I feel better today

Rant on drivers and such is over. It's time to get back to important things...like MS3. I'm about to start row 243. I know, I know, I'm way behind, but I'm still having fun, and that's the point, right? I don't want to do the wings. I can't really picture them. So I'll probably start again on the other end from row 1 and Kirchner the pieces together. If you google Kirchner, there's a lovely video on how to do it.

If you haven't ready Stephanie's blog yet, you should. It is absolutely wonderful and is a good example of her writing. Her books are more grammatically correct, and just as much fun, as her blog. I try to check it every day.

I try not to get irritable, but . . .

While driving home this evening, about 8:45 p.m., I noticed two things that really, really irritate me.

1. Invisible people. People who are black, brown, red, anyone with a good, dark tan: please wear light colors when you're out walking or biking at night. It's just about impossible to see you in the dark. If I hit you, it ends up being my fault. But you must understand that your dark skin, paired with dark clothing, doesn't reflect my headlights very well. And even white folks wearing dark clothing are hard to see.
   
   
2. Don't turn left to turn right. And vice versa. When large trucks like semis go around a corner, it's important for the front end to pull wide so the rear tires don't hit the curb. Those rear wheels track inside the front ones.
   
   People! You're driving CARS. Very few cars have the same problem large trucks have (notice I said large trucks--NOT pickups). The rear tires of cars don't track more than an inch or two inside the path of the front wheels.
   
   This is very, very important:
   DO NOT pull to the right to turn left.
   DO NOT pull to the left to turn right.
   
   Most cars that do this end up leaving their own lane, crossing the lines clearly painted on the roadway. Do you really think everyone can just jump out of your way when you do this?

Foggy Morning in August and Hearing Aids

We haven't gotten much fog in the last few years. Don't know why. Too dry, maybe. Well, lately we've gotten more than enough rain, at least in some parts of the state, to make up for the drought. Lawns are looking much greener. Pastures, too. Too late for corn, however.

The southern part of the state, if you watch the news, has gotten so much rain they been flood out in areas that normally never flood. It's a real shame. Several people died.

Anyway, I like the fog. I remember many trips to the University of Illinois when I was dating my first husband, Steve, when it would be so foggy you could hardly see to drive. Walking in the fog felt cozy and closed in. It's hard to explain. But I liked it.

On another topic...after 3 tune-ups with the hearing aid guy, Jim, I'm starting to get the hang of hearing things again. I didn't realize how poor my hearing was until I got these things.

There are still some kinks to work out. One that has gotten better (but not great yet) is hearing trumpets and flutes in music. My hearing aids think they are hearing feedback and try to mask the sound. As a result, they play along with the music, but not in tune. It is most annoying.

The auto-program is working better now that the sensitivity has been turned down. Also, he made the transition more gradual between the "regular" and "party noise" modes so it's not so shockingly abrupt. Granted, I paid about $150 more for these than my 1996 Saturn 2 years ago. So they ought to work well.

The technician (I think that's what you'd call him), Jim, is a really nice guy. For one thing, he drives a Gold Wing motorcycle. Can't be all bad, huh? And he attends a church not unlike Eagle Brook.

Now if I can just convince the people who are used to SHOUTING around me to pipe down, I'll be happy.

Twins Game - Indoors out of the Rain!

Here we are at the Dome. Free tickets (because I own a Saturn). Translate "Cheap Seats." That's what it said on the tickets, honest!









I climbed up a few steps to get a better photo of Ben, the one in front, Betty, hidden behind him, and James, on the right with the mustache, pretending to be fascinated by a game play.









This fellow's name is Doug. He sat in front of us and pretended to be "protecting" my jacket, purse, and knitting bag, which were in the chair directly in front of me.










Here's a better shot of Doug, ripping the bun off his hot dog. At first I thought he must be a health nut. He was all muscles. Then I realized those weren't muscles. Those were his brains. Later on he was poking tobakee into his lip and spitting into a not-quite-empty beer glass. Yuck.

That's me up and to the right behind him. The one with the silly grin. Betty is in the red shirt and knitting.



I took my right mitten to the game. I finished the left mitten which I worked on at the last game I attended.







Here's Betty's knitting. I think it's a mitten but it looks kinda skinny.








Betty finished her American flag sox. Aren't they cool?! The yarn created the pattern and looks a lot like stars and stripes.










I didn't knit a whole lot because of tennis elbow which I get from working on a computer all day. Oh, and because the beer would have messed up my knitting.






This fellow has a mega professional-looking camera and was taking videos of a little girl. I don't know if it was some sort of make-a-wish thing or not. I didn't ask. But he was nice enough, while blocking some of my view of the field, to let me take his picture.


And this is Betty and James. James is a friend of Ben's. Nice fellow.
The Twins lost 2-7 to the Seattle Mariners. I've never had the opportunity to watch them actually win a game.

More on the Bridge

David and I attended the taping of an MPR broadcast, scheduled for Friday, August 17, noon, this evening. There was a seemingly arbitrary choice of "panelists" which included Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak, an economist, some sort of political "expert" from the University of Minnesota, and a few other people whose names all escape me. I'm not usually politically overt. I listen quietly, hope I don't get too riled up, and hope for the best.

Well, the best didn't happen last week when the bridge fell down. One of the questions for the evening was what does the public expect from our infrastructure?

The only consensus seemed to be that we should be able to drive across a bridge and not have it fall down.

Then there were arguments about whether we should be pouring money into rapid transit or maintenance of the roadways we currently have. Not: can we pay for both!

One panelist stated there was more than enough money if only someone would spend it to keep drivers safe from falling bridges. One panelist said there isn't enough money to do that. Mayor Rybak said there wasn't enough money to build roads to everyone's home. Another panelist said that, in fact, there has always been enough money for that because roads do, indeed, lead to everyone's home.

Show me where someone lives they can't get to or from via a roadway!

One question was what were we willing to give up for safety. I really don't believe this question was answered adequately by anyone there. I'm guilty of not raising my hand.

I'm willing not to go to the new Twins stadium that I'm already paying for. Why should I pay for a Twins stadium? Why should I have to pay for any sports stadium? I don't enjoy sports. The only times (twice since I moved here in 1972) I've actually attended a Twins game was for a "Stitch and Pitch" where a group of people get tickets through a local yarn shop like Three Kittens in St. Paul. We sat in the stands and mostly ignored the ball game and conversed with our fellow knitters (see my blog for July 22, 2007) and knitted on our various projects: socks, sweaters, shawls, etc.

And the other time I've gone to a Twins game (also twice) was with free tickets from Saturn. My dad always said, "For free take; for buy waste time." And my girl friend and I sat and knitted and chatted and ignored the game. (BTW, every game I've been to, all four, the Twins lost.)

Anyway, back to what I'd be willing to give up for safety. If I were assured that my tax dollars would actually go to fixing already existing bridges and roadways, I'd be willing to report my mileage each year when I purchase my license tabs and pay a tax on those miles. I drive 19 miles each way to and from work and also drive a few more to go to tai chi school (where I'm a student and instructor). I drive a lot of miles and if my cost would pay for the roads I use, so be it.

I'd also be willing to pay, if not per mile, per pound of car. David's SUV would pay for more road than my little 1996 Saturn. His Rav4 is very nice and has proven very useful in the work he does and in his personal life. But I have to think it wears on the roadways more than my little Saturn.

I'd also be willing to pay a toll to use our roadways. Rybak and company used a phrase something like "distance pricing." That's a euphemism if I ever heard one. It's a freeking TOLL, Mayor Rybak!

I grew up in the Chicago area. There are toll roads there. As far as I know, these roads are not paid for by tax dollars but by the people who use them. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please.) You drive on it. You pay for the privilege. Simple solution.

One question asked was "are you afraid to drive over bridges now?" Yes, some of them. Terri Gruca has an article on wcco.com about 8 bridges in Minnesota with bad safety ratings as bad or worse than the 35W bridge that has killed 13 and injured over 100 people. After reading this one article, I'm no longer willing to drive on the Lafayette Bridge. I'm sort of willing to drive across the bridge on Hwy. 61 in Hastings and the Stillwater bridge, but only on a motorcycle. (Granted, if either bridge came down with me on it, it would be because of the cars/trucks. David's motorcycle does not guarantee we'd be safe. Just a teeny bit safer.)

The question really is this:

Would the money actually be spent in a way that would make us safer? I fear the money would be taken in and then spent foolishly.

Time will tell. . . time will tell.

It's not supposed to happen here...

I live in a Minneapolis/St. Paul suburb. I was driving home after my martial arts class last night when a co-worker called to ask if I drive over the 35W Mississippi River bridge to get home. I said no and she said "thank God." I asked why and she told me about the bridge collapsing.

These things are not supposed to happen in "my backyard." Maybe in San Francisco where they have earthquakes. Maybe in Texas or Florida where they have hurricanes. We have tornadoes but usually there's enough warning to go hide. But it did happen here. I won't speculate on why the bridge went down. I'm not any more qualified than the experts who are themselves not ready to speculate.

My first reaction was...well...I sort of froze. I was driving at the time so I had to keep doing that. But my emotions didn't know which way to go. Anger that it could happen? Well, my anger wouldn't do anything about it. There were/are people under those bridge parts.

Right now, there's only one thing I can do. And that is pray. I pray for comfort for the injured. Comfort for the families of those who are known to have perished. Comfort for those who don't know yet if their loved ones have died or are just somewhere else, safe and sound.

I also pray for courage and safety for the people who are trying to get the bodies out of the water. I pray for their protection from the swirling waters and unstable bridge parts and rebar that could really hurt them.

I thank God for the people who were willing to risk their own lives last night and help others escape from their vehicles and get them to dry land. There were many heroes at the scene.

And I thank God my son and, so far as I know right now, my friends are all safe.

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.]