Getting Away From It All

One of our neighbors has a camper (I'd guess about 30 feet long) that appeared next to our driveway when summer began. I noticed that it's gone most weekends and assumed our neighbors are avid campers.

Avid campers...to a point.

DH told me that most times they go to the local campground. (This is located approximately 8 blocks or so from here and is located about 2 blocks from Main Street and right on the main ATV trail that goes through town.) He said they told him they like to get away from it all - phones, work, etc. He asked if they went anywhere else and they named 2 other places - all in this county.

Somehow when one mentions wanting to get away, I picture a different scenario - or scenarios - which may include a spa resort, or a fiber-related event, or laying on a beach at a latitude closer to the equator sipping a cold, fruity, alcoholic beverage that's been delivered to my beach chair by a gorgeous waiter named Carlos. "Senorita," he says...

Ahem...you get the idea.

I do admire their ability to take a staycation - especially in these economic times. I've never been too attracted to the idea of camping. I doubt there is a camper big enough for me, DH, and the stash. I'm a wimp - I like sleeping in a bed and not having various wildlife running over me (except for the cats). DH has all kinds of camping stories of feeling things running across his face, or the time his brother stepped on a tarantula in his bare feet or, even worse...

WARNING - if squeamish, stop reading NOW!

...when a small mammal (rat, possibly) stuck it's nose in his ear.

Ewwwwwwwwww! Shudder! My skin crawls just typing that.

Lately, my way of getting away from it all is to grab some rare knitting time (usually at ungodly late hours) and sit down with an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey. Ah, Horace Rumpole, in many ways you are a man after my own heart. Now, if only you looked more like Carlos.

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

About town

Here's one sign we never saw where we used to live. This is at a local gas station.



Anything strike you as odd about this sign?



For me, it's the implied message that comes before it. The tone of it seems to say that this church is deeply disappointed that our new administration is actually following international law and not violating human rights. The invisible "well, even though they won't torture people anymore..." that precedes the message on the sign.

Knitting
Not much has progressed since I last posted. Knitting time has been sparse lately - except for when I'm at the laundromat. I'm alternately working on the Violets By The River shawl and the baby blanket.

I have not cast on a new project yet, but I'm close to doing so. I really want to try Vivian Hoxboro's Net Duffel Bag from the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits.

Summer festivals

This past weekend, Smalltown, USA had a festival that centers around the race of a specific watercraft on the local river. It was 4 days of activities, most of which I missed as I was helping my mother-in-law with their garage sale.

I did manage to catch the fireworks on Saturday night. DH and I sat on our front porch and had a great view - we're only 2 blocks away from the river where the fireworks were set off. The other advantages - no crowds and not having to use a porta potty.

One good shot (not bad for a point and shoot camera)...


among many that weren't. I wasn't using a tripod and it shows.


What I, unfortunately, didn't miss was the band that played at the local fairgrounds (basically next door to us) until 5 o'clock Sunday morning. I think I finally fell asleep about 2 a.m. Note to self: Next year - ear plugs.

Pandering

Since I'm short on blog fodder...

Deadline

So DH has been gone since May 16th and is returning tonight. He was rafting in the Grand Canyon with his brothers and nephews - repeating the trip he and his brothers went on 20 years ago. (They'd been on a waiting list since then.) Work has been so busy, I haven't accomplished half the projects I'd hope to complete while he was out of the house; this includes knitting.

My goal was to complete as many WIPS as possible before June 1st. Considering how limited my knitting time has been, I think I've managed to finish a fair number. Many of the projects have ends that need to be woven in but I consider the project finished once the knitting is done.

The first pattern is from Vogue Knitting Scarves. It's the Geometric Scarf. The yarn is Knit One Crochet Too Ambrosia (70% baby alpaca, 20% silk 10% cashmere). The yarn is wonderfully soft.

Warning: None of the items have been blocked and none have been de-furred (enormous amounts of cat hair are on each).

This show's the pattern...


and this the true color.


This is the Garter Stitch Scarf kit from the Argyle Fiber Mill.


A close up of the colors.


Another Farrow Rib scarf made from Malabrigo worsted. The color is Loro barranquero - a mix of browns, yellows, pinks, reds, and cream.


And there is Girasole - finished but not blocked. It turned out much smaller than I anticipated. Even after blocking, I think it will only be lap robe size.

This shows the pattern...


and this the true color. The yarn is Cascade 220 Heathers - a lovely brown.


I've decided to continue the Dealing-With-The-WIPS until July 1st. I don't do well concentrating on just one project at a time, but my knitting promiscuity was getting out of hand. Who knew I had so many needles?! Unbelievably, I haven't cast on any new projects. I was this close so many times during the past few weeks. Oh, the deprivation! I'll try to put off casting on any new project until July 1st. But I'm not making any promises!

I'll end with the sunset from yesterday's drive home.