November 2, 1889 North Dakota (and South Dakota) were admitted as the 39th and 40th of the United States. My grandpa Van was part of a homesteading family in what was to become South Dakota. Pretty hardy stock - those people who settled here. Hardy - or committed or stubborn or adventurous - or all of these attributes were required to live here. It's not an easy place even now. But the rewards are beyond measure.
This morning as I walked to work - crisp morning air - full moon still visible in the western sky - a honking V of geese flew over head into the rising sun. A spectacular place even within the confines of the 21st century.
Happy 120th birthday, North (and South) Dakota!
Monday, November 02, 2009
Happy Birthday, North Dakota!
November 2, 1889 North Dakota (and South Dakota) were admitted as the 39th and 40th of the United States. My grandpa Van was part of a homesteading family in what was to become South Dakota. Pretty hardy stock - those people who settled here. Hardy - or committed or stubborn or adventurous - or all of these attributes were required to live here. It's not an easy place even now. But the rewards are beyond measure.
This morning as I walked to work - crisp morning air - full moon still visible in the western sky - a honking V of geese flew over head into the rising sun. A spectacular place even within the confines of the 21st century.
Happy 120th birthday, North (and South) Dakota!
This morning as I walked to work - crisp morning air - full moon still visible in the western sky - a honking V of geese flew over head into the rising sun. A spectacular place even within the confines of the 21st century.
Happy 120th birthday, North (and South) Dakota!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
First Frost of the Season - 09292009
First frost of the season. Covered the flowers last night, so I think they're okay. Too cold. Too soon. Did I mention that I HATE scratching frost/ice off car windows?????
BUT it's Homecoming week at UND - and next week is the Potato Bowl Parade and Game - so it's time. Fall is here. I can no longer say that the leaves are turning yellow and falling off because they're chlorotic. Nope. It's fall.
Wool. Mitts. Jackets. Scarves. It's fall!
BUT it's Homecoming week at UND - and next week is the Potato Bowl Parade and Game - so it's time. Fall is here. I can no longer say that the leaves are turning yellow and falling off because they're chlorotic. Nope. It's fall.
Wool. Mitts. Jackets. Scarves. It's fall!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
HatWars - first level
Here is my progress on the HatWars hat, first level. I'm doing "The Boy Hat" by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. I'm at 6.5", which by my calculations means I can start the decreases. My victim's earlobe to earlobe measurement is 17". The pattern says to start the decrease at 2" from the top of the hat/head. So. Dividing that 17" in half (figuring just one side of the hat) equals 8.5" from the cast on to the crown (bind off). Since the decreases equal 2" of that total, I figure that the basic pattern should run 6.5". I hope that's right because I'm at 6.5" and I'm going to start decreasing!
My plan is to get this in the mail tomorrow (Monday) morning. Priority mail with confirmation. And then I'm going to come home and wait for my deadly package in the mail! Can't wait to see what yarn/pattern he/she chose for the weapon.
My plan is to get this in the mail tomorrow (Monday) morning. Priority mail with confirmation. And then I'm going to come home and wait for my deadly package in the mail! Can't wait to see what yarn/pattern he/she chose for the weapon.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Just a travelin' gal
Playing - and I saw this map app. I've been to more states than I thought.
visited 25 states (50%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or another interesting project
Day 12 of the creeping crud. On Friday the doc said I would be noticeably better by Monday and I didn't believe her. I couldn't believe her. I was way too stuffed up and coughie to believe her. But she was right. Today is Monday. I'm still a little croakie but I'm much better. The miracle cure? Water. and Time.
visited 25 states (50%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or another interesting project
Day 12 of the creeping crud. On Friday the doc said I would be noticeably better by Monday and I didn't believe her. I couldn't believe her. I was way too stuffed up and coughie to believe her. But she was right. Today is Monday. I'm still a little croakie but I'm much better. The miracle cure? Water. and Time.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
If you must have a fever....
If you must have a fever, this little rubber duckie thermometer will make the experience a little more pleasant. (Zoo Temps by Mabis Healthcare. ASTM Standard E 1112.)
He's stuck in my last undyed 100g skein of Merino fingering weight yarn - just itching to be dyed for the sock blankie swaps going on. Might have to do that today. Along with lots of roving for spinning.
Anyway. Yes, I do appear to have something. Swine or otherwise, I am decommissioned this holiday weekend. It should be over before work on Tuesday, which is good because I've got things to do. This interfered with my weekend plans, however. I'd hoped to take a fast day trip and then hang out at home, working on my writing. Instead, I'm at home, pumping fluids into my body. And the weather is so gorgeous.
Watching the Mizzou-Illinois game. So far, Mizzou is on top. I might be flying my Tiger Tail on my office door Tuesday. Just saying.
Beautiful weather. Stunning weather. Just enough breeze that you won't die from the heat of that focused sun. Gorgeous. Summer was late but it's here for a few more days.
He's stuck in my last undyed 100g skein of Merino fingering weight yarn - just itching to be dyed for the sock blankie swaps going on. Might have to do that today. Along with lots of roving for spinning.
Anyway. Yes, I do appear to have something. Swine or otherwise, I am decommissioned this holiday weekend. It should be over before work on Tuesday, which is good because I've got things to do. This interfered with my weekend plans, however. I'd hoped to take a fast day trip and then hang out at home, working on my writing. Instead, I'm at home, pumping fluids into my body. And the weather is so gorgeous.
Watching the Mizzou-Illinois game. So far, Mizzou is on top. I might be flying my Tiger Tail on my office door Tuesday. Just saying.
Beautiful weather. Stunning weather. Just enough breeze that you won't die from the heat of that focused sun. Gorgeous. Summer was late but it's here for a few more days.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Crock Pot Dyeing
Way too much fun! Lanaset dyes from EarthGuild.com.
Started Friday night after work - and ran a crock pot dyeing marathon between my weekend shifts at work.
Very easy and very easy to manipulate the dyes to create color variations.
I will still use the kettle for a solid/mottled single color. The crockpot for variations (roving and yarn). And I'm going to try the oven again to see how that works. I 'oven dyed' roving when I first tried this but managed to damage/felt the wool so it was almost unspinnable. Happily I was a new spinner so didn't know the difference. And I got stunningly gorgeous (and lumpy) yarn from the process. This time I have a better idea of how to treat the roving during the washing process, so I have every hope this will yield beautiful spinnable wool again.
Started Friday night after work - and ran a crock pot dyeing marathon between my weekend shifts at work.
Very easy and very easy to manipulate the dyes to create color variations.
I will still use the kettle for a solid/mottled single color. The crockpot for variations (roving and yarn). And I'm going to try the oven again to see how that works. I 'oven dyed' roving when I first tried this but managed to damage/felt the wool so it was almost unspinnable. Happily I was a new spinner so didn't know the difference. And I got stunningly gorgeous (and lumpy) yarn from the process. This time I have a better idea of how to treat the roving during the washing process, so I have every hope this will yield beautiful spinnable wool again.
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