October 20, 2004
Ryanbeck, Part II!
Something very strange is going on. The Mysterious K has gotten it into her head that we are going to Rhinebeck next year. You heard right, not my idea—hers.
Here’s what has happened so far in the unfolding of this great mystery: After TMK saw Anj’s and Norma’s comments about meeting each other at Rhinebeck, she called me and asked—I kneweth not why—“Where’s Rhinebeck?” I said, unhelpfully, “I dunno. Somewhere in New York. Or not.” End of call...but my Spidey sense was tingling; I knew Something Was Up. Sure enough—five minutes later, phone call #2 in which she announced that she had located Rhinebeck on a map and, yes, it is in New York, and, oh, by the way (said in a suspiciously insouciant and lackadaisical way), it's only “half an inch,” in map distance, from the home of the couple that we met at the beach. Aha! My Spidey senses had been right, and now TMK's underlying motive had been revealed. You see, ever since we met those two, she has been mooning over our new pals and making sad puppy-dog eyes in a general Easterly direction. And me? I was saying, "Nice girls, but whatever. Not flying to New York to see 'em." But now, you see, now she figures she has found the perfect carrot on a stick.
But wait; there’s more! Yesterday morning, phone call #3. This time TMK announced that she had visited all the blogs she could think of, including Anj’s and Norma’s for the second time, to read up on Rhinebeck. Visited the blogs? Read up on Rhinebeck?! Now, while TMK appreciates the art of blogging as much as the next girl, she doesn’t read many blogs besides mine. And yet, here she was, assiduously mining various blogs for details about a frickin' fiber fair! So, it seems she’s determined to be at Rhinebeck, nose pressed up against the entry gate (if there is such a thing), in 2005.
Of course, there is the small detail that we both are terrified of flying (in fact, I tried to take half of a Valium once while I was flying but my hands were shaking so badly I only succeeded in flinging it across the aisle). Oh, and the fact that she is self-employed and rarely, if ever, takes any time off. Oh, and the small matter of the dog. Oh, and the fact that I could go to a local fiber fair just as easily…
Update in 365 days…
In the meantime, more on The Beautiful Box. The beadboard and molding has been added, as you can see:
Knitting Knews
Thank you Anj, Beth and Janine, for the helpful suggestions on the Smokescreen Scarf, but the more I looked at the photographs, the uglier I realized the scarf was. Adding a crocheted or lace border to it would be like putting chocolate sauce on spinach—it would still be ugly and tasteless underneath. Final verdict? To the frog pond! I may try it again with even larger needles, no border, and no slipped stitches
The good news is I’m back working on the Norgi Sweater, the world's longest Fair Isle experiment. Only three-quarters of a sleeve to go and then the dreaded armhole steeks and assembly! I feel another raucous Ferals steek-cutting meeting coming on.
Guild tonight! The main event, a Felted Fashion Show. Kit, you know I expect to see your wild and wacky hat there... Pleeeeeeeeze?
I'm having palpitations over the beauty of that box! I WANT one. No really. I WANT one. TMK, it is gorgeous beyond words.
So Rhiinebeck 2005... I guess I'll have to plan that too. And then I can get a Princeton hug in person (unless I decide to drive 14 hours or whatever to make it to one of those gatherings up your way).
Posted by: Nathania on October 20, 2004 12:45 PMWHOOPEE!! *jumping in the air for joy*
WOWzers. Perhaps tmk and you will have to treat this as your anniversary present next yr?
The box is beautiful. Makes me wish I could take up woodworking, but I have no room for a stash, let alone a heavy equipment.
I know that if you guys get here you will enjoy it. Tell tmk to lurk on my blog for the rest of the week. More pictures are to come from my end.
*still leaping for joy in her tiny cubical*
Posted by: anj on October 20, 2004 12:55 PMoh my, part of the commune will be meeting up- such fun- i am now too envious to be polite- i will just go and commune with the lint in the dryer and think 'fiberly' thoughts-
seriously i do hope you both get your trip and that it meets and even 'full'fills all expectations- ha, i 'felt' i could slip that by-
the chest is exquisite-
as for the frogging affair, i think that if you are dissatisfied with something that is taking time and effort it is not worth that effort to continue and the lovely yarn will be much happier in another project at a later date-
stay happy-
Posted by: barb in texas on October 20, 2004 01:30 PMOh! I want to go to Rhinebeck next year so I'll be chiming in with TMK to convince you! Think of all the fun to be had!
Glad to see you are back working on the baby nordi :)
Posted by: Rebecca on October 20, 2004 02:12 PMAhem...been witholding comments lately cuz, well, I'm just not a group hug kind of guy (grew up in Princeton).
But if Rhinebeckapalooza cancels out appearances at the July Rangeley Lakes, ME Fambly Reunion, that's a-gonna put a SERIOUS burr under my saddle.
Unless, of course, I'm invited to the Great Northwest in '05 when one of the Westport Seabird Pelagic Trips (click me!) is scheduled...is Westport far?
BTW, barb in tx, consider yourself lucky. No longer can I use the phrase, "The chest is exquisite." 'Course if it's my "funny" cuzzin...
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on October 20, 2004 02:19 PMI expect to see one of those little counters in your sidebar, BY FRIDAY, that says, "Only 363 days to Rhinebeckapalooza." OMG, it's more than I can imagine. I'm palpitating along with Anj!!!!And TMK read me! She really read me!!! Wow. I'm whelmed. Seriously. And yeah, "nice chest." If you come east, you'll have to check one of those in the bottom of the plane. For ME.
Posted by: Norma on October 20, 2004 02:35 PMWell, Cuzz, seriously haven't decided about the family reunion yet, the problem being, if/when we make it to the East Coast, I'd want to show TMK some of The Big Sights, a la New York and Washington D.C., and Maine isn't, as they say, where it's at, man. BUT, if you decide to go to the Westport blahblahblah, Westport is about 2 hours away from Seattle (is that right, TMK?). In fact, here's a map showing both: http://westportwa.com/other/bigmap.html The good news is, though, you always have somewhere to stay AND, out of respect for your monkishness and Buddhishness and all, you can even have my house to yourself and I can stay at TMK's.
Rock on, Barb! You said all the right things about the scarf, and threw a terrible pun or two in for good measure.
Anj, don't hurt yourself!
Nathania, that box is sumpin', isn't it?
Posted by: Ryan on October 20, 2004 02:39 PMI am so seriously envious of TMK's ability with sharp implements and wood. I have loved fiber since my first exposure to a loom (Camp Sealth, 1963, an inkle loom: my fate was sealed)--but I have lusted after the products of potters and woodworkers. You guys are both quick learners, that's for sure.
Have fun at Guild tonight. I think I'll felt the Bankrobber's Gecko Hat in solidarity!
Yeah, I've got to admit that these days I don't bother to try to complete something that doesn't seem right one way or another--life's too short and I knit for my own pleasure. You'll find just the thing for your yarn later on. Or not. It's not like nuclear waste that's going to eat a hole through the metal waste cans in your stash, after all.
And a PNW contingent at Rhinebeck? Only OK if an X-PNW member can join up!
Posted by: Janine on October 20, 2004 02:53 PMCT: Westport is just a couple of hours west of Seattle. And I'm sure if you didn't have a car someone might go on a road trip with you...especially if the weather's nice and the top can go down on Ryan's car! ;-)
TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on October 20, 2004 02:56 PMNY? DC!? When it's Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Spruce Grouse breeding season in W. Maine? Are you sure we're related? I mean, whaddya wanna, elbow aside the Amish to peek at the Gettysburgh Address? Take in a frickin' *show*!?
And what am I supposed to do, exactly? Hustle my nieces and nephews in Scrabble? Waaait a minute...
Oh, and about the house. I'd rather you stay and cook. Hold on. I mean TMK.
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on October 20, 2004 09:35 PMOh. My. God. Can TMK bring her saw and come to play at my house for awhile? Please? Pretty please? I'm also a diabetic, so I promise--no brownies! Wow--gorgeous work!
I musta missed this detail in earlier blog entries, but now I know how you've made it together for 18 years, you don't inhabit the same house! Plan, good plan! ;)
Posted by: Kristen on October 21, 2004 12:06 AMtmk, the chest is fabbo! ryan, i am also lusting after rhinebeck, these bloody blogs keep posting the most tempting photos...
try zanax next time for flying, works like a charm for me, and you can still knit or read :-)
Isn't it nice when you can know someone for years and they can still surprise you. Pleasantly, I mean.
That box is amazing. I can't wait to see more pictures of it. Does it smell good?
Posted by: CarolineF on October 21, 2004 05:04 AMThree things:
-The smokescreen scarfs impending trip to the frog pond has restored my faith in your incredibly good taste.
-What sort of power tool do I need to bribe TMK with to get her to make me a box? Router?
-Please come to Rhinebeck. I'm saving my pennies.
Wow
the box is amazing.
A Maz ing.
as to flying....could you take the train...takes longer but is so much fun(at least in my opinion) I love to see the world cruising by thr windows.
CarolineF, sitting here in my office, I don't recall if the box smells nice or not, but I do know that TMK's woodworking shop does smell as you would expect, all sweet and sawdusty and fresh-cut-woodish. Dear Reader Kit, who has actually been IN the shop, can testify to this.
Cuzzin Tom, I'd be offended about whom you chose to do the cooking for you if it weren't such a sensible decision, smart boy. (BTW, are monks ALLOWED to use words like "breeding" and "hustling" in blog comments?)
You're so right, Devin. Traveling by train is da' bomb but but we would be way short on time. I can see it now: Three days on the train, five minutes at Rhinebeck, three days on the train. Hmmmmm... Somehow that math just doesn't work for me.
Vanessa, I know, I know; all those bloggers are such darn enablers, aren't they?
Stephanie, the truth about the scarf? It's not just ugly; it's butt ugly! Phew! Glad I rescued myself from that embarrassing disaster!
Kristen, ironically, telling TMK you have no brownies in the house is NOT the way to get her come do some woodworking for you. ;-)
Janine, we've made room for you in the commune's Rhinebeck or Bust van!
Posted by: Ryan on October 21, 2004 04:19 PMRyan: It's called atavan. It's and anti-anxiety and I never fly without it. I am a "Holy Crap Batman" witch without it. My kids always ask me before takeoff:Have you taken your plane pill? because they don't want my paniked tentacles wrapping about them at the first sign of minor turbulence. Your doctor will give you four little pills without question if you say that you hate to fly and absolutely have to make it to New York for a Sheep Festival. Say this, and she will know that you are very much in need of medication.
Posted by: julia fc on October 21, 2004 07:31 PMand for other ideas... the weekend before rhinebeck is women's weekend in p-town. if you do come all this way, you really should visit the gay town USA. i'm just saying.
http://www.baywindows.com/news/774936.html?mkey=740433
maybe your friends could take some time off and go with you.. even if its only for a day or 2.