A Day OFFF

Oh, my favorite weekend of the year. This year, just one day: Saturday. But, the weather's turned a bit stormy so I clearly picked the right day. OFFF was my motivation the entire time I was working my way back to Portland and it did not disappoint. It did however, exhaust.

It seems that every time I buy new fiber or yarn, I have a color theme in mind. Only, I don't notice until I get home! These days I am very aware that my usual autumnal palette needs to change for wearables (for me). The hair has now grown out to gray and my colors are now cooler. (another post all together).








Speaking of color, I spotted my friend Michele and she had on this wonderful plum colored top and she was talking to a friend of hers (Sarah) who was spinning the same color. And, this struck me because I had just bought a pile of merino/angora overdyed roving (bottom left in photo above).

It was hot (and humid) and such a crowd!. Serious spinning going on. It there is a place to become completely entranced with the spin, this is it. And, the training starts early as we can see with this young lady learning to use the thigh spinning method with a supported spindle.

I spotted my new friend Ilisha with whom I just took her JazzKnitting class. She was preparing for her book signing and wearing an incredible piece from her book. It's a peacock piece that's just crazy beautiful. (She looks like she just spotted a faerie, no?)

Ah, and then I spotted this lovely lady spinning directly from her Bunny. So still was the bunny!

And, of course I have to have a couple of sheep pictures. These multicolored Jacob really caught my eye. If you want to see them yourself, the folks at Drumcliffe Farm would love to see you!

And the lamby faces that I love so:

Today I am taking the day off from anything work or house related to just feel the fiber love.

Week 2

 

This is one of my many moving boxes from the pull-tab company that I worked for.

The furious activity has slowed down and more internal work is happening, I think. It's hard to gauge what is exhaustion from dust and allergens and what is just plain catching up on the "me-ness" of life.

For 5 months I was renting a room and was never really alone. For an introvert like me, it was slow torture. My situation was really a great one in so many ways, but at this point in my life it was very, very stressful to not have my own place. I like living alone.

The part that is so hard is being without Brahms and Suki. It gives my life a bit of a feeling of hotel living. I've just got to get used to it. So, it's stepping into my "old life" but not really. It's just me and the yarn and a couple hundred fiber-friends and acquaintances! Being back, I have no doubts that this is the place I'm supposed to be. This weekend is WWSIP day (World Wide Spin In Public Day) and next weekend is the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. Then, the rains come and hopefully not before.

I miss working! Looking for some part time Small Biz consulting and Bookkeeping gigs to pay Le Bills. My job experience in Kennewick was just awesome. Hard act to follow, but it's put me a good mindset for a new job, actually.

Tomorrow the bed finally comes and I shall be off the couch (that I just moved to it's new location in the living room. Ooooh. Two whole rooms to live in. Less to get into a mess! Famous last words...

Reunited and it Feels so Good

 Reunited with my STASH that is!

 The Magazines and notions are at home again.

And, just a little more stash over here and one big box o' spinning fiber not shown here.

Right now it doesn't matter that I don't have any shelving for the yarn. It's enough that it's all in one place.

As you may recall...or not... back in April I got rid of pretty much everything that is not yarn or clothes that I'm really wearing. I knew that I wanted to simplify, It was time to admit to myself that trying to move all this crap was no fun when I appear to have a much more nomadic life that I expected. Life is like that, unexpected. At least for me.

This apartment has one big closet in the bed room and that's it. 550 sq feet is a wee bit small for me. No hallways though and pretty much every inch of this place can be put to work for storage if I were to spend a chunk of change at Ikea. I did get curtains and stuff there the other day. I'm not used to having an open kitchen situation. Fortunately there's a dishwasher so I don't have to look at my always dirty dishes. Yeah, I'm like that too.

I realized yesterday that the fumes from the new carpet are making me feel sleepy and so I planned to spend most of the day outdoors today. Except, I'm really really sleepy...now...

Post 2 on this subject of moving will include my fabulous new views and city life. Soon, I promise!

Brahms

Summer 2010

It's hard to believe that now both of my kittens are gone, but Brahms passed away on August 4th. She had been sick for so very long, and until her last few days her quality of life seemed quite good. Then, not.

I'm still numb and am having a hard time grieving the loss of my companion of 19 years. She took care of me. She was truly better than any person I've known. How can one compare cats and humans? I don't know, but the kind of communication and connection we had transverses genetic differences.

I'm moving back to Portland in 2 weeks and I knew in my heart that she would not be joining me, I just didn't know when exactly she would depart. There was so very little of her on that last day, it's amazing that she stayed as long as she did.

This new chapter is just about me.

The Day Brahms Died

Bloggit!

Yes, I'm still blogging.
Facebook ate my blog? Not gonna let it happen!
Get away, Google+!
I'm not giving up the ship yet, people.

I was taking the train from Portland to Pasco, Washington this past Sunday and had a chance to snap some photos of the changing landscape heading north east.If you've never done the trip, it's the Empire Builder that goes to Chicago and this short leg of the trip is a mere 4 hours.

And, when I was in Portland I took some pictures in and around MAX stops, thankful for pretty scenery as I was waiting for a train. I was waiting for a lot of trains. And buses. And walking!

Bucolic Beaverton...

 Downtown bus stop with update screen (I love that part)

 Cascades MAX stop in some lovely Summer light.

 Trip up the Columbia River, misty in the Gorge.

 Just coming out of the Gorge and you see some sandy hills...

 Now we've got a bit of green left but the landscape is really changing now.

Here as the sun has made it's departure, the flat desert awaits...

Patterns Available Again

Just a quick note to let you know that I've uploaded most of my patterns to the Ravelry pattern store. There was a lot of interest in Florentina as just a pattern and it's up now as well as the other big fave, Oregon Tweed socks. Have at it, pass it on and keep knitting!

It's the '70s Again

 Yes, this is a flannel shirt in my yearbook picture.

I've been listening to music while I work these days. In the past, when I was working on the computer, I found that I could only listen to instrumental works. Now, much of my typing is numerical and I so I'm finding that I can listen to more lyrical music. Sure, my mainstay is the local classical music station, but with my entire musical library on my iphone, I can listen to... well... anything.

Of course, finding the appropriate music for a given day can kind of be like trying on clothes. It just may not fit my mood. Yesterday I found myself in a Neil Young groove listening to Harvest. (1972). The picture above was taken for my High School Yearbook in '77, but it's safe to say I was listening to that album around then. I remember my friend Annie preforming "Needle and the Damage Done" at a talent show when we were around 16. I don't remember what I played.

Anyhooo.....

It was such a relief to listen to music yesterday that was so "un-synthesized". Then, this morning I was on Pam's House Blend watching a little Chris Williamson retrospective. Folks like to joke about the Women's Music movement but seriously, it shaped my coming out years in a serious way. Even at the time, it sounded a little hokey, and running into the music that shaped us can certainly have either a grounding or a humbling effect. There is definitely music that I will NEVER own up to listening to. This reminds me of my ex, Alex thinking that I was listening to the Greats Hits of the Carpenters for "ironic" affect. Uh...no.

I feel lucky to have grown up in an analog and acoustic age. I still look at a digital clock and translate it in my head to hands on the face of a clock. I listen to the "over-souled" music that is so popular now and long for a "real" voice, un-tampered-with.

I do know though that I'm also lucky enough to call up any given musical memory by typing a few keywords into my computer and downloading a digital version.As it turns out, I'm not picky enough or have an ear sensitive enough to hear the difference between vinyl and bytes. I can appreciate the advantage of instant musical gratification for my sentimental moods. It's the best of both worlds by my estimation.

I'd love to hear about your experiences of re-kindling long lost musical memories and how the combination of analog and digital music exists in your world.

Is This a Record?

Is this the longest I've gone without blogging? Probably  not, but it certainly feels that way.

Everything has changed.

I closed Krafti-Kit. Not enough capital to throw at what I still think is a great idea, even if it ended up morphing into more of a knitting company. Would have liked to expand the fiber crafts even more. I'm taking a break from designing right now, as well.

One of the most significant changes is that Suki passed away on April 2nd after a protracted illness. I miss her very much but I don't think would have wanted to move again. She was really ready to leave this world as much as she loved me.She left quietly...

I've moved on to another temporary living situation, just down the road. Regrouping. Paring down to the essentials. Trying to figure out what the next step is, and when. Late Summer? Brahms is hanging in, just. She likes where we live and the big friendly dog and how she can just rest for now.

I can sort of rest right now, but I feel restless and wanting to travel. Only short trips for now as I'm committed to a job.

That's the long and short of it. Mostly the short of it because the longer version is...well... messy. I don't even have a picture for this post so I'll just leave you with a picture of lovely Miss Suki.

Life...Curated

I have this theory:
People over age 40 are pretty careful about what they post on Facebook or in their blogs, understanding that they have worked a fair amount of their lives to create a "self" that they have some investment in.
People under age 40 are much less careful about how they "put themselves out there" on social media because they don't seem to have as much "self protection"  on the internet.

Now, wait a minute and don't go all crazy on me with comments that start with: But, I... (!)

I know this is a huge generalization. I do. I also know that I'm starting to find this whole social networking thing pretty exhausting because there seems so little I can actually write about! If you take out the complaining, the TMI subjects, religion, money and intimate relationships, you've just cut down what I think about and would therefore write about, considerably! Mostly knitting or business.

I made a joke last night on Facebook "You can't un-ring a bell."

That comment brought out a couple of folks who thought knew what it was I might want to say. In fact, there are so many things I want to say and so often. Most often, I simply don't. Not on Facebook, on Twitter, or even on one of my three blogs. I'm getting to wonder what the point is! I don't think I'm running for president anymore. Ha! Just what am I protecting...?

Back to the title of this post, referring to "curated" content. I read that as a description of how I get my news and current information on my iphone. I know it's someone else choosing of what I might like to read. I accept that the New York Times will give me some pretty interesting stuff to read, several times a day, even if I didn't handpick it myself through the many pages of a newspaper.

I'm starting to think of my social network life as a "curated" version of me. I just don't know if I like it anymore. This is going to be a long conversation with myself on this topic, as it has already been. I'm just sharing it with you now. See...sharing more! Hmmmm. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.
I would like to hear other folks' thoughts on this.

Meanwhile, when I first started this blog, I wrote a fair amount about some personal insights in my life at that time. Those particular insights could have been written just yesterday. Maybe I'll take up that line of thought again. In fact, I'm going to a new zendo in my neighborhood and renewing my Zen practice. It's come at a really good time but it is challenging. I'll keep you posted on that as well. It all comes around to the same thing I'm thinking about. Read the first sentence of this post. An investment in self. How "un Zen."

Back to knitting.

Washington Winter

 Today is more of a photo sharing day than a writing day, but it'll give you a bit of an idea of what I've been up to, knitting and nature-wise.
Above and below is a single that I spun from an interesting batt of wool, angora and alpaca.

 This is the newest addition to the lace bookmark collection at Krafti-Kit. Pretty popular and a really fun way to learn to read charts.

 Here we have a OMG, it's COLD quick hat and gloves that I knitted for Mitch. The gloves are from handspun.

This was last weekend, driving through Vantage, WA, along the Columbia.

This is a shot taken up in Ellensberg, WA when it was snowing. (photo: Mitch Da Re)

Here we have Leavenworth, WA (The name was an initial deterrent to me, but was instead a beautiful Christmas wonderland of an Austrian flavor. (photo: Mitch Da Re)

So,  little random look at my winter. I have so many UFO's on the needles, I'm hoping to post some finished projects soon. Back to the needles and hook. Later, peeps!

Monthly?

Yes, it has been a month since I posted, but for good reason. My computer up and died a very sudden death. This past month has been all about scrambling to get my files downloaded from my off-site backup and to find another computer.

Now I have a loaner computer (thanks Em) that's an older version of my Toshiba Satellite laptop but it's having some problems getting online wirelessly. Lest you forget, I do have an online business :-) Yeah, not so great. In this household it seems like we have multiple computers that each have their own strength, but no ONE does it all. Even this sweet little macbook that I'm on (thanks honey) doesn't work with my shipping software.

I am posting so that you know that I am still alive. I made it through the first round of snow madness here in the Columbia River Basin (how I now refer to this place). Next post will include actual pictures of knitted articles. They are very slowly getting completed. I actually think I've been doing more darning lately. What's up with that? All my socks are giving out at exactly the same moment. I have nothing against darning but it is nothing compared to actually finishing a pair of socks!

Environs

From the "internal" to the "external".

Since I moved to Washington, a lot of folks have asked me what it's like here. Well, at the moment, very windy as a new weather system moves through. The sky is big here and you can generally see a lot of weather coming through. Fun! Yah!

I have a new camera that Mitch "gave" me (thanks hon!) and I was just outside last weekend taking some shots. What I came up with is a view from right outside the door where we have artificially watered grass, a park with a walking loop and trees planted outside the door. Everything else around here is very...sage-y. Tumbleweed-y.

 Oh, and now the leaves are gone because the maintenance folks actually take care of that. Ha!

 

Above and below, the lovely view from the patio off the living room.

 

 

View from the DP (aka dog park) 'cause you know we can't say the words because the DOG goes nuts. It's very desert-y. Yes, Melissa is living with a dog. The cats are KIND of living with the dog because they live in the upstairs and the dog is not exactly allowed upstairs. Gotta keep the peace, people.

 The Dog

 

 Ohhhhh. Doesn't she look skeeeery!

Knitting content: Vilai by Cookie A.

I'm actually doing a lot of knitting these days, but these socks have got my attention in a serious way. Next time I post I will devote copious amounts of text and pictures to the MANY projects underway. Promise.

In All Honesty

In this blog,I try and give a general "outline" of the events in my life, especially my fiber-related life. It's only been on rare occasions that I've written about more. I have two other blogs, one for Krafti-Kit and one for my consulting practice that is on vacation. In some way, all of these blogs have become somewhat "professional" instead of "confessional". That's been a good thing for me. I'm coming up on my 6 year anniversary for Tea and Knitting. Good thing the title still works for me. There has been little else in terms on consistency in my life, though.

My first post didn't have any photos because I didn't have a camera yet. I was more though about what I was feeling.

Tonight I've just gotten back from a session with a physical therapist/healer. She did some amazing work and I feel so very clear-headed. I have homework. You know, small questions like, "What is my soul's purpose?" When I was in the office, I said I didn't know the answer. Now that I sit down to write this I realize that I do know the answer: To transform the lives of others through accompanying them on a deeper journey.

For me, the next part is to figure out how to be okay with that and what it means for my daily life on this earth. I've decided to put this post out here tonight because I am truly not happy. I am grieving the loss of my friend and business partner, Laura. I am a stranger in a very strange land. I am holding my pain in a place within my body that if I do not let go, I will become sick. I've done that before and it did not go well as a life-plan. Yeah. I feel okay to tell my truth. Life is short.

If you are reading this, I'm sure you can relate. So many of us are struggling to "remember who we are". I am there, with you. I curse my dreams and nightmares every night, but really they do show me what's going on when I need a reminder. Someone did tell me recently that I could tell my dreams that they can stop scaring me. I get it. It actually worked.

And now, if you're still reading this, try and find just one small thing that will make you happy for now, if you're not happy. Or try a little Radical Acceptance and decide that you're fine the way you are. I think I am.

Sun and Bunnies

In the middle of the emotional chaos that has been my life, lately, I had a great time at OFFF with Mitch and Paula. I got to see many old friends, and revel in the one warm and sunny day there in Canby.

The best part for me was FINALLY talking Paula into a bunny. (There was not too much arm twisting, truth be told). She's wanted one since she went to OFFF a few years ago. Enough was enough. The day was here and we were not leaving without a little one.

The first part I had no hand in. A bunny seller simply placed one in Paula's arms. That was enough. We did find out that it was a male and she wanted a female so this fella's sister came home in the car with us. BUT! it was not without some smuggling said bunny into her apartment building. Such stealth performers we were....not. We did it though and I have the pictures to prove it, albeit a bit late.

Meanwhile, Paula says that she and Zsa Zsa (really) are doing wonderfully and that she has chosen the perfect pet. We are all happy about that, for sure.

This was also a fiber stash enhancing experience and I did very well with my small-ish budget this year. 'Nuf said. I got some "good stuff".

...turns into Fall

 I love August. I didn't get a chance to properly say that, and now here in this new place, September is more like late August. I'm cheating.

Autumn is the shortest season. It is the full, ripe, tumbling-over-the-edge-ness that I love. Leaves deepen to their darkest green before moving onto new shades. The insects are slow and lazy, fat with all the berries and sweet they can consume.

Transitional seasons call for transitional sweaters. I went through huge bags from the move and took out only the things I'll be wearing until December because I have no idea where they will all go. This is the first time I've actually donated hand knit sweaters to charity--odd Summer tank tops in ribbon yarn, acrylic over-sized hoodies. Only enough room for the really good stuff.

How can that be you ask? Heck, I've moved to the 'burbs into the huge place, right? Yeah, but I had FIVE closets in my old apartment. I have two big closets here and one is full of fiber. So, that's different. Before it all used to be just in the living room in million baskets. Choices were made, people.

Brahms, in her dementia, is settling in as much as she can. Thanks to those of you who have inquired. There is value in forgetting....and wall to wall carpeting. Suki is happy with the last point in particular and has no interest in going downstairs into Pug Kingdom.

Life goes on. Stick around...

And in crochet news...

It was awhile ago that we sent off a sample kit to Interweave Crochet and here it finally is! This is my first crochet pattern and it's really a beginner kit. The part of this that was the most fun was the colorway designing of the yarn, with Jen Hintz. I had taken some nature photographs and really had in mind the look of lichen on all the trees in Portland. Jen did a great job with her interpretation. The wool/bamboo blend on this ebony needle is the ultimate in crocheting pleasure, if I do say so myself!

Coming up in the next few weeks are some more exciting mentions for Krafti-Kit. I have to say that putting together a kit is WAY fun. Not only does one write or commission a pattern, but one gets to choose every little detail that goes into the project.

Last but not least, I want to thank Petra again for her lovely modeling of this piece.