March 16, 2005
Neener, Neener!
Just when I think I’ve reached the day I’ve been dreading for almost two years—the day I can’t think of a single thing to write about no matter how hard I bang my head against my desk; the day I discover I have no photos to post, no matter how many times I wistfully check Mr. Camera; the day I thought I’d be reduced to entertaining you with a tediously dull blow-by-blow description of our sitting at home last night, eating chicken strips (TMK), pork chops (me), buttered noodles and salad (us) and watching “The Incredibles,” the dog squished between us, panting loud and hard (the dog, that is) because she’s too stupid to move to a cooler spot—things happen...
First, for MaryB and all the Dulaaners, a picture that is worth 500, or maybe 2,000, words:
Who is this man, you ask, and what is he doing, and why is he shrugging his shoulders, and why does he look rueful? Well, that, my Dear Readers, is our “Doubting Dave” conceding that maybe, just maybe, he underestimated us knitters. While I don't have an updated count from the 249 of last week, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Dave is sooooo losing the bet—and now we know he knows it, too.
Before I pick on Dave too much, however, I should ‘llow as how, besides being a man who knows when to cry "uncle," and besides being one of the co-founders of F.I.R.E., he is also David Edwards, a talented, award-winning photojournalist (in fact, the photo was taken by Cuzzin Tom when he went to see a slideshow presented by Dave). Still, he don’t know nuthin’ 'bout the collective, get-it-done energy of the knitting community so lets send him a big, fat, loud Bronx cheer, shall we, knitting brothers and sisters? No, really, do it. Sit there, at your desk, and blow a raspberry (but not at your monitor, because then it gets all speckled and ooky. Don't ask me how I know.). That ought to confuse your co-workers, friends or family.
Of course, if Dave had seen this message I received this morning, he would have been long gone, tail tucked between his legs. Behold, Dulaaners, behold!
"Charitable Crafter volunteers are sending 90 items tomorrow to Arizona for the Dulaan project.
Tina Shaddox
www.charitablecrafters.org"
You read that right: Ninety! 90!! N-I-N-E-T-Y! Those Charitable Crafters are some amazing folks. Thank you, Tina, and all the contributors!
Lastly, I send this Irish saying out to “our” Cuzzin Tom, who heads out on Friday.
"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door."
From the heart, Cuzz, from the heart. We'll try our best to keep the Dulaan fires burning until we hear from you next!
Off to Guild tonight to drum up more support!
WOW!!! Ninety items! WTG! Man, we are going to fly by 500 items no problem!
Posted by: Sheri on March 16, 2005 12:02 PMWow. What a heart-warming post! First off, that Dave is a distinguished looking gentleman, even if he is oh so very wrong about us.
Secondly, 90??? Are you kidding me? Amazing. Absolutely amazing. WTG Charitable Crafters!!
Posted by: Stalker Angie on March 16, 2005 12:55 PMThppppt! Yay Charitable Crafters!
Posted by: Susie on March 16, 2005 12:59 PMI've got two!!! hats. (so far) Woo stashbusting!
Posted by: Ellen on March 16, 2005 01:35 PM90?!? Wow.
Posted by: melissa on March 16, 2005 01:59 PMWho ARE these charitable crafters and does anyone know how they learned of the Dulaan Project? I, too, am very touched by this contribution. Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on March 16, 2005 02:06 PMMary, word has gotten out and around in many ways that I'm not even aware of. Lots of knitters have taken flyers to guild meetings or SnB's or talked about it with friends, and things have just taken off from there.
Also, speaking of word getting around, I forgot to mention that I have discovered that we have one person participating in Dulaan who lives in *Tasmania!* I think that is amazing. And I had another person email me from the UK today.
Posted by: Ryan on March 16, 2005 02:18 PMYour Irish blessing for Cuzzin Tom got me all teary. How is it possible that I'm going to miss someone whom I've never met? Why should it seem both joyful and tragic that he's leaving Arizona? Am I just overly sentimental or what? At any rate I will add this:
"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again may the God who loves us all hold you in the palm of his hand."
Safe journeys, Cuzzin Tom. Much love travels with you to Mongolia.
Posted by: Nathania on March 16, 2005 04:09 PMThat is simply amazing. 90 items. I am doing well with the 6 (soon to be 7) items I have.
Posted by: Seanna Lea on March 17, 2005 05:30 AMI am more familiar with Nathanie version of the Irish blessing, although I was taught that it ended "May you be half an hour in heaven before the devil knows you're dead". (My family, not so high toned). I have 7 items with two more in process, we shall see, Mr. DD, we shall see.
Very sad, can't come to the knitin on account of my knitting group going on retreat this weekend, how ironic.
Has this Dave ever been directed to that MSF total over on Stephanie's site? Has he heard the comparison between what knitters raised and what Willy Nelson raised? Where has he been. Of course folks are knitting lots of mits and whatnot for cold children in far away places. Where has he been?!
Posted by: jo in ottawa on March 17, 2005 10:15 AMJust found your blog via zeneedle's blog and I'm going to try to get my knitting buddies here in Dublin, Ohio, to knit some hats or mittens and such for the Dulaan project. I've been looking for a way to make my knitting more charitable. take care and I've bookmarked your blog to check back later. Take care...
Posted by: michele on March 17, 2005 02:05 PMI come by to read your blog pretty often and added your link to my fav's, you did not have a button so I made one, hope it's OK, I just love those hats with the ear flaps, I am still trying to find a pattern to make some. Happy St Patty's Day! Tink
Posted by: Tink on March 17, 2005 09:15 PM