Some Finished Things

I am winding up 4 weeks of recovering from a bike tumble in which I sprained some ribs.  All else is good. No hitting of the noggin, no scrapes, and the bike is fine as well. But as I went west when the bike went north, I twisted more than my old-ish body forgave. I have been back on the bike (that felt great), and back doing yoga (albeit slowly). All's well that ends well.

I was able to finish up a few things though, while not vacuuming. I have used some single skeins of handspun to knit up some small triangle scarves, and one big toasty shawl.

The Age of Brass and Steam (Orange Flower Yarn)

In the beginning, a novice spinner is often taken in by the lure of the colors of these lovely braid of dyed fiber sold by retailers or indie dyers. They mostly weigh around 4-5 oz. and often can cost between $22.50-$35.00. One usually thinks to afford one, but not two...or one is buying a souvenir while traveling, and only one will do...

Consider 4 oz of yarn.  Unless it is lace wgt or fingering, generally speaking, one has less than 200 yards. What does one make with 200 yards?

198 Yards of Heaven (Verity Knits)

These little triangle scarves, or "shawlettes", fit the bill. at least for the merino and silk (ABS) and the merino/shetland (198 yds). The one below is used up 4 skeins.  Those were of smaller yardage, and I actually broke some rules, using a skein of superwash, 2 of an alpaca/silk/merino blend, and one of a merino and silk. I am sure the knitting police will come arrest me anytime.

Boneyard (Stephen West)

It really is wonderful, though.  I used it when I demonstrated spinning at the Estes Park Scottish Highlands festival this past weekend.  It was perfect to have on my shoulders when there was a breeze, and to shrug off when the sun warmed us up.

Devil's Backbone (Nicole Tavares)

I liked the name of this (We have a defining geographical formation with the same moniker). It was suitable to use some yarn that I wanted to get out of the stash. And it worked. I even added some extra repeats to use up more yarn. Unfortunately the yarn seems to be never-ending. I have knitted a poncho/cowl thingie.

Biking Weather

When I recount recent weather, I believe I sound like my mother. I remember hearing her speak of current weather trends often and thinking to myself, ‘Whatever could be so interesting to the other person about that?’


Maybe nothing. Maybe I just like hearing myself. Maybe that’s what the whole blog thing is about, after all.

Anyway.

It’s been warm here. Unseasonably. But I don’t mind at the end of September. It’s stretching summer out a bit longer, and for me that’s not a bad thing.

That being said, the unseasonable warm doesn’t happen until the afternoon, so when I am riding my bike in to work, there’s a chill breeze as I zip along. The day starts out somewhere around 45 to 50 F, and ends around the high 80’s. Today we may set a record in the low 90’s. That’s a pretty big temp range to dress for commuting on the bike.

But I manage. I will meet my goal tomorrow, surpassing 600 miles on my bike since May. And the season isn’t quite over for me, as long as the weather remains….unseasonable.

Evolution

Dearest Sister visited not so long ago (and I commented with additional occurences) about, if a product appeals to us, it often can be the kiss of death. It has happened with alarming frequency that when we fall in love with something, be it *FHPs, cigarettes (oh we no longer smoke and haven't for an ever so long time!), a Celestial Seasonings tea flavor, a type of candy (remember Hershey-ettes? I am sure you don’t…) we need to stock up because that will guarantee it will be taken off the market!

It has happened again.

I rode my bike today. I went to log my miles on the web site that I have used since commencing to commute by bike (2006 for those keeping score). It’s been all updated! Well and good. These things happen and are somewhat expected. But! My login didn’t work. Since last I used it (early to mid June), I needed to set up a new profile, which means all this years miles are lost? Whatever. New profile, name, email, too many questions/reasons for communting….blah blah blah…where can I log my miles? Calculate carbon emissions saved? Figure calories burned?

No where it seems. No where at all. Seems the purpose of this here website has changed.

Great. Just great. And whatever. I will guess at what I have ridden this year, and just record my miles myself.

After all, the carbon emission savings only made me feel good, and I never believed what they said about the calories burned. If that math worked, I would be a mere shadow of myself!

Other biking notes:

The Singing Man last week…passing between The Gardens and the CSU ropes course, there was an adult man singing. His back was to the trail, and was facing Spring Creek. He was practicing vocal exercises and singing along classical lines…not like reggae or pop or country…

The Accident today…complete with ambulance, stretcher, and traffic cones. Someone crashed on the bike path, and required paramedics. Crashee was awake as I passed, and I saw no blood. Looked to be a leg injury, but I was paying attention to not crashing myself.

Bike to Work Week this week...freebies on Wednesday, and the trails will be rife with amateurs!  Not that I am judging.  It actually gives me a chance to pass instead of be passed!

*feminine hygiene products

On The Trail

I was thinking about changing my subtitle on my header. I was thinking maybe it was getting a little stale. I was thinking I could come up with something more apt, more descriptive of what I was doing with this blog a year and a half down the road from first launching this effort.

Then I rode my bike to work this week.

(What I see, what I've been taught, what I've learned, what amazes me...)

I saw four deer in the middle of the road (that moved off without incident).

I saw two geese in the middle of the bike path (that did not move) (even when I rang my bike bell) (I love ringing my bike bell!). I had to weave between them like a slalom skier! Luckily they didn’t charge me…which I have learned they can…and do!

I saw ducks sound asleep next to the bike path…at 7:30 in the morning. Sleepy heads.

I saw a woodpecker fly up and land on a young tree, right next to the sidewalk, where I could easily see, and recognize it for what it was. Would have totally missed that just driving by. I don’t see many woodpeckers around these parts.

I have smelled lilacs in bloom, which they are…blooming…all over town…every bush but mine. I have also caught the fragrance of another flowering tree, but have yet to identify it by name.

I have learned to breathe through my nose. The Spring Creek Path is a wonderful ride, and also has gnats, midges, and other buggies, hovering especially where the trail passes under the cross streets. Fortunately, I ride both ways into the sun, and can usually spot the swarms. Mostly.

I saw a momma fox, with her two kits, right. On. The. Trail! In front of me! I had to slow down. They crossed over to what I believe is their den. It was very exciting!

Then I saw geese just down the path, not a quarter of a mile…yes, there are always geese, but these had four baby geesees! They were little bitty. I bet maybe two days hatched.

I have learned there is a good chance one or two might become fox food. Ahh. Nature.

And I have seen the blue heron more than once.

I have learned that I can ride when it is windy. Really windy. That I can ride a goodly distance a three, maybe four times a week, and rack up some mileage, and that isn’t too shabby for an old lady.

Mostly I have learned that I really enjoy the ride.

And all of that just amazes me.

(I am not going to be changing the subtitle.)

Over 600 miles!

As of today. That's how far I have biked this summer...so far. Riding's not done yet, either! How far will she go? Any bets?

Also...on, then off, the Needles of Iron this week!

1. An iPod Pocket - first hand felted, and not being completely satisfied with the resulting effect, felted in the washing machine. Ecksssssselent! When dry, a button hole to be cut and button to be added, and Fini!
2. While felting the above, I felted the TomTom Pocket of handspun. It was biggish. Not now. Lookin' good!
3. Two 4-Corners Dishclothes with their matching Tribbles. The dishcloth hoard was down to ONE!
4. Two Stocking Stuffers #1 are completely completed, and another half knitted, all out of handspun.
5. One Stocking Stuffer #2 is completely completed and another started.
6. Two skeins of alpaca off the wheel, with twist set, totaling another 450 yards each. Which brings the total to six skeins of very nice stuff. I teased/carded another 'bunch' (technical term-mine) and am ready to start spinning again.

I have chosen yarn (out of the stash) and patterns (off the internet) for a couple of other projects as well. Staying busy, keeping the boredom at bay, working on Christmas (can it be?), and waiting for the inspiration for that next big project to knock me for a loop!

And just in case...I received bigger faster more better memory for my computer yesterday. Last night I backed up. Tonight I install. If you don't hear from me again...well, you'll know why!

Bicycling Started Today!

It was a bit chilly…about 42F, I think, when I left the house, but I had determined to start today. There was a photo taken yesterday on the hike that I felt showed me to look like such a…well, toning is required! Enough said.

It took a bit to gather my things, and remember how I do the bicycling thing. With my extra sack, though, there are no worries about room now. I wondered about what jacket to wear, and just grabbed one. Sometimes I just have to get off dead center, and quit worrying about what would be perfect for the situation. Sometimes it is a process in figuring out what works. Today’s choice might be traded tomorrow for something more breathable. And that’s okay.

The morning ride was glorious! And there are a few things to see before the trees completely leaf out, and hide them from view. Oh, and a fox! I saw a fox right after I left the house! I stopped pedaling and got off to take a photo of this beautiful redbud. Used to see them in Kentucky and Missouri all over.

Wonderful Guy and I worked in the yard on Saturday and I feel like it is cleaned up and ready for spring. We have a new bed planned, and perhaps will get on that this week. Included in that task will be the purchase of a couple of pickup loads of mulch. I look forward to that work because it will result in some additional planting space, and less grass for watering and mowing.

The end is near for the Alison’s Scarf! The remainder of the skein is in a ball, and I think with a couple of repeats tonight, that I might be able to finish it up at knit night tomorrow!

To which I am biking!

On (and off) the Needles of Iron!

An update! Finished Bebe Sockees, all ready for the Grandbebe Girls 1st Birthday on Friday. Did I mention we are going to the Rockies home opener? Oh, I did? I am taking my knitting, but whether I will be wearing gloves is anyone’s guess.


Next, the magic loop Grown Up Sock is growing. I am liking this magical knitting of the socks. I surely hope form follows function and fit. If so, the doors will be thrown wide open to more magicness.

I am almost back to where I started frogging on the Forest Canopy shawl, and I am just whizzing on that thing now. I have the pattern indelibly etched in the memory...thingeys, and am able to watch my knitting and correct the errors as I go. I am anxious to see what it will look like blocked. I am anxious to see how big or how small it will turn out. I am anxious to see if I find myself wearing it.
There is no further update on Alison’s Scarf. For right now, it is a WIP (Languishing). I do not call it a UFO. Just yet. I spent time outside on Saturday. It was wonderful. I worked on the front flower bed, cleaning out some debris. The sun felt so good on my back. The dirt smelled so good. My iris friends are doing well from their digging and replanting of last fall…and Saturday night it snowed. By Sunday afternoon, it was all gone. Sunday night, more snow. Agh! The torture that is Springtime in the Rockies. I look at it as white rain, moisture for the growing things.


Wonderful Guy and I took the bikes on a seasonal inaugural spin, about four and a half miles. We rode around the new Spring Canyon Park, and through some neighborhoods. The wind had picked up, bringing the aforementioned change of weather, and pedaling was tough heading into the wind. The bike is in good shape, though, and ready when I am to start the commute.

We saw these guys on the way back down the Big Thompson after a drive to Estes Park on Saturday. We pulled over and took pictures, just like tourists. We see them rarely, but maybe not so much because they aren’t there. They really blend in to the rocks.


One more little thing. The Kansas boys made it to the Final Four. Rock Chalk Jayhawks!