FiberJoy

2007-12-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks for clicking the link to this blog. Sorry to make you go the long way around to get to my current blog Fiberjoy at Wordpress where I moved after getting tired of Blogger losing or rearranging things just as I was ready to hit the publish post button.

Blogger has decided to force people to be signed up with Google/Blogger in order to leave comments on other Blogger site. Is this coercion or what? Or maybe fear since so many people are abandoning Blogger for more intuitive blog hosts?

I would love for you to click once more and come visit.

Or visit our business website: Jenkins Woodworking to see all the fabulous fiber arts tools Ed makes.

Hairpin Lace Wrap Finished Dec 6th

Change of Scenery

2007-07-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

I'm shifting over to WordPress. The lack of the ability to reply directly to non-reply comments without causing people to return to my blog to see my answer has driven me to move to WordPress. I've read that pictures don't make the transfer so will leave this blog here.

For the most part I will be posting here. Please don't forget to bookmark my new blog, or change your bookmarks. Thanks!

If this works smoothly enough I'd like to move The Weekend Whirls over there also to facilitate better interaction between posters/commentators. Please let me know what you think.

Tour de Fleece Day 5

2007-07-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

So far I'm spinning away on Tour de Fleece 2007. The weekend of demonstrating/teaching at the Park got me off to a great start. Though I must admit, I flagged a bit Monday and yesterday, just a bit of spindling was accomplished.

Today was the spinning guild's day at the Mission Mills Museum. In spite of temps reaching almost 100 degrees, our spot under a huge spreading oak next to the Jason Lee House, built in 1841 - the oldest frame house still standing in the Northwest, stayed relatively cool with a breeze keeping us comfortable. The 5 hours + flew past. I took some pictures but need to wait until we get our broadband connection working again. I'm using a turtle paced dial-up.

It's been a frustrating bone of contention for the past 30 hours with no help from the provider until he returns home on Friday. Until we get our connection reestablished I will be on very limited internet time so please bear with my lack of personal emails.

Spinning at the Falls

2007-07-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful weekend at the Silver Falls State Park showing and teaching spinning. The two days flew by with people streaming in and out of the log cabin.
Path to the Log Cabin. Umm, the Salmon berries are ripe.A peek at South Falls
South Falls - 177ft. Click for a bigger picture, do you see the people?

Here are just a few of the many people who spun some yarn. After about the third person I developed a pretty comprehensive method to where a person was able to spin their yard of roving in just a few minutes.

I set up the Louet Victoria to the side of the huge fireplace where the dutch oven biscuits were constantly cooking. The two women must have made almost 500 biscuits on Saturday. Each batch devoured as soon it was served. Hand-shaken butter and fresh strawberry/raspberry jam completed the goodness.

Though I didn't have time for much personal spinning, I was able to spinning the second ounce of the corriedale green roving. I'd been spinning fine and quite evenly until spinning at the cabin where my concentration was what it needed to be. This picture was before I began spinning the second ounce at the cabin. Unfortunately that ounce turned out thicker and more uneven. For the first time I tried chain plying. I wish I hadn't. If I'd plyed it back on itself it would have been much better. Now I'm not sure what to do with the 117 yards of the 3ply. (It's still drying.)

The mystery project: Thanks for the guesses so far. It's not a baby blanket, shawl or a scarf, but it will be worn. I'll post another hint next post.

For those of you who asked about the Marion berries, they are a type of blackberry developed at Oregon State University. From Wiki: "Marion (marketed as marionberry) is the most important cultivar and is from a cross between Chehalem and Olallie (commonly called olallieberry) berries. It is said to "capture the best attributes of both berries and yields an aromatic bouquet and an intense blackberry flavor" [1]. Olallie in turn is a cross between loganberry and youngberry. "Marion", "Chehalem" and "Olallie" are just three of the many trailing blackberry cultivars developed by the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) blackberry breeding program at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Trailing blackberries are vigorous, crown forming, require a trellis for support, and are less cold hardy than the erect or semi-erect blackberries. In addition to the Pacific Northwest of the USA, these types do well in similar climates such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Chile, and the Mediterranean countries."

They are big and juicy with a delicious tart sweetness perfect for eating out of hand, pies, or jam. They are a huge commercial crop in this area.

Minding the Yarn Shop

2007-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

We're off on the Tour de Fleece 2007which begins today. I got in good shape yesterday by spinning half an hour last evening. (sadly I can't get the button to load properly on the sidebar)

Arriving at The Purl District yarn store yesterday the long knit scarf was still draped across the entrance. No one was around. The store is one of four spacing the huge open space of one of the older buildings in Silverton. The main doors were open and lights on. Other stores were bustling with activity but not the yarn shop. Another spinner had already gotten an iced latte from Not Yo Mama's Coffee shop upstairs so I headed up for mine. The flower shop keeper took down the scarf barrier and told us to go ahead and sit at the table. A group of four eventually gathered knitting and spinning. Still no shop keeper. Shortly after 10 a buyer came in with some questions. She wanted to make her first pair of socks. I talked with her, showed her the sock yarns, talked about her knitting experience then got out the sock pattern notebook and found a basic pattern for her. I accepted a check. First sale of the day. After she left I looked around the cash register for a worker/phone list then called the person scheduled for the morning. No answer. Called the owner. No answer, left a message. Called the worker scheduled for the afternoon. She'd was busy showing a buyer her angora rabbits but she'd try to be in by noon!

I didn't get a lot of spinning or knitting done with the occasional interruptions by shoppers. One traveling family came in. The daughter wanted to buy a kit. The ones we found didn't have the right color combinations. A lost sale. Another woman wanted to know what pattern and material a display sweater was made from. I could guess a cashmere blend but had no idea of pattern. Another lost sale. :-(

Another picture of the mystery project being made from my handspun multicolored merino. Guesses are welcome. There might even be a prize for the person who guesses correctly both questions: what will it be? what's the process?

I'm off for a day of demonstrating spinning at the Silver Falls State Park. I'm excited about this new experience.

Cherry Haiku

2007-07-06T06:56:00.001-07:00

Alarmed chirps fill air
Sticky hands grasp cherries
Domain intrusion.

Ladybug dotting
Seventies orange countertop.
Harvest escapee.
Jewel-red tart globes
Dried to withered chewiness
Cheers winter muesli.

4th of July

2007-07-05T11:02:00.001-07:00

Homemade ice cream with fresh marionberries.

Grandma's hat.
Hey there!

Blue moon wedding

2007-07-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

How do you occupy time during the hour between setting up and waiting for a wedding to begin? Knit socks!

The most unusual wedding we've played a reception for took place outside yesterday at seven pm. Seven out of eight members of our band were sick: Tight chest with coughs and fever kind of sick. Our leader/mandolin player's bug had morphed into pneumonia by Friday. The only person not affected was our banjo player.

It always takes about two hours to get set up and the sound balanced. We were to be set up and ready by the six o'clock photo session.
People who don't play music usually have no idea what heat does to to hide glued instruments. It doesn't take much heat to loosen the glue. The platform was in the baking sun. While not playing for the sound check we tucked our instruments in their cases resting in the bit of shade on the east end of the platform. Still they were exposed to the full force of the afternoon sun. In my west facing position it didn't take long for my violin to get hot and the strings loosen in the heat.

As is typical, communication wasn't the best. We'd been told that we'd play the recessional kicking immediately into the reception. We'd just been chilling out in the shade of a small tree near the platform when a trio bustled up to the stage saying they needed to set up in front of our gear. And, "Oh, by the way, can we use one of your mics?" When you've just spent two hours in the blazing sun arranging chairs, mics, monitors, speakers, music stands for eight people it's a bit disconcerting to find that a keyboard and three players need a portion of that occupied space. As for the mics /sound system, well, one just doesn't turn on the amp and it's all set. Not. The fine tuning to get all the vocalists and instruments balanced takes a great deal of time. But we're nice people so our leader, who is also our sound expert, carefully noted which level his mic was at on the mixer and then spent time with the flutists and keyboard getting them at right level. Meanwhile, the sound system was on, which our bassist didn't stop to think about as he went behind the platform to relieve his congested nose. The mic near him picked it up mingling his blowing along with the flutes the entertainment of arriving guests.

We'd planned to set up then go into town to eat and rest before our time to play but the number of arriving guests and lack of parking, let along lack of energy to climb the small hill once again, made us decide to hang out at one of the back tables. Knitting and people watching time. I'm just starting a pair of socks for a birthday. Since I spun only 240 yds I'm doing the double-trouble toe up socks. This will be my second pair from that pattern. So far it's going much better than the first time I attempted them.

The couple who were married participate in tribal dancing; he is a drummer, she dances with her mother, sister and several other women. The crowd was a mixed group wearing clothes from formal wedding type clothing appropriate to outdoor weddings to the tribal attired /bohemian/gypsy clothes of dancers and drummers. A very colorful assortment.The temperatures had cooled down nicely by the time we started playing at 7:30. It was a perfect evening for playing outside. We had an enjoyable time, the people seemed to like our music and except for a few glitches all went well. My worry about the strings holding their tune came true. The mishap took place during the mandolin/fiddle duet. Just as we launched into the second piece of an Irish medley my E string took a nose dive way south ending up near an A. When one string dramatically loosens it usually affects the tuning of the other strings so T finished the piece as a solo. We managed to cover our coughs and sickness pretty well. One piece was higher than our singers' vocal cords could handle last night so it became instrumental after the first verse. The photographer who often used the platform for key shots, and kept his gear near ours, was the only person who seemed to notice that we were not feeling well. As we were packing up he made a comment about our playing well despite being sick.

Instead of playing the scheduled hour we ended up playing ninety minutes. We were just planning to start with the beginning pieces again when the drummers set up (we'd been told to play until they were ready). The tribal dancers performed a wedding dance for the couple as we tried to unobtrusively pack our gear. This picture was taken a little after nine pm. They were fun to watch as they twirled and danced in their fine array. By then we were starving and tired but the high rush that comes after a decent performance gave us energy to make the numerous journeys up the hill to stow our gear in our vehicles. Finally we were able to help ourselves to the leftover wedding food of hummus, diced lamb/pecans/rice stuffed in grape leafs (very tasty!), olives, and sandwich makings.

On the drive home I noticed a huge glow over the mountains and remembered it was a blue moon (that occurrence of two full moons in one month). At home I waited as the moon slowly rose above the trees.

Projects simmering

2007-06-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the comments on the why of blue and my apologies to all whom I owe emails. One of these days I'll shock you.

About 9 pm on Solistic. While our yard was mostly in shadows, sunlight still played in our neighbor's yard as the sun bid farewell to a long pleasant day. Lately my life has been feeling kind of like this: Too many heddles on the loom in seeming disarray with multitudes of attached lines pulling for my attention. My interest zooms from one project to the next, half starting something only to careen to another fiber, a different craft. (No, this isn't my loom, but another dream.)

A few weeks ago I purchased some striking merino roving from Matahari Spinnery. (While you're at it stop by Arianie's blog to see some beautiful wheels.) I had a specific project in mind when I ordered this roving. A project calling for almost 1200 yards of DK, plied. That's 2400 yards of singles spun on a drop spindle. As a person who naturally spins on the thinner end of the spectrum it's a challenge to try to consistently spin thicker. My heavy Turkish spindles are excellent for spinning finer weight yarns but I was having a hard time getting a loftier, thicker yarn so transferred to a bamboo spindle.

Not having any experience with spinning multicolored roving I was surprised at the colors. Originally I debated splitting the rovings into the seperate colors but didn't want a stripey finish. So far I've finish spinning 2 ounces and have about 20 more to go. I've worked up the first bits of the item and am delighted how quickly that stage comes together. More details on this mystery item to come. :-) (Which reminds me, I'm so tempted to sign up for MS3. What craziness when I've never really knitted lace, let alone set my eyes on yet another project!) As June zips past I've been wondering if I need to stop looking at new patterns and fibers, instead to discipline myself to focus on only four projects. Even that seems too many. How can I narrow it down to only a couple? Or should I? See what comes when a yarn calls out your name and whispers what it wants to be. I've been drooling over Deb's Fearless Fibers for quite some time and a trade with Deb for some of our lace needles was the perfect opportunity. So far I've been good and have only fondled and dreamed, it's soft, lucious wool that I'm eager to work with. A feeling akin to despair overwhelms me when I think of: the stash of yarn patiently waiting; weaving to finish and get off of the loom; charollais wool lanquishing near the spindle; chocolate sock yarn barely on the needles; a Red Sweater that only needs the last cuff finished (the sight of a short bit of yarn left has thwarted me); a cotton summer sweater one third done that I'd really like to wear while it's still summer; let alone the aforementioned mystery project.

The feeling of being a "jack of all trades, master of none" is slightly haunting. It'd be good to really master one particular area.

Early edges of dawn light showed two neighbor dogs one of our cats who'd perhaps had strayed a bit too close to them. They gave happy chase as it zipped under the skirting of our mobile home. Not deterred in the least they ripped their way through with a horrendous noise, startling us out of the last shreds of slumber, bursting out into our backyard. Where they were happily trapped. They dashed around following their noses through the garden and up onto the back porch at which point I decided it was time to get up and open the gate for them. The dogs were delighted to see me and even more joyful at the sight of the open gate. I followed them out to make sure they returned safely home across the road. Heading back past the weed bed I noticed a small bud on our miniature rose plant.

The Why of Blue

2007-06-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

So many have asked me to tell the why of blue hair.

Early one spring morning morning ten years ago, near the date marking the first year of my mom's death - when a quiet grief sheltered in my heart, the dozens of birds around the bird feeder near the kitchen drew my attention. Gold finches, Grosbeaks, and House finches gobbling sunflower and thistle seeds. Streamers of colors weaving through the air.

"Why didn't God give humans bright multi-colored hair?" As soon as the question popped into my mind the answer jumped up, "He gave us the ability to color our hair." Astonished, my mind zoomed with possibilities. And negatives: There's no way! I do not like making waves or standing out; Sitting at the Reference desk feeling vulnerable and exposed is bad enough, I don't want to draw more attention to myself; I'm too old; Too shy; Too Crazy!

The next morning while reading in Ezekiel 16 a passage jumped out. God's discribing how he rescued Israel, likening her to a young woman. He adorns her with fine linen, jewels, and a crown. I was struck that our Creator has adorned this world for us with unfathomable beauty - painting bold colors, dazzling mountains, jade depths; dabbing great gobs of humor, quieting the effect with mists and fog. I look at the wonders of creation and am filled with joy.

Joyfulness bubbled up, flooding out the grief. The overwhelming love of God for me, the reality of my relationship with Him flung aside the barriers. Coloring my hair became a sign of joy, a witness to the wonder of our God who created us in His image - to be creative like Him.

The morning after strands were bleached white then painted with Punky blue hair dye, I woke up and looked in the mirror. Spontaneously I thought, "Mom would have loved this hair!" (She really would have gotten a kick out of it. At one time maybe she would have dyed hers too!)

Scanned picture taken ten years ago. The blue which was interwoven throughout my hair doesn't show too well but it was certainly noticable in real life. (My, what big glasses you have!)(While it's not good to take scripture out of context sometime God does use a small portion of the whole to get His message across. He knew just what I needed at that time. In rereading this passage last week I am reaffirmed that He desires the best for me yet the warnings are very clear not to abuse or disregard His love. On the other hand, His love is a fantastic thing to experience!)

Next post will have new fibery wonders. :-)

Spinning Out

2007-06-11T09:00:00.001-07:00

It was a perfect day for a drive across the Willamette Valley to last Wednesday's spinning guild. The day was full grey clouds and small showers mingled with patches of sunlight and blue skies. The interplay of light and shadow in the rainwashed air maginified details and colors.

The home where the spining guild met is situated near the Coast Range. About a mile from the farm this view caused me to stop the car, get out and gaze northwards. If there hadn't been fences lining the road I might have taken off across the fields and forgotten all about the meeting. (You should be able to click on pictures to get the bigger picture.)

This picture was taken from the side yard looking west at the Coast Range. It'd be grand to spend a day walking across fields and through the trees. Being a teen in N. Arizona spoiled me forever with its lack of fences to hinder ones roaming the vast plateau and canyon land. I could hike or ride my horse all day without encountering one fence.
The women were very friendly and welcoming, quickly absorbing me into their group. They all had wheels and at first I felt quite shy but their chatter soon had me laughing. One thing that helped to put me at ease was the lack of usual questions fired at a visitor.

The couple who own the farm, Celia and Ken Erion, took us on a tour of their well organized farm. Male llamas and goats in a series of pastures on one side, the females on the other, divided by Pigturd Alley and various outbuildings. Their potbellied pig, Marvin, has free run of the farm. Strategically place pig doors allow him access just about everywhere. He believes he is king.

The animals are all loved and very well cared for. Ken and Celia take their role as animal keepers seriously. The llamas are friendly and seemed to enjoy looking at us as much as we looked at them.

The Erions have dedicated part of one building to their llama co-op. Participants deliver bags full of llama fiber which are weighed then sorted into types and colors. There was over 1100 pounds waiting to be sorted. Ken said they'd be able to go through most of that in one long day with a bit of concentrated effort. The fiber is taken to a mill where it's processed and made into beautiful blankets and socks. At the back of that building is a door leading to:
Celia's ample weaving studio. We were dumbstruck with the number of looms, fibers, and books. Think of having such a spacious dedicated space for fibery pursuits!

No pictures of us actually spinning though we did in lots of spinning and chattering. I finished an ounce of sample singles and plyed it. A future post will have details. The next post I've promised several inquirers to tell the story of my blue hair.

Until then.

No more tangles

2007-06-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

One of these days I'll tell the story of how I came to love dyeing my hair with blue streaks from time to time.

Did you see the tangled chocolate sock yarn from last post? There came a point when the snarls were greater than my patience. A bit over an ounce had been plyed when reason prevailed; it was ridiculous to keep spending inordinate amounts of time, to say nothing of strained eyesight and nerves, on a bit of spun fluff. The twist was set and the wet yarn wrapped around pegs on the warping board.

I'm delighted with this sock yarn that I'd spun with every intention of gifting to a friend. But now I'm torn. This is my first batch of spun sock yarn. How well does it knit up? Does it feel good on the feet and in shoes? Will socks hold up to lots of wear and washing?
#1 ball: 1.5 ounces - now 1.1 oz, 144 yards, app 17 wpi
#2 ball 1 ounce, 129 yds, app 17wpi. (wound tighter on the ball winder)With only 273 yards they will be short socks for smaller feet.

Today is the area spinning guild meeting. I'm both excited and apprehensive about meeting this group. I'm really hoping my introverted side doesn't kick in big time. Except for sitting with other spinners during Sunday morning at Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival last October I haven't spun much at all with other experienced spinners. I can feel awkward and dumb in these kinds of situations. But I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge. This month's meeting is across the Willamette Valley about 45 miles away near the coast range. I've always loved driving through that area of the valley and now I get to walk the earth, breath deep the air and experience a llama/sheep farm there.

Shades of Blue

2007-05-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

I'm convinced the yardage of the plying test had to be a mistake. There's no way spinning would come out to the same yardage and inch. I was so excited to see the 2 strings lining up evenly that I probably lost my head in the counting of strands. From now on if something even remotely comes so close I will carefully recount. Or have Ed verify the numbers.

Plying the chocolate bar sock yarn has been a challenge. I've always plyed from the center pull created by the Turkish spindle. This tangle of snangles stalled progress a month ago. Hours of careful negotiating and yet there's still work ahead. I'm determined to finish it soon.

It was time to try the felted ball I've been reading about from Judy's blog as well as other places online. It seems crazy to add an entire new step to an already lengthy process but it was so worth the extra effort. I didn't time how long it took to wind the yarn around the ball but less than half an hour. The center pull and the outside yarns are held and wound simultaneously around the felted ball. The ball is set under a ceramic flower pot with the two free ends going through the drainage hole, attached to the spindle and plyed as normal. It took 2.5 hours total. I'll set the twist tonight then wind it onto the warping board.

Blue? Did I mention blue?

Yea, it's permanent! :-)

Spinning Consistency & Randomness

2007-05-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Cyndy tapped me to post a random eight. If you haven't seen her great use of odd and ends of yarn and wool check out her May 24th post.

For a look at an odd looking creature scurry over and check out Esmi on Celtic Memory Jo's May 24th post.

Before posting random stuff here're some details of a recent spinning experiment:
Remember the Chocolate Bar roving I've been spinning for sock yarn. It seemed to take me forever to spin the 3 ounces I'd started with. The first 1.5 oz ball went fairly quick but about 1/3rd into the second batch I hit a lo-o-ng section of murky light brown that didn't spin as smoothly and became psychologically hard for me to keep spinning. This week I determined to finish it. My speed picked up when the dye job varied back into the richer browns.

While spinning I've often wondered how many spun yarn I average out of one yard of roving. Thursday evening as I neared the roving end I measured a yard in from the end, tied a piece of yarn at the 1 yard spot then measured the roving to the 2nd yard point and tied another piece. When I reached the piece of yarn marking two yards remaining I looked at the clock and timed how long it took to spin one yard to a fairly thin single. Thirty five minutes. Hmm, a bit faster than I'd thought. It was past my bedtime so I stopped for the night. I was also curious to see what my consistency would be on two different spinning days.

Saturday morning I grabbed the spindle and remaining yard of roving, checked the clock and started in. It was one of those mornings where it felt as though it took awhile to get into a rhythm. To my surprise it also took 35 minutes!

Using the warping board to unwind the single I counted out the wraps as I circled the spindle around and around the pegs which are set one yard apart. Hmm. 1 yard roving = 18yds,26inches of spun single. Not too shabby. What would the second yard yield? Imagin my immense astonishment as the last of the single came off the spindle at:
Yes -- 18yds 26inches!!! I am blown away by this. I figured that if my singles measured within a yard of each other I'd be spinning pretty consistantly but this is phenomenal. I believe it is a fluke. I'm real curious to find out what the two 1.5ounce balls will measure once they're each plyed.

Random Stuff:
1. I've always loved water. My first memory is an image of a picnic beneath a bridge near a lazy river. I was 2.5 years old.

2. Blue is one of my favorite colors, but I have to be careful which tones I wear. The brighter shades with warm undertones are good - Turquois, cornflower blue, sapphire...

3. We've owned two blue Rambler cars. The first was a 1969 station wagon that we owned when it was 15 years old, the second was a 1966 classic sedan like this one, except blue:
We loved that car until it started having more problems than Ed could keep up with. Hey, it was 30+years old and over 200,000 miles.

4. I once hitch-hiked with a bike. A friend & I had riden our 3-speed bikes ten miles towards our 25 mile destination when my front wheel had a severe mishap which resulted in a twisted wheel. We'd arrived at the main highway and so stuck out our thumbs and waited for a driver in a pickup truck to stop. At the destination of a gas station/small shopping complex where my brother was manager we were able to get the tire fixed and ride home.

5. I like to bake, especially bread. I don't enjoy cooking.

6. I have written a children's book. It isn't published.

7. Irises are among my favorite domesticated flowers.8. They bloom in this area throughout the month of May. There are vast acres of Iris fields, this is only a small section of one.

Lots of bloggers have already posted their eight randoms so I won't tap anyone. Please post yours if your haven't been tapped.

Bamboo Spindles!

2007-05-22T16:00:00.001-07:00

Announcing the first batch of Bamboo Spindles hot from Ed's lathe and hands! They still need to be signed and then go through the couple of finishing stages so they aren't quite ready to fly out the door but close!

These first one weigh from 1.4oz to 1.6oz and are sweet to spin! That's a puff of cashmere. Remember way back when Ed first tried his hand at a bamboo spindle and I first attempted spinning cashmere? Yes, they make a good match. $40 seems a sweet price too for these spindles that get total individual attention as each one is made seperately by Ed. Interested? Drop me an email salesATjenkinswoodworkingDOTcom

In other news: Cyndy tapped me for the eight things meme. I've been mulling a list over. Haven't quite completed it with eight things. Next posting. In the meantime here's something I found amusing from a totally different blog group:

NAME GAMES

YOUR REAL NAME: Fiberjoy
YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle): (Fizzle)
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color plus favorite animal ) Red Horse
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name plus street you live on) Joy Second
YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name): Jen Wanoc
YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (Second favorite color with favorite drink) Purple Pepsi
YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (Men: father's middle name and mother's middle name; Women: mother's middle name and father's middle name): May Wickham
YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one your pets): Black Hank
YOUR PORN STAR NAME: (the name of your childhood pet and the street you grew up on): Calico Star Route

I'd love to see what some of you come up with. :-)
That's it for today.

Random

2007-05-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

We're so excited about Ed's newest work! He's finally developed a small circular that we feel are of a quality that we're willing to sell. The small bloodwood set on the left? Those are #2! Whoot! He's found a coil and perfected (well, that's still being worked on) his technique on these small babies. Woods and sizes clockwise from the top: Pink Ivory - #9/5.5mm; Kingwood - #6/4mm; Ebony - #10.5/6.5mm; Bloodwood - #2/2.25mm

So often as I move through the day I blog in my mind, and collect pictures to share. And I plan to post on a more regular basis but the opportunity slips away and when I might have time to blog my mind is tired, or blank.

I am feeling fluish/feverish. Sitting at the computer moving only my fingers suits me just fine. (I'm resisting the pull of a nap, there are things I'd rather accomplish.)

Aurora found these dark chocolate covered bits of figs at New Seasons. Ymmm! I like to believe they're very healthy. The roses are from son JJ. They are still adorning the table as the blooms have slowly opened. Finished socks! They only took me, uh... five months. Lorna's Lace on size 5 needles, plain rib pattern. You'd think they would have been a breeze to complete. Lorna's Lace yarn is so soft to knit and I know the recipient will happily wear them. Like the softness of the yarn these socks quietly, politely spoke my name, never shouting for attention, even when all but the toe was finished and they lanquished in the sock bag for a few weeks.I'm wanting to spin silk again. On the left is a
2.3oz Lilac spindle with silk from a hankie. It holds a fast, true spin 40-45 seconds.

The copper spindle is something Ed made just for the enjoyment of playing around to see what he could do with copper last winter. It weighs 1.3oz and holds its spin for only 15-20 seconds. When I used it right after he made it I wasn't impressed by the short spin and slight wobble so had put it away. Sorting through stash the other day I came upon it and gave it another go. A few months of more experience made it more enjoyable to use. The Tussah top silk is a joy to spin, but I still prefer a heavier spindle.

Walk with Me Wednesday took place behind the lawn mower. With days of sun followed by days of rain the grass needs mowing weekly. Even then there are areas that take some careful, slow mowing in order not to choke the the mower with all the lush grass.

This is the most recent project. A friend and I are each making matching summery cotton sweaters. I think it'll be a quick knit though we plan to work on these mostly when we're meeting Friday mornings at The Purl District for Spin and Yak.
Faith woke up from her nap on Thursday in time to help me pack orders.

Gifts

2007-05-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

May Day seems faded in memory already and yet it's always been a day of special memories. Sadly more technological hexing had my nose to the computer though not enough to keep me from hearing a quiet knock at the door. When I opened it these greeted me:

Thank you dear neighbor boy. He weekly brings us fresh eggs from his chickens. One week the phone rang just as he handed me the eggs. I put the container of change on the table and told him to count out the amount due him while I took the phone order. After I hung up NB was standing uncertainly by the table.
"Did you get your money?" He shook his head shyly. What in the world was I thinking! How many five year olds know how to count money? It was a fun, instant lesson in learning how about the different values of pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters. A kid knows coins are the real stuff.

The last day of April a customer on the phone alerted us to the fact that some emails weren't getting through. For a week I'd been wondering but there were enough coming in that I really couldn't tell for sure. It's truly mindboggling how we've managed now to have two webhosts flake out on us. Oh to have a dedicated server with tech geeks making sure all is well!

Hours were spent over the next two days freeing up our website, searching for a new host through review sites, moving the site (and losing all previous emails in the process), and waiting on hold for the longest lengths of time in order to talk with live people.

This project was perfect for the long process where I needed a mindless task. Rolled bandage for Tropical Ulcer Patients through Global Health Ministries. Double crocheted from Peaches and Cream cotton, size H hook, 13 stitches wide by 4 feet long.

I had some gifted yarns that has been quietly pleading to be used but were being very selective in what they wanted to be. Over the past couple months an idea slowly formulated in my mind.

I think of this warp as representing the green island. See the ocean foam, the woods and moss? I used some of my handspun merino/tencel in the red parts of the warp as trees and soil. The rest of the warp in mossy green, and white mohair yarns wrapped with other bits and pieces of color were gifted yarns. Thank you to the dear gifter, this is only the first of more projects in mind.

A friend was celebrating her 50th birthday last Saturday and this first one was for her. She has a fine appreciation of nature.

Cut from loom and ends tied.

The small clutch, washed and dried.

Two Finished Projects!

2007-04-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

What happens when an order for 100 spinning tutorials comes in, needed asap; spinning and knitting a felted bag start to finish in two weeks; throw in a couple days of watching Baby Faith; squeezing in dashes of violin practice for the mini concert at a retirement home today; with all the regular tasks of running a business?

Exhaustion.

Spinning and knitting in the evenings and knitting while printing, and printing, and more printing. I lost track of the hours it took to print, compile, cut, punch and bind 100 tutorials. Taking that box full to the PO was a huge relief!

Thursday was spent spinning and knitting the last of of bag. My calculations were off with the roving. At the lofty rate of spinning it was going to take more like nine oz. of roving. I had eight oz.

"Ed, can you please make me a set of needles, this morning?" My champion pulls through. :-) One needle is ebony, the near one is cocobolo. Purposely mismatched.

The last 10 rounds where knit on 9mm/#13 needles with sharp tips and sleek bodies. The last ounce of roving was respun into a smaller yarn and the shoulder strap tackled by late evening.

I wanted a bit more padding on the shoulder strap so slip-stitched the middle stitches and did a seed stitch on the outside ones to keep it from rolling. It didn't work. The slip stitching pulled the edges inwards. It was 1:30am. Past Bedtime. Up by 7 to fix the strap by stitching the edges together the length of the underside. It worked.

It was waaaay wider than I'd wanted. I should not have cast on so many! Lots of hot, hot water, soap, and kneading. And the height shrunk a lot, but not the length, except for the bottom. Poor color in this photo, I was in too big of a hurry. I wanted to take it to the spinning session at 10am at the YS before Aurora took it to class that afternoon.

MC had a great suggestion: Buttons! We played around with folding it, then I poured over the wonderful selection of buttons that Celia carries. Aurora stopped by with Baby Faith whom she'd picked up for a babysitting session, just in time to find the perfect buttons. Since the bag is for a classmate it was great having her input!

The finished bag! It certainly is not the book bag I sent out to make. Not all is lost if Classmate doesn't end up buying it. It still turned out pretty cool, I think.

I finish writing up the pattern later. I still want to make a book bag so will try again, another time.

What does a yarn gauge have to do with anything in this post?

Take two wooden yarn gauges and tap them together in front of young baby!

She loved them!

Bags and Blessings

2007-04-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

One of our computers died which means Ed usually has this computer in the evenings since I'm using it a great deal during the days. The downside is that I don't get much chance for keeping up with personal emails or blogs - reading and posting. I decided to stay up late tonight in the hopes of catching up a bit.

I've been asked how big the sample weaving is from a couple posts previous. It's 6 inches wide and 18" long. And no, I haven't done anymore. I'm on a time crunch to get a commissioned piece finished before next Friday. Since I'm a hopelessly slow knitter and spinner all fiber efforts are used for this.

Remember the felted bag I knit straight from pencil roving for Aurora last July? She's been using it for carrying her nutrition course books and one of her classmates wants one. This time I'm spinning the roving just enough to put in a bit of twist. By using the 3oz, 15" Ladakhi spindle I can spin an ounce at a time. The last picture best represents the true colors. Want some stats?

One ounce of this Crown Mountain Farms Corriedale Pencil Roving is approximately 17 yards unspun. After spinning it is 40 yards. 40 yards knits over 6 rounds on the bag. I predraft an arm's length of roving to about half the thickness before lightly spinning the Ladakhi and let the twist run up to my extended hand. Then I remove the half hitch and give the yarn a good shake to evenly distribute the twist along the length before winding on. I'm able to spin an ounce in under an hour.

It's a pattern I developed for Aurora's bag, this time I'm writing as I go so the pattern will be available on our website. The bottom was knit on 8mm needles. Here I'm picking up the stitches along the side and about to begin knitting in the round.

I switched to #15/10mm needles for the body. At first they felt clunky but now the knitting is moving right along. Since this picture I've completed two more ounces and finished row 20. Spinning an ounce at a time and knitting it before spinning the next ounce is breaking up the monotany and is a rhythm I hope to be able to use for other projects. It doesn't seem daunting to spin one ounce at a time as opposed to tackling eight ounces that need spinning.

This was on the roof of my car a little after 7 this morning when I went out to go pick up baby Faith.

After feeding and dressing her we bundled up into the car to return home to work. But the beauty of the morning waylaid me. First I had to gaze at this site from the back of their house:

Then instead of coming straight home I decided to take the long loop to see this site which is about 7 miles from our place. The Wooden Shoe Bulb Farm. By then Faith had fallen asleep and I didn't want to wake her, and especially wasn't about to leave her to walk closer to the fields.

After Faith's morning nap we went for a walk to enjoy more of this sunny day after days of cold, pouring rain.

Baby Faith

2007-04-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Warning! The content of this Post is entirely of Baby Faith.

Faith with grandma Karen at the St Patrick's dinner:

With Grandpa Ed about 2 weeks ago:

Last week before our walk:

After the walk:

Last Sunday:

Can you tell she's a well loved baby? :-)

Resurrection Day

2007-04-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Buried in bookwork and tax forms most of the week meant not a whole lot of fibery happenings. The checks were written and forms mailed off on Friday. Huge relie to have that monkey off my back. Most of the afternoon was spent determindedly concentrating on violin music for ensemble practice later that afternoon.I did squeeze in bits of time here and there to finish my sample weaving. Since I hadn't woven in a year I did half the piece in a twill, the half other plain weave to get the feel for weaving again. Switching to the tapestry bobbin for the black cormo (I was not able to capture the true bright blue, or the black) made that part go much quicker. It still needs to be cut off the loom and finished. Meanwhile I'll leave the remaining warp threads on the loom to tie the new warp threads to. This is "junk yarn" that I don't mind using for what is know as loom waste which usually takes about 24" of each warp thread needed in anchoring a piece to the loom.

Wednesday evening the mens prayer group hosted a memorial supper. One of the guys had marinated the beef and lamb roasts then slow cooked them on the barbeque all afternoon. Otherwise it was a very simple meal with raw vegetables, dates, raisins, and quick flat bread. At the end they served honey bread signifying when God gave Ezekiel, and later John in Revelation, His Word, it was sweet as honey in their mouths. We were asked to observe silence as we ate of the bread. The silence settled over the room like a heavy mantle but soon it was as a comforter; peaceful, warm, and oh so right. The flavors in the bread came alive in my mouth as I focused fully on each bite. Hazelnut, dates, a bit of chocolate, wrapped in flour and honey. The impact that this is how we are supposed to eat struck home. And so too it is how we're to partake of God's Word; focused and mentally engaged.

Thursday and Friday were days of almost 80 degree weather! The nights were cold with frosty grass and windshield in the morning but the days were bright and precious as jewels. Everything is growing so fast it's almost impossible to keep up, especially when one is buried in paperwork. Then early Saturday morning the sound of rain woke me up with astonishment. Heavy dark skies with clouds sitting low on the mountains drenching everything. At Saturday's spin and knit-in at the LYS people somberly entered, slowly gathering. Almost everyone put down their gear and headed straight upstairs to Not Yo Mama's Coffee shop for a much needed java pick-me-up. I was pleasantly surprised to see my cousin Tim later that morning when he popped in, he's working on the website for the shop.

Friday our Hairpin Lace Frame was used on DIY's Knitty Gritty! Stitch Diva used it to teach the technique of hairpin lace. That's something I've played around with but haven't yet made anything.

Birdsong woke me up at 5:45am. Early dawn light seeped into the room and I jumped out of bed. Less than 20 minutes to get ready and head out the door for the Sunrise service at the Scout Ranch where Crooked Finger was providingp the music. Such a beautiful drive but no time to stop and take pictures. It may only be five miles away but the road is narrow and windy as it follows Butte Creek. We had a wonderful service with some new pieces of music that surprisingly came together in two practices (and no written score, just words and chords). Afterwards was a huge breakfast. It's been a good time for reflecting on the tremendous incomprehensible love of Jesus.

The scene from the side deck of the lodge looking south. All of you experiencing snow and cold rains, please don't be envious. The clouds and rain have moved back in this afternoon. A ham is slowly roasting in the oven and the kids will all be joining us for dinner later today.

Butte Creek Narrows right below the Scout Ranch. This picture does not do justice to the torrential depths of the creek! It is much wider than it appears. Salmon and steelhead are running, as well as the kayakers. We saw several cars with kayaks lashed on top going up the road as we came back home. The Narrows is a class five cataract. Most kayakers put in just below then dash downstream ending at the Scotts Mills Falls.

Spring Break

2007-03-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

The loom is dressed and a sample is being woven.Right now I'm just playing around with hand manipulating the warp a bit along the lines of tapestry weaving. I dream of having a tapestry loom and returning to my roots in weaving. I need to dig through a box that's buried in the storage closet for proper tapestry bobbins that Ed made years ago. They'd be more efficient than using the stick shuttle for the dark yarn.

This isn't a true sample in that I'm not using the yarn to be used in the project, and there most likely won't be any wandering yarn.

This was Spring Break week in Oregon. Which mean kids who depend on eating at school were possibly going hungry. The Marion Polk Food Share set up a lunch program throughout the Marion and Polk counties. Daily coolers loaded with ice, partially bagged lunches, sandwiches and milk were delivered to schools. Volunteers bagged the meat and cheese sandwiches, and milk, as kids came in the doors.

Ed and I agreed to help out a couple months ago. We're home all week and live only .5 mile from the school. It made for a very pleasant daily walk. We averaged 65 kids a day. We didn't ask any questions, the main point was to make sure anyone who wanted food would get it. Every day there were a few lunches left which were delivered to kids who weren't able to get to the school and to some of the needy elderly people in town. There was always a meat and cheese sandwich, raw vegetables, a fruit which was different every single day. Kiwi fruit today!

The door was open from 11am to 1pm giving kids plenty of time to pick up lunches. Ed was the counting man, I helped stuff bags. There was lots of time between kids for spinning and talking with the other people who were helping.

We were all bummed that the school only allowed us access to the gym rather than the cafeteria. But you see, the school district doesn't care about the kids of Scotts Mills.

Until 12 years ago the school was owned and operated by the people of this community. We had a very strong, solid school board with people who knew how to make good use of tax and timber monies. There were 11 full time teachers for this K - 8th grade school with 185 students, including a special ed teacher, and an excelerated teacher/counselor. Three teacher's aids helped in the classrooms, lunch room and playgrounds. There was a full time librarian, full time cook with a part time assistant (Mrs D was a fantastic cook who believed with all her heart in cooking from scratch. She was written up a couple of times in The Oregonian for her wizardry in the kitchen.) And we had a part time PhD (agriculture and mathematics) from Chile who helped with ESL and math. Oscar was a compassionate gentleman who was retired but wanted to make a difference. Rounding out the staff was the Principal/Superintendent, Janitor, and Secretary. Staff loved working here, and the school had very adequete funding to meet the needs.

In the early 1990s state legislature decided that small schools would be better served if they were consolidated into bigger school districts operated from the closest town.What a joke. We had no choice, most small schools were merged kicking and screaming into the consolidations. There went our ability to manage our community school. The new district does not care about Scotts Mills Elementary and they seem intent on shutting it down by downsizing and cutting back. They cut the librarian, counselor, ESL teacher and made the special ed a part time position. Grades have been combined so there are now only six full time teachers. And one of the worst moves was to take away our principal/superintendent. Now we have a part time principal who also oversees another small school about 7 miles away. It's the pits. Newer families to the area are encouraged by the district to send their kids to other larger schools. The irony is that our community has grown with many more families but there are only 125 students attending SM school. It is very sad to see what was once a proud vital part of our community ripped out of our hands and treated like a despised stepchild.

I had planned to write about the hungry among us. But it seems there have been enough words pouring from my thoughts. Hungry people are all around, feeding takes care of an immediate need but it is not the solution. The problem is systemic of a deeper, graver problem.

As we walked home Wednesday (Ha, you'd thought I'd forgotten!) we spotted kids in the city park eating their bagged lunches under the oak and fir trees.

Recent Books

2007-03-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Are you ever suddenly struck by the realization that there's an unconscious pattern to your reading?

For a person who used to read voraciously there's been a noticable lack of books in my life until recently. I've missed their companionship. Since the new year began some time has been devoted to reading.

This book caught my eye shortly before Christmas. I bought it rationalizing I'd give it to someone. I end up with it.

Dancing Under the Red Star: The Extraordinary Story of Margaret Werner, the Only American Woman to Survive Stalin's Gulag was written by Margaret's son, Karl Tobien, just a few years before her death in the late 1990's. It was a quick read, one I could hardly put down.

Persian Girls: A Memoir by Nashid Rachlin was a birthday gift from my daughter. I read it in February. It's a fascinating look into a young girl's life as she grew up in the 1950 - 60's in Iran; a strong willed girl who was expected to unquestioningly follow her parent's wishes.

This book on the New Book display shelf at the public library caught my eye.

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza

Immaculee spent 90 days hidden inside the small bathroom while the holocaust was rampaging just beyond the wall.

Two of the books are autobiographies, the other a biography by the woman's son. These are the stories of women who lived through tragedy and hardship. But what struck me is the fact that all three women were optimists who tended to view others in the best light possible, inspite of some horrendous conditions. Nashid's strong determination and focus of breaking free from the stifling domination lead her towards freedom.

Margaret and Immaculee were thrust into circumstances where the only thing they had control over was how they reacted to their individual situations. Margaret, an American citizen, spent almost 10 years in a Siberian Gulag on trumped up charges. She refused to give up the hope of someday returning to her mother, and ultimately to America. (Margaret's story is a fast read with almost a Pollyanna feel.)

All the people in Immaculee's immediate family, except her eldest brother who was attending school in a different country, were brutally murdered within a few miles of where she hid.
Throughout their ordeals these two women maintained a strong faith that God would protect them. Both developed a great capacity for love and forgiveness, understanding that evilness is not overcome by fighting back in anger but by seeking to bring out the best in people. The Quakers call it, "Seeing the Christ Light in every person." Don't get me wrong, I know there are some people who have are ruled by evil.

Strong women living their lives the best they know how, always looking forward with hope, and expectation, maintaining their faith in God, reaching out in love and never giving up.

Sorry about the lousy picture; red is hard to take at night but I wanted to get it while the needles were still in the stitches.
The body of the Red Sweater is finished!!! Remember the sweater that started back in November? The bottom was ripped back when it suddenly dawned on me, after determinedly knitting away for a couple hours, that it was too long, and sloppy. Four inches were ripped out and I dropped a size to #8 circs found in my stash. These blue aluminum circs have a story of their own, but that's for another day. The bottom is knit in seed stitch to tie in with the seed stitch at the neck. There's about 3 inches left on the right sleeves then down the length of the left sleeve and the sweater will be done. Perhaps in time for summer? :-)

A Good Day

2007-03-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Do you see the elephant trumpeting the news?

Natalie of The Yarn Yard encouraged me to set up a blogspot for weekend spinners. What Have I Done? Check it out The Weekend Whirl Anyone who loves to spin can sign up and blog about their spinning on The Weekend Whirls blog. Even if you have no desire for a regular blog of your own this is will be a great place for you to be part of the blogging community. Just send me an email letting me know you'd like to be "invited" to be a Participant.
One ounce of Merino/tencel singles muffin taken off the Turkish Spindle last night.

It has been a good day. The air was chilly but the sun warm and bird song filled the air. Temptation called me to talk another long walk (Wednesday's Walk posted below) but priority number one was work on the first stage of bookwork in preparation for ~~doom~~ tax day. No more procrastination, blog surfing, or even fiddling allowed!

I worked diligently until midmorning break. Coming back into the office The apple Ladakh spindle with the ball of singles next to it caught my eye. Amazing how quickly half an hour will pass. (The poster? Ed's a huge fan of the triology.) Back to the computer for several more hours and that stage is finished. :-)

When I returned from the PO Ed was on the mower in the back, so I got out the push mower and took care of the front yard. Then I got down on my knees and weeded the sadly neglected ~~weed~~ flower bed.

Yesterday's Walk With Me Wednesday took me up the hill to see the Cascades. We'd some cold torrential rains on Tuesday and I knew the air would be clear for good mountain veiwing. I walked about 1.5 miles then along a favorite trail. Facing directly east.
Mt Hood with a cloud cap.

The tree at the top is along the road up the hill. It used to be a grand, trident tree with three huge trunks lifting high overhead. The windstorm in January snapped two of the small trunks leaving an elephant baring his tusks.

Time to finish plying the merino/tencel so I can set the twist and hang it to dry. I'm eager to find out how many yards are in this ounce.

And the Winners Are>>>

2007-03-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

The drawing ended at 6pm Pacific Time. Thanks everyone who entered!

I had ensemble practice that meets every other Friday at 4:30. Usually I'm home by six but we're scheduled to play a concert the end of April and with only three practice sessions left we worked a bit longer than normal. We warmed up with Vivaldi's Spring. An appropriate start with the temperature hovering at 70F, birds singing and the grass growing before our eyes. Next we breezed through the Baroque piece, Two Italian Dances before settling into a piece we need to brush up on: Grieg's Holberg Suite. Then we tackled Beethoven's Scherzo from the Pasteral (?) which we took up to tempo. Hang onto your hats! It's a fast, lively tune that you'd better keep your timing wits about you. Sadly that's the area wherein I struggle the most.

Hats? OH! You want to know about the drawings? Hint: I'll be sending packages to pratically all points of the compass! Fun!

I wrote each person's name on the inside of a tag labelled with the item they were hoping to win.
By folding the tag over the name was covered then tossed into the waiting hat.

Ed was the lucky fellow who reached into each hat.

The order of the drawing is reversed, starting with Hat #4. (Everyone likes suspense.)

Hat #3 Tunisian Hook with Extension, Size P:

Hat #2 contains names for the Circulars. Ed decided it'd be fun to put his hand into that hat twice:
Drum roll..... The hot item was the Spindle which had by far the most enteries.

Ed was so totally into the spirit of the drawing by this time that he decided one spindle just wasn't enough so there are now two more lucky winners to this contest. (Don't be fooled by his expression - that's the problem with the bushy beard, it hids his smile.
Prizes will be heading for Australia, Canada, East Coast USA and Scotland on Monday. And no, there was no peeking or jury rigging the hats! I really wish we could give something to everyone who entered, and to those faithful readers (You know who you are) that didn't enter to give others a chance. I'll be emailing the winners to let them know and to get their mailing address.

It was a fun drawing, even better was receiving so many emails from around the world.

Tomorrow I get to pretend I'm Irish and try to play a half convincing Irish fiddle, have succulent slow-roasted Corned beef with side servings of tender sweet cabbage, and potatoes.

Last Chance for the Drawing

2007-03-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has responded with comments and emails!

The Blogversary drawing takes place Friday evening, March 16th at 6pm Pacific Time. Anyone who reads my blog can enter. I will ship anywhere that regular mail can go in this world. Because these items all weigh under 13 ounces, they do not need to have the customs form filled out. For overseas they travel via Airletter Post and most packages I've sent arrive anywhere from 5 days to two weeks depending on if it's the UK or Australia.

The Prizes are listed in the Post below, take a look and send me an email with the item you'd like!

Several comments about the kickspinning prompted me to take a couple pictures:

The lower part of the shaft is placed between my feet, then the right foot brushes the shaft against the left foot, which sets it to spinning. It's not a hard, jerky motion. Rather a moderate, straight-back swinging of the leg. The back kick motion spins the spindle clockwise, you may also kick forward with your left foot for the clockwise spin, depending on if you're right or left footed. :-)

Another ounce of dark yarn has been spun. What I'd claimed was Rombouillet in the last post is in truth the Cormo my cousin recently gave me. The nighttime lighting in this house made me think it was the chocolate Rombouillet. (Yes, I feel a bit sheepish) It's spinning up very nicely. After a bit of a rough start getting used to the different fibers, and the heavy Ladakh spindle (3.1 ounce), spinning has smoothed out considerably this week. It's much more consistent and of finer guage. I'm looking forward to plying and measuring to see how many yards this ounce will yield. Last week's one ounce ball measured out to 28 yards - not enough for the project in mind. And another ounce of the merino/tencel blend was spun on the 1.4oz Australian Myrtle spindle this week, it will also be plyed and measured tomorrow. The last mer/ten ounce measured out to 288 yards.

The loom has been dusted in anticipation of warping but just when the week's schedule was humming smoothly with visions of weaving, I got that always untimely call from the magazine saying the articles and music are ready for proofing.

But look at what was waiting in the PO Box today!!! I'm so thrilled with these, my first proper stitch markers, and ruby red. The gifter knows I love red.A huge Thank You to the special ray of Sunshine!

And St Patrick's Day is this Saturday which means hours "woodshedding" with the fiddle. Does any other instrument player call serious practicing woodshedding? I suspect the term was coined when violinist were baned to the woodshed to practice by those whose ears couldn't take anymore listening to the same measures hammered out over and over. I don't go to the woodshed but Ed always shuts the office door in the evenings. He also likes it when I use the mute. But these last days of preparation call for unhindered strings.

Anyone in the Milwaukee/Portland OR area this Saturday evening looking for a great Irish Dinner and live music? Just drop me an email. :-)

I didn't get out for the Walk With Me Wednesday yesterday though the day was bright and mild. Instead I walked around the yard a bit admiring the buds forming on the fruit trees. Cherry.

Anniversary, and Andean Plying

2007-03-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

While spinning this evening it occured to me that one year ago today I started this blog. Thanks to Celtic Jo my mind then took a joyful inventory of the delightful blogging friends that encourage me to continue. I'm very thankful for the interesting glimpses allowed into corners of your lives and so often find myself wishing we could sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and some warm scones or brownies and chat to our hearts' content.

In honor of this small milestone I'll be having a drawing in one week.
Send me an email with your name & email address, and the prize hat you'd like your name tossed in. You have until 6pm Pacific Time March 16th to get your name to me.
wjjenkins1 AT yahoo DOT com (replace capitalized words with proper symbols)

The prizes? All handmade by Ed who loves to give:

#1. 1-Turkish Spindle made from Osage Orange (a type of wood grown in the midwest of the United States) and a copy of my Turkish Spinning tutorial.

#2. 1 - Your choice of Circular maple knitting needles either size US#19/15.75mm or US#50/25mm in either 24"Length or 32"L

#3. 1 - Maple Tunisian Crochet Hook with 24" cord Extension Size P/12.75mm

#4. 1 - Walnut Hairpin Lace Loom

Please visit our website Jenkins Woodworking for information & pictures about our products.

Why did Celtic Jo trigger my memory? Remember the weaving ideas perculating in my head? I want a bit of dark yarn for part of the project. Some dark brown Rombouillet had been spun on the Ladakhi spindle Ed had made for me after Jo asked if he could duplicate one from a picture she'd taken while visiting the Ladakh region tucked up against the Himalayas, above Pakistan and Indian, near the Kashmire region. It is not a place for the faint of heart! You must read Dervla Murphy's book, "Where the Indus is Young" for a fascinating journey into the heart of this land and its people. In that corner of the world, the men are often found with large spindles in their hands making yarn. Dervla also writes of seeing Pakistani soldiers in the north knitting while on guard duty.

I spun up half an ounce of the Rambouillet on the Ladakhi spindle for my sample piece. There will also be this merino/tencel yarn I've been spindling. At the Vancouver, WA Yarn-In a couple weeks ago, Carol showed me how to ply by the method known as "Andean Plying".

The spun single is taken directly from the spindle, pinching the end with thumb and index finger, and wrapped in a figure eight around the palm, behind the little finger and around the middle finger before heading back around the little finger and across the base of the palm.

From there it journeys behind the thumb and makes another loop around the middle finger then back down around the thumb. As the single is wound around and around the hand merely flips back and forth in a rhythm. The worst potential problem is that circulation to the middle finger tends to be cut off after while.
When all the single is in place on the hand, move the wrist wrappings up the hand just far enough to be able to ease the middle finger loops off of the finger moving it to the back of the hand. The loop then simply rests on top of the "bracelet" that is slipped down to the wrist. Take the two ends and secure them to the spindle and ply directly from your wrist. It's amazing how quickly and easily this works. I had no problems at all with kinking or twistbacks.

In fact it was plying so quickly that I decided to try something else I'd read about; Suspending the yarn through a ceiling hook and kick-spinning the spindle. Whoa, the Ladakh spindle works super with kick-spinning!

Don't forget to send me an email to be placed in the drawing, and what you'd like to win!

Wednesday Walk

2007-03-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

There're so many people who I've been wanting to email, unfortunately the transmitter carrying our high speed internet isn't working. A new one is in transit. Meanwhile internet useage is limited to quick checks of emails and replying to those that need immediate attention. Please forgive my silence. Except for blogging which is the quickest way to communicate broadly. I do very much appreciate all of you who read this blog, and comment. :-) Comments warm the heart, leave a smile on the face, and give a bit of nourishment to the soul. It's been almost excruciating not being able to freely cruise through cyberspace reading all my friend's blogs. I'm feeling real withdrawals from so many of you... I started listing all the blogs I love reading but shoot, that's taking too long. Please check on my list of friends in the side bar and drop by their blogs for some wonderful reads and pictures. My life is enriched by all of you!

Yes! It's Walk With Me Wednesday. After three days of warm, almost 70 degree temps with lots of sunshine, the rain moved back in last night. By midafternoon the skies were clearing and everything sparkled in the sun. Please walk with me, starting in our back yard where the willows are showing their new finery. Soon sparrows will be taking up residence in their apartments.

This was one of those days where a feeling of hollowness settled at waking. The longing to stay in bed and read, or just vegetate in the old armchair that I loved to snuggle in as a child with a book, cat, and an apple. Molasses movements slowed work, while bookwork stirred up a duststorm in my brain. There's so much bookwork to be done. This past month has put me woefully behind. Tax bookwork keeps tapping my brain in the middle of the night asking when it's going to be tackled. How can I even think of weaving?

My mood took me up the road to the cemetery which is just above this field. Curious, the tractor tracks across the grass field. No clue why they're there, except that the pattern is one to file away for a possible weaving design. My loom is pleading, begging, on it's knees desperately wanting to be warped. Ideas are perking for some quick projects.

A walk was needed to sort through some thoughts and feelings. Breathe deeply the rain cleaned air, and get back on track. Heading back towards home the sight of these daffodiles gathered around the oak tree with its embrace of wisteria vines gladdened the day.

Walk with Me Wednesday

2007-03-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

The following was written on Wednesday but wouldn't you know it, just as the last words were being written last night, the computer crashed. Of course, nothing had been saved.

Earlier yesterday I almost tread on these tiny harbingers of spring. Two brave violets weathering the blasts of snowy rain.
Heavy omnious clouds shuddered in the icey winds threatening to dump torrents at any moment. But a bit of weather wasn't going to dampen a celebration walk. The last of the sale items had been sent out on Tuesday (minus one which will go out tomorrow). There's still many other orders to catch up on but a walk was needed to clear the cobwebs.

Across the bridge into the next county, around a corner and up a hill, this dog ran parallel keeping a watchful eye lest I intrude into his pasture.

See how high the water is behind the retaining wall where in the summer kids wade?

Not long past the falls a slushy snow began falling but the walk was feeling very good so I continued up the road for a mile. By then snow/rain was coming down hard and continuing the next half mile suddenly didn't seem so prudent. I hadn't realized how much wind had been at my back until turning around. Pushing through the pelting wet, wet snow my sturdy winter jacket and hood did its job. Knitted hats are fine for places that have cold, dry snow but here the best protection is a hooded jacket, or umbrella. Buy hey, as a die-hard Oregonian I despise umbrellas which exposes a hand to the elements. And how many people battle the wind with umbrellas? Umbrella folks are usually those from other states.

No dog barking at me this time. Just sheets of snow drowning the wood, washing the road.

The sign mocks my mileage.
Back across the bridge, out of one county, and into town.

Wouldn't you know it? Arriving home the sky lightens in the west.

It was a good walk.
Photo by Edward.

Yarn In

2007-02-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

On the way north to Vancouver. See the fresh snow in the Cascades. (Some of us haven't seen much snow this winter. The rest of you can gaze at the green pasture.)
Twelve hours of knitting and spinning companionship flew by yesterday.

While a bit apprehensive, the idea of setting aside an entire day for working on projects seemed like an excellent opportunity, thoughI don't normally enjoy group/crowd situations.

Over eighty people showed up throughout the day. Knitters as well as crocheters, a quilter and two of us spinners gathered around tables chatting and working away. One of the reasons for the Yarn In was to make and donate warm items for people who are on kidney dialysis.

Did you know that once a person needs dialysis they will have to continue the rest of their lives.
Three days a week, every week of the year. Four hour sessions each of those days. The blood is cycled through a machine which removes the excees liquids that the kidneys are no longer able to handle. If the excess isn't removed it will go to the lungs filling the lungs with fluid. The room needs to be cool, and the blood is cooled during the process which means the people get very cold during the four hours of sitting while hooked to the machine. They're not allowed a hot beverage because introducing more liquids when you're trying to remove liquids rather defeats the purpose.

Because of the demands on their time and energy it's hard for these people to hold down a regular job, and money is often very in short supply between the special diets they have to adhere to and medications. To be given a soft, lightweight, warm blanket, hat or slippers for use during each session can be a real, tangible blessing. The item becomes their personal property which they always have at each session.

I took some various spur of the moment "must have" skeins of yarns purchased during the past couple years. You know the kind your hand grabs even though you have no plans for a project. While I didn't make anything for the cause yesterday it was a thrill to see two different skeins snatched up almost immediately and by the end of the day see them as hats and scarves. I'd like to make something each quarter to donate to the local kidney dialysis center in my area. This project touches my heart; one of my co-workers at the public library was on dialysis. She very rarely talked about it but I watched as she continued to lose weight, had constant large bruises on her thin arms, and slowly cut back her work hours as her energy levels depleted.

StephanieJo is the engine behind the Vancouver, WA Yarn-Ins. (Unfortunately I manage to take lousy pictures yesterday. There were only a few half-decent ones worth posting.) StephanieJo is wearing the pink shirt. The lady in blue, Karen Thompson crocheted the huge flag. She'll be adding felted stars.StephanieJo is such an organized, hard working, gentle woman I came away totally in awe of her. Warm, intelligent, and deeply compassionate, she's one of those quiet women that you immediately want to get to know.

The woman standing is Carol. "Hi Carol!" Another warmhearted person who loves helping people. She's been knitting since she was little and has the knack with fibers. We had a great time together. One of those people you immediately feel like you've known for ages. We meet the last weekend of September at OFFF sitting outside in a knitting/spinning circle. StephanieJo and Marque were also there. (Picture with Marque did not turn out.) Carol was interested in my spindle and I showed her the basics. The next day an email was waiting in our business inbox, she wanted a spindle and the instruction book. Just look at her spindled yarns:
This is a small sample of what she's spun. She's starting to make socks with them. She pulled out some beautiful cuddly soft fiber. (Carol, I'm sleep deprived and not remembering well, it was Angora, wasn't it??) She spun beautiful fingering with her Ambonya spindle. In the afternoon another woman, Linda, wanted to learn. I'm in awe of these people who just naturally start spinning smooth yarns almost from the get-go. It didn't take her more than five minutes to catch on. Unfortunately no picture of Linda and her yarn. By that time it was 3:30 and Carol, Marque and Norene were headed out for lunch so I joined them - that breakfast scone had long disappeared - planing to capture a picture of Linda afterwards. When we returned she was gone.

Look at one of the edible bouquet that StephanieJo treated us with:
When I arrived home last night it was 10:30 but there were a dozen knitting needles and hooks that Ed was hoping I'd write on so he could put the first coat of finish on the first thing this morning. Sometimes it's not possible to totally get away from work for an entire day. :-)

Thanks for all the requests for the scone recipe!
Here's my favorite:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Just before popping the scones in toss a bit of water onto the floor of the oven. The steam will help the scones rise.

4 cups flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teas salt
4 teas baking powder
1/4 teas cream of tarter
Mix all of these ingredients then cut in
1/2 Cup (1 cube) Butter (Yes! It needs to be the real stuff)

In a large measuring container beat one egg (reserving part of the egg white for the wash)
Add 1 1/2 Cup Milk (Half & Half is best) to the egg.
Pour the egg/milk mixture into the flour mix and gently, barely, stir together.

Blend as little as possible then turn onto a floured pastry cloth. Let it rest while you whip the egg white with a bit of water. Then gently knead the mass just a few times. Form into a round, and brush the whites over the round. Sprinkle with another tablespoon, or so, of sugar. Cut into wedges and place on baking stone (or cookie sheet). My well seasoned stone doesn't need greasing for these buttery scones.

Pop in the hot oven for 15 - 18 minutes until golden brown. Scones with frozen berries may take
18 - 20 minutes.
Option: For breakfast I will usually add 1 Cup of frozen blueberries to the dry mix just before adding the milk.

These are so buttery I normally don't add butter but Ed loves to slather on more along with jam. :-)

Still Scrambling

2007-02-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

This is a very small percentage of all the hooks Ed's made during the last three weeks. (Waiting for the size to be written.) And the best part? His dental work is paid for!!! Thank you everyone who helped out by ordering something. We're down to the last dozen orders that were placed during the sale. We hope to have the last one sent by next Tuesday. By this time next week I hope to have actual numbers for the items he made during this very busy season. I'm not sure which were the biggest sellers; hairpin lace looms or Magnetic Needle holders.
Meanwhile, not only did sale orders consume the days but regular orders and store orders calling for shuttles, hairpin lace frames, spindles - and to throw some interest into the works, some exotic hooks and needles. Sorry about the poor picture quality. There are two Tunisian Flex hooks, one Kingwood the other hard rock maple. And a set each of 8mm & 7mm needles made with four different exotic woods. The woman had ordered circular crochet hooks in those sizes but between my handwriting and Ed's interpretation he made knitting needles. He'll make the proper circular hooks for her tomorrow. These are so gorgeous that I'm loathe to part with them though really, I should put them up for sale.

In the midst of packing goodies today Justin dropped by to work on his truck, which meant Grandma needed to watch Faith. :-)No, she doesn't stay in the car seat all the time, though pictures indicate that is her life. This week she turned four months old. She's been rolling back to stomach for a couple weeks and is showing more and more personality. The noise of the camera brought out the quizzical look on her face.

Tomorrow (Feb 24) is A Yarn-In. A whole day devoted to whatever fibery goodness people want to indulge in. Wanna join us? It's from 9am - 9pm at the Phoenix Inn Suites in Vancouver, WA (USA). Cost is $10, come and go as you wish. It's a day for working on charity projects, UFOs, and hanging out with other knitters/crocheters/spinners. I hope to finish the birthday socks and get some serious work done on the Red Sweater. Did you think I'd forgotten it? It gets a bit of attention from time to time. I'm getting worried about running out of one colorway. There were two skeins of handspun yarn in the batch but one skein seems to be getting smaller much quicker than the other. A couple spindles will also see some action. I'm hoping to introduce others to the joy of Turkish spinning. :-) I know some of you are laughing, those who've been to these things and know it's not possible to accomplish everything. There's so much to be done it's hard to think realistically.

Suppers have been rather haphazard lately but last night when chili was heating, visions of scones danced in my head. They're my favorite quick bread to make when in a hurry. Made with whole milk (preferably half and half) and lots of butter they melt in the mouth. I'll tuck one in a napkin and grab a hot mug of coffee before hitting the road to Vancouver early in the morning. Care to join me?

Cousins

2007-02-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

We're still working at making and sending out hooks and needles. We're feeling very blessed by everyone who was so good to buy in volumes during the short sale! And it looks like all of Ed's dental bills will be covered. Ed had four teeth pulled Friday morning. (Restoration work will commence in a couple of weeks.) He came home from the dentist, jaw packed with gauze, and went straight back to work for the rest of the day. He worked 9 hours yesterday, and yes, another full day today knocking off in time for evening meeting. We miscalculated the totals and the time to make everthing. We should have ordersfinished and out by this coming Friday.

I rarely paint my nails. Chipped, worn out nail polish looks tacky, and the smell of the acetone remover is very obnoixous. But on the eve of Valentines' day Aurora brought out some bright red polish with just a hint of purple undertones. How could I resist such cheer for Valentines, especially since Aurora expertly applied it? It was startling to see red at the ends of my fingers. It took only a couple days of packing orders for the paint to begin wearing off. But hey, it was fun while it lasted. :=)

Cousins
I'm not good about keeping up with my relatives. I think about them quite often but am bad about writing or picking up the phone. And yet I'm so fortunate in having cousins that even after a long silence we're able to quickly reconnect.

I'm at the bottom of the heap in the pile of cousins, on both sides. My oldest cousin could be my dad, he's that much older. His daughters - first cousins once removed - are my age and younger. He's the cousin who's geographically closest to us and was my dad's dearest nephew. Thanksgiving and Easter were always celebrated together our families mingling comfortably together. All of the other many cousins on his side of the family lived on or near the farm Dad grew up on in Minnesota. Twice we made the trip to see them when we were young but it's harder developing ties with long distance, rarely seen cousins..

My mom's sister lived the next state over so there were the occasional summer visits that set of cousins. My brother Jesse stayed with them several weeks during a couple of summers as a young teen. When he died I called one of the sisters in that family. During the course of our conversation we started talking fiber. She's also a spinner! :-) I told her of this blog. Sadly she's blogless. Early this week she sent an email letting me know she was headed to this area to visit her son and d-i-l. We made arrangements to meet at the LYS where I spindle most Saturday mornings.

What a delight to see Faith again (yes there are two Faiths in the family now), her son Tim and his wife Jessica. Faith surprised me with these goodies: White, and black Cormo, and Angora, and the cute bag to hold them.

The black Cormo is nicely cleaned and carded, ready for the spindles. Faith gently cleaned the white cormo leaving in a great deal of the lanolin. I kind of like the greasy feel and am curious to see how it spins. The grey and cream angora is dreamy soft. I'm almost afraid to try spinning it. Not really! I'm pretty jazzed about trying them all. And though I have Charollais on the .9 oz bamboo spindle and Merino/Tencel on the 1.4oz Australian Myrtle I've taken a short break from the BFL so there are a couple spindles that are begging to be put into action. Maybe the grease-in wool will spin well with the Balkan spindle. I'll play around and see what works best on which spindle.

Faith and Jessie brought knitting projects and Tim his palm pilot. We all settled into the comfy chairs in the YS and spent the next couple hours chatting and catching up. Tim, who does not knit, plopped himself down right at home, chatting it up with the owner about getting her store online. I still have a warm glow in my heart and a smile on my face from seeing them. Great people whom I'm thrilled to have as relatives.

"Hi Faith! Thank you!"

Orders

2007-02-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

This is why there've been no posts in the past week. My courier bag has been stuffed to overflowing everyday with packages. 22 packages were crammed in this batch. Thanks to Stitch Diva who posted a sale on her website for most of our items, and all of you who've so generously supported the cause of getting Ed's teeth fixed! We're filled with gratitude for the numerous orders during the sale days. And to be truthful, a bit overwhelmed. We figure the last package will go out next Friday. Ed has been working almost nonstop turning, turning, turning and then carving and sanding. I've been busy downloading and filling orders, along with buffing the hooks and needles then handwriting the size on each. Twenty-four hours later, after the first finish is dry, I apply on the final coat of finish.

There has been little time for anything other than taking care of the orders, and trying to keep everything straight. I'm aware of one order I sent that I forgot to personalize the needles as requested by the buyer. Then there was the order that changed a couple times and I accidentally sent two sets of hairpin lace frames only to find my error later that evening when doing the paperwork. But this error has a silver lining: the next day the buyer wondered if it was too late to change the order (again) to two sets. :-) That was an order from Brazil so that mistake worked out splendid. It will be grand if that's the worst that happens.

Hank the cat keeps me company in the office/packing room. He loves curling up in the foam cushioning. The other place he likes to catnap when I'm working is on top of the corrugated paper roll. If you ever receive a package from us that has claw marks, you'll know who the culprit was.

I've been babysitting Faith on Fridays afternoons so DS can sleep - he works the graveyard shift and his wife works part time.

This week there was no way I could escape my work duties. But DS was thoughtful enough to bring her over for a short while so I could get in some grandma cuddles.

Before the rush of orders I spun one ounce of the Charollais wool. I want to spin another ounce to ply with this one. I have no idea how many yards it is. I'm quite pleased with it, when plyed it should be a good weight for a sweater. This is one project that will take many months. Ed wants the sweater in the natural color, no dyes for this one. (In the background are ebony spindles Ed made, racked while letting the coat of finish harden.)

I was gifted some lovely Shetland wool --along with other fibery goodies :-) to make a memory item in honor of my brother Jesse who died 3 weeks ago. Socks will be the proper memory project. We always gifted him with socks since that's what he always wanted and needed. There's also some history and humor concerning Jesse and socks. He was very fond of cherries. As a boy he'd sit in the cherry trees and eat to his heart's content. His favorites were called Black Republics. I dyed the skein with two packs of Black Cherry KoolAid. This is a new area that I haven't explored much. I was concerned that the wool would be too red so I added a package of grape. I'm pleased with how it turned out. I like that there are areas which are almost white. I'm anxious to start knitting a pair of socks.

But first, these are desperately wanting to be finished by Wednesday, Valentine's Day and birthday of my DIL. It's not going to happen with the work load facing us this week. I knitted on them during some long church related business meetings I had to attend this weekend.

A small glimpse at Jenkins Woodworking in progress.

A Cold Walk with Me Wednesday

2007-01-31T19:45:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate to be able to walk. Yesterday morning I dashed outside to chop some kindling to start a fire. The block of fir had a small branch through it but in my haste to get out of the freezing cold I didn't use caution. The ax bounded in my hands and sliced down to my ankle before I could react. A piece of red sock was partially cut away from my ankle. My ankle smarted and is a bit bruised. Stunned at the close impact I couldn't help but be very, very grateful the ax hadn't done any real damage. I think that the tough support stockings I need to wear--with great begrudgement-- helped to deflect the ax just as they helped to prevent severe bleeding when the dog attacked last summer.I love these cold sunny January days that we've been having for more than a week. The temperatures at our place drop into the low twenties at night with the days dawning clear. Though the thermometer shows the day temps warming into the fifties the air is freezing and whatever is hidden from the sun stays frozen. Yesterday I jumped on my bike for a quick, invigorating ride, my ears frozen red. Today I walked to better absorb this weather that so reminds me of the winters of my youth in N Arizona. There the temps would hover around zero, Often dipping as low as -20F for days. The kind of dry cold where moisture from your breath coats your nose with a rim of ice. Never seen it? Take a peek at this great picture posted on Lene's blog yesterday.

Walking west up the road that hugs the side of a ridge I passed this farmer's pond where only the far side gets to bask in the sun during the winter while the water and the tall grasses on the south end stay frozen.
A bit further up the road the joyful sounds of kids at play drew my attention. Down on the playing fields of the school, three girls skipped briskly out of view. They moved so quickly I barely had time to snap the picture. All three appeared to be Old Believer Russian girls with their long hair and skirts. There's a large settlement of Old Believers in this area. They still practice an old form of Russian Orthodoxy from the early nineteen hundreds when their ancestors fled the persecutions. Ed is often mistaken for one with his long beard. :-)

Further on I turned onto a side road that winds up over the ridge. Looking down into a wooded pasture this tree reminded me of the sea lions that hang out on the piers in Newport. (ha, Aurora just now glanced at this picture and said it looks like a sea lion.) They laze in the sun, lifting their heads high in the air to roar and snap when another sea lion intrudes on their space.
Next was the Hugging Tree: when one tree fell, a part of it embraced the standing one.

Do you see the mountain? That's Mt Saint Helens in the far distance.

I've been reading about the benefits of felting soap: the soap lasts longer; is better than using a washcloth; prettier than a regular soap bar, etc. So today I torn off some wool roving, wrapped it around a bar then held it under hot running water while I rubbed the wool. Once the first layer felted I put a few strips of blue wool on, put it in a zipped bag with more hot water and massaged it. Last, a thin layer of white wool was wrapped on then rubbed some more. It's not too bad for the first attempt. Next time I'll put on a thinner first layer.

Transforming a Town

2007-01-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

When you're finished reading this post, please take a look at Wendy's blog for excellent, first hand knowledge on how to lovingly care for handmade garments.

Just a reminder to tune in tonight (Sunday) to CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame Valley of Light to get a glimpse of the streets I wander. Course, it's been made over into the 1946 era but the scenery is the same. This "store" which is just around the block from us, was the town store until the fifties, then a hippy hotel in the sixties, now a family lives upstairs. We walked through the downstairs the last day the set workers were putting on the final touches to the store. I wish it was still a store of that time.

The view of the main intersection.The day before the filming starts. The roads have been covered with gravel and dirt.
It was fascinating watching the town transforming under the expertise of quick hardworking people. Sadly the set people had had a hard time finding places to film some of the scenes --ones not in town, such as the river and lake-- by the time they'd settled on places, worked to transform the town, and brought in the actors, sound people, camera crews, and the host of behind the scene workers, they were a couple weeks behind schedule. You don't mess around wasting October days in Oregon. October lures people into a complaceny, especially those from other states who think the wonderful sunny days of autumn will last several more weeks. The second day of filming, heavy grey clouds, rain, and a cold wind moved in. It was fascinating to watch how they were able to manage with the driving rains. (We'll see tonight how well they were able to make it look like summer's end.) As soon as one take was complete, set hands bristled forward armed with copious umbrellas to stand guard over the actors.

Hair dressers from S. CA lumbered around in mucklucks against the rain and chill. In spite of the long cold, miserable hours people were making the best of it, keeping their tempers and rolling with the occasional thunder bursts. Frankly I was impressed with the overall attitude of cheerfulness dealing with extra lighting sets, camera, gear and people needed for the weather. They were always polite and friendly as I'd make my way through the mobs to the PO with packages in my arms. But then maybe they felt a bit guilty for blocking access to our road which became home to the camera and lighting, and food trucks for a week.

That's my red car parked in our driveway on the first day. More trucks moved in with the rain the next day. Yep, that's an RV taking up residence in part of the road.

I'm not big into actors, but I was impressed watching how Chris Klein interacted with the young Zach Mills between takes and off the set. He seemed to be a warm and caring person throughout the filming in freezing rain and blustery weather. Most of the movie was shot at other nearby locations, still,I'm looking forward to seeing our town tonight.

Charollais Wool

2007-01-24T14:53:00.001-08:00

Thanks to all who left kind sympathies on my last posting. They are treasured.

A Key was waiting in the P.O. box on Monday. A key = a package too big to fit in the regular box. It was a box filled with 300g of Charollais (also Charolais) roving neatly coiled and tucked in a plastic bag all the way from The SpindlingScot who happens to live in France. Charollais sheep were bred in Southern Burgundy in the 1800s.

Just look at this Charolais wool with nubs of silk processed throughout the wool. Judy had it wonderfully processed professionally.

I had to stop everything , grab a spindle and see what it felt like to spin. Unlike anything I've spun (not that I've spun many varieties of fiber: Corriedale, BFL, Romboulette, Merino/Tencel and silk is all I've played with so far) this wool/silk blend has a dry feel to it, not bad mind you, but different -- almost papery. The silk noils tended to create draw-blocks of yarn which slowed me down until I got a feel for drafting and drawing while controlling how much wool was globbed onto the silk. Then my speed picked up a bit. I only spun then plyed and set the twist on 6 yards. As I made the small twist of yarn Ed stopped to look at it and declared that it'd make a nice lightweight sweater. I agree. Maybe the next sweater I knit will be for him. :-) Can't decide whether to leave it natural or dye it a manly color. Traditionally Charollais was used for knitting almost all the socks in the 19th century. It does feel as though it'd withstand alot of abuse.

This was spun on a 2.6oz Turkish Spindle at 16wpi plyed.

Can you believe I actually walked today! The first thing when I woke up this morning was pull on my walking clothes and grab a spindle and BFL wool. Even before coffee. I knew if I poured that first cup walking would be put on the back burner for the day. We're having our third day of sunny weather though the road up Grandview was icey and slick under foot. I dropped the spindle once and decided it wasn't the right day for a spinning walk.

This is the view after Grandview immerges from the trees and levels out for a bit:
The camera didn't capture the peach colored horizon as the sun was fighting a thin layer of clouds to climb above the Cascades. You can barely make out the sunglow at the top right hand side.

And now I need to dash seven packages to the post office.

A work in progress, and Finished

2007-01-21T16:01:00.000-08:00

During one of the rare frozen blue days we had over a week ago I took Faith out for a walk around the block. Snuggling a baby blanket around her shoulders and head I remembered crocheting a hooded cape for Aurora years ago. That evening I dug through my stash and came up with several skeins of blue&white Lion Brand Homespun yarn. Perfect for a baby who tends to spit up. Next I selected a size O (11mm) Tunisian hook so it'd be a fast project. I've been meaning to make something using the Tunisian technique, and this seemed a perfect match. After a quick reveiw of Stitch Diva's tutorial a hooded cape was begun. A long business meeting saw it grow about 6 inches but some shoulder space needed to be built into the design. The frogging took place immediately after getting home and the new shape started. I was on a mission. Piece of cake. Uh, not really. Three times it was frogged but a good shape finally developed.
(In the picture, one side is slightly folded over the other.)

Since this picture a few more rows of regular crochet was added onto the hood, I still need to add ties and a few embellishments before giving it to Faith. It's my understanding that Tunisian crochet, also known as afghan, or cro-knit, uses less yarn than traditional crochet. It really did work up fast, in spite of my redoing it several times. Tunisian crochet is definitely worth exploring if you've never done any. If you're interested in a hook please visit our website Jenkins Woodworking, Ed makes hooks from size N on up to V. V?! Who ever heard of a size V hook? That's 28mm in diameter! Yep, he's making them now after a request from a yarn shop in Missouri who wanted that size for designing patterns using chunky yarns.

A couple pictures of Faith snapped at meeting this morning.

I didn't get out for a proper Walk With Me Wednesday last week. Walking seems to get shoved to the bottom of my priority list and before I know it another day is gone and I have done nothing more than walk to the P.O. We had a beautiful snowfall most of the morning last Tuesday. I walked up a few blocks up Grandview, the street where soapbox races take place during Summerfest. See the snowflakes dancing around the apples?

Our town was used for the town scenes of the upcoming Hallmark Movie, Valley of Light which will air this coming Sunday evening, January 28th on CBS. Tune in and see our town made up to look the way it may have looked in 1946. There may be glimpse of a plum heather runner I wove several years ago. Our Meetinghouse was used in the movie and I'm hoping the runner was left on the piano during the filming. :-)

Last week I wrote briefly that I'd taken a trip to see my brother.
These mountains seemed symbolic of his life as I flew over them on my way home.
My oldest brother's life has not been easy from the moment of birth when the attending nurse panicked because he was coming before the doctor had arrived. She didn't allow him to be born which caused problems the rest of his life. Then at the age of two he had a terrible case of pnuemonia which he barely survived. For various reasons his life has been filled with hardship and trials. Around November '06 he was diagnosed with inoperable tumors that had spread throughout his body. The visit two weeks ago was to say goodbye to this brother. Though weak and wasted away in body, his spirit and mind were very strong.

Do you see the lake framed by the mountains?

As the plane continued to fly north along the Sierras another lake appeared. I was astonished to see not only the water but a thread of a road which drew a line to a town. A town with people living in what had appeared from 30,000 feet to be wrenching desolution. It's the little dark spot in the center left. Life!

He remained optimist, cheerful, friendly, literally giving his only jacket off his back to someone needing it more than he.

His life was hard but he held strongly onto the thread of this one hope and assurance - God loved him dearly and someday all would be well.

This past Friday at 8 pm he finished his hard run race on this earth and went Home.

Carding and Spinning Cashmere

2007-01-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's good to be home from a deeply exhausting trip.

I've been wanting to write about my first carding experience and spinning cashmere.

Last spring a friend gave me some cashmere from her goats. Between us we'd removed the guard hairs but the remaining cashmere was a small gobs and batches. Talking with various vendors at Black Sheep Gathering in June lead me to buy Strauch Hand Cards (255 teeth). I didn't make time to try them, or do anything with the cashmere until a couple weeks ago when Ed made some bamboo spindles.

They each weigh only .9 oz, perfect, I thought, for trying my hand at the cashmere. Excitedly I dug up the hand carders from their dark resting place, laid some cashmere on one card and began brushing, pulling out previously unseen guard hairs.
Many years ago I'd watched Navajo women card wool and thought I remembered how they did it. But I didn't look to learn only to watch, and so I really didn't know how to card. The cashmere wouldn't card into smooth segments so I flipped the carders around and tried again, this time brushing deeper. Please don't chuckle and scoff at my ignorance. Rolling the cashmere off the handcarders, I again laid it on the teeth and carded once more then realized I'd best stop as little balls were appearing. Twisting a length between my hands I attached it to the shaft and starting spinning.

The lightness of the spindle was different than any I'd handled before. I had to stay ahead of the twist or the spindle would quickly reverse and backspin. So far the bamboo spindle is not a long spinner, I'm getting spins averaging 30 seconds. The cashmere was cobweb whispy and I couldn't help but spin a lacey yarn - with lots of bumps of the balled up bits.

Getting the feel for a fast spin while drafting more quickly to stay ahead of the spin, the yarn became a bit more uniform. Here's a portion of the singles on printed paper to give you a sense of the thinness. The singles is twisted back on itself in several places.

Dismay crowded on the heels of disbelief as I wound the yarn around the spindle arms. See how grey the cashmere yarn looks! With each cycle my fingers, and the shaft, turned a shade greyer. How could this be? It had to be coming from the cards. Nothing to do now except finish spinning the small carded bit then ferrett out the cause of the problem. (The small white pad was used to remove the grey from the spindle. We use these all the time in the final finishing process of our products.)

Soaking the plyed yarn in warm soapy water, followed by a warm rinse soak helped a bit. The yarn measured 5 yards when loosely wrapped around warping board pegs to dry. When dried I had a 22wpi grey cashmere yarn.
In the meantime I'd sent Mr Strauch an email asking him about the grey residue. The very next day he called! What a pleasant, most helpful person Otto Strauch is. He patiently explained that hand cards need to float across the fiber, never digging in or meshing the teeth, a huge no-no. (I'd definitely been gnashing teeth.) He then directed me to a previously overlooked link on his website that explains the handling and care of hand cards. He and his wife raise cashmere goats so was able to inform me that cashmere doesn't like to be handled very much - it needs very gently and only the bare minimum carding. I am so grateful for his contact and help!

After a day of being a total zombie and a day of trying to catch up with housework, computer bugs, emails and orders, I'm hoping to start catching up on everyone's blogs tomorrow! I haven't forgotten any of you, I just haven't made the rounds, yet.

Dashing to Fly

2007-01-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of you who've commented. I haven't figured out how to reply directly but I love going to all your blogs and reading them.

I'm heading out the door in a couple minutes to catch a plane for a visit with my brothers. One is meeting me at the place where the other is living. It's a quick trip provided by my kids. I'll be back on Saturday when I'll properly update this blog. In the meantime my spindle and knitting socks will help get me through the plane rides. I do not like being up in the air with no control!

Pictures on Saturday of my first attempts at carding and spinning cashmere on the bamboo spindles, plus spinning ingeo on another new spindle.

Reflections

2006-12-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

How did it get to be the 28th already? I was planning to post on Tuesday, the 26th - my 50th birthday. How could I have NOT posted on that huge date? Opening presents; the book Aurora gave me - Persian Girls by Nahid Rachlin; friends dropping by; a walk in the woods; luxuriating for a full hour during a full body massage -it's the first time I've had a massage - Wonderful! And last but not least the Tuesday evening women's Fit4Life Bible Study, I really wanted to share my birthday with these 5 women that I'm becoming close to as we struggle in areas of physical, emotion/hormonal, mental and spiritual fitness.

After a day of thick fog and rain, the sun peaked out just as it was sinking in the west. The light penetrating the fog and darkness seemed symbolic on this day.

In many ways it's been a hard year for me. With my birthday coming at the end of the year, it's a good time to take stock of the past and look forward to improving during the new year. I would really like to develope some product that I can make and sell. I love spinning and weaving, to a lesser degree knitting and crocheting and I want to figure out a way to help our finances by these loves.

Christmas was very special this year. Everyone was here; Aurora and her BF had breakfast with us, then DS and wife and Faith came over around 9:30 to open gifts. We had Christmas dinner and just hung out together most of the afternoon. When our kids were small a friend described us as a quiet family. Ed & I both thrive on peace and quiet - serenity. Our kids were typical kids but noise was kept to a reasonable level, and so when we get together the pattern usually continues.

Christmas Faith:

After dinner Faith was getting sleepy so Ed rested her on his shoulder. Surprisingly she snuggled her face into his beard.

Walk With Me Wednesday took place later in the afternoon. In the attempt to get back into a regular walking/exercise routine I slipped on my walking clogs and hoodie willing myself to walk, even though my cozy knitting chair and a new project formenting in my mind were calling me. It'd been a day of greys. No rain but low clouds and lowering temperatures foretelling of an early morning freeze. I looked to see what may be of interest but the things that captured my fancy didn't come out well on camera. Walking along the road which leads towards the cemetary, I noticed a hole in the clouds revealing blue - a calico sky.

We had almost 3 inches of rain during the 48 hours of Christmas eve day and Christmas. Water is still pooled in low places in fields. I wanted to get closer for a better shot but this was in the field that I was chased from a few months ago. I now know that she had a gun and was ready to shoot on that day back then so I definitly didn't want to push my luck at the edge of her field!

I want to thank everyone who graciously commented after my six weird things post. It's one of those posts that I'm tempted to delete. I've enjoyed reading other's six weird things posts and am grateful for their courage to post.

Next post will be about fibery things, and maybe a peak at my new exploration. And pictures of the three bamboo Turkish Spindles Ed is working on. :-)

Tag, You're IT!

2006-12-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged, twice! Thanks a lot Lynn and Natalie!

The Rules:Each player of this game starts with the ‘six weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own six weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose six people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

Deep Breath. It's not easy to be forthcoming and disclose areas of weirdness. The first friend I made when senior at a new high school was a girl whose friends were all in drama and choir. They were the cool kids of campus, I was the little tag-along. One day eating lunch in the hall leading to the stage they decided to start an "ugly people" club and each proceeded to list their ugly merits qualifying them to belong. Who were they kidding? Not one had a feature or attribute they could honestly label ugly. As a whole, they glibbly ignored me, except for the one friend who I think regretted befriending me. Ever since I've shied away from negative tagging. But, in the spirit of the friendliness of bloggers I've met, realizing that it's meant in good fun and a way for us to know each other, I will play. Besides, I loved tag as a kid. (Sorry, no time to scan in some pictures.)

#1. I sucked my index finger until I went to camp as an eight year old. Due to eight years of pressure behind my teeth I was called names like Beaver, Horseteeth.

#2. My folks were fortunate to be lead to an orthodontist who was willing to straighten my teeth pro bono. I was so determined to have straight teeth that I wore the headgear All the Time that first summer. My teeth moved into place in One Year. The weird part? During my honeymoon the retainer was in the leather toiletry bag which got left on the top of the car, blowing off somewhere in Arizona. No problem, I'd worn it at night for six years. My teeth were fine. Not. Within a year my teeth had moved partially back out. This time the orthodontist removed four bi-cuspids before putting on braces. AND I had to see a speech therapist for a few months to cure my tongue thrust.

#3. For more than a decade during my teens and twenties I had to tape my elbow everytime I played volleyball to keep it from dislocating. It dislocated 13 times. It even dislocated once when I dove into water. Do you know how hideous, to say nothing of the pain, a dislocated elbow looks?

#4. While out riding in Butte Creek canyon in the frozen days of January I came across a frozen porcupine. My horse wasn't too thrilled when I gingerly pushed it into a gunny sack and strapped it to the back of the saddle. The porcupine quills graced several of the beautiful bowls Ed made.

#5. Watching colorful finches at our feeder I wondered why God didn't create humans with such colorful hair. Then it struck me that instead He gave us the creativety and capability to do our own hair. :-) And so, off and on for several years I had small streaks of hair bleached then dyed a gorgous blue. This was when I worked at the reference desk at the public library. I'd love to do it again but I don't want to deal with the bleached streaks after the dye wears out (about 6 months) since I have long hair now.

#6. I've eaten Raccoon. (once squirrel, but that little mouthful was hardly enough to taste, beside I love seeing them in the trees) If you ever walk into a house where someone's fixing raccoon, politely decline dinner. Ed loves trying strange foods and different meats. He talked one of the raccoon hunters into bringing him the next one captured. (Yes, people love to go raccooning for pelts in these hills.) Ed cooked it while I was at work. It was tough, shoe leather tough. And very gamey tasting. Not good. I suppose if someone knows how to cook it properly it's okay. Maybe stewed long and slow. Maybe if it were fed corn and milk for ten days before killing.

Now it's time to tag someone. Many bloggers I read have already been tagged so here's some who weren't yet tagged when I checked. Run! Karen; Dodge!Charity; Duck! Marianne; Hide! Rho; Flee! Teyani; and Fly! Cyndy

Walk? Too busy.

2006-12-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Between the frozen fog clinging to all surfaces, and the endless list of things to do, I didn't get out for the walk with me wednesday. No, I will not count the daily walk to the PO.

We've had three days with the temps hovering around 30 degrees and low fogs which freezes onto everything creating a beautiful, delicate frosty world of tiny ice crystals. I tried to capture the magic to no avail. The chickens aren't impressed with crystalized grass.

The other evening Son and Faith stopped by for a visit. Aurora and Grandpa hamming it with Faith.

I baked half a dozen cranberry date tea breads for last Saturday's music fest. One batch was made with gluten free flour. Delicious!

Ed is waiting to watch a movie. I'll stitch on the felt ornaments I made the other day. The thread is silk spun during September. These will go to family members. I want to make a batch of green ones too.

Two-month old Faith.

Tis the season

2006-12-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Walk with me Wednesday didn't exactly happen today. I popped out for a quick walk after supper, intending to walk around town snapping pictures of the holiday lights. But, the camera batteries were dead, again. (Time for new ones, these have been recharged beyond their limit.) Apparently people were away from home tonight; many places didn't have their lights turned on. A warm wind is blowing in some light rain. A significant windstorm is headed this way tomorrow with the temps rising into the 60s. Maybe it was the wind, maybe the lack of activity on the streets, or the darkness of the night but, like Cyndy, I didn't fancy being out tonight, the warm lights of home drew me back after a short stroll.

Wouldn't you know it; when life is busy another iron is placed in the fire. Last night the call I've been dreading came. The articles are ready for proofreading. Oh sure, like there aren't orders to handle, packages to mailed, spindles to wax and test, Christmas cards to write, Christmas shopping to finish, and a violin which is scolding me from its corner. Deep breath. I was headed to Salem anyway today so I drove the long way around, stopping to pick up the proofs at the log house that I dream of owning. (A newer place with an open floor plan, a large shop, a second house, a barn, 20 acres, beautiful setting in the hills...and it's for sale but way beyond us.)

Still spindling. Every Saturday morning I spin for a couple hours at the LYS. One of these day's I'll remember to take the camera and get a picture. This is some merino/tencel blend. Nice stuff. It's crazy, I'm not sure what it will be used for but I needed a break from all the white BFL being spun for Faith's someday blanket.

Ed's been asked to make some replicas of Peruvian spindles, called Pushka, which I get to test. They're still in the beginning stages of possible production for selling.

Here's the Red Sweater. Sorry about the terrible coloring/lighting. Somedays our eight year old digital camera doesn't want to cooperate. (I'm will not admit to incompetence.)With everything going on these days I'm still managing to knit at least two rounds each day and a few rounds on the sleeve.

A pair of gift socks. Hope they get done in time. Plain 2x2 ribbing for speed. Ha, Froggy knows I'm not a fast knitter!

Saturday you're welcome to join Crooked Finger Band at the Friends Meetinghouse in Scotts Mills 6:30pm for our annual bluegrassy Christmas sing and play along. Bring your instruments/singing voices. Lots of food and good music to share with everyone.

Look what was on our table this morning! For years Aurora and I have sought this hard old fashion Christmas candy.

Creek Walk

2006-12-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

Walk with me Wednesday didn't happen until midafternoon as the sun was slipping behind the south ridge. Stepping outside the sky was smudged with a combination of wood smoke and fogfiltering out the sunlight. It happens sometimes in the winter when the high pressure presses down over the valley, trapping pollutants. Instead of walking to the top of the ridge to gaze at the Cascades, my steps turned to the local county park, which is closed in the winter.

This sign doesn't deter the walker, not one bit. Many trails sidestep the closed gate.

A trail leads down to the base of the creek. Hard to believe this is trampled daily during the summer.

Rounding a bend the fish ladder chuckles into view. There's not as much water as there should be for all the rain we've had.

A few steps more and Butte Creek rushes past, but the path is blocked. Is this intentional? The sign warns not to fish for salmon or steelhead.

Look at the way the earth swirls and arcs on the other side of the creek. I don't recall seeing that before. Apparently the heavy floods of a few weeks ago washed enough bank away to reveal this formation.

Back to the path which leads down besides the fishladder, the trail is overgrown with blackberry brambles. No way are we treading through them without leather gloves and a stout stick.

Turning back my steps lead to the main area of the park and I walk across the small concrete wall which forms a pool at the top of the fish ladder. A large tree trunk is wedged into the chute effectively slowing the volume of water for the fishladder.

Dropping to the rocks on the other side of the pool,

Scotts Mills Falls

(Please click on pictures to better see the details.)

Fibery things!!! Pictures to come in a future post.
Yes, the Red Sweater is slowly building round by round, a few each day. It's taking a back seat to some other projects that I'd like to finish by Christmas. (Please don't laugh. As slow as I am, I can still try.)

I've been spindling almost everyday. Ed's playing around with yet another spindle type and it's been fun to play with that one. I spun enough to ply with a ball from the Turkish spindle. The yarn is slowly accumalating for Faith's blanket.

Speaking of whom:

Six weeks

Colors in the Snow

2006-11-30T20:03:00.000-08:00

This is what greated me as I edged out the door for an early morning Walk with me Wednesday. The snow started falling Tuesday and continued off and on through the night. We were in a white world with splashes of color.

Walking to the Post Office.

This brave, small shrub stopped me as I walked by, and called for a picture to be taken.

Stand beside me on the bridge and gaze at the monochromatic scene of water, rocks and snow.

Further along four geese honked at me as I approached their yard. They didn't hiss but two flapped their wings, lowered their heads and ran towards me. Respectfully I backed away from the fence then stood a bit and talked with them. Unfortunately the camera batteries gave out so I have no picture to share of their soft brown and white feathers and regal heads. Humming softly seemed to soothe them.

It was good to get back into our warm home.

Red Sweater UpDate

I'm working on a sleeve and the body. I bought double-end Addis for the sleeve, while I'm still using the circs Ed made on the body. Working on the two areas helps break the monotony. The only downfall is manuvering 4 yarns. The Sonoma Red came in to different colorway hanks, meant to blend together by alternating yarns each row. It is making a beautiful garment. The woman at the shop raved about the bamboo Addis and they are nice but I'm partial; I like the sharper points Ed puts on his needles. (I took a picture comparing the different needles but it turned out fuzzy.)

The kids stopped by for awhile this afternoon. Faith is 6 weeks old tomorrow.

Tribute

2006-11-28T21:08:00.000-08:00

I will write of fiber things tomorrow, and at post least one picture of my Red Sweater which is slowly coming along. Today is a special day for good memories...

Huge flakes of snow are quickly drifting from the sky. Not exactly the makings for a trip to the Portland airport this evening to pick up our son and family. To make matters worse, most people in this part of Oregon don't know how to drive on snow. I learned during my teen years living in N. Arizona where winter snow was normal. It was a dry snow with little danger of ice. Besides, some thirty some years have passed since those days.

My dad would have been delighted. Snow did not faze him. Bring it on. He grew up in Minnesota and loved to drive in the stuff. I remember a snowy Christmas here in the valley when I was about 7. He piled us kids onto the sled he'd hooked to the back of his VW bug and drove all around our small farm while we shouted with laughter.

Dad was a hard worker who loved people and exuded a quiet, confident personality. Animals and children were drawn to him. It's been said by many that he didn't know a stranger. He was born the fourth boy of six children on a farm in 1912. His baby sister was born on his birthday four years later, the same date as their parent's anniversary! They had a traditional, self-sustaining family farm where they raised various animals and crops, everything interconnected and interdependent. Since it was a family of boys with a tag-a-long baby sister, the boys were expected to help with house chores and meals. Can you visualize your dad scooting back his chair at the end of a large dinner and declaring that the women fixed the dinner, the men would clean up. He'd tie on a large white apron and cheerfully get to work. I grew up thinking that it was normal for the men to do the dishes whenever there were guests.

Farm responsibilities forced him to drop out of school in tenth grade, to his great regret, though he never stopped reading and learning.

He married the woman he loved at age 38, she was 34. (Mom and Dad in their early sixties. My mom's pants? Hey, it was the mid-70's!)

For both it was their first love, and only love. We four children were blessed to have older parents in that small things just didn't bother them. Dad worked with farm animals, mostly dairy cows, often as a veterinary assistant. He was able to communicate well through his gentle personality. With his ability to quiet an anxious, struggling cow -- a child seldom could ruffle his feathers, though naturally, we found ways to push his button. Dad was calm and affirming in his steadfast love. His love for us ran almost as strong as his love for his wife, and his abiding love in God. He rarely talked about his belief and faith but we knew his relationship with his Creator was his firm foundation in life.

He loved to sing. As a young man he'd sung on the radio and continued to sing in church choirs whenever his work schedule allowed him. Singing was about as natural as talking. As the youngest I often went on his routes to check on milk cows, his rich baritone melting the miles away making me feel very special.

Maybe because his own mother was a lady who had a spine of steel, he treated women with a great deal of respect, and he figured we could handle anything a man could. He was way ahead of his time! He taught me to work on cars, put new roofs on buildings (Dad & I reroofed two buildings one summer), chop wood, make fires, shoot guns. He was a bit disappointed that I didn't become a doctor. (Life does take unexpected side jogs)

By the time my kids came along, Dad's health was poor. He'd sit for hours holding one or both of them on his lap. J in particular would snuggle into grandpa's shoulder, stick a couple fingers in his mouth and sit contently for a long time. A deep sadness fills me when I think that my kids never had the chance to really know this warm, loving man. He would have been 94 today, November 28th. I will always miss him.

Memory Walk

2006-11-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

Another Walk With me Wednesday, just like last week - wind tangled rains trying hard to cast all things in grey. Looking out the window, I groaned. The outdoors did not beckon. Coffee did. Still with a car journey ahead a walk was in order.

Striding down the road the I sniffed the sweet, tangy scent of cottonwood. I love this smell. It almost always swirls me to the distant rose colored canyon of my youth where cottonwoods held sway outside the trading post down canyon from my home.

Rounding the corner the gleaming lamp posts seemed out of place. Marion berry vines strung along posts use to dominate the field. (Click for bigger pictures) Years past I'd get up early and gallop my horse several times around this field exercising him before heading off to work at the school.

Walk with me the half mile along the road to the school at the end. For years the kids and I daily walked this stretch of road in wind, rain, snow, and sun. One lucky, snowy year I strapped on my cross-country skis and skied to work. (Don't laugh - a person has to take advantage of those rare inches of snow.) In those days (Do I sound old!) the school bus did not pick up any town kids who lived within a mile of school so we almost always walked. A good slicker and walking briskly kept us kept us mostly dry.

Changes have come in the last three years. What's missing in this picture?

Sheep! Twenty-five sheep used to graze under these oak trees. A pleasant sight on any school day, especially in February when lambs were born. The sheep are gone, homes have been built along the edges of the old pasture.

See the bell tower? Kids in fourth grade still take turns ringing it every day at 9am. Quick, best take your seat if you don't want to be counted tardy. The bell tolls loud enough that it can be heard around the hollow that snuggles my town.

Turning back to home, walking along the empty sheep pasture, I hear a frog loudly croaking from the ditch. Stopping to see if I can spot him, I see instead a good leather basketball visiting the tree and rock. If kids still walked to school it would not stay here long.

Windy Walk

2006-11-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

(I started this yesterday but the storm moved back in before it was finished.)

The storms backed off for a day, gathering strength over the Pacific to sweep through again. Heavy wind gust and more drenching rains. (An area about 30 miles away-as the bird flies-clocked a gust at 122!!) The air was still, almost warm at daybreak. Constant winds through the night had dried the grass – time to hustle out and rake up
the leaves. The Catalpa tree in the front yard had been full of green leaves until two mornings of below freezing killed them. They bravely clung through the first day but at the second freezing dawn the green rapidly turned a muddy brown and within hours almost every single leaf had dropped to the ground obliterating the grass. The sound of hundreds of leaves falling at the same time was the sound of rain.

Between storms lashing the Pacific Northwest the day was quiet enough to rake the leaves, then head for a quick walk as the wind picked up tempo.

Please Walk with me:

The willows, planted at the back of our place about 25 years old, bowing to the wind.

See what's snagged in the tree? It wasn't there before the torrential rainstorms of last week raised the creek to new heights.

Snuggly sheltered low to the ground.

This morning I fell in love with a picture.

The Spinner

I printed out a copy and showed it to Ed. Around noon he came into the house carrying this newly made spindle. Hank approves of it too.

The Red Sweater, using Briar Rose Sonoma, as it looked yesterday morning. Alas! I've been bit by the Frog's ripit. So many of you have written recently about the valour of frogging when a piece isn't up to standards. How could I keep knitting a sweater knowing that the imperfections would eventually drive me crazy. Starting over tonight.

Faith's Joy

2006-11-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Isn't that the cutest smile you have even seen on a two week old? It's amazing to see a true expression of joy by such a young baby. She's doing well, and thriving. So far I'm restraining myself from running to the kids' for a visit and holding. Yesterday I just couldn't resist any longer. She's a happy, contented little girl who is surrounded by much love. Both of her parents have parental leave from work for about six weeks. They take turns bathing her, and feeding her, and all the other duties of a parent. It's neat to see them both so involved. Everytime I've gone for a visit, our son is the one holding her. :-)

Yesterday was "Walk with Me Wednesday", my first. Wouldn't you know it we've had a computer connection slower than a slug's run since Sunday. We've wondered if it has something to do with the Pineapple Express which blustered and drowned us fromThursday until late Tuesday. In that time period there were 5" of rain in the Salem area and 30" in the Cascade foothills. Since we live about 25 miles NE of Salem right at the base of the foothills, tucked in at the mouth of a basin descending from high up, how much rain do you reckon we may have gotten over the five days of hard, non-stop rains? Yesterday's walk lead me along the creek to this point near where the picture of J was taken (See the Oct 3rd post). No swimming now.

I was the fortunate winner of the Briar Rose Drawing at the Sweater KAL and yesterday a box arrived at the PO containing this wonderful yarn.colorways of Chris's Briar Rose Fibers I love the feel and deep rich Handpainted Sonoma Reds! I love that it's a worsted weight yarn. The pattern will be a simple neck down, raglan sleeve, knit on the circular #9/5.5mm Ed made for me. I may add a bit of seed stitch here and there to break the monotony. It's time to walk to the P.O. to mail some packages, and then home to my comfy chair, and a cup of Earl Grey Tea, to do some swatching.

Fingerless gloves for fiddling

2006-11-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

Bed is beckoning. To be tucked cozily in the blankets listening to the heavy wind and rain, hearing music in my head.

After a week of preparing and stressing about this day, I'm vibrating with fulfillment and happiness.

My violin worlds sometimes collide: classical and bluegrass. They're not easy companions to practice side by side and yet there are times I need to concentrate equally on each. This autumn the small ensemble I'm in is playing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto, No. 4. This is stuff I loved playing from the very first read-through. It's a joy to practice and work through! After a week of working to nail the harder passages I so looked forward to putting it all together at yesterday's practice session. To my dismay, we didn't touch it! The director decided to spend the session working on our sight reading skill. So, she trotted out Beethoven's Scherzo. Yikes, that seriously tests my timing skills - or rather, the lack of them. (The playlist on the left is the music we did today, as well as for some previous gigs.)

Meanwhile, I had to seriously practice bluegrass, and knit a pair of fingerless gloves for tonight's gig. Black Silk from Debbie Bliss. Wonderful smooth, glossy stuff that's extremely hard to knit in the evening light, which is knitting time. I didn't like any one pattern so combined different things from several differnt patterns ending up with a left hand glove with a 9 stitch lace pattern. My very first lace! :-)We'd heard that the place we were playing in this evening would be cold and it's hard to play fast fiddle when fingers are freezing so I wanted a pair of fingerless gloves that stopped at the crease in the palm of my hand so there's no bunching when playing. (It's hard to see the lace but it's there.) This was a very satisfying project in a couple of ways: The lace turned out great - remembering the pattern and understanding why the yo and k2t were where they were was exhilarating; And basically working up my own fingerless glove pattern felt rather empowering.

Crooked Finger Band had a double-booking today. Take it on the road folks! The first was a two hour gig at the nearby retirement center. The folks were friendly and enthusiatic and the pay good. :-)My d-i-l is in the band so she was there with Faith, and her mom who used to work at the Towers and knows most of the residents. She showed Faith off to one and all. Immmediately afterwards we packed up and headed into the blustery hills for an evening gig, up Crooked Finger Rd. One of the locals has an annual get together of all the neighbors along Crooked Finger. We began with one of our standard fiddle tunes, a favourite with most audiences. Looking out at the people I recognized most of them and my heart sang with happiness. What a thrill and honor to play for people who've kind of heard of the band but had never heard us play together. When members of a band are in sync and hitting the notes together it is an amazing high, a tremendous reward for all the hours of practicing. So many times I'm close to quitting the violin - she's a demanding taskmaster who isn't often kind. But then a day comes along like today where most of the notes are easily found by the fingers and it all feels so right and good.

Good Things

2006-10-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

First an update on baby Faith. :-) She and parents are thriving. It's such a joy to hold a wee little baby! I'd forgotten just how tiny they are. I marvel at her perfect, long, fingers and her toes. Her eyes latch onto my eyes and gaze deep with a small questioning look slightly wrinkling her forehead. What a blessing she is.

Two separate packages arrived in the mail this week. The first was a surprise from Jo. I'm not a big orange fan, though I love rich rusts, but after fingering and dreaming a bit I have totally fallen in love with the stuff. I'm envisioning a light woven jacket. The problem is, when Aurora came home and saw the yarn she also saw herself wearing it. Such a dilema. One of these days I'll figure out what I want to weave and the amount needed to weave two jacket/sweaters.

When Jo showed her newly acquired swift on her blog, I decided it was time to break down and order one. I've been keeping my eye out for an inexpensive one but hadn't seen one I liked at an affordable price. I searched eBay and found a maker in the USA . Since we are occasionally asked to make swifts I was delighted to find someone who had quality swifts at a great price so I emailed Catherine directly. Take a moment to bookmark their website Knitting Notions. Not only does make excellent swifts, Catherine kettle dyes yarns. Great looking stuff, and patterns. A couple of their daughters lathe-turn shawl pins. Sadly Catherine has no blog. The day after I'd ordered the swift Nataliesent me an email from Scotland telling me of a swift maker in the UK. She even posted pictures of hers on her blog/website. She'd seen my wishful comment on Jo's blog. I'm so grateful to Natalie and all of you who make blogging rewarding with all your good wishes and thoughtfulness!

I'll close with a picture I took yesterday as I walked to the P.O. This alley is just up from our driveway. Sorry about the huge utility line! We've had a stunning autumn of warm sunny days and cold nights. The building on the hill is where Ed and I will be tomorrow morning worshipping our Creator and feeling extremely thankful for His blessings.

First Grandchild

2006-10-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

The majority of the past 30 hours was spent at the local hospital awaiting the arrival of Faith. She's here! Born at 11:10 a.m this morning: Friday, Oct 20.
Baby Faith:

Is it exaggerating to say that we're ecstatic? And best of all she seems to be doing very well! Despite the early ultrasounds which showed Dandy-Walker Syndrome and a very dim prognosis the August ultrasound showed none of the malformation problems that were evident in the first three ultrasounds. We took courage, hope, and faith that all would be well and so far, so good. She cried lustily with as much emotion and outrage that a new redheaded baby can produce. Her hair is very dark still - just like her mom's was when she was born.

All day and into the night we sat, walked, and waited. Lots of knitting was done, some spindling, and more knitting. On the fly I tried making a baby hat to match the sweater but without having done one before, and no pattern at hand, the size turned out a bit funky. I also started a pair of handwarmers out of Debbie Bliss silk.

The hospital has the custom of ringing chimes whenever a baby is born. Upon hearing the chimes, shortly after her doctor had quickly walked into the baby center, we started herding forward using restraint only at the door just outside the nurses station. One of Justin's friends, who'd endured the long night with us, suggested I venture down the hall and listen outside the room. (The hospital has very liberal visitation rules: it's left mostly up to the patient/parents who can visit, when and how long.)The nurses all grinned when I walked past their station. Before I turned the corner I could hear the loud squalling from behind Rm_ door. Faith had indeed arrived. The parents-to-be had warned us that they wanted at least half an hour alone to bond. Here we are, grandparents, siblings and friends waiting just in front of the nursery for word that we could see Faith.

The Family

Grandpa Ed

Sweater Time

2006-10-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lynn, Marianne, Debbie, Jo, Teyani, Fibercrone, and others who responded to my plea for readers to send an email to our business address. (Sorry, I'm at the second computer which doesn't have your urls readily at hand.)I'm so grateful to the gathering of blogfriends! I think the wrinkles are finally ironed out, I certainly hope so. It’s hard knowing with email - you just don’t know if one never found the proper path to the inbox.

A group of small entrepreneurs went together on a one page ad in Interweave Press Holiday Gift issue and wouldn’t you know, just when it’s landing in people’s hands our host server decides to vanish with nary a whimper nor apology. Almost an entire week of no website or email available for hot buyers to access our business. IP even had phone queries about our site. Not good.

Red Sweater KAL has entangled me in her tendrils. Please don’t ask me what I’m going to knit! Realize, this will be the SECOND garment I’ve knit. (No, socks don’t count.) It’s a bit of a gulp. Red is a great color for me and I’ve been dreaming of knitting a sweater. I have no idea what pattern to use. Any suggestions for an easy, maybe a top down, in the round. I want to do some stitch patterning. Jo suggested some type of shepherd smock or tunic. I like that idea a lot. Now for a pattern.

The one sweater I’ve knit so far:

This was taken yesterday while working on the second tiny sleeve. Isn’t it precious? The first grandchild, Faith, is due any day, as in, she’s two days late. I know, it should be totally done by now. I still need to assemble it. Tomorrow. My eyes couldn’t deal with grafting tonight.
Material: Mango Moon
Needles: Crystal Palace 3 & 4

Our incredible, long-lingering summer has bowed out to the much needed fall rains. Early Saturday morning sunlight shimmering in the cherry and willow trees at the corner of our back yard. With coffee cup in hand I sat on the steps breathing in the air which bore a hint of the rain to come, knowing with a deep sadness that summer was over. October has long been my favorite month, a remanent of summer without the heat. Cool, woodsmoke tinged, star-studded nights, the fall winds and changing atmospheric pressure dispersing the summer pollutants. I want to hang tightly to these jeweled days before the real cold and endless rains set in. The occasional few days of rain are embraced but the long grey weeks of rain can enduce a bleakness of spirit. I'm not quite ready for the daylong feeding of the woodstove, wiping the mud off the dog's feet, dressing in layers.

Website Woes

2006-10-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

A week ago our business host server went down, and this time there's not a word or message, or sign of life from them. It's been a frustrating week trying to get our business online, made even more frustrating by the release of the Interweave Press Holiday Gift issue in which we have an ad featuring our knitting needles. IP let us know they've had calls complaining that our website is down.

I've spent a great deal of time moving our website to a new server and trying to re-establish the email. Would you be so kind to send an email? Please send it to infoATjenkinswoodworkingDOTcom and cc it to wjjenkins1ATyahoo.com so I can tell if they're getting through or not.

Bach's Chaccone, violinist Brian Brooks, is playing on my computer to help soothe my very frayed nerves. Amazing, soaring music covering the scope of human emotions.

www.jenkinswoodworking.com
Heirloom tools for discerning fiber artists.

Ocean Break

2006-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

The International Sock of Doom preferably known as Sock Forward was finished and mailed yesterday!! I'm so glad to have that pair finished, now I'm hoping the mail is rather slow in getting to Ontario Canada so my target has time to finish hers. The person knitting socks for me received hers so she sent my barely started pair to the person who knits hers. Until that pair lands in my PO box I'm still in the game.
Here they're about to begin their journey through the postal system.

And here they are getting a workout beside the ocean on Monday.

As wonderful as it was to escape the woodshop, office, and routines of home, three days just wasn't enough! We headed to a small town on the south central coast of Oregon, a three hour drive away. There is a rocky bay where people cast lines into the river mouth hoping to find a fish's mouth.

This picture was taken Monday morning looking upriver from the bay.

I dropped Ed and his gear off just around the corner from the bay where the fog was thicker. Do you see him in the middle?

As the fog lifted he was overshadowed by a beautiful white mistbow of an arch. If you look close, he's to the left of the center. He managed to catch and release a perch, much to the surprise of the other fisherman who'd been out several hours.

Sitting on the rocks knitting, and later spinning, soaking up the sun and sea smells and sounds,was simply peaceful. I was surprised to see nasturtiums still blooming, and even snacked on some salty ripe blackberries.

The sweet interlude was soon over.

Kids, Creek and Kool-aid

2006-10-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

I originally tried to post Saturday evening but due to Blogger's slowness then the computer crashing, followed by a short jaunt to the coast, you'll get a summary.

We had two kids stay with a Thursday until Sunday while their parents went on a trip. I forget how energetic the 7 yr old boy is! Non-stop, constant chatter. Whew! The 13 yr sister was a big help in keeping his gear together but I can tell she gets jadded with his constant motion and talk. Little did we know they didn't have school Friday, but the time passed quickly. It helped that they spent most of Saturday with playmates. :-) They helped washed the car, clean Ed's shop, and I took them, and Kobie, to the creek.

The water was dark and cold but the warm Indian summer day with temps in the 80's called for some serious exporation and wading in the creek. J ended up swimming in the deep hole channeling through the rocks, I almost submerged but modesty made me stop at mid t-shirt level. T rolled up her pants and waded. Can’t blame her for not wanting to risk ruining a good pair of pants.

Later we dyed skeins of natural wool yarn with Kool-Aid. I've been reading about it and this seemed the perfect way to keep a couple of kids occupied for a bit. They turned out quite well, I think.

"Sock Forward": It accompanied us to the creek.

Sock 'o Doom

2006-09-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Since Blogger is having issues with loading pictures I'll post the right up top to avoid a crash after writing tons.

This is the first of the pair, I'm down to the toe tonight but decided to wait until morning to finish so I could update the blog. This whole "Sock Wars" has been quite the experience! First there's been tons of controversey about the name - it's very offensive to some. And I do wish it'd been title sock tag, or even better: socks forward. As I knitted tonight and thought about the whole game and how it works when you get right down to it, is that everyone knits a pair for the person down the list from them so everyone should end up with a pair. Makes me think that Socks Forward would be a good possibility for a KAL. (That stands for Knit A Long - it took me forever to figure that out. LOL)

On the very evening the pattern and individual dossiers were to be directly emailed to each participant, wouldn't you know a HURRICANE slams N. Ireland where our fearless leader lives. Hurrican Gordon has thrown the works into a tailspin leaving Yarn-Monkey pretty much incommunicado. She did manage to get out the entire list of who knits for whom - with emails - on her blog but there's been no word since Saturday. Meanwhile at the forum comments and questions having been whirling. For the most part it seems people are being honest sports, playing the game by the rules but of course there are always a few who get super competitive over this and are going full bore ahead to out knit everyone. The riot is, it all comes down to not necessarily how fast you can knit a pair of socks but how fast the person targeting you can, and the one targeting her. And factor in International and unreliable mail.

I guess that's why I'm thinking of it more in lines of simply trying to knit up a pair of socks as rapidly as feasible for a new "friend".

The pattern calls for DK yarn. Apparently it's common in the UK and Europe, I had a harder time finding some. The yarn I did buy isn't labeled DK but it worked up to gauge and I love the color. The working pattern has a 2 row repeat: Row 1 - k3,p3 Row 2 - k,p which makes for very expandable ribs. I'm liking the combination of the yarn with this pattern so much that I keep thinking it'd make a striking sweater. At the least I may buy yarn just to make fingerless gloves for myself.

Saturday evening Crooked Finger played for the annual barbecue for some branch of the forestry dept. Though the day was almost hot, the evening cooled off quickly. The last half hour of playing my fingers were cold and I kept thinking how good a pair of wool fingerless gloves would feel. I think I'd be able to play the violin with them on though I should probably use a fingering wool.

Last week I was chained to the grindstone. (Archaic term but chained to the computer seems so dull) I had to totally rewrite the Spinning Booklet. I'd saved a copy to a CD but the computer wouldn't open it. My HP could open it but I'd done it on the Mac so HP thought it was gibberish. I decided I may as well take new pictures. Dark backgrounds use tons of ink when printing! I'm quite pleased with it overall. It's basically the same but I did go a bit more indepth with the silk. I finished printing and putting together 80 books in time to take them to Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival held just 16 miles from our place.

OFFF couldn't have landed on a more pleasant weekend! We're experiencing an incredible Indian summer in the Pac NW. The weekend had temps in the mid 80s! Even more astonishing was the atmosphere was such that the air was clearer than it's been since last spring. The Cascade Mountains were bold in their blue presence. Mt Hood & Mt Rainier dazzling with the fresh coat of snow that had fallen during the rainy weekdays in the valley. Yes! Mt Rainier to the North can be seen on bright clear days. Mt St Helen almost aways has a tinge of grey on her mantle of white. Regrettably I have no picture to share. Two days I drove to OFFF and two days I was several miles from home before I remembered the camera.

A friend called today wondering if I was home. (Yes, buried in end of the month bookwork & accounting stuff for the business. ) She was headed from town on her bike to pay a visit. About half an hour later the computer crashed just as I was rounding third base with the ledger. Of course, I'd forgotten to press Save. ARGH! So Ed kindly filled my tires with air and I pedaled out to meet her. It was the break I'd badly needed. The air is still sweet from all of last weeks rains, the fall harvesting is still under way so the different rich smells of the fields, along with still ripe blackberries wafted on the breeze. The dairy with it's newly fermenting silage was the only slightly obnoxious part. It was worse coming back since the road winds uphill alongside the dairy. We met up about 2.5 miles from here, just before she encountered the last hills coming to our place.

So now, I'm planning to try to get in at least a short ride everyday while this fabulous weather holds. It's too precious to be couped up in front of the computer!

Spinning Silk Hankies

2006-09-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

Countdown to the 22nd when the sock pattern is released and the socks start flying to their destinations. Yarn and needles are ready, the swatch is made and gauge is good. Problem is, I've fallen in love with the yarn. So has Aurora. Knitting the swatch I kept seeing handwarmers keeping my hands warms for those occasional music gigs where Crooked Finger Band is expected to play in a cold setting.

Finally, a post about my findings in silk spinning, this post will be about what I found in spinning from the hankie form. To anyone who may not know, I have only spindles - no room for a wheel in my house. I learned to spin just over a year ago so these are tidbits of what a beginner is observing while exploring the spindling of silk. Keeping in mind that many people still have only dial-up access, I'll post more pictures along with more spindling in future posts.

I've been spindling silk off and on for about a year. After an initial disasterous start with Tussah silk on a top-whirl spindle I'd given up. To my great delight the combination of a Turkish Spindle (Bottom whorl)and some Bombyx silk roving worked magic in my hands. Long shiny threads of silk spun through the air with only an occasion "drop" of the spindle.

Seeing silk hankies of greens and blues, and another hankie of reds, Ed latched onto them suggesting I try spinning from them. Silk hankies? How in the world was I supposed to spin from a square made up of layers of thin silk?

Carefully pealing off the topmost layer of silk I looked at it from all angles. I wanted to cut off the thicker rim but on closer inspection realized there's a lot of silk bundled in those edges. So I gently pulled a corner and started a drafting area then proceeded to spin directly from the thin hankie, prepping and drafting as I spun. The problem was, the thicker rim tended to cause lots of slubs. I like spinning smooth, satiny threads, not ones full of lumps. So I search the internet but found nothing that discussed the thickness of the rims - though I did find some very good information. Mostly what I learned is that the square needs to be made into rovings first!

Poke a hole in the center of one of the thin hankies and with your hands widen the loop until it stretches to a long continous circle of roving. Break the loop, thin to predraft stage and you're ready to spin.

By stretching the hankie into roving the rims are also thinned and stretched, giving a much smoother roving. There are still slubs which doesn't thrill me. From my very limited experience with the hankies I prefer spindling directly from purchased rovings. One advantage I found in spindling hankies is that each individual hankie spins up very quickly, so it seems I'm accomplishing lots. But when I factor in the time it takes to peel off an individual hankie and circle it into a roving then incorporate it into my draft I'm sure spindling from the purchased roving is much quicker overall.

This picture shows two small segments of silk spun from the hankies. The top piece is from a hankie which was circled into a roving. There are still slubs but not as many as in the bottom piece which was spun directly from the square of hankie.

Stitch Diva recently asked Ed if he could make stoppers for our knitting needles. Always up for a new challenge he disappeared into the shop for hours.
This is what he's developed: Isn't he amazing!

He's been hard at work turning and carving smaller crochet hooks, with a pearl finial, from different exotic woods for various orders. These are made only on demand.

On the home front: Earlier in the week I discovered that the spinning with Turkish Spindles booklet I wrote was totally erased from the computer! I have no idea how it happened but, not to worry, I've saved a copy to a CD. Only, the computer couldn't open the CD and the only other electronic copy I'd saved was an older version in PDF which can't be edited. I have an order for 60 which have to be printed and bound by next Friday! What a long process reentering all the information and formating the book. On that same day I was given the pages for the quarterly magazine I proofread. That job was finished and dropped off at the editors this afternoon.

Thursday morning just as I was gearing up to work on the spinning book Ed walked into the house bearing a five-gallon bucket full of green beans. The morning was spent canning. I'm so thankful for friends who share their garden! There's nothing like home canned green beans.

Sept 11. 1995

2006-09-11T18:33:00.001-07:00

Please allow me to indulge my memories and ponderings. I"ll post about spinning tomorrow.

Sept 11, 1995 is a day burned into my being when my world tilted a bit and the sun became dark.

At noon I went to celebrate a childhood friend's 40th birthday. A bright, warm late summer day. Perfect for lingering over lunch with her family and friends, some whom I hadn't seen since I was a teen. Glancing at my watch I suddenly realized I'd best get a move on it. I wanted to be home before Aurora got home from school. It was only her 4th or 5th day of high school, an uneasy transition from a small country school to the nearby high school with over a 1000 kids.

Coming down the hill and into town my heart sank at the unusual amount of traffic and kids walking about. She'd beat me home. Then I realized there were police cars, and TV trucks seemingly everywhere. Aurora met me in the driveway, shaking with tears and grief covering her face. Violence had vicously struck close to home. Laura and her three daughters had been killed.

A year plus earlier Laura had moved into her mother's home around the corner from us, seeking a divorce from a husband, Dave, who'd sexually abused their two very young daughters. She'd tried telling his family, the pastor at their church and a few others (in another state) about what he was doing but no one there chose to believe her. [Why, he was so kind and thoughtful. He always went everywhere with them and watched out for them. He was a hard working, upstanding young man.] Her widowed mother took her and the two granddaughters in with open arms. She quickly became our friend. I marveled at her deep wisdom, courage and calm. She set about reclaiming a life as a single mom. Aurora became her close friend, mother's helper, and babysitter. Laura became her confidant and mentor. Midsummer Dave snuck into town and violently raped her. She got a restraining order against him. The next April she had a third girl whom she named Hope. She refused to run and hide. She wanted her girls to have as normal of a life as possible. She was so steady and determined to face the world squarely without fear.

On Sept tenth she'd brought over a bunch of grapes from her garden and we talked awhile in the sun. Before leaving she told Ed, "He's going to kill me but I won't give my daughters a life of running and fear."

On Sept 11, 95 he dove the long drive from his home, parked his car on a different block and snuck to the back of the house to wait until the oldest daughter got home from kindergarten in time for lunch. When he heard her voice in the kitchen he used his shotgun to blast his way into the house. Laura grabbed the two older girls and grandma scooped up Hope in her arms and they fled into the front yard where he gunned them down. Then turned to grandma, her arm spattering blood from pellet wounds when the baby was blown from her arms. A man from our church who'd hear the first shotgun blast and instantly knew what was happening, hurled himself down the hill and leaping out of his car tackled Dave and held him there until the police arrived.

The mindless shocking grief, anger, and disbelief which surges when something like this happens is beyond words. A vibrant young mother and three little girls ripped away in front of their grandmother. Selfishness beyond comprehension. Dave hung himself in the county courthouse a few weeks later after receiving a life's sentence without parole.

We in the neighborhood and meetinghouse where she also attended tried to make sense of the pieces, then realized there is no making sense of some acts of violence. It is evilness manifest in human flesh. We can't allow ourselves to plunge into seeking vengence, only justice. We came close together realizing that out of this tragedy the hope we hang onto is knowing that we will see Laura and the girls in heaven. And more tangibly comforting was the knowledge that now they all abided in true peace. They'd left the world of abuse, fear and worry behind. It was a remarkable thing to watch the grandmother's strong resolve to stay strong in her faith and love of God. Ed repaired the backdoor and walls and a week later she moved back into her home where she stayed for another three or four years before moving to a retirement home. It was a home of peace and subtle yet palpable joy mingled with a shade of sorrow. My fondest memories of those years were of gathering in her living room to make music. People of all ages from teens up invited friends from towns around - we never knew who'd come with what instruments, what songs we'd sing. Laura's cousins now live in that home. We hold fast to the hope and faith in the knowledge that God is good and His goodness will triumph someday.

And so on 9.11.2001 as the tv unfurled the stunning pictures and news my heart broke once again for all those sorrowing because of senseless violence. And yet I prayed that calm minds and hearts would prevail. I still pray for that. And for wisdom in the hearts and minds of the world's leaders. For common sense, compassion and a humbling of their selfs. I pray that they turn away from vengence, anger and self-righteousness and seek the common good for the least of their people. That the powers that be would come to the realization that there is a time to lay down arms to come together and work hard and diligently for peace. And I pray most of all that they realize that violence only begets violence. And I pray for forgiveness! I am so saddened and ashamed at the pain our leaders are causing innocent peoples of other lands. And more, as a believer in Jesus who lived in love and forgiveness, I am grieviously ashamed of those who claim His name but are not acting in love. This is not how Jesus asked us to live.

"He has shown you what the Lord requires: To do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Summer's End

2006-09-06T22:19:00.000-07:00

Jo, please don't fall out of your chair in shock that I've actually posted.

Jenkins Woodworking is back online, except I had to use our old domain name, ArtEdJe, since the Jenkins one isn't cooperating yet. I hate to think of how many orders & emails got lost in cyberspace when our host server was wiped clean by hackers.

I've drawn my tiny wood DP swords. Sock Wars awaits! Sign-ups close on Sept 8th. Join in the madness. The least you'll come away with is a new pair of socks knit by someone else. :-)

The hops are being harvested. Tall 12' rows of vines are cut down and taken to the dryers to eventually be used in beer making. The scent of hops is one I love. The season lasts such a short time that I want to gather vines dripping with the hops into my arms and bury my nose in them. Here's a small bit of vine showcasing the knit bias ready to be handsewn into place.

Aurora's bolero was finished and wrapped in time for her birthday. I stayed home from church knitting the biased bands for the cuffs. That part turned out very well. Can you see the black knit bias around the front/neck and sleeves of the bolero? Time consuming for this slow knitter but so worth it. The twisted stitch in the middle of the band helps it to fold neatly, the increase at one edge of every other row with a corresponding decrease of the same row at the other edge makes the knit biased. I found a copper button and made the icord for the closure. I'm not happy with the raglan sleeves! I really should rip the seams but they were ripped and reset once and I'm afraid the woven fabric is too delicate to withstand another ripping. Fortunately Aurora loves it! The body was woven from navy chenille with subtle stripes of handspun wool and silk. I'd originally planned the jacket in wool but had a hard time finding any finger weight heather and the chenille cones were a great price. I really like the way the handspun wool & silk turned out. Next time I'll make a heavier gauge of yarn so it stands out better.

Last week I spent quite a bit of time playing around with spindling from silk hanks. Stay tuned: Next post will have pictures and findings as I've delved a bit deeper into the world of silk spinning.(The colors in this picture are the best representation of the bolero & silk).

Argh! Can you believe I'm sitting here posting when I could be listening to Yarn Harlot at Powells Bookstore right this moment in Portland??? Up until 4pm I'd planned to go. I'd even made arrangements to meet a neighbor from our Portland days. After all, the meeting is taking place a mere three blocks from where we used to lived! Oh those lucky hordes. My orange meetingsocks are drooping in the drawer from disappointment at not flashing for The Harlot. (Remember those socks on needles from the jury and meeting posts in July? Go ahead, look back in time and get acquainted with them.)

I'd forgotten that Ed had a meeting tonight. And I'd been to Portland with d-i-l for her last sonogram (Fascinating!) just yesterday so the thought of another hour drive to Portland, deaing with the traffic, and another late night, dimmed the outing a bit. Further darkening the picture is that I get tongue-tied and shy, and crowds are diminishing to my soul. But the nail in the tire was when Ed tried to start his pickup. Dead. As in not coughing. Don't blame it on the batteries - they're fine. The truck is old. Was old. Battered and road tired. Ed took the car.

Monday night the stars finally peered down at a couple of daft chix in sleeping bags. :-) I have a friend who's also keen on sleeping out. Her husband is in Papua for a few weeks so I whisked her away from the drudgery of everyday chores. It was so good to flop our bags on a tarp and lay there looking at the smoke tinged stars (forest fires in the mountains) and the drifting lopsided moon. After an out-of-control week the change of pace was much needed. No concerns or hassles tried to snuggle into the toasty sleeping bag with me. Nope, not under the expanse of stars. By 9:30 dew was settling everywhere. But the fleece blanket tucked into my bag and draped loosely around my head felt as cozy as a baby in a crib. I woke up throughout the night to look at the stars and the low southern moon etching its way through the black trees. I didn't want to sleep but to totally savor the night with everything in me.

A thermos of warm coffee with hazelnut creamer awaited us. Perfect! We edged carefully around trying not to smear the heavy dew into our bags or on the clothes. (We'd slept out away from the trees so we could see a larger piece of the sky.)
Blurry picture of Jane raising her cup to the morning - my dew slicked feet were wanting to dance in the grass.

Steam rising from the pond inticed me to dive in. Okay, I didn't actually dive into the water. Capering about and swimming in the early morning is pure joy. The feel of water's satin smooth coolness is invigorating and yet so soothing and calming. All too soon it was 7:30, time to head back to reality.

Website Woes

2006-08-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

Our website host server was hit and wiped clean yesterday. What a headache not being able to retrieve emails, and orders, and knowing our website isn't available. I can't imagine how the host people are scrambling to retrieve all the data stored on their 16 servers that were wiped out. They've contacted the FBI but it doesn't do us any good. I should think they had all data on backup tapes but at 24 hours plus they're still unaccessible.

Meanwhile I'm looking into other afforable website hosts.

I can still be contacted through wjjenkins1 AT yahoo DOT com

We finally got some rain during the night! :-)

Back to work.

Camping & silk

2006-08-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

This blog needs some serious updating and is way overdue.

I'm tired. A good tired, the kind that brings about a sound sleep. It's tempting to climb into bed right now but first the blog.

A week ago Friday Ed took off for the men's fishing camping trip at a lake on the east flank Mt. Hood. I'd been longing for solitude and quiet. I need a certain amount of alone time and it hasn't happened in ages. (Don't get me wrong! Ed's a wonderful guy to be around.) I planned to take my sleeping bag a few miles up to some friends large property where there is a pond, woods and a stream. But, Aurora wasn't keen about me sleeping out all alone in the woods. Okay, I'll wait until Sunday night when Ed gets back, he won't mind. Wrong! He said the same thing, "I'll worry about you all by yourself." Well, I know what it's like to worry about a loved one's safety and I'm not willfully going to subject them to worry. They do have a point. There have been mountain lions sighted in the area, and when I'm out walking I occasionally see black bear sign.

So I stayed close to home knitting on the two projects, catching up on some neglicted office work and taking care of a few orders. It struck me on Saturday exactly how opposite the two projects are. A shrimp and a whale. One is using 3mm needles to make a black chenille bais for edging the woven jacket. Six yards long by 14 stitches wide. Back and forth, the monotany broken by the middle crossed stitch. Do you see it snaking across the lighter blue project?The other project was a bath towel for Ed. Insane! Knit a towel? I became enamoured with the idea when a friend was knitting one. Love the idea of an air cotton towel that would dry quickly. And Ed just isn't fond on handknit socks. I used #15 -10mm needles (Pattern called for #19s but the work seemed too open) in blue cotton chenille. I'm very disappointed in the outcome, especially considering all the knitting hours.

This week is the week to finish Aurora's jacket/bolero. The raglan sleeves need adjusting, the bais put around the front, neck, and wrists and a proper button sewn on top.

During my last trip to the LYS (It's great to write that after not having one nearby for quite some time!) a beautiful book of baby patterns gently called me. Every item wants to be knitted. How unusual is that in a book? simple knits for cherished babies by erika knight Even better is that they are patterns that don't look intimidating to the knitter who's barely waded past k&p. I've already started on the cotton shirt.

The pattern & picture of adorable set of silk booties made me dig out a hank of green silk that Ed had seized at the Tacoma Spinning fair last Spring. Spinning silk. I'd forgotten how much I love spinning silk. I hadn't spun from a hank before (rovings only) and I need to do some internet searching on just what to do with the thick border on each wispy hank.

We finally went camping this summer! The annual church campout took place this weekend. The bummer was that once again Ed & I were in charge of the food. I don't know why we allow ourselves to get sucked into doing it summer after summer. The first few years were fun but dealing with the food the past couple years took the fun out of the experience. We weren't going to volunteer. hmphf. Thursday Ed gave up precious shop time to go in to Salem to shop with me. We stuck to the list I'd created during the week, then loaded the bags and bags of food into the trunk. Back home Ed went back to work in the shop and I got to work in the kitchen. Browning pounds of hamburger, chopping onions and garlic, making spagetti sauce.

Worn out by a busy week we hit the sack early Friday evening while some sang and played guitars by the campfire, and others played in the woods. The place we camped on our friend's property is at the bottom end of a gently widening hollow. Sound carries down from the woods and pond like it's an ampitheater. Laying in sleeping bags listening to the kids playing Capture the Flag followed by a midnight swim in the lake was not conducive to sleep. So we drifted in and out of sleep waking to look through the tent's mesh roof at the myriad of bright stars.

An afternoon game of darts followed by swimming and diving and zipping along the zipline into the water, and swimming some more followed by a couple sets of badmitton wore me out. Question. How many people -old & young - can fit on a surf board? Eight At one point we had three adults and 5 kids paddling away, when I steathily stood up on the back end of the board effectively sinking that end. How do you surf on a pond? Two ways: take a smooth running leap from the grassy bank (you are spared the details my clumsy attempt.); Get the teen girl with killer stroke to propel the board through the water while you "surf". :-) (She has the swimmer's powerful upper body build.)

When Ed turned in early again last night I was sorely tempted but the guys were tuning their guitars again and my violin begged to join them. It was good to play music and sing by a campfire. We just don't take the time to stop and get together and do stuff like that. The kids again played in the woods and splashed into the pond at midnight.

This morning I was the first to wake up. (Okay, I admit nature was necessitating a trip to the jilljohn.) I started the coffee and the campfire then took my spinning up the short distance to the pond rim. Spinning silk as the sun rose above the firs with steam rising off the pond was the best. (Picture was taken Thursday, lots more fine yardage on the spindle now.)

I want to return to the site to camp, look at the stars, spin, and perhaps swim if the water's not too cold. This time in the silence of the land without the backdrop of Capture the Flag. :-)

Postings and Ramblings

2006-08-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Maybe third time is charm.

Twice this week I've started blogging, both times my ramblings were close to the finish line when something interrupted and I lost both. For some reason the saved drafts can't be found. I'm determined to post this tonight. Ed is on the MAC, the preferred computer with both of us, so I'm using the HP with the browser Foxfire. Lo and Behold, there're more options in blogger on this pc, things not found with Mac's Safire. Huge pet peeve: the lack of respect shown to the Mac World by designers!

News on the knitting front: Jury Sox are finished. They are cotton and feel so nice. I knew you'd ask what they're made from but my mind is drawing a total blank, and no, I'm not about to leave this computer and go rooting through the yarn bag by my chair, the way blogging has gone this week I must perservere until finished. I bought the yarn at KnitPurl in Portland if that's any help. LOL

Progress is being made on the two items for upcoming birthdays. Every free moment when certain people aren't around I'm knitting. Pictures will be posted after birthdays, in just a couple weeks. Yikes! Birthday shopping to be done. (I hate shopping.)

Meanwhile Aurora and I are trying to be more faithful about exercising. Once a routine is established it's easy to roll out of bed by six and hit the roads but we keep sleeping until just after six which means a short quick walk five blocks up the hill, around and back home. Tuesday there wasn't even time for that so after dd left for work I loaded Kobie in the car and drove to the top of the hill (only a mile) to the field of oats and the woods beyond.

It'd been over a year since I last walked through the woods down into the small bowl of a valley with its field and a small murky pond heavily guarded by trees. When the kids were young we often packed a picnic lunch and hiked down there. A sweeping maple tree near the field had a level limb welcoming us to climb aboard, eat lunch and read aloud from what ever book we were lost in. (The kids loved to have me read to them until high school busyness interfered.)

Walking through the trees a sense of rightness and peace slowly seeped through my skin and settled deep. Hiking, or riding my horse, alone for hours at a time used to be such an intregal part of my life. The past few years have sidetracked me with a soulsucking busyness and I've forgotten how to take time to ramble. I need to. I need to be outside soaking up the earth, sky, scents and sounds, being alone with my thoughts and God. Restoring my soul.

I was grazing on luscious blackberries when my eye caught a glimpse of red near my feet. A perfect red maple leaf. Along with the tint of fall in the air and a sadness to some trees now there is this visible sign.

Aurora called just a bit ago. She suggested we get up at 6 and do another Polar bear swim in the creek tomorrow. Sure, we'll see how that goes.

I'm so not looking forward to tomorrow. It's Summerfest day in Scotts Mills. The Friends Church will be serving pancake breakfast. Aurora & I need to be at the grange at 7am (and when are we going to swim?) to help set up. We'll be there until around noon. (Breakfast 8 - 11 if anyone wants to stop in! Homemade oatmeal pancakes hot off the griddles, Octoberfest sausage, scrambled eggs, and applesauce for donations.) The parade is at 10am. Ed helped at VBS every morning this week. They built a float for tomorrow's parade. He came home soaking wet today. The theme was Noah's Ark so of course they had a water fight at the end. :-)This town is filled with boys, they outnumbered the girls about 5-1 at VBS. Ed's good with kids, they like his gruff humor. From 1-3p.m. Crooked Finger Strings Band will be playing. We play an ecletic assortment: Beatles, Dylan, Clapton, Lightfoot, along with traditional bluegrass and celtic stuff. I've hardly touched the fiddle all summer. That's what I should be doing right now.

(Break while dil and her mom stopped by to pick up our huge pot and quick shade for tomorrow.) DIL is doing a cake walk for SMF in the afternoon. It was a hit last year. This morning I baked cookies and a couple of apple cakes for it.

Interest in the Turkish Spindle has picked up thank to Jo and Ann! You should take a look at the pictures they each posted. Incredible photography.

I wish everyone who's interested could actually handle them. It's hard to describe how good they look and feel. Of course I'm partial but Ed works hard to get them well balanced so each one has a long, fast, consistent spin.

Urgh!I've been having so much difficulty getting pictures to load this week. I'd forgotten that was the reason the first blog of the week didn't get finished. It's taking forever for them to load. I've managed in over an hour to load just one! I'm giving up for tonight, perhaps tomorrow.

Summer Days

2006-08-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

After the blazing heat of early last week temperatures in the mid-seventies feel chilly. Monday morning dawned bright, clear and breath-in-the-air cool. Perfect for making an apple pie. Gathering fruit from under the Gravenstein tree I had more than enough to make a pie and a batch of applesauce, with apples left over for the neighbor kids. That's one reason to plant an apple tree near the front of the property. :-)

Last week Ed was busy making more Turkish spindles. He was finally able to get his hands on some blocks of hard to find woods he'd been dreaming of using. I spent most of Monday testing and weighing spindles. If we didn't need to sell them I'd soon have an amazing collection of spindles! Now this week he's had several orders for weaving shuttles, and a custom order for a circular crochet hook: two hooks connected with a 24" cord for a shawl that requires 193 stitches. We plan to add the circular hook to our product line after realizing that there are patterns that support these. The pattern that our customer is using comes from Kim Designs

Tuesday morning Aurora and I decided to swim instead of our customary walk before she heads to work. We hadn't been swimming after finding the warm water rather unrefreshing during the hot days. We dashed shivering around the block and down into the creek's ravine to plunge into the water. BRrrr. A week of cool nights combined with water coming off the mountains had significantly cooled the waters. About ten minutes later as we dragged our blue goose bumped flesh out of the water we were amazed to realize the air was the same temperature as the water. Think around 60 degrees! We haven't gotten our courage up to do another polar bear swim. Walking in the brisk air has suited us just fine. Besides Kobie prefers to walk )he hates swimming), blackberries are waiting to be snacked on, and I can spin while walking. This picture was taken yesterday morning. Kobie's not thrilled about blackberries either. See the sun peeking through the trees? Our little village is snugged at the bottom of these surrounding hills.

The quick change in weather has produced the feeling of early autumn in the air. I don't recall sensing the changing season quite this early, usually not until about the last week of August does the feel of autumn subtly creep in with still, chilled breath.

Finally another project is finished. The shoulder strap on Aurora's pouch finally behaved, until I grafted it onto the other side without thinking to make sure it wasn't twisted - guess I was too anxious to start the felting process. I didn't even notice it while I squeezed and massaged it in hot water and soap. It wasn't until I laid it out to shape that I saw the twists. Not such a problem, just twist the entire strap. I kind of like it that way. Aurora is happy with the pouch - she didn't want it thoroughly felted, she likes the knitting to show.

And you thought I'd forgotten to include Hank in this post!

Aurora Pouch
8 ouncesCrown Mtn Farms Corriedale roving - Rhumba Teyani's colorway (This really bled when I washed & soaked it)
#15 Maple Circular Needles 24" (For the bottom)
#15 Maple Circular Needles 16"
#9 Straight needles (I'd use maple but Ed has to make me a set first - he normally doesn't make needles this small)
1 small stray kitten

I appreciate all who've made comments!

Jo
Rho
Anne
Peg
Teyani

I replied on the previous blog though it took me far more days to respond than it should have.

Spindles, Hank, and Meeting socks

2006-07-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

So much for updating at least once weekly.

No one remarked in the previous post that Ed is spinning the Ladakhi spindle left handed. He's one of those people who do some things right handed and others things left. No rhyme or reason, just what feels correct. He also has no sense of right, left, or direction. It does no good to quickly blurt, "Turn left!" for by the time he figures out which is left the turning point is long past. Instead say, "Turn fork side."

He completed four Ladakhi spindles; two Bolivian Rosewood and two apple. He thought apple may be in keeping since apple trees are in so many parts of the Northern hemisphere and we have no access to proper Ladakh wood. I'll be test spinning them this afternoon.

Hank the Kitty is still with us and thriving. No question he's an entrenched member of this family. With the exception of Silky our cats have chosen to abide with us. It is not our place to choose. How can cats that appear faithfully on our porch not be feed? Most are Porch Cats - thankfully there are only two who currently claim that title - they prefer to remain outside. Silky and Old Cat were the only housecats until Hank who has, without question or permission, declared he is a beloved house cat.

How he loves to play and then curl up on our laps purring loudly. When not playing he wants to be wherever we are.Our one concern is his attraction to the chickens. Cruel slashing sharp beaks could shred him in seconds.

It was a long week of daily meetings as a representative of our small Friends Meeting at the NW Yearly Meeting which took place about 30 miles away at George Fox University. Mornings began early in the attempt to do some office work before leaving the house shortly after 7. The drive is beautiful, even on the first days when the temperature hoovered around 100 degrees. All the green of various crops, and grass seed fields being harvested. and the multicolored flower fields.

Eye candy.

Looking east to the Cascades, we live at the edge of the foothills somewhat in the left center of the picture.

Just to the right of the previous picture is Mt. Angel with the Benedictine monastary at the top with its unique Alvar Aalto library where I use to work.

Jury Socks went to meetings with me. As long as some of the sessions lasted you'd think it would have been completed. But there is the matter of giving one's full attention at times. The last session lasted over four hours, without a break!! But we resolved an issue that had been weighing heavily on our hearts. I felt so blessed to be part of a large group of Friends who talked, prayed, and listened with great love, compassion, and a deep feel for unity. Wow, how many times is a polarizing dilema ironed out without anger, heated words, and ultimately division. Instead there were many tears and expressions of desire for understanding. When the approval was finally voiced those who'd disagreed seemed at peace.

Aurora's bag should have been done a week ago. You'd think the shoulder strap would behave and quickly fall in place, but no, it had to be contrary. Three times it's been frogged! I was within six inches of being finished when the rovings gave out. First frogging back to the beginning of the strap. I switched to a smaller needle size and lightly thinned the rovings. Half way along the strap and it slowly dawns that there is still not enough! Frogged again and this time the roving has been thinned by half. Maybe today the strap will cooperate. There're two more projects that really need attention to say nothing of the next ones pleading to be started.

Hank!

2006-07-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

Berry season is here. DD picked these Marion berries up last Saturday morning from a local berry farm. This is the first year I haven't gotten out to pick, except for a quick foray Sunday afternoon in a neighbor's raspberry patch and grazing on the ripening blackberries during early morning walks with Aurora, dog Kobie in tow. He's not fond of berries. The horse and donkey pastured next to a prime blackberry patch love them, I always have to stop and give them a rub and a handfull of berries.
While Aurora was getting the Marion berries Ed brought in several dozen knitting needles to be buffed, sized and lettered.

A few days ago Ed petted a small kitty lingering on the porch of the local store. Crossing the road as he walked home he heard a tiny mew. There was the raggedy kitten at his heels like a loyal dog. He's so tiny, he can't be much more than a month old. But he's a fiesty little guy! Hank made himself right at home. To the chagrin of the other cats. Old Cat hates him. Unfortunately in trying to avoid him she runs which delights Hank who thinks she's wanting to play. When he followed Ed into the house - no protesting from Ed - I was taking pictures for an ad. Hank thought it was his playground. Hee hee. Hank just squeezed under the door to the office! He loves being where the people are.

Jo posted a picture of a Ladahk monk spinning. Ed was intrigued by the spindle knowing it most likely was hand made with crude tools. Jo kindly emailed us a larger picture. Yesterday Ed tried to duplicate it. Turning a slender 15" shaft proved a challenge but even more is getting the balance. With the whorl arms in the middle of the shaft it tends to wobble. Last night I had a blast spinning with it. Something about it seems to make spinning go even quicker. Ed's still working on trying to figure out how to eliminate more of the wobble. I think that many of us spinners have gotten spoiled with our well balanced and weighted spindles! :-) Just think of all the third world people who successfully spin with crude spindles.

Trial

2006-07-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

The draw of my name and a low number meant my presence was required at the county courthouse Monday.

Over one hundred people waited like sheep in a corral. Most people didn't have anything to occupy themselves with while we waited. The Turkish Spindle kept me content until everyone was accounted for and the inquisition of jurors began. An hour later my name was one of the selected thirteen.

Almost a year ago a disgruntled person drove his four-wheeler up the marble steps into the front of the marble county courthouse. The courthouse which is still being repaired and remodeled is close to completion. We were told we were the first jury to use the new rooms. It showed. Apparently they expected us to drink the water from the faucet with our hands, then dry our hands on our shirts for there were no cups, paper towels or even a trash can. And the room was freezing.

Tuesday coffee and cups were brought into the jury room for us. And the room was stuffy and warm.

Yesterday morning I realized it was the perfect time to start a pair of socks I'd been itching to make with Blue Moon cotton sock yarn I'd bought over a month ago. The newborn sock on the roof of the parking lot ready to head for jury duty.

During the long lunch break I walked a few blocks to a well known local stationery store to look for a pen to write on our dark wood products. I have a pen that is excellent for writing the sizes and our name on the maple knitting needles and crochet hooks, but I haven't found anything that works well on the exotic woods or on the walnut hairpin lace frames. I need something that has a very fine tip, doesn't bleed into the grain and dries very quickly. I bought several calligraphy nibs hoping I can get the hang of using one dipped in gold ink.

After a second very long day of listening to witnesses and lawyers, of trudging back and forth between the courtroom and jury room too frequently here's the first sock ready for the heel to be turned.

The courtroom wasn't available today which meant trying to get caught up on orders and shipping. I was hoping to get a batch of the spinning tutorial printed for the several dozen ordered. Maybe Friday. Tomorrow the jury hears the closing arguments then deliberates. I suspect the sock will be finished by the end of the day.

Here's the bag that Aurora asked me to make for her. It's about 1/3 done. I thought about taking this to the jury duty but the socks won.

Summer busyness

2006-07-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

Sixteen years ago we planted a two foot tall slender branch of a tree in our front yard. Neighbors and friends laughed for the first few years at the scrawny little tree. But in a few years we were enjoy picnics under its shade. Its canopy provides cooling shade for our house and woodshop. The Catalpa tree is the last to unfurl leaves in the spring, display its blossoms for a couple brief weeks. The scent and beauty of the masses of jasmine/honey blossoms and the shade she provides is worth the long ugly pods! She is the only tree in bloom right now.

Fourth of July is over and maybe we can get to sleep before midnight. For the past week neighbors have been celebrating nightly. We fall asleep only to be jolted awake by rockets bursting in air. I'm exhausted and on edge! Doesn't help that my body's been having hormonal hassles and I wake up repeatedly through the night. Mind wide awake early in the morning, body tired. Desperately want to sleep in but not able to fall back asleep.

The neighbor's young rooster is discovering his crow and tries to herald in the first light. After four days the sliding ur-uur-u-u-h has settled into a half decent ur-ur-ur-ur-urrrr, properly winding up and dying away. I keep telling him he'd better stuff a sock in it or he'll be stuffed. When his owners come back from vacation and hear him crowing it'll be the oven for him. Only hens are allowed to live in their yard.

Last Friday we helped our son and his wife moved into a small rental near a huge farmhouse surrounded by hop fields. It's a cute yellow "grandmother's house". They invited all the church folk, friends and relatives over for a Fourth of July barbecue potluck. We set up under the sprawling oak tree and a couple well groomed apple trees in their front yard. The weather was warm with a hint of a cool breeze and occasional fluffy clouds scudding across the sky. Morning which began with waves of thunder rolling across the sky were soon blown further north.

Tons of salads, meat, casseroles and desserts lined the tables and grills. Guitars, a bass and my fiddle were brought out as the sun sunk lower. People gathered round and joined in the singing. Day ended with the sun diving through feathered lavender and apricot clouds. Brilliant!

Aurora loved the Spinner's Walking Pouch and wanted a modified version of her own. (Picured in previous blog.) Sitting under the oak visiting with friends and relatives I knitted away on a new one for her. Knitting roving is a great conversation starter. People are used to seeing yarn being knit but not roving. The pouch will be a bit narrower and taller. She loves the shoulder strap feature; it's so much more convenient to have both hands free. My Spinner's Walking Pouch pattern can be purchased. $3USD will get you the pattern in a clear cover, with shipping included. Just email me. :-)

Saturday we finally had the opportunity to work in the yard. Ed moved, split and stacked oak firewood.

While he worked at that I climbed the ladder and picked the ripe pie cherries from our tree, pitted them and placed them in the dryer. It's a bit discouraging to work four hours and a couple days later have only a few bags of dried cherries to show for it. But it's worth it. They're delicious in hot cereal, cookies, cakes...

Two Finished Projects

2006-06-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

Hurray! Two projects were completed on the same day. And on that day daughter (who now and evermore wants to go by Aurora) filed her FAFSA in hopes of financial aid for grad school. We had a mini celebration dance in the kitchen. Really, there should have been a huge feast, but, who has the time? Maybe when the DVD project is wrapped up we will have a proper celebration with friends and relatives.

Here's the knitted bag before felting:

The knitted bag from rovings turned out great! This was my first felting project. I love how it turned out. It accompanied us to the Black Sheep Gathering where I strolled around the booths while spinning. The Turkish spindle and roving fit just perfect inside. (The picture doesn't do justice to the colors, the picture below is better!)

The first run of the Spinning Tutorial came off Kinko machines on Tuesday! It’s such a relief to have this long project finally in print. Reluctantly I opted for black and white after hearing quotes for color copies. Disappointing and unsatisfactory. I’ll offer the black & white copies for less but will run color after this. Color captures the full effect of spinning.

The spinning video has been edited (hours of work!) and now I have only the addition of sound to go. A young woman friend was willing to be my guinea pig and learn to spin for the instructional video. We had fun but it’s definently an amature job. I may end up asking our neighbor to take a new video of it all. Seeing and hearing oneself on video is a strange experience for this person who doesn’t have a camcorder! Still, I think it clearly shows the steps of spinning with a Turkish Drop Spindle. The target date to transfer to and burn the DVD is Tuesday then they should be ready to sell along with the booklet. Another baby birthed!

Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR is this weekend. Ed & I spent several hours there. It’s so stimulating to be around fiber folks, taking in the newest colourways and fibers, being temped on every side by brillant colors and soft wools. I managed to walk away with carders to handle the cashmere I’ve been given and a mass of rayon ribbon to make a hairpin lace skirt. There’s so much fiber stashed here and there in the house, and projects waiting to be worked I’ll be kept busy until the goats come home.

Here I am with the felted spinning bag with Teyani at her booth at the BSG. Teyani wants a felted bag for her Turkish spinning! :-)

The dog bite is healing quite nicely. It’s going to be a dandy of a scar. The owner agreed to surrender him to be put down when the animal shelter people complained of the dog’s aggressiveness. I’m relieved that no one else will ever have to deal with his teeth.

Our son and d-i-l are doing well. They’ve found a cute house to rent in the country near a creek and surrounded by hop farms. Best of all, they’ll be only six miles away.

Emotional wanderings

2006-06-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Beginning a new post is hard when life has been a jumble of events and emotions.

In the past two weeks we've experienced high excitement over a new possible business exposure, dealt with a frightening dog attack, took in a spinning show, and heard news that has rocked our world, all while trying to stay on top of orders and filling them correctly.

This doesn't seem true but I've been asked to do a demonstration on a DIY network show! The details are being worked out.

I hand delivered an order and spent a few hours at Knit and Purl a yarn store in Portland. After more than a year of suppling the shop with knitting needles it was great to finally meet the people who send the email orders.

Later that same day, still dressed up from going to Portland, I was taking packages to the PostOffice when I was attacked by a lab/blue heeler. Day after day I walk the couple blocks to the PO, down the gravel road which dwindles to a two track dirt road that swings around the house on the corner, ending up at the back parking lot of the PO. As I rounded the corner about ready to step onto the parking lot pavement, a dog began barking. He hurled across the road and sank his fangs into my thigh. He was relentless. He kept attacking trying to bite me again. Using the heavy Eddie Bauer courier bag as a shield I was able to deflect each onslaught. I kept shouting trying to get him to back off, and trying to rouse someone's attention. Finally the 20 year old girl who'd been sleeping in a tent in the back yard crawled out and roused herself enough to come up behind and grab his collar. She was of the mind to blame me. She who had been explicitely told never to let the dog off his chain!

When the dog lunged at me again and again two things kept running through my mind: stay on my feet and don't let him bite again. The dog tore two large, inch long gashes through the skin and deep into the muscle, almost to the bone. Ugly, jagged gouging tears that needed a doctor's attention. Silly how I was mindful of the fact that I was still dressed up for going to the doctors, nevermind the ruined bloody pants and terribly expensive hose! The leg is mending and infection is held at bay by high dosage antibiotics. I'm thankful he did not attack one of the dozen kids that often walk and play in that area!

I've been working on a shoulder bag for carrying my rovings when I walk and spin. I looked at several patterns then decided to kind of follow a basic idea but use US#15 circulars instead of smaller needles, and pencil roving instead of yarn. After it's done I'll felt it then put a silk lining inside.

Our son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child the middle of October. About a month ago they settled on names; Faith for a girl. Two weeks ago they had the regular ultasound. The scans shows that the baby has Dandy Walker malformation. Her cerebellum is not developing. How does one comprehend the devestating news that your little daughter will be born with mental problems! How do you face the huge gaping unknow future? The love that is already strong becomes even stronger and you realize how much you really do love this little developing baby girl.

And so she is, Faith.

Complete Double-Trouble

2006-05-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hurray, the Double-Trouble socks are finished! Sam has declared that she loves them and is wearing them even now. She had a hard time explaining why she loves the feel of socks I knit for her. But I think it's because they snuggly fit her feet. She has long very slender feet with a high arch and most socks are a bit sloppy around the heel and toes. She likes the feel of the lightweight wool sock yarn that I use.

I'm of mixed emotions about making another pair of double-trouble socks:

1. The toe of this style worked up very nicely once I got the hang of it -- after ripping and starting over again three times.
2. The gussett seemed non-existant and with Sam's high arches I had to do some adapting and modifying. A rather daunting process to this self taught knitter.
3. Finishing at the tops presented another problem. When bound off as I normally do the top bind-off was too tight, no elasticity. It was painstaking to carefully undo the bind-off round. Following instructions for binding-off double ribbing in Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets gave them a nice elastic finish, and taught me a new process.
4. I LOVED it that both socks knit at once and there's no second sock syndrome.
5. Once learned, I enjoyed the logic and rhythm of moving between the two circular needles; tops of both socks on the blue circs, soles/backs of the socks on the purple circs, round and round.

The woven jacket is sewn together. I'm knitting a black biased border binding to go up the front and around the neck. I'll hem the bottom (her choice). Haven't quite decided if I want to trim the sleeves with a border of matching woven material, plain hem like the bottom or put the black knit binding on them. They all have merits though the first is my last choice. I'll put the binding on the front and then decide.

I'm practicing a bit of twisted knitting with the binding. The odd middle stitch is twisted which will give the binding a natural turned ridge down the middle to facilitate putting it on the edges. After reading about and seeing pictures of Lena'sbeautiful mittens I wanted to learn this technique.

Snipets

2006-05-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

An update on Sylan: Friday his broken nose was fixed and a titanium plate was put in to secure the upper jaw to his skull. He was released from the hospital on Sunday. The pain is still bad but he's managing.

I'd planned to borrow a neighbor's serger machine to make Sam's jacket but we haven't been connecting and so I'm tackling it with my good old Singer. The peices were cut and a binding stitch around all the parameters to hold the cut woven fabric together. This was done last evening. The lighting in this place isn't too good so I put on one of our headlamps we use for camping. It works great when threading heddles or anytime I need direct lighting and free hands! The fabric is navy, not as light as in the pic. I'll assemble it this afternoon.

This area of the Pacific NW has had days of rain following the record high temperatures from a couple weeks ago. Walking in the rain can be enjoyable but it doesn't work to spin in the rain. Spinning has slowed down as I'm zeroing in on finishing Sam's jacket and the socks. Next blog will have a picture of these double-trouble socks - displayed on feet. :-)

Spinning the blues

2006-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Twice during this month of May I have been grateful for my Turkish Spindle while spending time waiting in a hospital e.r. Spinning really helps to pass the time being productive but mindless. The first episode was with my daughter who needed some serious pain meds while dealing with a burst cyst.

(See the crochet hooks peeping from behind the wool? Those are the first three of the special hooks Ed is making with a pearl on the end.)

The seizure felled him like the trees he thins from the woods. The crash jolted his wife out of bed and into the kitchen where he'd been getting ready to pour his early morning coffee. Blood gushed from his nose, split lip and eyelid. The seizure was brief and with the help of the oldest son they soon had Sylvan to the local emergency room. An ambulance transported him to the nearest Truama center when X-rays showed that he needed serious help from an experienced specialist.

Sylan, his wife Singer and family are close friends so when the son called to let me know I quickly finished packing a few orders then drove the 40 miles to be with Singer at the hospital. As can be the case at a trauma center, they were booking it. More patients than beds/rooms available. And so his guerney was located near the command center, until a bed could be made available. His lip,and eye were stitched and CT scans taken, but the nose was still off-center. The worst damage is a broken upper jaw which has completely seperated from the skull. Unfortunately the surgeon needs to wait until the swelling goes down in order to reattach the jaw.

The day was spent quietly waiting together, watching the action in the center, talking some, and for me, spinning yards of blue.

I will be with Singer again tomorrow during his surgery. He'll have a titanium plate put in to hold the bones together. My spindle and blue roving with accompany me. I have no idea how long surgery may take but I don't mind being there, it's the least I can do for good friends.

I could knit them blue socks while Sylvan's jawbone in knitting.

Pearls

2006-05-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Pearls hold special meaning to Ed and I. He lived a few years in Japan when he was young. His mom helped to cultivate his taste not only for the culture and food but the pearls. When we were married he presented me with a strand he'd bought, for his future wife, while still living in Japan. A few years later his mom gave me her fresh water blue set.

Ed will be incorporating some pearls in his woodworking. He plans to make special crochet hooks, knitting needles and hairpin lace frames with a pearl or two attached. He does such good work, I'm looking forward to seeing these new creations. In the meantime here are the pearls he picked up today. One of the strands is for me to use in knitting a bag. I'm going to try my hand at beaded knitting. (Background is four-shaft huck lace that I wove for our display booth for Convergence 2004.)

Progress on the Double-Trouble socks is rounding slowly upward.

I'm in awe of all the people who're able to knit socks in a relatively short time. I get the impression there are knitters who knit a pair of socks in a couple days, and with fancy patterns. Meanwhile I soldier on with K2, P2 ordinary socks...

The socks accompanied Sam and I to the city last Wednesday. Rounds were knit while we sipped Italian Sodas at a table on a busy street corner in front of a Bistro in SW part of downtown. A perfect photo op but for the lack of a camera. Sam kicked off her sandals and pulled one of the socks on her foot. She's delighted with them: she's easy to please.

Mother's Day afternoon was perfect for sitting out on the freshly mowed back yard knitting on the socks. A neighbor came by and asked to see the towel. She's astonished anyone would knit a towel. Truthfully, so am I.

Since Sam's moved home my yarn stashes have moved from quick access on shelves to boxes in the closet. I've kept a couple cones close to hand but I'm determined to finish the socks before tackling the beaded bag...

Last week the Abiqua Strings played two performances. Most of my free time was used in practicing for them. The perfomances went well, and it's good to have them behind me. Now I have only a recital next week, then the violin can take a back seat to other work for awhile.

Adjustments

2006-05-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

It's been a week of fighting the flu and not having energy for anything other than the necessary chores.

I’m waiting to borrow a neighbor’s serger to sew the jacket. I think I’ll be able to pick it up on Thursday. The next project to go on the loom will be cotton material for shirts. I’m getting jazzed about making some new shirts to give friends for the summer. I’ve also been looking through patterns for a simple summery cotton pullover to knit. So many choices!

The heels have been conquered. I did some modification. It just didn’t seem right to turn the heel exactly like the toe. They look a stranger than the top down sock heels which I’m used to, but I certainly like the toes on the double-trouble socks. I’m beginning to think I may knit a few more pairs to really get a feel for the overall process and look.

The bath towel is coming along. A 20 minutes per row it’s not a speedy thing but I think it’ll make a very absorbant, cushy towel.

This week our daughter is housesitting for our neighbors so she's been popping in for occasional meals, morning walks and chats. It's been fun having her close to home. She's paying $300 for a bedroom. A college roommate will be moving to Portland in a couple months and they're hoping to share an apartment. Realizing how much she's shelling out each month we suggested she come home and save that money for an apartment.

Tomorrow I'll move weaving supplies and music gear to the living room then figure out where we'll hang our finished products to dry. I've gotten so spoiled having that room for these projects!

It would be harder to adjust except she's great company and one of those people who sees what needs to be done and rolls up the sleeves and dives right in, with a good attitude.

Come to think of it, I could get spoiled! 8-O

A clover field blooming up the road from our place.

May First

2006-05-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

The first blush of dawn creeping into the old farm house yearly found four bed tousled kids easing down the stairs and slowly lifting the door latch. Stockinged feet slipped into cold clammy rubber boots before clumping silently through wet pastures and into the wood. Searching for and picking the abundance of wild flowers poking through the underbrush and along the creek. We’d pick as much as our arms could hold then lay them on the neighbor’s porch and our front porch, ringing the door bell then quickly hiding, listening for the exclamations of wonder.

The early morning May ritual was passed down to my kids. When they were little and we lived in the city, they’d scope out the best lilacs and camilla bushes for days before the event so they could immediately hone in on bushes that wouldn’t suffer lack or indignity.

The cycle has turned and it’s my turn again to flit out of bed at daybreak and ramble through the grasses and woods. Some years it’s not so easy to leap from bed and steal out of the house before the day’s demands rush in. Still, it’s simply not May without some token of the wonder of spring brought in to grace our home.

Patterns

2006-04-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

Oh why don't I keep the patterns that I make!

Sam wants her jacket fashioned after the one I designed & wove for myself. Today I searched in my weaving records & notebook for it to no avail. sigh

I'd taken measurements of her before I started the project so with them in hand, fortified with a cup of coffee and my jacket, I painstakingly drew up a new pattern. I have all the paper pieces cut out. Tomorrow I'll use an old sheet to sew a mock up before I cut into the woven fabric.

Ed occasionally makes lovely portable music stands which break down into several pieces for easy carrying. I sew pouches for the individual parts and a large bag to put it all in, with enough room for music books. I've made three of these bags now. You'd think I'd remember save the kraft paper patterns that I've made. But no, I think it'll be quicker to just measure directly onto the fabric, cut and sew. Humph. I'll be making another one this coming week. This time I swear, I'll keep the pattern!

Woven

2006-04-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Sam's cotton chenille jacket material is finished. :-)

The weather is lovely today so I hooked the dog leash to my belt -with Kobes attached to the other end- tucked some Autum roving in my pocket and spun my way out of town up to Maplewood Pioneer Cemetery. The east wind played tag with the pencil roving and yarn. Kobes wanted to bound across the fields until his heavy winter coat had him panting from the exhertion in the sun. It felt good to soak up some sunshine while walking and accomplishing some spinning. Autumn is being spun with one of my older walnut Turkish Spindles. No worry about it taking unexpected tail dives to the ground.

The smell of the apple pie I made earlier today is drifting in the air, it's time to devour some.

Projects

2006-04-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

The rovings from Crown Mountain Farms want to be spun and made into items. Other obligations hinder much progress but almost an ounce each of the Mountain Sunrise and Autumn have been spun.

The mountain sunrise is begging to be woven into a summer shirt. Not sure yet what I'll do with the Autumn. Yesterday I took Autumn spinning during my quick walk up the hill for a short workout/spinning session. As the days grow warmer I look forward to more roaming while spinning.

Only one bobbin full left to weave on Sam's jacket material! Tomorrow I'll draw out the pattern on paper, cut it and make sure it works before cutting the weaving. Most people would do this first! I was so excited about warping and weaving that once I'd gotten Sam's measurements I couldn't wait to draw the pattern.

The socks are very slowly creeping to the heel. I'm trying not to think ahead to how in the world one does the heel when working on two circulars. The double-trouble pattern simply says to do it the same as when making the toe. Hello? The toes were each done on seperate needles, then joined once they were finished. Any hints/directions would be greatly appreciated.

The cotton chenille towel takes 20 minutes per row. I manage to work on it during odd moments. Crazy, I want to start crocheting lace curtain for the bathroom! I'm trying to restrain myself and wait until at least the socks are closer to being done.

Meanwhile this spring weather with it's variations of rain and sun has the grass growing too quickly for me to keep up with.
A view of our yard before tackling it with the lawn mower this past Wednesday:

Sunrise

2006-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh grave, thy victory?
Jesus Christ conquered death!

After a stormy day of branches hurling from trees, rain slashing new blossoms, and unseasonable snow during the night, dawn greeted us with a few tattered clouds scurrying from the sun rising in a sapphire sky.

A sunrise service was held up the Butte Creek basin at the Scout Ranch in the huge lodge with a roaring fire. It's hard to play a stringed instrument with freezing fingers and chattering teeth. We had a rousing celebrating with everyone joining in the singing followed by a hearty breakfast put on by some of the cowboys.

A package arrived in the mail from Crown Mountain Farms.
What soft, lucious colors! I'm especially delighted with the mountain sunrise roving, seen at the top. Perfect for the spring. The colors of sunrise on Mt Rainer was the inspiration for this colorway by Teyani. If I walk up to the top of the ridge on clear sunny days -- like today :-) Mt Rainer can be seen in all its magestic splendor. Sinking my hands into the soft masses of fibers, visions of spinning, weaving and knitting garments filled my head. Now for the talent to create some of those images! I can hardly wait to begin spinning these rovings. Since I use only a Turkish Spindle it will be awhile before I have enough spun to do much with but half the fun is the dreaming. I also want to try my hand at knitting directly from the roving. This whole world of working with unspun fibers is so new, with so much to learn!

I finished doing the taxes. Hurray, more time to devote to fibers and music. Hmm, sometime I must work on the yard!

Surprises & Memories

2006-04-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Behind my back the three of them schemed for months

"Mom, would you mind picking up Parker from the airport Friday? I have to be at an office meeting."
"No, I don't mind. What time?"

The airport is the perfect kaleidoscope for people watching.

On the hour drive to the Portland airport it occurred to me that I should have told my daughter Sam that I'd be wearing my magenta hand-felted hat. I hadn't seen Parker since Sam graduated from college last May. Would I recognize her? Would she remember me? Checking the arrival board I realized the flight was an hour late. Perfect for knitting rows on the double-trouble socks.

The plane finally arrived and people streamed off the plane. Watching faces closely, hoping to recognize Parker, I spotted a woman who looked uncannily like my dear friend from high school. A few days earlier we'd talked on the phone dreaming of when we might finally be able to arrange free time to get together. Seventeen years is simply too long of a time between visits with a soulmate! Scanning the faces for Parker, my eyes kept traveling back to the woman. Our eyes caught but she only smiled tentatively and kept walking as she too searched for someone in the waiting crowd. She slightly turned and our eyes met again. Another smile exchanged as she passed me, her head swinging around still searching for the right person. It's astonishing when one sees a person who looks strikingly like someone else. I couldn't stand it, I had to talk to her! Keeping a watch for Parker, I walked towards the woman who'd reached the back stragglers and had swung around coming back towards me. IT WAS HER! (It was the hat that had her baffled!) Husband, Sam and Tiny had schemed since December to surprise me with a week long visit!

It's hard to describe all the emotions that flooded my mind when faced with such a tremendous surprise. Along with the fleeting worry that the house wasn't prepared, and no food stocked ahead for such a special guest. Oh but the joy, the joy. Heart squeezing, jumping up and down, can't believe it, JOY.

The clues were there: Ed and Sam cleaning the yard and deck, Ed installing cedar in the bathroom. For weeks Sam came over every Thursday night while I was at Bible Study to hang out with Daddy. In reality they were talking with Tiny, and making elaborate plans.

Crooked Finger has two gigs coming up, one for a sunrise service and the other at the Oregon Garden. A practice was scheduled for Saturday evening at the church. Tiny didn't mind, she was excited about finally hearing us play. Ed went to visit our neighbor for their weekly Saturday routine of watching a favorite TV show, while we gathered music, stand and violin. We were late so I bounded up the steps leading to the meeting room, and opened the heavy wooden double doors. People everywhere! Pews pushed to the side, tables loaded with food, friends from when the kids were small. Friends from the library I'd worked at, all kinds of friends! Friends from a hundred miles were there! What in the world???

A conception party! This Ed had been planning three years! Having one's birthday near Christmas is the pits, no one wants to party, eat cake or buy more gifts. He devised the idea of celebrating my conception instead. Besides, there was no way I'd remotely guess what may be taking place. Sam had spent the week shopping and preparing the vast array of food. Astonished, overwhelmed, embarrassed and humbled. It was wonderful!

Ed gave Tiny & I the gift of three days at the coast. We went out on a boat to look for whales. No luck though we'd both seen a whale spout the evening before. The weather was perfect, a rarity at the Oregon coast! Three days of not worrying about schedules, business, tax bookwork (nagging at the back of my mind though!), or fixing meals! Walking the beach, looking for agates & shells, talking, watching the waves and a single female surfboarder, soaking up the sun. What luxury!

Weaving and socks were mostly neglected, the violin silent, but it was a wonderful time of relaxation and catching up on a terrific friendship and seventeen years of life! Hashing out old memories and adventures we'd had as teens with horses in canyonland country with no fences and boundless places to ride, hike and explore.

All too soon we were back at the airport, stepping into our normal lives. Orders and packing had piled up, Housework and chores demanded attention. The bookwork still lingers, and gets more demanding. But the oasis in time is worth it!

Today my mother would have been celebrating her 90th birthday. Even after ten years I still miss her.

Ramblings

2006-03-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

I don't get to Salem very often but the other day I went to help pack lunches for Marion Polk Food Share lunch program. It's sping break for school kids this week and lots of kids need these lunches. I was near Target so decided to pick up a few things for the bathroom which is getting a bit of a makeover since Ed put in the cedar around the bath. (Shopping is not high on my like-to-do list, I'd rather be home or rambling through fields & woods.)

Dollar bins filled with goodies demanding to be thrown in the shopping cart. Next a cute skirt that my daughter would love beckoned, and of course, a blouse to go with it. Make that three. Feeling guilty for impulsive buying I wrestled the cart to the household goods section. Leaving it at the front of an shelf -unobtrusively to the side- I wandered up and down the adjacent rows looking for the right colored curtains for window and shower. Arms full I trudged back to the cart. Gone! Scurrying around looking in other people's carts, scanning the rows and aisles, it was not to be found. Hmm, cart disappears full of impulse goods. A successful escape from Target with checking account still intact.

During a favorite radio broadcast each morning is the perfect time to weave. My hands, feet and mind are all occupied. Today the friction of rubbing through the reed caused one of my handspun wool threads to break. The orphaned end eventually poked its head up from the cloth halting my progress. Fortunately there was some of that yarn left. A darning needle and the yarn deftly attached to the sepearated warp thread and woven through the existing cloth alongside the broken piece has taken care of the problem. I'm slightly holding my breath hoping no more will break. Seldom has a warp thread broken in the past weaving projects that I almost panicked, then decided to ignore it, before coming to my senses realizing it really shouldn't be that big of a deal!

The triple trouble socks continue to challenge my limited knitting skills. As the foot slowly began to take shape it seemed to need ribbing. The pattern just keeps knitting, knitting round and round. But it seems that socks need to have the give and elasticity so I started knitting two, purling two across the tops of the socks. Great news: now the purple tipped needles always work across the tops and the blue needles across the bottoms of the socks. Just that simple visual consistency is easing the trouble of working two circulars at the same time. I'm still not sure what exactly is supposed to happen with the non-working pair when I turn the heels. The directions read to turn them just like the toes. Exactly. Uh, sure. The toes were worked one at a time on one circular then they were slipped onto the other colored needles.

In the past couple days Ed has made 4 dozen Tunisian crochet hooks, sizes N - Q. I managed to polish and write the sizes on them first thing in the morning. They're drying on the rack. Tomorrow I'll put the final finish on and let them dry again. Friday will be my packaging day. There's also about 3 dozen crochet hooks needing to be packaged and the Tunisian.

The cotton chenille has been quietly calling to me to start working on the towel but I've been resisting. Cashmere hair is accumalating which I want to start spinning to see how it spins. But after seeing the Yarn Harlot's carded wool on her blog today, I wonder if I need to card it. Time to do some researching on preparing cashmere for spinning...

Warped & Throwing

2006-03-24T21:10:00.000-08:00

Throwing the shuttle, seeing the weft build row on row, consumes a portion of my thoughts. Early this morning as dawn eased into the room I almost crept out of bed to weave but didn’t want to disturb the soft sleeping breaths of Ed. Tying on with shoestrings, the method of Singing Weaver, Nadine Sanders, makes that portion of warping so much easier than the traditional way I was taught of using surgeons knots.

The strands of the warp that aren’t blue are wool and silk threads that I spun on my Turkish Spindle. I’m pleased how the colors show subtly through the blue chenille.

The double-trouble socks are turning out to be triple-trouble! As the foot took shape the holes of the early joins grew more glaring. I hated the idea of starting over. Then a couple nights ago when I started to knit, it appeared that I’d used the wrong needle on the last row. Whatever went wrong? Pull, rip, unravel. I read the directions, and started over, got to the foot, it looked wrong. Zip and rewind. Directions were carefully read, again. Finally, the toes were the right shape. Last night I went to my neighbor’s Bible Study and by the time I got home I was way to tired to even look at anything but my pillow. Tonight as I knitted the first couple inches of the foot, I encountered the same twisted looking, doesn’t-make-sense circular mess. Doggedly I kept knitting the next haphazardly logical(!) section and hurray, it came out right. :-) I’ve realized that is part of the nature of knitting socks on two circulars: there’s a certain point the circular needles and socks seem hopelessly wrong, spiraling out of control, but keep going and it’s fine. Hmm, I think there may be an analogy in there!

The tax date is hovering and bookwork is a demanding beast riding my shoulders. Meanwhile the slightly warmer weather means the grass needs mowing. It was pleasant to get outside yesterday afternoon and mow the front yard. The back yard will take a lot more time & effort. Wind blew rain inland today so it’ll be a few days before I can tackle that job.

The bimonthly violin lesson went well on Monday, despite the fact that one of the previous weeks I didn’t spend anytime on assigned materials since I had to concentrate on celtic music. The Bach Double Concerto is the current work. The timing is a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun and music I really enjoy. I love playing pieces, even etudes, in the key of D minor.

Ed lined the shower stall with cedar today. The fragrance is wafting through the house even now. He’s so fast and efficient at that kind of thing. He also managed to make a dozen pink ivory spindles. They’re drying in the living room next to the ebony ones he made a couple days ago.

Fiddling

2006-03-18T21:46:00.000-08:00

The warp is threaded! Ten minutes here, half an hour there, a handspan at a time, and it's done. Crazy -- with tax bookwork looming and music demanding to be learned -- to feel driven about weaving the cloth for SB's jacket.

A week of some intense, concentrated violin practice and another music gig behind Crooked Finger Band. A week's notice, no time to rehearse music that hadn't been played together since last year's fundraiser, let alone looked at until this week, and it all came together.

This evening was one of those performance where we were relaxed, hitting the notes and timing with perfection. (okay, a few babbles) Floating on a cloud. Witnesses? Was it as good as people said? As we felt? Why didn't we think to bring the laptop recorder? People in the food line jigging to the music, little kids dancing and twirling with abandon. The Irish Medley duet with mandolin & fiddle was magic. We were engulfed in a little bubble, our fingers hitting each note in unison spinning out the 6/8 jigs, almost flawlessly. How does one come back down, and go to bed? Even the hour drive home under a starfilled sky along country roads didn't ease the buzz. People wanted Crooked Finger's business cards! Maybe it's time to make some. LOL Last year T turned away several requests for our band. The weekly practice sessions had become drudgery. A performance for Valentine's day went well and breathed fresh life into us. Tonight stoked the desire to play & perform even more. We've been asked to play at the Oregon Garden next month. Yipee.

Classical ensemble practice was this morning. We're basically a double-quartet. We've set a couple performance dates. Low-key, nursing home kind of playing. Still fun. The house where we practice is almost always cold. By noon my second finger was aching & stiff. An old horse training injury to the tendons and knuckles. I was a bit concerned about playing this evening and sure enough by the last few measures of the Irish Medley my finger was bounding off the string through sheer willpower. That place was also cold. Bad combination for that finger: cold and playing for a couple hours.

When I knit for a long spell the base of that finger, around the joint, will stiffen and swell a bit. It's probably good to knit, helps keep it mobile. This afternoon I sat down and knitted on the circular -- two at once socks, for 10 minutes before heading out the door. Knitting is a mellowing, therapeutic exercise. Nerves were starting to congregate in my stomach, knitting broke them up and sent them packing. :-)

Stretched

2006-03-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

Tuesday evening, just when the week seemed organized in manageable chunks with projects and goals lined out in a way that preserves the sanity, the phone rang. It was the Mandolin Magazine publisher, “The articles are ready for proofing. I’d like them read ASAP.” Gulp. I’ll drop them by her house tomorrow morning when I take the spinning tutorial to Marilyn who lives just a few miles from her. It’s a beautiful drive along a ridge of the Cascade foothills.

One long, concentrated session at the kitchen table early this morning, armed with coffee and a red pen, and the first read through was finished. Early tomorrow morning I’ll take the dozen music pieces and play through them on the mandolin to be sure notation is correct.

The step by step drop spinning tutorial booklet I’ve been working on over the past couple weeks was wrapped up last night. It’s so exciting to finally have a printed copy in hand.The first section is devoted to basic drop spinning with wool rovings. The second half is a shorter overview of spinning with silk. Now the test will be if a beginner can actually use it to learn to spin.

Polished and packaged a couple dozen pairs of straight and circular knitting needles today. Also printed out fifty of the hairpin loom set up instructions. Ed made 20 more crochet and Tunisian hooks which I smoothed and signed with name and sizes this evening.

I only managed to thread a few inches of the warp through the heddles today. Tomorrow afternoon I hope to make good headway with finishing the threading. It’s impossible to work on threading at night, the lighting is so poor over the loom. I want to buy a roll around goose neck lamp to move between the loom and table where I write on the hooks & needles.

Tomorrow I’ll wax all the drop spindles and finish the flex crochet hooks which have been drying today. Ed’s allergies to the ebony have kicked in again, in a major way. He felt fluish all day and has a spreading rash. He realized that though he wears protective clothing and uses an exhaust system, the dust gets into his open mason jar of iced tea.

Fiddle practice is coming along better than I’d dared hoped. Maybe the tunes will be under my fingers by Saturday.

Double Trouble

2006-03-13T21:55:00.000-08:00

I dug out the pair of double trouble socks I'd started over a year ago. The toes dangled from the needles, nothing else. Didn't at least part of the feet get done? A bunch of us were going to Portland for a birthday jam, perfect for knitting something and they were the only portable project on hand. It's all good. Fifteen miles down the road I stopped puzzling over which strand of yarn to begin with and was able to do a couple rows. It's a curious thing to work two socks on two circular needles! It seems to be easier this time around. A few more rows went on tonight, no hurry on these socks. They're a bit misshapen, the transfer from one needle to the next isn't very smooth. Time and experience will go to evening out those joins.

Exciting news. Interweave Press Knit/Crochet magazine is profiling our Hairpin Lace Looms in the May edition! There's even a heading liner on the cover, though no picture. We're excited but also wondering how swamped Ed will be with production. Too much time was spent today fiddling with the packaging trying to streamline the process. Packing ten looms for a store order didn't proceed efficiently enough.

Between packaging orders and trying to organize bookwork the day flew. Didn't get to the violin, or loom. Must practice the violin this week. It was decided last night to say yes to a fundraiser gig next Saturday. Crooked Finger has played for this St. Patrick's dinner for the past four years. When we were asked over a month ago they gave us the wrong date, one that didn't work for most of our band. Yesterday we were told it's this Saturday, would we be available? A quick scramble through work schedules confirmed that all of us are free. Less than a week to take out pieces I haven't touched in a year! I wish Irish fiddle can more naturally to me!

The Plunge

2006-03-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is my first real blog.

After reading many during the past few years, and mind-composing ones almost daily, I'm taking the plunge and going for it.

It's the end of what's been a long day with another one in store tomorrow. Really I should be in bed. My mind's blurry and there'll probably too many typos. This from a person who proofreads.

I've almost finished sewing a large bag for a music stand that my husband made for one of the members in a bluegrass/folk band I play in. His wife is having a surprise birthday party for him tomorrow. I hope to get up early enough tomorrow to finish the smaller bags for the stand parts to nestle inside the large bag. I only haul out the sewing machine after weaving fabric, or to make bags for music stands, other than that, it's pretty neglected.

I'm almost done writing a small drop spinning tutorial. At first it was going to be very simple and brief, with just a few pictures and pages. But I had so much fun taking pictures and analyzing the steps that it's developed beyond expectations. I plan to bind it on Wednesday then take the first copy to a friend who recently learned to spin. It'll be good to get her perspective on how user friendly and instructive it is. I learned to spin in August so it's all very fresh and newly enthralling to me. My latest addiction. :-)

Yarn is hanging limply in my loom, a third of the strands through the heddles. Eventually it'll be jacket for my daughter.

I finished knitting a pair of socks Wednesday evening. The needles are still looped in the toes waiting for the darning needle to free them so the next pair can commence. So far I've had the courage to knit only basic socks for most of my family & friends. A pair of "double trouble" (I think that's what they're called) is partially worked. I got to the place where I need to start working towards the heel (toe up) and the directions aren't very clear. Working on two pairs of circular needles simultaneoulsy has been more complicated than I'd anticipated. I do like the idea of working two at the same time.

Enough for tonight!