Watchin’ the Wheels Go Round and Round

(My apologies to Mr. Lennon.)

Today was the second half of the spinning class taught by Barbara at Stony Mountain Fibers.   I knew we were going to ply, but beyond that, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Time flew by, and I barely made a dent in the rolags I’d prepared.   The first shot is of the 20 rolags I made Friday evening, and the second shot is of the 12 (yeah, I can’t count) I had done on Thursday.  Whew!  Barbara weighed it, and reported that the 6 oz. she’d sent me home with came back as 4 oz. of ready to spin fiber.  She said that was about right, so I hope the birds enjoy the bits I couldn’t get clean, blowing around on the back deck now.

(If you haven’t grabbed a cuppa’ and a snack, hop to it.  This is going to be a long one!)

You’ll note that no two are the same size or color.  I blame my beginner status, but I do think that this particular sheep played his/her part too.  

If you promise not to laugh, I’ll show you my first yarn.  For what it’s worth, after it was plied, it was balanced - merely meaning it had somewhere close to the right amount of twist.  I suspect it will live in perpetuity in that hank, and at least for now, it will have a lonely life with the remaining rolags I brought home.  (I did offer Rosanne a few, but with the effort I put into carding that stuff, I wasn’t about to abandon it.)  Maybe one of these days, I’ll spin it.  Barbara’s having a craft night this coming Thursday, for those in the area.  You never know; I might show up with my sack of rolags and sit and spin…

These little beauties (not!) are the rest of my efforts.  The one on the left is actually my first spinning effort, as it is the leftover bit from plying the two bobbins worth together.  Barbara helped me ply from the inside and outside of that remaining ball.  On the right is my rather shoddy effort at spinning top.  I couldn’t do it via the fold method at all, but luckily, there’s more than one way to spin in most cases.

For Jessi and anyone else monitoring my spinning commitment, I merely purchased the outgoing issue of Spin Off.  I did test drive the Ladybug and the Joy because I really want a lightweight, portable wheel, but I’m not ready to make a purchase just yet.  Heck, I think I treadled everything Barbara had in the shop with a double treadle, but those two are probably the contenders right now.  Majacraft makes a lovely wheel, but all of that “real wood” makes it too heavy for me for regular lugging and tugging. 

And yes, I do still knit!  I frogged my original start to the hat, and that twisted rib pattern sure does slow me down.  Still, there’s a race to be watched tomorrow, so I still hope to finish it up this weekend. 

I also have spent some time with Fredfoot recently.   He’s growing nicely, and Fred’s photo watches over me when I’m knitting at home.  It will soon be too warm for even this light wrap, but come that first crisp fall night, I’ll be ready to toss this around my shoulders and think of my sweet Hooey Hound and the two online friends who made this shawl happen.

You needed a close-up of the yarn.  It makes me smile just to look at it.  If I finish this up before fall, I’ll have to keep it on the coffee table just to stare at and to stroke every once in a while.  The tweed was the perfect touch, Jessi! 

I Wish I May, I Wish… MMMMMalabrigo…

(Wish it could be bigger, but look at the March 21 photo on the link…)

I check out Fred Basset almost every day.  It’s a habit I got into when we had our own Fred, and the similarities between the two were obvious.  However, I think most hound aficionados can relate…  I do have these rather lofty notions that Sissy the high jumper/climber/sprinter would enjoy agility, so I’ll be signing her up for a basic obedience class very soon to get the ball rolling.  (Y’all remind me of this innocent moment of speculation when she eats part of the course and/or looks over one shoulder with that dismissive hound “see ya!” and jogs to Dadaw - the Knight - in mid-event for a hug.)

In the meantime, there are other contests to enter!   Both offer Malabrigo as prizes, so head on over and mention I sent you.

This one  is for some great, grape Malabrigo.   Welcome Spring, and all those flowers!  I’m supposed to mention one of my favorite flowers, and with Easter around the corner, I’d have to say I have lilies on the brain.  Just watch their pollen; it’ll stain!  I learned from my florist uncle to pull the stamen from each bloom as soon as it begins to open to save those table cloths and more. 

Another one  is offering up some vermilion Malabrigo.  Bonus entries for those of you in the Ravelry March thingamadoo KAL.  (I’m good with names.  SNOL!) 

Fred’s Garden Invaded

 

Or, my DoT post, part II. 

So, with the nice weather, I’ve been hanging out on the edge of Fred’s garden.  I cast on for my Bigfoot shawl (called Fredfoot, now) on that edge, and I’m loving how it looks so far.  Yesterday I was too tired to knit lace, so I Clapped on.  I’m well into my increases, and it’s a groovy little pattern repeat, perfect for a day when my braincells turned in before my hands.

I love the way this yarn and this pattern are working together.  That’s 17 rows, so I’m about done with the yoke and ready to move into the body of the shawl.   I can’t wait to block this one!

And a close-up, complete with a Mugsy or Sissy hair.  The yarn’s not really that fuzzy, but I guess that’s why they call them close-ups?  I love that plum-ish shade, which is PRECISELY the color of Fred’s sweet nose…

Now, while sitting at the garden, I noticed a few problems.

Those are tulip leaves.  That is, leaves that have been lunch for the resident critters.  I’d blame it on the deer, but take a look at this and tell me what you think:

See those holes?  I can’t see a deer nose or foot making a hole that little.  We don’t have rabbits.  Any other ideas?

Despite the varmint, a wee little crocus managed to survive.  I need a bigger tripod.  I have a small, short one, but I didn’t have it outside with me yesterday, so it took me about twenty tries to get this shot.  Don’t enlarge it; it’ll be blurry. 

Sissy’s done with puppy shots.  She had a nice visit at the vet’s, and next up is her spaying, once the adult teeth start coming in.  She’s stomping around the office trying to be the center of attention with her blue giant long, fuzzy toy like the ones in the previous post.  Obviously, she’s no worse for wear.

Now, to wrap up things at the shop so we can head home soon to resume knitting by Fred’s garden!

Always about Dogs

Forgotten Dog’s Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew he was cold but didn’t care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter!
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick.
Last year’s Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain.

“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let’s find this dog a home where he’ll be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a dog is not just for one season.
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.

A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
“You weren’t given a gift! You were given a LIFE!”

Author Unknown

 

*********************************************************************************

I know all of you do treat your pets like family, but the shelters overflow this time of year because of well-intended pet-gifts gone wrong.  Our own angel-boy is watching over doggies everywhere, and I still miss him so much it hurts.

Fred’s Yarn

Just because I will never tire of this photo… the inspiration for a treasured gift, our beloved Hooey Hound, now, a yarn colorway too.

Jessi included a note explaining why she dyed as she did, including her perfect logic that tweeds and an “old man” of a dog just fit together. Indeed they do. Even the Knight was reduced to petting the yarn and smiling. The colors of Fred are definitely in there, and I can’t wait to cast on for the Knight’s socks, and then a shawl for me. This should be a Master Card moment, because that yarn is truly priceless. Yes folks, that’s the tailgate of the Knight’s truck; he insisted that was THE spot for the photo, as the garden was soaking wet from the sprinkler still doing its thing (we have three wells people - no ordinances were broken to water the flowers!).

One more shot of all of the yarn, because it’s just so lovely. Oh, and it’s as soft as Fred after a bath too, or those velvet ears, which remained softer than the finest velvet through the years. I will be very motivated to finish up what I’m now calling Anne’s sleeping bag of a felted bag, so that I can Ravelry my way through some man sock patterns and some shawls. (It’s DK weight, in case anyone has any brilliant ideas. Nothing too lacy though; Fred was a no-frills, don’t mind the slobber kind of dog.) I also would be remiss if I didn’t send you to Alabama Fiber Dreams at Etsy. Jessi does incredible work on her yarn and the stitch markers. I know I say that about all of my Etsy-selling friends, but it’s true. I just happen to be well-connected.

Thank you, Jessi. Thank you.

The healing continues, through the kindness of great friends.

Fred’s Garden

Warning - photo-rich post.

I’m glad a picture’s worth a thousand words, because there’s very little I can say. The Knight spent his whole weekend on this project, and I spent several hours trying to find the right flowers too. Mugsy stuck right with us, and even went to the local nursery with me on Saturday.

Yes, we know Fred’s not centered. Fred and Mugsy were constant companions and “brothers” in life, and one sad day, it will become a two-dog garden. Just as Fred always hung out on the front porch until Mugsy came out with him, he’s saved a forever space for Mugsy too. (Yes, our front walk was torn up for this project, but it needed to be replaced anyway.)

Would that it was a better photo, but it’s a beautiful stone, with a picture many of you might recognize.

‘Nuff said. Sniff…

Mums have a special place in our hearts; they were EVERYWHERE at our wedding ten years ago. We drove all over Charlottesville and Waynesboro looking for the perfect mums, and the Knight’s mother was gifted four we settled for from Waynesboro Nursery. On the way home, the Knight recalled a farm-style nursery, off the beaten path just outside of Afton. I don’t even know the name, but they had the most beautiful, monster mums I’ve ever seen. She also gave us a very generous discount. I don’t know whether that came from buying in bulk, or because the Knight had on a fire department tee shirt. At any rate, if you’re in the Charlottesville area and need a great spot for pumpkins or mums, leave a comment with an email address and I’ll get directions from the Knight.

He selected this one. I guess my mother inlaw’s love for purple rubbed off on her son, because a few of the bulbs he planted are also purple. I think there are four or five varieties of tulips, freesia, and crocus. The little grassy looking shoots are the day lilies that used to live about where the garden is, all divided up. One clump was lost in the Knight’s grave-digging, so we’re curious to see if it manages to push its way to the surface.

I don’t know why we selected two large and two extra large plants, but that’s the way it worked out.

Likewise, the Knight selected this yellow one too, but it’s nice and cheerful, and I like that.

Winter pansies are another favorite, and are special because my mother and I also planted them on my paternal grandmother’s grave when I was about five. I’ll have to look up my flower lore meanings and see what our selections have to say…

The whole front of the house will now get a make-over, as the Knight and a couple of friends are going to add a large deck-style patio and replace the wooden front porch with some of the new, synthetic decking materials. The Knight and my uncle will be shopping for that this Saturday while my aunt and I do our thing. They just replaced the decks and porches around their home two winters ago (or was it last year?) so my uncle will be a great resource, because I know he did his homework before he made the final selection.

So, there’s your tour of the garden. The squirrels and deer had better stay away.

Forever Hooey Hound

Tackhammer’s Fred

May 2, 1996 - October 5, 2007

Cancer is an ugly, aggressive disease. There was a mass hiding behind his liver, more than half the size of his liver from what I could tell from the x-ray and ultrasound. The Knight held his four-legged boy and we cried and petted him, long after it was done. I remain in awe of Dr. Nancy Handley and the staff at Georgetown Vet. Their compassion and genuine affection for our dogs is remarkable.

I’d like to write more, but I just can’t. Thank you all for your kind words about Mugsy’s birthday and all of the support you’ve given us the last couple of days. Please forgive me if I don’t answer each reply this time; this wound is just too raw.

Don’t Feed the Basset

Well, it’s not great news, but Fred has a diagnosis. He has a rather hearty infection, likely brought on by eating something he shouldn’t have. It’s his second episode of what Dr. Nancy calls “garbage gut” and like the first time, his inability to keep his slobbery jaws off of non-food items has landed him overnight IVs and the rapid healing only IV drugs can bring.

No, we don’t have a clue what, when, or even where said toxin came from. Senior hound that he is, he doesn’t roam like he once did. He hasn’t been out of our sight, save working hours, and bless his clumsy heart, he leaves a trail of evidence when he does get into things that aren’t his at home. But, Dr. Nancy is confident the fluid push will keep reducing the fever and will eventually motivate the gunk of undigested food to move on, and she predicts that Fredders will walk out to leave with me tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks so much again for your kind words and support. It has kept me sane. The day is coming when both of our aged dogs will need me to let go, but it seems we’ve bought more time for now.

Happy Fred Thoughts

There’s a daily click for a Fred Basset in the UK, who seems to be our Fred’s soul twin. I click in daily, and often email it to the Knight, because it just seems like the artist/writer channels our Fred.

This is going to be a multi-post day. I see it coming, but I want to thank you for your concern, prayers and general good wishes for Fred. The Knight used and abused his family/supervisory powers today, and sent his crew on without him, while he went home to get his boy. He found Fred significantly weakened, and we rushed to Dr. Nancy. I have a hard time being strong when my rock of a Knight has his 58 lb. baby in his arms, whispering away. He stayed at my desk for a speaker phone chat with Dr. Nancy, and has begrudgingly gone to the job site. (Fred was weak because of the meds from last night.)

We’re awaiting blood tests now, and Fred is on IV fluids. What’s interesting is that while our human docs make us wait days, weeks, or even months for test results, Dr. Nancy is calling me back in two hours. Go figure. My mother inlaw assures me it is because vets genuinely CARE about their patients. Hmmm…

I’ll update you later, but I suspect Fred is at the vet’s for at least 24 hours of IV therapy.

Dogs on Thursday

Fred’s needing some love, so here’s a shot I adore. It was taken two summers ago, at work. That’s the Knight on the left, and a baby Shadow in the bottom. We were up into the wee hours of the morning, at the emergency vet. They were afraid it was bloat, but we were sure it wasn’t. The good news is it wasn’t bloat. The bad news is, we don’t know why that lump of food is at the top of his stomach, not digesting.

He’s miserable, so much so for those of you who know him, that he’s not fussing. It broke my heart to leave him at home, but Shadow frets him so. Once my mother inlaw arrives from her doctor’s appointment this morning, I’ll go home, load up Fredders, and take him to our Dr. Nancy.

Of course, all of this is going on while Mugsy’s allergies rage on.

Sadly, we’re not alone. Other friends have pet and personal medical issues, and Amanda has had a very sudden, tragic loss. Sending prayers and good vibes out to all of you…

I’ll keep you posted on Fred. Tomorrow’s Mugsy’s 12th birthday too, so I guess this blog has gone to the dogs.