Month: June 2009

Tuesday Project Roundup: My Window Of Opportunity Is Rapidly Closing

Karen1 Comment

I blame the rain for this project. I was going absolutely crazy by Tuesday, so started looking for a summer sweater to knit, despite my history of finishing summer sweaters in time for fall. Then I saw an extra-chunky project that could, in theory, be finished over the weekend and worn while it’s still cool and rainy.

(This is not me, as I did NOT finish over the weekend. The pattern’s from this book.)

I’m not sure why anyone needs a turtleneck with no sleeves made out of really thick, really warm wool, but it looked cool, gave me somewhere to put my nervous energy, and the yarn was on sale.

I’m so close to being done, but I only have about two more days before the weather is going to turn nice again and I won’t be able to wear it until October. I’d better get knitting.

Say It With Poems

Karen

This poem was featured on The Writer’s Almanac last Thursday in the middle of the most emotionally difficult week in recent memory, so it was nice to read. I will try to keep it in mind this week:

Horses At Midnight Without A Moon

by Jack Gilbert

Our heart wanders lost in the dark woods.
Our dream wrestles in the castle of doubt.
But there’s music in us. Hope is pushed down
but the angel flies up again taking us with her.
The summer mornings begin inch by inch
while we sleep, and walk with us later
as long-legged beauty through
the dirty streets. It is no surprise
that danger and suffering surround us.
What astonishes is the singing.
We know the horses are there in the dark
meadow because we can smell them,
can hear them breathing.
Our spirit persists like a man struggling
through the frozen valley
who suddenly smells flowers
and realizes the snow is melting
out of sight on top of the mountain,
knows that spring has begun.

Diagrams Of Awesomeness

Karen

I meant to add this Venn diagram to my work post yesterday–“How to be Happy in Business”:
(Click for big. You can buy a poster here.)

And, while posting Venn diagrams, I really like this one about social media:
This one you can get on a t-shirt.

Tuesday Project Roundup: Half-Finished Projects Are The Best

Karen

I had to scrap the yellow pin dot dress (the fabric wasn’t working with the pattern and it was awfully yellow), and while putting it in the “fail bin” I noticed a chambray dress I’d scrapped two summers ago. I put that one away because I couldn’t figure out the placket; but in the last two years I’ve made plenty of plackets like that so I finished it up over the weekend:
I can’t place the pattern exactly–maybe early 70’s? Here’s the envelope:
It’s not the best dress I’ve ever made but it will be fine to wear to the farmer’s market. I’m liking chambray a lot lately: I’ve bought trousers and a shirt made out of it (yay disposable income!), and now I have this. The fabric reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath.

Toby Is Two!

Karen1 Comment

We know Toby was born in June, because he was nine months old last March when we adopted him. I arbitrarily picked June third as his birthday because it was the same day of the month as mine, making it easy to remember.

Well, June 3 came this year and I was out of town–I missed his birthday! Fortunately, cats don’t really keep track. I did bring him presents Sunday: a new scratching post and a crinkle tube that he loves.

It’s a pretty dark photo, but I’m sure Toby likes how it makes him look more like a vicious hunter hiding in the jungle (tunnel).

Friday Unrelated Information

Karen

1. I didn’t mean to sound as if I was complaining about the ride on a private jet yesterday; the booties just struck me as funny. (To be clear, I was complaining about Unprofessional Dude.) Maybe it was a “the rich aren’t different from you and me” moment.

2. Another baby at the alpaca ranch:

3. That’s all I have. I’m dragging today.

Karen

1. I didn’t mean to come off as “all I got from this business trip was a ride on a private jet” yesterday. It was a rare experience that only my fabulous job made possible. It’s just that, as cool as Gulfstream jets are, I think my quality of life is much higher on the patio at the apartment, with chosen company and a cocktail, both of which were noticeably absent on the jet.