Just Not This World...

Well, yesterday I blogged about living in a world of kindness, helpfulness, love and peace. Ha - again, HaHa!!! It would seem that I was off my meds when I thought such a thing as it was made brutally clear last evening that this is not the world in which we live.

As you may have read in previous blogs, my DH and I do some acting with the local community theater group. Great people all around! However, the theater that we perform in is in what was once a lovely, gentile part of town. That has changed, it is now a gang filled, thug ruled, gun shooting haven!!! And last night when he was coming out of rehearsal, DH husband found that his rear windshield had been shot out. Completely and utterly destroyed. To make matters worse the father of a cast member experienced an attempted car jacking earlier that evening (probably by the same group that damaged DH's car.) The police refuse to come and take a report as no one was actually shot. I guess if they were laying in a pool of blood in the parking lot, they might have sent out a cruiser. I am so thankful that no one was injured, but I am angry (spitting nails, blue air, let me at'em angry.) This is the country for goodness sake, not the inner city projects. Where the hell is Dragnet when you need them (yes I'm dating myself, use your own police adjective instead - you get the idea.) I was told to put on a pair of gloves and sift through the glass to try and find the bullet. Really! I mean Really!!! You've got to be putting me on - I'm now doing the police departments investigative work. Perhaps I'll send  them a bill for my services. Grrr..... And even worse is that there have been other crimes at this theater in past (before we ever arrived.) Honestly, freaking, honestly!!! Grrr........

I'm not trying to make any kind of point in this blog today, I just needed to vent my anger. I have not been able to knit as my hands are all twitchy and I ended up ripping back the test scarf I'm working on four times. Grr..... I try to tell myself to be calm, calm, but so far no go. Nope - not happening. Okay - that's all I feel like writing at the moment. Not a great blog, but sometimes you gotta vent. Pass the wine, please.

Peace and joy to you all....hopefully a dose of safety from your local police force...
The Green Girl.

In A World.....

The house was quite (except for the washing machine and dishwasher of course,) I was snuggled up on the sofa and my knitty things were there with me. One test knit project for the collection getting closer to completion (I really thought I'd be done by now,) one personal project sitting there begging for attention, one angel square 2/3 done in three lovely colors and the TV tuned into "Dancing with the Stars" the results show for background noise until it was time for "Caprica." (Yes, I am a certified Sci-Fi geek - didn't you see that coming?) ;>)

Being the conscientious person that I try to be (really I do try everyday,)  I took up the project for the collection and continued on with my work. I must say I really like this piece and I can't wait to get it photographed (please by this Friday - I beg all the knitting powers in the universe - photos on Friday.) Then I hear, "We have something to be truly thankful for. If we get any news, you'll get it live right here." The TV presenter was talking about the men stuck 2000 feet underground in the mine in Chile - the rescue effort to bring them out of the mining cave had begun, months before any of the experts thought it would happen, all men alive and in fairly good health. Hearing this good news made my heart sore for the men, their families and for the world. 

In a world... where we pit the haves and have nots, one nation against another nation, where we refuse to understand one another's ways before passing judgment because they  are not like us - people had come together in a effort to save lives and reunite families. Chile is a relatively newly developed nation and their government knew enough to stay out of things and let the professionals do their work. No nightly finger pointing on the news while men sweat away their lives in a pit in the earth. Oh there is bound to be confrontation after the rescue is over, but for the last two months, the rescue and well being of these men has been the only concern of all involved. And this morning at 7:30am CST, 12 men had been rescued and the rest of the operation was going well. Hurray!!!! Hurray for the Chilean people, the experts, the men, and for the world. We are better today because we came together in an act humanity to save our fellows. No blood shed, no guns, no politics.

It is nice to know that in this world....  a middle aged (slightly fleshy and obviously opinionated) woman can sit safely in her home at night, following her passion, knitting away and watch the miracle of humanity's great capabilities many thousands of miles away. That's the world I want for my god-children, my nieces and nephews, great-nephews and for all of your children as well.

Knit on my friends - bring peace and joy where you can.

Peace and joy to you all....and to our brothers and sisters in Chile as well...
The Green Girl.

No More Hints...

Dear Santa, Santa's Helper, Interested Party...
    Hi - It' the Green Girl. I know it's been a while since you received an official letter of request from me, but I hope that you have space to fit me back onto your list. I try to be good, but as you know a little too much stress and I have been known to turn the air blue. Sorry about that. I turn back to you because it seems that no one can take a hint around here. I knit - everyone knows I knit - I even leave pictures around the house of items that would fit in my stocking (hand knit of course) and for items that would fit under the tree. However, it's a no go - not a skein, needle set, loom, or tape measure to be had. So, now I am making it official. I would like nothing more for Christmas that knitty things. Gift cards to craft of yarn stores would be gladly accepted.

Thanks for your help and peace and joy to you now and in the new year.
The Green Girl

_____________________________________________

I decided that since we all listen to children when they ask for certain things at the holidays, we knitty people should be heard as well.  I'm even going as far as to make a specific list for the DH and family. If they feel that they want to give me a give at the holidays, please choose from the list. I don't want to hear that I'm going to far.... Nonsense! Like I said we listen to children's requests all the time. Why not mine. This should make things easier, not harder. There's always someone in the family that you have a hard time finding a gift for, well you can check me off the difficult list. I'm now easy peasy!!! Of course it is my self-imposed rule that all gifts are received with love and kept. If someone thinks enough of me to give me a gift, I'll think enough of them to keep it.

So, to all my knitty friends - stand up or rather sit down and write out your holiday wish list. No messing about - sign, seal and deliver to all acceptable parties. Ask for their list in return. I bet there are many folks that would love to hand out their own list at the holidays, but are too embarrassed. You can lead the way!!! And remember Santa like cookies and milk (or vodka = grown-up cookies and milk.)

Hugs and sending you all peace and joy for the holiday season and the new year to come.....
The Green Girl.

Time for Another Haiku....

I'm starting to reach my max stress level. I'm to the point of having mini crying jags for no reason (this is my sign of stress overboard.) There is so much going on right now that I can't even clear my brain enough to write a blog of any real interest. Ugh!!! It's just life - lots of life right now and I'll get through it all. Just hang in there a good blog post will be forthcoming this week.



For now, I'll try my hand at another knitting haiku.....

Yarn, Yarn, Everywhere
Be it thick or be it thin
Brings comfort to all...


Peace and joy to you all....
The Green Girl

If You Have to Have a Creedo....

Title: Line from "National Lampoons Vacation" with Chevy Chase.

As the Green Girl it only seemed right that I would adopt, "Defy Gravity" as my creedo. I actually have a rubber bracelet with these words as well and I use to wear it before every exam I took, paper I wrote, or research proposal I put forth. And now as I prepare to launch my Northwest Trek pattern collection, these words once again motivate me to be proud of myself, do my best, and have a thick skin just in case. ;>)

In the picture, the piece sticking out of the top is a hint of Cascade Forest, a pattern in the new collection. And it is only a hint, the best part is still hidden (that's intentional by the way.) This tote is my current large or multiple project knitting bag, so I am reminded of this creedo on a regular basis and trust me this is a good thing. As many artist's will understand, creating is a freeing, wonderful experience, but it's best pal is often self-doubt and it likes bite you right in the bum just when you are feeling your best. I just try to remember to put on my Wonder Woman cuffs and grab my magic lasso and be as defiant as possible (sometimes, a glass of port and some Ghirardelli  chocolate/caramel squares help, too.)

Getting ever closer to launch day for the collection. Hands are hurting and elbow is stiff (a little tendinitis), but I continue to go forth and be knitty. Tonight is a bit of a treat though as it is movie night with my nephew, Nic. Pizza and installment three of the Tinker Belle series. He told me that even though he's nine now and really into his guy stuff, he loves his aunty and will  always watch a Tinker movie with me so that I have company. Ah, if they would only stay little, but what a kind thing to say. I love that kid and I'm so glad he's my nephew. He truly has the kindest heart, for that matter so does his older brother, Jason. In that way they remind me of my maternal grandfather and there couldn't be anyone better for the boys to take after. Anyway, enough aunty pride, after our movie and dinner, I'll settle back into my knitting. I have two of the pieces blocking and two on the needles, and all  the patterns written waiting for final pictures and edits. The finish line looms.

Peace and joy to you all....
The Green Girl

Northwest Trek......

Hi Folks - Yes, that's the name of the new collection, "Northwest Trek." I cannot forget my lovely home in Seattle for 21+ years just because we've moved to Chicago-land the home of our births. This collection is smaller than in years past, but is more meaningful to me personally than any other that I've created.

"Northwest Trek" consists of two scarf and two cowl patterns with names like "Northern Lights, The Palouse, Alki Beach, and the Cascade Forest. With each pattern there is a little story regarding it's name place and two options for yarn choices (one high end - one budget friendly, but good quality.) I would put all of these patterns in the "easy" category so that any knitter from beginner to experienced can easily knit up these little delights for holiday gifts or for their own use. I mean, we all know that we must have a new scarf for the season. The accessory can make the coat look new, lovely and festive, As the fashion industry tells us that this season ruffles are all the rage, there is a nod to the ruffle without being a full frill fest.

That's the latest news. Look for the patterns to be published within the next 5-7 days through Ravelry. Part of the proceeds for this collection will be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Peace and joy to you all....
The Green Girl.

Water, Water, Everywhere and a Flu Shot to Boot.....

It's now Sunday and I can look back on the last two days with a little bit of detachment. All the drama started on Friday morning. I woke at the usual time and as I went out the kitchen I noticed that DH had many pantry items sitting out on the counter and the table. I also noticed a few drops of water on the floor. What happened? It's too early still to add these things up and come up with the appropriate answer all on my own. DH then walks in from the laundry room and informs me that the hot water overflow valve decided to open all on it's own and dump about 2 gallons of water all over the pantry floor. Let's Celebrate This..... I should explain that the reason it wasn't 30 gallons of water is because we have this tres' chic hot water on demand system. Apparently used widely in Europe. Just a little 2x3 foot box anchored to the wall with a couple of small pipes. And the best part - no one gets cold in the shower when someone else flushes the toilet and you can take a looong hot shower and never run our of hot water (that's what Friday night or Sunday morning showers are for.) It's basically a girls dream to never run out of hot water. On the practical side it is more economic as it doesn't sit around keeping 30 gallons of water hot 24/7. It's the whole cake and eat it too, thing. Yeah!!!

Moving on - apparently when this system was installed two years ago, it was not installed to code. Meaning, the installer,(which may have been my dad, so I'm going to nice here) didn't run a hard pipe from the overflow valve to a drain in floor or a bucket on the floor. The valve just comes out three feet from the floor ready to splash hot water all over my belongings and it did. Ruined about 200.00 worth of food and small appliances and then there was the repair work cost that DH had to do on Saturday morning. Praise for the DH as he did a spectacular job of bringing the installation up to code and running the pipe into a small bucket on the floor. That was a task worth celebrating.Then later in the day I completely re-organized the pantry, which was something I'd been meaning to do. No, no, no, don't say it was a good thing then that the water valve broke. It wasn't, it just forced me to take time from other important tasks and do this task earlier than planned. It's done now though and can be checked off the Autumn To Do list.

Before the pantry re-org happened on Saturday and while DH was busy with his domestic chores, I flew the coup picked-up my SIL and we had a bit of girls morning. We had breakfast, did the Friends and Family Sale at Michael's Crafts (non-knitted holiday gifts and cards were purchased with discount for .80cents a piece - Hurray) and then we did the responsible, but non-fun thing for the day and went to Walgreens and got our Flu shots. SIL gets hospitalized with respiratory illness quite easily in the Winter and we're hoping that this vaccine will help keep that at bay this year. I on the other hand am required to get said shot in order to get my mid-year observation check-up at the cancer center. Since that appointment is in December and that's flu season, all patients are required to get the shot in order to keep from passing the germs onto some of the rather extremely ill patients. I'm fortunate, I'll be 3.5 years out from my cancer surgery at my next appointment and except for dealing with my own personal global warming and loss of all my hair (brought on early by the hormone changes from the surgery and family trauma) I am doing really well. Yeah! Let's Really Celebrate This... However, some of the patients that I see on my visits are quite ill and I don't want my germs to get the better of my fellow sojourners as they are fighting their battles. Think about that the next time you decide not to get your flu shot. Who's life might you be endangering beside your own. Food for thought and end of public service announcement.

Autumn is really here - it's been cool for days and I'm wearing my 5$ Hanes sweat shirts in the house now and yummy woolly socks. No furnace yet, that would be giving in too soon - it's still 64 degrees in the house. Plenty of time for the furnace later on in the season.  Odd thing is I thought it was freezing in here back in the summer when it was 74-75 degrees inside while 90+ outside. That's all still a mystery to me. Anyway, lots to do today - taking a vacation day from work tomorrow in order to do my real work - write my patterns and get them onto Ravelry. Look forward to tomorrows blog (not sure when it will post) but it will be all about the new collection and how to get your hot little hands on the patterns. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Peace and joy to you all...
The Green Girl