And I was charmed by these tiny flowers growing among the paving stones.
They were just all over!Then I grabbed two crossaints and went back to work. Now to get a few hours sleep and start it all over again ...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Duckies and Flowers
I did manage to get my walk in today and strolled along the East River. Did you know that there are ducks in our river? (Actually a tidal estuary.)
And I was charmed by these tiny flowers growing among the paving stones.
They were just all over!
Then I grabbed two crossaints and went back to work. Now to get a few hours sleep and start it all over again ...
And I was charmed by these tiny flowers growing among the paving stones.
They were just all over!Then I grabbed two crossaints and went back to work. Now to get a few hours sleep and start it all over again ...
Of Socks and Conferences
Socks. I love socks. I love to knit them, I love to wear them and I get a strange satisfaction from throwing them away when they are worn out. Don't know why, I just do. This week, so far, Little Squid has worn a too small pair of hand knit socks (guess I know what my summer knitting will be) and just now threw away a standard cotton boys sock due to heel hole. Now if I only knew how many whole pairs he still has ...
Tonight and tomorrow are Parent-Teacher conferences in the NYC High Schools. My problem with conferences is the small bit of time between the end of the day and the start of conferences. It is really not enough time to leave the neighborhood for a nice meal and, is really far to early for the same. Back when the kids were small, and my mother-in-law was taking care of them, I'd hie downtown for a quick meal with my kids. Mom, a former high school teacher herself, always had dinner on the table as soon as I walked in the door. I'd spend an easy hour or so with her and the kids and then run back uptown. Its the running that drove and drives me crazy. That said, I think that tonight I will take a walk instead of aiming for a sit down dinner. Maybe I'll grab a sandwich at a local taquira and then find a quiet corner to knit in.
Tonight and tomorrow are Parent-Teacher conferences in the NYC High Schools. My problem with conferences is the small bit of time between the end of the day and the start of conferences. It is really not enough time to leave the neighborhood for a nice meal and, is really far to early for the same. Back when the kids were small, and my mother-in-law was taking care of them, I'd hie downtown for a quick meal with my kids. Mom, a former high school teacher herself, always had dinner on the table as soon as I walked in the door. I'd spend an easy hour or so with her and the kids and then run back uptown. Its the running that drove and drives me crazy. That said, I think that tonight I will take a walk instead of aiming for a sit down dinner. Maybe I'll grab a sandwich at a local taquira and then find a quiet corner to knit in.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Lesson for the Ages
Don't wear your brand new (very cute) shoes for an entire day of work and then walk 2 miles in them. Your feet will take a long time to forgive you.
Combine the aching feet with an aching head -- the weather doesn't feel like spring but the trees are still pollinating -- and you have one tired Mama Squid.
I managed to knit the requisite 4 rows on the blanket so I am currently ahead by one day for this week. That is good since I have parent-teacher conferences tomorrow night (teacher side) and a late meeting on Friday. So, tomorrow's rows are done and I'll make up Friday's rows either on Friday (if I'm not too burned out) or Saturday.
Combine the aching feet with an aching head -- the weather doesn't feel like spring but the trees are still pollinating -- and you have one tired Mama Squid.
I managed to knit the requisite 4 rows on the blanket so I am currently ahead by one day for this week. That is good since I have parent-teacher conferences tomorrow night (teacher side) and a late meeting on Friday. So, tomorrow's rows are done and I'll make up Friday's rows either on Friday (if I'm not too burned out) or Saturday.
Now, however, I'm going to bed!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Snapshots from a Weekend
It is still cold here in NYC so biking is still on hold. Instead, we really have just been doing our own thing at home.
Included in that, this weekend:
a birthday lunch ...
a few rows on a blanket ...
and explorations into the unfamiliar realm of curly hair. (Thanks, Nina!)
Now for another week of work, which includes, special for this week, Parent-Teacher conferences with both adults sitting on the teacher side of the desk.
Many of my side of the family will also be congregating in San Antonio for the Final Four. I'm only jealous because it's warm there.
Included in that, this weekend:
a birthday lunch ...
a few rows on a blanket ...
and explorations into the unfamiliar realm of curly hair. (Thanks, Nina!)Now for another week of work, which includes, special for this week, Parent-Teacher conferences with both adults sitting on the teacher side of the desk.
Many of my side of the family will also be congregating in San Antonio for the Final Four. I'm only jealous because it's warm there.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Count Down
No, not what some of you think, but rather counting down the rows on the blanket flower.
There are 134 more rows.
At 4 rows per night it will take 34 nights.
That's 5 weeks, folks.
Tuesday evenings are a write off and there will be three of them between now and Spring Break.
The first two nights of Passover are also gone from the knitting calendar.
So, assume 10 lost nights (figure other stuff will get in the way), that makes it 45 nights to finish the flower. Then 136 rows of yellow and 32 rows of orange seed stitch. That's another 42 nights assuming I continue with 4 rows per night. Maybe up it to 6 for the yellow and then back down to 4 for the seed stitch and make it 31 nights. Now forget about the lost nights for now and we are projecting 65 nights to finish the knitting and one more to hide the ends (optimistic, aren't I). That brings us to: June 2. 19 days before Squidette's birthday.
Any bets?
(That said, I'm actually doing far more then 4 rows a night right now, but I don't want to count on being able to keep up that momentum.)
(And, for those of you who understood the first sentence, the number is 60.)
There are 134 more rows.
At 4 rows per night it will take 34 nights.
That's 5 weeks, folks.
Tuesday evenings are a write off and there will be three of them between now and Spring Break.
The first two nights of Passover are also gone from the knitting calendar.
So, assume 10 lost nights (figure other stuff will get in the way), that makes it 45 nights to finish the flower. Then 136 rows of yellow and 32 rows of orange seed stitch. That's another 42 nights assuming I continue with 4 rows per night. Maybe up it to 6 for the yellow and then back down to 4 for the seed stitch and make it 31 nights. Now forget about the lost nights for now and we are projecting 65 nights to finish the knitting and one more to hide the ends (optimistic, aren't I). That brings us to: June 2. 19 days before Squidette's birthday.
Any bets?
(That said, I'm actually doing far more then 4 rows a night right now, but I don't want to count on being able to keep up that momentum.)
(And, for those of you who understood the first sentence, the number is 60.)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Blanket Progress -- So there!
So There! to those who thought my speed would not increase with the fewer skeins of yarn. Keeping to my goal of 4 rows per day, I now have an 18 row surplus and could, if I wished, go 4.5 days without working on the blanket if I wished. That said, there will be rows where I will need 7 or more balls of yarn at once so I think I need to build up that surplus now.
Tonight I should hit the point where the first two petals join with petals 3 and 4, roughly 1/3 of the way through the flower. No, I have not calculated on what date I should be finishing the flower and recommencing plain yellow knitting. I figure the blanket is good to last me through the entire spring and into the summer.
We'll see ...
Tonight I should hit the point where the first two petals join with petals 3 and 4, roughly 1/3 of the way through the flower. No, I have not calculated on what date I should be finishing the flower and recommencing plain yellow knitting. I figure the blanket is good to last me through the entire spring and into the summer.
We'll see ...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Seen on the Street
Every so often traffic is slow enough that not only do I have time to admire the backs of the trucks in front of me, but I also have time (while stopped at traffic lights) to take pictures of them.
Here are two that I often see on my way into work. Look closely (maybe click to make bigger) to get why they make me smile.
Here are two that I often see on my way into work. Look closely (maybe click to make bigger) to get why they make me smile.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Blanket Progress
I made some major progress on Squidette's blanket this week, fulfilling my goal of a minimum of 4 rows per night. Yesterday I finally hit the point where the first two petals meet and am now only working with three skeins of yarn instead of 5. Things should go a little faster now and I may set my sights at 5 rows per night for the next few weeks. (270 stitches per row still takes a lot of time, I'm only gaining maybe a minute per row with two fewer skein changes.)
There was also some spinning this week, but in my zeal to have more yarn leave the stash then enter it, I am not skeining the new stuff up quite yet. Yes, I know it is a cheat but allow me my delusions.
There was also some spinning this week, but in my zeal to have more yarn leave the stash then enter it, I am not skeining the new stuff up quite yet. Yes, I know it is a cheat but allow me my delusions.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
From Mini-Me to Oh My!
Yesterday
This Morning
Now
Oh, and did I mention that she is playing with the New York Pops, at Carnegie Hall, at the end of April?
This Morning
Now
Oh, and did I mention that she is playing with the New York Pops, at Carnegie Hall, at the end of April?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday Roundup and a Sweater from the Past
Work, meeting, tea with my folks. That's it.
What? You want more?
Mind if I skip the first two?
How about this? The gifting of the Daddy.
Doesn't look like much, does it? Lil' Sis and I stood in for all 5 siblings and presented Daddy with his birthday present, 10 days early. He kept saying that he didn't want a fuss, so we kept it low key. A birthday card/photo collage/ poem constructed by the eldest sib and a pair of tickets to Young Frankenstein. Lil' Sis and I stepped away after the last picture to let Dad regain his composure.
Since I can never leave my folks empty handed, I came home with this:
Knit by my Bubby for my Zedda. Now, unfortunately, full of moth holes and stains and, in my opinion, unsalvageable. But, now documented for posterity. Look at that detail. She even put in ribbon to stabilize the buttons.
What? You want more?
Mind if I skip the first two?
How about this? The gifting of the Daddy.
Doesn't look like much, does it? Lil' Sis and I stood in for all 5 siblings and presented Daddy with his birthday present, 10 days early. He kept saying that he didn't want a fuss, so we kept it low key. A birthday card/photo collage/ poem constructed by the eldest sib and a pair of tickets to Young Frankenstein. Lil' Sis and I stepped away after the last picture to let Dad regain his composure. Since I can never leave my folks empty handed, I came home with this:
Knit by my Bubby for my Zedda. Now, unfortunately, full of moth holes and stains and, in my opinion, unsalvageable. But, now documented for posterity. Look at that detail. She even put in ribbon to stabilize the buttons.Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Three Dollars and a Test
I hit the post office today and, putting a $20 bill into the vending machine, received two books of stamps and $3 and something cents in change. The $3 looked like this:
Yup, 3 different dollar coins. A Susan B. Anthony, circa 1980; a Sacagawea, circa 2000; and a brand-spanking-new James Monroe!
Yes, it doesn't take much to amuse me.
This test also amused me. Give it a try.
Yup, 3 different dollar coins. A Susan B. Anthony, circa 1980; a Sacagawea, circa 2000; and a brand-spanking-new James Monroe!
Yes, it doesn't take much to amuse me.
This test also amused me. Give it a try.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Legal At Last
As I type, I am unsure if the last of my siblings to reach age 21 is even asleep -- she might still be out partying. I was informed, in no uncertain terms, that she would be celebrating St. Patrick's Day until at least 12:01 AM when she turned 21 and no longer needed her fake ID.
And, so, I'd like you all to whisper (because of her hangover) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!. (I have absolutely NO sympathy and am a mean sister.) Tonight I will have a drink in your honor.
And, so, I'd like you all to whisper (because of her hangover) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!. (I have absolutely NO sympathy and am a mean sister.) Tonight I will have a drink in your honor.
Happy Birthday, Amanda! We all love you!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Buildings, Blankets and Friends
Yesterday I set out in search of fiber. My information was flawed, however, and I could not find it, despite walking a block east and a block west of the original designation. Oh well, I did get a nice walk in and snapped some interesting photos for my faithful blog readers.
Would it bother you to learn that One Fifth Avenue is not the lowest address on Fifth?
But I'm pretty sure that One Half Fifth Avenue is the lowest.
And then there are the Mews. Scroll down in the link. Formerly stables, they are now residential and form a quiet, private, street just north of Washington Square Park. They are, by the way, situated between One Half and One Fifth Avenue.
***
I did promise work on the blanket, and 8 rows were added last night. More rows were added to the rib warmer but then there are only 30 stitches per row vs 270 for the blanket.
The evening concluded with a phone conversation with Susan! It was great to put a voice to the blog presence and we talked like we'd known each other forever. Thank you, Susan!
Would it bother you to learn that One Fifth Avenue is not the lowest address on Fifth?
But I'm pretty sure that One Half Fifth Avenue is the lowest.
And then there are the Mews. Scroll down in the link. Formerly stables, they are now residential and form a quiet, private, street just north of Washington Square Park. They are, by the way, situated between One Half and One Fifth Avenue.***
I did promise work on the blanket, and 8 rows were added last night. More rows were added to the rib warmer but then there are only 30 stitches per row vs 270 for the blanket.The evening concluded with a phone conversation with Susan! It was great to put a voice to the blog presence and we talked like we'd known each other forever. Thank you, Susan!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Weekend!
Two weekends ago , with the laundry done a day early, Squidette and I spent a lovely morning crafting while Little Squid was off at hebrew school. I helped Squidette wind a warp for her small loom using some coned lace weight merino that was marinating in my stash and then sat down to spin while she wove.
Fast forward to sometime this week ...
Pink warp (double stranded) with blue weft (single strand). It softened and fulled to just the right amount with washing.
On my end ...
Roughly 500 yards of Cochineal / Osage dyed Corriadale spun to an uneven worsted weight with a nice rustic texture to match the rusticness of the coloring. On top, 320 yards of 3 ply, lace weight (pretty evenly spun after plying) cotton. I'm thinking lace scarf with the cotton.
On the knitting front, Squidette's blanket has 12 rows out of 185 done of the flower. Yea, I did not work on it the last few nights and instead, started a Rib Warmer using my cochineal dyed corriadale from a few weeks ago. I needed to knit something that would quickly use up a ball of yarn. Got to even out yarn out to yarn in with all this spinning and the blanket will not yield a finished ball for at least 50 - 100 more rows with 5 being used at a time right now. I'll go back to it tonight. Promise!
Fast forward to sometime this week ...
Pink warp (double stranded) with blue weft (single strand). It softened and fulled to just the right amount with washing. On my end ...
Roughly 500 yards of Cochineal / Osage dyed Corriadale spun to an uneven worsted weight with a nice rustic texture to match the rusticness of the coloring. On top, 320 yards of 3 ply, lace weight (pretty evenly spun after plying) cotton. I'm thinking lace scarf with the cotton. On the knitting front, Squidette's blanket has 12 rows out of 185 done of the flower. Yea, I did not work on it the last few nights and instead, started a Rib Warmer using my cochineal dyed corriadale from a few weeks ago. I needed to knit something that would quickly use up a ball of yarn. Got to even out yarn out to yarn in with all this spinning and the blanket will not yield a finished ball for at least 50 - 100 more rows with 5 being used at a time right now. I'll go back to it tonight. Promise!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Honest Squid
I am a strong believer in honesty. Lies, even small ones, have a habit of coming back to haunt me, big time. So, I don't lie. I will sometimes shade the truth, but I refuse to outright lie.
So why did a truth come and bite me in the rear yesterday? Ah, it probably wasn't the truth but rather the recipient just being them self. Regardless ... I needed what is in the previous post. At least the raw version once I calmed down a little. I think I need to do some more unraveling today.
Will I ever, really reveal what the heck is going on around here? Nope, not publicly. Unfortunately for this story, this blog is too public. I do promise, however that it has NOTHING to do with any other Squid. Promise. Remember, I don't tell lies.
And, an aside to Susan. What you sent me yesterday? I may use it tonight if I can figure out the time difference. Thank you!
So why did a truth come and bite me in the rear yesterday? Ah, it probably wasn't the truth but rather the recipient just being them self. Regardless ... I needed what is in the previous post. At least the raw version once I calmed down a little. I think I need to do some more unraveling today.
Will I ever, really reveal what the heck is going on around here? Nope, not publicly. Unfortunately for this story, this blog is too public. I do promise, however that it has NOTHING to do with any other Squid. Promise. Remember, I don't tell lies.
---
And, an aside to Susan. What you sent me yesterday? I may use it tonight if I can figure out the time difference. Thank you!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Not MY Son!
Summary of a real conversation:
Mr. X: Mrs. Squid? This is Mr. X, your son's Phys Ed teacher. Little Squid has been unprepared for the last six weeks.
Me: Huh? How? Isn't all he requires sneakers?
Mr. X: He hasn't worn sneakers on a Tuesday for the last 6 weeks.
Me: Huh? My son doesn't own any other shoes. Even his dress shoes are too small.
Mr. X: I can describe them -- black crocs with a yellow stripe.
Me: He doesn't own Crocs. He goes to school every day in his sneakers with his road ID attached.
Mr. X: Eveery Tuesday he's been wearing crocs.
Me to Little Squid -- do you own crocs that I don't know about?
Little Squid: No
Me: He doesn't own crocs he only has sneakers right now. (Poking around Little Squid's closet.) I know he's lazy in Phys Ed but unprepared?
Mr. X: Every Tuesday ...
Me: Will you be there for conferences tomorrow? (Thinking that I have to show him Little Squid in order to set this straight.)
Mr. X: Yes, until about 3:00.
Me to Little Squid (With lightbulb suddenly on) What day do you have Mr. X.
Little Squid: Thursday
Me: My son has Phys Ed on Thursday, Mrs. L's Class.
Mr. X: Starting to stress the same point again ...
Little Squid: It could be the other Little Squid
Me: Huh?
Mr. X: Oh! I'm so sorry! There is another Little Squid in second grade. I'm so sorry. I just saw the name Little Squid and assumed the last name.
Me: That's o.k.
Mr. X: And he's been doing better lately. I'm really sorry.
Me: It's o.k., I'm a teacher and have made the same mistake. I'll still come by tomorrow.
Mr. X; O.k.,
Me: See you tomorrow. Bye. (Click)
Massive amounts of laughter in the Squid household tonight. Little Squid has an unusual real first name. It never occurred to me that there was another child with the same name in the school.
Mr. X: Mrs. Squid? This is Mr. X, your son's Phys Ed teacher. Little Squid has been unprepared for the last six weeks.
Me: Huh? How? Isn't all he requires sneakers?
Mr. X: He hasn't worn sneakers on a Tuesday for the last 6 weeks.
Me: Huh? My son doesn't own any other shoes. Even his dress shoes are too small.
Mr. X: I can describe them -- black crocs with a yellow stripe.
Me: He doesn't own Crocs. He goes to school every day in his sneakers with his road ID attached.
Mr. X: Eveery Tuesday he's been wearing crocs.
Me to Little Squid -- do you own crocs that I don't know about?
Little Squid: No
Me: He doesn't own crocs he only has sneakers right now. (Poking around Little Squid's closet.) I know he's lazy in Phys Ed but unprepared?
Mr. X: Every Tuesday ...
Me: Will you be there for conferences tomorrow? (Thinking that I have to show him Little Squid in order to set this straight.)
Mr. X: Yes, until about 3:00.
Me to Little Squid (With lightbulb suddenly on) What day do you have Mr. X.
Little Squid: Thursday
Me: My son has Phys Ed on Thursday, Mrs. L's Class.
Mr. X: Starting to stress the same point again ...
Little Squid: It could be the other Little Squid
Me: Huh?
Mr. X: Oh! I'm so sorry! There is another Little Squid in second grade. I'm so sorry. I just saw the name Little Squid and assumed the last name.
Me: That's o.k.
Mr. X: And he's been doing better lately. I'm really sorry.
Me: It's o.k., I'm a teacher and have made the same mistake. I'll still come by tomorrow.
Mr. X; O.k.,
Me: See you tomorrow. Bye. (Click)
Massive amounts of laughter in the Squid household tonight. Little Squid has an unusual real first name. It never occurred to me that there was another child with the same name in the school.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Man I Love
This is the man I love. For the last 17 years we have been joined as one. For longer then that, we have shared each other's joys and sorrows.
When you go to work on your birthday it is almost permissible to be giggly and funny as you let slip that the day is special.
An anniversary is different. You feel special but expressing it to others is tough. Today I tried to wear my love on my sleeve. O.k., not my sleeve, but my fingers, wrist and neck. Four pieces of jewelry, all given to me with love by my husband. My wedding band and engagement rings, which always (except of really long bike rides) adorn my hands. My bracelet, delivered in a cardboard box, to my mentor, to give to me. She said it was from the Superintendent's office. I was skeptical as it was taped shut with electrical tape and anyway, I'd just come back from that office! My necklace, slipped in my purse with the expectation that I'd see it when I purchased my breakfast. The money for my roll was in my pocket so I didn't see it until I got to work. And then cried. Not because of the gift itself, but of the love that I know went into the acquisition and presentation. The love of the gentle surprise.
That is what Mike is about. The gentle surprise. The love. The caring. The reading of my mind. The last 17 years and longer. And, of course, the kids. I pray that the years will just go on and on. I know the love will.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Sunny Day ...
So the clouds are gone but it was still too cold and too windy to ride. Oh well, there is always next weekend.
Let's see how I did with my goals for this weekend:
1. Get on the trainer as soon as this post is done.
Done
2. Spin some more cotton -- only 7 grams left of the colorful stuff.
Finished spinning and plying it. It is now skeined and soaking (and running) in the sink. What can I do with 380 yards of lace weight cotton?
3. Laundry (with some spindle spinning while washing / drying).
No spinning while this happened -- Mike did the laundry while I was doing #6.
4. Take Squidette and her ever growing feet for shoes and other girl stuff.
New shoes and a blow dryer with diffuser (for her curly hair) purchased. And a pretzel at Aunt Annies.
5. Make more progress on Squidette's blanket -- the yellow has now been broken with the purple and there are now 3 skeins of yarn in use, going to 4 by the end of the evening (3 of them yellow).
Ripped back the 3 rows that I had knit and then made actual progress with 4 more rows before abandoning it for a sock. My brain and my head (sinus headache) was hurting. You try knitting with a chart that is almost as big as the blanket on your lap! I'll do a few more rows tonight after my yarn is done washing.
6. Synagogue knitting group.
Done and Done! We finished 3 blankets -- the one I showed a week or so ago, one constructed almost entirely by the other group leader and one more assembled by another group member. I brought the almost completed fourth blanket home and will finish it before the next meeting.
I also plyed the orangy wool that I spun two weeks ago. That is soaking in one half of the kitchen sink while the cotton is on the other side.
There you go. Yup, it was a productive weekend. Now if the weather had been nicer I would not have been nearly as productive but it still would have been nice.
Let's see how I did with my goals for this weekend:
1. Get on the trainer as soon as this post is done.
Done
2. Spin some more cotton -- only 7 grams left of the colorful stuff.
Finished spinning and plying it. It is now skeined and soaking (and running) in the sink. What can I do with 380 yards of lace weight cotton?
3. Laundry (with some spindle spinning while washing / drying).
No spinning while this happened -- Mike did the laundry while I was doing #6.
4. Take Squidette and her ever growing feet for shoes and other girl stuff.
New shoes and a blow dryer with diffuser (for her curly hair) purchased. And a pretzel at Aunt Annies.
5. Make more progress on Squidette's blanket -- the yellow has now been broken with the purple and there are now 3 skeins of yarn in use, going to 4 by the end of the evening (3 of them yellow).
Ripped back the 3 rows that I had knit and then made actual progress with 4 more rows before abandoning it for a sock. My brain and my head (sinus headache) was hurting. You try knitting with a chart that is almost as big as the blanket on your lap! I'll do a few more rows tonight after my yarn is done washing.
6. Synagogue knitting group.
Done and Done! We finished 3 blankets -- the one I showed a week or so ago, one constructed almost entirely by the other group leader and one more assembled by another group member. I brought the almost completed fourth blanket home and will finish it before the next meeting.
I also plyed the orangy wool that I spun two weeks ago. That is soaking in one half of the kitchen sink while the cotton is on the other side.
There you go. Yup, it was a productive weekend. Now if the weather had been nicer I would not have been nearly as productive but it still would have been nice.
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