A toe to go...

I have only one toe to knit before I have a new pair of socks to wear! 

Then...I will start a new project...or perhaps...two!  One will be another pair of beaded wristlets in pink.  Nancy S. helped me find the soft color of pink I was looking for, and I ordered it from Loopy Ewe.  I also order a light peach color, wondering if I would like that for another lacy fingerless glove pattern I want to try.  Oh, and the blue...well, that's another yarn that has been waiting patiently to be cast on the needles to become a lacy scarf.  It sneaked into the picture...so maybe it's losing its patience!

School is back in session...

...But I couldn't be happier out of the classroom!  I enjoyed that long chapter of my life, but am so glad to have turned the page.

This post is putting a spotlight on a memorable year in our school's history.  We were able to build a brand new building for our 6-12 students, and the rooms were ready in August of 1994.  The old building was falling down around us, and I was ready to spend my working hours in a modern building!! (My old room had two electrical outlets: one in the front of the room, and one in back.)  So here I am, probably having finished getting my room ready for the first day of school.

I also taught Drama and directed our productions.  Our first dinner-theatre production on the new stage was "Stop And I'll Catch You," a two-act comedy of the roaring twenties, by Bill Van Horn.  The show had a cast of 24.  As you can see, I had some tough female characters...and some guys (Government Agents) dressed as flappers to catch the gangsters. What fun times! 

Kelli G., Rebekah P., Heather J. (a female gang)

Ryan M., Jade H., Lance S., Micah V.

Moving on so soon?

Since I started feeding birds this summer, I noticed that in July and early August, I had lots of birds at the feeder at most any time of the day.  I was buying bird seed like crazy! 

And then, just a few days ago, it appeared that they all left the country.  The bird feeder has had no birds vying for their spot to peck at the seeds.  I spotted a couple of birds yesterday, but they didn't stop by for even a quick snack.  I noticed they looked rather rotund...so maybe they've stored up enough fat for a long flight.  I don't know.  I'm pretty ignorant about what's happening.

 A friend stated that he thought that sparrows and doves stayed around for the winter and did not migrate long distances.  So, what's happened to them?  Have they gone to some nearby field where they are eating fresh seeds, worms, or whatever, leaving my commercial feed for later? 

I'm missing the birds that were daily visitors...

Young bunny

"Oh, it's you again.  I was hesitant at first, but then I decided I could easily hop over the low barricade you had in the gap in the gate.  Yeah, I had to give it a try after I saw that you put a log in front of the holes in the chain-link fence."

"It is so nice to sit and nibble in your shaded grass.  So, I was looking forward to hanging out here again this evening.  Hmmm.  I'm thinking you may not see me if I am statue-still.  It sure worked yesterday.  I watched you watering the trees.  And doing some weeding. 

"You just went back for your camera?  Sure, I'll pose for you if that's all you want.  You want a close-up?  No problem."

Oh, so now you've opened the gate?  Wait a minute, I think you're up to something, and you're getting a little close.  Hey, how about a picture of me nestled in a soft spot in the grass?  You think I'm adorable, right?   Uh-oh.  Got to go."

Sweater-shawl update

Although it's been slow...I have been making progress on the sweater-shawl that was commissioned by a friend.  And since fall is fast approaching, I'm wanting to get it finished for her.  Now that I'm on the "sleeves" portion, it is going faster.  Not having to move so many stitches on the needle has made it easier.  That cotton yarn just has no give!  But, I think it's going to be a nice garment.

Under the Ramshorn

I was at an elevation of 9,395 ft. looking up at Ramshorn Peak (11,635 ft) from the Burroughs Creek Loop Trail.  What a view from here.  Yes, I could even see the Grand Tetons, even though smoke from forest fires had swept into the area.  They were too faint to show up in my camera, so I zeroed in on a closer, jagged ridge instead. 

I heard this song performed...
And today it's an inspirational entry on my page...

Picture of God
Lyrics by Mindy Jostyn and Jacob Brackman
Music by Mindy Jostyn

If the world were a picture of God
What would the picture show?
His numberless colors and features and forms
Blessing us more than we know

The mountains portray His towering strength
The sun, His comfort and light
The stars blaze with His permanence
Guiding the sailor at night


If the world were a picture of God
What would the picture show?
The countless designs of His infinite Mind
Blessing us more than we know

The sea announces His majesty
Breezes whisper His tenderest care
Wheat fields sway with His delicate grace
Forest is fragrant and fair

What if our wondrous world were a screen?
Only a trace of a world unseen
Only a hint of our Father revealed
Dazzling beauty, compassionate, real

The animals echo His endless ideas
Each one different and right
The dawn so refreshing, the sunset so calm
The mysterious circle of night

If the world were a picture of God
What would the picture show?
His consummate plan, His masterly hand
Blessing us more than we know

Copyright 2005 Say No More Publishing (BMI) & Maya Productions LTD. (ASCAP)

Let's Dance

Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass.

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

~Vivian Greene

Red Rocks

So often I have taken a picture of the Red Rocks near Dubois as I've traveled, looking west.  But on my last trip, a few days ago, I stopped to take a picture, looking east.    It's a rather remarkable view!

Waiting for rough water...

Sunday afternoon I invited a friend to got to the lake and ride my jet ski.  She'd never been on a jet ski...and it was on her "bucket list."  So, for me it was a no-brainer to ask her to check that one off! 

It was a beautifully hot, sunny afternoon, but clouds had already gathered on the western horizon and were threatening to do something.  But that was OK; I'd be watching the weather closely.  We put the jet ski in the water, and I gave the grand tour of Ocean Lake.  The water was warm and mirror smooth.

After a couple hours, the clouds  moved in, and it was obviously raining in scattered areas near the mountains to the south and to the north of us.  But it was perfectly warm and still where we were.  I was really surprised that the wind had not kicked up...as it usually does.  I made this remark several times.  If I had wanted smooth water to ski, the wind would have picked up the minute we got to the lake!!  But, the water was like glass.  I suggested we watch the weather for a little bit from shore...but nothing changed.  So, then I suggested that my friend take the jet ski out on her own and play around a bit.  She did.  And within 5 minutes the wind kicked up...suddenly...as per usual.  She came racing back to shore.

 We got the ski turned around,  and together we headed for the forming white caps to have a wild ride. It's a blast driving in rough water!  First, I went in the direction of the wind, hitting the waves head on.  We hit a few troughs and tips of waves that sent water splashing down on us!  Exhilarating!  Then I turned the ski in the opposite direction to ride the waves.  We were getting launched off some sizable whitecaps, getting bounced around and  sprayed. Repeat: into the wind...then with the wind. Yahoo!  We were screaming and laughing at the thrills. 

Yep, we hit it just right...getting to ride on smooth water and rough!! 

After we were played out, we decided to load the ski on the trailer, and with the waves, it took both of us.  But what fun. 

She found me...

I don't have a Facebook page, but she found me anyway.  You just can't hide from a good internet search!  It probably helps that I haven't moved.  Anyway, I got a phone call a couple evenings ago...asking if I was the Nancy that she knew from the college we attended in the midwest.  Yes.  But who was this???  Sue!?!  OMG!  Fantastic!

Sue and me...a college reunion... along Trail Lake Road.

Hadn't heard from her in oh, nearly 30 years.  And she and her companion were traveling through on their way to Yellowstone and beyond.  So as not to interrupt their plans too much, I asked if we could meet on their way to Dubois, and I would take them on a brief "off road" excursion to see the petroglyphs near Ring Lake in Whiskey Basin. 

So that's what we did.  Sue rode with me in the truck from Crowheart Store to a turn-out on the Trail Lake Road.  The question was posed, "Can we catch up on 30 years in 30 minutes????"  Oh yeah!  It was a blast! 

Thanks, Sue, for making the effort to contact me and take the time to reconnect after all these years!  Continue down "happy trails..."

A song of hope...

Here's a song for Thursday... one of my favorites.  It's a song of hope, and was evidently written by Paul McCartney in response to the civil rights movement.  I love the melody and the lyrics, and I have played it so, so many times on the piano at home and a couple times in public, as a piano duet and accompanying a soloist.   Let me share the first verse today.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings...and learn to fly;

All your life...you were only waiting for this moment to arise. 

"Blackbird"

Words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Off the needles...on the wrist

The first of the Victorian  beaded cuffs is off the needle.  It took a bit to connect the two ends with the Kitchener stitch, but it sure made a pretty seam.  Now to string more beads on the yarn to complete cuff #2.  Wouldn't a pair to match your fall or winter coat be just the ticket??

Last to know...

Little sparrow, what are you looking for?  

What did you spot midst rocks and grass?

It appears you employed friends to help find it...

Or are they just curious...looking for something to do?

You are all so busy looking...it must be important.

You do not even notice a doe antelope and her two fawns

Poking around nearby...nosing green vegetation where little remains.

The fawns are big enough now that they are being taught to watch,

To stay near mama, to run when given the signal.

 

Perhaps you two, sparrow and antelope, have already spoken, 

And I'm the last to know that you are already aware of each other's presence,

And you are happily enjoying it.

 

On a roll...knitting Victorian Beaded Cuffs

1896 Beaded Cuffs to Knit by Carol Huebscher Rhoades,  Piecework July/Aug 2013

I'm on a roll, alright...I've got 3 projects on needles...and for me that's more than usual.  I'm on a mission to finish these beaded cuffs ASAP and get them in the display case at CWC to advertise a class this fall that I will be offering. 

The pattern calls for stringing 418 beads on to the yarn for the first cuff or wristlet.  I thought it would take forever, but it didn't...only about 30 min.  In fact the beads went on very quickly and move across this sock yarn (Wildfoote in Master Grey) so smoothly.   

These beaded cuffs are knit flat (I decided to go up to size 1 needles), and then the edges will be joined with the Kitchener stitch, picking up stitches along the (left) cast-on edge to create live stitches on both ends.  I've just completed the top half of the piece and have started repeating the pattern for the under-side.  Another fun knit!

Fair Isle Knitting...the conclusion

I finished the Fair Isle neck cowl in record time.  This project went so quickly!!  And it was fun.  Now it's all washed and blocked and has been turned in to the Riverton R office to be displayed in the showcase for those who may be interested in signing up for the class this fall. 

The cowl seems to be just the right size in circumference for a nice fitting garment.  It goes easy over the head and yet sits snugly enough around the neck. So, I have to say this is a good pattern, and I'd use it again in a heartbeat. The yarn is soft, and I think this neck cowl is going to be great to fend off cooler temps... 

Now...on to knitting those beaded wristlets...