Chat Back for Juy 23

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Jan asked . . .

Did it (Metro) take long to knit?

It took much less time than I thought it was going to take. The tweed is a heavy, 4.5 stitches/inch, yarn and it slides on and off the needles like a dream. Plus there is no sewing except for the back of the collar.

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Dorothy asked . . .

Do you have trouble managing 3 strands at once?

Three strands is no problem as long as the three balls are kept separate and only joined as they go through your fingers.

Once upon a time a long long time ago I learned the hard way that it doesn't work to wind the strands together into one ball before knitting.

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Rita asked . . .

Is this the same pattern you used for the red hat you made for yourself and your mom last winter?

Yes, it's the same very basic pattern I used for my simple Red Hat.

I figure the two most important things for charity hats: 1) It should be warm and cover the ears and 2) It should be flexible in size.

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Judy S. asked . . .

Did you find anything good at the library? Have you read Cutting for Stone? Or any of the Maisie Dobbs series?

Thanks to your suggestion I’m now on the library waiting list for Cutting for Stone.

I enjoy Maisie Dobbs and see there’s a new one, The Mapping of Love and Death, that I haven't read yet. I’m on the list for that as well.

The Maisie Dobbs books are written by Jacqueline Winspear and are best when read in order.

The book I blogged about on Tuesday was terrible. Silly plot, stupid dialog, and bad grammar and spelling errors. It was so hot I didn’t want to move from in front of the fan, so I kept rolling my eyes and reading, but really, how do people get these things published?

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Nobody asked . . .

How's your jaw doing?

And why would you? It's been a little over two months since I had an infected, undeveloped tooth bud removed from my jaw. It was wedged between the roots of two teeth and near my right side facial nerve.

The endodontist said it would be six months until the jaw was totally back to normal, and I have no reason to believe he was wrong about that.

The good news is that there has been very little pain for the past two weeks. Parts of my jaw are numb and occasionally start tingling like when your foot is asleep. It's only been ten days that I've been able to smile without discomfort and I'm never sure if I have food on my chin or not.

I found this picture on my camera after it was too late to post it - but it's never really too late to post it. This was the outside of my face the day after surgery. Even though I don't have enough sense to not post this picture, you'll be happy to know I do have more sense than to post a picture of the inside stitches. Couldn't get my mouth open, anyway.

Wednesday Wings - Young Oriole Learns to Eat Grape Jelly

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 19

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY July 19, 2011...

Outside my window...
It is very hot. We're in the middle of a multi day heat wave with each day forecast to be a little warmer until we hit the 100 degree plus mark on Thursday.

I am thinking...
Although I love hot water heat via radiators, my next house/condo/apartment is going to have ducts and central air conditioning.

I am thankful for...
We had no downed trees and retained power after last week's derecho that caused considerable damage and long lasting (up to 5 days) power outages in SW Michigan. Every time I leave home going north, south, east, or west I see clean up efforts underway. We ended up with three sticks in the yard. Not sure how that happened, but I am thankful.

From the kitchen...
Have ingredients for homemade chicken noodle soup, just need the time and energy.

I am wearing...
Not much. Baggy denim shorts and a tank top. It's very hot today.

I am creating...
Hats. I've been combining three strands of left-over sock yarn and knitting charity hats. The goal is to blend the colors so the hats will be attractive. There is no question that they will be warm.



I am going...
To Goodwill again tomorrow. My goal is a box a week as I slowly sort through areas of the house that haven't been sorted through in a while. Amazing the amount of stuff I'm finding that I don't care if I ever see again.

I am reading...
Just started A Stitch Before Dying by Anne Canadeo. "Where friendship, knitting, murder create the perfect pattern."

Since I haven't read the first two mysteries in the series, I have no idea if it's a good book or not.

I am hoping...
That my blogging funk is over.

I am hearing...
Pappy panting in my ear. It's cooler toward the rear of the house and we're about to go there.

Around the house...
The Rose of Sharon bushes are in bloom. We have too many to count. Some are appreciated, some not. They self seed and pop up all over so some are weeds. But how can I not love a bush the hummingbirds love?



One of my favorite things...
My family. From left to right: granddaughter Kimberly Louise, daughter Heather Louise, mother Margarete Louise.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today I'm driving Mom to her annual cardiology appointment. We hope it's a non-eventful meeting with ice cream afterward.

Wednesday is grocery shopping day with a stop at the library to stock up on books to read in front of the fan until temperatures get back to bearable.

Thursday is hair cut day.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
No matter how hot it is, the creek water is always cold and refreshing.

Coming Out of a Blogging Funk

I apologize to the many readers who have been concerned about me. I've been in a blogging funk. When it's time to sit down and write a post, I've read a book and/or taken a nap instead.

For now I plan to keep blogging, but not as often as I see how life unfolds.

Since I'm a goal setter, I'm going to try for three posts a week.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, there will be a Simple Woman's Daybook. Wednesday there will be a Wednesday Wings with an adolescent Oriole learning to eat grape jelly.

Made Myself Some Mona's - Kind Of

Last week when I sat down in my knitting spot late in the evening, I was tired and needed something easy to knit. Looking around, I spotted the leftover Dorothy's Destiny from Mom's Birthday Monas. It wasn't going to be enough for a complete pair of socks, but I knew I had two other little balls of left over Dorothy's Destiny across the room in a bin to finish the foot.

I quickly sketched out the Mona stitch pattern reducing the stitch repeat from 16 to 14, so I could knit a pair for myself on 56 stitches, cast on, and started knitting without ever having to get up out of my seat.

These will never be prize winning socks because the change in dyelots is very obvious.


I do like the 14 stitch repeat pattern very much and will use it again.

This is a very pretty stitch pattern for as much ribbing as it has in it and the ribbing sections make for a nice snug fit.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A. modified for a 14 stitch pattern repeat.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.

Metro Finished

Metro was a quick and pleasant knit. I love the feel and look of the City Tweed. If this sweater doesn't pill excessively, I'm sure I'll use City Tweed again, maybe in the Sport Weight version.

The comments on Shirley's Metro, mentioned she had a challenge getting the bottom of the sweater to lay flat and not roll, so I decided to put a short section of ribbing on the bottom.


One challenge I did not meet was the Kitchener of the left collar to the right collar.

My favorite basic knitting how-to book is Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti, so that's where I went for guidance on grafting ribbing together. Maggie said:

Grafting ribbing can drive even an experienced knitting instructor up the wall. Sometimes I have gotten so frustrated with it that I have used the double bind-off method instead.

Since my aching jaw was driving me up the wall as high as I wanted to go, I went right to the double bind-off.


Another pattern attribute Shirley warns about is the tight sleeves, so I used the sleeve pattern for the next size up. They're still a bit tighter than I'd like.

On the other hand, I learned many new (to me) techniques on knitting set-in sleeves top down that, in my opinion, improve on the Barbara Walker method. That alone was worth the price of the pattern because I love knitting sleeves directly into a sweater instead of trying to neatly sew them in after the fact.

Pattern: Metro from the Fall 2010 Twist Collection by Connie Chang Chinchio.

Yarn: Knitpicks City Tweed, Heavy Weight Worsted. 55% Merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, 20% Donegal tweed.

Color: Dungarees.

Needles: Options #7.

Gauge: 4.4 stitches/inch, 6 rows/inch in stockinette.

Mom's Monas Finished

Done, and done a day before needed.


I wasn't sure I was going to like this stitch pattern when I started these socks, but I do like it very much.

The ribbing travels every twelve rows, but it still works to supply a nice snug fit. The overall effect is a pretty lace pattern that isn't going to sag and bag. So, now I have another favorite Cookie A. sock pattern.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.

Wednesday Wings - Nestbox Report for June 15

First the Bluebirds used this box for a brood of four. That mostly happened when the weather was too cold and/or wet and/or windy to open the box, so I don't have pictures.

Once the Bluebird young fledged, the wrens adopted the box and filled it with sticks to the brim. They are sitting on eggs now.

The way Wrens build their nests, the cavity is much lower than the nest box hole. The adult Wren has to go up and over the sticks before it can go down to the eggs or hatchlings. If I open the nest box, I'll crush the pile of sticks, so there won't be any any pictures of Wren eggs or young Wren hatchlings.


In a different box: The Wrens are sweet, energetic little birds full of song, but I find them annoying when they take over the nest boxes.

After reading that moving the nest boxes away from nearby trees and shrubs would discourage the Wrens, I moved this nest box to the front of the property in a small garden in the middle of the lawn. In less than a day, a Wren couple had claimed it.

The young Wrens have fledged now, and I'll be emptying out the box to see if it attracts something else for a second nesting.


One of the nest boxes out back has a Tree Swallow brood that's ready to fledge.

When I walk within twenty feet of the box, I can hear the young Swallows chirping away and see them peeking out of the box hole.

Monday the parents were yelling and dive bombing me as I approached the nest and this little guy or gal stuck his/her head out and joined in the scolding.


It's a big world out there and he/she can hardly wait to get out in it.

Simple Woman's Daybook for June 14

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY June 14, 2011...

Outside my window...
The sun is shining and it's about 72 degrees. Beautiful.

I am thinking...
About what needs to go on the grocery list.

I am thankful for...
A special friend who said, "Let me do that for you" and spent over a half day chauffeuring me to a medical appointment last week. Nothing serious, but it did require a "responsible adult" and getting drugged.

From the kitchen...
Last thing I made was a batch of baked macaroni and cheese. It was cool enough Sunday so the oven could be on. In fact, it felt good to have the oven on.

I am wearing...
Size 10 jeans again. And, they're not too tight. Total weight loss so far is fifteen pounds.

Maintenance concerns me. I'm an expert at losing weight, but I haven't mastered the art of keeping it off.

I am creating...
Still working on the Mona socks.

The Metro sweater is done but needs to be washed and blocked before I take pictures. Brandywine is done except I'm going to frog the sleeves and do them a different way. The sleeves are short so that shouldn't take long once I get organized and motivated.

I am going...
To clean out my closet and take many things to Goodwill.

I am reading...
The NIV Application Commentary: Revelation for my daily Bible study.

The NIV Application series are perfect for someone who wants to understand what the Bible is saying. For me, they're written at the perfect level - not simplistic yet not too scholarly.

For each passage it teaches what the passage originally meant to the people and culture at the time it was written and then brings the ancient message into modern context.

Revelation is my first NIV Application book, but I have two more on the way, Genesis and John.

I am hoping...
The Orioles will bring their fledglings to the Oriole feeder. If they do, I'm hoping I'm looking out the window to see it and possibly take a picture.

I am hearing...
Pappy whining to go outside and Glory shaking her tags. Guess it's time for a dog walk.

Around the house...


The Sedum is thriving. It likes the sandy soil, doesn't need feeding, doesn't need watering, seems to be indestructible, and the deer don't eat it.

I have seven different varieties and they're all doing well.

One of my favorite things...


The Trap-It Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders, Red Bulk.

I have one for the Oriole feeder and one for the Hummingbird feeder. Fill it with water and the ants can't get to the sweet stuff. So simple and so perfect.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today I get the final crown on the tooth that started all the dental trouble. Afterward I'm meeting Mom and Sister Doris from Virginia for Chinese lunch at Hunan Garden.

I'm working overtime to get caught up on yardwork after the uncooperative spring weather. But it's lawn mowing season and it seems like I'm always mowing instead of doing everything else demanding my attention.

Thursday is haircut day, so back to Kalamazoo for that. I'm sure I'll be able to think of a few other errands to work into that trip.

And, of course, I'm trying to get back into the routine of blogging a few times a week

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


We have a creek and two ponds on our property, but the birds like to drink the water in the ant moats.

Birthday Green

Mom asked for green socks this spring, so green it is.

Since she's short she likes five inch cuffs, making the cuffs are shorter than I usually knit. That's fun. The cuffs are done before I'm tired of working on them.

This yarn was picked to match a Federer T-shirt she wears to exercise class. I didn't bring the lace pattern down the instep so the socks would be smooth in her workout shoes.

Pattern: Hedera from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A. or available free from Spring 2006 Knitty.

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll.

Color: Springtime Tonal.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.



On the needles now, with five days to finish, are a deeper pair of green socks.

The light wasn't at it's best to bring out the beautiful color of this yarn. It's a gorgeous, almost solid, super jeweltone Kelly green. I'll try to do it justice when the socks are finished.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.

Chat Back for June 11

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.



Mr. Squirrel (and many others) want to know . . .

Where are you?

Right here.

It's been a tough spring. In an attempt to keep this blog light and positive, let's just move on and not talk about it.

---

Kathy B. asked . . .

I wonder though if the mess of the (sunflower seeds from the bird feeders) shells can be kept up with somehow.

Maybe somehow, but I don't know the answer.

They make good mulch, but it all requires work.

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Many readers . . .

commented and left helpful and encouraging comments about my endodontic surgery

Thank you.

I had an infected, undeveloped tooth bud removed from my jaw that was wedged between the roots of two teeth and near my right side facial nerve.

Just last week the pain has dimmed to occasional ache. Parts of my jaw are still numb and the nerve sometimes jumps and tingles. Estimated time to return to completely normal, six months. But it's mostly ignorable now and regular Tylenol works well.

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Judy S. asked . . .

Have you ever seen them (the Orioles) building their nest?

The nests are very high up in the tallest trees and with the leaves blocking my view I've never seen the weaving of the nest.

A few years ago when a tall willow blew down, there was an old Oriole nest in the top branches and I got a chance to admire the handiwork. It was amazing.

Wednesday Wings - Female Oriole

The female Orioles (right) are less brillant than the males (left), but just as beautiful.


I love the mix of oranges and browns.


To weave their intricate hanging basket nests in the treetops they must be very agile.

Pictureless Update

The endodontic surgery went well but turned out to be more complex than expected.

Every day shows improvement, but I'm still having some pain and taking it easy without the urge to create a blog post.

The Metro sweater is almost done. I'm on the last sleeve and then there is only the collar left. It's been a pleasant, simple, quick knit. Pictures soon.

Four Bluebird hatchlings are a week old tomorrow and doing well. Mostly it's been too wet and/or chilly and/or windy to open the nest box.

The Orioles are still coming to the Oriole feeder to eat oranges and grape jelly. They brighten my days and I'm hopeful they'll bring their fledglings in a few weeks.

Thanks to all my blog friends who left good wishes. I'm hoping to regain my blogging mojo and return soon.

The Apicoectomy Excuse and Start of Metro

Brandywine is done. To be more specific, the knitting is done. I only need to sew up the side seams, weave in the ends, and block it. Last week I told myself I would do that before casing on Metro.

But I have a jaw ache. Not just a little jaw ache. It's the kind of jaw ache where you occasionally need to remind yourself it's not a good idea to blow your head off. It's the kind of jaw ache that requires simple, soothing, knitting for the moments you can stand to knit.

So, I cast on Metro. It's wonderful, mindless knitting at this point and I have about six inches done.



Tomorrow morning I'm scheduled for an apicoectomy at the endodontist.

If you don't know what an apicoectomy is, consider yourself fortunate. I didn't know either until yesterday morning.

If you do know what an apicoectomy is and have horror stories about you or someone you know who had one, please keep your stories to yourself. I'd love to hear about successes, though.

I do know I've been told to have multiple ice packs on hand and I've been promised post-operative pain, facial swelling, and possibly bruising. And I may not want to talk for a few days.

I'm looking forward to this. Really. My jaw hurts so much now that the promise of improvement is worth the ordeal of getting there. It's very possible the post-operative pain may be less than the pre-operative pain, and if I look swollen and awful I may get extra sympathy and maybe even ice cream.

Chat Back for May 14

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Dorothy asked . . .

Can't believe it's time for the Louise lunch already. Didn't you just have it?

Louise Lunch happens every year around Mother's Day, so yes it's time. In fact today was the day.

A "sore" topic, because we postponed it for two more weeks. My root canal from mid April is seriously aching and I'm anxiously looking forward to Monday when I can call and try to get it examined and fixed.

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Judy S. asked . . .

Looks like you wind your yarn into 2 balls? Care to share any secrets on doing that? Do you use a scale?

Yes, I wind my sock yarn into two balls with a food scale. It's not an exact method, but it works close enough for me.

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Kellie asked . . .

I love this sweater pattern ( Metro ) If the City Tweed doesn't work out, have you got alternate yarn in mind?

Shirley knit a beautiful Metro using, in her words, "WEBS Valley Yarns Northampton which was also the perfect gauge. It took less than 4 skeins."

She has pictures on her blog and plenty of good commentary on the pattern. Check it out here.

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Judy S. asked . . .

Any idea what caused the virus?

I asked the same question when I picked up my laptop after its cure. Richard, who has years of experience, told me if he knew the answer to that question he'd be rich.

The main virus resided in memory. My virus protection could and did eliminate the running version, but the memory version instantly replaced it. I think this falls in the category "Nasty virus".

I was thankful he didn't have to reformat my hard drive, even though I did have everything backed up.

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Dorothy asked . . .

And is that really your roof? That picture is priceless!

The raccoon picture is the roof of an old shed attached to the barn. The raccoons sit on the roof and growl at the dogs and me as we walk by.

The shed needs to be torn down which is going to disappoint the raccoons living in it. Last fall they made a hole in the wall at ground level and proceeded to tear out and carry out much of the insulation.

Having the shed torn down is on my list of things that may or may not get done this summer. I’m afraid every contractor I call is going to want to shoot the the raccoons.

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Lynn asked . . .

When you say grape jelly, this is the same grape jelly we put on our bread and biscuits, not some special bird grape jelly, right? I never knew birds liked it!!!! My husband just bought some suet because he heard birds are crazy for this stuff. It has yet to be touched but the black oil bird seed is going fast!

It's cheap grape jelly bought in large jars. I've heard the Orioles like the cheap stuff best because it has the highest sugar content.

Don't ask what this says about feeding healthy food to the birds. Hopefully their nutritional needs are not the same as ours. After all, we do feed sugar water to the Hummingbirds.

Our birds eat suet all winter but I stop putting it out when the weather warms up because it melts and drips.

Black sunflower seeds are the best, all round bird food. If you keep feeding through the nesting season they will bring their fledglings to the feeder for the sunflower seeds.

Simple Woman's Daybook for May 10

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY May 10, 2011...

Outside my window...
A male Oriole is eating grape jelly.



I am thinking...
That the photographer who took my portrait for the church directory went a bit overboard editing out blemishes and wrinkles. Bless him. I haven't been this wrinkle free in 50 years. Even then I had a few zits.



I am thankful for...
The warm weather that finally arrived this week.

From the kitchen...
Lemon bars to take to a lunch potluck celebrating the completion of our year long Bible Study Fellowship study of Isaiah.

I am wearing...
Light weight denim slacks and a turquoise cotton V-neck top.

I am creating...
Knitting on the right front of Brandywine. The left front is done and the shoulders sewn together, but I don't like the way the lace looks at the join. I'm wondering if I unsew it and reknit the top few rows of the left back shoulder if I could get it to look better. Or it's possible I could spend alot of time reworking it and have it end up looking worse.

I am going...
To rework it. I know I am. I just haven't admitted it to myself yet.

I am reading...
Listening to The Copper Bracelet while I knit.

Jeffery Deaver wrote the first chapter and then passed it on to 15(?) other authors who wrote a chapter each. The other authors include celebrated thriller writers Lee Child, Joseph Finder, David Hewson, David Liss, and Lisa Scottoline.

Are you wondering how this could possibly work? Well, it doesn't work all that well. Each author feels they need to a) make the plot more complicated and b) kill somebody off.

If I were actually reading this book, it would be going back to the library unfinished. Since I'm listening to it, it may get finished or maybe not.

I am hoping...
The Bluebirds learn to eat from their feeder. So far they've been uninterested in dehydrated mealworms. Maybe I need live, wiggly mealworms?



I am hearing...
The noisy Catbirds who have moved up near the house to be nearer the grape jelly in the Oriole feeder.

The Orioles rule the feeder. When they come to eat, the Catbirds get chased off.

Around the house...
The grass is growing, the weeds are growing, the yardwork is about a month behind because of the cold, wet spring we had. Just today, the 10th of May, some of the large deciduous trees are beginning to look a little green. That normally happens during the last ten days of April.

One of my favorite things...
My new Oriole feeder. Never guessed so many other birds had a sweet beak for grape jelly. This House Finch couple is chowing down.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Wednesday is grocery shopping, library, errand day. Thursday is haircut day. Saturday is Louise Lunch with Mom, daughter Heather, and granddaughter Kimmy. Our annual Mother's Day celebration of four generations with the middle name Louise.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Time for a new roof?