July 08, 2005
Use #469 for Kitchen Tongs
How much of a sign is it that your refrigerator has to be cleaned out if the lids of half of the containers in it have burped open and the other half have sucked in? (I suspect this is going to be one of those take-no-prisoners refrigerator cleanings where contents and container alike end up in the garbage. I try as much as possible to wage a one-woman campaign against plastics in landfills but when your own refrigerator has become a mini-Chernobyl, is glowing a ghastly green, and you need tongs to touch anything inside it, what’re you gonna do?)
In the Dulaan arena, I am happily astonished by the number of people who have (a) asked if there will be a Dulaan 2006 and (b) dispensed with the niceties altogether and are already knitting furiously away. To answer everyone's questions, the decision as to whether Dulaan will continue for another year rests with F.I.R.E. The good folks in Arizona currently have their hands full with sorting and packing this year’s items in time for the July 15 ship date. After that, I’ll get in touch with them to find out if they want to continue the project for another year. They have always said they will continue to accept whatever knitted items we send their way but I want a final confirmation before I leap head first into my cheerleading role for a second go-round, which I will, mind, be very happy to do.
What’s important to remember is that if not one of you ever knits another item for anyone in Mongolia ever again, Dulaan 2005 was an astounding success, and 4,517 Mongolian men, women and children will be able to survive the winter a little better because of you.
We ran a heck of a scam, eh, people?
Due to the focus on Dulaan, I didn't write about our 4th of July weekend—which is all for the better because the finer details would have bored the Dear Readers into a collective stupor. However, we did have a marvy barbecue (the hoibed butter was to die for) and the rest of the weekend was dedicated to TMK and Ryan's Great Bicycle-Buying Adventure.
TMK and I currently have matching Fuji mountain bikes which we rode like demons in our younger years—even taking them on the ferry to the San Juans for a leisurely but long tour of the island countryside—but, lately, not so much. We had noticed recently that we were getting off the bikes extraordinarily s-l-o-w-l-y and would spend the rest of the day massaging our wrists, elbows and nether regions back into their happy places. Which is how we knew it was time for A Serious Change and why we marched into four bicycle stores and declared loudly and unabashedly, “Hey! We're looking for bicycles for two fat, out of shape, middle-aged old ladies! Whatcha got?” Once the sales clerks recovered from their shock, we were shown a variety of what, in the biz, are diplomatically called “comfort bikes.” And here is TMK’s new baby, a Raleigh SC200 '05:
Here, yet another fat, out of shape, middle-aged old lady wonders how her short legs are going to reach the pedals:
My slightly different baby is on order and may be here today. Then, watch out, Seattle! Two old farts coming through!
TMK also spent some of her time finishing this for some friends of ours.
The middle part is a lid that opens up and gives them a place to store all their child's toys. Is it not truly beautiful and substantial? And knowing that the owners are going to cover the top with thick, upholstered pillows, don't you just want to curl up on it on a rainy day with a good book and a cat? Oh, and chocolate in some form, either liquid or solid.
And, me, I kept slogging away on the Jigsaw Puzzle Sweater. I’m pretty happy with how the sleeve is turning out buuuuuut I now know I would like a longer cuff and the width seems to be increasing too fast, so I do foresee a major and complete frogging in the future. Don’t tell TMK. She will have a cow.
Well whether or not we have a Dulaan 2006, F.I.R.E will receive another box from me for next year. Neener, neener, neeeeener I have the address. :P
And is there anything TMK can't build??? Gaw-geous. Absolutely top drawer.
Posted by: Stalker Angie on July 8, 2005 12:00 PMI just sucked in my breath at the thought of Ryan frogging the entire sleeve that she has (pardon the pun) puzzled over for the last 2 weeks! Aaaargh! ;-)
TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on July 8, 2005 12:04 PMOmigawd that is gorgeous. She can come build stuff at my house any time. I could really use a new stereo cabinet, come to think of it...
Posted by: CarolineF on July 8, 2005 12:08 PMI've long entertained wild kinky fantasies of a window bench just like that. Oh my, TMK, you are amazing!
Given your description of your adventures, I'm not sure what to think about the fact that when I decided to start riding again at the ripe old age of 30, I went straight for a comfort bike... Call me wimpy, I guess!
Posted by: Kristen on July 8, 2005 12:38 PMTOLD you TMK would have a cow...
Kristen, TMK and I are now converts. In fact, we think everyone should ride comfort bikes all the time. I think you were just ahead of the curve.
StalkerA, secretly, I'm already itching to knit for Dulaan, too. In fact, I think I've developed Charity Knitting Fever; I don't think I could ever go back to NOT knitting for some sort of charity; however, my motives aren't entirely selfless--I find I really enjoy churning out small projects of any size and any color.
Posted by: Ryan on July 8, 2005 01:03 PMahead of the curve indeed....I loved riding bikes...then I got...fluffy...and I'd thought it was just out of the question. Now...I'm thinking...HEY!!! That's cool!
And the Jigsaw Sweater...OMG....you are rekindling my lust of aran knitting in a big way....whew. Anxiously awaiting its continuing evolution....
Posted by: Lisa in Oregon on July 8, 2005 02:20 PMLisa, as you know, TMK and I are fluffy, too, but TMK has now had her bike for almost a week and reports that it is wonderful to ride. One trick we learned last year is to buy a super-duper comfy seat, the comfiest you can find, none of those skinny, disappear-up-your butt-crack efforts. We bought wonderful, squooshy Avenir seats for our old bikes and come to find out our new "comfort bikes" come with Avenir seats standard. Woo-hoo!
Posted by: Ryan on July 8, 2005 02:48 PMTotally, Dude, on the comfort bikes thang. We're a bit peeved that in their haste to make quick sales of matching bikes for the three of us a few years ago, that they didn't size David right. And even more peeved at ourselves that we didn't return it and ask for the right size. We're just plain shitty consumers, us.
Posted by: norma on July 8, 2005 02:59 PMI am forever humbled by TMK's woodworking skills. Beautiful work, my dear!
And yes, please let there be a Dulaan 2006. There wasn't enough time with settling in at the store to get a big whoopdeedoo going this year, but watch out next year!
Posted by: Nathania on July 8, 2005 03:49 PMWow TMK, your woodwork is gorgeous! I'm dying for a bench just like that. Now if only I had a house big enough life'd be perfect. I have a hard enough time trying to stash my yarn. Oh wait. That would be what the bench could be used for. Ah Ha!
We have some hardcore bike riding friends and they swear the up-your-crack kind of seats are more comfortable. Wuhhu? I have to disagree. I have the biggest comfy seat I could find. And springs underneath the padding.
Posted by: sam on July 8, 2005 04:27 PMTMK rooolz. Dang, I remember when she was just starting with that, and now she's totally making the equivalent of a Starmore sweater! Wow!
Posted by: Rachael on July 8, 2005 09:17 PMThat window seat is awesome, TMK! Something I don't think I could accomplish in a million years. It's just beautiful!
Those bikes are pretty cool too--you go girls! Perhaps the seat question is the difference between a "thong" and "old lady underpants." Maybe those who like the "up your crack" seats are also thong-wearers? Shall we poll this on the blog? I mean now that Dulaan is quieted down for at least a while and now that we have the brie question settled...we need a new survey!
Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on July 9, 2005 08:43 AMIf you call the bikes "Cruisers" you sound more like a cool surfer, I think. Cruisers like those seem to be big with the kids at the college I work at, so they must be cool.
Have fun riding them around! I love biking everywhere. You always get the best parking spot, right next to the store!
For those who still have charity knitting fires burning, packages are due for "Afghans for Afghans" in mid-September. That's my next target date. You can find links on lots of blogs, including mine, but especially Mason Dixon Knitting.
Didn't Cuzzin Tom hint that next year we may be knitting for North Korea? I'm up for that too - wherever there are chilly children, I'm sending sweaters!
Posted by: Jenn on July 11, 2005 07:52 AMWell, I hope they continue Dulaan next year. I've already got a pair of mittens knit and was hoping to be able to contribute more than 5 items this time.
Posted by: Lyme on July 11, 2005 01:33 PMI had a nice comment on my blog from a lady at F.I.R.E. She assures me that we may continue to knit for next year's shipment.
So, my lovely friends -- I've got 2 sweaters made already -- and it's only July 12!
Posted by: Carol on July 12, 2005 01:25 PM