Mid September Corrections

BG recently (finally) checked out my blog and he pointed out that I did not mention him in my profile. I corrected this oversight this morning. He is my rock start, the love of my life, my best friend, my boyfriend and my rock. And he does his best to drive me crazy, which is only fitting as I do the same to him. He also pointed out to me that the profile page sounded like I was looking for a date and if I put down that I was 14 years old I would get more hits. I am not 14 years old, nor would I be 14 years old for anything. Some things may not be great about being in your 50s, but being comfortable in your own skin and having the perspective of half a century (did I say that?) is priceless.

I am making green tomato pickles today; I have never made them before but I have high hopes.

Time in Dog Years

One of my friends recently informed me that one of her dogs just died and it made me think of how our lives are defined by the dogs who trot by our side. I don't have pics of my other dogs on the computer, something I will have to rectify. When I was single then first married and with little kids were the Rozie years, a sweet retriever mutt who used to follow me into town with a kid in a stroller. All the shopkeepers in town knew her as she would eagerly wait at my side and then grab my bag to carry home. All the people in my mom's neighborhood knew her as she used to visit all the houses on the block (never crossing the street), particularly when they had picnics. People used to drive by and great her by name and I would ask my mom who they were. She didn't now either, but they were friends of Rozzie. Rozzie also was the shadow house, whose greatest pleasure was to stand outside on a sunny day and chase bird shadows. Also, she smiled. A big, toothy silly grin. Rozzie was a sweetheart.

Britty was my spirit guide. She came into my life and truly guided me past some crossroads and through some very difficult times. She was the dog the kids mostly grew up with. And I couldn't think of a better dog for two boys to grow up with. She was very, very special. I often told the kids that she was going to be the dog they told their grandchildren about. We were all with her when she died, one of our last times together, and we were al heartbroken. I still miss her guidance and calm presence.

Sophie & Luka - well we have the Luka Chronicles. They are good girls and keep me laughing and happy.

Here's to the dogs of our lives.

Who is This dog?

Ok, she looks like a poodle/wolfhound/afghan. And Luka looks like Luka. This is a warning. Take heed. This is what happens when you don't brush your briard. She doesn't like being brushed, so I put it off and put it off. Usually I am fairly disciplined and brush her once a week no matter what, but this summer I just kept putting it off until it was impossible to get through even with the mat cutter - so out came the clipper. Oh well, it will grow back.

On a more positive subject, my Ladies Sweater is coming out great! As you can see, I decided to knit one side at a time, I am almost done with the right front. Another 2 inches I think. And I am going to make full length sleaves instead of the 3/4 sleeves in the pattern. I like the look of the 3/4 sleeves, but this sweater is for my mom and I know that she will not be happy without a full length sleave.

End of Summer

It has been several weeks since my last post. I have been a busy bee. I canned 4 ½ quarts of tomatoes! I also mailed for many seed catalogs as I want to get good seeds next year; no more Big Box Store seeds. I was particularly looking for heirloom seeds. This week I am going to dry some flower seeds, my sunflowers and marigolds. Can I find portulaka seeds? At first I was disappointed that I got the smaller sunflowers this year, but now that they have bloomed I am very happy with them. I saw some on a garden show that were huge, 6-7 foot stalks with many flowers all the way up the stalk. I will be on a search for them for next year.

I also have been knitting like crazy. Finished the Mobius scarf, very cool, I will get a picture next post. My mom’s sweater is coming along very nicely. I had a slight meltdown when I first separated for the sleeves, but after pulling out a few rows and putting my usual spacers in (every 14 stitches instead of every 20 stitches as it is a 7 stitch repeat), and I also am not knitting all the way across as there is too much tangling with 3 balls of yarn attached. In case you haven’t guessed, it is a top-down sweater. I am about 8 inches down the right front side and it looks pretty good.

On the Boy I Should Be Ashamed of Myself front: I have so neglected brushing Sophie that I finally gave up yesterday and took the clipper and shaved down her neck, behind her ears and her muzzle. I missed a few spots and didn’t want to torture her too much at once. I will take another go at it today. And brush another section of her body. Her body is pretty bad, but I can get through it, I don’t have to totally cut her down. My goal is to have her totally brushed by the end of the week and give her a bath! She looks kinda silly, but kinda cute, she looks very much like a poodle or a wolfhound. It’ll grow back. That is something that it took me many years to realize about myself. Remember how mortified you were when your mom cut your bangs?! It took Forever to grow back! If your mom didn’t cut your bangs or if she was a hairdresser and actually could cut your bangs, you missed some important angst in your adolescence.

Hot on Knitting

It was a record day yesterday. I got my box from patternworks which is always an exciting day. I nicely posed this pic showing the grass green worsted yarn that is going to be my mom’t Christmas present (keep your fingers crossed) and the bamboo silk that I am going to use to make a Mobius scarf. I also happened to score the other day four skeins of Patton yarn, 25% cashmere. 4 skeins = 2 scarf presents. And very cool presents indeed. I also finished the 2^nd sleeve on my cotton sweater so I could start my Mobius scarf. I conquered the Mobius. I intelligently decided to use some yarn from my stash before using the bamboo silk or cashmere. It is not really difficult, but there are some ah ha moments when it falls into place. I will post the finished Mobius when the practice one is done. And I still have to sew together my cotton sweater. That is a good rainy day project.

Part II of yesterday’s excitement was that I canned my pickled green beans. They are one of the few things the groundhogs left me and I know why. They are rather tough and tasteless. Next year I order seeds from a catalog. Anyway, I helped my friend Carol can years ago but have not done it since, so I looked on this as a learning experience. I figured if I pickled them it would a) add some flavor and b) soften them a bit. It’s only 2 ½ jars so if they are not too tasty, no great loss. And yes I know you have to fill the jars for safe preservation, the ½ jar is in the fridge. Next, tomatoes!

Knitting (its about time)

This blog is supposed to be somewhat about knitting. I finally finished the front of my summer sweater. I already picked out my next sweater, a cardigan that I really like, but I don’t much wear cardigans so I decided to make it for my mom for Christmas. It may snow in August since I am a perennial late Christmas shopper. She wears a lot of cardigans and I think she will really like it. My only problem is the perennial one of getting excited about my next possible project before I finish the current one, which leads to MANY unfinished projects. I promised myself that after I finish the front and back and am well started on the sleeves I would allow myself buy yarn for the Christmas sweater. Here is a picture of the front of my summer sweater and I think you can see the design pretty well. It is cotton, which I usually don’t much like working with, but this knits up like a dream and is very soft and luxurious and of course the color is luscious.

On another knitting note: Yesterday morning (at 6 a.m.) I saw the end of an episode of Knitty Gritty and they were knitting a Mobius scarf. I have been trying to get that pattern for free for ages. I downloaded the pattern from the website, however, I only saw the end of the episode and the directions for the cast on are kinda complicated. One of BG’s favorite resourses is You Tube so I did a search on You Tube and I got a little video that very clearly shows how to do the Mobius Cast on.

Ok, I am not sure how to copy a link to this blog, so just go to You Tube and put Mobius cast on in the search box. I have two skeins of mohair that just cry out for the Mobius treatment.

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

I know blogging is supposed to be for yourself, but it is also to share your viewpoint and thoughts with a world that is just on the edge of its seat waiting to read your most profound thoughts. Is anybody reading this? I do enjoy posting, but I read other blogs and you see occasional comment from faithful (or otherwise) readers. I have to teach Sophie how to type.