Weekly Recap?

The Garden: I'm getting doubtful that my self watering plants are going to work for the herbs. They don't seem to be doing to much in the way of growth plus I was just reading that generally herbs don't like to sit in water and actually prefer sparse watering. Of course the soil in the self watering planters I made is constantly wet. I planted a few rows of herbs in the garden bed last weekend and I believe I'm seeing a couple little seedlings emerging. I wonder how many got washed away by that huge storm on Wednesday. Something decided to sample a couple tomatoes and obviously didn't like them.... Grrr; maybe I should put up some chicken wire type something.

The Roof: Speaking of water soaked things we are still awaiting a roofer, ANY ROOFER, to call us back regarding our smashed tiles. Yes, that's right DH got up there and messed around for a few minutes before declaring the tiles to be "too slippery". I must admit it would have been nice if he could have done the repairs himself since it would have saved us some big bucks, but then again they idea of him being up there was quite unsettling.

The Brown Truck: Another exciting day of bashing happened on Tuesday. No the verbal kind the actual bashing. I got walloped with a wall of plastic totes that were leaning forward as I pulled a package I needed off the top of them. Yes, I realize now that standing in front of them while retrieving the package was a bad idea. Anyway, I got a little scraped up when most of the impact hit both knees. Yikes! My poor right knee. Now I also have a sore wrist from it being bent backwards from trying to "save" myself. I really feel like I was tackled.

Fireworks at my Bro's: Always a good time even though we all agreed the fireworks display was pretty weak this year. It always fun to get together with db and his family since we really don't do it often enough. I suppose if I made more of an effort to come over and be a part of their lives, but it's not easy.... seems I'm always busy. I do wish though that I were informed about special things like recitals, concerts, special softball games and such. They will be getting much busier come January when my not even 16 year old niece pops out a baby. A BABY?!?! She's way too young. Then again my s-in-law only 16 when she had her. Fortunately things worked out well. It's moments like that that I'm not missing not have children. For me that means I get to knit a baby item. I'm thinking a blanket... they always seem to be appreciated.

Trials and Tribulations

Oh boy. I finally have the embroidery graph mock up thing for my DTRW dishcloth for Jeannie. I'm awaiting the nice folks at Knittinghelp.com now to see what they say regarding in which direction I'm suppose to stitch this.

M.E.'s Trio

Whoo hoo. I finally made something for my gf, Mary Ellen or better known at M.E. No not *me*. M.... E.... said like Emmy. Who's on first? Anyway, I'm giddy because it's done and happy that I even got outside on a nice day to take the picture of it. I must admit though it feels a little odd standing outside on an 80 degree day wearing a hat, scarf, mittens, hoodie and shorts.

Ahh. Feels great to have it done and I think it looks pretty darn good too. Would you believe that I must have started that darn scarf at least 3 times trying to wrap my brain around it. Then it dawned on me that I really needed to follow the of keeping the multiples the same and (doh) cast on the right number. Ah, the act of frogging sure builds patience and knowledge.

What's the next project? Yikes... knitting wise I have 4 unfinished projects right now. The dishcloth for Jeannie which I need to "embroider", that crochet jacket, Dave's clogs and the dragon scarf. Plus I'm kinda thinking it would be fun to include a doggie jacket for M.E.'s terrier Buddy since the Road Scarf is basically a gift to keep her warm while walking the dog and talking to me on the phone. There's also a gob of ivy growing and I'm just dying to try making my own ivy wreaths.

The patterns I based M.E.'s knitted trio are:

THE ROAD SCARF - Lion Brand Yarn
I modified it a little bit because I didn't want it quite so wide. I got to use several new patterns making this scarf too. Heck any patterns can be used so long as they are all divisible by the same number then just add 8 to the cast on for the seed stitch edging.

MITTENS FOR ME - "Dropped a Stitch" blog
These mittens were knitted from the top down. I'm almost kicking myself for not putting part of the pattern theme in them like near the wrist. If I make these again, I would start with a narrower top and use more increases so the top isn't so flat. I did like the way the thumb is added on using live stitches that were created while knitting the body of the glove; this eliminated the whole gusset thing with most mitts and they fit so what the heck ... easier is sometimes better. (? come on, I must be kidding myself). WIP post

LIVE DANGEROUSLY DON'T SWATCH - "I'm knitting as fast as I can" blog
A top-down knitted hat. I really liked the top down construction of this hat plus it allowed me to add my own patterns after the increasing part. I did want a looser hat so my friend's hair doesn't get mashed after a short winter walk, but the hat is a bit too big. I've discovered that I knit way looser with circular needles than I do with dpns which is probably because the dpns are wood and don't slide as easily. They do stay in place though :) Maybe next time I can try using a smaller circ than the dpn size I started with or cast on less stitches and make the dpn part longer. That last sentence really makes me wonder if I'm actually getting the hang of this knitting thing! WIP posts 1 and 2

Self-watering pots

Here's an after the fact experiment with some successes and some not. I got an idea for making self-watering pots and then did some research on the net. I found some very expensive pots that I could buy and some very intricate plans for making your own. Fortunately I came across a site for a simple and inexpensive way to make self-watering pots.

I think it was on HGTV that they showed how to take two clay pots and "soder" them together with epoxy and paint them and what not to make your own more decorative s-w planter, but I didn't have any of those items on hand. So I searched my stash and found a plastic planter with a saucer attached that would fit inside the pot I have for the back door.

I pulled off the bottom saucer which revealed the 5 holes in the bottom of the pot. The decorative pot had a whole in it so I took a healthy size gob of plumbers puddy and rolled it into a ball then rolled it into a tube. I stuffed the tube of puddy into the hole in the pot so that about an inch and a half was sticking out of the bottom then flattened the puddy down on both the bottom of the pot and the inside bottom which created a plug. Then I added some pea stone mostly because the plastic pot fit a little too tightly inside the decorative pot so the pea stone brought it up a bit so that I could get my fingers under the rim of the inner pot to add water occassionaly. The soil I used is a mix of 1.5 parts top soil, 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite or there abouts. I must say, this experiment is working out very well since the plant has been in there for about 2 weeks now and I haven't killed it.

Here's a pic of part of my garden with the experimental herbs growing.
The verdict is still out on the recycleable s-w planters since the herbs haven't really done much other than germinate as of yet. They also seem to be dying off before they get any bigger... Too much water? I dunno.

UPDATE

Timmmmmm-Berrrrrrrr

Um a "limb" came off the tree. This isn't just a tree. This thing is mammoth tree! At 15+ feet around at waist height (measured some 15 years ago) the first branch doesn't start until the top of the second story. Well, this limb came down with a mighty crash on our original, yes... original, 1914 clay tile roof and made a huge mess smashing quite a few tiles up there.

Dave has decided he's going to fix it himself. Um. I don't think that's a good idea especially since his idea of security from falling involves throwing a rope out the window. Can you say broken back if you do fall?

I hope he gets up there and also decides it's a bad idea on the way back down the ladder.

Twisted My Knee

Thursday: UGH! I twisted my knee at work. Funny how you can do something a thousand times and never have a problem then one day.... bam. I must have picked up oil off that newly tarred resurfacing project because when I got up out of the seat to make my next delivery my foot slipped and the knee twisted. Like most things it happened so fast it's hard to recreate in my mind exactly my positioning. The twisting produced a snapping/popping sensation. Not something I'd like to feel in my knee.

Friday: The Boss had me stay in the office and do paper work and the HABITS stuff and all. I didn't want to take the day off work since I just took last Friday off for the Mohican. It hurt pretty bad when I got up in the morning. Sitting around in the chair in the office seemed to almost aggitate it more than being up on it. The pain was sort of a quick jab toward the lower inner knee. Of course all day it would hurt like a bear if I turned it. Seems kind of goofy that it would feel better when walking on it than when not. (??)

A Poem for my Buddy

Now I lay me down to sleep
The tears from flowing I cannot keep.
Sorrow fills a barren space
As I close my eyes and see your face.

I’ve lost my Dudley, my best friend
But he was spirited until the end.

Hanging close while I cut the grass
Yet slow to move for the mower’s pass.
Watering the garden and coffee with my guy
Was a summer tradition as my buddy lay nearby.

That was just a week ago, so it’s difficult to believe
That you were struck down so quickly by this disease.

With droopy eyes, crooked feet, and long ears
You’ve anxiously greeted me throughout the years.
Now memories they are that I’ll hold dear
For within my heart you are forever near.

Doc Herzog being a compassionate man
Gave us the bad news as best anyone can.
Your liver has failed you my dear old boy
Only memories will remain to bring us joy.

As I lay you in my lap that final night
In the grass in the sun where you found such delight.
I stroked your head of gray and ears so long
And told you of my love so strong.

We were there until the end; I kissed you lightly,
Said goodbye, and hugged you tightly.
I know you went quietly into the big sleep
Of that I remind myself as I start to weep.

As weeks go by so will signs that you were here;
Water bowls gone and little tufts of shed hair.

Knowing time will pass quickly since you were last alive
Together we planted a flower that night to grow and thrive.
Fond memories will stir of good ole times I assume
For years from now it will continue to bloom.

I keep expecting to see you ‘round every corner
The bathmat, the stairway, the hallway runner.
There’s more room on the couch now at dinner time
And you’re not there when the alarm clock chimes.

Yes, time had come to say goodbye
But in my heart you will never die.

For a funny memory replays within my mind
You’re running fast through the grass from behind.
With tongue swinging low in the heat of the day
And your long floppy ears bounce and sway.

Searching to find me wherever I am
You make me laugh out loud. You are such a ham.

~for my old Basset Hound, Dudley (06-08-07)

Emptiness

It's so hard to write something that seems appropriate that really sums up the moment. So I'll just type and maybe it will make sense. If I had to pick just one word I think it would be 'emptyness'. A hush is upon my house and my soul. What was once is no more. There is a void where their used to be substance. A sigh of breath, the clicking of paws and stirring are replaced with movement of the curtain as the wind gently blows it to and fro. I feel like my hearing is exaggerated like my focus for sound now wanders beyond the floor beneath my feet and I hear the rustle of the trees and a bouncing basketball nearby; these things I've noticed before but never as key elements as I sit here at my office desk. Areas of the house that were once occupied at various times never will be again... it's a strange realization. This void of familiarty makes my chest feel heavy. Emptyness.

Goodbye my buddy...

Bad news from the vet. Dudley has liver failure. There's no pill to fix the problem. There's a slim chance the problem might be coming from a lump (he has several lumps... not the nasty "OMG" kind you see on some dogs). The lump can be surgically removed... if it actually exists. Come on I can't justify surgery on a 16 year old dog! So other than licking a tad of peanut butter from my finger this morning the dog has had no nutrients for several days. Occassionally he'll raise his head and move to a new position, but the toxins that are certainly running through his body have put him into a drunk or drugged type state. It's really sad.

I'm a mess.

On the way home I stopped at the Depot with the intent of picking out one perennial to plant in memory of Dudly. I did pick out a 'neon' Sedum, which I've often admired during my route, for Dudley. But what if it dies?... I'd be devistated. And what about my past dogs anyway... Major, Lefty, and Sammi... just because they died in the off season does that mean there is nothing to memoralize their existance? Or is it because this is the last dog to die that has me feeling so blue? Maybe it's like a new born baby... the one that is adored and has all the pictures taken. The further down the baby line you go the less attention and less pictures there are; ask any younger sibling. Of course my theory is the reverse while I'm trying to apply it to death. If you have two siblings and one dies do you feel the urge to become closer to the remaining? No this isn't a person.... it's a dog. But a very well loved dog. He is after all my baby. To hopefully memorilize him and his "siblings" forever, I planted the Sedum, some short growing Dianthus 'Firewitch' and Liatris which was in bulb form. I figure the 4 plants and 35 bulbs should be enough.

The evening of his last full day on this earth was spent mostly in the front yard with me. He slept and I drank beer and now we're both in a drunk/intoxicated state. I held him and told him how much he meant to me and what joys he's brought me throughout the years. I forgave him for making me angry like when he'd occassionaly pee in the hall after I'd just let him out and for constantly waking me up in the middle of the night. He's been a great dog; offering me never ending compassion and companionship, laughs and that bond that is created when two beings rely on eachother. For a stray dog at 1.5 years old, I've been very fortunate to have him a part of my life for his next 14.5 years.

I'm going to miss you little buddy.

Sick as a Dog

No not me. My 16 year old Bassett Hound. He's not eaten before, but this time is different. Yesterday he had this glazed over look as he just stood there. Well, he didn't just stand there, he was facing forward and his butt end was all cocked funny in a half sit position. I tried giving him a cookie.... didn't want it. Tried even peanut butter... didn't want it. I'm really concerned. So I can't take him to the vet today because it's their early day which really sucks because I got home early too. I'm putting DH up to taking him tomorrow. Dudley's other sick signs are tiredness (more than usual for the old guy :)), mucus in both eyes (he has some sort of little growth on one lid so that might be adding to the trouble) and mucus in his nose.... like his nose is running.

Although he's a little more responsive today than yesterday HE'S NOT EATING!! He does drink water though. I hope my old guy is ok.

Gardening, Yahtzee and the Dexter-A2 Race

Saturday I messed around in the garden laying down newspaper all around the veges that are already planted. The newspaper, 4 layers, is suppose to act as a weed barrier while keeping in moisture. Obviously this is an experiment. It doesn't look as *neat* as the dirt so I might have to throw some mulch over it. I planted some more green beans too seeing as how something picked out all but 3 of the others and apparently ate them. This time I covered the planting area with a screen which I'll remove once the beans have germinated.

DH and I met up with 1 of his running partners in the afternoon to go to the Dexter to Ann Arbor (DX-A2) expo for the race tomorrow. Later that night we played Yahtzee. We had a good time playing, but it was almost painful to endure the time it took for Lance to decides what to roll for based on the percent of probable outcome for each option. It was still funny even though it took forever to play 3 games. Poor Katie who wanted to play the game never did a Yahtzee.

Sunday is race day. It was really humid which made me not feel so bad for not running. Mark and I were spectators and Katie, Dave and Lance were racing it. They were off at 9:10 after a 20 minute delay because of a tree over the road. Mark and I caught up to them at about the 7 mile mark where Dave arrived first, turned off his Garming and declared it to be too hot to run this thing. LOL. As Katie approached with a pace of just over 7/mile Dave said he'd run in the rest with her. Lance looked the heat was beating him up on this race as he handed us is sweat soaked shirt and a mystery GU packet that we later learned he'd gotten from a female runner that thought he looked like "he needed it". They all did well considering the weather... Katie and Dave were both about 1:36 and Lance was about a 1:43 I think. We had some lunch afterward at Sidetracks in Ann Arbor then everyone went in their own direction.

Top-down knitted hat

I finished the mittens I've been working on. They are the 5th pair of mittens I've knitted, but the first time I tried doing a kitchener stitch to seam up the thumb and fingertips. I like the stitch much better than drawing the yarn through the remaining stitches and cinching it closed, but they have a squareness that I definitely don't like. I think it would have better to have more of a decrease toward the tips before finishing off.

Now I'm on to the next project which is a hat to *match* the mitts and scarf. I've only knitted two hats. The first sort of fits, but I have a lot of hair and it's not really fair to determine it's fit with a pony tail. The other hat was a pretty pink bunny eared baby hat.... awwwww. I love Google. I found a pattern which the blogger calls the "Live Dangerously, Don't Swatch Hat" that knits from the top down - how cool! Of course this means I hade to learn another new cast on method called "Emily Ocker's circular cast on". It was still easier than that crazy figure 8 cast on for the baby hat though. For the hat, I'm going to integrate one of the patterns in the scarf.

I really don't need a lunch buddy

So I stop today at my usual place for lunch. Since I deliver in the no-man's land a sport park is the best I can do. Hey, at least there's running water 8 months out of the year. Anyway, Wally, who introduced himself yesterday and *graced* me with his presense during my 50 minutes of solitude from everything work related including its customers, stopped by again. "I was just on my way home and thought I'd pop in and see if you were here." He says. Did I ask for a lunch buddy? Did I do something other than not get up and leave yesterday when he decided to park it at the picinic table with me for 40 of my 50 minute time out from work? No. I did not. Why me. If we were to happen to cross paths from time to time at the park it would be no big deal; it is a big park and it is a public place after all. But this is way beyond that; the man is seeking me out for Pete's sake! Is this stalking? Should I be leery? This lunch spot is crème de la crème with it's fine seating (picnic table) and plush lav (brick restroom facility). I'm NOT being chased out for pursuit of short-term solitude. So after pursuing me in the park he says, "you don't mind do you?" What can I say that will be within work's guidelines to answering this loaded question without getting in deep dooda. "Well, this is my down time to relax," I tell him. So instead of taking my hint that I don't really want to be bugged, Wally plops his butt down on the picnic table to again intrude upon my little luxury of time I get to lose myself in knits and purls. I tried to drown him out and concentrate on the thumb portion of the mitten I'm currently knitting while adding an "mm-hmm" here and there and very light comments on what every idiot thing he's muttering about. "Look there's a Novi cop in the parking lot. Oh, now he's leaving. Look, he's driving fast... he must have gotten a call." Oiy. He must be a lonely married man to want to sit with a silent knitter on a picnic table in practically the middle of a soccer field. If he comes by tomorrow I'll have to be more convincing that I don't want him as a lunch buddy.

So here's my progress on the thumb of the first mitten. This pattern is called "Mittens for Me" which I found on a blog called "Dropped A Stitch". I had to frog the thumb I did today due to the Wally distraction.