July 07, 2004
Two Hot Mamas!
Since this is proving to be a very sunny, very hot summer, this weekend, The Mysterious K and I each treated ourselves to a new pair of prescription sunglasses for toolin’ around in the convertible. TMK was quite giddy about owning for the first time a grown-up, sophisticated pair of sunglasses. No more for her the round, darkly tinted kind that make you look like a demented housefly. I knew she liked her glasses but I didn’t realize quite how much until I found her in the kitchen…standing over the garbage can…shucking corn…in her sunglasses. I suspect she even slept in them that night. Oy.
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On a completely different subject, and harking back to my entries about What I Did This Summer, courtesy of Big Sister, here is a photo of me with Little Niece and Little Nephew. I had just arrived at their hotel room and we were all flushed and crazy from a big round of hugs 'n' giggles.
Happy Belated Birthday to Little Niece who just turned 10!
Knitting Knews
It’s not often laypersons like us, ordinary citizens who are not neurologists or psychologists by trade, get to glimpse the inner workings of a troubled mind but here, for my Dear Readers, is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a physical manifestation of a brain exploding.
Oh, but I had such good intentions. See how at the top I started by nicely writing the name of the pattern, followed by, in clear, calm penmanship, the finished, pre-blocked size of the pillow? But soon after that—kablooie!
Most of this insanity comes from figuring out how many rows to knit to reach the 15.5” unblocked height of the pillow (initially 155 rows—and then 140 when I really checked my gauge instead of just farting around), what size of design element to use in the center of the pillow, what size peerie to use to separate the different design elements, and trying desperately to remember what page of the pattern book each design element and peerie was on. But, despite the lingering smoke wafting out of my ears, I’ve got it all figured it out, and have actually started on the pillow. Pictures soon.
Gardening Gazette
Here is a photo of my most favorite plant in my entire yard, my miniature white-and-red variegated rose. This little beauty is only about the size of a half-dollar, no more. Amazing, no?
(And, yes, this is a different flower from the George Burns rose. Similarly variegated, yes. Similarly insanely striped, yes. But the George Burns is yellow and red and hybrid tea rose size; this one is white and red and much smaller.)
To my credit, the reason I was wearing the sunglasses while shucking corn, is that the lenses have a really cool filter which makes everything take on a warm, yellow tone. I wanted to see what the corn would look like! ;-) (I *am* a visual person, after all!)
TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on July 7, 2004 10:28 AMUh-huh. Sure.
Posted by: Ryan on July 7, 2004 10:35 AMHooray, you're back! Missed my fix, ya know!
Unfortunately, ALL of my pattern notes look like yours! I also try to write down all the things I've "learned" through the project (almost always the hard way, of course) as well as any good references I used to figure things out. Helpful, believe me.
Having worn glasses most of my life, I really "get" the Rx sunglass thing! I can hardly wait, sometime in the next few weeks will be going to get a new pair of glasses and I'm going to splurge on Rx sunglasses too! Wheeeeee!! (I live a very dull life, obviously). ;) L
Posted by: Lisa in Oregon on July 7, 2004 10:36 AMLisa, I can completely relate to the "pattern notes" thing. When I knit a new pair of socks, especially from scratch, I always have good intentions to write down all the details so I can (a) remember them for the second sock and (b) write up the pattern so I can post it on the blog. I usually get about as far as what yarn I used and how many stitches I cast on, and then, well, I refer you to the photo on my blog.
Posted by: Ryan on July 7, 2004 10:44 AMHow I love your rose! I miss my rose bushes tremendously and my balcony doesn't get enough sun to make roses viable. I'll have to content myself with your pictures.
Posted by: Nathania on July 7, 2004 10:49 AMNathania, if it makes you feel any better, I really suck at growing roses. In fact, TMK even admitted to me that before she sent the picture to me she digitally removed some black spots from the leaves! Ah, computers. Gotta love 'em.
Posted by: Ryan on July 7, 2004 11:07 AMYay! The Blog Mistress is back! *stalk stalk stalk* The picture of you and the niece and nephew is lovely. Now I'm really looking forward to my summer week with my nephew.
Gee, making new patterns and writing them down...*giggle*...ummm...wonder what Shamu is doing....
I can relate to the Rx sunglasses as well. I've worn glasses since 4th grade. My first pair were bifocals. Yep. Blind as a bat. And a note to all of you that don't wear glasses, the whole "How many fingers and I holding up" bit gets old. Real fast. hehe
The rose is breath-taking. It looks like little peppermints on a bush. Oooooh...pretty.
Hope everyone has a great day!!
Posted by: Stalker Angie on July 7, 2004 12:04 PMWhen I win the lottery, I'm going to have 20 different pairs of glasses and sunglasses. My greatest show of improved self-esteem occurred 8 years ago when I purchased a pair of prescription bifocal sunglasses--up til then I'd just had my previous glasses dyed whenever my prescription changed. The height of sophistication--glasses to suit every mood and wardrobe choice. Oh, who am I kidding. Every wardrobe choice? Like, which T-shirt am I wearing today???
As a non-gardening garden appreciator, I suggest any of the rugosa family. Tough, not prone to mildew, sweetly fragrant. And, of course, the lovely Glauca rose. If I can keep these alive, you can too.
Posted by: Janine on July 7, 2004 01:10 PMI have notebooks FULL of pages that look just like that :) Ain't math fun?
And that little rose is wonderful - cheerful to look at and spirited as all get out!
Posted by: Robbyn on July 7, 2004 07:29 PMumm, your notes are a paragon of perfection- i tend to make notes to myself about the *really* important things (needle size, row count, etc) on the backs of junk mail envelopes- well, we all know what eventually happens to junk mail envelopes, don't we?
what a wonderful pic of you and the niece and nephew- don't know which one of you looks the happiest-
re: gauge-
the words 'gauge swatch' have to be among the most dreadful in the language- yeah, yeah, as i totter toward antiquity i realize more and more that they are importance but that doesn't relieve the pain of seeing them-
stay happy-
Posted by: barb in texas on July 8, 2004 08:40 AMYep, Janine, that's where TMK's and my old "housefly" sunglasses came from--old glasses that had just been tinted. No wonder they looked so lame.
Barb, like you, over time, but veerrrry slowly, I am also becoming a believer in gauge swatches, although I really hate knitting them. Knitting them makes me downright grumpy and sullen. But I am pleased to announce that 4.5" into the pillow, I am exactly on gauge. THAT is certainly a good feeling!
Posted by: Ryan on July 8, 2004 09:01 AMOk, giggling a little bit over the black spots on the leaves. Not that they're there, but that TMK took the time to remove them digitally. If only I could have a digital fix on days when I don't feel like brushing my hair or wearing makeup. ;o)
Posted by: Nathania on July 8, 2004 04:00 PMpersonally... I just want you to get a pic of TMK (and you) in the sunglasses.. I am sure you both look like supah-stahs!
Posted by: anj on July 9, 2004 07:44 AM