Back on the Needles

Maybe it just takes the first blast of winter weather to get the old knitting genes stirred up, or maybe just guilt and the lingering cry of the unfinished objects (UFOs). For whatever reason I found Faith's pair of socks, (OK, OK, 1 and .95 socks). The search for the pattern was successful and the toe on the second sock should be done tonight or for sure tomorrow.

Thanksgiving was pleasant. There were only seven people, but what we lacked in quantity, we more than made up for in quality. The food was tasty and the conversation was non-stop. A good time was had by all.

Book Group is Wednesday night, I had better start reading in earnest.

Dog Sees God and Sue Sees Blue

Last night friends and co-workers went to a local production of Dog Sees God.

We had a tasty dinner and enjoyed an off-Broadway-type play (ironically presented on Broadway).

Dog Sees God: An Unauthorized Parody of Peanuts Comic Strip

Title:	Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead
Venue:	Oracle Theatre (Chicago, IL)

When his dog dies, CB questions the existence of an afterlife. His friends offer no solace—his best friend is too burned out; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has been institutionalized; and his other pals are too inebriated. But a chance meeting with an artistic kid offers CB peace of mind and begins a friendship that will push teen angst to its limits.
____________________________________

That explains part one of the blog's title.

Sue Sees Blue because the condo I had my heart set on was sold. Someone else's offer was accepted. Oh well, another will show up.

I think I'll bury my sorrows in knitting. If we are going to move, I'll have to organize the stash and all the ephemera; might as well get started. Maybe I'll find Faith's missing and almost finished socks.

Where was I, What did I do?

I'm back, no thanks to my back.

This last lapse in posting was caused by my back. Several weeks ago, I managed to mess up my lower back by moving a heavy box and sitting in a wierd position for a few hours. Boy, do I regret it. I was in extreme, couldn't move pain. Managed to get to the doctor somehow. After some wonderful drugs, plenty of rest, and physical therapy, I'm back to what we laughingly call normal. PT will continue on a deminished schedule through the end of the month. Let's hear it for good health insurance. Unfortunately I used up much of my remaining vacation days. Oh well, at least I can move again.

There's no Joy in Chicago

I would rather not talk about the Cubs.

My brother sent some haiku that seemed appropriate.

Cubs are good – great hope!
Destiny can't be fooled
One hundred years more?

Cubs stink – this is true
Futility without peer
It must be God's plan

Cubs win! Great joy now
Whoops! Just three games – we are done
Order is restored

Yes! This is our year!
But the snake uncoils and strikes!
Rats! Wait 'til next year!

Could this be the year!?
Hopes, again, dashed on the rocks
History repeats

Hope, rocketing high!
But fate has different plans
Its same old, same old

Pain! Gloom! Despair! Tears!
Why? Oh why must they do this?
We were born to lose!

There, the iceberg looms
The Cubs, sail forth, unaware
Damn! Abandon ship!

The play is scripted
The Cubs must follow their part
Fate can be cruel

Food, Politics, Knitting

It finally happened! I made it to the head of the list and got my invitation to join Ravelry. It is well worth the wait.

A friend just sent me this link.
You answer a few questions then click the 'find your candidate button' and the program selects the candidate who's position on the issues is most like your own...
You may be surprised at what you find... (I wasn't surprised.)

Last Sunday was our monthly gathering of the Gourmet Group. It was a wonderful evening. Because of our beautiful weather, we were able to have our hors d'oeuvre on the lawn and the rest of the meal on their deck. Perfect.

Say Cheese.

Last night, Gene and I went to our local artisan cheese shop for a class called "Cheese 101". An interesting evening. We listened, tasted, asked and enjoyed our way through the basic types of cheese.

Gourmet Group is this Sunday, we have to bring salad and dessert. I'm sure that there will be some cheeses included.

I'm moving up the Ravelry list. Here is today's status. Impatient? Me? Impatient??

"If you've added your name to the invite request list on our front page then you can use this form to check your place in line.

You signed up on July 31, 2007
You are #22093 on the list.
4285 people are ahead of you in line.
14063 people are behind you in line.
49% of the list has been invited so far"

The line is moving. If they started at zero, that would mean that over 36,000 knitters have signed up so far. Wow, that is a lot of yarn.

Summertime and the Livin' is...

This has been a busy summer, with lots of small activities instead of a major occasion.

My brother came to town and we spent a lovely day seeing sights and going to a Drum and Bugle contest. My cousin Ric came to town and we spent several evenings with Ric and Carol and assorted relatives. The annual trip to Loda with the gourmet Group was peaceful, pleasant, tasty and relaxing. What could not be great about a day at a house on a lake with abundant good food and great friends and no pressure? The usual two birthdays, 8/15 for Abe and 8/19 for me. A new to us car, thanks to Harold's mother-in-law. It is a 1999 Saturn SL1 , silver gray with an astonishing 24,000 miles. I'm continuing to make and sell jewelry.

The biggest thing on our agenda is organizing the apartment so that it is showable and looking for a new condo. We are being picky because we don't want to move again, once every 30+ years is enough.

For my birthday, Gene and Abe got together and got a Magellan GPS unit. Love it. Now we have to go on a road trip to use it. Thanks guys.

Yesterday, some monster storms came through Chicago and caused a lot of damage. Many, many trees came down, power was (and in some cases, still is) out, roads flooded and general mayhem prevailed. The lovely russian olive tree that the garden group planted on Grace street was totally destroyed. Very sad, we had planted it as a sapling at least 15 years ago and it had grown to be a beautiful tree that always reminded me of my friends Tom & Peter. It was planted on the parkway outside their apartment, where they could enjoy it. They moved to Washington DC many years ago and I always thought of it as a permanent link to them.