Tuesday, December 30, 2008

May cause health problems.

Today was Bunny Clipping Day, as there are four bunnies on the waiting list. I did shear Zero, one of the three babies born this past June-ish. He was a handful and so I was looking forward to clipping Spot. Magnificent Spot.

She was next on the list. The clipping was a little late, but the weather has been cold, and so the clipping has been postponed.

Spot was one of Fuzzarelly's babies, born in February of 2004. She has always been special to me, being the only broken (read - spotted) angora I've ever had. She was good natured and always friendly.

So today, as I took Zero back to the barn after his haircut, I intended to bring Spot in for her slightly overdue clipping. But she was dead. Newly so. Damn diddy damn damn. And fuck.

God damn it!

Her body was warm and my tears were, too. Don't know what I could have done for her, yet I still felt so responsible. Still feel. God damn it.

What to do?

I pondered for a short while. Should I let her go? Take her to the family cemetery and be done? Or reclaim her pelt, which was long and special to me? Could I manage it?

I could, but it was hard. Then I took her remains to the resting place.

I am still rather distraught.

But as I pulled up into the driveway, I saw four little baby bunnies grazing in the front yard. Two black and two brown.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Merge Ahead

Back to what passes for normal around here. Yay.

That's one of the reasons that I don't much like any holiday; it screws up the routine. If one is borderline freaky, routine disruption is not to be scoffed at. There is different shit on the radio, and on the tv - if we actually watched it anymore. Sweetie was home for five days and bless him, he is back to work today. Again, yay.

The brown bunny, still unnamed, is thriving!



So is the white baby, who will be four weeks old tomorrow. He is as big as, but younger that, the brown. We call him Sluggo. Both he and brown are very sweet natured. Sweetie even thinks the brown could serve as house bunny. He only slightly pisses off Heizen, who is never pleased with company or competition.




To add to our menagerie, Good Neighbor Nancy gave us the very little brown bunny she captured last week. Seems like Nancy's Miss Cleo cannot abide another bunny in Her House. At all. Imagine biting, clawing and general acting out on Cleo's part. At least Heizen only loses bathroom manners.




So we have a new, very small brown baby. Yay!

Friend Betty Bob and MarkL drove away with two bunnies yesterday, Hattie and Mildred; aka The Girls who were born of Sheila last January. I got my second bunny from her several years ago, and so, now that she is ready for some small fiber animals, I returned the favor. I'm glad for everyone, as the girls get to stay together and Betty gets two bunnies that like living together in one large cage. I think everyone is happy.

Also, at Shakertown, I spoke with Lisa who had bought one of my buns at Greencastle last April. Caramel is their family delight! And, And! Caramel was used in a photo shoot for the Kentucky Opera which is staging Of Mice and Men in '09. With luck, we may see him on billboards this year. Lisa, her kids and her sweetie are still totally enthralled with the light brown bunny, and that makes me smile Big Time.

Claudia's lump is healing well. I am not able to express any more pusgoop, and the scab looks normal. A few more weeks and she'll be good as new.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Wash Hands Often.

Brrrrr Rabbit! It is cold here at the Bunny Palace. 8 degrees last night and today it has stayed in the 20s. The worst thing is the bunny watering. Their water freezes quickly, so I take them hot tap water and hope they get their fill before it turns to ice. Of course, I have to first duck their bowls in hot water to get that old ice out and it is mighty hard on the manicure, let me tell ya.

Some bunnies, though, don't have to worry. Here is the baby who was so comfortable on Sweetie's chest that he rolled over on his back and went to sleep. He'll be three weeks old tomorrow (already!) and he's a-growin' like a weed.



Claudia is also inside, much to Heizen's dismay. It had been growing for a short while but I only noticed it today, this lump of infection on her head. Bunnies don't have liquid pus but rather something that resembles rancid toothpaste, so it is very important to get rid of it.

I got out the trusty X-acto knives and lanced this huge (on any rabbit but especially on a dwarf) lump o' pus. I'd say it was the size of a pecan and at least a tablespoon of goop squooshed out. She behaved very well because I know it must have hurt like hell and I tried to squeeze every last bit out.

I decided not to take a picture.

Mix Thouroughly

Hanukkuh Bunnies.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

War is Over. If you want it.

I miss John so much these days.

If ingested, do not induce vomiting!

Happy Solstice! This pretty much sums it up:

Length of Day 9 hours 31 minutes
Tomorrow will be 0m 2s longer.

We are keeping tabs on Milly, while she is keeping tabs on the little brown.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Water Resistant

I read several blogs and I am reading a lot about knitting for Xmas. Not me. I have more sense. I hope.

Since I am not whacked out about this upcoming holiday, I am spending these days as if they were any other days. Nice. Take care of bunnies, pet bunnies, and clean up after bunnies.






And finish the Afghan that Grew Like Topsy. Yay! It must weigh two pounds, but it is done and I am thrilled.



I have also been snooping around the InterWebs and found these InterLinks:

The Scientific Guide to Gift Wrapping

Blue Christmas. Sung by Porky Pig. (My All Time Favorite xmas song.)(Ever.)

A little something from Monty Python.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Here there be Monsters.

I have finished the plying of the Bunny and the Beast handspun. I used what I think is all silk from Yubina that I bought almost a year and a half ago. I want to get the same fiber only in a gold yellow color which is my all time favorite plying choice. The silk is uppermost in the photo.








By the way, I had good service from them. Shipping took about 3 or 4 weeks, and the package came wrapped in brown paper with my name and address handwritten.

Found another great blogtoday, fiber related. Check it out.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Take every four hours.

Warning: photos of Wet Beavers.

Not Responsible for Any Damages

Bunny Update

Here's the white baby one week ago.



And today at two weeks old.





Li'l brown is going to be a small guy, but he is so sweet! He's grown used to the indoor comforts.





The sun won't set much further south this year than this. Pretty, huh?

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

My life. So far.

Still snuffling and coughing from the Creeping Crud. Me and Sweetie both. This virus has really wiped us out. (Not that I need an excuse to do nothing, or that Sweetie needs a reason to sleep all day on the couch.)

I have been clipping bunnies as the weather allows. I try not to denude them when the temps are below freezing, but today has been near 60(!) so clipt Kelly Bob and Tutu. The angora cup runneth over.

Inside, Virginia and her kit are doing well, as is the sibling to the little black guy that I tried to save last week. I caught him about a week ago, to much squealing on his part, but he is now acclimated to the safe, warm, and well-fed indoors. He's a cutie - brown with the darker nose of his mother, Jackie Brown, and small like his daddy. All three of them are in the big cage in the living room.

Heizen is also fine and really loves his own little space in the pantry. Although he comes out to pootie near the big cage every so often. Men.

I finished the scribble scarf, and have worn it, but think it will be frogged. The corn fiber ribbon yarn mixed with silk thread just will not behave and is worming like crazy. The technique needs a more grabby yarn to work right. Oh well, live and learn.

Began spinning some of my Bunny and the Beast today. There is not much left from all that I carded in October - and that's a good thing! It has sold well everywhere. But now I need to get access to the Patrick Green Super Carder again in order to crank out some product for the next couple of months. All my fiber profits have been set aside in order to buy one for my very own, but I am only half way to the needed total of about $2600. (Yikes! That is more than we pay for our cars.) But it is the coolest damn piece of equipment that I have ever seen, and worth every penny.

On the knitting front, the current afghan is nearing completion. I had to order more Lorna's Laces yarn (from Loopy Ewe) and dye two more skeins of KnitPicks worsted weight because this thing has apparently gotten way out of hand. But I am only two blocks away from sewing the damn thing together and I can't wait to be shet of the knitting of it. I am looking forward to the snuggling beneath. That last afghan is my favorite cozy maker. Sweetie's too. It is soft, light weight, warm, and not too big.

My next knitting project will be a scarf from the handspun Bunny/Beast. The last IK had some nice designs and I may consider knitting a sweater from it. Consider. Don't hold me to it.

Friday, December 12, 2008

See your dentist regularly.

I think I have all the diseases in this video.


Except the anal teeth.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Replace all batteries.

Quite funny blog I just found
Sometimes I Make Lists

Made to Measure.

Notes from Shaker Village

There was a powdering of snow on the main avenue. Before restoration, this was the Lexington Highway.



Sweetie was enthralled by this big guy, a Highland bull.



The story as to why this creature ended up at Shakertown was that the bull was pastured in a nice rich neighborhood. One day he escaped and ate thousands of dollars worth of a neighbor's landscaping. Ooops! Bull had to leave.

I won the first drawing of the raffle. From 6 items available, I chose a dozen woven kitchen towels from the Weaver's Corner! Hot dog! Twelve!



Monday, December 08, 2008

replay

Please excuse me while I catch up on 10 years of Interweb videos. Ha ha, Sneezing Panda. Play it again! Again!!

No, really, I have been doing an inordinate amount of surfing since we got the high speed thingie. I am totally amazed. Still.

Otherwise on the home front, I have a Problem Cat and her name is Millie. While Sweetie and I attended the Friendship Spinners meeting at Shaker Village, Millie took the opportunity to kill the smaller of the two neonates. I know!

I have left the bunny cage door open for the last several days. I had no fear that anything would harm the babies; especially not our kitties.

We got home Saturday night at eleven, and I attended to the barn bunnies, the Buster, and the cats needs. Then I checked on the babies. When I found only the one, I tore the nest and cage apart looking for any sort of sign or body part that would explain the disappearance. Sweetie and I were both flummoxed. But like Sherlock Holmes said, Even if it is improbable, it has to be that thing. (I paraphrase.)

It also explains the fate of the Wildie. I thought that he had slipped outside through the gap under the back door in October. But then Sweetie smelled something dead upstairs in the part of the house we use for storage. Couldn't find anything, so we thought maybe a mouse, a bird, even a squirrel. I did not suspect the cats because both Reeses and Millie have been around bunnies all the time and I have never seen either of them harm a rabbit at all. Try to play with, chase, slightly torment - yes. Injure - no. But there was disappearance. Then smell.

It has to be Millie. There can be no other culprit but her. She is a kitty, a predator, and in spite of our civilizing influence, nature apparently won out. She loves to bring us dead pygmy shrews and the occasional dead bird. She did chase the Wildie around and chases Heizen still.

Right now, cage doors are shut and she is being kept inside.

I have to wonder what influence the Evil Cat may have had on her. Maybe its behavior led her to believe that the really little ones are somehow fair game. I don't know.

But I do know that Millie has to go somewhere else to live. Any one need a good mouser?

Friday, December 05, 2008

WARNING! DO NOT TURN THIS WEBSITE UPSIDE DOWN!

So.

The neo nates are thriving. Fat and already getting fur. I cuddle them two or four times every day in order to socialize them to human contact.

The other little guy did well his first day, but yesterday afternoon, I could tell that all he really wanted to do was to go to sleep. And he did last night.

More bleak news is that the Cat Came Back. That beautiful, black, and feral feline was found in the live trap last night, which Sweetie had set near the front steps. Of course, Reeses and Milly were each caught first in it, gifting the contraption with a nice puss puss smell.

We gave that cat its opportunity to let bygones be bygones; you go your way and we will go ours. We took it miles away. Begone! Scat!

The cat will not be back a third time. It sucks.

But, hey! Look at these three Super Bunnies.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Enjoy responsibly.

The Babies have landed!

All that nesting fuss produced two healthy babies. Virginia is fine and seems to be doing excellent mothering.



I have been going outside to do barn chores through the front door because Buster is having a hard time making it down the back steps to come with me. This morning, if I hadn't gone out the front door, I wouldn't have found this little guy by the steps.



Hell, I saw spattered blood and thought he was dead. Picked him up and found him to be weak and scared but still kicking. There is a puncture wound on his neck and one front leg is useless. I tried to clip the bloody wool off, but when I got near the wound he let out that awful bunny squeal and struggled mightily to get away. I was able to put a little anti-robotic on him, and he ate several pieces of banana, so I'm thinking that he'll be okay if he makes it through tonight. I'll have to watch for infection. He might be a little crippled.

I don't know what got him. It wasn't Reeses, and I hope it wasn't Milly since she was raised by rabbits. Another cat? A neighbor's cat? Whatever tried to kill this one is probably the same thing that took all of the new babies next door. Every single one. So. Sweetie is on the warpath with the live traps again.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Keep out of the reach of children.

Still no babies! Virginia has made a beautiful nest from hay, newspaper and her first-hair-cut wool. (Which I saved for just such an emergency.) Last night, she began pulling her own chest wool (finally!) and Sweetie and thought that she'd deliver within hours. Or at least by this morning. Nada. I feel like I should be pacing in a waiting room, chain smoking, and with a five o'clock shadow. It can't be much longer. I calculated the delivery date from the first copulation, because you know - that is how it usually often works with bunnies, but she and Walter spent three weeks together. So. I'm not too worried, just slightly anxious. (As I post this, I have observed her sitting in the nest box. A lot. Time is getting closer.)

Thanksgiving was fine, I guess. Sweetie was sick with The Virus that has been going around. Everyone in Boone Township seems to have a cold or cough. And of course, I caught it, too. On Saturday. Sigh. I baked a nice turkey and made mashed sweet potatoes with green beans and rice. Leftovers have gone to live in the freezer.

Still nothing to show in the way of knitting. Shannon just posted about finishing a scribble scarf, not knowing that I had cast on a scribble shawl two weeks ago. Why are we on the same wavelength? Scribble and dogs.

We watched Fight Club on dvd, and I was quite taken with it. I remember seeing the ads and trailers for it back in 1999, and I thought it was about fighting. In a club. A guy kind of thing. But NO! Stupid Hollywood people. It reminded me of Being John Malkovich. In fact, I thought that John Cusak would have been great as the protagonist in Fight Club in stead of Ed Norton. Anyway. Interesting. Also watched four episodes from season 3 of Northern Exposure. Yum. Still in the at-home queue is LA Confidential.

The cell phone and wireless thing did not work out. There are no bars on the phones inside our house. Sigh. However, on Thursday, we may have hi-speed internet through our phone line. Or not. Once the Verizon guy makes sure our phone line/box/wire is acceptable and up to snuff.

Friday, November 28, 2008

What Would Gandhi Do?

Black Friday, my Aunt Fanny. I'm staying home.

Because Virginia is making a nest. She has used up the several handfuls of hay and is now making do with shredded newspaper. Babies due tomorrow. Squee.



It rained earlier in the week. Which was notable only because it has been so dry. Here is Shed Elv*s, and rain, through the kitchen winder.



For Shannon, here is Buster at age thirteen, and he is still creakin' along.



I don't even want to think about for how much longer. He still knows that he needs to be outside for peein' and poopin', so that is a Good Thing. Deep down inside, I know that his future with us is short. He, on the other hand, has no idea. Bless is good old doggy heart.

I combed my hair out last night, which always amazes me. It is so long! To the bottom of the butt.



There are times that I toy with getting the whole mess whacked off and letting the gray take over.

Then I remember what that means - haircuts every 4 to 6 weeks. Yuck and Ick. I cannot bear salons, hair cutteries, or barbers. Waste of money is what that means.

The thing with my hair being so long, and me being so old, is that style is not the thing. I wash my hair every two or three weeks. At times, even every four weeks. If the scalp feels icky in between shampoos, I spritz vinegar onto the head and hair.

I wear my hair up all of the time, which protects the ends. (My hair is thin but healthy.) It also makes me appear taller. (Almost tall enough for my weight. Ha ha.) It is incredibly easy to care for. And so, I never convince myself to cut it all off.

But I think about it.

Twist to Open

song chart memes
more music charts

Cat is watching. Or is not. Or maybe is watching.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Do Something Cool. Recycle.

Homegirl to friend: So she was like "oh, my name's Diamond. And this is my sister, her name's Ruby. Our daddy named us after stuff he can't afford." I was like, shit, if that was the case, my daddy woulda call us "lights" and "gas."

Or in my case, "Fun" and "Happiness."

Courtesy of Overheard in New York. Dot com.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Help Wanted

So.

Today I took the plunge and got two cell phones and high-speed broadband for the computer. Jeesus Chreist, was there anxiety. Or whut? Yes, there was.

Sweetie and I have been tossing this, "Hey, let's get rid of the land line and get cell phones, and ALSO let's get high speed broadband interwebs!" idea around for months. Because we are paying for our land line, to the tune of $45 a month, because we must have Caller ID. (You know, stalker and crazy people that like to harass me.) Plus $15 a month for dial up internet access. Plus around $18 a month for long distance. Which includes our 1-800 number so his mom-n-em can call us on our dime.

That is $78 a month. And that would be okay if the dial up hadn't drowned in molasses ever since the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through. Now, I am paying $78 a month for seriously depleted internet happiness.

More back story: I have been researching cell phones and wireless internet access for a month. The thing I discovered was, that if one has dial up (such outdated crap!) one is doomed to much knitting or housework while waiting for some stupid, image heavy, worthless page to load. And forget about Utube videos. Don't have the time. Thirty minutes of distracted anticipation for a minute of stupidity. Nuh uh.

So. We will see if the new thing works. If it does, my email will change, but otherwise - all else should be just the same.

Monday, November 24, 2008

No known cures

Here is a link to more info.

Some distortion may occur

I'm Miss Smarty Pants!

Are you smarter than an elected official? Take the Test.

Here is my score:

You answered 30 out of 33 correctly — 90.91 %
Average score for this quiz during November: 78.0%
 Average score: 78.0%

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Do Not Remove Tag

It was below 32 degrees last night, cold enough that the barn bunnies' water was frozen this morning. Guess summer is over. Ya think? About freaking time.

Frozen bunny bottles is never way-loads-o'-fun. Sometimes, I have enough bottles to fill them all inside and then merely replace the frozen ones. And other times, I don't. And that means bringing in frozen bottles, thawing them out, refilling, then taking the bucket o' bottles back to the barn. It usually takes two trips to get everybody taken care of. It also means that I get my exercise. So not is all bad.

All of the buns are handling the colder temperatures well. Even the lovely Ginger, whom I clipt on Monday. I am making a conscious effort to keep their quarters clean and free from ammonia fumes. Now that my asthma is under control and I can actually sweep and shovel without keeling over.

Did I report that I bred Virginia to Walter, my new couple? Ginnie is obviously pregnant. She and Walter are a cute couple. They snuggle, lick, and otherwise get along.

Heizen is exceedingly jealous of other house bunnies, as a rule. However, we have moved his usual abode (litterbox) from the kitchen to the pantry and so, he seems not totally pissed that this couple is in the living room. In a cage. Also, there is now no rug in the living room for him to piss on. So, as long as the Heizen is happy, we are happy.

I am still awork at the new afghan. Although I did rip out all the connective tissue this morning. I wasn't happy at all with the technique I was using. So much for being free from the tyranny of the square! More when I can take photos.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Beware of Poisonous Fumes

So. We have at last gotten rid of The Baby-Bunny Killing Cat!

Baby bunnies disappeared at an unnatural rate this year. There would be 8 babies under the church, then 6, then 3, and then none. Our own, under the house, bunnies disappeared in a similar manner. Little Frankie was the only one I was able to save from Ramsey's last litter. More than 30 kits were taken in all. It took us the longest time to zero in on the culprit, then it took a week more to capture the thing.

It was a beautiful creature. Solid black with emerald eyes. Also, feral to the nth degree. I mean, teeth and fangs and not human friendly at all.

As much as I (mentally) wanted to strangle it, after it was caught in the live trap, we released it several miles away in a Nature Conservancy.

And that means that maybe Jackie Brown's new litter may survive! I have seen 5 so far, living under Good Neighbor Nancy's building next door. Cute little black, tan, blk/wht and tan/wht kits.

Every single time I see a new little baby, I am filled with joy! Like an aunt or grandmama would be. I'm such a sap.

KL asked about Goober's backstory. Not much to it. I saw an ad at the feed store for a free angora, and I called the number right away. The owners had other rabbits, but didn't know how care for a fuzzy bunny. He's a small, brownish gray fellow, with lop ears. Nice enough disposition, but he's never going to give me much wool. I'm hoping to maybe find him a good home somewhere as a pet. Sweetie would like to breed him to Claudia, our netherland dwarf. Dr. Moreau and all that.

Bake at 350.

Check out their new mayor.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

No salt, MSG, artificial color or flavoring added.

Here are a few shots from my stint at NAILE (North American International Livestock Exposition.)





The booth is a cooperative effort of about 8 fiber women, and we are all taking our turns at staffing the booth. I have worked there for two days and will help with the break down. (Because I am so good at that. Shut up.)

Lots o' cowboys and cowgirls. Who knew that there was such a thing a horse jewelry? I mean, jewelry for horses? Met an older fellow who bragged that he had been in every jail in West Virginia. As an inspector! Haha. And an entrepreneur from Missouri with a great business plan (U go Grl! I hope to post about you next year,) and some spinners and knitters and other friendly folk. It's not been a bad way to spend a couple of days. (Except that I had to detour around a horrific traffic wreck involving five vehicles this morning. Two fatalities and several injured. That sort of awful thing just messes with me.) (Please don't let me die that way!)

Let us end on an up note with the latest rescue bunny named Goober.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Do no incinerate

For the wine dork in all of us.

The website is interesting at times, but the recent toilet paper roll cum pencil holder doesn't even rate to be in the Workbasket magazine.

Sealed for your protection

Actual knitting and fiber stuff to report. I knoooow!

Amidst all of the bunny stuff that fills my days, I have slowly been chugging away on two projects. One is another afghan, again with mostly handspun. I've completed these twelve log cabin blocks, and I have dyed some KnitPicks worsted weight wool a dark gray to make all the connective bits and the border.



While I was waiting for that yarn to dry, I picked up this shawl that I have been fiddling with for a couple of weeks. I used Cherry Hill Baby Loop mohair (maybe 500 yards) and size 10.5 needles.



I began at the point and used the washcloth pattern of a yarn over increase at the beginning of every row. On random rows I increased at both edges and/or increased two stitches in the body. Then I increased on both edges every row and sometimes two stitches in the body.

When the long edge was about 60 inches, or about 180 stitches, I (k1, yarn over-ed) all across the long edge, making about 360 stitches. One row plain. Another increase row, this time k2, yo. 540 stitches. Two rows plain. Again with the increase row, but this time I k3, then knit through the front and back of the next stitch. I think that makes close to 675 stitches, give or take. I did not actually count.

All I had were 24" circulars in the right size and it was getting crowded, so, two more plain rows were followed by a crocheted bind off. Like the afghan blocks, it was all garter stitch - all the time. I have needed me some vanilla (mindless) knitting lately.

I think it looks pretty damn cool, if'ns I do say so myself. The point folds over at the back and becomes the center back of the collar. Very becoming.




The North American International Livestock Exposition is in Louisville for the next two weeks. Blue Acorn, Hippy Art Chick, Victoria of Southern Indiana FiberArts Festival, little ol' me, and others, have joined in the cooperative effort to staff and stock two booths (at great expense, let me tell ya,) in the West Wing. I'll be in the booth two days this week and will try to get some photos for you all. It's kinda a big event, from what I hear.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Parental advisory - explicit lyrics.

Wot the bloody 'ell???

As Seen on TV



Whenever I am carding, I save every little bit of fluff. That and wads of this and the other end up in a big bucket. Eventually, I spin a bobbin full. Here it is before washing.

These are four of the yard bunnies. From top to bottom: Little Gray, Blondie, Ramsey, and Smoky.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Colors may fade.

Even though I have identified myself as a democrat all my life, I do not hate republicans. Sweetie was a republican when I met him. He had voted for Reagan in '80 and '84. I didn't vote at all until '92. He was also younger than me, had short hair, and was ex-military. Anathema!

Sometimes I wonder why I am a democrat. I don't remember my parents voting at all. I do recall some literature that was sent home with us from church, I think the group was called SECUS or something like that. Very radically conservative, practically equated sex education with devil worship. Even at the time, I thought it was a lot of boloney.

I remember Bobby Kennedy's 1968 visit to my hometown in Indiana, via train. He was on his way to California that summer. His train went past my house. And even though I was only 11, in my heart and soul, I knew that he should be our leader.

1968 was a hard year for me.

But anyway. I loved Sweetie in spite of his politics. He has voted democrat since 1992, bless his heart. This is not my party, he said of Bush I and II. The republicans have caved in to the religious right. Where is the fiscal responsibility? Where is the small government? Where is the non-interference in private life? Where are the Real Republicans?

I don't love all democrats, because some of them are greedy and evil. Power does corrupt. I admit that. But, to me, a democrat means looking out for the little guy. The poor and weak. Us. Being a democrat means that we help each other. To me, I have always thought that being a republican meant looking out for #1. Exploiting the stupid sucker that didn't know any better. Where's the love?

All actors are over 18 years of age

scha·den·freu·de     (shäd'n-froi'də)
n.   Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

[German : Schaden, damage (from Middle High German schade, from Old High German scado) + Freude, joy (from Middle High German vreude, from Old High German frewida, from frō, happy).]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I spend karma points whenever I experience the above emotion. I am usually empathetic. I try to walk in other people's shoes. Really. Rallly, I dew.

But today, I feel schadenfreude for all those nice people that have sported Bush/Cheney bumperstickers for the last eight years, and the McCain/Palin - NoBama bumperstickers and yard signs recently. I am happy that they are sad.

Also, my stalker friend with the no-contact order had his house totally burgled last month. Every thing was stolen from his gated compound. His dog was chloroformed and no one paid attention to his honking watch geese. I am gleeful that this crazy man, this paranoid, this authority-hating man was stricken.

He has no idea at all how much he harmed, how much he stole from me.

Maybe this is only some slightly delayed Instant Karma for him.

Monday, November 03, 2008

This is not an official blog of the US Government

“We're all in this thing alone.” ~ Lily Tomlin

Watched The US vs. John Lennon on video last night, and by the end I was gently crying. The thing is, pond scum Nixon ain't got nuthin' on ol' Bushie. People younger than me, (I'm almost 52,) have no idea how exciting and scary, how hopeful yet dreadful the early seventies were. But at least people came out to protest in droves back then. And The Hoove! Don't get me started!

Woke up this morning sick to my stomach and full of anxiety, after a night filled with generic anxiety dreams. Are the Democrats actually going to win this time? Even though Karl Rove thinks we will. (Excuse me, but are Rove and Cheney candidates for separated at birth twins?)

I will be voting tomorrow, and spending the meantime keeping as busy as possible.

Tonight, because I am a masochist, I plan to watch Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse 5.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Bring to a Boil Sowly

WoolyWorm, (where is your web site?) I purchased the new bunnies from from a local woman that I met at the Corydon Fiber Festival.

None of my bunnies have "papers," and have never worried about it. I breed my babies for wool first and then temperament. I have, in the past, bought two rabbits that were registered and they turned out to be big disappointments. One had crappy wool and was a total psycho and the other grew up to be small, yet sweet guy, who had limited wool output. I say, "Fuck the so called papered pedigreed lapine." Yet, I did tend these two guys. It's not their fault.

I thank you for sending Susan at the Spinning Bunny my way! It has turned out to be a good deal for everyone involved. She has just received 48, one ounce batts from Fuzzarelly, and I trust some of them will turn up on her website.

Thank you, Luna and Knitting Linguist, for your Goddess comments. I think the potato is wonderful and wish I could preserve her somehow. Any ideas?

The previous post was about five abandoned horses. Four of them still live and are being well cared for. It seems that some people cannot afford to feed these long-lived creatures, and so drop them off in rural areas. I despair when when I hear these stories. I cannot take on caring for a horse, but I can help feed one.

If you can give a little bit to just buy them hay, please do it. I gave $25 via PayPal.

Friday, October 31, 2008

No Politics

Here is a story from our local newspaper.

I have met these people and they are good folk.

If you can spare five or ten dollars, please send it their way.

Shake Well

New bunnies! I actually paid real cash money for a pair of forlorn bunnies the other day. Nice lady with no clue as to how to cut an angora's wool. Here is the male before.



And after.



Both are sweet, well fed, and not mistreated, except for the matted wool thing.

Also bought a basket of local, home-grown 'taters last week, and found this fabulous Goddess Potato. Front.



And back.



This links to a Hero Bunny story from Australia.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

External Use Only

Anymore, I hate Halloween. But I like this

Monday, October 27, 2008

Combine All Ingredients

Hey, kidneys -

Do you have a slow cooker, aka crock pot? I think we got ours from my in-laws, and I didn't use it much at all. But, here is a great site to explore. I found an excellent recipe called Italian Chicken Lentil Soup there, which uses chicken thighs. Delish!

I also place the de-boned bones and skins, with a carrot and onion, back into the crock pot afterwards, with several cups o' water and cook them overnight on low. The result, once strained, is a rich broth that I either use right away or freeze.

One other thing that I have started doing is to cook twice the amount of rice that I need and then I freeze the rest. That way, when I make Sweetie's lunch, I can include a nice bowl of rice with some sauteed vegetables.

Yes, I do make Sweetie a lunch (actually supper, since he works second shift,) almost every day. I try to make it healthy by including some sort of calcium, something green or orange, some protein, and a quick burning carb. And a fruit for dessert.

Here is an article that defines those Republican phrases such as Muslim Socialist.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Because Reliability Matters

My life. Today.

Made balls. Not Schweaty Balls™. Fuzzy beast balls.



Each of these is one ounce of merino. When at a loss at the drum carder, and one has to hand over said drum carder tomorrow to its co-owner, one can always fall back on old Roy G. Biv.

This is a local girl that I am channelling to the Knit Side. She, and her siblings, are such great, seemingly well-adjusted, kids. What a treat here in SubNormaLand! She has learned how to cast on and the knit stitch. I loaned her a drop spindle, with fiber, yesterday. Heh heh heh.



And Bunnies!



These are the current captives: Frankie, Saber, and Sid.

Administer Daily

My friend and fellow fiber person, Brigitte Guffey, (along with her husband John,) has launched her website.

Sheep and Goats! Roving and Fleece!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Now Made with Hemp

Ah, Netflix.

I watched Three Days of the Condor, starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway this week. I've seen the movie sometime before, a long time ago, and I have even read the spy novel on which it was based, Seven Days of the Condor. I placed the movie in my queue a while back and lo and behold, it came to my mailbox.

Robert Redford looks really good, not that goofy cute of The Sting, but handsome in a regular sort of way. Faye Dunaway does much with a small part and she made me believe in her story. Yes, she sleeps with him. Wouldn't you if it were still 1975? The director keeps it tasteful.

The tale is set in New York City at Christmas, and is complex and thrilling. People get killed but without the Sam Peckinpah abundance of blood and there are no car chases. (Doesn't Peck 'n' Paw sound like a pet store?)

Not really a spoiler but, the kicker is that, in the end, it was all about Middle Eastern OIL!!! I watched it twice to get the things I missed in the first viewing.

Rent it. I think you will like it.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

i>u

The 4th annual Southern Indiana FiberArts Festival was a blast! My booth was busy all day and I sold three bunnies in addition to lots o' Bunny & the Beast. Also knitting needles. The weather was beautiful.



I didn't have time (or inclination) to shop, but there were many, many booths not only from our own state, but from Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, too. There was music, workshops, real rest rooms, animals, and all kinds of fibery stuff. A real class affair. Kudos to Victoria! Sweetie and Helena Handbasket were there, too.

It's always hard for me to sell some of my buns, and I was sad to see their empty cages that night, but all three went to great homes.

To compensate for their loss, I am delighted to say that two of the feral angoras have been live trapped and are now exploring inside the house. Here's the first guy.



Notice his "sleepy" eyes - just like Percival, who happens to be his grandfather. The baby has the dark nose of Jackie Brown, his mom. Just caught the other one this afternoon. Same fuzziness, different nose. They are co-habitating with Ramsey's sole surviving kit. Damn, I'm glad I got him inside before the evil cat did.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Keep to the Left



Just look at what the Patrick Green Super Carder is making!!!

This is Tuesday's output; each batt is one ounce, $8.

I am having the greatest time creating these.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Representatives are Available 24 Hours

More from Saturday's parade.

These are miniature donkeys.



I'm not sure what sort of equines these are.



I loved this! The members of the Laconia Senior Class of 1958.



And an aside to Mouse: I did not go to North Georgia with Sweetie. If I had, I would have gleefully brought you a bunny ! You are not that far from Cleveland.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Open Immediately

A few shots from the Celebrate Laconia Parade, this past Saturday.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Horse Patrol.



A young pair of oxen. With tiny children in tow. These oxen were first yoked together at five days old.



Normally, this street is not only not crowded, but is flat out empty. Amazing.