Some Bunny’s Love

Yikes! When I cast on the Ultimate Gift, it is a good thing I decided to do a quick swatch. I thought using the US4 (3.50 mm) Addis would put me at gauge, but noooooo. My knitting is so loose, I had to come down to US2 (3.00 mm) Addis!! At least I started doing the sleeves first to be sure I do not get frustrated early. My progress has not been what I hoped. After two repeats of the pattern I realized that I would not finish in time so another alternative had to be knit. On Friday night I cast on at 8:45PM and finished about 7 hours later. The design I chose? The Ballet T-shirt by Teva Durham. Clicking on the photo shows the actual color of the mohair-blend top. Close call for a medal! (Wipes brow)

So while Eric’s cabled pullover was not finished for Ravelympics, I still am working on it. Recently when I sent him a photo of that first repeat, he replied quite enthusiastically. That was when I noticed one of his taglines, “People will not remember what you say or what you do, they will only remember how you make them feel.” This quote had more power than I realized.

Two Sundays ago, Rich’s cousin Christina went out to get some ice cream after dinner for her mother and herself. When she came back, Aunt Agnes was asleep on the couch. Chris tried to wake her, and when Auntie Ag would not awaken, Chris called over the fire department across the street. Turned out that Auntie Ag had a heart attack and was placed on life support. That Tuesday, the decision to stop the machines was made. Auntie Ag looked so peaceful, as if she would wake up any minute and ask for some Canadian Mist. I will never forget her smile, her mothering chastises, and that she was one of the first of Rich’s relatives to greet me into the family.

In irony, death had also occurred in the last Knitting Olympics. Rich’s business partner lost his father-in-law during the first weekend, and I lost my beautiful Hayley-girl. Coincidence? I do not know. I just know that Auntie Ag made me feel comfortable in the family, and I will miss her brazen wit and attitude. Life does go on for the living, so finishing all my projects (weight-wise, home-wise, and knitting) is going to be my priority for a bit. I can only wonder how I make folks feel when I leave this earth. Sobering thoughts, I know. Sorry!

Oh dear, I just checked the Secret Pal 12 Blog and it looks like I missed a question during that week with Auntie Ag.
Question for Week 10:
What Olympic event would best describe your knitting/knitting style?
Hmm… I would like to say the gymnastics balance beam exercise. Reason, because my stitches flow but are held in precision. One wrong move, and WHAM! Time to start over.
Question for Week 11:
What is the best thing you’ve ever received in the mail/post?
Everything that all my pals, secret or not, have sent me. I literally use all that has been given to me, so I cannot decide! Have a good week everybunny! =:8

Baseball is something I can obsess over besides anything knitting related. After playing my first game of softball, I find myself desperately wanting to improve so I can make those awesome catches that the professionals do so easily. To refresh a couple of memories, I adore baseball and HAVE to watch it daily. If I cannot watch a Major League Baseball game — does not matter who — I listen on the car radio and root for the team who has players that I like.

This past Sunday was a special treat. A month or so ago, I spotted an email from Red Sox nation saying “enter for a chance to win tickets for RI Day” and did so. I shared the links with other RI pals, but ironically, non-RI-native me won a chance! On the day allotted to purchase the tickets, I was sick in bed. If there was anything I was going to do while miserably sick, it was to at least buy those tickets! When noon hit, I did my best to grab the best seats as possible, and managed to get 4 box seats in right field. I had no idea how close the seats in the park, but I did not care. The original idea was to see if a couple of friends could join us too to share in the fun. Lo and behold, newlyweds Kerri and Mike were interested in the tickets and were up for a great afternoon.

To say that Kerri and Mike are Red Sox fans is the biggest understatement of a lifetime. They had looked into having their wedding at both Fenway and McCoy Stadium, but decided that the emptiness would feel too odd and offer a non “Red Sox” feeling. Plus, they told me that just to get married on the Fenway Park roof started with a $3000 fee — does not include the food/catering! In other words, to get married on field itself, be prepared to start the tab at $15000. FYI: Years ago in 1998 having a Disney wedding required spending at least $10000. Sorry, I would rather have that over Fenway. But I digress…

To say we had a blast at the game is an understatement. Though we could have done without the rain delay, the dark clouds that were in the sky were ominous. Add the lightning and the weather was not quite as nice. I took a ton of photos, so much that the camera’s battery died in the 7th inning! Hope everybunny enjoys them. =:8

Well maybe not everywhere, but this crazy bunny ended up playing in our fourth softball game Thursday night because of the “3 women must be on the playing field” rule in our league. What? I never mentioned that I play softball? Teehee, nobunny is missing much. I had never played before until a month after I started working at my new job and was told about a team being formed. Knowing that I lack the hand-eye-coordination to catch or bat, I warned folks that as much as I would like to play, I would not be a good player but would be a good cheerleader. With the first two games postponed due to rain, somehow I ended up in the batting line-up in the third game. I surprised myself by actually hitting the ball for a base hit and out-running the throw to first! Wow! Excited from being able to get on base, I called my (high school jock) sister “Ace” after the game. I could tell she was proud for me. Admittedly I think losing the extra weight helped in running around the bases. Now if I could only lose those last additional pounds…

Clicking the photo of myself on base will show how badly I felt during Thursday’s game. I kept coughing up a storm, and my misery was evident. We did win 24 to 17, so at least my pain amounted to something! One of the coolest shots is of us after we said “good game” to the other team when everything was over. The three men in the middle consist of one of my co-workers Ron (#11), my boss Jerry (grey cap), and QA extra-ordinaire Mike (with glasses). The photos above are from a friend from work, Misha. He has a fabulous camera and is one of our team’s “official” photographers. The photo below shows the other photographer Rich M. in the background and Misha in the foreground. I remember taking the photo, but was getting agitated because I could not find it. Later I realized that I was using the coach’s camera, not mine. DUH! The other photo happened when I drove home on Thursday. Right after the game, it began to rain, then it downpoured. Driving on the newly grooved Route 128 highway was not fun. Attempting to Kinnear a rainbow in the downpour is also not fun! Please excuse the blurriness, but it was the only shot of many that shows the colors best.

Now with the title mentioning bunnies, I just had to post some recent photos that I took of my fur-children in action. Today Zydeco kept flopping on his side, so I just could not resist snapping the camera at him. The other is his “giving disapproval” look on taking his photo the other night.

For the crazy part, Julius is still pining for a girlfriend and keeps hoping Jessica Bunny will give in and be his. Unfortunately for him, this middle-aged biddy has other thoughts. By the way, that photo of her and him together is her biting him in an attack!

Teehee! Time for the Secret Pal 12 Question of Week 8!
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening? (For added “flavor”, post a photo or recipe link)
With this SP12 question, I had to think for a bit but only for a short time. My favorite meal ever during the summer was just over (gasp!) 13 years ago. My sister Ace, our room-mate Anita, their (now husbands) boyfriends, my “puppy” (that was what my rugby teammates referred to the hapless creature), and I cooked a bushel of blue-crab along with a couple pounds of butter. Pair that with cases of cold beer and white German wine, and that is a feast to remember! Lately I have a tendency to pick up 2-3 pounds of King crab legs or large shrimp. Somehow those and lobster salad sandwiches seem to be the summer treat in the house. However, since showing a photo is mentioned, I will happily show everyone what I eat about every morning. A two-egg omelet (well that day it was a frittata) of bacon, cheese, onions, and tomatoes paired with a parfait of fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt. Add my cup of tea and loads of water, that is what I eat daily for my diet! =:8

Here I am, back from Virginia. The news: my Daddy suffered another stroke last Saturday and refused to go to the hospital until late Sunday night. When my Sister Ace and Mother dragged him to the ER, the hospital kept him overnight for a bunch of tests. After the initial tests were done, Ace called me to share the news and said I needed to come home. I flew home Tuesday to hear the whole situation. Daddy’s clot is somewhere in his left temple area. An angiogram and angioplasty were being scheduled, but there would be huge complications if the angioplasty were done. Because of the general location of the clot, a bunch of digging would be done in his brain during the surgery. If the stint were to be successfully inserted, Daddy would be in the ICU for at least 6 months while his body healed. If the operation were to be disastrous, he would become a machine-dependent vegetable or the unthinkably worse.

All that data was a bit difficult to stomach. The alternative was if he refused the additional tests and surgery, his next stroke would most likely be fatal, but using coumadin might help. Ace and Mother had called me home because Daddy immediately had opted for the surgery. By the time I had arrived and sat with him on Wednesday morning, he changed his mind and was ready to go AMA (against medical advice). Long story short, the doctor never scheduled the angiogram and was fudging his words about the surgery’s complications. Turned out that there are only a handful of local surgeons capable of performing the delicate operation — one of them is the Duke University surgeon who removed Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor. Not wanting my father to be a guinea pig, we let the doctor know of our thoughts. He then acquiesced and allowed us to take Daddy home.

I spent the remainder of the week hanging out with my father at the rental properties — partially chauffeuring him around in his truck (I keep getting told that it will be mine in the future, yes I think that is morbid!), partially keeping a watchful eye to make sure he was okay. Doing so gave my Mother a chance to do every day basic chores, and relieved Ace to spend time with her family. My parents are selling one of their rental homes, and are in the process of leasing out another. Here are some photos that I took at the Chambers location. Notice the hydrangea bush? I had disturbed somebunny napping under it.

During my time home, I managed to visit my beloved favorite yarn shop in Virginia Beach, Ewe Knit Kits. LYSO Bobbie never fails to make a person’s day with the various yumminess that she keeps in stock. I showed her the Baby Pinwheel Blanket that I cast on with the Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in Yellowstone which I purchased during my last visit in April. I scooped up more Lorna’s Laces, Jade Sapphire, beads, buttons, and needle felting tools. The buttons had a purpose — check out the Killer King Caesar!

Now that my weekly update has been written, I will answer the latest for SP12.
Question(s) of the Week #4
1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?
Hmmm… I must say that I cannot think of anything that would make my stash “complete” or that I never want to be without in any respect. I admit that I have a crazy amount of yarn — almost at a collector’s level. Peering into my stash, the guess would be acquiring a silk laceweight like Sundara, Fyberspates, or Sunshine Yarns to help in completing the stash. As for a yarn that I never want to be without? The toss up is between fiber content — 100% buttery soft merino (Melosa, Malabrigo, Sunshine Yarns South American, Marta’s Merino Lace, etc.) and the silk/animal blends in my stash (Jaggerspun Zephyr (DK and Lace), Classic Elite Posh, K1C2 Richesse et Soie, Horstia Silk/Merino, Reynolds Rapture…). It is so hard to choose because I love them all!! =:8

To everybunny that has been commenting here, huge bunny hugs of thanks from the bottom of my little heart. One of my summer resolutions is to answer each and every comment, and I will do my best to answer all of them since the postings in April. If I have not responded right away, I offer up my sincerest apologies. The comments are a big compliment, and I am deeply flattered that folks like to read my crazy musings when there are many others out in Blogland.

I really wanted to write about Saturday’s fun at WEBS with Carol first, but a little something has come up that requires me to go back home to Virginia Beach. I most likely will be off-line, so if anybunny needs to contact me, just either comment here or use my “contact me” page. Either way, I will get an email and the messages will be received by this weekend.

Now for the little bit of fun, how about a couple of photos from Saturday at WEBS? Carol Sulcoski and her son “Elvis” are very nice folks. She even was a good sport about posing with the Killer “Caesar” Rabbit WIP. I had run into them at the warehouse earlier that day when I was hoping to find more skeins of Classic Elite Allure, but no such luck. However I did manage to get 3 bags more of the Julia in Delphinium (#3983), 4 skeins of Kauni, and 6 skeins of LLSW in my beloved Pilsen. (Sigh) That makes a total of 40 skeins of Delphinium (in Jedi voice “The other colorways are not in Kimberly’s stash.”), “I lost count” of Kauni, and 15 skeins of Pilsen (the Jedi voice repeats about those other colorways). I really MUST be an addict!

There is some news of knitting progress. I finally finished the birthday Clapotis, a pair of Fetching for the Ravelry Helpers Birthday Swap (which I forgot to photograph), and worked on the 3rd pair of Lacey Cable Socks. Originally I was going to make these for me, then I read that my SP12 Spoilee would love a pair of lacy socks. Not only that, the colorway is one of her favorites. How is that for motivation? =:8

The past two weeks have been a mite busy. As usual Ravelry and knitting suck up my attention, then work and the daily commute take up the rest. Since going “full-time with Ravelry” blogging had been put on hold and I have been slowly inputting back entries which cover the bigger events since April. To help with my slump, I figured that joining Secret Pal 12 would get me back on the writing saddle. But what is a blog entry without photos and side stories?

Above are the pieces of a Killer Rabbit. This little rabbit has been a challenge for me because I despise hand-sewing and knitting with 100% acrylic. I started this little guy on May 10th to kick off the anniversary celebrating Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Note how I am trying to make him look like “Seize the Bun” Caesar. I think my target is going to love him! The next time I make this pattern, I plan on embedding the ears as I knit the head, using short rows for the mouth, and knitting the hind legs like a boot. Look Ma, NO SEAMS!!

Another exchange I did was the Favorite Things Swap where I spoiled Wanda from the “Silly Sheep” blog. We had to send $15 worth of goodies that both pal and self would love. I sent over 4 skeins of a fabulous new linen/cotton/silk yarn that I bought during the WEBS Tent Sale since I have NOTHING in my crazy stash that is not “animal” fiber or a gift, a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates, a couple of stitch markers from Linda of Saratoga Llamas because my pal said she has never had any stitch markers (whoa — I am spoiled with my stash of markers), my favorite measuring cup (thanks to Alton Brown!), and a earth-friendly jigsaw puzzle that has a drawn rabbit for the artwork. Umm, how can a puzzle be earth-friendly? Because it is made of materials that can be planted into the ground. I have yet to hear from her since I sent the goodies over the past weekend, but I do know that she received it because I have tracking on the package. After realizing my little list for Wanda, I wonder what I will be getting…

My other exchange is the Ravelry Helpers Birthday Swap. Again the challenge is not to spend a lot of money — our budget is $20-25. Because I cannot show anything without divulging who my pal is, I must keep mum for now.

For those who are curious on how many I am currently making, I have 3 Clapotis on the needles, but only 2 of them have been photographed during their WIP-ing status. The orange one is a summertime “thank you” for another exchange, the little sage/black green one is a twist on the pattern to make a matching baby blanket for my cousin’s future daughter arriving in August, and the giant green/yellow one is a birthday present. After these Clapotis are done, I have to begin my sweater for Rhinebeck and the cabled v-neck pullover for my best bud in Virginia, Eric.

Now for the Secret Pal 12 “stuff” to do. First and foremost is my questionnaire which has its own dedicated page *HERE*. Next is the button that I am using. Can anyone guess what it is based on?

The final item is Shelby’s hostess question for this week:
What is your favorite summertime drink?
Hmmm… That is a tough call because what I drink depends on my mood and the social situation. I love a good mojito, dessert wine in a chilled glass, bottled water, sweet tea, lemonade, and (as of late) Coke Zero.

I figured that there was no better way for kicking off the month of June than to attend a morning class of dyeing-your-own yarn at Fresh Purls in Providence, RI. The class was taught by the ever-cool Dani of Sunshine Yarns. I have always admired her colorway combinations and was looking forward to meeting her in person.

Dani began with an introduction of the various yarns. She explained the differences between hand-painted and hand-dyed techniques, and demonstrated how different colorways can look after re-skeining. For those folks who were unaware, Claudia of CHP and Dani re-skein their yarns so that they will appear closer to how the fabric will knit up. Lorna’s Laces, Schaefer, and BMFA are examples of companies who do not re-skein their yarns. Their unwound hanks will show the dyed amounts along each length of the skein. Finally we discussed the various colors that were going to be put into use. We learned about how different concentrations of the same dye can affect how a skein looks. The whole session was a very cool lecture that we eagerly snapped up.

While we were listening to the information download, owner Karen and Sherry were getting the bottles of dye ready for us. A bit of checking later from Dani, a donning of our gloves, and covering the table and chairs with plastic — we were ready to go! Each of us chose various colors to try. Being the stiff mechanical type, I used a set pattern of 4 colors in my skein.

After we painted our skeins of Natural Trekking, we then extracted as much water as possible by gently squeezing each unwound hank down its sides. Dani carefully rolled up our newly made pretties in plastic wrap with deft hands. These heavy “sausages” were cooked in the microwave for the dye to set. Waiting 24 hours later, we were to wash them (preferably in wool wash) and hang the out to dry. I am quite please how mine turned out, and I truly appreciate the work that goes into making hand-painted and hand-dyed yarns. Big thanks to Karen for hosting, Dani for such a wonderful class, and Sherry for all the help. I am so glad I went! =:8

I’m not through with knitting Clapotis
Or yarn clubs I’ll never get in
It’s like the toe of the sock
That I’m never gonna graft
This life has turned out like the way I want it to be
(Tell me what you want)

I’d like a fixed up house in a ‘Ronto hood
And a bathroom I can bathe myself in
A king size tub big enough for the cat plus me
(Yeah, so what you need?)

I’ll have a wonder publisher that’s ever so patient
And a number of editors on standby near
Gonna Kinnear a star from just a couple of feet
(Been there, done that)

I want a big project bag full of cool colorways
My own marquee on the Calvin Theater
Sitting between Kathy and Steve Elkin is perfect for me
(So how you gonna do it?)

I’m gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I’d even curl my hair
And change my name…

Cuz we all just wanna be with The Harlot
Speak in numerous theaters and halls
The yarns come easy and the groupies come to see
We’ll all stay skinny cuz we won’t eat meat.

And we’ll hang out in The Coolest Store
In the VIP with designer stars
Every first sock knitter’s gonna wind up there
And a stalking bunny with her dark black hair.

Well, hey hey I love to see my rockstar
Hey hey I love to see my rockstar.

I want to enter like Elvis with all the panties
Hire a tall body guard that keeps out groupies
Sign a bunch of autographs so I can eat my meals in peace.

I’m gonna dress myself with comfy fashion
Get a front door key to the Lettuce Knit mansion
Gonna marry a man that loves to brag about my books for me

I’m gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I’d even curl my hair
And change my name…

Cuz we all just wanna be with The Harlot
Visit numerous cities and towns
The yarns come easy and the groupies come to see
We’ll all stay skinny cuz we won’t eat meat.

And we’ll all stock up in the WEBS showroom
Like the way Jennifer and Maaike did.
The WEBS staff will get you anything with a big smile
Everybunny’s got a sock yarnie on speed dial
Well, hey hey I love to see my Rockstar
Hey hey I love to see my Rockstar.

I’m gonna knit those socks
that bug the major toe-uppers
Gonna use my needles
made of cold steel metal
Get internet readers commenting up my blog
Review my speech every night so I don’t ever get it wrong

I’m gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I’d even curl my hair
And change my name…

Cuz we all just wanna be with The Harlot
Stay in numerous hotel rooms and suites
The yarns come easy and the groupies come to see
We’ll all stay skinny cuz we won’t eat meat.

And we’ll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the designer stars
Every first sock knitter’s gonna wind up there
And a stalking bunny with her dark black hair.

Well, hey hey I love to see my Rockstar
Hey hey I love to see my Rockstar. =:8

One would think my two days in Blacksburg would be finalized and my cravings to visit satisfied for another few years. After checking out of my wonderful suite (oh how I wish I could share time there with friends), I drove over to snap a couple of shots of something I missed the day before.

There are many similar statues around all of Blacksburg showing Hokie Pride. I had to get this one because it was in VT Corps of Cadets dress uniform. Snaphot now taken, I drove to see my beloved campus one last time before driving back to Virginia Beach.

I did find a handy parking spot along the Drillfield so I could quickly visit the War Memorial and the Pylons before getting a parking ticket. As expected, the campus was busy with students and faculty rushing about. I managed to snap a few photos when I received a return phone call from Emm1e. I had sent her my mobile phone number via Raverly-message in the hopes of meeting her before I left. Luckily my timing was perfect, we were meeting for lunch! She walked over from Burruss Hall to the War Memorial and we headed over to Mike’s.

For those who have never been to Blacksburg, nor will ever visit this wonderful town, Mike’s is a place that is sorely missed. The burgers are heavy on the meat, lighter on everything else, but made whatever way you like them. There are also pizzas, calzones, strombolis, and oooh the onion rings and fries… Lunchtime is usually a madhouse, and Monday was not only the exception, but was worse!

We managed to snag a table and finally hailed a server. The poor girl looked ragged and tired when she came to take our order. Both Emm1e and I chatted about Ravelry, her awesome Zombie Socks pattern (sorry, it is only available on Ravelry), Socktopia, Stash, MCY, and Clapotis. Our conversation was peppered with giggles and “Oh my goshes!” Time flew by and before we guessed it, Emm1e had to go back to work while I had to drive back to Virginia Beach. I then dropped her off and drove over to take a couple of shots of the Duck Pond.

Going my merry way on Interstate Highway 81 North, I stopped at a Shell Station to fill up the tank and ended up chatting with one of the women who worked there. The one thing that I miss from Virginia is the friendly Southern hospitality that welcomes even the most distant strangers into the area. Driving up the road back to the highway, I spotted the tourism billboard which inspired the title to this series of posts: “Live Passionately in Virginia!” Saying the sentence aloud, I smiled when I realized that the word “PassionKnitly” is used by my friend Jen of the “PassionKnitly” blog. I decided that I definitely had been “living passion-knit-ly” during this getaway and eagerly sought more just before my approach to Richmond.

I had driven past the Washington and Lee area when I read the sign for one of my favorite vineyards. Back in 1996 or so, I fell in love with V’Dor ice wine from Rockbridge Vineyard, and greedily purchased bottles of it when I could. The opportunity to visit this place had me thinking, “Hmmm… Are they open?” Indeed they were! I was able to take a quick visit into the shop and enjoy a wine tasting that offered up the various wines blended into V’Dor plus quench my thirst with a glass of the claret, Norton.

My hostess Jane turned out to be the co-owner and is also a knitter. As I am fond of saying, “How COOL is THAT?!” I think the question is quite applicable. Though the tell-tale handknitted items up for sale in the shop are not by her, but by the owner of a nearby yarn shop. Jane mentioned that their knitting group sometimes has wine during the meet ups. If only I did not have to drive back to Virginia Beach!

At some point, I decided to show the Clapotis WIP the various ribbons won by Rockbridge. Unfortunately, my picture taking hands were a bit shaky. I blame being tired and having to hold the needles up in dim lighting. (hush! No more words!) Here are the best of the many shots I attempted.

By the time I reached Ace’s home, it was around 7:30 PM. We had a quick meal and I decided to crash on the couch with one of the housecats, Jake. He was my buddy during my stay, and we hung out together a lot. I love being back home. =:8