Progress on the Super Secret Knitting Project has slowed considerably since the beginning of the summer semester, two weeks ago. Fortunately, I am on round 30 out of 36 on the final pattern round. This final pattern round is followed by 6 rounds of knit stitch, and then I can begin the edging.
I might finish it before June 16!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
When it rains...
It has been raining here every day for over a week! There are several things to note about rain:
1. I love rain, because it makes the world feel peaceful.
2. Living in the woods, as I do, it is easy to see the immediate effects of the rain. The plants are much greener and no longer droop. The animals have water to drink. The world seems full of life. Except for my chihuahua mix, Yoda, who spends a lot of time hiding in the closet from thunder.
3. The well fields for much of Tampa are in the part of the Bay Area that are receiving the most rain. That means the Bay Area has more drinking water that they will waste on their lawns and cars when the storm system has passed.
We have received over 7 inches of rain at my house in the last week, and more rain is predicted for Memorial Day Weekend. Our thirsty state sure needs it.
~ Update ~
My fantastically amazing husband fixed our water tank on the one dry day we had last week. He's not completely done renovating the water system, but we once again have running water in my house. Yay!
1. I love rain, because it makes the world feel peaceful.
2. Living in the woods, as I do, it is easy to see the immediate effects of the rain. The plants are much greener and no longer droop. The animals have water to drink. The world seems full of life. Except for my chihuahua mix, Yoda, who spends a lot of time hiding in the closet from thunder.
3. The well fields for much of Tampa are in the part of the Bay Area that are receiving the most rain. That means the Bay Area has more drinking water that they will waste on their lawns and cars when the storm system has passed.
We have received over 7 inches of rain at my house in the last week, and more rain is predicted for Memorial Day Weekend. Our thirsty state sure needs it.
~ Update ~
My fantastically amazing husband fixed our water tank on the one dry day we had last week. He's not completely done renovating the water system, but we once again have running water in my house. Yay!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Rain!
It's raining!
My Granny always called May "the month of clouds with no rain," and she was right until recently. Florida's weather has always seemed unpredictable to the untrained eye, but it actually followed a regular pattern for about a century. My Granny has lived through most of that century, and she could almost always predict the weather for any given period of time. Florida's weather rarely varied from its set pattern.
Now, though, thanks to climate change, Florida's weather has changed drastically and become quite unpredictable. We have been living in drought conditions for over five years, so rain is more than welcome, even if it is unusually early.
I hope this means that our rainy season has come early.
My Granny always called May "the month of clouds with no rain," and she was right until recently. Florida's weather has always seemed unpredictable to the untrained eye, but it actually followed a regular pattern for about a century. My Granny has lived through most of that century, and she could almost always predict the weather for any given period of time. Florida's weather rarely varied from its set pattern.
Now, though, thanks to climate change, Florida's weather has changed drastically and become quite unpredictable. We have been living in drought conditions for over five years, so rain is more than welcome, even if it is unusually early.
I hope this means that our rainy season has come early.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Interesting Times
All I can say is: Oy vey!
This could be the busiest week I have had in a long time. That's saying a lot, since I work full time, go to school full time, and have a family.
Monday: My family gets news that our oldest dog, Arlo, has cancer. He has a tumor that on his neck that extends into the lymph nodes. He is 17 years old, so we are hopeful that the tumor is slow-growing and will not greatly affect his natural life span.
Tuesday: The eye of the storm. I even have the day off from work. We run errands.
Wednesday: Our water tank dies. We have well water, so we have a contraption that pumps the water from the ground into a water tank, where it waits to be used in the house and/or yard. The pump is fine, so we have water available, but we have to use buckets to bring it into the house. It's kind of like living in Little House on the Prairie.
Thursday: Roy goes outside to look for pipes with which to fix the water tank and discovers two kittens in the leaves beside the pipes. We take the kittens with us when we take Arlo to the vet for news about his tumor and options for treatment. It turns out that the kittens are almost 6 weeks old males who are not yet weaned. We decide to keep the kittens. Arlo's tumor is slow-growing, and we agree with the vet that Arlo will receive injections to further retard the tumor's growth. He gets his first injection. This should allow him to live out the rest of his life without diminishing his quality of life. He is 17 years old, so that may not be a long time, even if he didn't have cancer.
Friday: Roy is supposed to purchase and install a new water tank. (Did I mention today is Roy's birthday?) I am faxing resumes before I pick up the children, pick up dinner, and help wean the kittens.
The weekend lies ahead of us. All I can say is: Bring it on!
This could be the busiest week I have had in a long time. That's saying a lot, since I work full time, go to school full time, and have a family.
Monday: My family gets news that our oldest dog, Arlo, has cancer. He has a tumor that on his neck that extends into the lymph nodes. He is 17 years old, so we are hopeful that the tumor is slow-growing and will not greatly affect his natural life span.
Tuesday: The eye of the storm. I even have the day off from work. We run errands.
Wednesday: Our water tank dies. We have well water, so we have a contraption that pumps the water from the ground into a water tank, where it waits to be used in the house and/or yard. The pump is fine, so we have water available, but we have to use buckets to bring it into the house. It's kind of like living in Little House on the Prairie.
Thursday: Roy goes outside to look for pipes with which to fix the water tank and discovers two kittens in the leaves beside the pipes. We take the kittens with us when we take Arlo to the vet for news about his tumor and options for treatment. It turns out that the kittens are almost 6 weeks old males who are not yet weaned. We decide to keep the kittens. Arlo's tumor is slow-growing, and we agree with the vet that Arlo will receive injections to further retard the tumor's growth. He gets his first injection. This should allow him to live out the rest of his life without diminishing his quality of life. He is 17 years old, so that may not be a long time, even if he didn't have cancer.
Friday: Roy is supposed to purchase and install a new water tank. (Did I mention today is Roy's birthday?) I am faxing resumes before I pick up the children, pick up dinner, and help wean the kittens.
The weekend lies ahead of us. All I can say is: Bring it on!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Signs of Summer
The lovebugs have arrived. I don't mean that romance is in the air. I mean that a black insect that lives solely to procreate has shown up again, as it does twice a year in Florida. Sometimes the lovebugs are so thick that it is like driving through a light fog. They smash against vehicles in great numbers, and a chemical in their bodily fluids will take the paint off of those same vehicles. They stain the clothes of anyone foolish enough to swat them. They will go away eventually, only to return at the end of summer.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Magnolias and Dahlias
One of the things I love about living in the South is its foliage. Our magnolia trees are beginning to bloom, and the air is heavy with their sweet scent. Surprisingly, magnolias don't make me sneeze, unlike most other flowers.
Speaking of flowers, my dahlia was blooming nicely a couple of days ago:
Friday, May 1, 2009
Important Decision
I have come to an important decision. When I am done with the super secret knitting project, I will make something special for my aunt. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and it was at stage 3A. Not good. I made hats of various colors for her to wear when she lost her hair. It felt really good to press my skills into such practical service.
Now, I would like to make her something that will make her feel beautiful while simultaneously sending the message that my aunt is a survivor. All I need is a few items, like yarn, needles, and notions. Actually, I need everything. My stash is not really equipped to handle spontaneous lace knitting.
Fortunately, the super secret knitting project is starting to slow down as it gets bigger. This gives me time to order the necessary supplies for this next great project.
I apologize for the secrecy. Both items are gifts, and the recipients probably read this blog. All will be revealed in due time. However, you can follow my progress on the super secret knitting project in Ravelry.
Now, I would like to make her something that will make her feel beautiful while simultaneously sending the message that my aunt is a survivor. All I need is a few items, like yarn, needles, and notions. Actually, I need everything. My stash is not really equipped to handle spontaneous lace knitting.
Fortunately, the super secret knitting project is starting to slow down as it gets bigger. This gives me time to order the necessary supplies for this next great project.
I apologize for the secrecy. Both items are gifts, and the recipients probably read this blog. All will be revealed in due time. However, you can follow my progress on the super secret knitting project in Ravelry.
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