Sunday, December 03, 2006
Lazy Weekend
Meanwhile I have been so wiped out this week that I have not even started editing Act 3 of the Saga so you will have to wait a bit for it. Hey, good things come to those who wait. Right?
I have been very productive on the knitting front but since ends are not yet hidden and it is still totally dark here, there are no photos for now. Maybe tomorrow.
All of the planned holiday gifts are done. 2 teacher scarves, 1 pair of mitts (my own design) for the third teacher (I got bored of scarves), 1 pair of Fetching for our Little Squid transit person (babysitter just sounds wrong), the Violin teacher gauntlets and socks for my boss. Maybe I will make one or two more gifts but none are planned for now. Instead I am back to trying to finish some of you UFOs and I will finally buy the yarn for and start the last baby blanket that I owe. I also owe the kid sister mittens and a hat but hey, her birthday isn't until March so I have time.
We did get a new fan / light for Little Squid. Lowes had some really cool ones and this new one would look better in a living room or such but it is what he wanted and the price was in our range. We will hook it this afternoon. Yes, I will take pictures -- exciting, no?
I also have more Knitting Club tales but since I didn't post it last week I will give double -- and pictures of the blanket in progress (15 blocks so far) this week.
Otherwise my big plans for the day involve laundry and the purchase of make-up which will involve a trip into Midtown and a department store during the holiday season. Yes, I am nuts but I will also not make it through the month with what I have and hey, they have a Bonus!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Giving Thanks for the Stash
Now, since the previous paragraph was totally boring, I present:


Pattern: my own riff on Fetching using one fewer repeats, cables crossing on different rows and much length.
Yarn: Reynolds Tiara Silk and Viscose purchased many years ago at the annual Smiley's hotel sale (which I am passing on this year)
And as for the Squirrel Update: He appears to have found his way out of the building or at least out of the display case. I am really bummed that we were never able to get a picture of him. Every time I entered the lobby, he was hiding. Apparently he did give a good show for our students -- kind of like having a mini zoo in the lobby. I will work on editing Act 3 over the weekend for posting during a slow news day next week.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Saga of the Squirrel: A New Tale
And here we go ...
This morning as I am slowly getting my act together and putting away my coat, purse, etc., a teacher comes in and asks "have they caught the squirrel yet?"
I look at her blankly. "Squirrel, what squirrel," I say with confusion in my voice, thinking that it was a rather strange coincidence since I had just posted Act 2 last night.
"The squirrel in the showcase," she responds, matter of factly.
"Explain, please," I respond, still confused.
Apparently she had been working on the two showcases in the lobby yesterday -- yes, I remember her scraping tape off the glass -- when all of a sudden the kids noticed a squirrel in one of them. Seeing the kids, the squirrel scampered up and perched on top of the light where it seems to have stayed all night.
As of this morning it was still on the light where I saw it's beady eyes with my own narrowed gaze. It was sighted periodically throughout the day today.
While the cases were open on and off all day yesterday, there was always a person in them and they would have noticed a squirrel flying by. It seems, however, that there is considerable open space along much of our electrical conduits and this guy somehow got into this open space and found his way to the display case from the inside. Mice have also, apparently, found their way into the case on occasion as evidence on the bottom of the case suggests. Our friend has emptied it's bladder at least once during its captivity. We have no idea how he got in to the walls of the building.
Pest control has been called and at least one Hav-a-Heart trap will be on hand by morning.
This is a true story. I can't make this stuff up. My imagination just does not run to squirrels in showcases.
May your day not involve wildlife where it should not be.
This post is the sole property of Devorah Zamansky and may not be copied without permission.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Saga of the Squirrel: Act 2
Setting: My office which has the usual four walls but with doors in both the northern and eastern walls leading to other offices. The Southern wall is entirely taken up with radiators and windows. The Western wall is taken up with old fashioned built-in floor to way-high (not ceiling) cabinets. There is no way to directly access my office from the hallway.
And so on to our tale …
So, there I was, minding my own business, bopping around the building and in and
out of the offices actually getting things accomplished. I had left the top sash of my window open a little because unlike much of the school, my office is rather overheated.
Now, I rarely open my bottom sash and when I do I only open it a crack because
squirrels seem to love our school. On this day the bottom sash was not open because even though my office was hot, I did not need a 20 degree breeze across my keyboard.
After finishing my stroll of the facilities, I returned to my office where I noticed a squirrel on my window sill -- inside. Normally this is not a big deal but as I said, the bottom sash was not open and the upper sash was a good 8 feet up from the window sill. I momentarily panicked – after all, I had to get to the window in order to open it to let the squirrel out. My secretary closed the door from my office to her office and I closed the door from my office to the adjacent office. I then retrieved a window pole from
another room and set out to enter my office from my secretary's office. I
figured I would use the pole to push the window open from the bottom without getting too close to the now panicked squirrel.
In the meantime the squirrel was running around the room jumping desperately in an effort to get out through the top sash. There were no curtains on the outer windows and the shades offered only a slippery surface for the squirrel’s sharp claws. Returning with the window pole I put my face to the window just as the squirrel gave a flying jump AT
the door and caught itself, briefly, on my door curtain. What I saw was squirrel
belly and claws -- my face was protected by mere millimeters of 60 year old glass. Yes, I know I was on the other side but I have to admit that I screamed.
At that point a braver teacher than I observed the situation and cooing “poor squirrel” opened the door, calmly walked to the window and opened it. The squirrel left as fast as it could and we closed all the windows.
For days afterwards my office stank of scared squirrel.
Ironically enough, there was a squirrel trap in my office. (Hav-a-heart if you care.) However, since it was in my office I couldn't get it and this squirrel, unlike the one we bought the trap for (act 1) WANTED to leave.
The image of squirrel belly flying at my face is one I will never forget.
The contents of this post are the sole property of Devorah Zamansky and may not be reproduced without permission.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Happy Birthday Sis the Elder!

Having siblings so separated in age is interesting. I think that we have to work harder to be friends because, growing up, our ages very much defined what we could do.
Over the years we have shared confidences, joys and sorrows. As my only older sibling she is and has always been a role model for me. I watched as she went off to college and had what seemed to be a rip-roaring time while getting grades that set the standard for the rest of us.
Sis also set the standard for how to build an adult life -- an example that we have all learned from and turned to our advantage. It is always a good thing to have someone pave the way.
In the last few months our roles have been somewhat reversed and it has been kind of cool to be the more experienced sibling when it comes to our kids. Watching her turn in to a mom has been a wonderful experience.
As a human being, my older sister is kind, intelligent, humorous and an all-around great gal. I am so glad to have her both as a sister and as a friend.
Happy Birthday Sis!
A Birthday Letter From Squidette

Today you are 40, the age you are meant to be, or so you say. You have provided Little Squid and me from the start what with food (don't contradict me) and socks and a place to live. You drive Little Squid and me to school and bring us to places we would never see otherwise. You give Papa Squid, Little squid, and me all the winter wear we need. You are loving, kind, caring, and have a sense of humor. You are good at your job and provide for us all. For all of this, Papa, Little, and I wish you a happy 40th birthday. We love you.
Love,
Squidette
Last Day ...



More Train Show Photos can be found here.



Tomorrow, a guest post by Squidette!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
The Sock Rides Again
Back to your regularly scheduled blog ...
For the last two weeks I have, amazingly, not had a sock-in-progress. Instead, my carry-along project has been a pair of gauntlet mitts for our violin teacher. Yesterday I finished them. Tomorrow I will gently hit them with some steam and take a picture for you. After finishing them, however, I had the unreasonable urge to start another project mainly, socks. Grabbing a ball of yarn purchased this summer while traveling, I cast on twice for socks for Little Squid. I was going to put a pattern in to them but I've decided to go with my standard k2p2 ribbed all the way cuff and a plain foot. Knowing how Little Squid wears his sneakers, I think this is just safer in terms of lack of sag possibilities. I am also working on the second teacher scarf but that gets big, fast, so it is not my carry-along.
The sock is one anxious to get in to the thick of things so it came with us on our morning shopping excursion.
First it hit Home Depot and was amazed at how many drill sets they expect to sell this holiday season. It was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to return the fan purchased just yesterday. (The fan started to overheat within minutes of being plugged in.)



Friday, November 24, 2006
The Saga of the Squirrel: Act 1
The contents of this post are the sole property of Devorah Zamansky and may not be reproduced without permission.
The Day After
Meanwhile I leave you with images from yesterday.

Thanks to Ann and Susan for the sweet e-cards. You got my day started right!
Happy Black Friday All!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
40 minutes
Cookie asks "what are they like?" in reference to my students. They are nice, usually polite, teens. In a small, cozy situation like the one I described yesterday (7 people in my small office can only be called cozy) they are delightful. En mass, as in during dismissal, they can be a true force.
I have the privilege to work in a "magnet" school. Most of the kids are there because they want to be there and want to go on to higher education. In our 25 years we have turned out Doctors and Lawyers and Teachers and many other professionals from a largely immigrant population. Some of our kids are the first in their families to finish high school let alone go to college. They take Advanced Placement classes by the bucket load and most do not flinch at the high standards that we expect of them. Ethnically our students span pretty much all of the groups represented in our fair city. From Bangladesh to Poland to the Dominican Republic and tons of other places, our diversity is truly amazing.
Sally asked how I find the time to do it. I'm not sure if you mean the knitting club or my personal knitting. Since I restarted the club one week ago I have come to realize that I was shortchanging myself and my students by not running it. As an administrator I could easily go all day without interacting with a student. The knitting club brings me into intimate contact with my constituency and grounds me in the realities of our school. I do it to remain grounded and, frankly, to have some fun. If you can find ways to make your job fun, I say do it! If it means that I have to work a little late one day to make up for the hour of club then so be it. If you mean the personal knitting ... why I find the time the same way as anyone else ... at home in front of the t.v., while waiting in lines, pretty much anywhere I can get away with it.
Syl talks about how teens come to see her as a big sister and not an authority figure. I find the same thing happening with my students. They do, however, recognize my authority in the building and my relationship with them actually helps to foster it. When I walk in to a classroom that has some of "my" kids in it, the class comes to attention more quickly and listens more attentively. That is one of the things I forgot the last two years when I let the club slip almost out of existence. The side benefits of the student-teacher bond last for a long time and spread throughout the school in the form of respect-by-association.
Have I mentioned lately that I love my job?
On other topics ... periodically we joke about the books we will write when we retire. Mine will be titled "Wildlife in the Public Schools" and will discuss the perils of squirrels, hamsters, chickens, snakes and the like in a NYC public high school. As a certifiable squirrel wrangler (not certified, just certifiable), I have several amusing stories to tell. Anyone interested in reading them?
Happy Thanksgiving All!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
If it's Tuesday ...
As a group they would prefer if I stop announcing how many blanket squares we have (zero) so I told them to get busy knitting to get this blanket off the ground. It was suggested that I set a deadline so I did. We want the first blanket done by the winter break and will ask the church across the street if they have someone who could use it.
On the home front, one Violin Teacher Gauntlet is done and the second started. I would like to have it finished by the end of the long weekend but we will see if life gets in the way. The first Teacher Scarf is also almost done and should see bind off tomorrow.
Here's hoping that your "day before Thanksgiving" is a good one. Any bets on how long it will take me to get home on Wednesday? Hint: a fast commute is about 35 minutes, a "normal" commute runs closer to 45 minutes. Last Friday it took me almost an hour. The day of the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting it can take well over an hour and I do not go anywhere near the tree. Any takers? (No prizes ... just fun.)
Monday, November 20, 2006
Yes, I Can Finish Stuff

These went out yesterday.

Now back to knitting Gauntlets for our Violin teacher. I made a pair for her last year and then discovered that her eczema is aggravated by wool so she got a pretty scarf instead and sister-the-younger (of the no leafy greens) got the gauntlets. This year I am using a silk blend so hopefully dear violin teacher can wear them.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
In Which Mama Squid Apologizies and Takes a Stand on Age
For those interested, this is Squidette's latest quilting project as of last night.

And these pictures show the vast amount of food that came in to the apartment yesterday.



(No dear younger sister, the green leafies are not for Thanksgiving -- promise.) The Turkeys (yes, plural) are buried in the bottom of the refrigerator and the potatoes (both sweet and white) are now in a dark cabinet awaiting their fate. (Again, dear family, the white potatoes are destined for mashing ala' a "normal" Thanksgiving feast.) Apparently a long past Thanksgiving has scared my dear family for life. No Pumpkin soup this year, promise.
Right now Squidette and Papa Squid are making apple pies. Yum! They are not destined for my Birthday Pie -- that will be Maple Cream and not available for consumption until the actual day that I leave my thirties. The Pecan and Pumpkin pies are already in the freezer.
Regarding my birthday, I must let all know, far and wide, that I am embracing it with arms wide open. I feel that I will finally be the age I am meant to be. After a long time spent figuring out who I am and what is "right" for me, I think I have finally reached a place in my life that is as close to right as it will ever be and it is damn good! Move over world -- 40 here I come!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Two Squid Went for a Walk ...
And found lots of neat stuff while managing not to buy any yarn despite stopping in two yarn stores. We did, however, get lots of chocolate for gifts ... and for eating. Also obtained were a neat octopus/squid stamp and a new stamp pad for Squidifying outgoing packages. The stamp came in to our possession as we wandered down
My "can't do anything right" phase seems to be over and I have successfully installed some of my more difficult-to-get-working applications on my new computer. I still have the GPS software to install so I may have just jinxed it. Printers, however, are still not accessible but I am leaving that issue to the Master since they are networked and he is the network admin and all around computer guru. (Who doesn't do Windows and hence despises my machine which must run Windows for work purposes.)
[Somewhat later due to Blogger issues ... The dinner was edible but was not quite as good as what Mike makes. (We all admit this.) Good man that he is, he did some of the clean up. Usually when I cook I have to clean as well while when he cooks ... I clean. I accept this inequity in the interest of edible and yummy food on my plate.]
Friday, November 17, 2006
Mess? What Mess?
All I had to do tonight was to reheat some leftovers so that the kids would not starve. Repackaging the chili would be considered bonus.
How then, did I manage to create a huge mess?
How did I manage to get pasta sauce all over the immersion blender (and cord) while not actually using this device?
How did chili wind up all over the counter?
How did flakes of frozen pizza wind up all over the floor?
How is it that the only person who was really in the kitchen was me and yet the place still took as long to clean as if Mike had cooked?
I give up. Its the couch with a book for the rest of the night. Hopefully I can't get in to too much trouble there!
[Thanks for all the nice wishes about my wrist. It is healing amazingly fast and I might even knit a bit tonight. I swear that I will never lift weights in anger again.]
Ouch!
At least it gets me some sympathy at work. I had to meet with the contractors yesterday and I am rather miffed with them so ... I let them think it was their fault. (It wasn't, I was angry at something else at the time ... the contractors have never made me so made that I needed to work off energy.)
This means that my dear new-niece's blankie is sitting waiting for its edging and the violin teacher's gauntlets are still rather gaunt.
On a positive note, on Sunday Squidette's knitting needles (circs that were her grandmother's) and knitting disappeared. Yesterday the needles were returned with a note saying that they had been turned in to the Synagogue with two completed blanket blocks! Very cool.
Now off to work where I will hopefully contain my frustration without injuring myself!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Add 10 to the Fold
Within minutes of the final bell, two young ladies were at my door. They were quickly joined by three more and then somehow another 5 squeezed in to my miniscule office. Within half an hour they had all mastered casting on (long tail over 2 needles) and were knitting away. The Principal came over and plyed them with donuts and candy. Somehow the entire box of M & Ms disappeared. I think her ploy of getting the youngen's to eat the chocolate worked a little too well and she and I will regret it when we need our chocolate fix tomorrow. I usually hold off with the candy until the club is well established and the kids come in in smaller groups. If they know you have candy they are around all the time ... *grin*
With 10 to start with, I expect a steady trickle during lunch and after school for the next few weeks. Way cool! I really get a kick from watching them learn and then listening to them talk while the knit away in my office. The last year was difficult for me as Mike and I adjusted to not having child care and the club never really got off the ground as my hours were somewhat limited after school. Now I am committed to Tuesday afternoons and this year to Warm Up America. First, however, I have to make more needles! (That or start teaching with thinner yarns and smaller needles of which I have a plethora.)
This morning I filled a pretzel jar with yarns in assorted colored it and labeled the jar "Warm Up America! Take a ball -- leave a "square." (Count on the teacher to have a problem with the word square when applied to a 7 X 9 blanket block.) The young ladies all got the lecture "if you like this and use the school supplies you must make at least one item for charity." As expected they all jumped at the opportunity.
I can't wait to see their progress tomorrow! While the club meets officially on Tuesday, I know from experience that they will be in and out of my office all day tomorrow and will be dragging their friends along with them. Just thinking about it makes me squirm with excitement! Squee!!!
Giving Up
[Note: Papa Squid had already started a campaign of slow starvation as so far he has forgotten to make lunches twice in the last two weeks.] [As Squidette is pointing out, his campaign is doomed to failure since Little Squid is perfectly capable of slapping a few pieces of salami on some bread and Squidette wields a mean peanut butter knife.]
Yesterday was Parent Teacher conferences at Little's school. His teachers told me that he is a pain in the tush and should be kept at home ... oh wait, that's not right ... no, only good things came out of the conference. Why is it that teachers see your kid through much clearer eyes? Why is it that my kid is a different (just as good) person at school? I guess he isn't really different but it is interesting and nice to hear their take on him.
Papa Squid does the middle school today -- partly so that he can pop in on some of his old teachers. We expect to hear more wonderful things about Squidette.
Hope your day is full of good news!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Blatant Plug


(Jacket illustrations copyright Debbie Tilley 2001 and 2004)
Laurie and Papa Squid played together as kids because their moms were best friends. When our kids were born, they too, played together because their Grandmothers took care of them and, were still best friends. Laurie and Mike drifted apart over the years but it took just one afternoon with Laurie and family to cement our friendship. [This kind of explains how Squidette and I wound up in the woods of Rockland County to experience the most amazing leaf fall this weekend. The memory of my daughter standing in the middle of a clearing with her arms outstretched as leaves fell all about ... well that's why we wrote a poem.]
Laurie's books are geared toward a third grade audience but are fun for all. Zoo School actually speaks to anyone in education and had me rolling with laughter over things that the kids found interesting but not fall-on-the-floor funny. (They found other things extremely funny.) I have since given it as gifts to adult friends. (We will not speak of the times I have gone in to the Big Box Bookstore and bought 3 copies at a shot of one or the other book for birthday presents. I even thought of giving them to Laurie's son one year as a gag gift.)
Anyhow, if you are looking for a good gift for the 7-10 year old set, you can't go wrong with these books. (Unless, of course, they have them already.) If you want a good read for yourself, hey, they work for that too.
(I am not linking to an on-line bookseller because I refuse to publicly support either of the two biggies and am actually rather miffed at both of them.)