Stash Angels in Michigan

Live and learn . . . it's going to have to be my mantra for knitting. I was so close to finished with Singing Daughter's Quidditch sweater and then--wow, that's not much yarn left in the knitting bag--uh-oh, guess I'd better scramble.

Ravelry saved my bacon because I found nothing on eBay. First, the aptly named Hope in Michigan came through with a skein of the lovely shade of blue, called cerulean. Then I located two skeins of the chestnut with the right dyelot in the stash of Tina in . . . Michigan! Tina was willing to sell them to me as well. (Wow, I love that state! Even visited it a few times as a child.)


Both Hope and Tina were more than kind and happily mailed them (in Hope's case, before my check even arrived--nice to be trusted) priority shipping so I could get back to the project ASAP.

Tina's recent blogpost on why she always over-purchases for a project really hit home, in addition to the natural-consequences-type learning that resulted from my running out of yarn because I didn't do that.

Meantime, I knitted on several ongoing projects, including Super Secret Project #2,

[sorry, no photos of this super secret project!]

and a scarf I am making for World Saving Daughter's fiance, Paco. This is Bazic wool in two tones, and I just love the way they look together. Pattern is mistaken rib, one of my favorites!


I have also worked on one of my easy drop stitch scarves a bit.

This is probably the only shot I'll put up of Super Secret Project #3, which Kathy kindly helped me drum up the confidence for, as well as getting started with a simple pattern and the Magic Loop method. Nothing like a guide on the new path.

I will admit that I did all this knitting and yarn searching when I should have been grading papers. Sigh . . .

That is, when I wasn't taking photos of the hummingbirds that are now regular visitors to our feeder. That is an addictive pastime--just one more--this will be the shot of the century--etc.

Structured procrastination is supposed to be an admirable trait, one that is usually under appreciated. Time to stop with that technique, though, so I can hold my head up high.

Happy Knitting, all!

A Fun, Funny Mockumentary

Go here to watch a youtube mockumentary about "Wooly Bullies," the elitist attitudes of knitters, and the pain and alienation of the poor black sheep crocheter.

Thanks, cosymakes, for introducing me to this.

Yes, yes, still knitting sleeves. Two episodes of Law and Order (the plain vanilla version) last night saw me with another inch or two of sleeviness. Tomorrow is no weekend day at all, though, with our school's day-long "picnic," so I am going to be grading papers today. Sigh. Another longer sigh. Ah well, that's what summers are for!

Another Way to Get on Mom's Good Side

DD#2, one of the two knitters in my brood, just asked me to send her, ASAP, her knitting accoutrements, including a partly finished something (scarf? legging?) in gray and hunter green. Naturally I packed it all in a flat rate box, got some other little surprises, and sent it on its speedy way to Boston. She promises me that when she has her gear, she will take pictures of all her FOs. I smell a new convert!!!

This is DD#2 with her new baby, Samosa the Hamster.


There's a rodent on the loose!This afternoon, though it's 80 degrees today, I'll be knitting at the faculty meeting. Ahhhh. I can sit through meetings whether interesting or not (or uneven!) if I have something to knit on.

~Happy knitting, all!

Sleeves and Hummers

Here they are, DD#2, the sleeves are coming along! I am almost at the end of increases so will be able to knit steadily without pattern changes for most of the rest of them. I'm getting to it every day, at least for a little while. I know it's gotten cold in Boston, and I know you have a few other sweaters to wear, so while I'm knitting and finishing, I am pretty sure you won't freeze. 8^)

But something else, my blogging friends, is much more exciting to me today. DH recently indulged my whim and brought home a wrought iron stake/hook and a hummingbird feeder, as I'd seen so effectively employed in the garden outside the dentist's while I had my teeth cleaned. What a perfect way to calm nervous patients!

Now, my history of asking DH to do something in the yard for me is blighted with forgotten tomato plants and basil, the dahlias he put in planters, complete with drip irrigation, which died and didn't come back, and other such abandoned things. I would not have been surprised if he didn't want to carry out this little request, since feeders need frequent replenishing, etc. etc. But my theory about myself is that if I can see it, I maintain it. So we put it in full view of the French doors (with windows on each side as well).

At first it was a little ways out in the yard and to the left, in some landscaping, where we got to watch, if we were patient, hummingbirds coming to feast over and over. They swoop down out of the oak tree nearby, check things out for safety, and then dip into the nectar again and again.

A few days ago DH moved the feeder to just outside the window by the back patio. I was a little worried that too much movement inside might keep the little helicopters away, considering that we are walking past that window all the time (it's right off the kitchen too, lots of walking through). Not to mention the menacing felines which sleep . . .

(that's Kuh-LEo, with paws all folded sweetly under her chin)

. . . and stand . . .

(that's Kermit McDermott, a cat that watches the "movie" going on outside every day, but poses absolutely no threat to any critters, as he and his posse are all indoor-only cats)

. . . right near that window. Nope! I needn't have worried. If you put out nectar, they will come! This little green one, with a brilliant fuchsia throat, is just one type that I've seen partaking out there.




































Here is one of the most exciting pictures I've ever taken in my life!

I have long said that I believe, in a superstitious sort of way, if I see a hummingbird something good is about to happen. I've also said it's lucky I live where hummers live!! Now, I guess good things are going to happen all the time. 8^)

Speaking of which, the Cancer Update: DH is feeling stronger and seems less worn out than he did for the last part of chemo. He's already underway with the Rituxin maintenance doses, but they don't cause him any side effects. Neuropathy in his hands and feet needs to go away now!! But he's back to traveling for work and recreation, and living life to the fullest.

Happy knitting, all!