No Buddy Left Behind

One of the blogs I follow alerted me this morning to a situation that had me in tears.
The picture to the left is Ratchet and Sgt. Gwen Beberg. She and another soldier rescued Ratchet when he was just a puppy, flea-bitten, starving and huddled under a blanket. Sgt. Beberg wants to return home with Ratchet, but apparently regulations strictly forbid soldiers befriending dogs while on duty. Operation Baghdad Pups is doing what it can to try and get Ratchet home, following a number of other pups back to the States, but as recently as October 15 - Ratchet did not make today's SPCA International (www.spca.com) flight out of Iraq. Just 30 minutes before SPCA International's rescue expert, Terri Crisp, was to lift off from the Baghdad tarmac, the military finally gave Ratchet clearance to be released from his location at COP Meade. The military's slow response has put him at risk because they did not release him in time for today's flight out of Iraq. 6 other U.S. soldiers' dogs are on their way to safety escorted by Terri Crisp, Operation Baghdad Pups program manager.
October 17 - SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups program manager, Terri Crisp, boarded a plane bound for the Middle East today for the third time this month. This time Crisp leaves with assurance from the military that Ratchet has the clearance needed to meet her at Baghdad Airport.

So while I'm writing this on October 18th, I'm wondering....where is Ratchet? Who is caring for him?

Now, I don't own a cat, but I kept thinking, cats live in war zones too, what about them? Baghdad Pups is trying to help them too. Here's some of the criteria for an animal to be accepted into the program:

• Animals must be living in either Iraq or Afganistan under the care of a United States military person or a military contract worker.
• Cats or dogs must have been under the age of three months when found, with exceptions being made for older animals.
• Animals must have never bitten a person
• Animals must already have a permenant home to go to in the United States, they cannot go to a shelter in the hopes that they will be adopted.
• Feral animals will not be considered for the program
• Animals cannot show any signs of agression
• Animals that have been regularly tormented, especially by children, require special consideration before being accepted into the program.

This is just a partial list, for more info, please visit the Baghdad Pups website.

If you, like me, think it's time to change the regulations holding Ratchet in Iraq, please, say so. Leave me your thoughts, visit the Baghdad Pups website, write to every Senator, even if you aren't American.
You need only be human to understand why these regulations need to be changed. Visit the Clemency for Ratchet website.
Write.
Object.
Demand change.

Here, Watch My Blog Wouldya?

Halloween is right around the corner. 20 days in fact. I still have to get costumes for the boys. Shandon wants to be the character for Scream. Braydon wants to be Sonic the Hedgehog, but I'm not sure how do-able that's going to be. Ever try and convince an eight year old he needs a second choice?

Even though Thanksgiving is only two days away, we're already starting to decorate the store for Halloween. We have blood bowls, goblets, ghosts, "blood" filled squishy handprints, scary halloween music...the whole thing. Now all we have to do is move the stereo and actually DO the decorating! We're thinking about creating a murder scene in a corner of the store, hence the "bloody" handprints and footprints. We have the required spiderwebs, skeletons and so forth. I found a talking headstone at Zellers that I had to get; that's going to be a lot of fun. Last year, Tammy and I, with the help of a couple others, created a crime scene at the store. We had gathered rocks and leaves and sticks for the "ground", had one of our staff lie like a victim so we could outline their body, dripped blood on a rock and surrounded the whole thing with police tape! We loved it! Unfortunately, we had to take it all down because someone in a position of power felt it was inappropriate for our neighbourhood. I don't even have the photos anymore....damn. So this year, I thought I would drink from a bloodfilled goblet with floating eyeballs. Which then gave me the idea to knit eyeballs. Here, watch my drink for me, wouldya? Yeah, I love halloween... Now I have to decide how I'm going to dress up this year!

Pardon Me, I Didn't Knit That For You.

Ravelry has been a cool thing since it's inception. I'm more convinced of this now than ever before. Ravellers have huge hearts. Last week I put out a call for donations of hand-made mitts, scarves, hats or socks for Cambridge's homeless shelter. Not surprisingly,a few people responded, and yesterday I got a parcel at work containing some hats! Many, many thanks go out to AnnieBee; a lovely young lady with a big heart.

While scooting around Ravelry, I came across the video below; a tongue-in-cheek poke at the "girl singers" in the fifties. It won't have you spitting your coffee in hilarity, but I'll bet you my stitch holder you won't be able to get the song outta your head!

More tomorrow, watch the video!

Trees and Stones Will Teach You What You Cannot Learn From Masters.

There's a lot to discuss today, but I'll start by sharing a glimpse of my afternoon.
<---- That is part of my trip to work. Up until winter, I rather enjoy it. Today I was joined by a toad (whose photo is alas, only on my cell) and an angry black squirrel. It was a very nice stroll, despite the 20 pounds of library books on my back. Except for the fact that I had to turn around and go back through the ravine because I'd forgotten my money at home! Ah well, entirely my own fault...

I did some knitting before going into work to do the bank deposit. I worked for a couple of hours on Tammy's Dad's socks. I'm nearly done one, except I'm not especially happy with it. But his birthday is November, so the push is on. Then I've got a pair of kid's mitts on order from a former co-worker. My supervisor wants a pair of socks for another supervisor, and I'd really like to make Tammy a pair of socks.
Wait! There's more!
Debra has moved up to Gravenhurst, land of the mosquitoes and pine trees, and she'd like as many knitted socks as possible. Betty wants a couple of pairs made from the new sockyarn from Bernat, the boys need socks this winter, and ours are getting holes faster than I can knit!
You know, work really gets in the way of knitting....
When my fingers need a break, I've been checking out Knitting Up A Storm. The path from knitted blob to felted clog has been an interesting one to follow. Then I went over to The Velvet Cerebellum to follow the adventures of Chester and Maddie. Then I picked up the needles again.

Did anyone else besides Betty and I catch the Saturday Night Live sketch of Katie Couric and Sarah Palin? It's was funny, but frightening at the same time. Tina Fey is channeling Palin so well, it's eerie. We watched both the original interview, and the sketch, and the only difference is that Tina Fey's voice is just a bit higher and she was a bit perkier. The fact that she had on the same outfit and spoke Palin's own words was bordering on creepy! What's even more disturbing though is that if McCain gets elected, Palin is one skipped heartbeat away from leading the biggest free country on the planet. One airbubble to the brain away from dragging the entire United States further into hell. I read a lot of Betty's favourite blogs over her elbow (her desk and mine are only a foot away from each other), and I was reading a theory this morning that's really taken hold.
What if Palin is not supposed to finish out the campaign? What if she is only window dressing with a shelf-life, who will bow out of the campaign when she becomes too embarassing? Who then will get the tap for V.P? Rudy G ? Hmm.

Even though I am Canadian, I fear the reprocussions will be felt all the way up here. After all, U.S hurricanes make their mark at our gas pumps. The state of the U.S Stock market affects our dollar too.

I fear for not only the U.S if McCain and Palin get elected.

I fear for us all.

Crapdom...It's a Word.

I'm listening to "Gypsy" from Lord of the Dance....what do you listen to when you're feeling reflective?

I'm feeling reflective this week, partly because it's been a hectic week and partly because it may very well be the week that changes my life to a degree.
Remember my once-upon-a-time-boss-now-friend, Tammy? Well, it seems she may leave the company. This sucks because the company won't be the same without her. My job as a manager won't be the same without her and that store won't be the same without her. She made me the manager I am today. She taught me how to be strong, how to be flexible, how to bring a store back from the brink of crapdom. Yes, crapdom. It's a word now. Speaking of crap....I had the opportunity to go and see another store this week. Oh My God. The coolers looked like crap; they were mostly empty and bug-ridden. There was only two kinds in the damn thing, instead of all the flavours there should have been. The cans down the grocery aisle were dust-covered. There was a huge butcher knife in the fridge behind the limes....wait...I had to move my shovel last winter in case someone grabbed it and brained me with it, and this manager gets to keep a big-assed knife in their cooler????

Damn.

To be fair though, I would like to say that I came away from that store more focused and with a zest for bleach.

Dear________

Thank you.
Because of the crappy, filthy, shudder-worthiness of your store, I went back to mine and cleaned.
Yet again.
I washed the back door; front and back. I washed the walls. I washed the windows. Again.
I washed the coolers and the floor. Then I took all the product off the breakfast food aisle, washed every item, and the shelves, and then put it all back together.
And we aren't done. When I left, a staffmember was washing the magazine rack with hot soapy water. And when I get back to work tomorrow, I'm sure I'll find something else to clean.
Thanks for proving to me that I am doing a good job at my own store.
I just wish I could challenge your number two position.

I was saddened to learn this morning of Paul Newman's passing. He was a good 'un.

HUH???

Sarah Palin needs a tele-prompter to tell her when to pause in a speech?
Wha????
She needs someone/thing to phonetically sound out nuclear????

This is a woman who was Mayor of a town of more than 15 people, who then went on to become Governor of a STATE, who has been tapped for next-in-line-to-the-Oval Office and second most important person of the second largest free country on the ENTIRE PLANET, and she needs someone to tell her how to sound out the word "nuclear"??????????


Are you kidding me????

Wait, I think I can become a politician after all.

My platforms are easy to understand. I stand for what is right, freedom to choose for all, decency, commonsense and opportunity. Mess with my country, or it's people, or my family and I'm gonna come down like a ton of bricks on your ass.
And here's the best part...

I don't need someone to tell me how to sound out a word my eight year old knows!

Convenience or A Big Hassle?

We all take convenience, or variety, stores for granted. We all do. Just get stuck needing something, and not have one around.
I would never have thought I would ever work at one, let alone manage one! But I do. After four-ish years behind the counter, I've learned a few things I'd like to share with you to make your experience a little more pleasant.

• Do not, and I cannot repeat this enough, do not come into a convenience store if you are in a hurry. We cannot promise you will be served quickly. We cannot promise there will be no lineup ahead of you and we cannot allow you to jump line because you did not leave home early enough to get where you have to be.
• Please, do not snarl at the person behind the counter and expect them to be sweetness and light when they answer you. You get out of this brief encounter what you put into it. You want polite service? Be a polite customer.
• Please think about your question before you ask it. Just because you no longer see cigarettes for sale behind the counter does not mean we no longer sell them. In Ontario, we have been "blacked out" since May. This means the government tells us how we can sell cigarettes and to whom.
• Speaking of cigarettes, we must now ask you for identification if you look younger than 30 years old. Please, find a different response other than "Are you kidding me?" Also on the list of responses we're tired of, "Seriously?" and "But I'm 32!" If I had a quarter for every time I've heard any of those responses, I could retire tomorrow. I remind you, the government and our head office decide who we ask for I.D; not us. We can lose our job if we are caught selling to an undercover enforcement agent, and your bad habit is not worth losing my job over. Do you want to explain to my children why they can't have new shoes?
• Please don't assume that because you don't see the item you're looking for we don't have it. Ask us. It may be in a spot you don't expect. That person behind the register is there to provide a service to you, the customer. If they look bored, perhaps they're hoping for something to do.
• If you like the look of our store, tell us. If you think it's really clean, or you really like the way something is displayed, tell us! We like getting kudos even more than complaints.
• Put yourself in the shoes of the person behind the register. Yes, your total probably is the amount on the screen. No, they cannot haggle with you. You can try and negotiate the cost all you want, but they are not authorized to change the price of the items you want. If that person says your order is $7.69, then that's what it is. This is not a flea market, it's a store.

So now that I've gone over some basics for you, I hope this will help make your next visit to a convenience store more enjoyable; no matter where it is.

A Rainbow Filled Summer

Summer is a busy time for a lot of folks. Same thing here.
We had a couple of big things planned...like a handfasting.
I hear a few of you out there, "A what?"
A handfasting is a very old form of marriage. The first marriage, I suppose. Traditionally, a handfasting joined a couple for a year and a day, to see if they were compatible and could live happily together. These days, it has become an interesting option for same sex and Pagan couples to wed when a church wedding is out of the question, for one reason or another. For us, a church wedding was not an option. So we made arrangements with the local parks people to have our wedding there. A friend of ours performed officiant duties and two of our closest friends were persons of honor. Their jobs were to help us pull everything together and keep us sane.












This is Tammy (behind us). She had to bring me back to earth a few times.

Lorraine was Betty's person of honor, but for some reason I can't find her picture today. I'll share it with you another day. (Sorry, Lorraine)

We were surrounded by friends and family, greenery and kids. The rain held off after torturing me with just enough rain that we had to break out the umbrellas. (Thanks go out to Laura for bringing those). Afterwards we went back to a local watering hole, celebrated with beer (juice and pop for the kids), a bloody good picnic potluck and music. I didn't want it to end, and even though we were there for a couple hours, it didn't seem long enough to hang out with my friends.

For our honeymoon, we stayed in Toronto for Pride Weekend, watched both the Dyke Parade and the BIG Pride Parade. I took tons of shots, but this is one of the best. We stayed at a B&B on the edge of Cabbagetown, which I will gush about later. We had a great time, realized that three days is not long enough to do and see everything we wanted, and we're goin' back...eventually.




What else ... I worked my behind off at the store, and I think I'll be inventing 10 Rules For Shopping At A Convenience Store. More on that later. Complete with pictures of the store. (I have to close the store tonight, so I may have more to blog about when I get home) Oh, our store was the brief resting place for a pair of twin baby bats! They never came inside, so we left them alone and didn't tell too many people. They were good tenants, so we welcomed them back. We haven't seen them in a week, so we think their Mom may have grounded them.

I'm still knitting, and tearing things back, and re-knitting. We were lucky enough to go to a tent sale, at one of the original yarn mills here in Ontario. Spent lots of money we shouldn't have, made my Mom happy and generally had a good time.


What did you do this summer?

Quoting Thumper...

Remember that scene in Bambi, where Bambi and Thumper go to wake up Flower, and he says..."Is it spring yet?" That's how I feel.

Every time I would talk about getting a bike, it would snow like the devil! We finally got our bikes and rode them home, so I expected it to snow the next day. It hasn't yet, but it was a little nippy to be riding to work this afternoon. So I walked. Most of the way, anyway. Along the way I saw a male cardinal and crocus sprouts, so I guess spring truly IS on it's way.

Betty and I are knitting a Pride Blanket, in panels. To hurry spring along, I started with yellow. (I guess I needed cheering up. Expecially after I heard my store inventory is in 7 weeks! OMG!) We plan on making it a sofa-quilt. Larg enough to cover us on the sofa, but not for the bed, since the dog's claws get caught in anything on the bed. I had started another hat for a kid, this one was supposed to be for charity...but somehow it's gone missing. Seriously...missing...MIA...gone!

What I really want is another sweater. An absolute-must-have-every-evening-because-it's-my-favourite-sweater. In red. With a sturdy cable. Also in red. You see, my current favourite sweater is wearing out. I love this thing to death. It's big, it's warm, it's soft. It's everything you want your weekend sweater to be. Except holey. Every time I think I could do it, I look myself in the eye (No,in the mirror, you think I'm popping out an eyeball?!) and say to myself, "Remember the one-day-sweater that took you nine months? Naaaaaah. Ask Mom."

And then I ask Mom, find out she's incredibly busy and give up on the idea until the next time I realistically face my sweater's mortality.

I wonder if she and I could work on it together, through the mail....

It Never Ends...

Dress socks...of a sort. These are being made from yarn that I can't decide if it's sock weight or fingering. The first one has proven a pain to knit. Dark blue yarn, similar to knitting with spider silk...oh yeah...laugh a minute. Did I mention I've had to frog and restart twice? I really hope these fit me when they're all done.

I wish I could knit at work. I'd be a happier boss. One of my employees quit today. Over the phone. One day notice.

I had called her to let her know there was paperwork I needed done for head office before tomorrow afternoon, and she said she wanted to talk about her employment with the company. Never a good sign. It seems a beauty supply store had made her an offer. She's taken it, which I understand, because it's more within the field she's pursuing. I get it. But they made this offer yesterday, and she took it yesterday. But she didn't see fit to call me and do the decent thing and at least give me a week to find a replacement. I called her! She didn't even CALL ME! This afternoon, I was angry; now I'm just hurt. I probably shouldn't be, I know the convenience store industry is a liquid and transient one. I expected better of her. Her reference check was a glowing one, her former boss waxed poetic...you get the idea. So now I have to not only open the store yet again this weekend (this after I had to open last sunday for this same individual because she slept in), but I'm working a 12 hr shift! See, in order to do one of my staff a favour and give him a day off when he asked for it, I scheduled myself to work his shift from 12 to 6. Now I have to open at seven....and work till 6. The very next day, I have to open again and then run a staff meeting till two thirty! Hell, I'm tired just writing about it. Like I said, it would be okay if I could knit at work. Then again, I might get frustrated with all the interruptions and threaten to run someone through with a knitting needle. Probably not good for my career.

Next time, the hat from the neverendingwinter.

Sock Knitters and Female Impersonators...oh My!

<----- This is the much wept-over-often-frogged-and-restarted "Dad Sock" This is its fourth incarnation. Sad. But it looks pretty damn sharp, if I do say so myself. I think the needles must be a size too small, because I sometimes think I am knitting with steel. These socks will keep out drafts, believe me. The toes will match the cuff, which is a mottled sandy-oatmeal kind of tweed. Not sure if the heel flap will have the oatmeal tweed yet. I knit like I write. Sporadic. Speaking of writing, I was fortunate to attend a local gathering of lesbian (and lesbian-friendly) writers, performers and musicians last night. It was an interesting collection of personalities. Especially Miss Drew. All I heard last night was..."You should have seen him dance!" He was rather tall in those heels, let me tell you! Hope he didn't twist his ankle on the way to Club Ren, it looked ready to snap off. I missed him because while the first set went on, I stayed out in the lobby and guarded Anne Azel's books. Anne is an author friend of ours, one of the most talented writers I have ever ready, and a damn fine, intelligent and entertaining person besides. I would have taken my knitting, but I already felt a bit conspicuous, being the only one knitting would be even more obvious. Maybe next year, I'll have more of The Anari Effect to read...maybe I'll knit while I read, just to stir things up.

On the reading list beside Anne's wonderful books is "Fire Your Doctor!" I am reading now about vitamins, more specifically the range of ailments and diseases that can be treated with megadoses of specific vitamins. It's fascinating stuff, really. Makes a very good case for paying more attention to one's body. One of the premises the author makes is that we should take more Vit C than we do. Smaller doses, taken more frequently throughout the day. He says, "Vitamin C has shown to be helpful for over thirty major diseases, including pneumonia, herpes zoster, pancreatitis, hepatitus, arthritus, some forms of cancer, leukemia, diabetes, ...etc." While Mr. Saul does acknowledge that "individual needs for vitamin C vary greatly, he suggests increasing one's daily intake slowly. Linus Pauling was a big advocate of Vitamin C too. He's considered a pioneer in the field of orthomolecular medicine. Some also consider his views on Vitamin C to be, how shall I put this...doubtful at best. Whether one buys into Dr. Pauling's views, or those of Andrew Saul, Ph.D., one can hardly argue that, on the whole, most of us don't take care of ourselves well enough. So I'm ready with a cautious mind, but a hopeful heart while I knit some more on Tammy's Dad's socks.

Next time, I'll show you the dress socks.

So many possible projects, so few hours...

Remember the socks I told you about last time? The one's for Tammy's father? I've re-started them four times! This last time, I got 4 inches done before I realized I hadn't ended the ribbing! So I had this really nice looking oatmeal-tweedy cuff, and a deep blue leg...that was still 1X1 ribbing! If I were a lesser person I might have cried. I didn't. I put the sock in time out and went back to work on that scarf for the homeless box. According to the hordes I fight every day on the bus, scarves that look homemade and have no distinct pattern are all the rage. They look like stash busters, stripes of varying width and colour, and made on larger needles. They look so homemade that it took me a while before I could figure out they weren't. (Remember that I'm trying to figure this out across a crowded bus without staring). They're even a hot topic on the Ravelry forums. So knowing how bored I was of deep purple, I decided to mix it up a bit. I have little balls here and there of ends that either we've hung on to, or that my mother has sent down to enable Shandon's knitting habit, and now I have a purpose for little odds and ends. I mix them up a little, and then go back to purple, resulting a multi-colour stripe on purple. It really looks kind of interesting.

I frogged the dad-sock back to the cuff, picked up the stitches and took a deep breath...again. Now I'm back to a 3" piece. It looks nice, but I can't wait for the next pair now. See the picture up there? That's Apple Pie, in the sunset colourway. It's quite a looker. By all accounts (thank you my fellow Ravelers!), it's a nice yarn to knit with; 65% Superwash Merino, 20% Kid Mohair, 10% Nylon, 5% Silk. It comes in something like 30 different shades, some solid, some self-patterning. I could easily knit projects with this stuff all year and never get bored. So I think that's just what I'm going to do.Tammy's family is going to get a variety of socks and mitts, and maybe matching scarves for her girls, mine will get socks and scarves and hats (and I think I'll finally learn how to knit teddy bears and other creatures for my boys), and...with so many colours, how could I run out of things to knit? With the store nearly ready for inventory, I could easily find myself with a bit more knitting time, which is never a bad thing. So I guess instead of making new years resolutions, I armed myself with a knitting to-do list instead.

Tomorrow, I'll trot out the camera and show you the much-maligned dad-sock.

Don't Drop Beer On Your Knitting!

I've been more than a little nostalgic lately. I've also been busy, which is why almost a month has passed between blog entries. Remember last year when I was assistant manager and couldn't wait to step down? Yeah...well.... Now I'm a manager.

One day at nine am, I was an assistant learning paperwork with a test looming. By five in the afternoon, I was going to inherit a problem-laden store two days later.

I was a little surprised by my excitement, but not surprised by my fear of leaving my second home. But leave I did. I walked into a near-constant headache, scratch tickets gone wildly out of control, out of date products on the shelves and a staffing crisis I'd only heard about.

So now it's been a month and a week since I was given my own store. My assistant manager and I have worked out our personality clashes (I think), I have a better idea of what I have to do in a day, and I've learned a few things. Among the high points are: it really is easier to add whole packs of tickets if I want my counts to work; there really aren't enough hours in the day to do everything I want; and most importantly, I CAN do this. If I could just get my communications & paperwork bag ready by 4:30 every friday afternoon I would be pleased.

Santa was good to me this year. Was he good to you? He brought me yarn, knitting needles, needle tip protectors and other assorted gizmos every knitter lusts after but doesn't really NEED. And beer. On the needles this week: a deep purple garter-stitch scarf intended for our local homeless program, a child's mitten that is nearly ignored, and a sock for a friend's father (although I don't think this one wants to be finished). I think it's too small, but Tammy is trying to convince me to finish it. I really want to finish it, do it well and go on to another pair in brighter colours. The yarn is such a dark blue it's almost black. Try and tink that! I love Ravelry though. I'm almost as addicted to the site as I am to knitting. I have such grand plans for my favourite craft... I foresee socks in self patterning wool blends, scarves that will bring homeless people a little warmth, and eventually teddy bears that will be distributed to kids stuck in hospital. I want to make a difference. I know I did at Tammy's store, I hope I make a difference at home. I'm told I'm making a difference at work...but I just don't know...you know? So I'll make a difference with my needles.

I hope.

Chevy's Basic Mittens

This is the pattern for Chevy's Basic Mittens....

With 3mm needles, cast on 16, 16, 16
Knit 3-4" for cuff

For thumb gusset--knit 3, p1, k3, p1, knit to end of round. Repeat this for 5 rounds

Next row--k3, p1, make 1, make 1, k1, p1, knit to end of round (5 stitches between purls)
Next row--k3, p1, k5, p1, knit to end of round
Next row--k3, p1, m1, k2, m1, k1, p1, knit to end of row
Keep doing this until there are 11 or 13 stitches between purls

Next row--k3, slip thumb gusset stitches onto stitch holder (don't drop the others). Cast on 5 stitches. Connect to other side. Knit to end of round.
Keep knitting rounds until you have the desired length.

To shape top--*k6, k2tog. Repeat to end of round. You might end up with 4 stitches at end of round. These will gradually be incorporated.
Knit next round.
Next row--*k5, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Knit next round
Next row--*k4, k2tog. Repeat to end of round
Knit next round
Next row--*k3, k2tog. Repeat to end of round
Knit next round
Next row--*k2, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Knit next round
Next row--*k1, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Knit next round.
Next (and final) row--*k2tog. Repeat to end of round.

Leave a length of yarn for assembly about 6" long. Pull stitches up tight and thread through tip to seal securely.

Thumb:
Carefull take stitches off stitch holder. Divide stitches onto 2 needles. With 3rd and 4th needles, pick up and knit at least 5 stitches.
Knitting with all four needles, make thumb. If it seems too large at first, k2tog.
Knit thumb at least 1 1/2 " or desired length. K2together all around thumb.
Leaving a tail, cut yarn and thread through stitches. Pull tight and finish off.
Thread all tails into mitt, snip off excess yarn.
Admire.

Voila, you have a mitt!

I Am A Greener Computing Knitter

Every now and then, it's gratifying to see that we've supported the right company for the right reasons. The last computer we bought here was a Dell, and while all the highlights escape me just now, I can say we've all (all 5 of us) have been very happy with it. It does all we ask and then some. This morning I was reading over at EcoGeek and I saw that Dell has been pushing long and hard (since 1991 in fact) to be the environmentally conscious leader in the technology field. Everything from a tree planting program, a packaging optimization program, a used computer and peripherals program, a computer donation program; leaving a smaller carbon footprint is a high priority for these folks. Even their inbound components are considered. Instead of having the inbound parts delivered on those wooden pallets we've all seen, starting back in 2005 Dell has been having them brought in on "slip sheets", three-pound, .03-inch thick plastic sheets that has resulted in more than 8,000 tons of wood reduction for inbound shipments. More than 8000 tons!
In 2006, Dell saved over 24,000 tons of packaging material by annual reduction and elimination of corrugated, plastic foam, and wood materials. Wow...
As if that's not enough, Dell also demands their design stage be greener. Dell's Design for Environment (DfE) program incorporates into product development environmental attributes such as reduction of environmentally sensitive materials, decreases in equipment energy consumption, extension of product life span and utilization of parts that can be reused, resold or recycled. Extension of product life span...cool, I'd like my computer to live a little longer, thanks. Good idea, hmm?
So the next time you wonder what one person can do to help the environment, beyond shutting lights off when you aren't in the room, consider spending your computing dollars at Dell. We can change the world with our dollars.
Even knitters know this. Many knitters are seeking out handmade sweaters at thrift shops with an eye for the yarn therein. I know of at least three that have scored some very nice wool this way. They buy the sweater for a few dollars, carefully frog it (also known as taking it apart) and roll the wool into a ball to be used in some other project. So that $3 wool sweater that someone else found to be too itchy or ugly, or whatever, finds a new life in a pair of socks, or mittens or sometimes even a new sweater. Many knitters and spinners are seeing the eco-advantages to using vegetable dyes over alkaline ones, even more folks are using wooden needles. There are some amazing birch and bamboo needles out there, and some very soft soy yarn. Soy!
Even we knitters can change our world, one stitch, one dollar at a time.

First One Finished!

There it is...all toes tucked in, Kitchener Stitch attempted. It turned out pretty well I think. It isn't squared-off, like the first blue one. This one is...better.
I was over the moon I was so tickled with how it turned out. Tried to call Mom, but she had gone to bed. At 10:30...what was she thinking? (insert evil grin here)
So I stopped dancing (which can be pretty sad, because I have NO rhythm) and cast on the mate. I wonder if I can get these done in time for my friend's birthday. I can show these photos, because I finally asked her if she ever read the blog. When she compared the difference between catching up with me in RL, as often as we do, or spending time on the blog...I saw her unspoken point. That, and I know how many other demands there are on her time. So I'm safe posting the photo here.

Today Betty and I took the boys for a nature walk and gathered some wild grapes; which are, at this very minute, hanging from a cheesecloth, hanging from the now-empty birdcage stand and dripping into a bowl. We've already cut, mashed and hung watermelon pieces in cheesecloth and collected approx. 4-5 cups of juice for jelly. Realistically, it likely won't get made until next weekend; so for now it will rest in the freezer. In the freezer, and awaiting the pot are strawberries, peaches, and watermelon juice. Tomorrow morning, the grape juice will join them. And apples within the next four days. Well, at least we won't die of scurvy this winter.

Breezy Toes

Nearly done.

All that remains of the first dsock (yes, that's what I'm calling it) is to do the Kitchener stitch on the toe. I actually did a few more rounds after I took this shot, so no, the recipient's toe will not be sticking out as mine was. I'm fairly pleased with it so far. It fits well and should stand up to a hiking boot with some dignity at the end of the trail. These will be a gift for a close friend, and I'm hoping I'll have them both done for the big day. If not...I'll have to get creative.

I've already started a pair for Betty. In baby blue that has a slight silvery sheen. I'll post that pic of the WIP the next time I blog. It's like knitting with hair! I have to keep stopping because I notice myself hunching up and straining to hold the tension.

Sheesh!

Looking for some inspiration? Look no further than Knitting Up A Storm. She reads, she writes, she knits...wow.

If you're looking for the kind of inspiration that you can read in bed, try "Easy Knitted Socks" by Jeanette Trotman. Cool photos, cool projects and a keeper if you can find it in your local bookstore.

At What Point Does It Classify As An Obsession?

I have fallen head over heels (pun intended) in love with knitted socks.
If you read this blog at all, you know my mother has knitted me socks for years. You also know that I have recently learned how to do this for myself. I like to snack while on the computer, and surf for inspiration. This morning, I came across the Runs With Needles blog, and the photo at left. Talk about inspiration! I love these! The moment I saw this sock, I knew I had to find some yarn like this, which then made me recall the dream I had last night. I dreamed I was in one of our local craft discount stores, in their yarn section. The last time we were there, Betty saw a yarn that has aloe vera impregnated into it, intended for socks. I also remember how beyond our budget it was.
My first thought upon awakening was, 'great, now I'm dreaming about making socks!'
Needless to say, I can't wait to get to Len's Mills again.

I have another project on the needles, but because it is a gift for a friend, and I think she reads this blog occasionally, I can't tell you about it. But I can tell you it suits her, and it is very colourful. That, and I can't wait to get it finished! As I get more of it completed, I'll see if I can take photos that won't reveal too much of what it is.
A couple of months ago, I came across a cute little animation on youtube. It really makes one think about the fine line between a hobby and an obsession.
The Last Knit
Another knitting obsession of mine is Knitty.com
Helpful, funny, cool and whimsical all at the same time. I can't wait for each issue to come out. I have found some great time wasters, free patterns I can't wait to try, wonderful techniques, inspiration and ...whew!
Go check 'em out, I'll bet you come away just as addicted as I am.
Betcha.

A Footy Achievement

Isn't it odd how most of us take our feet for granted?

Diabetics have to pay careful attention to their feet; keeping them clean, dry and watching for cuts and infection. Sock manufacturers have recognised a market and swooped down, making a "diabetic" sock in all shades. I am fortunate enough to own a few pairs of such socks, and let me tell you they are worth every cent we paid! Because I stand on my feet for hours at a time, I wanted a pair of socks that would not make my feet sweat, 'cause when that happens my feet itch and then all kinds of nasty things happen! I am not, thank the heavens, diabetic. But my mother is, so I think of these things quite a bit.

My mother is a most amazing sock maker. She has knitted socks for as long as I can remember. The past few years, I have always been a grateful recipient. One year she gave me one sock for my birthday (in December) and the mate on Christmas day! I have gotten brown socks, peach socks, socks that made no colour sense at all, and socks that I miss because I wore them out. I have always envied the way she can produce such a warm and form fitting sock out of a length of yarn; and I always wanted to learn how she achieved this magic. Mom sent me the pattern a couple of months ago, and this past week, I got brave.

I made a sock.

That's it, up there in the left corner. It's a modest little number (ok, not so little) in turquoise blue with a dark blue speckled cuff. It turned out very well, if I do say so myself. All except the toe. It seems I need a bit more practise with the Kitchener stitch. But no worries, with Mom's instructions in hand, and the fab photos at Silver's Place http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/printready/print.htm

(see the bottom part of the page for Kitchener stitch instructions)

I'm quite sure I'll get it with the next sock.

Not bad for someone that learned how to knit a sock via the internet and long distance phone.

Back to the needles!

R.I.P Tweety

This is, or was, Tweety.
We got Tweety for Betty back about six years ago. Betty has always had birds and when we got the opportunity to get a bird, I thought it would make her feel a little more at home.
Tweety never liked me.
She would fuss, holler and carry on so much when I was on the phone (it didn't matter to her who I was talking with) that frequently I had to go to another room. When I tried to be nice to her, she would threaten to bite me. Nearly succeeded a few times, too. We would put her cage outside on nice days, and then keep an eye out for the neighbours cat. In the spring we moved her cage to stand near the patio door, in the living room, so that she could see all of us and interact with everyone that came through the place. Our patio door became our main entrance, and everyone would say hello to Tweety. Jimmy taught her to sing, and somehow she learned how to make noises like our phone when we called out. It got so frequent that for the longest time I thought Jimmy was calling all his friends, and it turned out to be Tweety beeping like the phone!
She was a character, our Tweety.

Last night, at 1 in the morning, Tweety passed away from, what we believe, was a heart attack.
She was sitting on her perch watching t.v with me, occasionally retrieving a mouthfull of seed, when she started singing very softly. I called it "singing to herself" it was so low key. She would often do it at night while we watched t.v. Last night she did it again, and I thought nothing of it. Then I heard a small thump and scratching on the bottom of the cage. I stood up to peek into the cage, thinking she was goofing around as she did from time to time. But she was on her back with her wings stiffening and opening, repeatedly. I called Betty from across the room to come look, tell me what was going on, but by the time she had crossed ten feet, Tweety was gone.
Her eyes closed and her feet clenched, our beautiful feathery family member was gone.

I confess, I'm a little surprised how much I miss her. Shandon has been crying all day and I get choked up when I think about how empty her cage is now. Strange, I didn't expect this much emotion for a bird. She was just a bird, right?
No, she fit right in here.
Colourful, loud, opinionated, dramatic and very out there.
Yup, she was one of us, and we'll miss her.

Fly free, Tweety.