Devon Heaven

The reviews are in… 2009 Devon Heaven was a blast! There were about 30 Devons and people who are owned by Devons.

Mum and I had an uneventful ride down. Although Garmin said 8-9 hours it took us 11 once the bridge traffic and rest stops were factored in.

Mum was a trooper and drove exactly half of the time so I got to knit for a while with Mr. Adan on my lap. He’s such a laid back cat in comparison to Miss Isitt who is a bit spoiled to say the least. She demanded she be held, she despised Adan, and she was only quiet if she could sleep on my lap. By the end of the ride, I was ready to shoot her. She kept me up a good part of the night and growled at Adan every time he tried to lay down near us. But by morning Adan was curled up with us and Isitt decided that she loved him.

Friday was pretty low key. I was able to visit the Black Sheep Yarn Shop in Timonium Maryland. I got a skein of Yummy 100% super wash sock yarn in this lovely celery-avocado color. That evening we left the kids in the room while Mum and I went to the Rex-ception. A good time was had by all.

The next morning we were off to the show hall. We weren’t there an hour before one of our friends offered us Twilight Zone…a 7 month stunning little Chocolate Tabby female who’s sister is dominating the Devon Rex world (one of the top scoring kittens). Shocked we tried to focus on showing our babies and considering this generous offer. There were 15 kittens competing in Isitt and Adan’s age group. 8 Judges saw them, each rating the kittens color, adherence to the breed standard, and personality. Then they ranked their top 5. Adan was our pride and joy, showing off in the show ring, hanging like a monkey, knocking everything over, and just being adorable. He was the 5th best Devon Rex kitten!!! We honestly didn’t expect him to do so well and were thrilled. Isitt, my spoiled baby, who I’m completely blinded by because I love her so much, was 11th best kitten overall. I’m a little sad but at the same time, I know she isn’t wild about showing and I think she’s perfect just the same.

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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how funny the auction was. The Devon Rex Rescue League was able to raise almost $5K from the proceeds. There was a lot of original artwork and pottery. We laughed so hard joking about tiny pots, coveting bells, coming for a visit, and at just about anything that came out of Angela’s mouth. That night we all slept well, being exhausted from the show and evenings activities.

We decided that we’d be happy to take the little Chocolate Tabby home with us, and by we, I mean Mum not I. Between Linus, Isitt, and MacOban our house is full. So we renamed her Emma and watched her win 4th best Devon Rex kitten with the same pride we had for our two. After many more happy moments around 5pm Sunday, Mum and I packed it up and headed north. Thunder showers and the G.W. Bridge stood in our way but in the end we made it to Connecticut by midnight. Even with me screaming at one point, “I can’t see!!!!” to which Mum responded, “Then stop the car!!!” as we were flying down an off ramp. I was really tired and had rubbed my eyes too vigorously.

We slept-in while waiting for the commuters to get off the roads. But our ride home was not without excitement. At one point, in heavy traffic, Mum offered to take the ice-cold full water bottle I was holding so I could drive with both hands. I said yes please somewhat forcefully and may have scared her, because she reached over without looking and mistakenly (at least I hope it was a mistake) hit the water bottle sending cold water flying all over my face, hair, glasses, clothing, car ceiling, windshield, and her own lap. After two breaths we both burst out laughing and began to towel off. Ohh and I did drive all the way back, now if only you could reach to pat me on the back for such a epic undertaking. I can’t wait to do it all again!

Just a super quick lunchtime post

The Boyfriend made it home safely from Glacier National Park. He had a great time and took amazing pictures that he’ll be posting on Facebook if you want to check them out.

I’m rushing off at 6am tomorrow with Isitt, Mum, and Adan (one of Nessa’s babies) to Maryland. It’s time for the Devon Heaven show, which means that rather than a handful of Devons at a cat show, they’ll be 30-50 of them. We’re not expecting to move mountains with the two kittens we’re showing. Just bringing them for the experience and will be happy if we finish in the top half of the class. Garmin says it’s an 8 hour trip so I’m hoping to split the driving time and get some knitting in. It’s strange how fried brain = no knitting. I have made progress on my monkey socks but it’s definitely slow. I can just forget about a pair a week and hope for a pair a month now!!

Hope all is well in your part of the world.

Oh and my Just an Hour update...
I Knit on
Saturday…while watching the first half of the Tourchwood movie, most excellent, although I did miss Owen.
Sunday…while doing laundry and watching The Closer
Monday…while waiting for The Boyfriend and listening to the Stuff You Should Know Podcast (Josh and Chuck are hilarious).
And
Tuesday…as we looked through the trip photos but I was so tired I could only do about two rows before going to bed super early.

Devon Rex Hijinks and History

Below is an email from my mother and a portion of an interview that should be recorded in the Devon Rex history books....

"You would have died laughing last night. I was finally able to make plans to talk to G about her beginnings. Try as I may I could not get her to send me an email with it all written out. So The Samurai and I secretly prepared for the phone call before I dialed G. The Samurai was at the computer with the phone head set on with the volume muted and her hands on the key board ready to go. I was at the table with pen in hand ready to take notes on anything she missed.

I called G and she began to tell me the story. The Samurai typed her fingers flying across the keyboard, I with my pen and paper writing as fast as I could. We thought if we both took notes we would not miss anything! During the call we could NOT look at each other for fear of laughing and giving the secret away. This went on for almost an hour with our dear dear G not having ANY idea at all that there anyone else was listening in on our conversation. I did feel a little guilty for the dishonesty for a minute but then thought about how happy she will be with the surprise recognition!"

INTERVIEW

“Is it true that you were forced to breed Devons in order to buy your first one?”
"Yes, one breeder insisted on making us breeders against our will rather than selling us a pet.
In 1982 the last of our Burma black Siamese died. We always had 3 or 4 of them. My husband didn’t want anymore after our last one died as he’d always be comparing new to old.
I went to a show on Sat. to look at Cornish and Abbeys which is what we thought we wanted.

There in an end cage was a cat I had never laid eyes on one before. It was this hairless thing with tuffs on its ears. Looked like fur boots on, with great big eyes, turned up noise, ears falling off the side of its head. I gasped, I giggled, and I almost dropped to my knees helpless with laughter. It was the weirdest, funniest thing I ever saw. I was a goner.

Sat night I hauled my husband down off the ski slop and told him he had to come with me to the cat show Sunday....
The breeder/owner of this cat said, "Anyone who wants the female Tortie has to pay $350 for her, register her, show her immediately, breed her, and register a cattery name with CFA."

We went outside to have a smoke and talk. Came back in and said we’d take both.
Makes me laugh today, there’s no way in Hell someone can get started in Devons like this today.

In those days they were throw away cats in the sense that they weren’t recognized by CFA.
When approached the Board of Directors said no to Devon Rex. They said they have the “Rex” cat and you’re a variation.

We kept our end of the bargain with the breeder and showed the Tortie girl. My husband thought showing was the most boring thing. We showed Lucy in the 4-8 month kitten class then learned about opens and winner’s ribbons and became a Champion and I said, Halleluiah, I’m done!!! Then the breeder said we had to Grand her!...

Back then there were Rex cats only. We were told Devons were to be bred to the Rex standard. Eventually Devons were allowed in as provisional. Judges did not like them – No rosettes - or breed ribbons. Some Judges would ask questions and were interested and intrigued by these cats. CFA finally accepted Devons as seperate from Cornish Rex in 1984 but it took 4 or 5 years before Devons started making finals."

What I've been listening to and working on

The Boyfriend is on a Sweedish Techno kick. Which means I too am on that kick. This song is called Patrick and the Small Guy. I wonder if it's a Coupling reference? I've been listening to this one almost non-stop all afternoon.

And after a trip up to the Maine Fiber Frolic... I have some wonderful new yarns. String Theory and Dream Sox.

I also got some knitting in on my Lacy Rib Socks and my Van Dyke Socks. Both are from Wendy Johnson's Socks From the Toe Up book.

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Saturday Mum and I hit the cat show with Clearly MzUnderstod Callie. She sure was, imagine our embarrassment when her official color had to be changed from a Brown Patched Tabby and White to a Silver Patched Tabby and White. Are you looking at Callie's picture? Clearly this is not a silver cat by the naked eye. Most people would call her a calico, but because of the lighter colored roots she's considered silver first and for most. Good thing that doesn't apply for human hairs. Callie did well and is now officially a champion although one judge made a point to tell us that she should be a Grand Champion. It was a nice complement.

Cat out!!

The next generation of cat show cats has begun. I went into the show hall warning Mum that Callie isn’t as good as our Nessa Rose and to be prepared to take second all day. Callie showed me and took first for the Devon Rexes and got a 9th and 10th best kitten (out of 50!) Ok, so not as good as Nessa but nothing to be ashamed of.
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Callie really is a cool cat. She was happy to just lay around wrapped in a blanket. No desire to run. Well, not until she got wet, but that’s another story. Can you say "Cat out?!?!?!" Mum can!

Yes, the thumb is doing better and I was able to finish the Lulu socks that have been around since October. The pattern was fun at first but eventually the cabling on the left needle, not removing the stitches to a cable needle, became tedious and it made the stitches very tight and difficult to work with.

I also cast on the fifth 2009 Christmas gift. I’m still working on the fourth. As long as one of them is finished by next week we’ll be good.
I’ll give a peak at the fifth, it’s this pattern but in a different color. And no, I wont tell you who it’s for.

Exhausting Exhilarating...Gauntlet? Help Me

What an exhausting and exhilarating day. The alarm went off bright and early and we rushed out the door to the show hall. Nessa’s eyes were not the greatest and were a bit challenging all day as they were running and needed to be wiped several times, which makes her scrunch up her eyes, which means you can’t get all the wetness, which means you have to keep wiping, it’s just a vicious circle which makes for a sullen Nessa Rose.

We did have some nice chats with people in the area who had previously purchased kittens from Mum as well as people who are interested in Devons. Usually I dislike this part of showing, I’m there to see the judges and earn points, not chit-chat, but today was nice and relaxed all morning. It’s funny to see how the different judges handle the cats.

Some are nonchalant and want to see the cats personalities while others manipulate the cat spending their time evaluating against the standards.

I guess they are all evaluating but I’d love to know what they’re thinking when they look at each cat, to just hear the inner dialog as they measure the shape of the head or the texture of a coat.

In the afternoon we were up in four rings and ended up getting called back for four finals. This is what we’re there for so it’s thrilling but can I tell you how loud it is in a show hall, with all the microphones and meowing? Maybe I’m more sensitive now because of the quiet lifestyle.

In the end Nessa took home Third Best Short Hair Champion for four of the six judges. It was a brilliant showing and we were all very proud. I say all because my Dad made a surprise appearance. Poor guy, Mum and I were both so happy to see him and tell him all about showing that I think he felt overwhelmed. Typically he sees us at the end of the day when we’ve run out of steam and are both just looking for food and a place to put up our feet. In the midst of showing we’re both pretty high strung.

I did manage to squeeze in a little work on my Space needle socks. Again, I can’t “be in opposition to” (dis-recommend isn’t a word) this yarn enough. Knit Picks Essential. I can’t even feel the 25% nylon, it’s like 100% wool. ITCHY!

I’m also realizing that it’s the end of the month. Woaw, where did that come from? I did accomplish the Complete the Ivy League Vest Challenge so if anyone’s keeping track that’s 7-1, it’s a winning record so I’m happy. But what’s on tap for next month?

The Boyfriend suggests I Knit for Obama. While I’d gladly wear a Knitters for Obama t-shirt, I don’t think I want to knit for the man. Although…?

EZ would have me knit tights for children and adults. Yah that’s not going to happen. Tights! Honestly who wears those? Can you tell it’s late and I’m a bit punchy? Maybe not the best time to make a decision.

I have been eager to tackle a pair of socks from New Pathways for Socks Knitters, but then again I’d knit that anyway and it’s not really so much of a challenge. I prefer the challenges that cause me to use up the stashed yarn, the really old stuff. Oh wait, isn’t it time to do a Mile in a Month?

I think it is, since I wanted to knit 4 miles spaced evenly throughout the year. But maybe I should throw down the gauntlet and say knit 2 Miles this month! Oh and make it be some of the old stuff? Alright pick a number between 1 and 319. This’ll be the 2 mile month of random yarn. Pist, I have a list of all of my different types and colors of yarn and there are 319 of them, but that’ll be between just you and me. Help me out and throw out some numbers and the corresponding yarns will be what I’m challenged to knit 2 miles with. Even you quiet people, who don’t like to comment, even you, throw out a number. It’ll make it more a challenge for me which inturn is more fun for you as you watch me knit circle around myself.

Washer Trouble

The mice are drying. I realized you hadn’t seen any pictures of the mouse army.
They are much cuter and smaller now that they’ve shrunk down.

After the felting was complete I did a final spin through on the jeans that I had used to agitate. And the washer decided that this was the perfect moment to stop working. Thus giving The Boyfriend ammunition with which to blame me for the repair. Clearly it was the work of those mystical pixies again. They are always sneaking around causing havoc. The pixies are also responsible for putting cardboard in with the plastic recycling and leaving the lid of the trash can up. They hide single socks and buy ridiculous obnoxious pop songs on Itunes. It's true!

I’ve taken to referring to Nessa as My Nessa. Do you see where this is going? She’s just so sweet and so cuddly. And as I'm writing this Linus has come to claim him thrown on my lap while purring the whole time. Yes I'm feeling guilty about being a little star struck over Nessa. Although, her incessant cries for attention Saturday night were unnerving. However, I have forgiven her in light of her recent show success. There were more Second Best of Breeds than I’d like, but she did get a 3rd Best Short Hair (clap, and raise eyebrows as though you are incredibly impressed).


Nessa’s 8 pink bullets were the topic of conversation with more than one judge. My Nessa was showing all the signs of being pregnant, a big no-no in the cat show world. I reassured everyone that this could not be the case, while blushing and trying to convince myself that I was not miss representing the truth, that there were many other possible causes for those bright pink bullets. Four days later and she still looks pregers. Since she’s My Nessa, I’m seeing yarny kittens…Malabrigo… Cascade…. Rowan…. Noro….Frog Tree…. Berroco…. Pastaza…. Definitely Frog Tree!

March is now April

I know I’ve left you hanging with those burning questions. Will the shop on the way to the Cat Show in Middletown have it?Will our hero finish the hat before Midnight on March 31st?
I did not feel I could address them without photos to accompany my results.

Will the shop on the way to the Cat Show in Middletown have it?
No the Creative Fibers shop did not have Cascade Chunky Alpaca. I was forced to set aside the Chunky-Alpaca-Better-Bucket-Hat.
In it’s place I began the Drops Design 86-10 Headband in Alaska. I’ve knit this pattern before and had packed extra yarn just incase the shop did not have the stuff to finish the hat. I used Knit Picks Andean Silk and knit this while Nessa was busy doing her thing.

Will our hero finish the hat before Midnight on March 31st?

I have succeeded in completing the 5SKSO Challenge. I cast off the headband on Sunday March 30. Monday the 31st I wove in the ends and attached the button.

This brings us to today, already 8 days into April. I’ve been struggling to come up with an April Challenge. I had thought to set the goal of completing the ILV, but the urge to knit something in cotton for summer is too strong. I had thought to work on a secret Christmas gift, something small, requiring almost mass production. I’m being intentionally vague here. Perhaps the challenge should be, complete 20 Super Secret Projects by the end of April. Or perhaps I should be Challenge-less for the month of April. I’d rather not go without as it does give my knitting some direction. I think another mile challenge would be helpful in making room for the inevitable yarn purchase that will result from the April 27th trip to Webs. I could make the mile challenge a quarterly event. January, April, July, & October. That would be 4 miles from Stash in 2009.

The offical count, as of April 1st 2008 is 42.53 miles of yarn. I know it's a bit more because that doesn't count the Chinese yarn that I can't translate, or the Shetland yarns for the ILV. So it’s settled, the April Challenge will be knit a mile in the next 22 days. Can I do it? I did it in January, but I wasn't working the first 14 days of the month. Wish me luck!

Devon Heaven!!!

We did it!!! Nessa and I successfully navigated the airports, hotel, and show halls. It was a blast, meeting so many wonderful people and really enjoying my time with them. You know cat people are a lot like knitters. They are warm and funny. Nessa was a riot at the airport. I let her stretch her legs during the layovers. She didn't mind the harness as long as I was nearby for her to rub her head on.

There were 8 judges at the show, Nessa was competing against 27 other Devon Rex kittens. And these aren't just any kittens, these are the best kittens that the top breeders have to show. So the competition is intense. In all 8 rings Nessa won best for her color (black smoke) and best for her class ('other' which is anything that is not solid and not tabby). Those were great wins but what we really care about is being the "best Devon Rex kitten".

Each judge awards their "best" and "second best" In the first ring, Nessa got honorable mention. Second ring, nothing. Then the third ring, Nessa was awarded the coveted blue ribbon -best devon kitten!!! I was shocked. All the other breeders congratulated me and laughed at my stunned expression. Nessa looked at me like, of course I'm winning, I'm too cute not to. In the fourth ring, the final one that day, Nessa took the red ribbon -second best Devon kitten. It was a great experience and gave me the vindication I needed, I had done the right thing, bringing Nessa without Mum.

Day two, 4 more rings with the same results, a best and a second best. It was an excellent feeling. So proud and excited about this tiny little cat that was stealing the show. In the end when all of the points were counted, Nessa was crowned the overall "Second Best Devon Rex Kitten in Show". It is a very prestigious award. And it's a Coupe that we, Curlfect Devons, brand new to the cat show circuit, had won it. She really is a great little Devon!

When we weren't at the show hall, we were at the pre-show party, the before party, the DRBC banquet, the after party, and passed out with exhaustion. It was an grueling schedule but given Nessa's results and my new found love of cat showing, it was well worth it. I must admit, amongst this cat fancy atmosphere there was no time for knitting. I couldn't even focus enough to knit on the plane home. I zoned out listening to podcasts. I'm currently enjoying Craftlit's Turn of the Screw by Henry James....it's suspenseful and Victorian. How could I note love it, right up there with Dracula.

Packing

So short a trip but so much to remember. I like many other pedigree cat enthusiasts am rushing to finish up the last minute packing as I prepare to embark on a whirlwind adventure in the city of the Indy 500. While their checklists involve things like litter pans, grooming wipes, cat food, and cats, mine looks something like, DK weight handspun wool for scarf, Bainbridge scarf pattern, size 2 needles, Wendy Knits generic toe up sock pattern, etc.

My partner in crime, the lovely seven month old, Nessa Rose. I’m not really worried about as I know our little star is well looked after by her mother. But as the two of us (Nessa and I) head into the world alone, I will need a dash of courage and a bit of luck, oh and some of my stash yarn as a security blanket to calm my nerves.