A Public Apology

Dearest Franklin,

You are a lovely and interesting man. (Stop blushing.) A man with many fine attributes, talents and interests - many of which we share, including, but not limited to, knitting, books, prep school experiences, knitting camp, and admiration of the handsome Tom. You expanded my culinary tastes with Crew's Heart Attack Tater Tot Casserole.

But as much as I admire you, I was positive there was one interest we would never have in common.

Opera.

I think my first exposure to opera was, like many others of my generation, watching "What's Opera, Doc" on a Saturday morning. From the third grade on it was through piano music like the John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano books. (I specifically remember Toreador Song from Carmen and Aragonaise from Le Cid.) There was the mandatory exposure in grade school music class to Gilbert and Sullivan.

I've never rushed to purchase season tickets. Or even one ticket. It was enough to hear an occasional aria in films like Amadeus and Shawshank Redemption. I thought, "Opera? I'm not buying expensive tickets and getting all dressed up to go see a bunch of big-boned people in costumes singing, in a foreign language I don't understand, for three hours until someone dies." (Not in real life...in the storyline.)

Then this past weekend I saw this face. Well, how-dy-do! NOW I understand. Yeah, yeah, yeah, there's the pageantry, the intricate costumes, the stunning set designs. But really, those are all overshadowed by this. (Click and watch the whole interview - it's not that long and you won't regret it.)

It helped that I was in jeans and tennis shoes, sitting in my local theater, surrounded by opera buffs who were munching popcorn, drinking sodas, and sipping the movie theater version of slurpees. My kind of environment. It also helped that the opera I saw, "La Fille du Regiment" is a comedic opera and, in addition to the incredibly hot Juan, stars Natalie Dessay (who, in my humble opinion, is the Lucille Ball of comedic opera).

Did you know The Met has high definition performance transmissions to theaters across the US, the UK, and Europe? I had no idea. What I found most interesting (aside from gazing at Juan for 3 hours) was the backstage view one has when watching the transmission. The Met takes you backstage before the show and during intermission. Like skating stars interviewed when exiting the ice, Juan and Natalie, still breathless from the performance, are interviewed during the first part of the intermission, along with other members of the cast. The Met is expanding the HD Live transmission from 8 to 10 operas in the 2008-2009 season beginning in October. Check their website to see if a theater near you participates in the program. It's a great introduction to the joy of opera.

And if Juan stars in any of next season's operas, I'll see you there.

I'll buy the popcorn - you buy the drinks.

The First Step Is Admitting You Have A Problem

Ever since I became a Ravelry member, I've vacillated over whether to post the stash.

The entire stash.

Gulp.

I have a handwritten list (on pages and pages) but I found that I wasn't consulting it like I pictured I would when cataloging the stash. I'm hoping that this new effort at photographing and cataloging the stash (which is seriously cutting into knitting time) will, in the long run, help me be a more organized knitter who is better able to use (and have some semblance of control over) her stash. A collateral consequence is that I'm questioning every contemplated yarn purchase - not a bad thing for the old pocketbook. It's quite a process - this uncovering of an embarrassment of riches. I'm up to 111 entries and I'm only a third through the stash.

I think what finally overcame my stash denial was a fellow guild member who admitted she has entered her stash on Ravelry - and that she has over 400 entries in her stash. OK, now I know I won't be alone - there are others with stash numbering 3 figures or more.

Just when I'm becoming stash conscious, temptation rears it's fibery head in the form of Susanna Hansson and Bohus Stickning.



She's a fantastic speaker - interesting, funny, highly organized, and travels with samples. Excuse the quality of the photos, but I was jostled by a hundred other excited knitters.





What a disappointment that work interfered and I couldn't attend her class on Japanese short rows.

For readers living in the midwest - Susanna is involved in a Bohus exhibit coming in January 2009 to the American Swedish Institute.

Yarn, Food, Yarn, and Yarn

were on Saturday's agenda. This year I was in charge of our guild's annual Safari. It's a rare day that finds me as close to fully awake and partially functioning as one can be at 5 a.m. By a little after 7 a.m., this was the scene.



35 knitters heading to Illinois. First stop on our magical fibery tour, Lorna's Laces for a tour and the chance to purchase mill ends and one of a kind skeins.






Beth, the owner, gave us a dyeing demonstration...



while Pearl, who obviously is used to the sight of knitters high on yarn fums, casually watched the buying frenzy and occasionally slalomed through the crowd for some much appreciated attention.


Look at all that luscious fiber drying on the racks.




Giving our credit cards a chance to cool off, we stopped for lunch at Ann Sather's. I was relying on recommendations when I arranged lunch here. My nervousness about eating at an establishment I had never been to was offset by the fact that the reason I had never eaten here before was because I couldn't get near the place on my previous trips - it's that popular. Obviously, Chicagoans know a good thing when they see it. Lunch was fantastic! The staff was quick and efficient. And their famous cinnamon rolls - you could make a meal just from one. Quite a few knitters purchased bakery before leaving.



This is A brownie. You read that right. ONE. Brownie. In this humungous box. This knitter was going to use the bakery as a diversionary tactic on her husband when she returned home with all her yarn purchases. I'm certain the tactic worked.

Back on the road, we passed some local landmarks.



Next stop - Arcadia Knitting where we were treated like knitting royalty. The staff was so welcoming, arranging treats and specials for our group. Obviously, no one left empty-handed.





Bidding a fond farewell to the City of Big Shoulders, we headed west to where suburbia mixes with farmland, to The Fold. Ah, I pity those who have never had the pleasure of worshipping at the wall of Socks That Rock. I've never seen so many Blue Moon Fiber Arts products in one place.






And they even kindly provide a place to escape to when overcome by yarn and roving fums.


We then headed home, weary, tired, and cash poor but fiber rich. (Notice how I followed knitter's etiquette - no photographic evidence of any knitter with her purchase(s).)

DH never even asked if I had purchased any yarn.

What a guy.

Wool on the Hoof

Last week I headed out to Susan's Fiber Shop for her open house. She's expanded her retail area - and what a difference! It is now light, airy, and better organized.




Plus you get to step out onto the back patio and see the local wildlife.



This past Friday, I stopped in at Ruth Sybers' sale held at her local american legion hall. Ruth runs Knitter's Treat- no shop, but she is often a vendor at fiber events and holds workshops. You can bet if a big knitting name is anywhere in the Midwest, Ruth probably has them doing a workshop.




More sheep watching today. After lunch (and before ignoring the fine day and heading to the office) I took a long detour out to Rainbow Fleece Farm & Carding Co. for their spring event.




The big draw for me was not just sheep or the prospect of wool purchases. Rainbow Farms had Hazel Carter talking about wool and spinning and uses for handspun yarn. (I didn't take her photo this time - seemed too stalker-ish.) I so enjoyed talking to her! In addition to the desire to gleam as much fiber-related information as I can, I enjoy listening to her stories. From the little I've heard, she's lead a Fascinating Life. I also love her accent - she's lived in the US for a number of years, but you can still hear the British accent. She has a distinct manner of speech - like Meg Swansen. Her patterns are stories in, and of, themselves like Elizabeth Zimmermann's. I really wish she'd write a book about her life.

Of course, after being blinded by greatness in the humble form of Ms. Carter, I stumbled into here...






Pictures of what stumbled out with me to come tomorrow...

Besides work, this weekend was spent pushing to get the tax information together. Gads, I hate this time of the year - mainly because I'm too (*&^# lazy to have this stuff organized, so it takes me forever to pull all the information together and find receipts dating back to January of '07. Sigh. But I think it's done. Then again, maybe there are more receipts under that cat.

The First Sure Sign of Spring

Last Friday, I passed the first sign of spring...



while traveling about...ahem...let's just say for the peace of mind of any law enforcement readers, I was traveling at exactly the speed limit - 65 m.p.h.

And don't worry - it's not like I was focusing on taking the picture or anything - to which the other 131 (deleted) shots will attest. I was just pointing the camera and clicking the shutter button - all with one hand and not looking at what I was taking pictures of - hoping that I might get a barrel in at least one shot. My own version of monkeys typing Shakespeare experiment.

The surrounding countryside is deceptive. Heading south you would think we're still in the middle of winter.



Heading back north you'd think spring was here to stay.



It's rather confusing when driving to see brown fields ahead, but see snow covered hills when glancing in the rearview mirror.

On to the knitting and what is currently on the needles.

First up, I've started a project destined for me - an aran sweater made from Harrisville New England Highland.



The sweater begins with the knitting of the shoulder saddles and stitches are picked up to knit the front. We'll see how much progress I make. If I'm ambitious enough, I'll have it done in time for those chilly 80 degree July evenings. Timing is everything.



Next up is yarn from Brian Rose Fibers. I don't know the name of the yarn as I've misplaced the tag. I have to admit, I've had a hard time finding a good pattern for the yarn. I'm still on the fence about this pattern - Streaming Leaves Lace Scarf from Fiber Trends. I love the yarn, like the pattern, but don't know if they are ultimately meant for one another. I've placed the scarf on a towel so I could "mock block" it to show the pattern.



Last, but not least, another non-thinking scarf made from Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky.



Gads, this stuff is gorgeous and so soft to the touch. I wouldn't mind having barrels of this stuff.