a lazy brain

I’m not sure I’d call it writer’s block, more of a lazy brain. I think of things to share, to pontificate, to celebrate. And then I’m in front of the computer and it all drifts into the further recesses of my brain. Which isn’t willing to do the work to dig it [...]

And what do You dust with?

First things first – Don’t worry Margaret! He didn’t do it!
The other evening, the Kid was telling me what his chores are (he’s great at vacuuming the bathroom and I’m sure he’ll be great vacuuming the rest of the house when we can find the floor again). He said he dusts and said, [...]

Free Parking

How did I miss this parking lot?  Years I’ve been parking in the Dimond District of Oakland (bank, library, gone German deli, new big Farmer Joe’s, donut shop, new bakery with delicious fruit tarts and pretty good croissants). 
Yesterday, I went around the block inadvertantly and in a different direction and found a free parking lot, with trees!  Who [...]

Bits and Pieces

Decreases in moss/seed/checkerboard are tedious. Simple, but requires attention = a little boring, but full of opportunities (for a screw-up). I’d like to be done yesterday. Hope it looks good! Because I don’t want to rip back the decreases and do them over. Dang! I should have marked the [...]

Holiday Afterglow

Today we’re playing with our new toys. The Kid has a friend over while his mom runs errands for a dinner party tonight. And we’ll go to their house later to play with their new toys.
We’re well spoiled. Putrid and maggoty and stinky spoiled. It’s great!
The friend distracts us from being [...]

Now with more Knitting Retreat

I’m sick on a Saturday.  Grumble grumble grr.  And we had plans:  wash all the dishes, clean the bathroom, go to the Farmers’ Market, go to the grocery store, ride around on BART.  The morning grizzled, so that was a good excuse not to go to the Farmers’ Market.  The dishes and the groceries had [...]

Unite!

I have a question for you.  If I’m knitting a sweater basically from Elizabeth’s Percentage System, and I add underarm gussets (because they seemed nice), 8-12% of what number do I hold for the underarms?  I thought.  I pondered.  I looked it up (couldn’t find EPS and underarm gussets together – there may be a [...]

A good busy weekend

Oh, the fun we’ve had! 

Friday night, the Kid and his friend made themselves into spacemen.  That would be the oxygen drawn on the tank.  Cut out of the photo is the red yarn hanging from his ear – every spaceman needs a radio!  So hard to find string in this house…
Granddad was here briefly.  Saturday, after [...]

More Garbage Lock Out

Again and still, from 7-14-07 email newsletter District 4 City Council Member Jean Quan:

1.  City Files Legal Action on Waste Management Lock Out

How many Waste Management replacements does it take to pick up one third of our trash?
A:  About four in place of our regular one-person. After this man in front fumbled for about 4 [...]

Leaf and Trellis Lace Swatch

I’ve knit one repeat of the leaf and trellis pattern.  I wanted to see if I need to add another stitch pattern repeat for a good width and if the needle size works.  Needles are fine.  I’m not sure if I want to make it wider or not.  The idea of a generous wrap appeals to me. 
Right now, [...]