Terrorist Attack Free last night. What a pleasant shift in the normal continuum of my life. Neither Bonnie nor Clyde even slept with us last night. I swear they do this to lull us in to some kind of comfortable submission at which point they will strike with a vengeance!
No, no exciting Bonnie and Clyde stories for the early morning blogging.
Not much on the knitting front either. I did knit some on a homeless Afghan, but he wasn't appreciative of the efforts...badump bump.
I've been thinking a lot about my stash lately. It's been a while since I pulled things out and 'organized.' (Obsessed knitter code for touch and feel and dream about and sort and and and...) I have a lot of Goodwill yarn it's sorted into colors at this point. I'm itching to start a new project, but I seem to recall saying recently to the husband that seeing as both of us struggle with finishing projects, might we put some energy into finishing before starting much new. Irritating that I would admit such a limitation, even to myself.
Yeah! The coffee is done and I'm over due for a cup and some knitting on that homeless Afghan again...badump bump.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
After the Trials of the Day
The work day is done...ahh. It's time to have dinner and knit a bit. I'm grateful for the husband. He has dinner essentially ready and is willing to bring it to me in my chair...another ahhh. Then it will be some knitting and maybe a film. There have already been some Clyde kisses and that's a VERY nice way to start the day.
The husband met me at the door with the big dog in hand. Henry is our two year old Rottweiler. He is one big boy and our guesstimate has him weighing approximately 120 pounds. Henry has some behavior issues and Dad spent some time working with Henry today.
While Henry had his one on one time with the dad, poor Molly was in the yard. Her screaming and caroling sounded as if someone was pulling her toenails out through her left ear. I'm pretty sure it was her left because the right ear has a different pitch.
Today I started making plans to teach someone to knit. Should be interesting.
Enough for now...on to the sticks.
The husband met me at the door with the big dog in hand. Henry is our two year old Rottweiler. He is one big boy and our guesstimate has him weighing approximately 120 pounds. Henry has some behavior issues and Dad spent some time working with Henry today.
While Henry had his one on one time with the dad, poor Molly was in the yard. Her screaming and caroling sounded as if someone was pulling her toenails out through her left ear. I'm pretty sure it was her left because the right ear has a different pitch.
Today I started making plans to teach someone to knit. Should be interesting.
Enough for now...on to the sticks.
Early Rising
Three-thirty anti meridian came VERY early this morning. I am generally an early riser, but 0330 hasn't been part of my morning ritual for years and years. It just so happens I am covering the early shift at work today. (That is the last I'll say about that four letter word this morning.)
When my alarm went off, it didn't matter to Bonnie P. that it was an hour earlier than normal. She arrived on the bedside table just like any other morning. I am usually greeted by one or the other when the alarm goes off. Ideally, never both at that the same time. This would cause even the strongest hearts to skip a beat or two.
Bonnie arrived to look at me and walk the ear to elbow circuit a few times. Stopping at each destination to flick her tail and look over her shoulder with disdainful expectation...an expression only produced by felines. When I didn't respond, she opted for the window sill tactic.
In my defense, it's THREE THIRTY in the morning! I've had very strange dreams all night long involving paranoia at missing the alarm and waking up at seven am among other disturbing plot lines. (Surely the subject of another blog.)
Observing the darkness from the bedroom window sill did not elicit any response from me. I was trying to figure out if I could possibly re-set the alarm clock to even get fifteen more minutes of slumber when, UHHH! Bonnie landed on my chest. This annoying maneuver never fails to get a response from Momma. As the air shot out of my lungs and I gasped, "Good Morning Bonnie P." she looked over her shoulder at me as if to say, "You gave me no choice."
Clyde watched this entire encounter from his perch atop the dresser. I won't even go to the place where they leap from the dresser on to the bed...
When my alarm went off, it didn't matter to Bonnie P. that it was an hour earlier than normal. She arrived on the bedside table just like any other morning. I am usually greeted by one or the other when the alarm goes off. Ideally, never both at that the same time. This would cause even the strongest hearts to skip a beat or two.
Bonnie arrived to look at me and walk the ear to elbow circuit a few times. Stopping at each destination to flick her tail and look over her shoulder with disdainful expectation...an expression only produced by felines. When I didn't respond, she opted for the window sill tactic.
In my defense, it's THREE THIRTY in the morning! I've had very strange dreams all night long involving paranoia at missing the alarm and waking up at seven am among other disturbing plot lines. (Surely the subject of another blog.)
Observing the darkness from the bedroom window sill did not elicit any response from me. I was trying to figure out if I could possibly re-set the alarm clock to even get fifteen more minutes of slumber when, UHHH! Bonnie landed on my chest. This annoying maneuver never fails to get a response from Momma. As the air shot out of my lungs and I gasped, "Good Morning Bonnie P." she looked over her shoulder at me as if to say, "You gave me no choice."
Clyde watched this entire encounter from his perch atop the dresser. I won't even go to the place where they leap from the dresser on to the bed...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Down Side of Mindless Knitting
After a couple of hours of mindless knitting, I'm reminded of the down side...it's boring. I'm dependant upon the color changes to keep me interested. The boring-ness of mindless knitting makes it ideal for doing while watching TV or listening to music or having a conversation. So, I guess, the down side is really the up side?!?!
I guess that's how ya' spin it.
Speaking of spinning, I can see my wheel tucked over there across the room. It is lacking it's string drive, but that should be an easy fix. I've not spun since the Feline Terrorists arrived with us. Pity that.
Years ago our friend Chuck lived with us. He came with a couple of kids and a precocious brat of a cat aptly named, Toes. Now Toes was a wild man at heart. If there was trouble to get into, he was your guy. If the trouble had complications, well Toes could figure it out. Toes was fascinated with my spinning wheel. He particularly liked the tension device.
My wheel is an Ashford Traditional from 1970. It's tensionind device consists of a wooden peg, a length of fishing line, and a spring. I won't try to explain how all of this applies tension, but trust me it does. It also provided hours of continuing entertainment for Toes. I got tired for Toes unhooking this from the wheel and one day, removed the whole thing, wrapped the line around the peg and lodged it on a high shelf. I wasn't wise to the ways of feline terrorists back then.
Toes removed the tensioner from the shelf...I shudder to think at the manipulations he must have went through. Eventually I put the tensioner in the hall closet on the shelf. For the remainder of his time with us, Toes kept his eyes on that closet. Whenever it was opened, he would run to it and look up at the shelf.
This experience with Toes gives me pause at the thought of spinning with Bonnie and Clyde in the house. They are the best thinkers and planners of any felines I've met in my time. They watch where things are put and they remember. Bonnie knows how to open cupboard doors and Clyde knows how to open the interior doors in the house. Not much is safe from them.
I have a blue dresser in my room. It's an old fashioned sort of dresser. There are three big drawers and two small as well as a little cupboard. Bonnie can open the cupboard door and is constantly challenged to open the little drawers. I sincerely hope she never is able to open the little drawers...one contains knitting needles and crochet hooks and the other houses skeins of sock yarn. Oy! May she be ever stymied by this task!
I guess that's how ya' spin it.
Speaking of spinning, I can see my wheel tucked over there across the room. It is lacking it's string drive, but that should be an easy fix. I've not spun since the Feline Terrorists arrived with us. Pity that.
Years ago our friend Chuck lived with us. He came with a couple of kids and a precocious brat of a cat aptly named, Toes. Now Toes was a wild man at heart. If there was trouble to get into, he was your guy. If the trouble had complications, well Toes could figure it out. Toes was fascinated with my spinning wheel. He particularly liked the tension device.
My wheel is an Ashford Traditional from 1970. It's tensionind device consists of a wooden peg, a length of fishing line, and a spring. I won't try to explain how all of this applies tension, but trust me it does. It also provided hours of continuing entertainment for Toes. I got tired for Toes unhooking this from the wheel and one day, removed the whole thing, wrapped the line around the peg and lodged it on a high shelf. I wasn't wise to the ways of feline terrorists back then.
Toes removed the tensioner from the shelf...I shudder to think at the manipulations he must have went through. Eventually I put the tensioner in the hall closet on the shelf. For the remainder of his time with us, Toes kept his eyes on that closet. Whenever it was opened, he would run to it and look up at the shelf.
This experience with Toes gives me pause at the thought of spinning with Bonnie and Clyde in the house. They are the best thinkers and planners of any felines I've met in my time. They watch where things are put and they remember. Bonnie knows how to open cupboard doors and Clyde knows how to open the interior doors in the house. Not much is safe from them.
I have a blue dresser in my room. It's an old fashioned sort of dresser. There are three big drawers and two small as well as a little cupboard. Bonnie can open the cupboard door and is constantly challenged to open the little drawers. I sincerely hope she never is able to open the little drawers...one contains knitting needles and crochet hooks and the other houses skeins of sock yarn. Oy! May she be ever stymied by this task!
Adjustments to My Room
The husband has stopped with all of his noise and activity...now it's my turn.
I've done some re-arranging to my room. We have three bedrooms in our house...our room, his room, and my room.
His room is to be a technological hub and center to all the sounds and visuals electronically shared within the house...at least I think so...it's changed a lot over the years. Bonnie and Clyde have also shared his room (their litter box, food, water) and it is time for my room to take a turn with that.
My room is supposed to be my sanctuary for meditation and quiet and a storage place for my yarn and fiber stash. Bonnie and Clyde use my room to test their latest Feline Subversive and Terrorist maneuvers and strategies. Today Momma re-arranged some in here and they are delighted.
I've long had in my possession an antique wooden ironing board. I bought it at a neighbor's garage sale when I was a kid in high school. I've stored it and packed it around for 25 years or so. The husband cannot stand the thing and regularly nags me to get rid of it while moving it and complaining about its very existence. Today I stripped it of it's covering and it's beautiful! It makes an excellent beside the chair table...people were shorter in the antique days I guess, 'cause it's not very tall.
I've been around the Feline Terrorists long enough to know that anything I place on my ironing board is not safe and will be dumped to the floor. I will be cautious for a while. They will likely let me get comfortable before they strike, so I will have to stay on my toes.
Time for lunch and some more knitting.
I've done some re-arranging to my room. We have three bedrooms in our house...our room, his room, and my room.
His room is to be a technological hub and center to all the sounds and visuals electronically shared within the house...at least I think so...it's changed a lot over the years. Bonnie and Clyde have also shared his room (their litter box, food, water) and it is time for my room to take a turn with that.
My room is supposed to be my sanctuary for meditation and quiet and a storage place for my yarn and fiber stash. Bonnie and Clyde use my room to test their latest Feline Subversive and Terrorist maneuvers and strategies. Today Momma re-arranged some in here and they are delighted.
I've long had in my possession an antique wooden ironing board. I bought it at a neighbor's garage sale when I was a kid in high school. I've stored it and packed it around for 25 years or so. The husband cannot stand the thing and regularly nags me to get rid of it while moving it and complaining about its very existence. Today I stripped it of it's covering and it's beautiful! It makes an excellent beside the chair table...people were shorter in the antique days I guess, 'cause it's not very tall.
I've been around the Feline Terrorists long enough to know that anything I place on my ironing board is not safe and will be dumped to the floor. I will be cautious for a while. They will likely let me get comfortable before they strike, so I will have to stay on my toes.
Time for lunch and some more knitting.
The View From the Front Porch
Spring is here. While I can never remember the official start date, Spring has arrived to my part of the Pacific Northwest! The trees are budding, flowering, or leafing out...completely dependant upon their genetics.
Yesterday I spent a few hours on the front porch. The sun was out. The temperature pleasant enough. I knit for a while, chatted with the neighbors and exchanged 'hellos' and waves with those passing by.
A true gift arrived when I noted two circling bald eagles across the street above the neighboring houses. The pair circled lazily on the thermals and drifted toward our house and beyond. In discussing this with the neighbors and a woman walking her dogs, I've learned that this pair lives on the far edge of the park and has been known to dive for dogs walking in the park. This particular woman had the eagles go for her dogs, see her, and then change course. Allegedly frisbee golfers have been approached as well. A lovely bit of excitement for North Portland that doesn't include gunfire and sirens.
This morning I noted sun in the front windows and went for the porch. There was fresh rain and wet conditions. My bench was dry and I parked to knit a bit, but by the time I was settled in, the sun was behind the clouds. Despite all the wind, the clouds never did lift while I was out there. I live three houses down from a huge city park that is full of evergreen trees. When the winds blow like they were this morning, it's almost like being at the beach....
I did give up and return indoors to pick up the knitting.
The current project for today is a blanket I'm knitting to donate to the homeless. I had knit perhaps a foot or so and then changed stitches...wanted a 'mindless' knitting project that was all knit stitch (stockinette) and didn't have to think about. It started out in garter stitch and I changed to stockinette. I tried for several inches to make that be okay, but I've given up on it as it was bugging too much to proceed. I've cut the yarn and cast on again...this time stockinette from the beginning. I like this much better thus far.
The cats and my senses are currently under assault this morning. Leo has the music going very loudly, he has run the vacuum cleaner, and now is apparently washing the outside of the front door. Bonnie and Clyde were peacefully asleep in a basket and on the back of my chair respectively when the vacuum started. They are currently in the nether reaches of my room. I hear them moving about again, but I won't see them for a while.
Off now for more mindless knitting and a bit of a tour around Ravelry.
Yesterday I spent a few hours on the front porch. The sun was out. The temperature pleasant enough. I knit for a while, chatted with the neighbors and exchanged 'hellos' and waves with those passing by.
A true gift arrived when I noted two circling bald eagles across the street above the neighboring houses. The pair circled lazily on the thermals and drifted toward our house and beyond. In discussing this with the neighbors and a woman walking her dogs, I've learned that this pair lives on the far edge of the park and has been known to dive for dogs walking in the park. This particular woman had the eagles go for her dogs, see her, and then change course. Allegedly frisbee golfers have been approached as well. A lovely bit of excitement for North Portland that doesn't include gunfire and sirens.
This morning I noted sun in the front windows and went for the porch. There was fresh rain and wet conditions. My bench was dry and I parked to knit a bit, but by the time I was settled in, the sun was behind the clouds. Despite all the wind, the clouds never did lift while I was out there. I live three houses down from a huge city park that is full of evergreen trees. When the winds blow like they were this morning, it's almost like being at the beach....
I did give up and return indoors to pick up the knitting.
The current project for today is a blanket I'm knitting to donate to the homeless. I had knit perhaps a foot or so and then changed stitches...wanted a 'mindless' knitting project that was all knit stitch (stockinette) and didn't have to think about. It started out in garter stitch and I changed to stockinette. I tried for several inches to make that be okay, but I've given up on it as it was bugging too much to proceed. I've cut the yarn and cast on again...this time stockinette from the beginning. I like this much better thus far.
The cats and my senses are currently under assault this morning. Leo has the music going very loudly, he has run the vacuum cleaner, and now is apparently washing the outside of the front door. Bonnie and Clyde were peacefully asleep in a basket and on the back of my chair respectively when the vacuum started. They are currently in the nether reaches of my room. I hear them moving about again, but I won't see them for a while.
Off now for more mindless knitting and a bit of a tour around Ravelry.
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