Wordless Wednesday

Books and Prayers

Using a Christmas gift certificate at Powells.com, I bought these two books that arrived today. The 200 Crochet Blocks has interesting, contemporary patterns. The book itself is very different in presentation and style than other books I have about crochet blocks. It's a real find for me!

I am still looking for a small book of Psalms. Everything I have seen thus far is more of a study guide, as is the one I purchased here. While it appears to be interesting, informative, and prayerful, I still want a book that is just the Psalms preferably a size to carry in my purse. I'll keep googling and searching, however if anyone knows of such a book, please let me know. Thanks!

Needled to Death is my first of the books by Maggie Sefton related to knitting although it is not the first in her series. I usually tire of theme series, but decided to give this a try for a fun read. I got it at paperbackswap.com --- a fantastic site! Holding the book is my wooden Pinocchio that I bought in Italy. The little Russian stacking doll was purchased in a duty free shop on our trip to Alaska several years ago. And now Pinocchio and Little Russian are the best of friends!

I came across a site that shows a social map of the New Testament at http://www.esv.org/blog/2007/01/mapping.nt.social.networks . It's very interesting, though I defer to a Bible scholar concerning its accuracy.

Thanks to Beth at Felt Like Knitting and Shelley at Kitten Knits for your prayers and good wishes. I do covet prayers for my strength and to lead my doctors and give them wisdom. Tomorrow is another doctor's appointment, so we'll see what's next.

I have donated some items to the Pine Ridge Reservation and would like a button to add to my blog so I can raise awareness to their needs. They do not offer a button on their web site. Does anybody know of one that I can use to link to their site? Thanks!

One person can make a difference and every person should try.
---John F. Kennedy

Saturday Sky

Snow up above

And here below.

My postings may be more sporadic than usual while I am reuperating from two fun-filled days and one glorious night in the hospital this week. I haven't even picked up any knitting or crochet today!

Can good looking Eskimo girls be called hot?

The Bicentury Throw

Scrap ghans, scarves, sweaters, among other items are a popular and practical projects to use the tids and bits left from more honored projects. My scraps continue to be crocheted into this throw which is heavy, dense, and quite warm. 

Why I ever started in single crochet with a G hook, I don't know! I chained a piece slightly beyond the width I wanted for a throw. Since I began this in the last century, I don't remember how many I chained--far too many to count now!

I then single crocheted throughout doing three rows.
On the fourth row I placed a drop stitch every fifth stitch or so to the first row and drew it up across the piece. (Note the lack of precision here!)
Then, sc three rows.
Space a row of drop stitches into the first row of the second set. I semi-centered (What a concept!) the second set of drop stitches between the placement of the first drop stitch row...and so on. Basically, the rows are as follows

sc
sc
sc
drop stitch row
Continue until you just cannot bear to do another row.
While you can do the sc row colors wily-nily, maintain the drop stitch row in the same color throughout. I am using an eggshell color for the drop stitches. Black makes a dramatic drop stitch color!
This throw is made of worsted weight yarn, though I have used a double strand of lighter weight yarns in some rows. I have no idea when I will complete this, but it makes a wonderful keep-my-hands-busy project while I am reading online!

When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it -- don't back down and don't give up -- then you're going to mystify a lot of folks. ---Bob Dylan

She's given me the best years of her life!

Oh dear! After being in the compu-hospital for two weeks, ol' CPU remains sluggish, tired, and exhibiting symptoms...well, very like chronic fatigue syndrome. This period included at least a dozen phone calls lasting waaaaay too long! I thought my dear CPU was in the care of a compu-doc. So wrong! Maybe a compu-intern and not like the capable interns in Grey's Anatomy! So, I think I'll be replacing CPU with a newer, more powerful model and donating her to a worthy recipient. I just don't want her to feel she's been thrown over for a trophy CPU, poor thing.

Meanwhile, I finished the scarves for the Red Scarf Project (link in side bar). There's one more scarf in addition to these in the picture.

The scarves are packaged and mailed along with a box for Heartmade Blessings (link in side bar).

Snow? Yes, beautiful, dazzling snow that sparkles, shines, and brightens the world!

Looking out of the window, the backyard appears to me a study in black and white.


And the streets, highways and byways are covered with thick ice and snow pack. Schools were closed again today. But, oh, isn't it pretty?

Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway." ---Maya Angelou

Get Well Wishes to My....COMPUTER!!!

After a week in the compu-hospital, the in-house compu-doc phoned today to tell me the bad news. It's going to be a while til computer can come home, poor dear. And! There's no visitation either! Despite my best efforts--you know, vitamins, scans, and protection--computer is riddled with spyware and low memory problems. I'm hoping that compu-doc can improve computer's memory, then do the same for mine!!

Forgotten, but not lost. ---Unknown

Trusting in the Lord

Ultimately, we are reborn to love because in this expanding, gracious space within us, we arrive at the astonishing presence of God at the core of our life. We blunder into the heart of God and find our own. --- Sue Monk Kidd

O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me. --- Psalms 109:21-22

Wordless Wednesday with Deppth

Book-book-book!

I have come late to the Page 123 meme via http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/. I've done something similar in email and found it to be fun and interesting. Here's the blog version....

1. Grab the book closest to you.

2. Open to page 123, look down to the 5th sentence. (This looks deceptively easy. As I counted down 5 lines in my book, I noticed the periods and capital letters therein. Ah-hah! Can't fool me! Them's sentences in thar! You are forewarned! Ok...maybe it's just me!)

3. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog.
4. Include the title and the author's name.

5. Tag 3 People.

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

"Tobacco particulate thickens the air. A shelf of books: Auden, Veblen, Spengler, Steinbeck, Dos Passos, Tropic of Cancer, out in plain view, it must have been smuggled. Salammbo, Strange Fugitive, Twilight of the Idols, A Farewell to Arms."

Yes, indeed, a book with short, choppy sentences a la Papa Hemingway would have been nice for this meme! OK, I'm thinking I should research a couple of the above mentioned authors and titles. Nah--not at this time of night. Since I have yet to read page 123 of this book, I fear that those ringing sentences have truly spoiled the entire story line for me! Ya think?

Now for the FUN part. That would be #5, Tag three people. And, they are... (hearing a faint drum roll right about here)....

The amazingly aerobic Ann at http://wanderingcyberspace.typepad.com

The sweet Shelley at http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com/

and....

Beautiful Beth at http://watersedge.typepad.com/felt_like_knitting/

Do you have any idea of the great amount of self-control it is taking to stop at three??!! To follow the actual rules, for heaven's sake??! Wow! I am so proud of me!! ;)

I'll be checking on you ladies, so give it up!

Anyone else who is doing this, please leave a comment so I can read yours too!

If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. ---Catherine Aird

Yarnographic Friday

Behold "Pearls" by Cascade Yarns in this gorgeous blue with the darker blue strand running through it. So soft and beautiful--a real delight. One problem. I don't know what I will do with it. Suggestions, anyone?

Oh, and yes, we got more snow today!

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.
--- Woody Allen

Of Yarn, Blockbuster, and Pelosi

Yesterday's WW pic is a section of the ceiling of the Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun. Imagine an enormous ceiling of complimentary panels....breath-taking!

I used some left-over Lamb's Pride Bulky to make this warm and colorful scarf in Fibonacci striping for the Dulaan Project (see the sidebar button). Made of 85% wool and 15% mohair, this yarn very soft and cuddly. We all want cuddly yarn, don't we? Yes we do!

This historic day is exhilarating to watch on C-Span as Nancy Pelosi is sworn-in as the first female Speaker of the House. Women continue to open doors that have been closed to us for more than 200 years! It is amazing to note that any closed doors remain in 2007! As of today, one more opened to opportunities for women.

I joined yet another ring because I love the concept, A Year of Simple Things. This is a new ring was initiated a few days ago and is "A ring for members to post about the simple things in their lives that bring them joy or even just a smile to their faces." I look forward to reading posts in this ring.

Thanks to ringing endorsements from both of my DILs, I have joined Blockbuster.com for in-the-mail movies! I can't believe I did this, but I am certainly enjoying the DVDs! The last one I viewed was "Frida", which was a feast for the eyes and an engrossing story about artist, Frida Kahlo. As an aside to this, I purchased two pottery pieces created by Mara who studied with a student of Diego Rivera while I was in Cancun. Seeing him portrayed in "Frida" was pleasurable on another level because of that. "The Devil Wears Prada" arrived today. I'm looking forward to seeing Meryl Streep's work in that! I know, I must be the last person to see that movie! Anyway, back to the DILs. Both had used Netflix and changed to Blockbuster because of the added benefit of returning the movie to a Blockbuster store as a coupon toward renting a movie at the store while the next DVD in the queue is mailed as well. I probably won't use this option very often if at all, but it was a real selling point for them.

I finished reading "The Woman in White" for Knit the Classics (see sidebar button). I enjoyed the writing style of Wilkie Collins in this classic mystery. I also found a web site for book-lovers at www.shelfari.com where readers review and discuss books. I enjoy reading about books and the opinions of other readers, so I plan to spend a little more time at this site.

Snow? Yes, we still have snow. I think it's beautiful and love the way it covers the brown-brown-brown that is typical for this time of year. We have a couple of feet of snow on the ground. It is frozen so hard that Max, who weighs 65-70 pounds, walks right on top of it without sinking down into it!! I was totally surprised when he did that, no light-weight he!

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

--- Romans 15:5-7

Wordless Wednesday

Maximal Scarf

Finishing another Red Scarf Project (See sidebar) item is a good excuse for posting pics of my wonderful Max!


These scarves are my mindless knitting, so no fancy patterns here--not even mildly interesting patterns! My scarves are your basic stockinette or garter in left-over yarns and yarns given to me. This scarf is made with 13's and Lion Brand chenille in Denim Rainbow Print. I used yarn that was in a bag of knitting goodies given to me. I pray that these simple scarves will bless many.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. 

The book is called 'Opportunity' and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ---Lovejoy Pierce

Getting Bookie

While reading my book journal this morning, I jotted the titles that I most enjoyed for one reason or another during 2006. I'm surprised there are only four that rose above all the books I've read this past year. Admittedly, I read much more online than I do in actual print media. My favorite books for 2006 are

The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
Chocolat (reread) by Joanne Harris

Did the last two titles conjure up images of chocolate cake for you as they did for me? It could lead to this!

~~THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS~~

Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
'Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

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