melanie has created two other mystery stole projects and you just sign up on yahoo groups to get started. Melanie created a small swatch pattern to play with and decide what yarn and needles you want to use for the actual project.

The idea is that starting next Friday, June 29, Melanie will post a Clue (I assume it's the beginning of the pattern). Over the next several weeks there will be more clues and eventually, if I stick with it successfully, I'll have a personally hand-knitted lace stole. We'll see.

I created my swatch using amazingly fine cashmere I bought on ebay from some guy in England who had listed it as "double knit." I'm pretty sure it's lace weight. I have three cones in navy blue, forest green, and deep plum. This swatch is in the green. I used US #4 needles and didn't stretch it out much to block it.

How much can be written about knitting?

Quite a lot, it seems. First, I learned about Stephanie Pearl-McPhee . Then my friends Betty and Ann invited me to a book signing by Amy R. Singer. Her book, no sheep for you, is all about knitting with non-sheep's-wool fibers. In her words, anything that never had 4 legs. I didn't realize the disasters that could happen by substituting the wrong fiber for wool, depending on the project and type of fiber used. I'll give a better review later, after I've had time to review this book.

The Big Bag Before Felting

These are more reasonably sized photos of the "big bag." It is made of Nashua Wooly Stripes in two different colorways. I mixed in some Berroco Candy FX (100% nylon) for added bling. It's kind of hard to see here, but when it's felted, it should show up well.

Knitting visits the campground

I haven't posted much lately. Because I work on a computer all day, I get home and don't want to do more of it. So I knit. I've discovered alpaca. (I'll post photos of alpaca products at a later time.)

Since I started reading the www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/ blog and after going to a book signing by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, who "goes on and on about knitting" I decided I'd take some photos of my knitting as I move around in the world. She usually carries a sock that doesn't seem to get bigger very quickly. (Either that or she's made 6 pairs of green socks in the last couple months.)

Anyway, here's a photo of my not-yet-felted wool handbag enjoying the campground in front of the hostas I got from a wonderful friend. Actually, it's the friend who got me back into knitting. I'll post a photo of the bag when it's been felted later. (That's David's hand holding my knitting for me.)

[Sorry, the photos are too large. I'll redo them for the web.]

"Drunken Sots" = 0 "Martial Artist" = 1

While at the Xcel Energy Center to see the Blue Man show, I was trying to listen to and understand the opening act. Unfortunately, there were two women sitting behind us who were talking/shouting.

This was rude/distracting so I turned around and asked if they would please be quiet. The blonde sitting closest to me leaned forward and yelled that the show hadn't started yet. I said that this was the opening act and that I had paid for it and wanted to hear it. She leaned even closer to me (I could smell the beer) and started swearing/yelling: "If you had asked nicely, I would have been fxxxxxx happy to be fxxxxxx quiet."

I don't really remember everything that was said. Her blonde hair was up against my forehead and she was screaming and pretty incoherent. I yelled something back and raised my right arm in a tai chi chuan Ward Off position and pushed her back. She began to scream "She hit me! She hit me!" Her companion began to pull her away and suggest they go see an usher. The blonde screamed that that was a good idea.

I and my companions were relieved that she was gone and my companions all said they would speak up for me to the usher if necessary. I had obviously not hit this person but gently and slowly pushed her out of my face.

When the usher did finally come down to talk to us, he looked abashed and said simply, "We need this to go away" and shook his head. I'm a gray-haired 60-year-old woman. My equally old guyfriend and I both told the usher that this would be perfectly fine with us.

By the way, the Blue Man show was very good. And yes, the two women did return to their seats. They continued to talk but not louder than the show.

Minnesota Drivers

There are three things that really bother me about other drivers. Well, OK, there are more than three. But here are the top three.

If you don't have a stick shift with a clutch, keep your left foot off the pedals. Driving with both feet causes excessive strain on your engine and burns extra gasoline. But worst of all, it's like "crying wolf." If your break light is always on, how do I know when you're really slowing down?

SUVs and pickup truck owners seem to think their lights should be aimed straight out from their vehicle. Is it cool to see so clearly into the car in front of you? In case you didn't know, you are blinding the drivers in front of you! I wouldn't want Stevie Wonder driving in front of me.

What ever happened to "Minnesota Nice"? It seems when folks get behind the wheel of their car, the very people who would never cut in front of someone at a movie theater suddenly turn into Mr. Hyde. When entering a freeway, they speed up to squeeze in front of the nearest car, even when there's a lot of room behind it. Merging is supposed to work like a zipper: one from the left, one from the right, one from the left, and so on. Take turns, folks!

As a post script, it also annoys me when people who switch lanes don't look to see if the car in that lane is approaching at a higher rate of speed. They just notice that there's no one there, right now, and pull over...slowly. I know, I know. There's a speed limit. But on a 65 mph freeway, I have never been stopped for driving 8 over. I do it in the far left lane so that I endanger only myself. Please don't pull in front of me doing the speed limit (or less), especially if there's no one behind me. Oh, and don't be surprised if I flash my headlights at you. This is a trucker signal asking you to...get out of the way!

The "War" in Iraq

OK. Somebody explain it to me.

We went to Iraq because...al qaeda was there? As I understand it, that wasn't as true when the war started as it is now.

We went to Iraq because...Saddam had weapons of mass destruction? Well, that turned out not to be true. This sort of proves to me that "military intelligence" is a misnomer.

We went to Iraq because...Saddam is a bad guy? Well, that one is true but it wasn't the reason given when we first sent our young men and women there to be killed and maimed (physically and emotionally).

We went to Iraq because...we wanted to make life better for the Iraqis? As we have so often in the past, we tear down a country physically and politically, and promise to rebuild it later by supplying workers and money. In Iraq, however, the Iraqis are killing each other and killing the very American workers trying to help rebuild their economic infrastructure.

Vote "against"? -- Not "for"?

I received a piece of unsolicited mail today that is so very typical of the political ads today: "SHE'S NOT ON OUR SIDE!" It took me a while to figure out who this person was that wasn't on my side and who was responsible for the mailing. Tiny 5 point type along the fold said it was paid for by one of the two major parties and the candidate (whoever that is; I haven't a clue) did not approve of nor was responsible for the ad.

So many of our ads these days are just telling me not to vote for someone and how many terrible things that person has done. There's very little mention of why I should vote for anyone. And the negative ads are pretty non-partisan. And the national party committees are paying for more of the negative ads than the candidates are.

This sort of campaign makes me want to vote against them all. Maybe I'll just vote out all the incumbents. That's not really a good idea, but right now it doesn't seem like such a bad one, either.

Live like you were dying...

There's a tune on the radio (Delilah's show actually) about a guy who gets bad news from his doctor. His friend asks him what he did when he found out and he listed the many things he did because he "lived like he was dying."

I went to a memorial gathering for the husband of a good friend. He was only 60 but because he'd smoked for years and chewed tobacco, he got esophageal cancer. It took a lot of months of chemo and radiation, and they thought they'd beat it. His esophagus was clear; he could eat again. But then the cancer turned up in his brain. The chemo is poison and supposed to kill the cancer. It's also hard on the body. He lost ground so thoroughly that, once he actually "gave up" it only took a few days for him to die.

So, let it be a lesson to us all, live like you were dying. Be the friend/sibling/child/parent/spouse you always thought you should be. Resentments are really meaningless to the person you resent and serve mostly to waste your time and energy. Forgive and live. Love everyone you know. Go where you've always wanted to go. Do things you've only thought of doing. Try something new and don't worry about whether you can or not. Just try it.

The a news article on comcast.net with photos of a major snow storm around the Great Lakes region is a perfect example of why the Minnesota Twins should have stayed at the Metrodome, with it's indoor atmosphere, protected from the elements. The Detroit-located game of the World Series, played October 13, was moved from evening to afternoon because of the snow falling on the open-air field.

The Twins are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. What makes them think it won't be cold in the spring and fall when their games begin and end? What makes them think their fans won't complain about the weather? I watched two games this summer in the Dome and thoroughly enjoyed sitting inside where it was cool (very hot outside) for one and dry (rained during game but dry when we left) for the other.

This is posted by someone who could potentially be required to pay for a second Twins stadium only about 20 years after the first one was built.