Neurotic? Me?????

Someone who I adore has called me neurotic. I’m taking the stance that she means I’m disturbed, not just phobic. Now, I must say that was a shock to my delicate system. Hurtful, even. How could she say that? Sure, I’ve been working hard with Mikethespider. Sure, he has the brains of a pith helmet. Sure, he still hasn’t gotten the idea to run away unless I turn on the light, but I do believe that is instinct, not training.  It’s a hobby.  Is it any stranger than collecting beer cans?  Or doorknobs (I loved Aunt Clara in Bewitched, didn’t you?).  Or baseball cards????  That was the absolute worst bubble gum in the world, wasn’t it?  Didn’t last at all.  Of course, I’m from the era when you got bubble gum in a pack of baseball cards.  I don’t suppose you can anymore.

Please send your good thoughts Heide’s way.  Her ancient cat, Tasha, has disappeared.   I adored Tasha (from afar since they live in Washington).  She was a survivor.  I just hope for their sake that they can get closure.  There is something so unsettling about not knowing.

I”m still knitting on the sleeve/front.  Not in all that much of a rush because I’m pretty sure I’ll reknit most of the damned thing anyway since I have a memory like a sieve.  I’m gonna work on something else.

I had a dentist appointment for Friday morning (after I take Grover for his first flu shot, and yes, I am getting him one because he spends one day every single week at the cageless kennel and I don’t want him to get sick and die, if I can help it).  Well, the office called and apologized because I can’t see my dentist on Friday.  Wasn’t that cute?  They are “sorry” that I cannot see my dentist.  Me, who has to Xanax up to walk through the door?  Now, I’m going in two weeks.  By then, I hope to have more Xanax because I know this is gonna be one long and continuous problem that will require many visits and much money.  yay.  I’m just really really happy that I can do it.  Really and truly.  I feel so bad for people who can’t afford a dentist, so I am joking when I talk about my terror.  OK.  The terror is not imagined, but it is buffered by the knowledge that I am able to afford to go.  Thank heavens this is Random Wednesday because I have the random part down pat.

Isn’t he just adorable?  What a precious little boy.  He growled at me when I put in ear drops last night.  I just looked at him and asked him what he thought he was doing.  He did not answer.  Smart dog!  I put more in this morning and he was much much better.  Thank goodness I can train one animal in the house.

To get your blood aflowing for this hump day.  Here is The Band and my all-time favorite song by them, “The Weight”

Have a good Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A spider named Mike

I believe my feeling better is just in time. I spent a great deal of time alone last week. Of course, Grover and Esau Marie were with me, but they lack conversational skills. I realized this morning when I was working with “Mike” the spider that I needed to be with people.  Mike is my new pet.  He resides in my bathroom in the corner on the sink.  I have spent more time than sanity permits trying to train him to run away when I come in.  I don’t mind sharing space with him as long as I don’t see him.  Training is very slow.

He is rather large, isn’t he?  Maybe he’s more athletic than academic.  I do know that as long as I see him I will try to train him.  My brother is concerned that he might bite me, but I like spiders.  They eat the nasty annoying little bugs.  I have two spider bites on my shoulders from sleeping in the attic when I was a kid.  They still look kinda nasty.  The skin is  necrotic and all, but the dermatologist was unconcerned.  Oh, yeah.  I kinda lost my way there for a minute.  This is a continuing story so I will keep you posted (the training, not the skin thing).

Now, I promised knitting content and I’m going to deliver, but there’s a story that goes with this poor picture.  The picture itself is poorly balanced and the colors are all wrong, but the knitting itself,  well that is the story.  I found most of my Cosmo cardigan pieces.  I looked at the sleeve I was knitting and realized it was all wrong and ripped it.  I  put it back on the needles and started knitting at it again when I realized it wasn’t supposed to be a sleeve, but the left front.  Now, I can’t find the  the other sleeve so I’m just going to keep on knitting this extra sleeve like I had good sense.  I figure I’ll pick the two I like most and use them.  Then, rip the other one.  And, I wonder why it takes me so long to knit something.

Now, to wind you up for your week.  Here is David Bowie and “Rebel Rebel”  ………………”hot tramp, I love you so”  Have a great Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

friday. friday. fridayfridayfridayfriday…..

To be sung to “Chrissy’s Song” from the movie “Jaws”. Yes, that is the opening sequence where Bruce the shark eats poor gorgeous teenaged Chrissy. So sad. But, it is Friday and I must say, YAY!!!!

I am feeling much better, but not perky nor chatty.  I wish all a wonderful weekend.  I plan on being here bright and early Monday morning with knitting news.  No.  Really.  Seriously, I do.

And, to send you merrily into your weekend.  Here’s the Band, once again, and this time they are doing “The Last Waltz”.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Creeping Crud

I’ll be back soon. I just feel real crummy;-(

Whoa, Nelly!

As I have said, ad nauseum, I walk GrovertheWonderdog every morning.  Sunday morning, I put on my cool weather tights a long sleeve tee and my fake down vest with pockets and went out with the boy.  I was ok for while, but then halfway through our walk I realized I should have worn my fingerless mitts and my thighs were tingling and starting to go numb.  Hello?  It was only the 11th of October and the temps were in the lower 30’s.  I don’t think it froze, but my outside thermometer fell into the deluge last week and I do believe it has lost its ability to come even close to the correct temps.  It showed the temps as 50’s and everything else said 30’s.  Might be time to get a new thermometer.  Huh?

You know, though, part of me is ok with the cold weather.  Just because it’s cold now does not mean we are headed for a terrible winter.  It’s not all or nothing.  It’s weather.  And, it is so much easier to knit with wool when it’s cold than when it’s 80+.  The fall foliage is just plain weird this year.  Some trees are gorgeous and others, just really green.  The leaves are also just starting to fall which is normal, but our burning bush has turned already and it never turns before mid-November.  I just find this stuff fascinating.  That, and feeding the birds.  Last year I went through one 20# bag of each birdseed all winter.  I’m working on my third bag of thistle (nijer), second bag of no-mess blend(has no seedhusks to kill the plants) and, we are not even going to talk about the suet the little dudes have gone through.  Much different this fall than last.

The wedding was nice.  The liturgy strange and inappropriate for my church and its leaning, but whatever.  The reception was interesting and very nice.  I don’t honestly know what I expected.

Now, for the knitting.  Really and truly.  I am finally almost back to the place where I realized I needed to rip on my secret Christmas knitting project.  I was sorely tempted to pull out yarn and start a new sweater, but I held course.  I am so proud of myself.  The project I’m working on is a fun knit, but I have ripped out enough to have finished the poor thing.  And, I’m not kidding about the yarn beginning to get worn.  Still, I just want to finish the poor thing and block it for the presents pile.  This post feels a bit like a Random Wednesday.  Either that, or I’m just starting to be honest with myself and the fact that I tend to ramble no matter what the day.

I had always enjoyed this song, but didn’t really love it until I heard The Hooters do it. Here is my favorite version of “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”.

Have a good one!!!!!!!

Friday….. rain then cold, but still Friday!

I know others in blogland have had horrible rain, so I’m not really complaining, just whining. After over 24 hours of it, I’m a tad sick of it. It has lost its charm and it is annoying as hell. The bad part is that it will turn quite coldy/cool when it moves out. I know. Poor me. It’s so sad. Boo hoo. HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!! IT’S STILL FRIDAY!!!!!!!! IT DOESN’T MATTER.

And, I might work today and I might not. My life is so exciting.  There is a woman at work who has health issues (most of them self-inflicted, but that doesn’t make it any less sad) and she has difficulty getting to work.  She has been off all week.  She told my boss that she would “try” to be there tomorrow, but my boss was worried that he would be stuck doing her stuff, so he asked me if I wanted to work.  I said “Hell. No.  I don’t need the money. HAHAHAHAHAHA”.  Well, not really.  I said “Sure!”.  So, if I hear from him before 7:00 a.m., I will be going in.

And, on Saturday, I have a wedding to attend.  It promises to be fun.  I adore the bride. and the groom is a very old friend.  Second wedding for both.  After that, I have cleaning and pup-walking and all kinds of fun and games.  #1 being to get out my cold weather clothes.  I wore a pair of socks my BSIL knit for me yesterday.  So warm.  So comfy.

Do you have fun things planned?  Huh?  So many have huge events coming up.  I am hoping to have a bit of a respite from huge things.  Ya know?

So, since I don’t have a picture of anything (even the pup), I will leave you to begin your weekend with The Band and “Cripple Creek”.  An all-time favorite of mine.  Damn.  I love this!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What? Me, random?

Today we are going to spend a little time in my car.  I have already admitted to singing to the boy when we ride around in our little world.  He is mildly amused, but will look at me when I don’t sing, so I know he expects it even it he doesn’t like it.  So this is the view in my rearview mirror when he is standing in the back seat.

It is almost impossible to see past him.  He takes up the entire back seat.   But, when he is not totally in my view……….

We were on our way to church for choir practice last week when I took this shot.  I’m used to him in the car now, but when he moves around the car bounces.  Very strange and a little disconcerting.

Can you tell that my knitting is unpicturable?  I have been Christmas knitting and have knit about 1/4 of the project and realized that it must be ripped because I messed up.  Big sigh.  I ripped it last night.  I will show the damage after Christmas.  It’s really  a fun knit, too.  Good thing, since I’m doing it at least  one and a third times.

Rod Stewart and the Faces and “I Know I’m Losin’ You” made famous by the fabulous Temptations.

I might have used this before, but I love it!

Have a good one!!!!!!!!

I’m Tired………………….

Busy weekend, all. Lot’s to do. Lots accomplished. Ready for work because I need the rest. I even did some spinning. Not much, but some.

So, now I will leave you with my soundtrack for the day. The late and very great Madelyn Kahn. And, no, I’m not tired for the same reason;-P

Happy Monday all!

Friday edition “Words and Pictures”

Yes, it is Friday once again. Beautiful wonderful Friday. Yet, when you look for a poem about the joys and beauty of Fridays, they are few and far between.  Can you imagine?   Me neither.  HAPPY FRIDAY, ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been thinking about Facebook.  I deactivated my account.  This is not about anything, but the use of time issue I have been having.  It is another reason to not turn the computer off.  I don’t need any more excuses for anything.   I have wasted a huge amount of time and have nothing to show for it.  It is a nice connection to people, but there are way too many other things going on there for me.  I suppose I should have said something on my “wall”, but I don’t comment often anyway and have not had anything to say yet, so I am going back to using my blog and talking and emailing those friends that I had on Facebook and have on the computer and in life.

So, I was driving to work thinking about myself.   I rock at self-analysis.  That, children, is sarcasm.   I love beautiful movies, but don’t enjoy movies much.  In other words, if a movie is visually stunning, I’m pulled in.  If a movie is filled with rich dialogue and a well-written plot, but visually dull, I’m gone.  Now, this is from the same person who loves words.  I’m perplexed.  How can I love words, but not enjoy hearing them spoken well and with great meaning?  Yet, I love looking at movies.  An example is “The Mask of  Zorro” with Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, and Catherine Zeta Jones.  The movie was dull and long, but visually quite lovely.  The cinematography was good from my point of view.  I am not an educated movie goer.  This is entirely subjective on my part.  Another movie I adore is “The Wizard of Oz”  because it is visually stunning (and, musically fabulous).  I can’t figure out why it bothers me that I don’t like movies with alot of dialogue,  but it does.  I think it’s because my entire family (sans Mum) love movies.   It’s just another something I wonder about.  Remember, I have a very very long drive to work every day.

So, I’m knitting on with “stuff” a very technical word for knitting I am unable to share with you.  I will be moving on to something showable shortly.  I need to do some knitting housecleaning to get there.  I do have a sock I am still working on.  It is my “go to” on-the-go project.

We are pretty firmly entrenched in fall here in Middle Earth.  The trees are dropping leaves like crazy and the birds are eating me out of house and home.  I don’t think I have any hummers left either.  I’ll miss the little guys.  Each morning I awaken and the house is cold and damp.  Very cold and damp.  Esau is consistently using her heat reflective mattress that matches her fur .  She still tries to sleep with Grover, but he’ll have none of it and I still spray her with water when she tries and she still runs out of the room yelling on the way.  No peace in my nights.  At least she can get warm because the house is not going to be as warm as it was last year and the years before.  Without Mom and her internal thermostat problems, the house is going to be kept cool.  Grover does better and I do, too.  Little Esau will have to snuggle the best she can.

So, I think I will leave you with the Beatles.  I know.  It’s a shock to the system, but you will adjust.   Here is the meaningful and spiritual “Yellow Submarine”

And, it’s visually stunning;-D

Have a terrific weekend!  See you on the flip side.

Well, hello again!

It’s Wednesday, so it is time for serous randoming. I have had a couple of experiences this fall where I become very short of breath after working in the yard. I am either a borderline asthmatic or a full-on hypochondriac. I can’t decide, but want you all know if it happens again I will seek help.   Until then, we’ll just mosey on shall we? Oh, and I do know how dangerous asthma is. I’m just not sure if it’s real or just extreme allergies. I don’t do the coughing or anything and I think that’s a large part of asthma. Oh, right. We were moseying along weren’t we?

Here are the goodies I got at the Strange Folk Festival.  First off, red roving (red roving, send goofing right oving)

Very pretty.  Also, I got some Silkerino in a pale teal and white blend (for mittens)

Colors are more muted and less intense.  It’s shiny too!  My next purchase from Rachel was a small (sock) project bag that her Mum made.  It’s wonderful and it is reversible!!!!

Then, my last indulgence was a pair of handmade earrings.  Turquoise.  These are a weakness of mine.  I have always loved silver and turquoise, but haven’t had a pair of turquoise earrings for years.

Simple and elegant.  I’m tickled.  Enough.  I’m thrilled and this stuff is gonna have to last me a while.  The job situation becomes more tenuous all the time.  I am in no different place than many many others.  I’m trying to maintain my balance, or what I think is my balance.  Ya know?

To send you off on your Wednesday with happy and dancing feets………….the Beatles (once more, I’m on a jag;-D) and “Ob La Di Ob La Da”

Have a fabulous Wednesday (hump day!!!!!!!)