Store in a Cool, Dry Place

In an effort to decrease the predator presence* around here, I took Sheila's body down the road a piece to an old family (not my family) cemetery and laid her in the woods there, on the wool she had collected for her nest. Sweetie suggested that we get a little bunny statue for the site. I don't know who was affected worse - me or him. Unless someone complains, that area will become our new Tibetan burial ground.

Saw Wednesday yesterday. Sweetie and I feel particularly fond of Wednesday and we are always glad to see him/her in the back enclosure. Here is Wesnesday and mom, Floppy. Gosh, isn't that sweet?

Claudia's four babies are thriving outside. They pretty much stay close to home but it's hard to get a good shot of them because they are always running or frisking. They won't keep still.

The barn bunnies are all fine, thank goodness. It is clipping season again, so the living room is coated with a fine layer of angora.

*Many of the yard bunnies have suddenly disappeared, amidst sightings of dogs clenching bunny bodies in their mouths. Also, a hawk got one, and cars got a few others. They breed prolifically for a reason. The girl bunnies seem to stick closer to home. Home meaning our house and the neighbor's house. Bambi, Jackie Brown, Ramsey, and Barbara Bobo are all seen regularly. The boy Jump and two other white ones are still around. (One of the white ones has the loveliest lion head mane!)

Here is a shot of my hair and flowers. Did anyone like the pattern??? Did anyone read that post?



"From my earliest childhood I wanted to be a genius, but my parents were against it…" ~
playwright Nikolai Erdman

"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just
want to say to the authors of that study: ‘Duh.’”~ Conan O'Brien

"Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand." ~ Kurt Vonnegut

Remain Seated Throughout Ride

The kids got me up this morning around 7:30. Buster was at the foot of the bed (on the bed,) Milly was sitting on me, and Sugar was sitting beside my face. Ok. Time to get up. The kids are hungry. (This is not like Bonnie, our late dog. Bonnie would wake me up around 7 or 7:30, and her job being done, would go back to sleep.) No, when these kids get me up, it is because they are hungry.

So I filled their bowl with pellets and Heizen and Sugar eat. Sheila? Where's Sheila? Hmmmm. I made coffee and looked for Sheila. Front of house. Back of house. No Sheila. I take my first sip of coffee, still calling for Sheila. She is not one to miss her food. Sheila appeared and came to me. Yay! There you are -- uh-oh. She was obviously sick, the little bit of hopping wore her out. I picked her up and she whimpered. Her eyes had that far away look. WTF? I held her and loved her. Sweetie and I were there when she died - maybe fifteen minutes after I found her. Sheila was just over a year old and had lived all of her life inside with us. A healthy and happy bunny, with 6 healthy siblings in the barn.

What I got from the Internets is that sometimes bunnies just die. Jaw problems. Stomach problems. Dain Bramage.

Fuzzarelly died, too. April 9, just before Greencastle. Four and a half years old. Her lungs gave out.
That was a sad, sad day, too.

Run through this until you know it well.

The Bunny Speaks

Select Firm, Ripe Fruit

How about a little knitting content, hmmmmm? This blog is not all knitting, all the time, although I usually have something on the needles as I do now. It's the same old and some old. Same old purple cashmere laceweight shawl. I would guess that it is about three feet across, but it is also a hexagon so that number is almost of no use. I'll have to slip it onto a string to see what she really looks like. When I do that, I will take pictures. This is my erstwhile Kentucky State Fair entry. I will get a blue ribbon this year. I will.

Haven't touched the double helix socks for almost 6 weeks. I am committed to getting this shawl done in time for entry, so there will be no other knitting projects until then.

Older Brother took the great bumblebee photo that I posted yesterday. He said that {he} "walked next door and took several pics of the tree we got for Tracy & Chad. This is its 3rd year and it just bloomed Monday. During my visit the bee decided to gather a little bee stuff right in front of the camera. 97 % luck and 3 % skill."

He lives upstate Indiana even though he does not like the cold.

Ha-ha.

While at Greencastle, I took the opportunity to save shipping costs and sent four pounds of raw angora and 6 pounds of prepared merino roving off to Zeilinger Wool, Co. in beautiful Frankenmuth, Michigan. I have learned the hard way that it takes a shit load of time and effort to create batts on my wonderful but non-electric Louet drumcarder, especially when I have to crank and card and re-card to blend it well. Upshot is...

the roving arrived yesterday!! Very Prompt! (Your mileage may vary. I think I was just lucky because I was told it could be up to 6 to 8 weeks.) What a nice job they did! No affiliation yadda yadda. I'm just so pleased and now I will have something new to take to Troy, Ohio's Upper Valley Fiber Fest. Date is Saturday May 10.

The Hair Flower Pattern

If you know me, then you know that I am half insane usually wear knit flowers in my coiffure. Nothing compared to the girlz of the B-52's, though. But still, it's a welcome addition of 3 inches to my height. I have been repeatedly asked for a copy of my pattern. Can I find a photo of said flower right now? Hell Yes! Be adventurous and try it. C'mon.

You will need: an ounce or less of yarn (maybe start with worsted weight,) a dab of yellow or orange yarn, a set of five double point knitting needles appropriate to yarn (or maybe just a tad smaller,) and a large-eye blunt needle. Plus, a crochet hook in a size to suit the yarn. In a general way.

Cast 3 stitches onto one needle.

Row 1: slide stitches to right end of needle, as in I-cord. Knit 3.

Row 2: (Continue in I-cord through Row 4) K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K 1. (5 stitches)

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K1, YO, K1. (9 stitches)

Begin working in the round.

Row 5: K 3, on new needle K 3, on new needle K 3. (9 stitches on 3 needles)

Row 6: [K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K 1, YO] three times. (18 stitches)

Rows 7, 8 and 9: Knit.

Begin first of six petals.

Row 1: K 1, P1, K 1 and turn. (each petal will begin with 3 stitches.)

Row 2: P 1, K 1, P 1.

Row 3: K 1, YO, P 1, YO, K 1. (5 stitches) (Other increase option is to knit into front and back of first and last stitch.)

Row 4: P2, K 1, P 2.

Row 5: K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K 1, YO, K 1. (7 stitches)

Row 6: P 3, K 1, P 3.

Row 7: K 3, P1, K 3.

Row 8: P 3, K 1, P 3.

Row 9: K 1, SSK, P1, K 2 tog, K 1. (5 stitches)

Row 10: P 2, K 1, P2.

Row 11: SSK, P 1, K 2 tog. (3 stitches)

Row 12: P 1, K 1, P 1.

Row 13: Slip 1, K 2 tog, PSSO. (1 stitch)

Transfer this stitch to a crochet hook. Chain 1. Turn, so that back of petal is facing you. Slip stitch 6 or 7 stitches down right side of petal. Crochet together with the first stitch on next needle and transfer that stitch back to double point needle. Three stitches on needle. Ooh Hoo! Time to start another petal!



Ready to begin the second petal.



Repeat Rows 2 through 13 five more times to make six petals total.






At this point, you may decide to single crochet around all six petals, or you can stop now and cut yarn. I suggest you do the single crochet thing. If the center of the flower seems too big, you can gather it with the tail end of your working yarn. Using the yellow or orange yarn, make pistols and stamens with french knots or a loop stitch. Weave yarn ends in with blunt needle.

Notes:You can slip the first stitch of every row for a tidier look. The number of stitches per petal and the number of petals can be easily changed. Make one or two flowers with this pattern and then let your imagination take over!

Do Not Freeze

Spring in Northern Indiana

Puzzle Level: Medium

Note the Elder Squirrel.

Larry W. Timberlake
Died: Saturday, March 29, 2008

Larry W. Timberlake, 79, Palmyra, died Saturday, March 29, 2008, at Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services in New Albany.

Born April 14, 1928, in Laconia, he was the son of the late Stoy and Mary Ellen Singleton Timberlake.

He was a retired logger and sawmill owner, an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of Old Capitol VFW Post 2950 in Corydon.

Survivors include his companion and caregiver, Judy Clark of Palmyra; two daughters, Arla Jo Durham of Corydon and Jan Wathen of Brandenburg; two brothers, Everett Brooks Timberlake of Hazelton and Norman Timberlake of Rineyville, Ky.; a sister, Audrey Regan of New Albany; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Monday, March 31, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, April 1, after 9 a.m. at Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral Home in Corydon.

Funeral: Tuesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. with burial in Otterbein Cemetery near Laconia.

Officiant: Elder Squirrel Murphy.

Pallbearers: Phil Myrick, Chris Harbeson, Wess Durham, Gerald Ray, Joshua Cullins and David Clark.