Knitting after breakfast

We are enjoying a leisurely morning, our last with my son for awhile. I'm working on a cap. It's my first attempt on a color block design. The yarn is alpaca. Sorry, don't have the details at hand.

Fear of button hole

I have had this unlined wool coat all made for quite a while, think years. All that needed to be done were the patch pockets and button. Just couldn't decide about the button hole. It needed a bound button hole, but I just couldn't face it. 

It wasn't until my meetup with a sewing friend in NYC that I picked up some braid trim without having plan for its use. It turned out to be a good match. I accented the button hole and trimmed the pockets. 

The coat is a wonderful layer for our trip to Switzerland. 

The first day of class

I've been M.I.A. for the last week.

I'm excited. "Needs grading" means wonderful new people to get to know and help them along with their goals. 

What should be my next knitting project?

I want to return for another project in the Japanese book. Although there are several lovely pull-overs, at this time in my life, I need something that is easier to pull on and off. So I'm thinking about this swing cardigan called Maple Leaves.

I need help deciding which version to do: with the panels, probably in darker blues and purple or in a solid color.

The day before

I'm on a liquid diet today to prepare for a medical test tomorrow. Everyone of a particular age should do it once a decade. 

My biggest concern is the sugar content of the drinks. The nurse assured me that since I'm not eating anything else, it was OK. "Enjoy it!" 

Even still, I'm trying to use mostly apple and pulp-free orange juice.

This still life has three vessels of note. The coffee cup was given to me by a colleague. That's the Bangla alphabet on it. 

I needed a small glass for the juice. A little Coca Cola dollar store glass seemed right.  I picked it up to use it on my overnight stays on my last teaching gig.

The water glass is my son's. He's a big water drinker. Maybe it won't be so hard pushing liquids, if I can think about pleasant things.

No rest for the ...

I got a notification that my office key was ready. The building is newly remodeled so all the furniture is new. The previous occupant was part-timer, so there was little clear out. I was able to snag a copy of one of my texts. Now I can start getting my syllabus together.

Later in the afternoon, I got electronic access to the text for my other class.

I really have to get to work now.

What was carried away.

It was snapped quickly, not a great picture, but enough to document what I already knew.

I can tell you what is in the bags on the left, under his right arm. The blue bag is a relic from long ago, a case to hold our first Macintosh computer. My dear sister and brother-in-law have been storing it for years, the "why" long forgotten. Now it holds sheets, towels and a new mattress pad stuffed into huge zip bags.  Hangers, both shirt and pant, are flat on two faces.  His dress shoes and galoshes are on top. His Brony messenger bag, folded in two, added to the narrow front pocket just that morning, because there was no place else.

The big rolling bag is my sport trunk, used only once on the trip last summer when we visited the college in Switzerland for the first time. His dress shirts in a packing envelop and the blanket are packed deep. The everyday clothes had been set aside in the last few weeks, snagged as they came out of the laundry. The pants are laid flat, the T-shirts rolled around the outside.  On top, in the zipper divider and lid, are the socks and underwear and pajamas. The last could be added added only after he awoke that morning. His freshly cased pillow in a zip bag, nestled in its cranny, fit only after the last air was pushed out.

The other two bags were under his more intimate packing care. His rolling bag held what he hopes will be the beginning of the Franklin Board Game Club, some newly chosen, some well loved. I think his backpack made it into that bag. 

Everything else, from his toothbrush to his new laptop, must be in the red bag. 

Anything else didn't matter. 

This was what was carried away.

Do you know what you see?

...the first leaves of fall.

I'm good at this

My son allowed me to chink his T-shirts into his trunk.

A small contribution

My son is setting up his new laptop to take to college. He has a separate keyboard and mouse which needed some protection.

The microfiber towel was bought to take on our Expo trip to Japan in 2005, I think. Green is/was his favorite color. That's not the oldest thing used. The buttonhole elastic for the cord tether was a remnant from when I was making pants during my pregnancy.

I guess it'll do.

I do feel naked

As my knuckles seem to grow larger, I have been fretting that I would never be able to remove my wedding ring.  Last night a story came across my feed about how tough it is to remove titanium wedding bands in an emergency. Included was a YouTube link which gave me inspiration to work on my own band.

With the help of my husband and not without some difficulty, I am now ringless. I am off today to take it in for a cleaning and sizing.

Details, progress noted

I went up to campus and accomplished several things. I have an ID and an email address. I filled out tax forms. I walked by my office and discerned that it is windowless. I may have to add a webcam to my window at the house.

It's done

I finished it in time for the Capitalfest this weekend. As I said before, it's perfect for late summer in upstate New York. 

I don't know if I'm sad or glad

They are tearing down the McDonald's. I'm sure it was among the first fast food restaurants on the Southside strip, thirty-five years ago. They are rebuilding in the newest design.

I mourn our disposable society.

Down to the last details

Now that I'm back home and have access to my needles, I'm working on finishing the sweater. I have done the neck band and am starting the first sleeve band.

I know that this sweater was to complete my travel wardrobe for the trip, but it would have been too warm to Singapore and Milan. So now to finish it for late summer in upstate New York. Just perfect.

It's closing

I liked it. I liked the creative style. But I couldn't fit into much of what she sold. I was walking by when I saw the sign. I went in and tried again. No, even if it was 40% off, I still couldn't buy anything. I'm so sorry for another local shop with a great idea that didn't make it.

I'm so depressed. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts on the way home. I didn't buy the donuts I wanted. It wouldn't have helped.

Updated: I wrote this before our trip. I walked by the store after getting home. It is empty with a hand-written sign.

How did it happen?

My chili pepper plants were topped off. I don't think they will survive. The tomato plants are fine. I noticed it the day the yard mowers were here. I can't imagine it was intentional.

Updated:  I wrote this before we left on our trip. These plants were devastated when we got home. My neighbor told me that it was deer. They eventually did in all these plants and more in her yard. She was furious at the loss of the lily blossoms.

Nothing like it

My geraniums were in full bloom on the porch to greet me home, with a multitude of thanks to my neighbors for keeping them watered.

Oatmeal

I cooked a pot of oatmeal this morning. There is plenty to reheat for later.

I did fairly well on our trip, lots of exercise and meal portion control. The big problem I had was that I didn't bring enough medication. I rationed it as soon as I realized it. I don't think there was any lasting harm. I must be very diligent now. I know what has to be done.

I am happy to get back to my routine. It is comforting as I look ahead to lots of changes in the next month.

Second sleeve done

I utilized the flights from Asia to get the second sleeve finished. After consulting the pattern, I realized that I can't proceed to the neck band because I didn't bring the smaller needle tips.

Excuse the upside-down pic. I couldn't figure how to flip it using my fat fingers on my phone. 

An offer

Is it ironic that it took traveling to the other side of the world to get an offer for a position that is 1.1 miles walk from my house? I already have East Street Hill as a course.

I didn't finish it

I finished the right sleeve on the flight from Toronto to Los Angeles.

This table was in the first class cabin on our flight to Seoul, large enough to spread it out. 

After this picture I was able to start on the left sleeve. 

Isn't it time?

I took out the manual to recall where to oil my serger. I bought it twenty years ago with my last paycheck from Adrian College.

Maybe it's time to replace it. I deserve it.

It is a sign of progress

I got my table cleared. It was full of so much that is weighing me down, hindering my progress. Some of it was tossed, some hemmed or mended, too much transferred to boxes underneath to deal with on another day.

I really want to make a pair of linen pants for our travels.

I am proud of my red flannel tubes filled with buckshot that no one but me ever sees.

There's a smile in my pocket

The last episode of "This American Life" had a story that just moved me to tears. It actually comes from another podcast, "Reply All", whose site has more background information.

First, the story opens with someone whose email address is often mistaken for someone else's. I have written about my frustrations with such trouble. This fellow takes the opportunity to jump right into the conversation and sends goofy replies to “All Calgary Area District Commissioners and Cookie Advisors”. As a former neighborhood cookie chair for the Girl Scouts, I soon caught on to the fact he was dealing with Girl Guides.

With my complete attention, the story fades back into history. It's hard to believe that smiles and a good song will give sufficient strength to young women facing unknown terror.

"I wonder if they knew what they were capable of?"

I remember

Not so long ago, my snow boots were crunching on white snow leaving a trail of deep ellipses. Now, my hiking boots tread on this green lawn. I look behind and see nothing of where I've been.

I can do it

I passed the phone interviews for both positions and now have an on-campus interview.

The schedule for the half day includes breakfast, meeting with HR, campus tour and lunch. That leaves about 30 minutes for the each search committee.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Lots of rain

The creek was rushing under the bridge during my twilight walk.

Thinking of my in-laws

They would have loved to see my son graduate from high school. 

I'm wearing my MIL's class ring from 1933. 

Written while sitting in the auditorium waiting for the festivities to begin. 

A new stitch a day strikes backwards again

My latest sweater has this stitch showing on the reverse side. My pattern calls it a garter stripe.
I have slowed down on my progress. Maybe I can get some good flying-and-knitting done this week.
See earlier post from newstitchaday.com.

I didn't get emotional until

I have been going through the last few weeks, marking off the this-is-the-last-time's as my son heads for high school graduation. I have been keeping myself under control. My son hasn't been too embarrassed. Today the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. I'm in tears of joy.

The grave yard

The local bowling alley is updating.

Prom suit is here

I took my son to pick up his tux rental. 

May he have some wonderful memories that won't be returned in this bag.

A long day

I was able to cross the new bridge on the day after the solstice.

It has been a year

I started recording my walks one year ago. I may be slightly obsessed. But that's a good thing. I want to thank my friends for encouraging me.

It is possible

We used public transportation around Dallas this whole visit. My son was boasting that we did it all. I reminded him that we needed to use Uber to get to the airport for our early flight. While it was possible to do it it meant getting up an hour earlier.

The eye of Bill in Dallas

From my walk during a break in the clouds.

You can't get there (easily) from here

If you want to get me started, just bring up how inassessible public transit is in the U.S.

This is the view from the hotel. There are stations for two different trains within walking distance, but no easy way to get there.

We end up taking either of two bus routes and then switch to the train closer in. 

Is it the journey or the destination?

That was exciting. 

Since rounds are located up in the Towers, they asked us to use stairs when going a few floors. I just took stairs down and ended in the kitchen on 2. 1st floor door was alarmed. I delighted the prep ladies by asking if I could pass through. They handed me off to the supervisor who spoke some English. He cautioned me not to slip as we walked by the bank of huge mixers. 

I wish I had taken a picture. 

Almost like Canyon

Smiled to myself when I saw the bindweed growing on the cactus.

If they only knew

I was walking to a diner to have breakfast and consumed a gazillion more calories then I burned!

Plan B

The daisies didn't return. So I've put out pots of tomatoes and chilies sprouted under my lights. For the record, the herbs didn't survive transplanting and neglect while I was out of town for a week.

After the rain

I suppose I should celebrate the complete life cycle. The rhododendron season is over.

I couldn't go over, not yet

Not much was stopping me from crossing the bridge on my night's walk.

I went back a few nights later and it was almost ready. The temporary fence was gone with only the yellow tape up. Straw was spread over the newly-seeded approach where the crane had been.

I suppose it'll be open when I get back next week. 

Sounds good to me

At my three month check-up, my doctor thought it was time to take me off one of my diabetes meds. My blood sugar averages dropped again.

It may have taken a year to get my whole life under control, but progress continues. You may notice that my weight is up slightly. I won't blame leaving on heavy shoes. I just haven't been able to get up into the hills to hike that much yet. 

The yearbook is out

I started in ad sales and moved up through the ranks from advertising manager to full editor my senior year. Nothing would stand in my way. The statute of limitations has long pasted, so I will admit to a copyright violation when I clipped an ad from the yellow pages to use for Prim's Auto Parts. It was "clip art" in the traditional sense.

No need for my wax pencil this time. I scanned the old passports, uploaded, edited and formatted using the template provided on the website.

Congratulations and bon voyage into your new life, dear son.

You never know what seed falls on fertile soil

Remember the applications from the end of March?
I've made the cut on two of the positions.
Working is good. Local is good.
Not to jinx it, but I may come out of retirement.

Emily and 67

I took two BuzzFeed Quizzes last night. You know the sort that pop up on your feed, such titles as "What Body Part Should You Tattoo?" or "How Well Do You Remember 'The Goonies'?" or "Are You More Dude Or More Bro?".

I ignore about 99% of them. I have learned that I'm sufficiently out of the mainstream of popular culture so that my answer to the questions posed is often "None of the above/Not Applicable". There is no box to click for me. I take it as negative feedback. I'm not cool. I'll accept that. I know where I'm not wanted.

Those I do take are a secret pleasure. I rarely share my results to pass on the quiz to my feed. Some things are best kept behind your closed door, only the glowing screen knows. Well, yes, I suppose that some advertiser is keeping track of it all in a mound of metadata.

The first quiz was "Which Gilmore Girl Are You Actually?". It was in 2011 when I was left in a mostly empty house in Texas. After the movers had taken most of our household, I stayed behind to help organize the sale of what was left and to arrange for the renters to move in. I checked out the DVD of season one of The Gilmore Girls from the library. It was great fun and helped get me by the long nights. I made some effort to find the later seasons, but it wasn't until Netflix acquired the rights in the last year that I was able to follow up on my girls. I haven't finished it. As is the case with many TV shows, the last couple of seasons don't live up to the original experience. But I like to think of the characters still romping through Stars Hollow, solving life's mysteries.

So, "Emily"? I got Emily, the well-coiffed mother more interested in her DAR meetings and charity fundraisers than in supporting her pregnant teenager. It doesn't exactly seem to describe my life right now.

And then, to add insult to injury, in answer to "Can We Guess Your Age By How You Use Technology?", I got 67! They didn't ask me if I blog. That would have lowered it, right?

So there you have it, I'm Emily and 67. Somebody is watching. There this ad that keeps popping up on different sites. I can't look at it. The first glance was too much. It is something about the incision lines necessary to return my tummy and underarms to their youthful glory.

Born in Flint

Three beauties from 1955 at the Cruise In on Main in Oneonta.

Long awaited

The city is replacing the bridge in the park by my house. It crosses the creek on the edge of the lower meadow. I often use it for evening walks along a nice mile loop within the park on well-lit paths. They removed the old bridge late last fall and many people in the neighborhood missed it.

I watched the process for a while. There was the flatbed truck and driver, the crane and operator, the supervisor and a few more watching the guy who couldn't find the right size wrench to tighten the nut on the bolt.

I decided to walk on up the hill.

Challenges

It's fun. I'm in the top 5%!