Barefeet FTW!!

I was playing in the woods barefoot with Windy. It started as a run, but turned into a a mix of running and walking as the terrain and her need to explore allowed. I found it very interesting that I seemed to have less problems stepping on uncomfortable sticks, rocks, etc. when running than when walking. Towards the end of the jaunt I was running on the rougher parts since it paradoxically seemed easier on my feet than trying to walk carefully over them.

But the best part was when I stepped on something sharp and turned to see if it was a pointy rock or thorn. No, it was a strand of BARBED WIRE about an inch off the ground. I didn't see any blood in the dust coating my foot. I licked my thumb and wiped off the dust to see if there was a puncture mark. Nope! I felt the barbed wire with my hand, and yes, that's definitely what I stepped on. Hell yeah! Let's give a cheer for tough bare feet! A year ago my feet were so soft I could only take a few steps on the street. Now I can run on barbed wire without a problem. Not that I'm going to be doing it again - I'm bringing wire cutters with me next time so I can clear it off the trail.

And for all the parents who read this - yes, I will go get a tetanus shot tomorrow.

Barefeet For The Win!!

Earthqaaaaaaake!

Wow, that was pretty exciting. I had just come in from playing fetch with the dogs when I heard an odd thumping sound. I have a tall mirror leaning against the wall in my room that I have yet to hang up. I glanced over and it was moving to and fro, the glass distorting and looking warped. I couldn't understand what could make the mirror or wall move since no one was in the room, and went outside to see if something was there. Also what could be thumping, I'm the only one home? It was really quiet outside and seemed kind of eerily creepy. I went back inside and a bit later learned it was a 5.9 earthquake in Louisa, VA - about 150 miles away. The dogs didn't seem to have much of a reaction, but they were really underfoot when I saw the mirror shimmying. I wonder if that's the only one or if we might get others. It was kind of creepy not knowing what was going on, but now that I do it's kind of exhilarating.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html

Knittin' Opinion Needed

I'm almost finished with my sweater - just the shoulder shaping on one sleeve, then blocking and seaming and wearing, just in time for fall! So naturally my mind is wandering over what to knit next. I want to knit a scarf for someone - no it's not you, why would I post about it for you to read?? It's for someone who always comments on my knitting and makes 'jokes' about me knitting socks for her. Well, I'm too bored with socks lately and figured a scarf would be a good choice. I asked a mutual friend what style she might like and gave her a list of adjectives like lacy, cozy, stripey, cabled, avant guarde, etc. She suggested cozy and avant guarde. After pouring through Ravelry I've come down to 3-5 ideas and want your opinion which I should knit:

Just Enough Ruffles - worsted, so fast to knit. Asymmetric with ruffles down one edge

Palindrome - Knit and purl panels cause interesting pleating. 

Larisa's Bark - Mega huge cables make a stunning unusual texture

Rill Scarf - Very modern looking, lace down one edge and a slight ruffle on the other.

Cinder - From Jared Flood, so you know it's classic. Definitely cozy, but I don't think avant guarde. Also, it's in bulky yarn, which I think will make a too voluminous scarf for someone barely 5' tall. But isn't it lovely? Can't you imagine it in one of those squishy bulky yarns that you want to plop your face into right in the yarn shop? Can you imagine a scarf made of such yarn where the texture enhances the "come cuddle in me" qualities? Maybe with a touch of cashmere? Oh, if I were Blanche Devereaux I'd have to go fan myself off now.

You'll notice these are all pretty simple nearly mindless patterns. I think knitting an entire sweater in stockinette has shown me the pleasure of straight knitting, as opposed to the crazy lace and colorwork patterns I so often do! 

So, which do you think I should make? Or do you have a suggestion for something even better? I'm open to all opinions, so ask your friends and husbands too. Well, only if they're the kind who care enough to look at knitting patterns and provide helpful commentary ;) Thanks for the help, you know my license plate doesn't say INDCISV for nothing!

Louisville - a nice surprise

When traveling for work I rarely get to really experience the city I'm in, but usually can get a feel if it's "my kind of town". I almost always flip through the city guide magazine or book that's in most hotel rooms to see what's big. Some cities are exactly like you expect - Orlando is pretty disappointing with extra-high humidity, very cookie-cutter and touristy. Philadelphia has so many things to see and do you can't begin to pick your options. But sometimes a town really surprises you. 

I just got back from Louisville, KY and heading in was very bland about the idea, sort of a "whatever, I go where I'm needed, not like I'm there for vacation anyway". I was only there for a day, but the town really impressed me to the point I'd like to take a trip there for a visit sometime. And not many places I've been to have been added to my re-visit list, so that's saying something. There's a big art scene and lots of museums, and a very cool sounding downtown shopping area. It's also home to pretty much all the major bourbon distilleries there are (Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, etc). Bourbon is only made in Kentucky, and they take it VERY seriously. Speaking of drinking, whenever I have a beer while traveling I always ask what local brews they have - it's an interesting way to experience a bit of the local flavor, so to speak. I was lucky enough to have a glass of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale while walking by the Ohio River one evening in perfect summer weather. The ale is matured in freshly decanted bourbon barrels from the local distilleries. It was really excellent, the aroma and flavor of the bourbon was unmistakable, but it complemented the ale rather than detracting or seeming gimmicky. Distribution sounds pretty limited, so I might not get to taste this again until I go back to Kentucky.

Flash Mobs

I have a secret - I want to be in a Flash Mob one day. I'd love to experience one as a bystander, but even better to take part in a truly unexpected one. Of course, I think they're getting more mainstream now so the thrill may wear off. For those who are unfamiliar with a Flash Mob, it's an apparently random yet very well choreographed event occurring in a crowded public place. Parts of the audience will suddenly join in, making everyone wonder who else is part of it. Sometimes it's dancing:

Sometimes singing (this one is long, just get through the first chorus):

And sometimes is so unexpected it freaks everyone out.

How cool would that be? Of course, there are some painfully embarrassing versions where the desire to be in a flash mob far outweighs talent or accuracy. A flash mob is not the same thing as dance performance. The unexpectedness in a public place is the key, it's not the same as a performance where everyone knows about it. And while enthusiasm can make up for many shortcomings, it's the skilled timing and precision that make flash mobs so exciting. Just having a lot of people dancing to the same song DOES NOT COUNT. My favorite part is really the bystanders expressions, and everyone recording what they can on their phones. I signed up to be part of a Reading Rainbow Chorus flashmob, but I don't know if it'll ever come to fruition. Lets hope so - Butterfly in the skyyyy, I can fly twice as hiiiiiiigh...