Interviewed

Susan at Knitiot Savant sent me some interview questions for the 'meme-like' that is going around.

1. What's your favorite color?

Hard to say - color takes on a different meaning to an artist! If I had to choose, it would be sapphire blue or darker heliotrope colors.

2. Where do you find inspiration for your craft projects?

A combination of what materials are available, what I've seen recently and how useful it would be to have when I'm done with it (to me or to someone else).

3. What's your favorite season of the year and why?

I think Autumn (and Indian Summer). The smell of dry leaves and the warm wind bring me back to when I was a little girl collecting acorns in our front yard. I would heap buckets full of them from our great big oak tree and then we had a few neighbors who would buy them for 10 cents a bucket. We would also go out in the woods at our farm and chop firewood to drag on sleds out to the waiting truck. I was too little to help cut, but would help heap up the sleds and drag them out over the path.

4. When you're down in the dumps, what cheers you up?

I revel at the world around me, and how expansive and detailed it is. Then I look at myself in it and ask: "What are you doing? Stop moping and get up and do something about .. well, something at least." Even if I can't fix the problem immediately, there is usually something that needs to be done or a productive project that can get me out of the slump. Often, also, I draw or write journal entries if there really is something that I need more insight on.

5. Why did you start blogging?

I made my first official blog post (here) in February of 2005. However, that was just because I saw other people with knitting blogs and wanted to put up some of my trials and projects here and there. I dropped off posting after we moved to Tennessee. I truly began posting on a regular basis after cutting a hand severely in September of 2005. I was really thankful when I could begin typing, knitting and doing other things again normally - and used this blog as an outlet. I met some great friends here and really enjoyed sharing pictures and day-to-day activities with all of you! Thank you :)

Thank you Susan!
It's raining and gloomy out today - still 'dark' at 9:30 in the morning! We went to the flea market yesterday and the weather was beautiful then. There were puppies galore, goats, bunnies, garden plants and tons of junk (like usual). However, we did pick up a few interesting bits. I dug down through a bucket of old necklaces to find a white metal enamel turtle necklace for fifty cents. We also found an antique check imprinter that still works - the kind that used to perforate the amount of the check into the paper for safety.


Neat find! A metal turtle necklace

In the afternoon we put in a row of early corn and some broccoli. Mark also planted some flower seeds all around the house and fence.

Unusual garden items: Blue seems to be on my mind lately - I've bought seed for blue Hubbard squash, ornamental (Indian) blue corn, and also Blue Lupin seeds to plant on the hill. I remember growing the Hubbard squash in our Heirloom Centennial garden at the North Central Experiment Station in Grand Rapids, MN. I worked there for three years and learned a lot about horticulture and plants.


Another pair of shoes in progress. Same pattern - a bit bigger

I'm trying a few different sizes of the booties. We are planning (if the weather cooperates) to sell at next week's flea market. A few of my toys and these booties might make a nice display on the table beside our other things. Not sure what might sell well though. We can only try :)

Which Weird Thing wasn't true?

Last week I posted twelve weird things about me - and asked you to figure out which of them weren't true.

Here is the list:

1.) I have a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and several broken bones to show for it.
2.) I enjoy the music of the band Primus.
3.) I make silly pictures in push pins on the bulletin board.
4.) I have studied tasseography and practice it on a daily basis.
5.) I engage in sesquipedalianism, unashamedly in public places.
6.) I often take apart my small electronics and put them back together, and they work.
7.) I'm a total pool shark.
8.) I can see thermal disturbances in the air (in good sunlight).
9.) My mother once convinced me I was allergic to wool.
10.) I once considered joining the military as a translator.
11.) I received my first driver's license at age 21.
12.) I dance a mean tango.

Most people guessed #12 as being false - they were right! I can do an approximation of the tango, but I'm sure it would make dancers wince (and maybe bystanders gawk).

#6 was just a little false - the electronics don't always work when I get done ;o) *wink*

All the other ones are TRUE!

For the other guesses:
Yes, I DO have a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. However, after having a concussion, a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder and a fractured wrist over the course of three years -- my doctor said to quit or get a new doctor.

My mother had me convinced I was allergic to wool - because she is, and thus I never tried seriously to get past the initial itch - worried I would break out in hives from it. However, I found some baby wool (Dale of Norway Baby Ull) and loved it -- it changed my entire opinion about wool from then on - all wool!

In 2002 I considered (and visited the recruiter several times) joining the army as a military translator. I have a natural talent for hearing languages and translating them - but have not developed conversation skills in anything but German. There was a training course I was qualified for (at a high level) that seemed promising. However, my mother said I would join the military 'over her dead body'.. and although that is her personal opinion, it swayed me enough that I continued my schooling and job at the time and didn't think much more about it.

Third time round: Weird things

Hi Liz! I've done the 'six weird things' meme before, twice! (link) and (link)...

But, I'll play; with a new twist on the usual set of rules. I was truthful those two times.. time for creativity.

Which of these new "weird things about me" is NOT true?

1.) I have a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and several broken bones to show for it.
2.) I enjoy the music of the band Primus.
3.) I make silly pictures in push pins on the bulletin board.
4.) I have studied tasseography and practice it on a daily basis.
5.) I engage in sesquipedalianism, unashamedly in public places.
6.) I often take apart my small electronics and put them back together, and they work.
7.) I'm a total pool shark.
8.) I can see thermal disturbances in the air (in good sunlight).
9.) My mother once convinced me I was allergic to wool.
10.) I once considered joining the military as a translator.
11.) I received my first driver's license at age 21.
12.) I dance a mean tango.

Anyone can play. Which of the above (may be more than one) is not true?

Ready, set, go.

A Puck on the Ice and then into a Hole

Check the comments for a new 'weird things' meme response.
During the warmest part of the day (49 degrees), we went down into the woods near the lake to look at the ice.


Puck watching Mark throw a branch out onto the ice


Ear Deep in a Hole
digging for moles near the lake


Monkey-see Monkey-do
(enlarge to see Puck walking ahead)


Some pictures of the semi-solid ice

It makes interesting shapes in the cracks on the surface.