aknitwit

Reading Preferences

marwer13@msn.com — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:44:00 GMT

At my Doctor's office today, the reading table contained only 2 things: A Holy Bible, and a stack of Avon catalogs. What would you call this weird juxtaposition? The Sublime and the Ridiculous? Body and Soul? C'mon, Bax, I'm counting on you for a zinger...

Oh, no, Terry!

marwer13@msn.com — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:01:58 GMT

I just found out that Terry Pratchett has Alzheimer's. What kind of stinking irony is that?

Sellout? Career Advancement? You choose...

marwer13@msn.com — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:02:16 GMT

Remember 'Serenity'? Remember Mal, the Captain? He is now a regular on 'Desperate Housewives'. I kid you not.

A little more help, please?

marwer13@msn.com — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:40:38 GMT

It seems I am always asking you guys for help. Or at least input. Currrent dilemma concerns knitting needles. I have many many needles already, but I am about to embark on New Adventures in knitting, via Cat Bordhi and her magical method, involving lots of various lengths of circular needles. Also got Barbara Walker's book on knitting from the top down, also involving circular needles. I think the best solution would probably be a set of interchangeable tips with various lengths of cables, but there are lots of different kinds out there, and I don't even know where to start. Wood tips? Metal? Resin? And who makes the best? Heeelllllp!

While I have your attention, a couple more questions:
What is 'teh'? What does it mean and how do you say it? Also 'woot'. Same inquiry.
Is a 'klingon' the same thing as 'a bat in the cave'?

Inquiring minds want to know....

HOME!!

marwer13@msn.com — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:36:03 GMT

We are home. HOME. Unburned, darling little house home. The town is still pretty deserted, and the crush to get re-entry is backing up at the checkpoint, but we should soon be back to 'normal', whatever that is. I had to stop at said checkpoint, and was told that the wait was about 40 minutes. I buttonholed the nearest Sheriff's deputy, told him my husband was 'with' the Sheriff's in Twin Peaks, and that I had cats in the car. Cats, he says, hmmm. Follow me. And he put me second in line at the permit desk. Cats Rule!!

Kent had preceded me up the hill so he could help with the Sheriff's Citizens Patrol, so he had no trouble getting in. Just flashed his badge.We had boarded our kitties at my step-son's vet, and when I picked them up, they refused payment. Great folks.

Magick wet his pants as we pulled into town, so the car isn't reeking too badly, but he is not a happy guy right now. He was unceremoniously rinsed off in the kitchen sink and rubbed down with a dishtowel. I have had a minute to brew some coffee and dump my catpissy clothes in the washer, so life is good.

We had a nice few days with Kent's son and family, and I managed to get almost all the junk food I was craving. Our town only has Round Table and McD's, so all the finer things, like Rubio's and Quizno's are rare treats.

I am leaving behind, in Redlands, my friend Sue who has a house in the Arrowhead area. She may not get back up for another week or so. She is comfortably nesting with a friend there, so should be OK, but is still anxious.

I must thank you all for your good wishes on our behalf, and for my birthday wishes too. Thanks. Oh, btw, we had to evacuate the day after the aforementioned bridal shower, so I didn't get to tell you all how that went. With your help I decided on a cookbook written by a Food Channel cookie, it looks perfect for a new bride, and then wrapped it with a bunch of little utensils on the front instead of a bow. Cute, and much appreciated. Thanks for the input! Bax, your mention of the embroidered blanket was great--I may do that for them down the road a bit.

Whew. I am going to bring in our stuff from the car and get re-settled. Kent should be home in time for dinner. We never lost power, so our refer food is still good.

Rhylar, hope your folks are OK in Del Mar. San Diego Co was really hard hit. And today is the anniversary of the deaths of the 5 firefighters in the Esperanze fire. Life in So Cal...

Hey, Wendy, you said your folks are "f'ing PC." Does that stand for Politically Correct? Which we are, of course...

Bye for now.

A Little Help Here?

marwer13@msn.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:04:04 GMT

I have been invited to a bridal shower for a young woman I have met only once--she is the fiance of my step-son's stepson--so I know very little about her. I am appealing to members of her generation to give me an idea or two for a shower gift. If there is anything you remember getting, pre-nuptially, which you still value today, and haven't relegated to the back shelf of your pantry, I would like to know the identity of said object. I am feeling hopelessly 'out of it' and also suffer from 'live in Hickville-itis' so your assistance would be more than appreciated.
My line is open...

Graduation Day

marwer13@msn.com — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:14:37 GMT

On Thursday, my husband Kent and I went to his grand-daughter's graduation from High School. It was a pretty typical graduation ceremony, and maybe the family gathering was pretty typical too, I don't know. Here's a list of the attendees:

Tom, my husband's second son, my step-son, father to Brittany
Brittany, the graduate, my step-grand-daughter
Sally, Brittany's mother, Tom's ex-wife, my ex-step-daughter-in-law
Tyler, Brittany's brother, my step-grand-son
Dottie, my husband's ex-wife, another of Brittany's four grand-mothers, and Tom's mother
Bob, Dottie's current husband, Brittany's step-grand-father
Lindy, Tom's girlfriend
Christian and Paul, the elder of Lindy's four children
Daniel, Brittany's boyfriend
and Duane(?), Sally's boyfriend

Children like Brittany have twice as many relatives as a child in a 'normal' family would have, due to divorce and remarriage. The adults have trouble remembering who belongs to whom, but the children have no problem. They know everybody and where they all fit in. Naturally, since the world revolves around them!

Anyway, it was a fun gathering, we all went out to dinner together, and caught up on each other. There have been rough patches in the past, hurt feelings, estrangements, and general ill will, but all seems smooth now. We've all grown up.

Dragons

marwer13@msn.com — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:55:26 GMT

I recently saw 'Eregon' on DVD, and although I liked the story and look forward to the sequel(s), I have to take issue with the appearance of the dragon, Safira. Her face is way too flat, and her eyes too small and forward-facing. The presumed descendants of dragons, lizards and birds, have long central ridges from brow to snout (beak), and large protuberant eyes that are more situated to the side. Safira has a brow stop, for crisake! Any comments? Bax?

More on knitting...

marwer13@msn.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 22:07:03 GMT

I have been going to weekly knitting sessions with my knittingfriend, Susan, and learning alot. We also go to yarn shops here and there, and she has introduced me to Sock Yarn, which is really cool. It is very fine, usually, and sometimes variegated, but most of the time it has a self-striping pattern. I haven't done any socks yet, but there are lots of other applications for sock yarn, and I am all into that. There are several books specializing in scarves, hats, and gloves made with sock yarn, and they are all quite interesting looking. A nearby yarn shop, the Yarn Deli, has as its motto. "Sit. Knit. Be." I love it. It's so Zen.

Happy New Year

marwer13@msn.com — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:00:54 GMT

Gads, it has been an age since I posted anything! How about a little 2006 wrap-up first?

Our first whole year of retirement, in our little mountain home. Fan-freakin-tastic. Learned a lot about the flora and fauna, adjusted to the weather. Had a few great trips: Death Valley, Washington DC, Alaska. Got to enjoy the local scenery from high atop a fire lookout tower. Had some interesting visitors—notably, Redtail, AKA Baxil, in May. Bax, it was a pleasure to give you shelter for while, and learn more about long-distance hiking. You have the world’s sweetest parents, BTW, did you know they sent us a New England ‘care package’ with yummy local treats? Lobster bisque, maple syrup, a fantastic spice rub…so thoughtful.

I have learned a lot about knitting this year from a talented new friend who has also taught me to appreciate the better yarns. Susan has showed me how to join shoulder seams with a saddle that then goes down the sleeve, and how to apply an i-cord to the edge of a finished piece, easier than Zimmerman’s. I am diggin’ it.

2007 so far…

COLD!! We still have ice on the ground from snow which fell 2 weeks ago. There is a thin skin of ice on Lake Gregory, our nearest body of water. (Some axhole has already fallen through trying to walk on it.) The wind has played havoc with items on the deck, firewood cover, trashcans, and the power source. We lost power off and on over 2 days early this month, but didn’t suffer too badly. We have a good fireplace, plenty of wood, and an old gas wall heater left from when this little house was a mountain cabin, 50 years ago. We have emergency supplies for food, oil lamps and candles for light, Coleman stove and gas barbeque for cooking. We didn’t have as hard a time of it as Lori and David, for sure. Also, I hear you can drown in your own basement in Seattle…

Lori, I have jury duty coming up too. Over in Big Bear, which requires about an hour’s drive over mountain roads, including a stretch called the Arctic Circle, for reasons I would rather not know. Will post this experience…

I have meant to comment on many LJ entries over the past weeks, but read the entries too late to have the comments be relevant, really. Believe me, I have enjoyed keeping up on y’all’s adventures. Kady, how exciting that you are going back to cooking school! Best of luck. Sandy and Lori, I have laughed at the new-kitty stories and would love to meet the babies. To all those we saw at DM’s Solstice night—so good to spend that time with you, love you all. Sandy and Eric, I know you will grow in this rich new environment. Devon, I’m still waiting for pics of your new room…

OK, that was a good start at catchup—I promise to be more timely in future. Happy New Year!

Lemon Chicken, Revisited

marwer13@msn.com — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:34:44 GMT

To follow up on the lemon chicken saga, I made the recipe suggested by kadyg, from the link below.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_19367,00.html

It was reaalllly good! I would maybe cut back on the broth a little, and I would put in some quartered lemon slices to make it closer to Chang's presentation, but otherwise just follow the recipe. The lemon curd is an essential ingredient. And you gotta make the Special Rice to go with it! Yum!!!

Just let me say this about that...

marwer13@msn.com — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 01:38:26 GMT

Here it is, Christmas time again--wait, what do you call it? Is Christmas just for Christians? It seems like the whole country celebrates this holiday, or is more or less forced to celebrate this holiday, as Christmas. Sure, the cards say Happy Holidays, or Best Wishes of the Season, but we all know what the real deal is. Don't get me wrong, I love this season and all the stuff that goes with it. I was raised in a Christian household, we went to midnite services on the 24th, sang in the choir, the whole bit. But in the house, in the actual house, we had no nativity scene, no overt Christian symbols. Santa was there. Santa gave us gifts. We sang Santa songs. We celebrated Santa-mas.
I do love this season. I love getting presents for everyone, I love the trees and the lights, the music--well, for the most part. I pretty much hate Oh Holy Night. I love that I get to see most of the family, we really try to make contact and celebrate together. This is also the one time of year that I hear from my cousin Kathy, the one time I write to my old neighbor Jean. There is this spirit thing going around. What about the non-Christians of various ilks? What are we supposed to do? Can we just cherry-pick the good parts, the aspects that make us feel good, or nostalgic, or generous, or connected? Why not? I have a tree. It is a live green tree covered with ornaments and lights. Don't take that away from me. I have holly stuff on the mantle, and candles everywhere. I will probably do this forever. I love it.
Merry Santa-mas!!!

End of Fire Season (?)

marwer13@msn.com — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 18:45:16 GMT

December 2 marked the official end of fire season in SB Nat'l Forest, all the fire lookouts closed and shuttered. Ironically, 2 or 3 new fires have broken out, though not in our Forest, due to the high winds and low humidity. If red flag conditions persist, we may have to re-open and re-staff our lookouts until the first good snow. Can you say 'global warming?'
The humidity is around 12-15% some days, and Magick goes around looking like a cartoon cat, fur all zapped out around him. Fiona seems less affected, but still sparks if you touch her without discharging current beforehand. Hubby and I have learned to lay a hand alongside the other's cheek before a kiss to prevent lip-zap. Ow.
Holiday preparations going apace. Cards all done, awaiting stamps. Sis's scarf almost knitted (I am trying a short-row pattern which coils at the ends, it is really cute!), Amazon on the list of things to do today. Harry and David visit scheduled for next week. Hmmm. Oh, yeah, we'll get a tree this weekend. Our living tree from last year is happily growing in the back yard, occupying the only remaining sky-hole, so this year's tree will have to go in the front yard. I love this time of year with the lights everywhere...

Does anybody have a recipe for the kind of Lemon Chicken they serve at P F Chang's?

X-men Trey(?)

marwer13@msn.com — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 03:42:26 GMT

Just saw X-men3 on DVD. Did anyone stay through the credits to the bitter end? The hospital scene? What's THAT about?!?

Thanks, Crafties!!

marwer13@msn.com — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:04:45 GMT

Thank you all who responded to DM's plea for yarn shop info. I made it to Purlesence, a GREAT shop with exotic yarns (bamboo, slubby nylon, etc.) and fair prices, but didn't buy anything (!). I will revisit in December, maybe. A shop in Los Altos, on the other hand, was a warm-fuzzy experience, and I bought a 'few' things there...They have a good selection of beautiful yarns, some outstanding cotton and Merino wool, plus some heathery stuff from China (wool + soy fiber) that I could not resist. There were people milling around, greeting each other like old home week, and there was a table at the back where children were learning how to knit. Awwwww. It's called Uncommon Threads, and it is definitely worth a look. On State St. in Los Altos.
Since time was a bit short, I did not venture to Campbell, but that rug and yarn place might see me in December too....
Again, thanks! Knitters rule.

Upcoming Election

marwer13@msn.com — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:57:45 GMT

I am a green-ish, liberal Democrat looking for a reliable source for evaluation or analysis of the issues, and recommendations or endorsements of candidates. Any suggestions?

Happy Birthday

marwer13@msn.com — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:33:24 GMT

Happy Birthday, dierdremoon!!!

Adventure, Conclusion

marwer13@msn.com — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:06:20 GMT

OK, here's what happened. We took an excursion boat out of Juneau to see some whales. The boat had a naturalist on board who told us we would be lucky to see orcas, but humpbacks were common. Soon, however, he got a call from a sister ship that had spotted some orcas, looking like they were on a hunt. Sure enough, as we approached, it was clear that the whales were hot on the trail of a small porpoise (see previous post). The two pictures above show the orcas in pursit, and then the kill. Look at the second picture, in the splash area of the orca's mouth, you can see the tail of the porpoise. It was totally thrilling to have a ringside seat to this drama, but my heart was in my throat, and I was sorta pulling for the porpoise. Ah, well, circle of life and all that....

The cruise through the Inside Passage was beautiful, we had good weather, it was spectacular, and I won't bore you with touristy details. If you ever get the chance to go on such a trip, LEAP at it.

Adventure, Cont.

marwer13@msn.com — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 23:50:30 GMT

Here is an orca closing in on a Dall's porpoise. I really don't mean to drag this out, but I need to get the critical pictures re-saved in JPG to post them, and I need assistance to do that. Mr. Assistance is due home in about an hour...

Along the Inside Passage

marwer13@msn.com — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 23:02:53 GMT

This was taken outside Juneau, a bit after sunrise. We had a grand adventure with some whales later this day, and if I am successful in uploading those pics, I will continue this narrative.

Out of Touch

marwer13@msn.com — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 03:50:12 GMT

No, the title does not convey my state of mind. I think I have achieved with-it-ness, thanks to all-a you guys. I have recently learned what a Peppermint Rhino is, and why Santa Clara County requires homeowners to shower together. Today I learned that you should include the aquarium population, in numbers, in your spelling of fish (fxxh).

I will be Physically out of touch for a few days while taking a trip, so y'all can't talk until I get back, 'K? We are taking a much anticipated cruise of the Inside Passage to Alaska, returning Sept 17th. We will be taking pictures. Which I will share with you. After I get a paid subscription to LJ...(Sorry about my prior, unsuccessful attempts).

Ba-bye!!

Goosebump CIty

marwer13@msn.com — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 16:04:29 GMT

Thought you might like to see pictures of our remote Red Mt. lookout. The first 2 pics are the road in--9 miles of rough dirt road--can you see the lookout on the horizon in the first picture? Then #3 shows, from inside the cabin, how close a fire came a few weeks ago, and #4 shows the new helipad they cut in for evacuating anyone stuck up there during any subsequent fires. Comforting, eh?

the road in-1

the road in-2

fire damage

The last time we were there, last Wednesday, there was a fire nearby, over a ridge from us. We couldn't see the base of it, nor even the smoke, until after the crews were working on it. The observation planes from the airbase passed directly over the lookout on their way to the fire, and buzzed our tower each time, complete with wing-waggle. What a thrill!! Goosebump city.

Quick Update

marwer13@msn.com — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 02:51:58 GMT

Oh, this retired life is just too, too exhausting.....sorry, the temptation to rub it in was irrisistible.
We just got back from a trip up the coast to Mendocino, where Kent was involved in a creative writing workshop at College of the Redwoods. As a non-participant, I got to hang out in the art galleries, browse the used-book store, eat take-out overlooking the ocean, and spend a few hours in the Botanical Garden nearby. Oh, and read a couple of books, and knit a few rows. The few restaurants in town were pricey but gourmet, with exquisite fresh seafood of all kinds. The weather was very unlike anyplace I've been recently--sweatshirt weather in the morning, long-sleeve t-shirt in the afternoon, corduroy jacket after sundown. The average high temp is between 51 degrees in winter and 66 degrees in summer. No seasons.
Could I live there? Maybe. Lots of redwoods, beautiful ocean shores with crashing-waves-on-rocks, lush trees and wildflowers, and that art colony. The cons? It is REMOTE. Services are modest. And the 101 is just about the only way in and out. Yuck. As a result, it would hardly be closer to Wendy, time-wise, than we are now in SoCal.
So who knows what lies in the future for us. I'm not committed to anything at this point. As they say, "If you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans."

Squirrel Wars, Epi III: Yoda Man!

marwer13@msn.com — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 01:18:34 GMT

If I haven't said this before, squirrels are remarkably persistent and resourceful. We solved the Squirrel-attacks-bird-feeder problem with the squirrel-twirler in combination with the slippery hood which houses the motor above the feeder. Messrs. Squirrel have taken this indignity out on us by digging large deep holes in the planter boxes that hold the remaining survivors of the initial Squirrel-o-caust, which decimated the deck-garden a few weeks ago. We could determine no point to this digging, neither are they eating the roots or burying nuts in those holes. Our favorite guy, dubbed Shithead for obvious reasons, will taunt us by flaking out on the deck railing with his limbs trailing down either side, just gazing in the window at us. Occasionally he will perch on the back of a chair and place his front feet on the window to get a better look at the humans in the big cage.
Once again the internet had some interesting things to say about why squirrels dig in the dirt, and what you can do to prevent this. One comforting fact: We are not alone in our battle. People all over the country are going nuts (pun intended) over these pests. One option is to 'provide an alternate food source.' So we put up a squirrel box full of peanuts on a stump in the yard, away from the deck. It requires that the sq. lift a lid to obtain the nuts, thereby depriving any jays of the access. It took almost no time for them to figure out how to master the box, so now Kent is, daily, filling the sq. box as well as the bird feeder. And still S'head continued to dig in the planters. Next solution: Dried bloodmeal, an organic fertilizer also used as a deer repellent...and, yes, made from dried blood... together with some chicken wire strung across the top of each planter. Cross your fingers. It has been three days without a fresh dig, and we can only hope that this has done the trick.

These little life-dramas must seem inconsequential to those of you struggling with new/old jobs (Lori, Devon) or injuries along the trail of life (Bax), but here's my message: Work very, very hard. Save as much as you can. Someday retirement is in your future too, and you will relish the chance to use your brain for smaller problems. I am diggin' this life. No pun intended...

Here I have to add regards to Sandi in her search, probably Kady in the adjustment to her new job, and then mention a couple of potential job changes to people I love...don't need to go into detail here...best wishes to y'all. Heartfelt.

On the knitting front. I finished the bathroom curtain (looks great) and liked working with that cotton yarn so much that I quickly made a small summer purse from the same stuff. Now I am making a (mumble, mumble) for my daughter, and have an idea for the project after that. So many patterns, so little time!!

In retrospect...

marwer13@msn.com — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 02:58:46 GMT

...I'm a little pissed off that I gained 1 1/2 pounds with no food-sinning. No Starbucks scones, no Coldstone Creamery, no House o' Pancakes, even. Just a tiny cup of gelato (non-fat raspberry) and a few Reese's pieces at the movie. Plus, we sweated buckets walking up and down Castro Street on Saturday! No justice. And I don't even want to get into the fat pounds versus muscle pounds debate.
Do guys obsess about their weight the way women do?