Rhineback and The Wall of Death

The festival was wonderful. Better than my wildest dreams. But most importantly I am blessed to have such great friends. What would I do without you? I’d be lonely, and The Boyfriend would do a lot more mindless nodding along as I babbled to him about yarn.

Friday afternoon I picked up Meow Meow Head and Bat Girl and we flew down to The Communicator’s work. From there it was another 4 hours to Rhinebeck.

I was a little sketched out by the house we rented. In the house's defense, it was a clean, spacious, quaint, older home. We were surprised to find a delicious restaurant down the street even if it was a bit pretentious, we spent much of the meal giggling.

The next two days were spent drooling on yarn, eating fried artichokes, knitting, and laughing. Who could ask for more?

I got so much yummy yarn and a fun painting. No not the Wall of Death, I got the Cartoony Fiber Animals, except mine is 8x10, not quite this big. The Wall of Death was at the house, and it quickly became the theme song for the weekend. At least the theme song in my head.

I know, you want the yarn run down of what came home with me...Socks That Rock, Oak Grove, Steam Vally Fiber, Aussi Sock, Silver Moon Farm, Noro, and more Socks That Rock. It was exciting to find so many new yarns and indie dyers. I would've loved some Creatively Dyed or Tsarina Tsocks but a girl has to draw the line somewhere. I'm already half way through a pair of RPMs using the STR. It's amazing!

Leaves were in the air, hats were on heads, and smiles were on faces: Rhinebeck 2008.

I'm ready for 2009 tomorrow. I’ll leave you with this digital impressionistic image, I call it

“Fall Knitters in Paradise”.

Give me the Chemicals

Being at camp is exhausting! Actually it’s relaxing but the sun and fresh air seem to have tired me out. It certainly couldn’t have been the knitting marathon or the relaxing atmosphere.
The girls and I had a great time.

The Common Ground Fair was and was not what I expected. After hearing so much about it in high school and then college but never going, the fair had attained mythical status in my mind. This did not bode well for the Fair as I think anything would’ve fallen short. I knew it would be a crunchy-alternative type fair with hippies, organic and vegetarian food. I did not realize that the entire state of Maine would turn out to see it at the same time I did. Rather than the low-key non-commercial event I expected, I found long lines, throngs of people, and over priced food. Admission was $10 just to be on the grounds, an eggplant wrap was $7, Fried whole wheat dough was another $6 and water, $2. You see where I’m going? This seriously cut into my yarn allowance.

As we walked through the fair squeezing all the yarn in beautifully sun and natural dyed colors, we concluded that we like chemicals in our yarns. While merino is merino, it’s not the same from the organic farmer as it is with a nice wash and softener. My brain glitches at this thought, aware that those chemicals may not be healthy for me or the people who applied them. Like recycling, it feels like I should take care of the planet and buy the local less processed item, but you know what? Knitting is my passion, it’s something I love to do in large part because of the tactile sensations. If I were to use that scratchy wool I wouldn’t knit, I’d become a fidgety basket case with an explosive temper, not exactly the ideal environment for my nervous Chihuahua. So I’m going to be irresponsible and continue to buy my yarns, from Peru, India, China, etc. I’ll recycle, support my local businesses, drive a fuel efficient vehicle, conserve electricity, and refrain from eating meat but I draw the line at my knitting. I couldn’t help but think that that scratchy wool was what gives non-knitters such a poor impression of wool. I wouldn’t want that stuff anywhere near my skin but give me a nice wool-alpaca blend, merino, or Malabrigo from the LYS and I’ll gladly wear it all day without a thought of itching.

That being said, I did by some “glamour bunny blend” 30% angora bunny yarn that is amazingly soft. I wanted to take all the bunnies home with me. I also found people selling the balsam pillows like my AP has. She’s had the same one for 15 years and every time I go to her house I touch it and enjoy the scent. Those pillows will always make me think of her home. And I couldn’t resist the transformation print of yarn to cats. I’ve definitely done my fair share of knitting cats and knitting for cats.

A 24 Hour Day

Yesterday was good but very long. We checked out of the hotel around 9am and arrived in Boston at 9:30am the next morning. First we headed off on the Bainbridge Ferry. It was a quick ride to a pretty little island. I’d be happy to live there, it was rural enough to satisfy The Boyfriend yet, busy enough to have a yarn shop to satisfy me. Of course I spent some time there and actually got some Socks that Rock, lightweight sock yarn. And Malabrigo, and Araucania Sock yarn, and some more Jamison Fair Isle yarn so that I can use up the extra yarn from the Ivy League Vest. But I go off on a yarn tangent.





We took the Ferry back and headed over to Pike’s Market. Most of the day was in fact spent walking. I had my pedometer on and we were well over seven miles, after already having walked five miles the previous two days.



The Boyfriend wanted to try some Seattle beer so we visited Pike’s Pub where he had the sampler and I had a disgusting, I mean tasty 10% ABV beer. It was a challenge to get it down but I managed it. I also dragged him to a merchant who had been selling Turkish Delight. I succeed in purchasing some without too many snickers from him.




Next it was the Sci-Fi and Music museums. The Boyfriend worried that I’d melt if they had a Dr. Who exhibit. Lucky for him they did not. But the robot from The Day The World Stood Still was there. Silly robot snuck up on me! Our impressions of these museums can be summed up by the adage, “If you can’t say something nice…don’t say anything at all.” We were required to check our bags and our snacks, without any liquids available we both just wilted.



So we decided to head down to the waterfront and check out the Olympic Sculpture Park. It was a good break with interesting outdoor sculptures. I enjoyed watching the grass waving in the breeze as the ferries and trains passed. The Boyfriend and I had a thoughtful discussion about his future and his priorities. I do not envy him managing work, school, research, and life all at once. In the end I think we came to a good plan to help balance his life.



With a second wind we headed to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Lemon drops are delicious and so is Carrot Cake Cheese Cake. And there we were, finished with dinner with 3 hours until the shuttle to the airport. We’d really seen all we wanted to see and neither of us wanted to walk anymore. So we decided to catch a movie. Tropical Thunder…I love Robert Downey Jr. Tom Cruise rocked. We laughed and stretched. I slept a little (no reflection on the movie). Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with co-workers and head to the airport. Two flights later with two hours of sleep under my belt I stumbled off the plane in Boston and realized I’d been wearing the same clothes for 24 hours…ewwww!

The Sun, Priestess, Hangman. Chariot, Judgment, and Empress.

Last night during happy hour at the hotel there was a man doing Tarot card readings. The Boyfriend and I both had it done.

For me; The Sun, The Priestess, and The Hangman.
According to the reader this meant that I am naturally a happy person and attract happy people to me. That I am a hostess who enjoys learning and is constantly changing. My future is uncertain but I will follow my heart and my intelligence and do something I enjoy.

For The Boyfriend; The Chariot, The Judgment, and The Empress.
According to the reader this meant that he had achieved great things in his past. That he had a new awareness that would cause his to achieve ultimate success and bring success to those around him. That he would help people.

I did a little more checking online and got a bit more explaination on each. They both seem pretty right on for us, but what do you think?

The Sun: A positive card, it promises a day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. The Sun so large and golden overhead, this is the first time that he has been simply and purely happy. His mind feels illuminated, his soul light and bright as a sunbeam

The Priestess:
The card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. Her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know in order to make a decision.

The Hangman: indicates sacrifice. Often, he hangs like on ominous signpost in the road - strange and new happenstances around the next corner. However, the Hanged Man usually shows up to inform you that you will be seeing and understanding things in an entirely new way.

The Chariot: On its most basic level, it implies war, a struggle, and an eventual, hard-won victory; either over enemies, obstacles, nature, the beasts inside you, or to just get what you want On the one hand, the Chariot indicates loyalty and faith and motivation; a conviction that will lead to victory no matter the odds. But the chariot can also signal a ruthless, diehard desire to win at any cost.

The Judgment: This is also a card of healing, quite literally from an accident or illness, as well as a card signaling great transformation, renewal, change. Judgment signals just a big change, one that involves leaving something old completely behind and stepping into something completely new. Like closing the door on an old job, and opening the door to a new and very different career. But it's also about making a final decision.

The Empress: She's Mother. Generally, Mother in a good sense, patient, loving, giving, generous This card tells that if they want a new creation to grow into all it can be they have to pay attention to it, baby it and be willing to let it take those first steps when it is ready. Most of all, like any pregnant mother or good gardener, they have to be patient. All things need time to gestate and sprout.

Octopus Rain

Without the rain

On the Harbor Tour I learned that Seattle actually only gets 37” of rain a year as compared to Boston which gets 46”. The difference is that Seattle rainy season lasts for 9 months. So it was only fitting that as I strolled through Pike Place Market enjoying the sights and smell of all of the fresh flowers that it began to pour.

The devil in me is reveling as I watch the cars attempt to get up the wet steep hills from a complete stop. Lots of spinning tires and a sliding backwards. It’s evil and I know I shouldn’t but I laugh.

The Octopus intimidated me

After touring the harbor and knitting as I gazed at Puget Sound and the cargo cranes that inspired the Imperial Walkers in the Star Wars movies, I headed over to the Seattle Aquarium. Although I had been warned that it is a research facility first and foremost, I was not prepared for the stark displays with sparse signage and lack of seating. It made me really want to visit the “washing machine” at the Boston Aquarium.

I was amused by the sea and river otters. The fur seals with their big black eyes melted my heart.

And then I sat down with the kiddies in front of the octopus tank. Reading that the Octopi can see as well as I can, and already knowing how intelligent they are, the stage was set. Then the giant creature perched not ten inches from my face and looked me in the eye as it’s tentacles roved about.

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I got the clear impression that this peculiar creature was completely aware of the situation and plotting our demise. For now, he had made a conscious decision to entertain the lowly humans. (I got goose bumps and also reminded me of “so long and thanks for all the fish”).

And did I mention that my legs are killing me. I’ve walked well over 5 miles both days. The rain is stopping so I’ll venture from one of the 100 Starbucks located in the 5 miles of Downtown. It really is the Starbucks capital and they all resemble my local hangout which is comforting in this big city.

I ate lunch at Seattle Grace Hospital

OK, not really. But I was eating spanakopita at the building they show on Gray’s anatomy as the exterior of the hospital. It’s actually a shopping center across from the Space Needle, and all of the filming for the show is done in Los Angeles so no chance to see McSteamy or McDreamy.


I learned all of this on the Duck Tour, which is something I’ve always wanted to do and Seattle just happened to be the lucky city. I have can now say I’ve ridden a duck, and I truly enjoyed it. I had thought it would help me learn the lay of the land but it crossed back and forth so much I had no idea where I was, but it was a good time.


I saw the location of The Real World 7, the sports stadiums, Olympic Sculpture Park, the monorail, and Belltown. I had to walk through Belltown this morning which was sketchy to say the least. I’ll gladly take the monorail back to our swanky hotel.



Currently I’m sitting in the Space Needle writing this on the back of a map. Traveling alone is so different, so introspective. The view from here actually reminds me of the view from the top of a cruise ship. This is where I would typically ask The Boyfriend how tall these things are in comparison. Alas, he’s in a stuffy meeting.


Now I’m going to pull out the socks and knit a couple of rows, making this the most unusual place I’ve ever knit (previously it had been at a cat show).

Back From The Edge

Leaving after work on Thursday we raced the sunlight and headed into the heart of darkness. Well not really, it just felt that way to me. I was a bit nervous as we drove an hour outside of cell phone range, an hour away from restaurants, and an hour from any sort of hospitals. I pushed those thoughts from my mind and played with one of the two pieces of technology that would accompany me into the woods, my camera. The other of course is the trusty Ipod. So there we were rushing into the woods and I was clicking away taking this and other fun photos.

We did not beat the dark or the rain, which meant the bonfire was a no-go. Instead, we acquainted ourselves with a little game called Settlers of Catan. For all you Futurama fans out there, I kept singing “We’re Settlers of Catan” to the tune of “We’re whalers on the moon”. As you can see the Girly Beer was also engrossed in learning the rules of this addictive game.

The next afternoon we had a bit of a slapstick comedy routine. At least I felt like it as I sat on a rock knitting while the others played on the shore, skipping stones and enjoying the scenery.
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Here you see, one of my companions decides to throw the biggest stone into the water.
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Together they admire the ripple.
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Then as his attention is elsewhere The Boyfriend puts the rock back in its proper-responsible position, out of the water where future visitors are sure to see it and not ram their boats into it. I watched and chuckled.
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The second evening we had sun and another round of Catan. Anxious not to miss our opportunity for a fire, we started it well before dark and dinned outside.

There was a conflict between The Boyfriend and I over the appropriate use of sticks and fire poke-age. I felt there could not be enough poking and demonstrated this at every opportunity, saying “pokey-pokey” with a smile and hearing my father's voice when I was a child walking slowly saying “come on pokey-pokey.”




The Boyfriend confiscated my stick on several occasions and all agreed there should be no sitting without knitting for me, far too fidgety.




As we drove home today I continued to work on my Undulating-Rib socks (I’m in love with the Claudia Hand paint yarn). The Boyfriend snapped this picture of it look you can see him reflected in the rearview.

Amongst mice, sleeve burning marshmallows, waterfalls, cribbage, flatulence, brick-wood-wheat-sheep-oar, cooking, poking the fire, and “that’s what she said” I discovered that we really do have a wonderful pair of friends. So often the daily grind and different interests cause us to loose track of what caused the paths of our lives to intersect to begin with, nothing more than the pleasure of just being ourselves together, to relax together, and being able to just laugh together.

And yes, I did survive and even enjoy the wilderness.

I might even do it again sometime, (as long as there's indoor plumbing).