Wool & Words

On Saturday, Steve and I went to the Georgia Renaissance Festival. He was, understandably, surprised that I wanted to go, since I suppose I don't really put off much of the Ren Faire-goer vibe. This was one of those lovely moments in a relationship where you get to reveal unknown geekiness...what fun!

Lots of pics and few words on this one. We had quite a good time and saw many sights!

We were greeted by beautious lillies in a pond

And we saw some lovely wooly beasties

We were forwarned to be cautious in our eating...no turkey leg for me!

We quickly located Places of Interest:

There were statues,

and battles,

and Wenches galore!

The wenches warned us well:

And we even saw a bit of spinning and weaving.

Cheers to the Peachtree Handspinners--their booth was always a rollicking treat!

And Ann, I must admit that I refrained from donning wenchy garb...but I did choose a top that displayed Maximum Cleavage, so I feel that I did my solemn duty!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Taking a Maymester (3 weeks for 3 credits) course in Educational Research and Evaluation Methods puts me in the mind of Stevie Smith's "Not Waving, But Drowning".

But I'm laughing. And not in such dire need.

The weekend approaches and I'm really hoping for some time to take and bake photos for you all.

Posted by KnitNut at 02:09 PM | Permalink

I'm taking a Maymester class, which means that I'm willingly participating in torture to myself. It's bad. I'm busy all the time. I did wear the Clapotis yesterday and may break it out again tomorrow. The weather here has been pretty mild, which makes a wrap ideal for the indoor/outdoor festivities.

I'm knitting. Still working the Tahki Stole (just the collar to go) and A Very FruFru Fluffy Pink Thing. And there are all the UFO's:

1. The Striped Scarf
2. A Red Cami
3. Spearfish
4. Sockotta Socks
5. Various class models

And other bits I don't want to think about. I've got to get these things finished so that I can start on other things. Like the 3 shawls I've got to knit by next May. I want to knit a shrug for me. And Steve's sweater. And my sweater(s). And socks. So many socks.

I love my knitting. Even when it's overwhelming me.

But now I've got to read a chapter of The Idiot's Guide to Statistics so that I don't totally flag my exam Tuesday. F&*%ing Maymester. LOL.

At least this weekend I get to see the kittens, who are growing exponetially. And we're going to the GA Ren Festival, which will be a bit of a treat for me. Maybe I'll even take pictures!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I heard about Sudoku, a Japanese number puzzle, of all places, on the Neal Boortz Show, earlier this week.

Wikipedia Entry

Daily Sudoku

Su Doku Work Pad

Make Your Own Sudoku Puzzles

Posted by KnitNut at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Received a lovely package in the mail yesterday....thanks Ann! I've been wanting to get this but hadn't yet let myself buy it!

Ah, the generosity of knitters!

And speaking of generosity...if you're one of the contest winners, please send along your snail addy to derouenATcharterDOTnet. I'm planning a trip to the Post O on Saturday...

And in knitting news...

1. I've decided to sell off a good bit of my stash. I've got way too much yarn that I'm lukewarm about. I'd much rather have yarn that I'm hot for. More when I've got it all sorted out.

2. I love Law & Order. Because of this fabulous show and my addiction to it, I have lots of knitting time. L&O is the perfect knitting show; it's dialogue heavy and you know what the drill is, so you can knit away, look up when something visually interesting is happening, and the world (and your knitting) is generally in order when the show ends. Because of L&O, I've been getting some good work done on this:

The pic is blurry, but that's a closeup of the wrap I'm knitting. It's the Shawl Collared Wrap from The Purl Stitch and I'm using Takhi New Tweed. Mmm...this is yummy knitting. I'm almost done with the center piece; when that's done, I get to rib my way around. Fun!

3. My Sock Knitting Class: Janice asked about the class I just taught, and I realized I haven't really said much about it. So here goes.

A few months ago, the owner of my LYS asked me to teach lace classes at the shop. I offered them, but no signups. In the meantime, the sock knitting instructor and I made a deal--she wanted to do a shawl class from a pattern she designed and I wanted to teach socks on the magic loop. I decided to offer two classes: one socks on 2 circs, one magic loop. I offered the first and two women signed up but they couldn't do the dates I'd set (3 Saturdays). So I agreed to do a one day class for them...and they had never knit socks before. So I taught them that too. We knit a very wee sock and had a great day chatting, knitting, and eating! They were great students, which made teaching lots of fun!

Personal Stuff:

Finally, a big hug and kiss to my sweetie, Steve. Yesterday we celebrated 2 wonderful years together. He brought me a gorgeous bouquet with a hydrangea ( I love them!) in it and we watched Sideways while eating Chinese takeout. This weekend we're going to some swank Italian place in Atlanta. I love you! Thanks for two great years and here's to 200 more!

Posted by KnitNut at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

First, let me thank all of you who sent in names! What a bevy of beauties we had--too many to choose from!

But choose we must and choose we did. And so, without further ado, I present to you...

Spike

and

Granola

Thanks to Gwen and Meowy for the names! You'll each be receiving a Lovely Prize!

I also drew a name from my trusty Barrel O' Monkeys...so Dawn, you'll be getting a Lovely Prize as well.

And last, but not least, I have to give an award to Steph for the best yarn-related names: Mewrino and Alpurrca. That was just too cute!

Thanks again for playing! I'll be contacting winners to get mailing addresses and will post photos of the goodies as they go along their way!

And for those who didn't win...never fear! There will be more opportunities!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Still no winners...someone *coughStevecough* hasn't given me his picks yet...I will make him surrender them this evening when he gets off from work...and then there will be happy knitters!

I'm feeling better and have been knitting away. My grades are turned in to the powers that be. The summer is stretching before me until 2 p.m. tomorrow when I start my research/evaluation methods class. I may get a touch more summer in August during the week between the end of summer semester (during which time I'll be teaching) and the beginning of fall semester (during which time I'll be teaching...notice a pattern here?). I will be writing all around all of that.

But today, I'm knitting. I'm currently working on the Shawl Collared Wrap from Sally Melville's The Purl Stitch, a fab little pattern with a neat construction. I'm doing it in Tahki New Tweed in a black colorway with little pink and orange flecks. Yarn is to die for, but it's black, so pics wouldn't be too interesting, now would they?

I'm also knitting a sock. In Plymouth Sockotta. Mmm. Sock...

The Spearfish are holding at home until I figure out how I want to finish them off. I'm stalled at the heel and considering stopping the lace pattern that runs down the foot (I'm kinda weird about patterning on the foot part of my socks), which I don't feel so bad about now that Ann has won our wager.

And on that wager--I'm remiss in my loves/hates blogging. I blame the illness, portfolio grading, and a general feeling of end-of-semester ennui. At the end of every semester I get this overwhelming feeling of panic. At that point, I've been on the treadmill for so long that when it abruptly stops, I don't know where to go. I was quite busy last week--taught an all-day sock knitting class, knit 3 socks in preparation for that class, grading, meetings on campus, sick, blah blah blah--but I still mentally felt that just yucky feeling of impending doom. What happens is this: at the end of the semester, I come face to face with the long-term things that haven't been done, and I am struck dumb with terror. That's the gospel truth of it.

Maybe that will count for my icky today? Although I need a photograph for it. Hmmm....I'll have to think on that.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Have been busy (ugh) and ill (double ugh)---a lethal blogging combination!

Contest is open till noon Sunday. At that time, Steve and I will pick our fave names and a random winner. So there are at least 2 and potentially 3 of you who will win a FABULOUS PRIZE.

Hint: Socks are so in this season. As is lace.

I'll see you all Monday morning with a winner and, I hope, a better feeling in my nose and throat.

Posted by KnitNut at 04:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Geez...I hope you guys don't end up thinking I'm an absolute whiner after this week...although I have been ranting an awful lot lately.

For today's whine we turn to this article from yesterday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Bride carried baggage

Yes, it's about the runaway bride. But it's a very specific whine about something I didn't even know would have the ability to annoy me until today when I read the story.

It's not the headcovering, although I must say I was expecting much more uproar in the knitting community when that striped blanket appeared. Much more versatile than She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's poncho.

It's not the continuing debate about whether or not she should be arrested/charged/made to read to small children while picking up garbage on I-85. I can't see how they could charge her, since the monies they seek to recoup were expended long before she called with her 11th hour fairy tale of rape and kidnapping at the hands of nefarious folk.

It's not the endless discussion of whether or not the fiance is whack for still wanting to marry her (although if I were him, I'd really, really be praying for some guidance...out of her life).

No, it's none of these annoyance worthy things. I must admit, Dear Readers, it is something far more sinister and much more likely to affect my life.

It's this.

Lenox Solitaire. My favorite china pattern. Her china pattern. A classic pattern, chosen by brides for years. I've actually been picking up pieces here and there on Ebay. For years. I love it.

And she chose it and in so doing, exposed it to the ridiculing eyes of AJC readers. Anyone who makes it to the end of that news story will know that she registered for over $20,000 in gifts, including that china.

Steve is not as fond of Solitaire as I am (too plain), so he may not react as I have. In fact, he won't much care, I suspect. But I care. I care very much.

And why does the public need to know that she registered for that pattern? It's actually a modestly priced one. Perhaps I can rescue my precious from association with Jennifer by considering the frugality, all things considered, in her choice.

Maybe tomorrow. Today, I'm just fuming.

Knitting Content

I've been knitting on socks for a class I'm teaching tomorrow--how to knit socks on 2 circs in one day. I've "designed" a teeny sock for the class (I hesitate to call it real designing, since it's nothing fancy) and I'm working on the handouts today. Whew! I'll let you guys know how that one goes; I love sock knitting and I love teaching folks how to knit them, but I've never done a one day lesson, so this should be really interesting!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:04 AM | Permalink

As you are no doubt aware, Ann bested me in our private little Spearfish contest. The main part of the wager, some yummy sock yarn, is on its way to Ann as I type this. This week, you get to experience the remainder.

When we made the wager, I thought it would be great to get a little blog action in. I wanted pictures of Ann's Poe for a full week. Ann wanted things that annoyed the beejeezus out of me or cute things. I think I've filled the cuteness quotient for the week (or at least a few days) with the kittens. So here's the first installment of the annoyances.

Pet Peeve #1

This is the elevator on the first floor of Park Hall, the building where I spend most of my teaching/student/lab worker days. There is a basement in Park Hall that also serves as the main entrance. Many first year composition classes are held on the first floor.

Do you see where I'm going here?

I am 35 years old. I'm not in the best shape. I have diabetes. I am overweight. Yet somehow, for the past 4 years, I have found the internal fortitude to walk up the stairs to get to my classes on the first floor. That trek from the basement at times is a pain, but hey, it's just one flight. I'm not that bad off.

When I have to go up to the 3rd floor (infrequently), I take the elevator. I'm not that much of a masochist. Besides, the 3rd floor is the highest in the building, so I figure I should take the elevator there. Don't want it to feel unnecessary.

So why is this a pet peeve? Because every time I take the elevator (especially, it seems, when I'm already late for an Important Meeting), a first year student (generally a seemingly fit human being, often in running shoes) gets on the elevator in the basement and rides up to the 1st floor. Drives me crazy every time.

I try to remind myself that they too are God's children, and that perhaps they have a medical condition that precludes stair climbing. But the little devil in me just continues to question the necessity of it all.

Don't forget to enter the Kitten Naming Contest!

Posted by KnitNut at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Here's a bit of treacle for your Sunday coffee.

Kitties!

Steve took the kittens outside for a little photo shoot.

Thing One

Thing Two

These boys really are too cute to have such awful names. So I'm having a contest to name the kitties. Leave your name ideas as a comment to this message. Steve and I will pick our faves, but everyone who sends a name will be placed in a drawing for a little gift pack. With yarn. As will the folks who provide the perfect names.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)

For those days when you just want to run and hide---

Runaway Bride's Blankie

Thanks to Annie Modesitt for the pattern!

Posted by KnitNut at 08:48 PM | Permalink

So I've been cranky lately. I think I've figured out why (that time of the month--geez!), but I've got a new axe to grind...

Those of you living the Atlanta area will have no doubt by now heard about the situation with the Gwinnett County Board of Education and Larry "Doc" Nease. If you haven't, take a stroll and read the story. Then come back if you can stand a rant.

As a former school administrator and current teacher, I'm just appalled. Truly and completely appalled. Bob (one of my coworkers) and I were talking today about the great lawsuit this teacher has against this board. Frankly, I can't believe they fired him for what appears to be a first offense, if you even agree that what he did was offensive.

I can't find any official minutes of the meeting at this point (but believe me, I'm looking--oh, to have been a fly on that wall!), but you'll find here one meeting attendee's account of what transpired.

My big issue as a teacher is that I find it difficult to see how docking a student's assignment grade in a lab class because the student was sleeping (ergo, not doing the assignment as directed) can be considered using a grade as a discipline tool since the problem was one of class participation. Additionally, it is my understanding that the instructor's syllabus has been approved by the administration for the last 10 years that this policy has been in existence in his classroom. If this is the case, as a former administrator I can't see the sense in exposing the school system to a lawsuit when other disciplinary measures were surely available. To say that the teacher was insubordinate for refusing to change a grade in the face of what appears to be a poorly defined rule regarding using grades for discipline (what, after all, constitutes "discipline" in this situation, and how does that vary from the methods teachers use to deal with things like late or no homework?) is a bit over the top and doesn't seem defensible.

To fire a 26 year veteran science teacher over a dispute over one individual class assignment is just foolish. And, as the commenter in the blog link I posted above senses, it seems to have been a railroad job.

Of course, I don't know everything about this. But I'm anxiously awaiting the next bit of information. Surely there must be something that's not been said, some skelton in this teacher's closet that the Board has chosen to keep private? Then again, having grown up aware of the ins and outs of boards, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that all is as it appears.

Posted by KnitNut at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yep, you heard me. I'm still cranky.

I don't quite know why I'm feeling so crabby and ill-at-ease. My best guess is the end of semester pressures, but that doesn't usually bring about quite this level of cranky behavior. So maybe there are other factors.

I want to cast on another shawl, but I can't decide what to do. I've got a wheel of this lovely silver-green merino lace, a skein each of black and red merino, some burgundy alpaca, and scads of other candidates. I can't decide what to knit.

And I've got a sock knitting class to teach on Tuesday, so I've really got to prep that. Tomorrow I'm casting on sock #1, which will be photographed as I whip through it for handout pics. Then there's the teaching--my students have never knit socks before and want to learn how to do that on 2 circs. And the class has to be done in one day. What was I thinking? LOL

I think I'm going to put my cranky ass to bed. On Monday I picked up Pope John Paul II's Memory and Identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millenium. I think I'll go and read it a bit.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

For those days when you've fielded too many stupid "where can I find X?" questions on some internet bulletin board....a link we can all use:

Just F&*#ing Google It!

Have a nice day. I'll try to be in a better mood tomorrow. Sigh.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Ann has finished her Spearfish Socks. We at Wool & Words wish to offer our sincerest congratulations for her knitting prowess and speed. We do not wish to imply that she is in any way, shape, or form responsible for the Cami Debacle of 2005. In fact, we thank her for a lovely bout of witty inter-blog repartee and willingness to expose the most secret facts about the feet which the lovely socks now grace.

Congrats Ann. I bow to a master.

Note to self: New SKFD symptom--Getting involved in speed knitting contests at the end of the semester is not a good idea.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:31 AM | Permalink

We interrupt the unscheduled no-blog time to---well---to blog...

Classes end tomorrow. Sigh. I took this weekend off (before the portfolio grading marathon begins) to do personal things like:

1. Visiting the new kitties:

Steve's stepdaughter deposited 4 cats in his garage last October. Now there are 2. One of them was less than a year old, female, and, as we discovered, not spayed.

We are now the proud grandparents of two adorable kittens.

Mother and babies are doing fine.

2. Attending First Communion activities

Steve's niece, Claire, made her first holy communion Saturday morning. It was a lovely service, with a very nice reception afterward for family and guests. Claire is a little angel.

3. Dining with Friends and Hitchhiking

Dinner was great. Hitchhiker's was amusing (I particularly loved the opening dolphin number), but disappointing in some respects. A good evening though; Steve and I haven't been able to do anything social with these friends for a while, so the night was a real treat. On Monday we're headed to a dinner for his office, which should be nice as well; he works in a small office, and the people are really nice.

4. Preparing for my summer crafting

I signed up yesterday for sewing classes at JoAnn's. I know how to use my machine and am a whiz at sewing straight lines. I want to learn more about garment construction (like how to do it). I figure this will help my knitting in some ways, but I really want to just do some sewing.

5. Knitting?

Yes, there's been some knitting. Still working on the Spearfish--at the heels. Ann has been poking voodoo dolls to screw up my camis, thereby distracting me from the sock process. I have a healthy respect for such things and will refrain from supernatural retaliation...even if she wins the race, the universe has a way of settling the score! ;-)

Who knows how spotty posting will be for the next week or so? The end of semester cannot come soon enough!

Posted by KnitNut at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)