Another bunny rescue. This little girl had been slated for python food and somehow survived and is now three or four months old. I don't know enough about short haired rabbits to know what breed she is - all I know is that she is brown with white around her eyes and no chest fat (or whatever that pouter pigeon thing is called.) She is also a very sweet girl and I drove home with her sitting in my lap.
Also had an email enquiring about a home for seven angoras today. Egad. I offered to take them if no one else would. I have the room if I repair the huge hutch, aka the Palatial Summer Home.
Watched a movie about the work of Andy Goldsworthy, an artist of the moment, so to speak. I have seen photos of several of his pieces, because that is how most of his work is available. Many of his pieces are made from such ephemeral objects as dandelions, icicles, snow, dirt, leaves, and twigs. I was enthralled by his work and by his skill and intensity. The movie showed him gathering materials and then creating. I seriously love his work.
Sweetie and I also subscribed, at last, to Sirius radio. Wow. I listen to our local and excellent public stations, but I must admit that Sirius has them beat. My favorite listening is World Radio News, with English editions from Ireland, Sweden, Southern Africa, China, the Netherlands, etc. The music and comedy stations are also great.
I am ready to start another knitting project, but am casting about for The Next Thing. If it is to be a shawl, I will need to spin the yarn first. Since I tried dyeing the angora/alpaca/merino roving last night, and found it to be not a total mess, I may just do that. Spin the yarn for the shawl, I mean. In nice autumnal colors. Jean Miles, from Knitting in Scotland, is knitting the most lovely of shawls, called the Princess. Me want to make! At some point, anyway. I mean, let's be real.
Fuzzarelly is Back
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Knitting!
The Leftover Socks are done and I like them a lot. I like that they are colorful, are fraternal (not identical) twins, and I like the thriftiness of using five or six different odd bits of leftover sock yarn.
For the heel and toe, I used a sort of peasant heel. Instead of two single decreases paired on each side, I used a double decrease that created a bold center line. It needs tweaking, but I like it. Occasionally, I used two yarns to create stripes and avoided the dreaded jog by starting the other yarn directly across from the other. It's only a little fiddley but worth the small effort.
These were made for a friend of mine against whom I have held a resentment for 18 long months. While I knit the pair, I worked through some issues. And I knit with love in my heart, too. I don't like having a resentment against someone that hurt me, however unintentionally. Our relationship has slowly mended, but I want the hurt feelings to be totally gone.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Oh, by the Way...
Ginger has a PENIS. Sigh. Even if one gets sexing right most of the time, a few little uh-ohs slip through. Damn. He's starting to spray HIS DELIGHTFUL URINE around the kitchen and is also PESTERING SHEILA to distraction. However, the good news is that his "technicals" have yet to descend. I was really wanting Heizen (who is neutered) to be with the two girls, in the house, and now one is a boy, instead. The Blue Moon barn is pert near full. It's like a Chinese puzzle - one has to move this in order to move that. (Anybody need an angora bunny?)
This little guy is way too smart. Takes after his dad, Percival. Last night, Ginger got himself up onto the kitchen table where the bananas are kept. I found half a skin, with tooth-marks, on the table with the innards eaten. He's a little shit. He's also curious and adventuresome. Reminds me of Murgie, whom I still grieve for. I still can't think about it too much.
Quentin is stable, not improving or worsening. His appetite is good, even if his little head is crooked over to the left. I massage his neck several times a day and he's had his second injection of Ivermectin. It's all I can do.
I have been feeling better, what with the air conditioning and all. I don't know why I open the windows every spring when I know it will only make me sick. But, crap, after months of being inside, one wants to smell fresh air, even if it is awash in allergens. If Sweetie didn't remind me of this, along with the other vectors, seasons, pollens, etc. that affect my allergies, I don't know what I would do. My denial is such that every time I have an allergic reaction, I somehow think it's the first time it's ever happened. And also, my short term memory sucks. How I get anything done is a mystery to me. And probably others, come to think of it.
The AC is on and I'm feeling fine. Also, Crazy Aunt Purl has written a book.
This little guy is way too smart. Takes after his dad, Percival. Last night, Ginger got himself up onto the kitchen table where the bananas are kept. I found half a skin, with tooth-marks, on the table with the innards eaten. He's a little shit. He's also curious and adventuresome. Reminds me of Murgie, whom I still grieve for. I still can't think about it too much.
Quentin is stable, not improving or worsening. His appetite is good, even if his little head is crooked over to the left. I massage his neck several times a day and he's had his second injection of Ivermectin. It's all I can do.
I have been feeling better, what with the air conditioning and all. I don't know why I open the windows every spring when I know it will only make me sick. But, crap, after months of being inside, one wants to smell fresh air, even if it is awash in allergens. If Sweetie didn't remind me of this, along with the other vectors, seasons, pollens, etc. that affect my allergies, I don't know what I would do. My denial is such that every time I have an allergic reaction, I somehow think it's the first time it's ever happened. And also, my short term memory sucks. How I get anything done is a mystery to me. And probably others, come to think of it.
The AC is on and I'm feeling fine. Also, Crazy Aunt Purl has written a book.
It's a Random Thing
Do you have some time to waste? Sure ya do! Work can wait. Go Here
Hit the Random button at the upper left of that page.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Hit the Random button at the upper left of that page.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Stuff
"You can fool too many of the people too much of the time."- James Thurber
I will not apologize for being an inconsistent poster. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have these hermit times; I'm nearing the end of the latest uncommunicative spell. To quote of of my favorite people - "So it goes."
Yesterday I was so hot, uncomfortable and miserable that I closed up the house and turned on the air conditioner. In April. Today I can smell again! So, this morning I cleaned out the bunnies litter pans.
We have a new member of the herd, a rescue I guess you could call him. His mom moved into an apartment and didn't have the room for poor little Bunicula anymore. Nick for short. He's a sweet heart, a house bunny. I gave him a shearing first thing - I think he's a happy boy for it. Quentin is improving from the wry neck. He's eating and drinking and pooping like a healthier rabbit. I'm trying to get all the older babies clipt, plus there are a few older ones that are getting shaggy, too. The fun never ceases.
I wanted to say a few words about Wooly Knob Fiber Mill in LaOtto, Indiana. Last October, I gave them equal parts of angora, alpaca and merino (all white) to process into roving. I got it from them at Greencastle and it is absolutely wonderful! The fibers have not been over-processesed (read: lifeless) and their fee is way reasonable. The fibers are not broken or damaged and it spins perfectly. My only problem is that it took Six Months to get my fiber back and that is not a rapid turn-around by any stretch of the imagination. They invite their customers to bring their fiber straight to the mill where they'll process it while you watch/help. That is a real option since Oldest and Next Oldest Brothers live like, fifteen minutes away.
So anyway, what I want to do with the roving is attempt to dye it as roving. Wish me luck. And the Leftover socks are one heel away from being complete!
(Sort of related: I once invented a word for foods that have been snuck from the table of others - klept-overs.)
I will not apologize for being an inconsistent poster. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have these hermit times; I'm nearing the end of the latest uncommunicative spell. To quote of of my favorite people - "So it goes."
Yesterday I was so hot, uncomfortable and miserable that I closed up the house and turned on the air conditioner. In April. Today I can smell again! So, this morning I cleaned out the bunnies litter pans.
We have a new member of the herd, a rescue I guess you could call him. His mom moved into an apartment and didn't have the room for poor little Bunicula anymore. Nick for short. He's a sweet heart, a house bunny. I gave him a shearing first thing - I think he's a happy boy for it. Quentin is improving from the wry neck. He's eating and drinking and pooping like a healthier rabbit. I'm trying to get all the older babies clipt, plus there are a few older ones that are getting shaggy, too. The fun never ceases.
I wanted to say a few words about Wooly Knob Fiber Mill in LaOtto, Indiana. Last October, I gave them equal parts of angora, alpaca and merino (all white) to process into roving. I got it from them at Greencastle and it is absolutely wonderful! The fibers have not been over-processesed (read: lifeless) and their fee is way reasonable. The fibers are not broken or damaged and it spins perfectly. My only problem is that it took Six Months to get my fiber back and that is not a rapid turn-around by any stretch of the imagination. They invite their customers to bring their fiber straight to the mill where they'll process it while you watch/help. That is a real option since Oldest and Next Oldest Brothers live like, fifteen minutes away.
So anyway, what I want to do with the roving is attempt to dye it as roving. Wish me luck. And the Leftover socks are one heel away from being complete!
(Sort of related: I once invented a word for foods that have been snuck from the table of others - klept-overs.)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A SMALL RANT
My girl, my ex-sister-in-law, brought up an interesting topic in her latest blog entry. She wrote about the over-medication of America, and she was very thoughtful.
If one believes that this is so, one could blame doctors for merely writing a scrip for anti-depressives or sleeping pills or ritalin. You have a problem? Here's a pill. The doctors could, in turn, blame insurance companies for limiting the amount of time they can spend with each patient. I have heard that most doctors have diagnosed their patient within twenty seconds unless the patient says "Hey, listen! There's more to my story!" Doctors are given five to ten minutes per patient. I don't know the answer to this dilemma.
On the other hand, those medz are just the thing for a certain percentage of the population. Me, for example. I am living such a fuller life now. It was not normal to spend so much of my younger years crying and in misery.
On the third hand, some people don't actually need medz because they are usually just fine and only momentarily overcome with grief or anxiety.
I read a book on caffeine (name lost in my brain) that spoke about how beer and wine was once the only libation in the German states of the 17th and 18th centuries due to unhealthy water. It was apparently a real problem with not only the ruling class but also workmen, housemaids, etc. With the introduction of coffee and tea, which was boiled and therefore safe, an entire new work ethos was begun. Drunk slackers were no longer the norm nor was drunkenness tolerated.
It's really only a change from one medication to another, like from marijuana to speed. Don't humans, as a whole, search for mind-altering, sedating, invigorating substances? For religious, altitudinal or pain killing reasons. Even just for fun. Drugs of the not so distant past include absinthe, opium and cocaine.
So. If one looks to history for consolation, I think one will find it in this case.
In other news, Anna Nicole's babies, both of them, have not survived. They were not thriving so much last week, I had noticed. The smaller kits from Precious were surpassing the two in every way. In truth, Sweetie and I helped them exit this world which is always so painful for us. No guilt, though, as death was inevitable soon. The five other kits have been divided between the two queens and are doing great.
Also have another sick adult. Quentin presented with what is called "wry neck." One handbook stated to just go ahead a cull immediately. Other info said it was treatable, although recovery took several months. I was really to cull, but Sweetie wanted to treat and try to save him. Actually, neither of us was up to another execution so soon after the two babies - so I am doing for him what I can. He is separated from the rest of the herd.
These sudden bunny illnesses make me think of diseases like yellow fever which came from seemingly nowhere to kill entire human families. How awful to keep having those children (as there was no birth control but for abstinence, and that was not possible for a married woman; if the husband wanted sex, sex was had and babies were conceived) knowing that death was lurking everywhere! In the water, in the food, in the soil, in one's very home.
People, be grateful for modern medicines here in the first world! Even if they are misused and over-prescribed. Be grateful that stepping on a nail does not mean that we die of lockjaw, aka tetanus. Be grateful that staph infections can be cured with antibiotics. Be grateful that because of vaccines, we do not die from measles and mumps and whooping cough. Be grateful that women do not often die in childbirth anymore. (Perfect dismount from soapbox.)
Bunny picture of the day! The Three Amigos - Heizen, Ginger and Sheila. (current house bunnies)
If one believes that this is so, one could blame doctors for merely writing a scrip for anti-depressives or sleeping pills or ritalin. You have a problem? Here's a pill. The doctors could, in turn, blame insurance companies for limiting the amount of time they can spend with each patient. I have heard that most doctors have diagnosed their patient within twenty seconds unless the patient says "Hey, listen! There's more to my story!" Doctors are given five to ten minutes per patient. I don't know the answer to this dilemma.
On the other hand, those medz are just the thing for a certain percentage of the population. Me, for example. I am living such a fuller life now. It was not normal to spend so much of my younger years crying and in misery.
On the third hand, some people don't actually need medz because they are usually just fine and only momentarily overcome with grief or anxiety.
I read a book on caffeine (name lost in my brain) that spoke about how beer and wine was once the only libation in the German states of the 17th and 18th centuries due to unhealthy water. It was apparently a real problem with not only the ruling class but also workmen, housemaids, etc. With the introduction of coffee and tea, which was boiled and therefore safe, an entire new work ethos was begun. Drunk slackers were no longer the norm nor was drunkenness tolerated.
It's really only a change from one medication to another, like from marijuana to speed. Don't humans, as a whole, search for mind-altering, sedating, invigorating substances? For religious, altitudinal or pain killing reasons. Even just for fun. Drugs of the not so distant past include absinthe, opium and cocaine.
So. If one looks to history for consolation, I think one will find it in this case.
In other news, Anna Nicole's babies, both of them, have not survived. They were not thriving so much last week, I had noticed. The smaller kits from Precious were surpassing the two in every way. In truth, Sweetie and I helped them exit this world which is always so painful for us. No guilt, though, as death was inevitable soon. The five other kits have been divided between the two queens and are doing great.
Also have another sick adult. Quentin presented with what is called "wry neck." One handbook stated to just go ahead a cull immediately. Other info said it was treatable, although recovery took several months. I was really to cull, but Sweetie wanted to treat and try to save him. Actually, neither of us was up to another execution so soon after the two babies - so I am doing for him what I can. He is separated from the rest of the herd.
These sudden bunny illnesses make me think of diseases like yellow fever which came from seemingly nowhere to kill entire human families. How awful to keep having those children (as there was no birth control but for abstinence, and that was not possible for a married woman; if the husband wanted sex, sex was had and babies were conceived) knowing that death was lurking everywhere! In the water, in the food, in the soil, in one's very home.
People, be grateful for modern medicines here in the first world! Even if they are misused and over-prescribed. Be grateful that stepping on a nail does not mean that we die of lockjaw, aka tetanus. Be grateful that staph infections can be cured with antibiotics. Be grateful that because of vaccines, we do not die from measles and mumps and whooping cough. Be grateful that women do not often die in childbirth anymore. (Perfect dismount from soapbox.)
Bunny picture of the day! The Three Amigos - Heizen, Ginger and Sheila. (current house bunnies)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Greencastle
Okay. Back from the first fiber festival of my year - The Fiber Event in Greencastle, Indiana.
It went well, in spite of a bad start and a bad finish. The spirit of the alternator on the Mercedes departed my car about 5 miles from home Friday morning. Long story short, there was ONE alternator for my car in the greater Louisville Metro area. Sweetie collected said part and repaired said car. (It is never dumb to marry a mechanical kind of guy who has air tools.) My departure was several hours late and the only big deal was that I missed the opportunity to hang with Ms. Handbasket. (I want to thank her for the brilliant rabbit earrings, which I adore and wore.) Friends helped me set up and I was in business by four p.m. The weather was cool but sunny.
Not so much on Saturday. We awoke to rain and wind and upper thirty degree temperatures. It got worse. Starting about, oh, 2:30, we were alternately treated to either rain, snow, sleet and hail. Guaranteed to make shoppers want to venture forth. It wasn't so bad for the those in the Community Building or us in the Fiber Arts Building. It was crappy for those in the more exposed Sheep Barn.
But this IS Greencastle, after all, the first fiber festival for a lot of people in our part of the midwest. People will come. The roads were too warm to freeze so travel wasn't treacherous, not that that would stop some. Sales were good.
I took six of the older babies to sell. Down the river. Four went to live good lives with good people. The fiber sold well as did the knitting needles and dyes. I'll probably write more about that after I have time to digest the past two days.
It went well, in spite of a bad start and a bad finish. The spirit of the alternator on the Mercedes departed my car about 5 miles from home Friday morning. Long story short, there was ONE alternator for my car in the greater Louisville Metro area. Sweetie collected said part and repaired said car. (It is never dumb to marry a mechanical kind of guy who has air tools.) My departure was several hours late and the only big deal was that I missed the opportunity to hang with Ms. Handbasket. (I want to thank her for the brilliant rabbit earrings, which I adore and wore.) Friends helped me set up and I was in business by four p.m. The weather was cool but sunny.
Not so much on Saturday. We awoke to rain and wind and upper thirty degree temperatures. It got worse. Starting about, oh, 2:30, we were alternately treated to either rain, snow, sleet and hail. Guaranteed to make shoppers want to venture forth. It wasn't so bad for the those in the Community Building or us in the Fiber Arts Building. It was crappy for those in the more exposed Sheep Barn.
But this IS Greencastle, after all, the first fiber festival for a lot of people in our part of the midwest. People will come. The roads were too warm to freeze so travel wasn't treacherous, not that that would stop some. Sales were good.
I took six of the older babies to sell. Down the river. Four went to live good lives with good people. The fiber sold well as did the knitting needles and dyes. I'll probably write more about that after I have time to digest the past two days.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I CAN TESTIFY
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80512876@N00/447590253/
Please Google Rabbitch. Her Blog is more interesting than mine.
Please Google Rabbitch. Her Blog is more interesting than mine.
You give me fever...
I have been remarkably free of rhino-viral disease for a long while, and so I was distressed to wake to the stuffed up nose and fever Saturday. I tried the guy remedy which is "ignore it and it does not exist" but that failed - as it always does.
So, I have this cold and a big honking fever blister on my lip and it'll be hard to be the talkative and vivacious me (don't laugh, that is the me at public events) this weekend is I don't shake this bug. Actually, I should be fine except I will still have a nice and crusty thing on my upper lip. Ewww.
Today, I go into town for provisions. The buns are totally out of pellets and there are last minute festival items to collect. And we humans need food, too.
I'm trying not to push myself and I am so frabjously glad that H. Handbasket said she'd lift and tote for me on Friday.
We're losing another tree. This one is the last of several big bass woods (lindens) that once lined the drive. The only thing holding it together is the ivy. The tree cutters we've spoken to won't have a thing to do with it as the power line to our house runs through the middle of it, so our electric cooperative is having it taken down.
This is Stubby, the little Lionhead. He doesn't get his picture online much.
So, I have this cold and a big honking fever blister on my lip and it'll be hard to be the talkative and vivacious me (don't laugh, that is the me at public events) this weekend is I don't shake this bug. Actually, I should be fine except I will still have a nice and crusty thing on my upper lip. Ewww.
Today, I go into town for provisions. The buns are totally out of pellets and there are last minute festival items to collect. And we humans need food, too.
I'm trying not to push myself and I am so frabjously glad that H. Handbasket said she'd lift and tote for me on Friday.
We're losing another tree. This one is the last of several big bass woods (lindens) that once lined the drive. The only thing holding it together is the ivy. The tree cutters we've spoken to won't have a thing to do with it as the power line to our house runs through the middle of it, so our electric cooperative is having it taken down.
This is Stubby, the little Lionhead. He doesn't get his picture online much.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Cranking away at the drumcarder. I like so much this part of the fiber preparation. The part where you have bags of colored fiber and it is up to you to create the next blend. Instead of my plans to have two pounds of each colorway, it looks like there will be five ounce offerings instead. That amount is just enough that I don't feel like a factory.
Acquired a nasty cold from somewhere (where?) and yesterday was the worst. So much mucous. Slept many hours. Today, I feel better.
I am still able to process some fiber. It is so cool how five different shades of purple and pink can coalesce into fibery goodness. This shows the merino, silk, and angora blend.
In an attempt to use what I have on hand, these are socks being made from five or six different leftover sock yarns. They will be fraternal twins.
And here is Ginger - just because she is so cute.
Acquired a nasty cold from somewhere (where?) and yesterday was the worst. So much mucous. Slept many hours. Today, I feel better.
I am still able to process some fiber. It is so cool how five different shades of purple and pink can coalesce into fibery goodness. This shows the merino, silk, and angora blend.
In an attempt to use what I have on hand, these are socks being made from five or six different leftover sock yarns. They will be fraternal twins.
And here is Ginger - just because she is so cute.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
I'm a knit dweeb
Aw Shucks. Your flattery will get you nowhere - nowhere, I say! The latest shawl was merely a baby step on my way to knitted shawl stardom. Really. After Greencastle and after painting the front living room - I have paint and supplies at the ready. Since mid-February even.
Also, Franklin has been knitting lace, too (copycat) and he shows a yarn-over (eyelet) alphabet. It might be interesting to knit some message... or a labyrinth. Then there's crop circles. Lightening bolts. The sun. Flowers. Elvis.
I'm seeing lots of lace knitting lately and that's great. However, what I am seeing is designers looking to the past for inspiration. I want to see some designs from a forward looking designer person. Is there anything like that floating around the internet?
Oh, and we had hail this past week! What a racket, especially in a metal-roofed house.
Interesting weather, I say.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Keep on Truckin'
I really want to thank everyone for their comments and emails about Murgatroyd. Y'all are so sweet. Now. (deep breath) Let's move on.
Blocked the shawl yesterday, not taking too much time or care at first. Then that sucker began growing and getting prettier as I kept hand patting it from the center out. Then I took some time and care to block it sort of "correctly," which means no pins because I'd left them downstairs, so fuck that. If I do say so myself, WOW! It's all from Fuzzarelly Fibers. Spun fine, 2 ply. One of the merino/silk/angora blend and one ply of silk.
It weighs less than ten ounces. Amazing. I used the fifteen ounce shawl as my winter coat, and it kept me plenty warm. Guess this new one will be my spring and fall one.
The little babies are doing pretty good. Anna's two babies are huge things compared to Precious'. I trimmed P's belly wool this weekend and I can't believe she raised eight babies last time. She only has six nipples. That explains the two runts! I am fostering one of her kits to Anna, who has a ton of tits and milk, (note the irony) and the other four are small, but they are growing.
Heizen and Ginger are getting along nicely.
Ginger is just nine weeks old, eight more than the new guy here. I am still gob smacked at how fast these critters grow.
Blocked the shawl yesterday, not taking too much time or care at first. Then that sucker began growing and getting prettier as I kept hand patting it from the center out. Then I took some time and care to block it sort of "correctly," which means no pins because I'd left them downstairs, so fuck that. If I do say so myself, WOW! It's all from Fuzzarelly Fibers. Spun fine, 2 ply. One of the merino/silk/angora blend and one ply of silk.
It weighs less than ten ounces. Amazing. I used the fifteen ounce shawl as my winter coat, and it kept me plenty warm. Guess this new one will be my spring and fall one.
The little babies are doing pretty good. Anna's two babies are huge things compared to Precious'. I trimmed P's belly wool this weekend and I can't believe she raised eight babies last time. She only has six nipples. That explains the two runts! I am fostering one of her kits to Anna, who has a ton of tits and milk, (note the irony) and the other four are small, but they are growing.
Heizen and Ginger are getting along nicely.
Ginger is just nine weeks old, eight more than the new guy here. I am still gob smacked at how fast these critters grow.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Murgie
It's a sad day in Bunnyville. Our delightful baby, Murgatroyd, has gone over the Rainbow Bridge into Bunny Heaven. I'm glad to have had him for almost a year and I will never forget his happy-fo-lucky attitude and sweet nature. Sweetie and I, along with Blue Acorn, miss him a lot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)