Knitting the Blues

This Is Halloween!

HAPPY

TRICK

OR

TREAT!!!

Sixty-one to go. Bring on the candy!

There's A Bad Moon On the Rise....

It is the night before Halloween! There are some places that celebrate the eve of All Hallow's Eve. I'll celebrate with Halloween music from An American Werewolf in London. These first three are from the movie and the last. Well, it is not.

YouTube does not have a Van Morrison version of this song, only covers, but this one is pretty good.

And after this next one I am in the mood for a Creedence marathon, it takes me right back to my dad's albums and stereo, which we were not allowed to touch!

And hearing this song is what put the idea for this Halloween music post into my head, although it has nothing to do with the movie.

Sixty-two to go. It's almost Trick or Treat time! And can you see that I figured out how to resize YouTube videos? Something I didn't even know you could do until Marcia mentioned it to me. Thanks, Marcia!

Reading, I mean, Listening....

So I have been cranking through the audiobooks lately.  Listening while I am working, driving, running, lifting, knitting, cleaning, spinning......, oh, well, I haven't really been doing all that much spinning, but I would be listening if I was.  Anyway, you can really get through a lot of the books on your "to read" list if you are dedicated, and I am as my "to read" list is long.  I've been wanting to do little book reviews, but I don't want to give anything away, and my true feelings about a book might do that.  But I'll share the list anyway and if anyone wants to chat about any of them, let me know.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.  If you are a dog lover you will love this book.  The family members in the book are breeders and trainers and the dogs play a significant role in the life of Edgar Sawtelle, who is essentially the main character of this story (duh, as if the title doesn't tell you that!).  It is beautifully written and made me almost run out and get a dog.  Well, not that so much, but made me wish I was a dog lover, which I would be if I could be assured of the perfect pet.  A Sawtelle dog.  I'd love to say more, but I know I would give more away than I would want to and that might ruin your consumption of this novel, which I think you all should read. I really liked the narration of this audio production, the reader was calming and appropriate, but I think in some of the more urgent scenes he could have ramped it up a little, read a little faster or with more emotion. 

Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock.  I finished this one today.  This is not a particularly uplifting story, as it is one of poverty and child abuse with a surprising ending.  There were many times that I was brought to tears for Carrie, whose point of view the story is told, and her sister Emma.  Seeing how these girls adapt to their life circumstances, knowing what alcohol does to their abusers, how to avoid it or the signs they recognized would lead to a strike was so sad.  Alternatively, to see the how the spirit of a child can be beaten down and yet still find hope and happiness in things is a wonder.  To say I enjoyed this book would be wrong, I found it a troubling read, but I do recommend it.  Some good books are just like that.  As for the narrator, she took time to get used to, as she was reading in the voice of a child, appropriate for this book, but I always need time to get used to that.  Sometimes I think that a reader inflicts on a manuscript inappropriate inflections or punctuation and this reader did that in more than a few spots.  Still, by the end I had so gotten used to her that I really did like most of the interpretation. 

Family Linen by Lee Smith.  I have read reviews of Lee Smith's books and see that if you want to read about life in the south you should read her books.  This is the first I have read, but man, it didn't really make me want to search her out.  In short, not one person in this book has normal reactions to any situation.  Every character is self involved and has not one normal emotion.  Now, there is an understory of the family's history that is intriguing, which kept me reading to the end, and it might explain some of these people's behavior, but sometimes I felt myself wanting to smack people for how they responded to things.  Then again, I tend to want to smack people for how they are in every day life, why should books be any different.  The narrator was acceptable, not bad at all, just not remarkable, but maybe the story just wasn't that remarkable for me.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  There is a part of me that loved this book and a part of me that felt hat I was being beaten over the head with the "moral to the story."  Described as a parable, there is a lesson about following your dreams and the people that do and don't and the help you can get along the way, blah.  It also seemed like fiction that could go right along with The Secret, the universe conspiring to help you along the way to your path, putting out the energy brings it back and then finding your treasure in your own back yard.  I know I sound negative, but in the end I did really love this book.  It isn't sending me out on a quest to fulfill my "personal legend," but it was sort of uplifting like a parable should be.  It was read by Jeremy Irons.  I don't think I need to expound on that, do I?

Not the most sophisticated reviews I've done, not even good ones (but it is a post, isn't it?), but that is what I have been reading listening to.  What have you been reading lately?

Another little Halloween ditty:

Sixty-three to go.  I think it is time for a good old-fashioned crime/murder mystery.  I know I have a few of those in the queue.

Ten On Tuesday

Ten Favorite Horror Movies.  Ugh, I rarely watch horror or scary movies anymore, but I used to.  And I am so not into the typical horror films (I have never seen a Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street.  Really.), but a good pshycological thriller?  That is what will keep me from sleeping.  But can I come up with ten?

1. Silence of the Lambs.  This is my favorite and worst scary movie.  I didn't sleep for nights!
   
2. There was some Zombie movie that I saw in a drive-in with friends and we had to leave after the zombie pushed his hand through a bathroom door, grabbed the woman from behind her neck and pulled her toward the splintered wood, a huge splinter going into her eye.  Well, I assume that is what happened, I am pretty sure I was on the floor of the car by then, trying to keep my popcorn down.  I can't remember the name of the movie, but I guess that wouldn't be a favorite, would it?
3. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane.
   
4. Ben Hur.  I know, not really a scary movie, but the lepers got me every year and I had to have my mom sleep with me.
5. Sybil.  That movie always scared the heck out of me.
6. The Birds and Psycho. 
   
7. The Wizard of Oz.  Oh, come.on!  Back in the day when we had to wait a year to watch it, that Wicked Witch of the West had me crawling into my dad's lap, toot.sweet!
8. The Exorcist.
9. Seven.
10. An American Werewolf in London.  Another that kept me awake for too many nights.
    
11. And Stephen King just deserves a whole category to himself!  Pet Semetary, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, It (although that movie sucked compared to the book), Salem's Lot, The Dead Zone......
    

Sixty-four to go. I guess I could come up with a few. Funny how Ten On Tuesday is always like that.

MIGRAINE

Ouch, the screen is so bright! The hum of the fan so loud! And Halloween week is rolling along!

Sixty-five to go. Stop slamming that hammer into my skull!

Just Some Stuff For A Sunday

• It is a few days until the start of NaBloPoMo.  I'm thinking of signing up, should I do it?  Ahahahahahaha!
• YOU should do it.  Will you?  One month.  Easy-peasy.  I mean really, look at my last year!  There are prizes...... 
• This race was run today and I did not run it.  Don't think I didn't think about it, but reason won out and I just knew that a 13.1 would be tempting the fates a little too much.  It was a beautiful day in New England for it and I'm looking forward to it next October.
• Luckily for me, since I have in the last week decided that I must train for a half marathon right.now! I found the Half at the Hamptons half marathon.  The same route (pretty flat, easy), but in February.
• To that end, the training I mean, I ran a long run today.  Well, long for me, 8.6, according to gmaps pedometer.  Wow, it looks really flat on that map, doesn't it?  I did walk the first, hmmm, .4 I guess.  Then I ran the rest of it, and it was hilly and hard (for me).  Well, that's over for a week.
• I found this training plan and while I am not so good at sticking to these plans because I like to weight train more than they like to let you, I'm using it as a sort of guideline.  I may sort of combine the novice and the intermediate, as I am not so interested in running fast, but still want to cross train more.  I'll probably cross train more, doing some of the harder work on an eliptical to cut down on the pounding so many days.  Who knows?  And I don't even have to increase my long runs by a whole mile every week because I have way more time to get ready.  Excellent.
• This should have me way more prepared for this race (who will be there?), which we run every year.  I'm usually just barely up to five miles when we do it, and it feels it.  
• The other problem for me is that I am an afternoon runner and all of these races are in the morning, when I drag *ss.  Big time.  Something about circadian rythyms or some such nonsense. 
• Cheryl said she would train for the half, too.  Yep Cheryl, I put it out there.  Did you run today?
• Anybody else want to run it?  Either one? 
• I know, the February thing is a little off-putting, but they say right on the website (scroll down for the graph) for the race that average temps in February are in the thirties and I love to run in the cold weather, much more than heat (which makes me wilt).  Anything down to about 20 and I am in heaven.  The wind might be the killer, along the shoreline, a good four miles of it.  I'll be sure to do a couple of training runs up there to toughen myself up.  Who will be there with me?
• Maybe I'll start a training blog for myself.  Help me keep track of what I am doing.  Hmmmm....
• Now I have to start thinking of NaKniSweMo.  What sweater will I knit?  (I would link to the knitgrrl website, but it seems to be down or something.  This is where to look.  Or the ravelry link.)  What will you knit?
• Alright, enough.  I have to save something, right?
• Here is a little something to keep you going this Halloween week.  A call for trick-or-treaters:

Here are the lyrics to that little ditty.

Sixty-six to go. That was quite a link-fest. I'm all worn out!

YouTube SaturdayIt's Halloween Week!

I couldn't embed this video, but I found this one (which comes under the heading of people with a LOT of time on their hands) instead:

How about a marching band version (there were a lot of these): You aren't officially married these days unless your wedding party dances it: And we all know that prisoners make time to learn it:

Sixty-seven to go. You have a week to learn it, get going!

Eye Candy Friday?Or My Mother Is At It Again.

I guess she didn't think this one was enough.  Needed a friend, maybe. 

 

Who could resist that face, though?

Sixty-eight to go.  I think I may have been able to.  The thing even sheds. ;)

 

Rhinebeck Haul orIf You Aren't Really Bored By Now,You Need To Get A Life!And I Mean That In the Most Loving and Caring Way, Really.

So, I didn't buy much, but here it is:

My first purchase of the fair, within minutes of walking onto the fairgrounds, was this mug by Jennie the Potter. I had been coveting these mugs from afar, never just ordering one and getting it over with, but when face to face with it I didn't even have to think about getting my wallet out. I love it.  Of course I thought I was buying blue, but at home it looks very purple.  I may have to order another one.

Then I browsed around for a long time, finally making it to the Foxfire Fiber booth where I got some fiber, because I cannot ever stop my debit card from swiping itself at that booth.  I got pretty stuff.

And then I added this to my stash, even knowing I had some at home already.  You just never know when you are going to wish you had more, right?

I also got a teeny tiny niddy noddy for all of those sample skeins that I will be spinning so I can swatch and knit with a purpose.  I didn't take all of those workshops for nothing, ya know.  And I was sure to get some Truffle Budds, because last year I missed out.  That was so not happening this time around.

One thing I forgot to photograph was the lovely, prize winning Border Leicester/BFL cross fleece that I got from Barb of Foxfire Fiber.  It is about 3.5 lbs and I traded some work for it.  I think I got the better end of that deal, and I'll take it!  I'll try and get a photo tomorrow.  The problem is that I get a bit mesmerized by it's beauty every time I look at it.  And she has a name!  Topanga.  Is that not precious!?  I know, it would be more precious with a photo.  What.Ever.

Sixty-nine to go.  I just know some of you are giggling at that.

SEVENTY TO GO!And The Sum Total of The Remaining Photos I Took In Rhinebeck

 

 

Seventy to go.  Kinda sad, ain't it?  Carrying around that camera and hardly using it to document anything.  Hopefully tomorrow will show pics of my meager haul (I spent less than Sandy), but that all depends on the day and if I can manage to take out the camera.

Ten On Tuesday

Ten of the best meals you've had.  Hmmmm.  You know, I don't have that sophisticated a palate that I would know the best meals.  I know when I like something and when I don't.  I know when something is cooked well and when it is crap.  That doesn't help me recall ten "best" meals.  This is more like my top ten favorite meals, I guess.  And some are in context, that is for sure. 

1. Mom will sometimes make Paella on my birthday.  Saffron, rice, chicken, shrimp, lobster, clams or mussels.  So.Yummy.
2. Mom's turkey dinner.  We put marshmallows on our candied sweet potatoes.  Yes, we do.  Lima beans, the perfect gravy.  It's a good thing I run a road race every Thanksgiving morning.
3. We have a friend, Yutaka.  He is from Japan and has lived with our very good friends, Cyndi and John and girls.  Every year he spends an entire day preparing a huge spread of Sushi and it is better than any I've had anywhere, and I have had some good sushi.
4. When it is summer, at a cookout, there is nothing like a well done hotdog on a toasted roll with mustard, relish, onions and some homemade baked beans.  I can't remember the last time I had that, though.  I should have one every summer.  And add sauerkraut.
5. I make a pasta with roasted squash and garlic, add romano and it is so yummy.  I could eat the pound of pasta all by myself.
6. When the family was in Maui and after a morning spent on the beach and in surfing lessons, we were ravenous.  We had a great lunch and while I can't remember exactly what any of us had (and we sampled each other's meals thoroughly) we all agreed that it was probably one of the best meals we have had.  The one outstanding memory we all have of that lunch is the iced tea.  It was AWESOME!
7. My nana's chop suey.  She always made it for us for the day we arrived on summer vacation.  It was the first thing we smelled coming in the door, and I looked forward to it every year.
8. Erin was born in a hospital, rather unexpectedly as we planned to labor and deliver in a birthing center, but during labor we "risked out" and were moved to the labor and delivery floor of the nearby hospital.  It was the hospital's tradition to provide a gourmet meal for the parents after the birth, but because we left for home about six hours after Erin's birth, they sent the meal with us and we reheated it later.  It was Chicken Cordon Bleu with peas and probably potatoes, but I really remember the peas for some reason.  Anyway, I was ravenous by the time Pete heated that meal up and it tasted better than anything at that moment.  Funny how when you are really hungry just about anything can taste great.  But that food really was pretty good.
9. Then there are all the meals that someone else has prepared for me, those always taste good.
10. The best meals are those shared with family and friends, the laughter or discussions, not even noticing the food.  Those are the best meals.

Seventy-one to go.  I'm looking forward to my next meal, breakfast.  Yummy oatmeal with apples and raisins, cinnamon and maple syrup.  Yummy.

From This Day and Forward,All Photos of Finished Sweaters On Me Will Be Taken By Cheryl.I Am Willing To Pay.

I have fallen asleep twice already.  Dog tired.  I had decided that I would put up a "too tired to post" post.  I was going to tell you that I went for a run this afternoon and when I headed out I had a plan to run my five mile route which starts out as very gently rolling for the first mile (really a slight incline the whole first mile, the incline that you barely notice in a car, but can feel when running it), then for the next mile and a quarter it is incline.  Up, up, up then a thirty yard plateau and a left turn up another 3/4 mile incline, down hill for half a mile then a gentle roll to home.  The thing is, when I got to the top of the first part of the hill, I was pretty sure I DID NOT want to run the next, steeper hill.  So I took a right instead which would take me on a rolling course that is always hillier than I remember, but is rolling, and while the hills are good, they aren't as steep as that one 3/4 mile hill of the other route.  To tell the truth, I think it is all in my head that it is easier, as the route I took is hard.  That route would have been about 5 1/4 miles.  At about the 4 1/4 mile mark I saw something that strikes fear in the heart of all runners and postal carriers.  A loose dog.  Now, some would have run up to it and taken the chance, and probably in most cases it is a friendly dog that might put up a little chase and be done with it, but I am not the runner that takes that chance.  There was nothing for it but to turn back.  While there was a detour to the return route (that has a nice big hill on it.  Great.), it still turned into a 7 1/4 mile run.  My longest in years.  I.Am.Tired.  The up side to the whole deal?  I think that half marathon I always dream of running is doable.  I finished standing and could have run farther.  Okay, it would have been really hard, but I see that training for longer runs is something I can do.

That was going to be my post.  Look what I did, got up early today, so tired, talk to you on Tuesday.  Then Cheryl sent the pics she took of me in my "what color is it anyway?" sweater.  I had to share, just wait until you see.  And I know that you are waiting, if you are not one of the people that saw me in the sweater this weekend.

Did you guess Beanshoot?

With its lovely blue flecks?

Pattern:  Baby Cables and Big Ones, Too.  Design by Suvi S.  Available as a Ravelry download.
Yarn:  Jo Sharp Silkroad DK in Beanshoot
Needles:  size 5
Cast On:  September 9, 2008
Bound Off:  October 13, 2008

That's one week for the body, four weeks for the first sleeve and two days for the second.  Right.

 

I love this sweater.  It fits great, is comfortable and these photos show how it looked after two days of wear.  There was a little bit of relaxing, we will see what washing does to it over time.

I made one modification to the pattern, instead of a garter stitch border at the bottom, I knit a garter ridge and a turned hem.  I just thought that was more my style and I'm happy with it.

Didn't Cheryl make me look good?  Imagine what she could do with a real model and a staff, including a stylist and make up people.  Maybe I'll hire those, too.  A few more pics on the Raverly page, it was so hard choosing which ones to use!  Oh, and there will be a contest winner or two, by way of a drawing.  I really am too tired to get that together right now.

Seventy-two to go.  I just don't look that good in real life.  Thanks, Cheryl.  Can I give you a retainer to be available everytime I finish a sweater?  Even though I know you are laughing your ass off thinking they look like high school senior portraits!

Why Do I Lug a Camera Around With Me Anyway?

Because I never remember to take it out for photos.  Or I remember and am too lazy.  So while I would love to show you all the fun times and wonderful treasure to be had at Rhinebeck, the only shots you get are really for my pink loving friend, Kelly.  She knows who to call.

Ooooh, purty.

  

All of the pink!  All of the purpleheart!  So yummy.

There was another, but another pink loving friend of mine got it, maybe she'll share when she gets home. 

Seventy-three to go.  I know, I KNOW!  You want to see the sweater.  The pictures are on Cheryl's camera, and until she sends them to me, well, the mystery lives on.  Unless you saw me in Rhinebeck this weekend.

YouTube Saturday

I may have posted about this before, but it deserves another post. Go.See.This.Movie.

This is another, but the quality isn't as good:

Seventy-four to go. I saw it tonight and it is a wonderful adaptation of the book. That is a rare and lovely thing.

What I Learned Today(br)(Among Other Things.....)

The more spinning workshops I take, the more I don't know about spinning.

Seventy-five to go.  I think I'll quit taking the workshops and then I'll be brilliant at it.  That is how it works, isn't it?

Awaiting the Big Unveiling

Look for us at Rhinebeck if you are there.  Hmmm.....  what color should you be looking for?

Seventy-six(trombones led the big parade) to go.

Tea For Two

No time for blogging, I'm too busy hanging around and drinking tea with Margene.  I'll bet you all wish you were me.

And you'll be even a little more envious when you see the tea cozy she brought!

Seventy-seven to go.  Neener, neener, neener.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Bands/Artists that remind you of high school.   Only ten!  I listened to a wide range of music when I was in high school, and I still do.  I think maybe one or two of my choices will surprise and possibly disappoint some.  Here goes:

1. Fleetwood Mac
2. Styx
3. Eagles
4. Bee Gees
5. Blondie
6. Rolling Stones
7. Supertramp
8. Barry Manilow (sorry Margene)
9. Billy Joel
10. Meatloaf
11. Boston

This list was too easy, I even left out Donna Summer, Eddie Money, Steely Dan, Rod Stewart, Rush, The Who, Jefferson Starship, Genesis, Bob Seger, Chicago, the Grease soundtrack, Chuck Mangione, ELO (I can't believe I left out ELO!), Aerosmith, James Taylor, Queen, Kansas, Bonnie Tyler, Gerry Rafferty, Rolling Stones, Little River Band, Loggins and Messina, Commodores.......

Seventy-eight to go.  I could go on and on and on........  But Margene is coming tomorrow and I have stuff to do!  Do you think she'll still come after seeing Barry Manilow on my list?

Shhhhhhh!

Not now.  I'm knitting.

Seventy-nine to go.  So close, so close and yet so far.....

EIGHTY TO GO!Always When I Am Trying To Finish Something Sooner Than Later

That is when I make a mistake leading to at least forty minutes of ripping down a section of cabling and working it back up.  UGH!  That is why I got to the end of the night, was about to pack it in and go to bed when I remembered that I forgot to post!  Totally and completely.  Again I ask:  How long will I be doing this everyday thing before it becomes a part of me that I don't so easily dismiss it from my mind?  Anyway, the error is repaired and I am back to knitting along like a locomotive.  I love knitting this sweater so much that I don't really mind, but I do want to block it and wear it soon.  Very soon.  So it can have an unveiling of sorts.  We'll see....

Meanwhile, a photo.

That is my new SpindleWood Co square mini drop spindle with a Manzanita Burl whorl and a cherry shaft. I goes for a long time. Love it. Oh, and because I know somebody will ask, the fiber is Polworth from Rovings. I got a lot of it. I can make something really big.

Eighty to go!!!!! As in eight, zero. Eight sets of ten. Ten, eight times. 80. Eighty.

YouTube Saturday

Okay, not very original, but we were laughing. Well, it could be the wine laughing, but we saw most of these dances and more (and scarier) at the grape harvest we went to this afternoon. Let's just say that the wine flowed freely and well, some people should have quit drinking long before they did. Maybe you'll have had a glass or two before watching this and you'll get the kick out of it that we did!

Eighty-one to go. Admit it, you did most of those at the last wedding you attended, or your prom. Or last night to get in the mood.

It's Official

I came home from SOAR to this:

Only seven months until we open it again, the countdown is on!

It seems I barely have the time to inhale and I am off to Rhinebeck. This weekend is filled with fun and frivolity, while I really need it free to finish my sweater and some other things I have going. It isn't looking good for any of it, but I am determined and to that end, this will be a quick post. I'll answer a few more questions. Lisa had a few: "What inspires you? What gets you up and out of bed in the morning?" Well, what inspires me to do different things may surprise some. I am inspired to go out for a run or hit the gym everytime I see someone that cannot take the stairs or huff and puff their way from the car to the market. It isn't so much about getting into the jeans or looking good, but more about feeling good, getting out of bed in the morning and having muscles that respond a little better than when I am not working out and stretching. As for what gets me up and out of bed, well, I usually have to pee.

"What do you find inspiring in knitting? Spinning?" So many things! When it comes right down to brass taxes, color and texture move me. Attention to detail always moves me and the execution of that along with careful finishing keeps me going. Even the simplest knit can look crappy when poorly crafted, but when the time is taken to swatch, see how that swatch reacts when washed, carefully work the design to properly fit and without taking shortcuts, then following up by finishing well, when that all concludes with a wonderfully fitting and flattering garment, that is inspiration!  Alright, that's all made up crap.  It is really all the blue yarn.

Lisa then asked about my dreams. Hmmmm, what are my dreams (queue dream sequence)..... A house on a beach, a long porch on a sunny afternoon, a comfortable chair, my spinning wheel whirring, knitting by my side, a cool breeze, Mike Lowell, oops, I mean Pete refilling my iced tea pitcher...... Hey, it's my dream! Right?

Eighty-two to go. Fierce competitiveness, even if it is only with myself, inspires me to post day after day. Man, thank goodness this is almost over!

"Too Pooped To Pop"

That was my Nana's quote when she was tired.  "I'm to pooped to pop!" she'd say with a pep that was usually in contrast with the sentiment.  If you could hear me say it today, you would hear the fatigue in my voice.  Being away from home is difficult and exhausting, no matter how much fun it is.  And then the drive home today was not without its little stresses, but home I am and my laundry is going and I'm getting some words up on the blog.  It is late though, and I am again falling asleep behind the keyboard.  Hey, speaking of which, sort of, have you seen this? Too bad Typepad doesn't have a feature to prevent me from drunk blogging.  Oh wait, until I figure out the new Compost Editor, they apparently do.

Eighty-three to go.  Because we all know how often I am too lit to blog! 

Another QuestionI Didn't Forget.....

BUT!   It has been a long day and a late night.  So Margene asked if I was having a good time at SOAR and I have to say that YES! I am.  I have learned so much and feel inspired to head home and start spinning all day, all night.  Okay, I'll never feel like that really, but I have a plan and a project and I really want to make it happen.  Just look at my sampling, a three ply fingering weight in BFL: 

I love this three ply yarn and I can't believe I made it. I'll get better photos in daylight, you'll love it.

Eighty-four to go. I'm too tired to think of something for this spot. Deal.

Ten On Tuesday

Ten great/awful things about television.

1. 1. Reality televsion. (some great, some awful)
2. 2. Dexter. (great)
3. 3. The fourth hour of the Today show. (awful)
4. 4. Antiques Roadshow. (great)
5. 5. "..and I approve this message." (awful, no matter who says it)
6. 6. Project Runway. (great)
7. 7. Living Lohan. (awful would not cover it)
8. 8. Mythbusters. (great)
9. 9. Entertainment Tonight and shows like it, all those shows with people yelling at you about celebrity gossip. (awful)
10. 10. Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies. (great)

I am always amazed at how much sitting in a workshop all day can wear you out. I did get out for a little walk/hike today. Cheryl was with me and we saw a group of wild turkies that Cheryl commented looked like a group of coyotes. I commented that she needed her contacts checked. Then, we rounded a corner and Cheryl said, "Look! Terry! It's a deer!" She grabbed her camera and started snapping as I looked and realized her deer was a coyote! Just standing there looking at us, very non-plussed. That girl really needs to have that contact lens prescription checked!

Thanks to everybody that has emailed and commented this week, I would have answered you all, but I can't send emails from my email program, you know, hit reply, type something, hit send, all done, and I'm just too tired to do all that work involved in sending them from my email account online. I suppose if I checked my email online instead of through my email program I could reply from that...... I'll think about it. While I'm thinking, I'll promise to reply to emails when I get home. Alright, it is me, I promise to try to reply, how's that?

Eighty-five to go. Tomorrow, I answer more questions. I'll bet you can't wait!

Again With The Tired!But As Promised, A Photo

First up, in answer to Cookie's question:

Well, she asked. And since she is getting the ball rolling, I'll answer the rest of her questions tonight. First, "Ever knit yourself something sexy?" Well, sexy is as sexy does, right? With that thinking everything I knit myself is sexy. Pete particularly appreciates this knit. "Ever want to?" I've been considering this  (ravelry link), what do you think? Actually, quick! Don't think about it! I don't want you to have to burn out your mind's eye with a hot poker. Me? I'm laughing hysterically thinking about my teeny tatas in that thing. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! "Was today a good day? What was the best part?" Hmmm, in fact, today was a good day. One of the best I've had in a while. My workshop is pretty good, the instructor is very witty and smart about a lot of things, not just spinning, and she is an expert at that. The best part? We are like twins seperated ata birth! She is a control freak about her spinning. WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE!!!! It's all about the sampling and swatching and being the boss and not taking short cuts. And she knows it all. I LOVE IT! And then I had a pretty good run, it is so hilly here, it was a hard run, which raised my endorphin level so high that I can't wait to do it again tomorrow and to make it all even better? The Red Sox WIN!!!! (That covers the day part, you can all decide which is the best part.) "The worst part?"

My reaction when I logged into Typepad to find I have been upgraded to the new Compose Editor.

Well, after only one post, I don't hate it yet. Maybe they have worked out the bugs that would have bugged me. We'll see. For tonight I am just too tired to try and figure out the changes. More of your questions answered later in the week. I love them!

Eighty-six to go. Photo credits go to Cheryl. Above and beyond the call of friendship, having workshop homework and exhausted herself, stopped in to take the pics for me. And she even edited and resized them for me. Isn't she great? If she was a real friend, she would have written the post.....

Photo-less Again

I feel as if this blog has a lot of posts in which I am complaining about being tired and having nothing to post.  And this is another one.  Heh. 

Seriously, I meant to take a picture of something my mom gave me because, well, it was a mom gift, if you get my drift.  Or the tea cups and saucers she gave me, but I'll tell that story when I get a photo of them.  I could have posted a progress picture of my BC+BOs2 sweater, if I had taken one.  Then I would have had to remove the color, because I kind of like the pictures that have color around the black and white sweater.  In case you are wondering, I finished one sleeve and am starting on the second.  I tried it on and I love it.  Even more.  I could have posted a photo of Meagan finishing her first marathon today.  Really!  She ran an entire 26.2 miles in a decent time.  I'm totally impressed.  But I wasn't there, so no photo for that.  I might have posted a photo of the "Welcome to Pennsylvania" sign as I drove past it, but I hear that driving while photographing is a dangerous hobby.  And then, Cheryl offered to take my picture, reclining on the bed while posting to this blog, and while I thought that was real generous of her, I passed.  I'm not that desperate for a photo.  I'll let y'all imagine it.  Wondering what I'm wearing?

So, coming up with an idea for tomorrow's post could be easy, but I might be a little brain dead from all the larnin' I'll be doing, so how about this:  Ask me a question.  Ask two or three or whatever and I'll try to answer some or all over the next couple of days.  C'mon, what burning curiosities do you have about life at the Blues?

Eighty-seven to go.  And no matter what, even if it is of me lounging on the bed, there will be a photo here tomorrow (Monday).  Promise.

YouTube Saturday

I found that last video while looking for something a little more like this one:

For some reason, when I am having a crazy time, stressful moment, something is bugging me, someone is bugging me, anything really, the Chicken Song pops into my head. It is like a soundtrack running through my life. Now aren't you glad to be anyone but me? Well, if I am suffering through this day, I thought I'd invite y'all to join me. You are entirely welcome (because I just know you are all going to thank me for this)!

Eighty-eight to go. This quirk of mine is especially annoying to Erin, and I am always sure to share with her. She protests loudly and usually rudely. The funniest thing on Mother's Day though, was that she found one of those Hallmark music cards, actually for Mother's Day, with this song in it. It was a laugh out loud moment for us, that is for sure.

Reading, I mean, Listening.

Where the heck does the day go?  Eleven forty-five and I am struggling to come up with something for this space in the internet.  I feel like I just got out of bed and here I am, some stuff, an acupuncture appointment, errands at the mall, work, home, a run, shower, dinner, high school football game, socializing at Applebees, baseball game on.........  I did listen to most most of a book today.  A pretty good mystery, I like this new to me character, Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper.  I guess this novel, Final Jeopardy, is the first of a series.  Who reads these types of books?  Anybody?  Linda Fairstein or Patricia Cornwall or that woman that is the character in the show Bones or something like that?  Don't you sometimes think that these women, for being really smart and educated, are as dumb as a box of rocks?  They miss the biggest clues ever.  And they always think they are safe when everyone around them tells them to stick with their body guards or not to go out by themselves, so they ignore all of the advice they get from other really smart people and end up in all kinds of trouble.  Stupid.  Anyway, I did like the book and will read the series.

At the beginning of the week I read  listened to a Deborah Knott mystery, another series about a judge.  That one was okay, and if I have the time I'll continue to rent them. 

What else has kept me entertained while working and driving?  Water for Elephants (loved it more than I can say.  I loved the story of the older man in the nursing home more than his reminisces of his time in the circus and that was extremely compelling), All the Pretty Horses (Cormac McCarthy goes on and on and on and on with the detail.  I get that it takes a long time to ride a horse from Mexico to Texas and how cold it can get in the mountains, but it really shouldn't be written in real time.  All those words being so Cormac.  Long.), Duplicate Keys (really stupid main character, sorry), and the Bad Beginning.  I know it.  It is a child's story, but I kind of liked it.  I might read through that unfortunate series as well.  I have plenty of time for it.

Okay, now it is 12:11 and I need to change the time stamp on this post and hit publish.  Notice I didn't do the linkfest.  I was too tired after the first one.  Share your recent reads, I'm always looking for good listens.

Eighty-nine to go.  I'll never get up in time. 

Just So You Know

There are 90 days left in 2008

And a quiz (and I didn't cheat to get the color, and why yes, of course, that is my rear end. Thanks for noticing):

Your Lucky Underwear is Blue

You are caring and extroverted. You've made relationships your number one focus, and your lucky blue underwear can bring some balance to them. You thrive in one-on-one situations. You are a good listener and a natural born therapist. Sometimes you let the concerns of others become too important in your life, leading to stress and worry. If you want more balance, put on your blue underpants. They'll help you take care of yourself first.

What Color Is Your Lucky Underwear?

Ninety days to go. And you might not be surprised to know, my favorite undies are blue, BUT, I have black and tan as well.  I'll bet that was unexpected.

Writing PromptsOr, Be Careful What You Ask For

Well, you can blame only yourselves for this.  Encouraging me, telling me things like you'll miss me if I stop blogging and how I've become a regular part of your day. An annoying little habit like turning three times and tapping the door knob five times every time you go through a door.  People don't really get it, but it isn't hurting anyone (except that time I did it at a job interview, screwed before I even shook the interviewers hand), so they just shake their heads and move along.  And for your support you are getting my attempt at minutia.  Keep in mind I have already fallen asleep twice trying to write this post.  There are a lot of blogs out there people.  Here is your chance to move.on.

"Exhausted?" you ask.  "Why, how could you tell?" I snore back.  I was up earlier than the ass-crack of dawn, earlier than my body has seen in a long time, so that I could pick my mother up at six and drive her into Boston for a medical procedure scheduled for 8:30, but she wants to be there by 8.  Did I mention this is 8 AM?  There are doctors near where we actually live, just in case you are wondering, but my mother thinks they are all quacks or the students that got Cs but still got a medical degree and if they were really good she would be seeing them in Boston, right?  So she schedules this thing first thing in the morning and thinks that leaving at 6:30 should give us plenty of time.  I didn't, so I got her early and somewhere along the parking lot that is I93 during the morning commute she remarked, "I didn't know there would be so many people out this early."  Luckily, I did.

This afternoon I headed to the gym, which in itself isn't a big deal, but today!  People!  Today makes FOUR DAYS IN A ROW! that I have done something excercise-like.  Not like.  Real, honest to buffness EXCERCISE!  I don't think I ran five times total last month.  Is this my excercise mojo coming back?  Oooh, I hope so.

So here I sit, after spinning group, falling asleep and trying to come up with a post.  I decide to google 'writing prompts' and it produces so many hits that I drifted off again.  When a dream about falling into a tornado jerked me into semi-consciousness, I saw that The Imagination Prompt Generator coughed up this prompt:

Right now you should be doing
_________ instead of being on the
computer.

That's easy:

SLEEPING!

Ninety-one to go. You didn't believe that crap about the turning and tapping, did you? I worked through that in therapy a long time ago.