I wouldn't mind it if only...

the doctor would believe me and there was something I could do about it.

I've been having weird physical responses to the world lately.  The worst of which is a "just below the surface" itchy skin but also includes, sweating all day, hands trembling, dry mouth, brain fog that includes impeded ability to multitask, and more.

The general practitioner says "you're too young."  I say "hey buddy, just because I look so youthful and just because YOU'RE a man and older than me does NOT mean that I am too young.

If you wonder what might be causing such physical symptoms, you need only to go here.

All of this stuff is on the "it's personal, you don't share that shit with people" side of life but that boat's done sailed and I'm glad for it because I could really use some psychological support here.

I know many of you women blog friends are older and wiser than I- or have mothers who are older and wiser.  If you'd care to share what you know of the experience and how you managed or didn't manage in the comments, maybe someone will be directed here and feel comfort and compassion.

It's hard to write clever posts when your skin is crawling, which mine has been for the last month.  There was some temporary relief with prednisone (alas it had issues of its own) but as soon as I was done, the skin crawling began again.

As for the brain fog and multitasking, I take comfort that while I was once brilliant at that, I am now within the standard deviation which likely makes a lot of the people around me who think slower than I do most content.

Next month I will be 47.

In other news, the tickets are purchased and tomorrow night we go to the Pittsburgh Symphony.  While I am incredibly happy to be hearing Mozart's Requiem performed live, today I am primarily concerned with sitting still through the itchies and not having emotional overload as a result of the beauty of it.

If ever you knew something and were thinking about commenting and sharing what you know, today would be a great day to do it-

thanks.

Things that make me happy today

There are 2, no wait, 3, no wait, FOUR FIVE things making me happy this evening.

Thing #1- the weather.  I am so glad to have cool air surrounding me.  It's the first time in 2 months that I haven't broken into an unintentional sweat.  TMI?  Well, it means a lot to me.

Thing #2- My birthday present from Mr. Sophanne. Next Saturday we are going to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony do Mozart's Requiem.  This piece moves me like no other.  Mr. Sophanne was not excited about going to the symphony.  He was, however, glad to be making me as happy as happy can get.  Aunt of Sophanne says he'll fall asleep and snore.  I am crossing my fingers that he is moved by the experience and wants to do it again but I am not holding my breath.  If I get comfortable driving, Aunt of Sophanne and I will go to future events instead.  If driving means I get to go then comfortable I will get.  Aunt of Sophanne is hoping he'll snore.

Thing #3-  Knitting friends gathered for dinner and a trek to Natural Stitches, my favorite yarn store.  This time around, I looked at patterns and didn't buy as many random skeins of yarn.  That did not stop me from random skeins of Madeline Tosh sock yarn that I pretended to be gathering to make a couple of Color Affections.  Also garnered was enough Louet Gems sport weight to make Welcome Back Old Friend by Kathy Zimmerman and some chunky Lamb's Pride to try another Meg Swansen  Shawl Collared Vest.  I've made two and maybe this time I can get it "just right."  Can you guess which of these last three patterns is the most self-deluding?

Thing #4- The progress of the stockings.  The first attempt using fair isle ended up being a clumpy mess.  I switched to intarsia and things seem to be a little smoother.  Based on what I've seen online, blocking will work small miracles and this sample is pre-blocked.  I went for duplicate stitches on the tractor details.  It looks a little rough but I think it will look great from a distance.

Thing #5- As I was remembering the things I was happy about today, I had to keep adding on to the list and I completely forgot about the fact that the DMV (which was supposed to be open today) was closed because they get TWO days off for Columbus Day?  Seriously?  I'm thinking it's a right wing conspiracy to keep Pennsylvania voters from getting those i.d. cards- thankfully we don't need them this year.

What to do while avoiding conflict...

Conflict? Not a big fan. Doesn't matter if I'm involved or not. Right wing rhetoric? Also extremely opposed. I thought I wanted to watch the debates but I was mistaken. Mr. Sophanne refused to repeat the good/bad lines but I have a feeling it will be harder to miss the salient points than it will be to see them.

Wanting to make the most of the evening, I swatched cascade for the stockings. Option a was a single strand with a size 4 needle. It's pretty sturdy fabric but likely wouldn't stand the years if it accidentally becomes an heirloom. Option b, Double strands on size 8 needles may be not so easy on the hands but makes a much sturdier knit.

I had to create my own tractor graph after all. The Finnish one was too large. Not interested in getting off my arse to look for graph paper, I bought a cross stitch design app and went to town. The only thing cooler than graph paper is an app with graph paper. I'd like to pretend that I'll now become rocking out stranded knitting mitten designer but as Chris Farley said in those SNL skits, that's another one of those things I'm never going to do.

The picture below is the top of the stocking. The red below the tractor is place for the little fellers names. The rest of the stocking will be like the green at the top with a yellow toe and heel. I'd really like for them to have that braided thing at the top ( the cross the strands business that has an alternating herringbone in green and yellow look) but the idea of doing that on three separate stockings sends chills down my spine. (but it could be a family treasure she says to herself...) hmmm... Maybe I can trick one of the knit nighters who have more patience to do it for me., or at least give me advice.

More things to know

I have no essay in my head.  I learned some stuff at knit night.  If you want to skip the funny stuff and go straight to the "I know knitting I can help" section of this post, jump down to ***

1.  Armadillos are the primary source/carrier of leprosy.

2.  Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease) is treated with penicillin which is sometimes hard to come by when there is a syphilis epidemic.

3.  While herpes is more prominent in the northeast, syphilis is the main STD in Florida.

4.  There is a reflex test that doctors give to newborns which involves lifting a baby resting on a table up by the arms and letting go of them to watch their arms flail to be sure they have the instinct of catching themselves.  (the baby is not completely lifted just up at the arms.)

5.  It's fun having a friend in medical school.

6.  Trying to pick up provisional stitches in laceweight yarn sucks.

7.  When a knit night friend suggests a pre-field trip adventure, you feel like Sally Field- she likes me, she really likes me- so busy being happy about the possibilities you remain blissfully ignorant of how pathetic your life must seem.

Some school adventures for anyone who might come here for that.

My favorite moment this week occurred in 5th grade where we sang The Lion Sleeps Tonight and accompanied ourselves on xylophones.  There really is no way to describe the looks on kids faces when they hear chord progressions/harmonies that they are making (presumably for the first time for most.)  I can only imagine that it is something similar to the cavemen discovering fire.  For real.

My most hilarious moment of the day was all about me not remembering names.  When we get this far along in the school year the progression usually looks something like me calling a kid by the wrong name and immediately realizing I was wrong (often by the crestfallen look on a kid's face) and then immediately calling her by the right name.

Today, however I was given a break.  After I inadvertently referred to Emily as Elizabeth and corrected myself, Emily said, "you probably called me Elizabeth because we have the same shoes."  I felt like I dodged a bullet on that one when I said, "You're absolutely right."

And hey- if I haven't said it lately, thanks for reading my blog.

***the stocking is in the design mode.  The tractor pattern dictates that I have 80 stitches around.  As I see it, in order to make the sturdiest sort of stocking I can either a) use worsted weight on a size 5 or 6 needle, or b) use two strands of worsted weight on say a size 10 needle.  I will eventually test out both of these methods but if you have any opinion or knowledge to share, that would be great.

Awake and designing

So my schedule is all out of whack from last week's round of prednisone ( for some sort of itchy thing that wouldn't quit) and my usual, hey let's sleep all weekend routine.

Now I am awake and using the sketch pad app to design tractor Christmas stockings for MountainMama's chilluns'.

I have a basic stocking pattern for the bottom half (detailed on Ravelry) and if I could speak Finnish, I'd be able to thank someone for charting a tractor so I didn't have to.

At least it's only October. And what with Steeler and Mountaineer football and knit nights, this should be no problem. I think they're going to be adorable. And now i have a reason to buy yarn on the knit night field trip! I'm so happy when my brain combines things in rational rather than ridiculous ways.

POPCORN

...the ultimate butter delivery system.

That is all.

The things you learn...

Did you know that an B-25 bomber crashed in the Mon River in Pittsburgh in 1956, never to be found again?  All six crew members survived the crash but 2 died as a result of exposure in the water.  Soldiers descended on the site and suspiciously closed all access to the accident site.

That's just crazy.  Here's an official report if you want to read about it.  A more interesting account  seething with speculation and mystery can be found here.

Apparently if you grew up in these parts, you know all about it but it was news to me (56 years later)

Also there's a field trip in our future but it involves a yarn store rather than any underwater searches.  Maybe we can go looking for the plane next time.

Proof positive and this weeks Episode of the Avante Garde

This is the left front of Sanderling- a sock-weight vest I really believe I might wear in Noro.  To the right you can catch a glimpse of Stitchjones' latest yarn treat.  It's amazing what 10% cashmere will do to enhance the quality of some merino.  Between work days, I do indeed knit.

It's just that lately much of the funny has come from kids under the age of 8.  To preface the latest funny, in first grade we've been paying attention to high and low sounds and the related fact that instruments that make high sounds are generally smaller than low ones.  Right there you'll notice two obvious opposites (high and low, big and small)   Also to  preface the following exchange; prior to the conversation you are about to read, we sang a song that had puppies, kitties, ducklings, baby donkeys and piglets.

After singing and making long and short animal sounds, I played a triangle (not only did they experience the sound lasting a long time, they also saw my arms stretch as the sound continued.)  Then I played a short sound on the scraper.  Then I said,

"We've been thinking about high and low.  What other opposite do you think these two instruments show?"

Student 1:  High and low.

Me:  yes, the triangle does sound higher than the scraper and we have been thinking about that, but remember how I said we are looking for a NEW opposite?demonstrate instruments again.

Student 2:  Puppy.

Me:  Puppy IS in the song we just sang, but it's really not an opposite. Listen again and see what your ears notice.  demonstrate instruments again.

Student 3:  High and low.

Me:  well, yes, high and low is an opposite- still not the new one we're trying to figure out.

Student 4:  Donkey.

At this point I am forced to pause momentarily to prevent myself from shouting WHAT THE F*%&# at the top of my lungs.  As I am ready to smack myself in the head with the fish shaped scraper,  one student says "hey, that triangle plays for a long time."

Feel free to continue the surreal by creating and sharing your own opposites and if this sort of play intrigues you, I strongly recommend the book Runaway Opposites by Richard Wilbur where the opposite of of a riot is "a lot of people keeping quiet" and the opposite of Doctor is anyone who makes you sick.

knit night sweet knit night

Things were cruising along at knit night last night when all of a sudden knitnightGina said, hey, they're going to knit the bridge.

Which bridge?  Can we do it too?

It's the Andy Warhol bridge- here's the info  knitnightJustine is looking into it and now when we have our "trick or treat" yarn exchange- (bring all of your "I don't want to look at it anymore" yarn and go home with someone else's "I don't want to look at it anymore" yarn) no one will be embarrassed to bring and dispose of that acrylic yarn hiding in the basement.  Instead it will go into the Knit the Bridge pile.

I said, "It feels like an adventure, like a field trip!  When we don't have field trips for a while, I feel like we don't love each other anymore."

KnitnightTara said, "Sophanne, even if we didn't love each other anymore, you love us enough for everyone."

If I had to be someone, that's the person I like being.

Also another shout out to Stitchjones' Yarnageddon Yarn club 2012.  You can get in on the 2000 and thirteen action here.  I don't share this with you for any personal gain.  I share it because it works so well for me.  I love to get yarn, I hate to make decisions, I love the way Sharon dyes things, it feels like free yarn in the mail.  None of this yarn will be going to trick or treat night or on a bridge- that's for sure.

Today's Ear Worm

is brought to you by Symphony #40 in gm by Mozart.

Who gets orchestral pieces as earworms?  How is that even possible?

I found the "next thing to make."  It's called Sanderling (rav link) and it's a laceweight vest.

I'm doing it in some Noro sock yarn.

Wonder of wonders... it's something I might even wear over a black shirt.

Bang a Gong

I bought a gong for my classroom this year. It's a great gong. I love it. The kids Really love it.


Today in 4th grade we were discussing how we could make our class created piece better the next time we gathered.

Matthew said, "we could add the thong."

Seriously, do you know hard it is to swallow that laugh and gently say, " yes, the Gong might be nice there?"

Worse still is the idea that last week this kid went home and said, "Mrs. Sophanne has a new thong and next week she said we could play it."

Really, there is no making this stuff up.

<

Still more surprising...

I managed to take a slightly better picture.

Not Suprising/ Suprising the second

Not surprising is that I finished my Juno Regina Scarf/shawl with several more holes than called for.  Also not surprising is the low quality of photo.

Surprising is that  I am actually in the process of blocking it- immediately after finishing it- go figure.

Attention Class...

Kids tend to like you more when they see you less.  They hang on to the vapor trail that you leave as you pass them and are always reaching for a high five and a hug when they get close enough.

While K-ers are still participating in avante garde theater, (I was sick last night- my mom is picking me up- it's my dad's birthday)  some first graders have really got things figured out.

Granted, the beginning of class usually begins with "can you tie my shoe"- "What are we doing today?"- "Can I play that gong?", but it's all pretty much relates to what has just happened or what might happen next.

Yesterday I had a surprise in first grade.  As all of the above questions were zipping through the air, Zach raised his hand, patiently waited his turn, and then announced, "I have something I'd like to share with the class."

My head may have done that confused dog look for a split second but after recovering I said, "o.k." hoping that I wouldn't hear of his plans of running away to the circus.

He stood up, walked to the front of the room- everyone got quiet, and he said, "Music class is the best class ever."  Then he walked back and sat down with an air of a job well done.

After a brief moment of stunned silence and some "I'm glad you think so's" and "thanks for sharings" we went on with the tasks at hand.

All I can think is that maybe they have class meetings in their regular room and this is the format they use- I still have to investigate that.

At any rate it was surprising, sweet and hilarious and the highlight of an otherwise annoying day.

The Adorable and The Ridiculous not necessarily in that order

First the ridiculous.  As recently inducted head teacher (long time followers- don't ask.  I know they told me I could never do it again but here we go) I got to say the essence of this sentence today.  "Seems to me that the cleaning up of bodily fluids (body fluids? someone help me) takes priority over taking the garbage out."

And now the adorable- (well yes, I did list them in reverse order but who wants to leave a blog with the above thought in their head?)

Mama posted the picture on facebook, so I'm pretty sure I'm cleared to show this fabulous photo of the knitted hippo Milton in action with his adorable keeper, Eli!  Oy! What A Cute Baby you two made!

Not Surprising/Surprising

Welcome to the Not Surprising/Surprising feature of this blog brought to you by inattentive knitting (and/or living depending on if it applies.)

Not Surprising:  

When I knit through the long sloggy part and was near the end of my Juno Regina scarf, you may recall that I dutifully knit chart 7, 8, 9, and 11- skipping 10 altogether.

Juno Regina was promptly relegated to time out just minutes after I tried to tink those two pesky rows.  The yarn overs and knit 3 togethers were more than I could undo.

I thought that certainly it would go into the UFO pile as "unfinishable."

Surprising:

It's only been in the "shame on you" knitting pile for 3 weeks.

I ripped back to the easy to "read" part.

I managed to get the correct number of stitches in the right order.

There is a small possibility that this will indeed become a finished knit.

I vacuumed the house today.

::End of Not Surprising/Surprising::

Do not attempt to make any logical connection with the sequence of surprising events.

The thing is, I've been hanging out with kindergarten age kids this week.   They're just beginning to understand the whole school thing- as in- we talk about what we're talking about and not so much what we're thinking about.

Teaching Kindergarten music in August and September is like attending avante-garde theater. A meaningful conversation on what things keep a steady beat can turn into what's in their lunch box IN a steady beat.  I'm certain it's a much more interesting way to have a conversation-hence the vacuuming.

P.S.  I think one of the reasons that I was determined to correct the knitting problems was because I was using a gorgeous alpaca/silk deep magenta laceweight yarn that came from Stitchjones' Yarnageddon.  She's doing it again in 2013.  I can't recommend it enough.  She "delivers the goods" and more than once, knowing that I was expecting a quarterly delivery, I refrained from spontaneous and frivolous online and yarn store purchases!  Need a yarn diet?  This is like having a diet that includes ice cream at every meal!

Shopping for Clothes.

I have a husband who is happy to tell me when clothes are not complimentary on me.  Some might find this distressing.  I do not.  The man has good fashion sense.  He knows what I want to look like.  He knows when I look good.

When he's had an episode (as husband's will) of being a complete and utter jackass (unrelated to the above topic), so much so that he is too embarrassed to either acknowledge or apologize, he finds another way to do it.  (For the record, this happens less than once a year so there's no need to worry about my marital health)  Yesterday he decided that we needed to buy some clothes for me that I looked good in.  He knows how I hate doing this.  He agreed to browse racks, stand by the fitting room and "be there" the whole time.  (this will give you some indication of what a jackass he was last week.)

Here are some things he learned about shopping in women's clothing stores.

There is a subtle difference between "Ladies" clothing and "Women's" clothing.  Ladies clothing runs from size 4-12 (18 if you're lucky)  Women's clothing runs from 18 and up.

His wife is a woman.

Designer clothing outlets (american outfitters, old navy, calvin klein, etc) NEVER carry Women's clothing.  In fact, in the outlet mall where we were shopping, there are exactly 4 stores that do.

This did not prevent him from walking into every single designer store looking for "plus" sizes.  I refused to join him after receiving two "what the hell do you think you'll find in here?" stares.

You do not yell "Honey, WHAT SIZE ARE YOU?" across the store floor, no matter how nice the help has been.

Younger sales clerks are surprised and delighted when seeing a husband take interest in his wife's clothes.  They help him and join his banter and smile a lot.  As do nearby customers.

Older sales clerks are surprised and not at all delighted by the same events.  In fact, they will ignore him likes he's a girl in a used car lot, and when he actually looks at the clothing in the racks, you will see them checking to make sure his hands are clean.

These older clerks appear to be convinced that said wife is being squashed under the power of a controlling obnoxious man and will presume to know what his wife should wear better than he does, saying to him "let me just go pull a few things from the racks for you" without hearing what will and will not work.

When his wife  suggests to the clerk that the 3/4 length sleeve clingy sweater will not work for her for several reasons (one being that her workplace is occasionally 75 degrees or higher), she smugly looks at her and says "I'm wearing it and it looks fine on me."

His wife has enough self control to NOT say "well, yes, if by working you mean I can see the entire contour of your ample belly,"

End of lessons.  Further thoughts.

Looking around while shopping it became clear that many Plus Size women do not mind clothes that are loud, sparkly, and show every curve and roll that they have.

I am not one of those women.  I will not be wearing a see-through tunic that gently gathers right below my girth to accent it's breadth.  And really?  I don't need to try it on to discover that.

Clerks who suggest that the reason they are unable to find something I like because I don't like the right things should be punched in the head.  Hard.  More. Than. Once.

If you are (or know) one of these clerks, might I suggest a simple and polite "I'm not really sure what you're looking for.  Feel free to look around."

Two hours and 3 shirts later I was actually more anxious and annoyed than I was when he was acting like a jackass.  I just wasn't anxious and annoyed by HIM.  Well played, husband, well played.

Hill Air a Bus

It's fuzzy, it's grainy, it looks a little like bumper cars from a distance.  But... there aren't words enough to express gratitude when your friend sends you Live School Bus Demolition Derby videos on the day before school .

Oh how I love that crunching sound!

Show me the funny- knit night edition

KnitnightTara has been featured here several times.  Really, for as much as I've been posting, or been funny, this could really be her blog by proxy.

Last night at knit night was no exception.  She was accounting to us her recent slightly OCD cleaning spree.  I asked her if she dusted her vacuum cleaner (I once knew someone who did that)  She said,

 "no, I take my vacuum cleaner apart and vacuum it with another vacuum cleaner. I LOVE cleaning my vacuum cleaner."

She also said that she sometimes gets freezer burn from using compressed air to dust with.

The rest of the conversation (with different people participating) went something like this:

Some people really get addicted to that propellant.

Yea, they're probably not addicted to air.

I'M addicted to air.

Quick!  We need an intervention!   Hilarious.

Later that evening Tara told the story of a couple who were distressed about the fact that people were abandoning kittens at their home. (It had happened twice)  The husband said, "I'm going to put up a sign that says I'm going to call the police if it happens again."

Someone else at knit night wondered aloud, "what could they be arrested for?"

KnitnightMarc replied, "LITTERING!"  It was HILARIOUS!

Moving on...

Today at school I learned about the reward system at one of my more difficult schools.  I was told there are 6 kids in the class and if they receive 8 reward tokens (EACH) by the end of class, they will get a reward when I leave.  In addition to teaching a little something I will somehow (hopefully) be giving 48 reward tokens in a period of 40 minutes.  I was informed however that if a student was being restrained for physical aggression by one of the other instructors, I was NOT to give a token- even if s/he was participating.

Ten years ago this would have left me slightly nervous and on edge for the first day at this school.  While getting old and fat has done nothing for my personal self-image, I can tell you that having 25 years of teaching experience behind me makes me feel GREAT!  In fact rather than being nervous about it, I think it's all, once again, HILARIOUS! (which also happens to be my new favorite word.)

And finally a knitting report.

I finished the boring repetitive part of Juno Regina with my gorgeous Yarnageddon alpaca silk laceweight yarn.  I began the ending diamonds.

I knit chart 7 (reading the chart rather than the typed out version- I'm getting that good)

I knit chart 8. as above.  Yeah, buddy!

I knit chart 9 go the heck out of me.  Awesome knitter is my middle name.

I knit chart 11- I am so good at seeing and remembering the symbols for all of those knit 4 and knit 3 togethers.  Look at all of those yarn overs!  This will be the best lace EVAH!

The observant and knitting-Goddess afflicted among you (I'm looking at YOU Yarnhog) will immediately recognize the problem.  Not only did I skip chart 10, I went to chart 11 which included a hairy ass pile of knit togethers and yarnovers in LACEWEIGHT.  Who can see that shit to fix it?

It's been tinked (both the first row of chart 11 and the purl row that followed it).  Where once there were 89 stitches there are now 84. Juno Regina's got some splainin' to do and I've got some bifocals to get so I can get things back in order.

The Knitting Goddess, however, thinks this is HILARIOUS!


ETA- In still MORE TARAWESOMENESS, she just emailed me video of the School Bus Demolition Derby taking place at the Washington County Fair Grounds!  Hi-damn-larry-bus!
p.s. throwslikeagirl, I AM STILL THINKING OF YOU!

When in doubt,

Buy Ice Cream.

Actually, I didn't buy this ice cream.  Mr. Sophanne did. 

 You see, my schedule has changed. For the last few years, population and principal pull allowed be at one school all the time.  With a change in population and pull comes a change in my schedule.  I am only there 3 1/2 days.  The other day and a half I travel to other schools.

This makes me sad.

Yea, new faces, new people to impress, new students to teach blah blah blah.  Yea, it'll all work out.

My students used to have music 5 times every 3 weeks. 60 times a year!  Now they will have it once a week.  I will see them 36 times this year.  It's not enough.  And it's a little harder when it's been so good for so long.  

Mr. Sophanne understands the degree to which this has caused me distress. 

It's a three ice-cream emergency.

And so it goes...

I have been knitting with a beautiful silk/alpaca laceweight from Stitchjones' Yarnaggedon and the Juno Regina Stole pattern by Miriam Felton.

It's been in my queue for quite some time and yarn, time and pattern all came together at once.  There are about 60 rows of the boring part (out of 324)  and then the patterning at the end.  A better picture will hopefully be forthcoming.

I watched the Mars landing live on Sunday night/Monday morning.  That's about the coolest thing ever.  I mean, they are WAY out there.  I was keyed up after watching and ended up Netflix-ing Star Trek for 2 hours afterwards.

Dog and I must enjoy our last few days together.  I will try to keep the school nightmares dreams to a minimum with positive thinking.  Good luck with that.

Meanwhile...

It is good to be home and almost refreshed.  One of the best parts about returning home were seeing these.

You may remember the spot as the location of last year's rubber corn.  There are dinner plate size ones growing behind these cuties- they take a little longer.

In other back to normal goings on, last night  Mr. Sophanne made one of his fabulous roast beef sandwiches on french bread for dinner.  Let it be known that I get a sandwich like this every day for lunch during the school year.

In his continuing run of things not working exactly like they're supposed to, it took eating about 3/4's of the sandwich to realize that he used this (tartar sauce) instead of horseradish sauce.  Having eaten so many differently condimented cold cut sandwiches in Switzerland (they like their sweet pickles) I couldn't quite place the difference right away.  

I'm in charge of dinner tonight- I'm going to try to make some chicken parm.  Hope I don't accidentally use fish!  bwah hahahaha

Dogs at home and abroad

The Swiss love their dogs.  The dogs ride the buses, ride the trains, go to restaurants and climb mountains.  A landlord is not permitted to deny renters based on whether they have a dog or not.  As long as you are applying to live somewhere and keep the fact that you have a dog on the q.t., you will have a place to live.  Below are some of the dogs of Zermatt- mostly because we couldn't help ourselves.

As for dogs at home, Liza had a great time at Brother of Sophanne's.  When we returned, she was confused as to what she should do when we went to bed.  Stay with brother watching t.v. or go with us.  

When we arrived at brother's house with LIza two weeks ago, we went on and on about how she liked to play and whether she had pooped or not that day.  Brother and Sister-in-law looked at us like we were wacky.  When we returned, brother and sister-in-law showed us the games they played with her and when I took her out for an extra walk, were concerned about her lack of pooping later in the evening. 

 The transformation was pretty hilarious.  We knew they were "dog people."  Come to find brother was a little bit stoic early on because he was missing a former dog.  Liza weaseled her way into their hearts and I believe, after the first 10 minutes, barely knew we were gone.

And finally- here is a picture of Buddy who was at the top of the Gornergrat Mountain next to the Matterhorn.  He's working as a photo op for families rather than a rescue dog but he was adorable none the less!

Travelogue 2012 5.1

Yesterday we left Zermatt. Here we rode the Matterhorn train up very high and saw these sights.  I'll have more details when I'm not blogging from the computer of mr. sophanne.  I thought this would be a nice sight for those of you who are suffering in another heat wave.

Tomorrow we get on a plane at 9:30 am and get to Newark around noon.  Sadly in this strange world of time travel, we will still be in the air for 8 hours.  I am looking forward to seeing my sweet babboo.  We have been at the mercy of able to enjoy the convenience of public transportation throughout this trip.  The 10 hour drive back home (after Newark) will have it's own small pleasures of being a vehicle all to ourselves.  How American is that?

Travelogue 2012 4.3

Upon requesting the puppy report I received the following:

LIZA REPORT, 0826 HRS JULY 16, 2012. # 9 UPPER HILLMAN RD, NY.
SUBJECT: One 30 + lbs cainine blk & wht female. slightly floppy ears, waggy tail, human friendly dog. Subject has adjusted very well to her new surrouondings. She eats well, plays often, takes frequent walks ans enjoys the comfort of our bed room closet, during thunder storms. Subject shares uncle Jerrys favorate seat, and his evenning snacks! Subjects aunt Merly throughly seems to enjoy the visitors company, ( as does the author of this report)
Subject experienced a few hours of " confusion" uppon departure of owners, however that emotion was replaced promtly by loads of love and "high pitched words" such as ' where's my baby, what a good little baby, want to take a walk'
Conclusion: Puppy will be fine, happy well adjusted, until the reunion with her human family, one sophanne and mr. Sophanne.
END OF LIZA REPORT O846 HRS 16th July 2012

You get what you ask for with the retired NYPD!

Today was a day of hanging out in Zermatt. The kids and parents paid to swim in a luxury pool at a nearby hotel while Mr. Sophanne and I strolled the streets and soaked in the mountain air and sun. There might have been a little shopping. Mr. Sophanne might have bought me a walking stick because my legs hurt so much from walking down the mountain the day before. It might be the cool collapsible kind. I might love it!

After a bumpy and frogged start to Stephen West's Rockefeller Mystery Knit-Along, I am almost halfway through the first clue.

Travelogue 2012 4.2

There are places and moments in life when you get to feel like you are a tiny ant on this planet. It's overwhelming and terrifying all in a good way. Today we took what's called the Matterhorn train up about 7,000 meters and had a view that was surreal in nature.

Half of our party- mr. Sophanne, DIL and GD oldest rode the train up and back. Son, GD younger and the baby and I hiked from the uppermost train stop down to the next.
We are guessing the paths were likely the ski slopes used in the winter.

Towards the end my quads were like jelly and I had a slight but non-injurious tumble and roll. I was behind the others and didn't call out. Had I rolled a few more times, I may have needed assistance but I didn't want to worry anyone until the third roll.

Hiking on trails above the treelike was beyond description. The photos that we did take look as though we are superimposed in the scenery via photoshop. They will have to wait until later in the week when I have access to a card reader.

Mr. Sophanne has always wanted to retire at a beach area. Me, I'd be happy with a chalet and a couple of walking sticks in the alps. I will have to work on my Swiss German. Details, details.

These pictures snagged from the internet- not taken by me- look like where we've been today with our actual images later

Travelogue 2012 4.1

The Matterhorn

This morning was an early rise. A bus ride to the train station, a train from Geneva to Visk, an electric train up the mountains to Zermatt and an electric car ride to the chalet.

The only cars using gas in Zermatt are ambulances and veterinarians.

When we stepped out into the little backyard, we looked up and saw this. With table and chairs outside on the porch we had dinner under the Matterhorn. It's pretty amazing.

Travelogue 2012 3.4

deux cent trente cinq

More walking today. We went to Jet D'eau and around lake Geneva. My favorite parts of the day were when I was able to use French with locals.

We went to the bank to exchange money. I conversed with the teller who was trying to say $235 in English. I said "en francais" and then told her the English.

At a snack stand I asked for "un cafe noir dans un tasse papiere" and received black coffee in a paper cup!

My brain loves this so much. If I ever moved to a French speaking country, I would be the most annoying person ever. I would constantly be asking "how do you say..." seriously. I love it as much as knitting.

Tomorrow we take a 4 hour train ride to Zermatt. It's Swiss German there which is nothing like regular German and is not a written language. Son of Sophanne wonders if it akin to talking "hillbilly" in the states.

The first clue of Stephen West Rockefeller KAL arrived today and I have the yarn and needles to start it. It may have to wait until after the train ride as I am told the scenery will be breathtaking.

GD the oldest and DIL are both purling now. GD the younger only needs my guiding hands for a stitch or two before she goes it alone. The best knitting interruption in the world is helping a new knitter gain their "yarn hands" (as opposed to sea legs?)

It's not so hot here as it was in PA when we left. It's been in the 70's all week with plenty of (but not too much) sunshine. It will likely be cooler in the mountains.

Finally a shout out to MountainMama because she deserves it. On the count of three, You Are Awesome! 1......2.......3.......!

Travelogue 2012 3.3

Geneva anciennes et nouvelles

Today was a trip to old and new Geneva.

Mr. Sophanne and his son thought about renting a car but they didn't have anything in their size

Old Geneva was lovely and New Geneva had phone booths. Public transportation is the norm. No cars for this family. It was a nice days walk.

Older gd is knitting without assistance. Younger gd uses my hands to knit with until she realizes she remembers how to do it. Mama of gd's learned to knit and purl in one day. She's a natural. All is well.

Travelogue 2012 3.2

The picture below could have been taken from the penthouse that is the home of son of sophanne. It is Jet D'eau on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. There is a rooftop patio and I can see French Mountains and on clearer days they say it's possible to see Mt. Blanc.

Gdhazel, Gdmadeline and gdelosie are the grandchildren of Mr. Sophanne. Gdh is 5 1/2. Gdm just turned 8. Tonight they had their first knitting lessons. In lieu of a lesson, their mama got a pair of socks. They were going to be for the dentist but I don't see her until January and I knew daughter-in-law of sophanne would appreciate them. Gdm is a lefty but after accidentally teaching her to purl first, I was able to grasp the teaching in a mirror. It helped that I spent a little time watching Mountainmama knit left handedly so that I knew how weird it was going to look to me.


We are here:

Two other points of interest- Mr. Sophanne may get his wallet sans $$$ returned. There is a 50 franc reward for all "found" wallets and 80% of all stolen wallets are returned.

Watches are the thing here. But you probably knew that. Son of sophanne tells of knowing a woman (who was planning on traveling for an extended leave) who traded her Volvo van for a watch -evensteven. The name swatch (which began in Switzerland) actually stands for "second watch." I guess this was in case you didn't want to wear a Volvo van on your wrist.

Travelogue 2012 3.1.5

Un pickpocket a volé son portefeuille*

Are you growing weary of so many posts? I can't help it. I'm having an adventure.

Plane ride- easypeasey-especially after the ride through Jersey. Two Xanax, an hour nap and plenty of old time radio podcasts and I was set. It's amazing the difference that six inches of economy plus makes. That should be the mandatory amount of room on airlines says this passenger rights advocate.

Customs, luggage, free train ticket for the next leg-boom boom boom. No waiting.

Outside the baggage area, son of sophanne and gdhazel were riding scooters with welcome signs. Scooters are "the thing." Anyone at the airport yesterday would have seen them as well, as the whole departure date different from arrival date confused more than just us.

A short train ride to the bus stop. A longer much more crowded bus ride to the abode.

*This is when the crime took place. Mr. Sophanne loves life so much he can't help but looking like a stranger in a strange land. While riding the bus, someone took his wallet from his computer case. No more than what he might have lost on any given night at the casino but a little bump in the happy happy road. By the way, Becky of the Flossy and Kate is also deserving of Swiss chocolate (or at the very least a picture of some) for reminding me to contact the credit card companies before we left!

Apart from getting to play "animals" with gdHazel and mancala with gdMadeline, my favorite part so far has been French. Loved it in high school. Practiced thinking in French in those days. Am reading it on signage and newspapers, picking up about 75% of it and remembering more as my memory is jogged. I can tell you that someone drowned in Lake Geneva last week. I read it in French. There was also a car wreck that involved a woman, a baby, and a motorcycle. I also read that in French.

My only limitations are that I really only remember how to conjugate in the present tense. No past. No future. Again while it's probably not what Herman Hesse had in mind, Siddartha might approve.

I'm using an app called blogger+ to blog. Annie, I can get paragraphs but haven't figured out how to place pictures. Photos may have to wait until I come home and then maybe I'll do one of those sidebar pages or else you can just imagine it looks like whatever you want.

Travelogue 2012 3.1

We are here.

Travelogue 2012 2.1

I believe I have reached enlightenment. Completely free of thought.

It's really a better option compared to the last 3 hours.

We left brothers house to the sound of crying and whimpering LizaJane. I know that when she saw my suitcase going to the car she realized what was going on. She's a smart dog. Let the disassociating challenge begin. Step away from reality. Just be an observer in this day of life.

Driving toward the NJ turnpike which leads directly to the Newark airport, brother said "let's get out the Garmin and see if there's a more direct route." Garmin happily took us through the ghettos of New Jersey into downtown Newark.

Mr. Sophanne was shouting Garmin directions to hard of hearing brother over the too loud radio. Interspersed were several near rear end collisions, a police car telling us about a red light we missed (fortunately brother has his gold badge from NYPD and it has some pull in New Jersey.) and many words from both front seat passengers that I won't write here. What should have been an hour and twenty minutes turned into 2+ hours.

Mr. Sophanne is rehashing and venting. When he asked what I was thinking my unmedicated self said "absolutely nothing." I'm not sure if this is what Siddartha had in mind but there it is.

Travelogue 2012 1.2

Of note today-

1. I paid the $$ to get international 3G on the iPad. This way there will be email and at least blog posts without pictures just in case something funny or annoying happens.

2. We went to the mall for something to do this afternoon. There was a Brookstone store. I may have purchased one of those fancy airplane pillows (but NOT the one that cost $80)

3. I also bought some comfort lip gloss from bath and body works.

4. I told my friend MountainMama that there's no point in missing the dog or dreading the flight until it happens. I almost believe me.

5. I am certain I owe kmkat some Swiss chocolate or at least pictures of Swiss chocolate because she reminded me about audiobooks. I've got the ultimate in summer trash reading (listening) with celebrity autobiographies. Mindy Kaling and Steve Martin, here I come. When that runs out I have 18 hours of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser.

6. Don't feel obligated read or comment on these blog posts when they're this boring. I'll try to give you the heads up next time.

Travelogue 2012 1.1

Leg one of the journey is complete. LizaJane has arrived at her summer camp in the Catskills. She's such a great dog in the car.

Mr. Sophanne and I are both still smiling after driving nine and a half hours and that's no small accomplishment.

I will note here that when we come to the point where we are both retired and face the possibility of spending every waking moment together, we might reconsider that option. It's not him, it's me.

Brother and sister-in-law of Sophanne are delightful and we may visit the Woodstock Museum tomorrow.

Travelogue 1.1 over and out.

How much?

How much yarn is necessary for a 2 week trip that includes two 8 hour flights?

I'm going with this much-  the three yarns on the right are for the kids (and possibly the adult) who may want to learn to knit while we're there.  The light green (kollage) and purple (independent from a festival) are for basic socks, as is the red.  

The other two (turquoise and beige) are some madeline tosh for the Mystery KAL by Stephen West.  I've never played in a Mystery KAL.  The first clue comes out on July 13.

To be honest, I also have a skein of bamboo for socks for my "allergic to wool" dentist.  I didn't get into the whole "it's probably lanolin I really could still use wool" conversation and instead took it as an opportunity to knit some bamboo socks in mary maxim's "Hibiscus."

The goal for this trip is to pack lightly.  Doesn't everyone always say that?  But seriously, that's what I'm going to do.  My carryon will be my wallet, meds, ipad, camera and 2 skeins of sock yarn.

My suitcase will be 4-5 outfits with some extra shorts and shirts and of course all necessary undergarments,  2 pairs of shoes.  The end.

Maybe I should obligate myself to snap a photo of the finished packing and reveal to my blog world the success/failure of my "not packing too much goal."  

Ha Ha- maybe I'll snap a photo of Mr. Sophanne's who nearly took 4 pairs of shoes to the 3 day Christmas trip to Seattle!!

Feel free to comment with any travel reminders that I may have forgotten that will make our lives easier!  (we have the passports xeroxed and credit card #'s on hand)

Netflix, Books and Knit night

Netflix-

The latest netflix obsession has been Star Trek.  I never watched this in younger days.  In fact, I avoided it like the creepy boyfriends I once had who loved it.  Giving it a look-see, it has become my Columbo of the summer of 2012.  Spock with a goatee?  LOVE.

Also on the playlist was a British independent film called "Sarah Palin- you betcha" which revealed no surprises but was part of my summer of trashy indulgence series.

KnitnightJustine recommended a BBC show called Black Books which is a campy over the top  British sitcom.  It had some laugh out loud moments and is so ridiculous I'm pretty sure I'll watch the rest.

I have an app with white noise called Sleep Pillow that is really nice, but when I need a little more, I play the 1967 version of Dragnet and don't bother watching.  Seriously.  Jack Webb IS white noise- and yet I love him so.

Books-

I finished what I could read of the Gifts of the Crows book.  There was a whole lot of brain part words and explanations that went beyond my abilities.  I'm sure they were there to make a scientific point.  I didn't need the point so much.  I just wanted to know the cool things that birds in the corvid family do.  There was a small dose of that.  The crows have not yet responded to my calls on the alto recorder but there was a jay that seemed annoyed that I was blathering on in the hottest part of the day.

As the second installment in the series of trashy summer indulgence, I read Levi Johnston's book "Deer in the Headlights."

I'm not sure which unread kindle book I'll go to next but I'm enjoying the variety for sure.

Knit Night-

Just a  few words on the kindness of knit night.  They collectively helped me past my orange-phobia.  They had to have grown weary of my constant blathering about the weirdness of orange and I together but in the end, I think I will now be able to wear orange with the strength of knit night behind me.

KnitnightJudy knit a beautiful version of Romi's Ice Queen, had yarn and beads left over and passed them on to me so that I could make one.   I've never knitted with beads before but now she's done it and is seeing to it that I have the chance as well.

KnitnightGina loves a good tangle.  Turning spaghetti yarn into balls is just one of her many amazing talents.  Last week I tried to do the "ball winder on a cutting board on my lap" trick and found that the swift didn't really care for the angle of the whole situation.  About a third of a skein of silky wool popped off the swift.  Rather than stopping and slowly assessing and handling the situation, I wound until it wouldn't wind any more and had quite a mess to deliver to Gina.  And of course it's in a tidy little ball now.

Mr. Sophanne begins vacation this week.  As every free morning with him begins with the words "what do you want to do today", there may be a little more active doing in the next few weeks.

Orange you glad?

I went shopping for clothes for the Big Trip in July. I wanted comfy good clothes with a fit that wouldn't distract me.  Enter the broomstick skirt.  I was made for that style.

Enter Aunt of Sophanne.  Whereas I lean toward greens and maroons, she does not.  She joined me in my quest for good travel clothes and now I own more orange (2 skirts, 2 tops) than I ever have in my entire life.  All I can keep saying to myself is Orange?  Really? And yet I keep looking around and people are wearing it.  Orange.

This morning I was drinking coffee on the porch and realized that drinking coffee on the porch is just like walking the dog at the river only you have coffee and you don't have to walk.  Oh yes, my summer is full of stunning insight.

I am reading a book called "Gifts of the Crow."  Non-fiction about how crows and ravens and that family of birds are really the monkeys and dolphins of the bird world.  Who knew?

I was hoping it would be more anecdotal and less scientific-(with brain and nerve function descriptions) but so far not so much.  I was also hoping for some advice on getting to know the crows in our neighborhood but no luck yet.

My clarinet (my major instrument in college) has returned from an overhaul.  My face is in no shape to play for any length of time but I thought I'd see if I could do something about that.  Killing two birds with one stone,  so to speak, I think I'll take it outside and see if the crows come

Mia Sofia and more.

New yarn store in the area.  It's not quite ready for prime time yet.  They have a variety of cascade, some fingering malabrigo and some brand I can't remember and never heard of. They say they are getting more yarn- heavier weights of malabrigo- variety is definitely limited.

On the up side- they gave away free chochtkes- they have a nice logo and a friendly employee.

On the down side, they had never heard of Ravelry, the main employee when I visited this morning prefers the scrapbook and machine embroidery rooms they've got going on, and the store is filled with crochet doll clothes and slightly creepy dolls. (Not that there's anything wrong with that- but I can get that at the local flea market)  

They've only been in business for a week so judgement is to be withheld for a while.  Naturally, I had to "support your local LYS" and bought some cascade sock yarn in a color that's the opposite of me and some knitting sticks for the chillun's in Switzerland we are visiting who will be age-ready to knit.

After browsing the Ravelry and doing some searching, I have started Moderne Log Cabin with the overload of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool that I was somehow compelled to purchase.  What was I thinking?  I'll probably have enough to make a second one if I'm not particular about the colors.  

Note to self- when you buy more than 20 skeins of the same brand yarn, you are not thinking rationally no matter HOW good of a sale WEBS is having.  

Pictured colors are pretty accurate- I'm calling them dark periwinkle, rust, charcoal and camel.  It's a whole lot of garter stitch but that's just as well, as Mr. Sophanne got the xbox Arkham City Batman game and it takes both of us.  Maybe I'll name the blanket Arkham City.

Last week I finished (but did not block) the never ending Clockwork.  The great thing about this pattern is that you can put it down for a while and when you pick it up, you know exactly where you are.  No tricky business.  It's a whole lot of garter stitch with a few opportunities to miss a slipped stitch or carry yarn in front- which I took advantage of regularly  

It's Madeline Tosh some kind of puple and gray fingering weight and hopefully I'll be able to hang on to this one and not feel compelled to give it away to the first person who compliments it (as I am wont to do-yes kmkat- another spelling coup)

Teacher teach thyself.

Notably absent (until yesterday) on the daily account "what I did this summer" is playing the guitar.

When I teach kids to play an instrument, the trick to their success (if they were truly meant to play) is motivating them to take out their instrument when they are at home.

If they are meant to play it, once it comes out, it's like any other addiction, they can't put it down.

I know if I require them to practice 10 minutes (or even 5 minutes) a day, they will be successful because if you love it, you can't just play for 5 minutes.

I had "guitar insomnia."  I think I'm over it now.  I found a song I wanted to sing.  I played for at least an hour today and yesterday.

Teacher, teach thyself.

This youtube video is the folk song Katie Cruel. I heard at a conference many years ago and it's always stuck with me.  Moira Smiley and Voco perform here. Things don't really get going until about 2 minutes in. She/they are my new favorite thing to listen to- and now perhaps I'll have to dig out the accordion again!

 (note to Nicole- you probably might already know her but if not, I think you will LOVE her!)

The Awesomeness of Tara

Some of you know her as knitnightTara from previous posts.

Tara is the person who says,

Do you need cupcakes?  I'll make them.

Do you want me to block that for you?

You can have this needleholder when I make a new one.

My double points before:

My double points after:

How this wrap looks when it's blocked well:

I've only really known Tara for a couple of years via knit night.  Yet when I found out I could reach her instantly via iMessage from the iPad, there was a sigh of crafty relief knowing that at any time, day or night, I can say Tara, how do I?   and she will respond with not only suggestions on how to but also with enough why questions that will lead to you could... that will be an idea ten times better than the one I had.

The few times you've seen her on the blog don't even describe the the lengths she is willing to go to help people have fun and do well in their crafting and living life days.  And that, my friends, is THE AWESOMENESS OF TARA!

Happy Happy!

Yesterday we took some time to celebrate Aunt of Sophanne's Birthday (which is actually Tuesday)  Not pictured is the double layer boston creme "pie" cake.  Yum.  Why do they call it Boston Creme Pie when it's really cake.  Do people in Boston regularly call cakes "pie?"

We had ribs from DeeJay's - a "must" for any rib fans traveling in the Ohio Valley.  The camera got a little shmeer of their homemade dressing as Mr. Sophanne tried to capture the full scope of festivities but I think it adds some dramatic effect.

Feeling tired? Weak? Anxious?

Then I highly recommend a listen to the Thich Nhat Hanh's audio book The Art of Mindful Living.

Breathe in, you are a flower.  Breathe out, you are flower fresh.

Breathe in, you are a mountain, breath out, you are solid.

Breathe in, you are the still waters , breathe out, you are reflecting

the refreshing moon of the buddha, traveling in the sky of utmost emptiness.

A quote to begin the summer

I am a member of "Goodreads"- the facebook of bookreaders.  They have a daily morning quote "service" you can participate in.

Today's quote was-

Solitude gives birth to the original in us, to beauty unfamiliar and perilous - to poetry. But also, it gives birth to the opposite: to the perverse, the illicit, the absurd. 

Thomas Mann

A toast to a summer of all that.

AlsoI think I would like myself better if I didn't sleep in until 11:00 every morning.  This will not be easy.To keep myself motivated and accountable, I'm starting a new page on the sidebar.  How I spent my Summer Vacation.  Not everything there will be full of beauty and/or the absurd. It's likely to be more mundane than overflowing with greatness.  But when the summer is complete and my mind, as it is wont to do, blanks it out, I will be able to refer to those days and say- at least I walked the dog.

yes.

Saw this in the parking lot at work this morning.  Love.

Ding dong, Nature Calling

This guy was hanging out on the sliding glass door jamb today.  It's about 3 inches long.  

Anybody know what it is?  

LizaJane is black and white- maybe it was looking for a place to hide.