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August 21, 2006
Special Delivery
You know, I want to blog everyday. I really do. Lord knows I have enough material. For two days there, I was on a roll. Then, well you know then. I still knit everyday. Even if it's just a row or two. And I still visit my favorite blogs. Obsessively. But the quiet and its attendant focus has been harder to pin down. Still I got to personally deliver Sophia's blanket this past weekend.
I can't believe I waited 5 1/2 months to hold her. Waiting on school, waiting on new job, waiting on things that did not, could not, will never compare to just holding her. To hugging my brother and my sister-in-law really hard. To winning over my nephew with an out of tune rendition of "This Old Man." It's nuts I tell you, the things we put first.
Posted by Jacqueline at 01:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)August 14, 2006
Yarn Shop for Sale
While I was on vacation I stopped in at Wool'n'Things Fiber Arts Shop in Boulder Junction Wisconsin and ... the ... shop ... is ... for ... sale. Now mind you, I'm a year away from earning my teacher's certificate and Jim's not ready yet physically and I was really leaning toward fiber production as in sheep and possibly fiber processing but MAN it's pretty up there. I'm still leaning toward farm country but not five minutes after I walked in Jim came in after and whispered, "It’s for sale!" Later on that week I overheard a woman in the library talk about her husband's progress on their solar home. Off the grid, solar, hybrid log home. She invited us up!
I've started to notice my reflection lately, my aging reflection, and it's pretty startling. Our next move, and there will be one, is going to be the most daring one yet. It will be the one that says this, THIS, is how I want to live my life.
And to think, how much of this is due to two sticks and some string!
August 13, 2006
Presque Isle Wisconsin
We just returned from a nine day northwoods retreat and I learned some things.
1) I have no idea how women with children get anything done. I'm a stepmom which means I'm a parttime, occasional mom. I brought all my school books with the intention of finishing my schoolwork, get some writing done, and blogging everyday. HAH! One day, just one day, I got some work done at the local library before the boys (Jim included) came and got me. Three hours worth. That's all. Yet another sign that they really like me.
2) It is impossible to engage in deep intellectual thought when you're surrounded by such absolute perfection. Politics, history, theory just can't compete with hummingbirds, rainbows and boat rides in crystal clear waters.
3) I am the biggest wuss on the planet. I promised Logan that this year I would swim and snorkel every day and that I would learn to dive off the pier. Mind you, the boys don't dive as much as they propel themselves as high and as far and as long and as comically as they possibly can. I didn't dive I fell in, spluttering, coughing, frantically reaching for the pier (a foot away), totally convinced I was going to drown in five feet of water.
4) There is incredible beauty to be found right at your feet.
The way light transforms the most ordinary objects.
I fell in love with photography all over again. I never went very far, but my walks took forever. I stopped at every little thing, marveling, just marveling at how much texture and detail even the tiniest scenes held.
Life. There was always life buzzing about. Busy, busy creatures going about their day.
And just when you think it's over, a surprise splash of color.
It nurtured the same place knitting does. It is civiliizing I tell you. The time we spent with texture and pattern and pace.
Posted by Jacqueline at 08:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (61)August 12, 2006
Dryer Happenings
I have a front loading washer and dryer. We bought them when we bought the house and they almost cost as much. They're great for laundry but when it comes to fiber, let's just say it's a good thing felting is not my favorite thing. I have felted, successfully, but it takes forever. So I never worry when I spin dry just spun, wet skeins. I just throw them in and eleven minutes later they're ready to hang. So with dishes to wash, laundry to put away, dogs to feed, papers to write, I've been catching up on my spinning. Ahem, this is the latest batch.
It's looks kinda pretty doesn't it. Boucle-ish without any of the labor. I'm drying it thus but I have my doubts. I may well have discovered a way to make elastic.
P.S. When buying ceiling fixtures, make sure they have hooks for drying fiber!
Posted by Jacqueline at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (382)