tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34996232011-09-21T07:29:40.102-07:00It is rumored...<br> That the dodder<br> Got her.Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.comBlogger2481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-8656258574120478692008-07-14T22:42:00.001-07:002008-07-14T22:56:47.104-07:00

The Roketman and the HaikuOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThis picture is from our first night on the Haiku - isn't it a sweet little boat? We spent most of the afternoon buying groceries and moving in.Looking in at the SalonOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI admit this isn't the best picture, but I really love the lighting.I do really like this boat -- I want to

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-89815654695125884652008-07-13T20:18:00.000-07:002008-07-13T21:22:53.444-07:00

If I had more energy, I'd write about the stages of coming back home after a wonderful vacation. I'd sprinkle in a few stages of grief, a few stages of denial, of comparing my real life with the fantasy of being someone who would actually deserve to stay in such wonderful hotels and be treated like a queen...But when you come home to a house where the cleaning lady didn't come like she was

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-88528393875168008772008-07-09T21:54:00.001-07:002008-07-09T22:16:34.634-07:00

The view from the front of the hotelOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI've probably said it before. Serendipity rules my life. I head out in the direction I think I need/want to go, and POOOFF! oooops. Course correction. Going over there instead.And you know, it all sorta works out. I'm amazed that most of the time, it works out for the better. This is the Empress Hotel, named after

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-61792561485279429682008-07-08T21:58:00.000-07:002008-07-08T22:34:07.405-07:00

Life is good. Yes, it might be better without the gimpy leg, but I am telling you that life is good.Here's where we're staying tonight - the Laurel Point Inn. I was in the process of taking pictures when the battery went dead in the camera...The Room at Laurel Point InnOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThe room at Laurel Point InnOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThe

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-23662518328468916812008-07-07T22:35:00.000-07:002008-07-07T23:05:15.348-07:00

Today was a driving day. We left Chemainus about noon (hey, it's a VACATION!) and headed for Port Hardy, on the northernmost point of the island. We had no intention of getting there, mind you, but it was a good destination to input into the Garmin.Remind me to extoll the virtues of GPS navigation one of these days - it's a giggle to veer off the prescribed route and have this voice say "Offroute

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-42255864707158613582008-07-06T20:47:00.001-07:002008-07-06T21:06:31.107-07:00

Who is this graceful woman?Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster(notice the blue sign)When you know a man loves youOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterHow do you know a man loves you? When you say "Honey, do you think this would fit me?" and this is what he does.The stitches in the lips are finally gone, but not all the feeling hascome back. (the stitches were on the inside,

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-75791609617571855462008-07-05T22:42:00.001-07:002008-07-05T22:54:23.269-07:00

A change of scenery can do me a world of good. Today we got on the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney on Vancouver Island. I swear, I was positively giddy. We got the new rental car with no problem, headed out hours early -- I was even doing donuts with the wheelchair in the motel parking lot. I looked up to see a trucker type guy grinning at me. I told him, "It must be the pain medication, huh." The

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-68948522603175555162008-07-04T22:34:00.000-07:002008-07-05T09:09:08.536-07:00

Can I just say that Seattle has AWESOME fireworks? It's a bit too cold for me to be wandering out, and it doesn't get dark enough for fireworks until 10pm up here. So we're in the hotel room watching on TV. The Macy's fireworks in New York had better music, but the Seattle KONG fireworks even had choreographed cinematography.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-6946206912334409542008-07-04T15:17:00.002-07:002008-07-04T15:46:34.651-07:00

This trip journey seems to be as downhill as it is up. Latest downers: Mike dinged the boat doing the final refueling and pumpout. (I have visions of yappity Chihuahua-type teenybopper summer-hires giving 89sets of conflicting directions like "Over here! No, over here! Wait! No, hurry!" but then, I'm on pretty impressive painkillers right now. My imagination runs rampant.)We had a pretty good

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-73437928938238999622008-07-04T15:17:00.001-07:002008-07-04T15:17:19.176-07:00

Deception Pass BridgeOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-30346553659071400272008-07-03T12:06:00.000-07:002008-07-03T12:47:49.840-07:00

Well, I was over-ruled on the Queen of the Boat thing. I may still get the tiara, but the boat trip's over. If I could put any weight on the leg I had surgery on, it'd be a different story. But of course, I hurt the *good* leg, and now I don't have a leg to stand on. (groan...)By way of explanation, I had a back operation back in 1981, and still have neuropathy in the left leg. The nerves just

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-43910998877081927982008-07-01T21:11:00.001-07:002008-07-01T21:31:39.706-07:00

Is this woman happy or what?Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterMike took this shot coming out of Anacortes, just before entering Swinomish Channel. Don't I look proud of myself? Note all the electronic gizmos on the dash. I can't believe how great the trip journey to Friday Harbor was. We hit Deception Pass right at the end of slack tide, and I was on the bow taking video, waving to

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-63526729638965932272008-06-30T17:57:00.001-07:002008-06-30T22:06:21.573-07:00

Reports are popping up all over, of strange falls with resulting physical injury... with speculation that gravity shifts are to blame. I don't know about that, but it's an interesting line of thought.There isn't anything new to say, except that our doctor's appointment is tomorrow morning. Another day in the boat, at least, but we're back at the dock in Anacortes. (I fell while we were in Friday

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-63829917930690697652008-06-29T10:06:00.000-07:002008-06-29T10:24:43.962-07:00

I'm feeling better this morning, the sense of humor is returning. Trouble is, the top lip is too swollen to smile the way I want to! oww. Maybe I can cultivate that Hollywood botox smile where the starlets smile with their eyes and upper cheeks.The ankle doesn't hurt, because I have one of those immobilizing boots. Well, it does hurt when I put too much weight on it. It's a good thing the boat is

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-32103840354298299242008-06-28T22:39:00.000-07:002008-06-28T22:44:11.285-07:00

Well, what can I say-- I took a nasty fall on the boat, in too big a hurry to make sure my feet were all the way over the doorsill. My lip has a nasty cut, so does my nose. I sprained my wrist, and probably ripped my Achilles tendon. We head over to Anacortes tomorrow, have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on Monday. Send good thoughts, please... If I don't need surgery, we won't have

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-68468386006291046962008-06-27T21:31:00.001-07:002008-06-27T21:33:27.974-07:00

Deception PassOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThis is a screenshot of the chart for our passage tomorrow through Deception Pass. (click through to Flickr to see more detail) Note the tidal current predictions at bottom. (yikes!) The software is Coastal Explorer. Needless to say, I've got a bit of anxiety. Not a lot, but it's there. The Roketman has us on schedule to be going through

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-24287030818610807112008-06-26T21:56:00.001-07:002008-06-26T22:02:42.909-07:00

Rainbow BridgeOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI could wax all poetic and get goofy about bridge metaphors, but I'm tired and I'm going to opt for boring.We arrived in Seattle about 1pm, drove up to Anacortes Washington with a grocery stop at Trader Joe's in Everett. Tonight, we're staying at the Fidalgo Inn just outside Anacortes, and we'll check out the boat at 9am tomorrow. Most

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-76082560787852654682008-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:002008-06-25T11:19:44.162-07:00

Marta tagged me... sigh, I was wistful about never getting tagged for this kind of thing, and now it's happened the day before leaving on vacation! LOL so I will do this, and not tag anyone else. I think everyone else has already done it!"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-76323474871768744702008-06-22T21:43:00.000-07:002008-06-22T21:59:29.972-07:00

Last night I was complaining about the weaving sample not collapsing the way I thought it would... I figured out when it was dry again that I hadn't gotten all the sizing out. So, I'll try again.Today was a great day... I hit the 98c Marukai and got lots of neat little stuff, like fabric trays, and collapsible boxes, and a couple mesh bags for washing fleece. Then I got way too much stuff at

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-1130377707882942922008-06-21T21:45:00.001-07:002008-06-21T22:32:08.020-07:00

First woven sampleOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterFinished weaving! Well, this sample, at least. The warp and weft are each woven from one continuous thread (!! I can't believe I actually made that happen with handspun!), on a backstrap loom. The width was 5.75" at the start, finished at 5". Length is 16.75". It took me longer to weave than I thought it would, but I did set it aside

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-56818743796871575892008-06-20T19:00:00.000-07:002008-06-20T19:05:45.047-07:00

You know, sometimes I get the beginnings of a great idea, and I can see where I want to go, but it's like that commercial for the new movie Hancock. You know the one I mean... Will Smith is Superman, but like he grew up in the worst 'hoods of Metropolis instead of Smallville. He's standing in front of a speeding locomotive, and the locomotive shreds into flying shrapnel.Only for me, it's like my

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-37890430393398833482008-06-18T18:00:00.000-07:002008-06-18T18:03:57.312-07:00

I've been surfing blogs quite a bit, coming on some really cool blogs and ideas... Meggiecat blogged about Gallalith plastic, which is basically made with milk and vinegar. You are probably as astonished as I am right now. Being possessed of an overactive imagination (as if you didn't already know), my mind immediately says "How can I use this with knitting??" (cue the vintage Frankenstein

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-73904568789416430462008-06-17T21:34:00.000-07:002008-06-17T22:52:13.300-07:00

I was reading through blogs, and there was a reference to blogging without guilt. I don't recall who, and I googled a bit for it without much luck. It was about Blogging, not apologizing for non-blogging. So, I'm back, not doing the guilt. Nope. Have I mentioned how Anita Luvera Mayer's "I Don't Do Guilt Anymore" changed my life? It's not a big book, more of a booklet, but it rescued me from

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-92197953026873264962008-06-12T20:05:00.001-07:002008-06-13T22:12:18.565-07:00

Pick a little cottonOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThis is two years' worth of cotton from three trees (Gossypium arboreum). I think I'm about a third of the way through processing it all...Cotton closeupOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterA closeup of the cotton... Click through to Flickr and the tag for cotton to see pictures of the trees.I just spent 45 minutes on the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-63650421367896310112008-06-12T11:06:00.000-07:002008-06-12T11:16:41.623-07:00

It's time to reassess the goals again. I feel myself getting obsessed with the cotton (I'm sure this is a surprise to everyone...) and at that point where the yoke is starting to chafe.Have I mentioned how much I love my Roketman? Before going to sleep last night, I asked him about it. I'm deflecting all my anxieties and excitement over this years trip to Anacortes by focusing on the cotton. I

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-20473486153353840562008-06-11T22:26:00.001-07:002008-06-11T22:44:42.039-07:00

Tonight's progressOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI got this much cotton ginned tonight. I'm not going to weigh it, but I'd say there's about a gallon baggie's worth. That's deceptive, though, because cotton really compacts down. It really fluffs up too, so I put the scissors on top for a good reality check.Tonight's Wednesday, it's about 10:30, and I just realized I missed the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-74561541186201811022008-06-09T22:01:00.001-07:002008-06-09T22:22:34.322-07:00

This much cotton...Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterThis is what I did tonight -- I turned this......Is still this much cottonOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster... into this. Interestingly, the physical volume seems to be about the same. I weighed it, and it's 33 grams, which is a tad more than an ounce. Here's where I confess that I broke down and went and weighed that

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-8522819843121317342008-06-07T10:32:00.000-07:002008-06-07T22:58:39.030-07:00

OK, since I have this whole day to myself (such luxury- I'm not used to that!), I want to write down my goals and have them stare at me all day from the computer screen. Putting them here, instead of on the whiteboard, means I need to report my progress, and be accountable. Goals:Goal: Spin the cotton! I've determined that a good skein on the SpinTech is 40 punis. I haven't been counting the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-21272823922329906242008-06-01T10:04:00.000-07:002008-06-01T10:39:50.836-07:00

One of my most cherished rituals is reading the Los Angeles Times on Sunday morning. No rush to get to work, or even to household chores. Is it sad for me to admit that I get most of my cultural awareness from reading the newspaper? (shrug) It is what it is.I'm reading the glossy section called "Los Angeles Times Magazine" (sounds redundant, doesn't it?). This is loosely called "The Travel Issue.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-80902518939217909352008-05-30T16:57:00.001-07:002008-05-30T17:04:53.089-07:00

Madder, 5-30-08Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI promised these pictures, and here they are! Interestingly enough, the madder seems to be growing best when it's out of the sun. See the part to the right? It's actually creeping onto the patio table. I just cropped that part out so you couldn't see all the clutter. The plants in front are much shorter, but seem to be just as happy. I

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-50361884692826840132008-05-28T21:11:00.001-07:002008-05-28T21:23:08.066-07:00

I found a thrill...Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI have my own Blueberry Hill. Well, really, it's just a planter with 4 bushes, but we've been picking blueberries for almost three months! It's a bumper crop this year, but as soon as they get ripe, they get eaten!I still haven't managed to get pictures of the madder or indigo yet. Nag me to do that... you'd be surprised to see how

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-63991775713885514802008-05-26T22:21:00.000-07:002008-05-26T22:56:15.699-07:00

You know, I'm a political science librarian, and I have absolute respect for veterans. My nephew is a veteran, and so was my dad. Do I think we should be at war right now? I'm not sure my opinion really matters. I have a vote, and veterans have fought hard for me to have that right. But there are so many different voices, and so many opinions. I have the best resources available to anyone without

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-24129019446421133382008-05-25T21:36:00.000-07:002008-05-25T21:59:05.024-07:00

I'm back now. I was gone, details withheld. But now I'm back.I did have some fiber progress, and will take pictures soon. That, I can give details on!I got a lot of knitting done, especially on the RocketGanseyDottir. In fact, I even got a bit too much done on it! The armholes are a bit too deep, so I'll rip a few rows before I sew the shoulder seam. No, wait! I want to do another saddle shoulder

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-90739293928137948872008-05-17T22:15:00.001-07:002008-05-17T22:32:31.738-07:00

Cotton yarnOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterI confess - I'm going for an artistic shot here. This is three skeins of handspun cotton, the stuff from the back yard, spun on my electric spinning wheel, the SpinTech. Cotton yarnOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinsterHere's a bit more realistic shot. The knitting needle? A size 3 dpn.I'm purposely not measuring and getting all OCD

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-40359555062365412792008-05-11T21:53:00.001-07:002008-05-11T22:12:31.648-07:00

I'm feeling more centered today- thanks for the input, people. In reading Friday's entry, I realize that I started out thinking I was going to get deep and philosophical, but by the end... Well, my standard joke is that I need to hand out hip boots, with the implication that what's deep is from the barnyard and pretty stinky.The Roketman wanted to see a boat that's been listed for sale, and

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-59281227005653481342008-05-09T11:00:00.000-07:002008-05-09T11:17:36.926-07:00

I feel like I should post an alert prior to this post -- it is full of introspection and philosophizing! Please - DO post a comment if you think I'm wrong in my conclusions, methodology, or just plain too full of myself.I've been trying to center myself in the past few days, because I frequently feel stressed and out of sorts. I'm thinking that what drives me nuts about other people is what I

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-7849826860330715692008-05-06T16:50:00.001-07:002008-05-06T20:40:29.920-07:00

I know you have all been in this same boat - you've plied something, and it just doesn't work for you. How the heck can you undo all that plying? Well, here's Steph's method.First, you need a wheel, then a raddle or something to divide the plies, and finally, a yarn blocker. The blocker may be hard to improvise. Come to think of it, I might have to invite a couple of friends and their ballwinders

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-71822752867749530742008-05-04T22:28:00.000-07:002008-05-05T13:40:35.473-07:00

I don't think I have that big a voice (except that I do tend to talk loudly on the phone...) but I've finally come up with a good idea.This Olympics, let's knit for peace in Tibet, instead of having a Knitting Olympics.Anybody have a good skill in creating a button for this? Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing the Yarn Harlot, the originator of the Knitting Olympics (I think- if I'm wrong, please

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-72476977663840791092008-05-03T22:09:00.001-07:002008-05-03T23:06:10.483-07:00

Steps in yarn prep - reeling off Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here, Steph's showing how to reel off the freshly spun singles. There's quite a bit of distance, because this helps to even out the twist. Next comes measuring the grist of the singles - length and weight. Next step in yarn prep- squirrel cage swift Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster After

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-5430589646385718532008-05-01T21:18:00.001-07:002008-05-01T22:06:40.439-07:00

The motions of handcarding - pt.1 Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is the face that Steph makes when you say "Wait - let me get my camera - now do that again!"This is the first motion of the cards when handcarding. Notice the direction of the handles-- they're easier to see than the direction of the tines. The motions of handcarding - pt.2 Originally uploaded by

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-471368465120865392008-04-30T20:18:00.001-07:002008-04-30T20:37:27.066-07:00

Silk Kimono Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Steph started Day 2 of the class by showing us fabric characteristics. This is a silk kimono, a gift. Silk Kimono, back Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I've got the color all screwed up trying to show the stitching here. The chrysanthemum is bright red and hand-embroidered, on brown-black silk. Steph told us

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-33322968722949699062008-04-29T23:13:00.001-07:002008-04-30T20:01:35.347-07:00

Alfred spins some cottonOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Tonight's post will be heavy on pictures, and short on text because it's late. And I'm lazy when that happens.In this shot, I had showed Alfred some of my cotton, and he wanted to try spinning it. I was impressed by his prowess and form. (that's not irony, that's wordplay, btw.)Steph and CeciliaOriginally uploaded by

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-81785002583298565952008-04-28T22:50:00.001-07:002008-04-28T23:35:11.394-07:00

Inspecting the AA wheel Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is Stephenie, looking at my wheel. Yup - my Alden Amos wheel. It was made in the late 70s or so, and is bobbin-driven.Here's the story behind the wheel - a woman in Sierra Madre bought it from Alden in the 70s, then sold it to another woman in Claremont. About a year ago, I saw an ad this woman placed to sell it.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-23203827055485928872008-04-27T16:31:00.001-07:002008-04-28T12:22:02.325-07:00

Combing locks for spinning worsted Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here, Steph is showing how to use combs (as opposed to carders) to prepare a worsted yarn. These are combs that Alden makes - these particular combs are one-pitch (one row of tines). Reducing the flyaways Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster No, Steph's not eating the fiber. She's breathing

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-67703558460207244032008-04-26T22:45:00.001-07:002008-04-26T22:45:35.372-07:00

On the bobbin Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is what I had on the bobbin by the end of the first day. If you click on the picture, you'll be taken to the Flickr album and you can see the notes. I've indicated the worsted-spun yarn (nearest the top of the picture) and the woolen-spun just above the green yarn. I hope you can tell just how different they look.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-46307074770299798252008-04-25T22:27:00.001-07:002008-04-25T23:15:59.255-07:00

Carding a rolag Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster In tonight's episode, Stephenie demonstrates the sheer magic of spinning a woolen yarn. Here, she's carding the rolag. Notice how light and fluffy the fibers are? Rolling the Rollag Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here, she's lightly rolling the rolag (notice the clever way those words are related?) off

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-6605816308019741412008-04-25T13:09:00.000-07:002008-04-25T13:11:16.921-07:00

LATE BREAKING NEWS: I just got word that the SOAR confirmation was saying they received my registration, not that I'm actually going. Not yet. I have to wait until June for that.Watch- I'll have jinxed everything, just like what happened with Kyrgyzstan. (wry face and head shaking here)

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-30088716488789908502008-04-24T15:11:00.001-07:002008-04-25T13:09:53.503-07:00

How to draft Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here, Stephenie's demonstrating how to draft effortlessly. She's done a bit of preparation on the roving by stretching it slightly, both lengthwise and slightly on the diagonal. The Drafting Zone Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster See the drafting zone? This form of spinning is practically effortless. It relies

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-35820338406150959002008-04-23T14:34:00.001-07:002008-04-23T22:18:35.058-07:00

Steph's shirt Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is a shirt that Stephenie spun - it's all handspun cotton singles, woven in shadow weave. It is amazing. The hooked stick Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Yeah, Steph's mugging for the camera. She's a goofball, just like I am. See the stick in her right hand? It's just a piece of wire, with a bent end.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-68529768992521265332008-04-22T21:52:00.001-07:002008-04-23T14:41:51.480-07:00

Friday, Cecilia and I drove up to Palo Alto for the Comprehensive Spinning workshop with Stephenie Gaustad. From the 5, the Garmin GPS had us cut across on the 152 to the 101. We were just outside of Gilroy when we really really (yes, you know how it goes) needed a rest stop. This is where we stopped...Casa de FrutaOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I've seen the roadside Casa de

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-74091620742298187852008-04-21T22:36:00.001-07:002008-04-21T22:47:54.259-07:00

I've got lots of pictures, and absolutely no energy to get them up tonight. Cecilia and I drove back down from Palo Alto via the 101... with a short detour to Solvang for Village Spinning and Weaving, of course! I added to the book stash, and the needle stash, but I was good in the fiber department. We got stuck in rush hour traffic on the 210... arrgh. That's why I'm so exhausted. And brain

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-3492944521918055312008-04-18T22:01:00.000-07:002008-04-18T22:07:11.874-07:00

Palo Alto! Well, actually the hotel is in Menlo Park, but I quibble. (it comes from living with an engineer....)The drive up was uneventful. The Cadillac purred like a kitten, and the miles flew. (any other cliches I could throw in?)It's late, I'm tired but excited about the class tomorrow with Steph.ahhhh. Life is good. Ercil will get here in 30-45 minutes, and we'll turn in. Oh, and for some

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-32580158293309541022008-04-17T15:32:00.000-07:002008-04-17T15:46:44.973-07:00

I gotta share...I just helped an undergrad student who was tearing her hair out on a statistics assignment. And by god, I saw that light bulb that goes on when someone *gets it*. And wow- I put it there. Do you know how good that feels??The assignment was really vague, from a professor who routinely gives vague assignments and seems unable to give specific and detailed instructions on how to

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-76632661640166381532008-04-16T22:42:00.000-07:002008-04-16T23:08:32.942-07:00

Up to my underarms - on the RocketGanseyDottir, that is. I'm about to start the third skein, too! There was a bit of ripping back and tweaking for the upper section because I want to put cables on either side of the neck. I'm dealing with a bit of deer-in-the-headlights anxiety again. Not sure where that's coming from. I'm hoping it's just butterflies over the ROAD TRIP!! up to Palo Alto to take

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-48685752906179110492008-04-15T22:38:00.000-07:002008-04-15T23:13:54.436-07:00

God bless the IRS, in that ultra-polite Southern genteel way that masks the true intent, the exquisitely rapier-sharp opposite meaning...I just stood in line for an hour at the only USPS in miles that's open past 6pm. The problem? The "Automated Postal Center" was too hard to use. Or maybe too slow. There were about 50 cops providing security and traffic control, 6 postal workers at the curb

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-15891884951757964372008-04-14T22:56:00.000-07:002008-04-16T21:50:00.991-07:00

I have been dithering about what stitch design to put at the top of the RGD, with several options percolating through the brain cells. I decided that this is the one that was yelling the loudest... but I can't tell you whose gansey gave me the inspiration. It's not nearly as good as hers, I won't even pretend. And if she sics her lawyers on me, there is a LOT of difference between her version and

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-51776977988169494582008-04-13T10:45:00.000-07:002008-04-13T11:26:26.483-07:00

Everyone knows about my day job, right? I'm a Reference Librarian at the Claremont Colleges Honnold/Mudd Library. As such, I get to research a lot of (to me!) really cool stuff. I've used CalFlora a lot to determine whether I'm going to find certain dyeplants in my area. Today I went to look up black locust, and they've added a georeferencing function - it'll give location data! For Madrone, a

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-71141327186832877822008-04-12T22:56:00.001-07:002008-04-12T23:41:09.225-07:00

Bento Box Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Sorry it's a bit blurry - it says "Dear Label. We are passionate about lunch communication. The lunch is a good day pastime."I can hear you all thinking -- What? I don't get it.I don't either, that's why I took a picture!Today was HOT, so I got about half of the laundry and housework done. I even weeded the front yard garden area.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-6451423687660304122008-04-12T11:15:00.000-07:002008-04-12T11:33:52.876-07:00

This morning, the Roketman told me he had an email from Mauritius, asking questions about the Portager website. (warning, it wants to run an ActiveX control program if you go there. It's ok, but here's a screenshot)Background - Portager is the name of the boat that the Roketman is designing. The plan is to retire and travel on it- by land using a trail to transport it, and by sea under power, not

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-59404600624839601762008-04-11T22:36:00.000-07:002008-04-11T22:47:58.108-07:00

Not much on the fiber front tonight- there was a new Dr. Who spinoff on the SciFi channel called the Sarah Jane Chronicles. Funny, there was absolutely no publicity on it that I had seen. It's good, but it plays more like a preteen Saturday morning tv show. Lots of the usual aliens, lots of references to the other shows, but also a lot more bland. When I watch Dr. Who, I can't help thinking that

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-14992418886985754612008-04-10T22:35:00.000-07:002008-04-10T23:12:00.043-07:00

Ah, my knitting is now home where it belongs. Thank you, Phebie! And if you find my brain lying around somewhere, let me know.The weather today was great-- it got up to 79F. It's supposed to get up to 90F this weekend! I just walked out of work and felt like "ahhh!"Tonight, I made pizza for dinner- the quick scratch kind where I bought the premade crust, and cooked up ground turkey in bottled

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-29032000098493039632008-04-09T21:09:00.000-07:002008-04-10T15:35:50.104-07:00

For years, I've said that my theme song is "If I only had a brain..." You know the song, from the Wizard of Oz. (kinda appropriate, what with being from Kansas and all)I mentioned last night that I couldn't find a size 6 circular, so at 5pm I'm thinking I'll run by the LYS, Phebie's Needlearts in Claremont. I phone her, and bless her heart, she says to hurry on down! (she usually closes at 5...)I

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-29248023315593371052008-04-08T22:45:00.000-07:002008-04-09T16:16:52.692-07:00

Tonight, I knit up a sample of the Stardust, using the two-ply. It's a big sample, but I want to see if it's going to pill. Here's what I've got so far. Sampling Stardust Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster The bottom is a bit too curled - I didn't do the 10% stitch increase that prevents the garter-to-stockinette roll. Also, the plain section at bottom is on size 5s, and the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-37591709309711751062008-04-07T22:20:00.000-07:002008-04-07T22:45:41.622-07:00

There's not a lot of progress in the fiber department, but I plied the Stardust fleece I spun last night. There's 32 grams, for 84 yards. The plan is to wash it in hot water to set the twist, knit it into a largish sample, and abrade the heckouta it. The reason I haven't gotten much done? We got a new Cuisinart ice cream maker. We have several quart baggies of frozen lemon juice, from the tree in

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-72406280139606246632008-04-06T22:51:00.000-07:002008-04-09T16:17:10.716-07:00

I solved the neppy Stardust problem - I take the combed staples, draft them into cobwebby rovings, as worsted-straight as I can, and then put them on the drumcarder. Cranking slowly... When I've got about 10 grams on the carder, I diz it off with the smallest-hole diz I've got, about 1/16". And oh, it spins like a dream! Will it be worth it, you ask? I think so! I got about an ounce spun this

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-37261030074895851412008-04-05T22:16:00.000-07:002008-04-05T22:43:42.914-07:00

RocketGanseyDottir- Diamond Chart Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I've made good progress on the RocketGanseyDottir (RGD). I've got 11 inches done! Time to start the diamond pattern. I've got a tutorial on how to use Excel for charting knit patterns here, but it's for Excel 2000. The version on my current laptop is Excel for Microsoft Office 2007. (a word to the wise, the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-83678786481988436542008-04-03T22:40:00.001-07:002008-04-03T23:15:54.492-07:00

Neppy Stardust Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I'm not happy with how the Stardust fleece is carding up. It's just too neppy, and that's going to mess with both consistency and pilling. You can see the different preparations I'm sampling here. From front left, going clockwise-- a mini-batt off the drum carder, rolags from the cotton cards (because the cloth is very fine)

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-15589244498098396432008-04-02T22:23:00.000-07:002008-04-02T22:52:47.807-07:00

Today, like every Wednesday, I went down the campus of Pomona College to get together with the Pomona Yarn Lovers. Barbara and Tammi were there, and I showed them what I've gotten done with the RocketGansey-dottir. I also showed them the book I'm using, Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting because I've been dithering about what stitch patterns to use. I've decided to do a horizontal panel of

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-25299330208207065322008-04-01T21:54:00.000-07:002008-04-01T22:50:32.062-07:00

It's the first day of the month I'm supposed to blog every day, and I don't really have anything interesting to say.I want to show you the Shetland Museum and Archives. If you're interested in Scottish ganseys at all, go look and do a search for "knitting". If I were a less scrupulous-about-copyright person, I'd steal and post this picture of a knitted lace veil. Fiber progress? I knitted about

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-62077699572503975662008-03-31T22:39:00.000-07:002008-03-31T23:25:28.982-07:00

On a whim, I decided to join NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month. Basically, you promise to post once a day for a month. Now I've got to figure out how to stick to the theme of the month - Letters. I'm jumping the gun by one night, but hey. All I could think of is what's above.If I were really creative and brilliant and had oodles of time and energy, I'd have some sort of coded message that

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-44308464521967739512008-03-28T14:24:00.001-07:002008-03-29T12:00:51.192-07:00

California SagebrushOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is the field where I get my California Sagebrush - Artemisia californica. You can see a close up of the twigs on the left, and a whole bush at center. This stuff smells so good...The PlanOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here's the plan for the day. It's not easy getting organized, but it really does help when I

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-32430458239356871372008-03-27T22:29:00.000-07:002008-03-28T11:13:10.289-07:00

Well, as far as inexplicable knitter behavior on April first, the best I've come up with is Chicken Sox. As in, if chickens wore socks, what would they look like?I could knit a cozy for something strange, but what. This is Southern California, not much need for cozies. And inexplicable is standard operating procedure around here.I should post that picture from the Pomona Yarn Lovers meeting on

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-57176203331783507712008-03-26T23:27:00.000-07:002008-03-26T23:35:14.695-07:00

The Yarn Harlot has this post about Inexplicable Knitter Behavior, and then goes on to call a Knitter's Treasure Hunt in Toronto on April first.I want to think about what I would do if I could participate in this last part:Finally, there will be a Freestyle category. You can take any sock picture (In Toronto, on April 1st) that you think will amuse or entertain me, because there have just got to

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-32156196499167158762008-03-25T23:03:00.000-07:002008-03-25T23:06:12.223-07:00

I've combed 25 1/2 ounces. I am possessed. Or maybe just obsessive-compulsive...

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-37360757640491724892008-03-23T09:48:00.000-07:002008-03-23T17:49:07.126-07:00

Stardust Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here's a shot of the fleece I'm currently working up. The name of the sheep is Stardust, a merino/Finn/something cross. As you can see, she got a Blue Ribbon at the Ventura County Fair! Stardust Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Before I wash this fleece in batches, I go through looking for second cuts. This

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-46567535634839415452008-03-22T22:51:00.000-07:002008-03-23T08:12:56.585-07:00

Today was a whirlwind one-day trip to Quartzsite to visit with the inlaws. So, since I needed car knitting, I cast on last night for the RocketGansey-dottir. (did I explain the whole Icelandic -dottir thing? It's like daughter, instead of -son. Instead of Johnson, you'd have Ingridsdottir.)If anybody knows what the Icelandic word for grand-daughter is, let me know.Anyway, I got a serious amount

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-69501214308806500022008-03-19T23:02:00.001-07:002008-03-19T23:11:50.334-07:00

Loyola Marymount Atrium Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here's a picture from a couple of weeks ago, when I went to a library colloquium for a consortium of small private colleges who use big words to describe themselves. ahem. This is the atrium in a building at Loyola Marymount University, originally an office building for Hughes Aerospace. It does look very mid-century

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-11911210889461924122008-03-18T22:52:00.002-07:002008-04-09T16:15:45.283-07:00

Ah, sweetheart. Happy Anniversary!This has been a wonderful eight years- I can't believe how lucky I am to have found you. I took this picture about a week ago-- Mike made a comment about actually behaving himself, and I got a picture!He didn't even flinch when I bought all those fleeces. Wow.I have been working diligently on combing locks of Stardust's fleece, and I now have 16 ounces done. One

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-36350227760212031532008-03-16T22:31:00.001-07:002008-03-16T22:47:44.911-07:00

Clown Dyepot! Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is what I pulled out of the Clown Dyepot last weekend. (sorry to be tardy getting the picture out of the camera and online... I think I'm still working through the aftereffects of buying so many fleeces!) On the bottom right are "teabags" with mohair, then a couple of wool rovings, and a skein of Henry's Attic mohair yarn

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-48708983816489463002008-03-14T22:07:00.000-07:002008-04-09T16:16:32.162-07:00

Silly me, I've been working like crazy on fiber stuff all week but not posting about it because I didn't have any pictures to show! (visualize me giving myself a smack upside the head...)I've been focusing on hand-combing a fleece to get it ready for the drumcarder. hmmm. This is one of Robin Snyder's fleece, and it has a blue ribbon, but no name. Oh wait, let me go look at the receipt... it's

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-75763526461877672182008-03-10T21:04:00.001-07:002008-03-13T11:58:21.963-07:00

Dodder Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is dodder, a parasite that grows in the rainy seasons. It's also called angel's hair, or witch's hair. The Latin name is either Cuscuta subinclusa or Cuscuta californica... I'm not an expert botanist, that's a Google guess. Dodder Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster And it gives a gorgeous and intense color!It

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-70979280249601450922008-03-08T22:14:00.001-08:002008-03-13T12:00:57.606-07:00

The yellows were yummy! Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Today's dye day was a resounding success... I'm exhausted!! but the dyepots just kept going.These are the yellows - pomegranate, California sagebrush, oxalis, on several different wools. Oh, they were great.I didn't get a picture of the clown pot yarns!! but oh, I feel so proud... Tammi loved the skein she got so much she

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-78554809189815835952008-03-02T22:47:00.001-08:002008-03-13T12:02:36.443-07:00

KayKay and Prudence Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here's the KayKay kitty with the sum total of the Prudence yarn. I had to snap this picture quickly, too quickly to pose it well. I spun and plied the last of the fleece today, and got another 186 yards. Total is 1418 yards, 35.23 ounces (just over 2 pounds). I could have gotten a bit more consistent, grist was anywhere from

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-77114953083338365452008-02-29T23:56:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:25:25.443-07:00

Ice QueenOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster It's late, I don't remember if I blogged about the Ice Queen before... I've been really stuck on how to convert this to a triangular piece with rounded points. So, I was googling all over to figure something out... and I finally figured it out -- instead of a wimple or smoke ring, expand it more to a moebius!! That will work.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-47752482359822708272008-02-28T22:39:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:26:42.939-07:00

Skeins--2-28-08Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is my spreadsheet showing spinning totals on the RocketGansey-dottir sweater. I'm going to do another one pretty much like the last, because I like it so much. However, I spun this one as a 3-ply, hoping that this will minimize the pilling.Why the name RocketGansey-dottir? Well, I don't want to name it Son of RocketGansey, so I'm

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-52458276886317638872008-02-26T15:38:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:28:23.201-07:00

Somebody sent flowers!!Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Wow- somebody sent me flowers! Thank you, whoever you are... I have no clue. But wow- thank you!Here's what happened. I was sitting at my desk, slaving away at compiling usage statistics. And I'll admit, it was making me cranky.So, when Gale called my office to have me come down to the desk, I was ready to spread a bit of that

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-72704048440609199702008-02-23T20:57:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:28:03.449-07:00

CowOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is one of Jim and Bob's cows. Looking at this picture now, I'm going to call this one "Secret Agent 727" -- it has a number for a name.Jim loved his cows. I'm not sure how many head he ran, Mom says it's not polite to ask. Sorta like asking how much somebody makes for a living. Bob (Jim's son, my cousin) tells the story of how Jim took the

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-77775722716397079872008-02-22T22:07:00.000-08:002008-03-13T20:29:46.129-07:00

This is only the second day that I haven't felt out-of-body due to cold medicines (believe me, that's better than bronchitis and pneumonia!). I'm just kicking back, doing a couple loads of laundry, and surfing through the net for inspiration.I started out by surfing Flickr for keywords like japanese, sewing and zakka (it means small handmade items). I found Kumi's set on handmade/tezukuri and

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-11845091903212293272008-02-19T22:13:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:30:50.232-07:00

Purple Trekking socksOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I started another project. What can I say, I needed the distraction that a new project always provides. Obviously, I haven't gotten much done on it, but hey. It's PURPLE! wheee!Shards socksOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster The shards socks are progressing slowly, but surely. There was a mandatory "company-wide"

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-85438265776882796582008-02-17T16:28:00.000-08:002008-03-13T20:32:12.170-07:00

I'm still a bit wiped out, but better today. I'm getting a bit knit on the Ice Queen, a bit spun on the Prudence fleece (RocketGansey-dottir), and I'm soaking some little peat pellets for dye plants. Pictures? Maybe soon, because I have lots of pictures to load from the last week.I wanted to tell a few stories about my Uncle Jim Losey. My Mom, Lutie Ann, says that their family pretty much fed

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-971645485628577552008-02-16T10:08:00.000-08:002008-02-16T10:21:30.924-08:00

Ah, humility is writing a blog, disappearing for a week, and nobody comments. It's all right, I don't write for fame or fortune, I write for *me*. But that's a dance I do regularly-- the "Nobody loves me, nobody reads me, nobody notices... but wait-- I am what I am, and I'm ok with that."Uncle Jim's funeral was amazing- a small town outpouring of love and appreciation for a man who never expected

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-21859031550651260572008-02-08T23:16:00.000-08:002008-02-08T23:21:54.665-08:00

...dealing with a bit of melancholy. Nothing major, just a lot of that moving-through-molasses-in-February slowness.So nothing to report tonight. Even casting on for a new project isn't sparking anything. (it's a length-wise shawl out of some chunky mohair.)I'm counting on a lot of sun on the retinas this weekend to break through the ennui.

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-89561081910408249292008-02-07T20:51:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:33:42.479-07:00

Spanish MossOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is a shot of the Spanish Moss that we collected for dye. It gives a warm tan color, very nice.LandscapeOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is a shot of the mountain road we were on. See the mist floating by?Intrepid hikersOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster I stayed on the road and got a shot of the more

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-57219386012114460792008-02-06T22:04:00.001-08:002008-03-13T20:34:30.674-07:00

Flora studyOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This bit of red caught my eye. Isn't it gorgeous? I like the colorway, too.AgaveOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster The flower spikes on the agave were spectacular! One of our crew wanted to do agaves in her tapestries, so we all got lots of pictures. Yeah, sort of a lemming thing going on.Agave flower spikeOriginally uploaded

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-80294846570573396062008-02-05T22:04:00.001-08:002008-02-05T22:18:38.738-08:00

Oaxaca mountain landscapeOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This was way up in the mountains, in the clouds. We were all enchanted with the agaves, and took lots of pictures.Giant agave!Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Here's the requisite tourist shot in front of the agave. It was cold! You could look up and see the wisps of clouds drift by. It was so neat! and quite

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-60397590065995456332008-02-04T22:38:00.001-08:002008-02-04T22:53:34.345-08:00

Gathering flowers Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is Eric being goofy... We ran out of time to dye with these. Any botany experts with an idea on nomenclature? I don't remember for sure, but I think Demetrio called these marigolds. Lunch! Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is where we stopped for lunch, in the village of Cuajimoloyas. It's way

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-53381778982503974032008-02-03T20:49:00.001-08:002008-02-03T23:12:19.016-08:00

Madrone treeOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster We collected the bark of the Madrone tree for dye. It gives a nice mahogany brown. I love the dark chocolate brown of the tree itself- they said it grows in California too, but I don't recall seeing it in So Calif. You know I'm going to be looking for it now!Madrone barkOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster A close-up of the bark

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-29330964283154638422008-02-02T22:34:00.001-08:002008-02-02T22:49:53.163-08:00

Spanish moss Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster This is the spanish moss that grows in the area -- it's much finer than what grows in the southern US. It gives a nice yellow brown that turns a spectacular green when overdyed with indigo. To see more detail, click on the photo and click on the Flickr "All sizes" link. Landscape Originally uploaded by

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-66040017174481665502008-02-01T19:09:00.001-08:002008-02-01T19:24:19.681-08:00

Gathering oak gallsOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Up the road a bit from the chamomile, we hiked to these trees. You can't quite see the oak galls in this picture, but they were mostly in reach for the guys. There were quite a few more on the ground.Oak gallsOriginally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster Demetrio shows us an oak gall. These galls were on the branches - later in

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499623.post-92105187401237716032008-01-31T22:18:00.001-08:002008-01-31T22:33:17.008-08:00

Gathering chamomile while we may Originally uploaded by OriginalTwistedSpinster One of the highlights of the whole trip was when Demetrio took us up into the mountains behind Teotitlan to gather dyestuffs. We were even shadowed by Carol, who was filming a documentary. Here, we're collecting a small flowering herb that Demetrio called chamomile (probably related to the herb we drink as tea

Ruth S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16970904490007262195noreply@blogger.com0