Guest blogger

I am most pleased to present to you a guest blogger, Sharon, who is a master potter in many ways and to have her share with my Mom and me her expertise in the field of potter and excitement with us on a Friday night in South Georgia topped off the evening. And here she is! Thanks Sharon.

I'm just finishing the last bite of a fairly decent tuna sandwich and my mind is rummaging through all the memories of the neat things I did last night with Cathy and Jo Ann (Cathy's Mom). It was a night of great camaraderie. Even the hour-long drive to and from Thomasville was fun. We chatted about everything, though knitting was a strong recurring theme. The evening's mission: dinner and a classical concert.

Upon arriving in Thomasville , we headed to George and Louie's for dinner. It was quite scrumptious; Cathy and her mom ordered the Gyro and I had the Oyster Poor Boy. G & L's has fried green tomatoes, a delicious and unusual menu offering, and their onion rings are the best. We ordered both to round out our meal. Filled to the brim, and the happier for it, we set our sights for the Thomasville Cultural Center for a concert by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and the Miami String Quartet. It was a wonderful performance. You could tell the musicians were enjoying it as well. Cathy is mastering the art of knitting socks on two circular needles and she showed me her latest work while we were waiting for the program to begin. Doggoned! We should have gotten a version of, "the sock was here", picture.

Anyway...

In addition to the concert, the Cultural Center was hosting an exhibit of pottery from regional collections. My father, Ralph Weaver, had 4 of his original pieces on exhibit and my husband and I had contributed a Lanier Meaders face jug to the show(shown below).

The exhibit was being taken down in a few days and I was afraid I would miss it. As it happened, the pottery was displayed on the floor we entered, and we had plenty of time to see it before the program started....


Cathy, Joe Ann and I wandered through the exhibit, enchanted by the details, imaginative motifs and sheer variety of claywork, when I exclaimed,

"That looks like a Picasso!"

I pointed to a large white plate-form with the abstract image of a face sculpted on it. Knowing how artists "borrow" ideas from other artists, I never dreamed it could be an original. It was! There were three more very nice examples of his clay work as well. His is the name that would lend this display distinction with most people.

However, two other artists of much greater stature in the pottery world were also represented, to my great delight: Shoji Hamada, (a press-formed bottle and platter), and Bernard Leach, (a temmoku glazed vase-form). These, in my opinion were the jewels of the show. Not only because they were lovely pieces, but because they represented the works of two influential men in the Craft-Art Movement. I have perused Leach's publications, A Potter's Book, over and over, studied pictures of their pottery extensively, but never seen either of their artwork in person. Hamada was even awarded the title of National Living Treasure by his country. Yes, I guess I am swooning. It was wonderful show, and every piece in the exhibit was a treat. I was especially proud that my dad's work was represented there.
As a potter who hasn't made any pots in a long, long time, this exhibit made me yearn to play in the mud again.

Saturday Night Blog

Naomi and Ellen,
On my meanderings along the way of blogdom....

Education Wonks is a new blog I discovered this week with a postings of educational finds around the internet along with a commentary.

Knitting Episcopalians is a new ring, new blog!

Also, bloggers are making headlines by getting together and writing a devotional book for Advent devotionals!

A Light Blazes in the Darkness:Advent Devotionals from An Intentional Online Community

On Sale now for $9.99! down from retail price of $12.99.



Last, but not least, Florida Cracker focuses on hurricane victims down in Florida.

Working on 2 circulars to knit a sock. Have cupped the heel and working round the bend. Pictures forthcoming.

Y'all have a good weekend,
Cathy

Cozy socks

Ellen and Cathy,
Cathy your sock is pretty. One down one to go. Ellen, your socks are beautiful and this mornng a pair of them would have felt wonderful. They are very impressive. I am re-learning to knit but a long way from tackling socks. It has been 30 years since I last knitted. Two simple shawls are in progress now plus the red scarf.
Yes, Joe Ann and I had a delicious lunch at the courtyard. My favorite cream of asparagus soup was on the menu and we had the portabello mushroom and ricotta quiche with it. I doubt that either of you watched "Mary Hartman Mary Hartman" on TV in the 70s but the coach drowned in a bowl of Mary's chicken soup. Ever since then I have used the expression "I could happily drown in a bowl of 'this'" to indicate pleasure in a dish and their cream of asparagus soup is in that category. Still the best place to eat in Bainbridge.
Ellen, your organizing your stash is commendable. My stash and tools are scattered in three rooms plus the attic. Family members placed my stash in the attic last fall and I am still trying to find all of it. I have a crocheted afgan that is near completion that I would like to find and finish for the bazaar. Unfortunately the attic access ladder is off limits for me right now.
Both doctors were pleased with my progress so it more therapy and my goal is to walk independly by the end of the year.
Happy knitting.
Naomi

All My SOCK

Ellen and Naomi,

That's right - all my SOCK - my one lonely sock that I have knitted and in need of a mate.

Finished... now it is crying for it's other half, and I know I need to get it done. I have a deep sense of accomplishment in getting it done, but will even have a deeper sense of relief when the 2nd half is completed.

See Ellen, I wonder when you are getting all these socks done. I spend much of my time getting STARTED on the sock, being careful not to ladder, not to twist the row on the first go round and remembering to K1, P1 for an inch without messing up.

Oh, and why does the sock seem to be suspended in space without its surroundings? After looking at my "ashy legs" and their need for becoming groomed, I thought that the sock should be in the limelight without any thing to detract from it.
What did I learn? Here is my list:

• never give up attempting to complete a sock
• pull tightly between each needle
• watch which needle you pull and select as the "empty" needle when you finish a row.
• watch an online video of how the heel and gusset work
• get 2 sets of needles and pace your socks...do the leg on one, then the leg on the other..the heel on one...then the other. Never again do I want to suffer from SSS - Second Sock Syndrome

It looks as though your kids are enjoying the socks. Do they know to wash them while taking a shower?
Ellen, it got nippy before the fair this year....got to pull out the long underwear...call me a weather wimp.
I know Naomi has been busy as a bee flitting about town seeing doctors and checking out the grub again. I heard my mom and she had a good meal at the Courtyard.. YUM! Naomi will tell you what they cooked up for lunch today!

PTO meeting tonight!
Cathy

All My Socks

Dear Cathy and Naomi - How about them socks? Here they are being modeled by Alexa, Camille, and Mark. It has gotten cold enough in New York to make wool socks seem like a good idea.
My own wool socks (Sock Garden in Morning Glory) are close to being finished, and this morning they would have felt good.

Naomi, I'm glad you are back in blogland! It's a shame your recovery period was so unpleasant and unproductive. I hope you are knitting and gardening soon.

I am so tired of having my knitting supplies spread out in several rooms, and having the implements in a big plastic bin with some yarn, that I bought a three-drawer plastic storage cart this weekend and moved everything to it. The top drawer contains needles and other tools, the middle drawer is sock yarn, and the bottom drawer contains the rest of the stash. There is not much room left for yarn, so I 'll try to finish a few things before adding more. I made a good start over the weekend on a Knitty pullover. I'm using two strands of Zephyr 2/18 on #9 needles, and plan to make it a little longer than the pattern indicates. What I think will be a good thing about this pattern is that when the back is finished, the piece is about half complete.

Yesterday while I was cleaning the kitchen I was watching (sort of) that trashy made for TV movie about Martha Stewart. There was a scene where she snidely points out an error in a fellow inmate's knitting, but her comment was, "You missed a bar on your cross stitch." Does this sound like knit-speak to you? I think any screenwriter who makes a knitting reference should at least check with a real knitter to ensure that it makes sense!

Gotta flit! Take care and get strong (Naomi) and mellow (Cathy).

Ellen

Naomi returns to blogdom

Cathy and Ellen,
My blogger has been out of commission for a while. I carried a large bag of yarn and needles to the hospital so I could knit as I convalesced. After all surgery on a knee should not interfere with knitting. True, but the combination of medicines I received carried me to la la land complete with hallucinations and paranaoia for several days. At some point I decided I was ready to knit and worked on the red scarf I am making. Fortunately I soon tired and retired the knitting. When I felt braver I rolled out the knitting bag and could not believe my eyes. At the last Tuesday night kint-in the scarf and I were there. When I pulled it out of the bag everyone asked "what is that?" My only reply was "I have no idea" but Cathy came to the rescue and the scarf is on target again. I think I will continue building my strength for a few more days before I resume knitting.
cheers. Naomi

10/22/05 Saturday Night Blog and more

Cathy's Blog travels
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For an unconventional garden, check out Irenic Thoughts
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For several months, I have wanted to know what the terms "bling bling" is - now I found a place that can provide information for these "new words" that folks throw around and assume everyone knows. So, if you wanted to know what "bling bling means, go here:

Bling Bling - so now you know.
*****
There seems to be a never ending amount of knitting blogs. This I found this week:
Stitchy McYarnPants
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Joy of Socks - sometimes one can have too many socks
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Last but not least, a place to carve your pumpkin without the mess:
Carve a pumpkin

Mishap

Naomi and Ellen,
I took a break from working on a sock to start up a scarf for middle child of mine that wants a red scarf. I was plugging nicely along, and since it has some k3 tog and k2 tog it pulls a little bit and it gets a little cattywampus looking - so since it is Wool-Ease and has some acrylic with lambswool, I thought I best see how it might give and take...well as I was doing that, I noticed this:

Well, I am thankful that I had gone no further than I had, but not a happy camper. So off to tink I go.
Think I will bring some socks for those little bits of time that need filling.

Cathy

The View from Columbia

Here are just two of the beauties of the Riverbank Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC. On Oct. 14 I was at the gate when the garden opened for business, and I stayed until after noon, taking pictures and wondering if there is room for these beauties in my own garden. The pitcher plants (Dana's Delight, above) were looking carniverous and spry. There is a large collection of old roses, including Rosa "Natchitotches," a noisette that was found in Natchitoches Parish, LA in 1714. Surely I can find room for this one.

This garden is operated by the South Carolina Extension Service which is part of Clemson University. I had a nice talk with a Master Gardener while I was there; we discussed ring nematodes, among other things.

Thanks to some quality knitting time on the trip, the Hydrangea shawl is finally complete. It is my first, and possibly last, adventure in lace knitting. the pictures show it before, during, and after blocking. The effect of blocking is so gratifying that I'm tempted to knit lace again. In this climate the shawl season is pretty limited, though.

While I was in Columbia I visited one yarn shop (Hooks and Needles) and bought more sock yarn for myself and my husband. He was wearing self-patterning socks on the way home, and the airport security guard just had to comment on them. Gary stuck up for his hand-knit socks. What a guy!

While Columbia is a nice city, there is something passing strange about South Carolina's morbid obsession with the past. On the interior wall of the rotunda of the state capitol there is a big marble placque engraved with the Ordinance of Secession. In front of the building is a large statue of a confederate soldier and a confederate flag, both of which are lit up at night. It is as though they think fighting against the United States was the finest thing South Carolinians ever did.

Cathy, the flower you posted is indeed an hibiscus, Hibiscus mutabilis. I used to have one but did not realize how big it would get and planted it too close to the driveway. They are so beautiful this time of year.

Does anyone recognize this plant? It was in the garden in Columbia but it was not tagged and no one was around to ask. It was about 3' tall, and the long narrow leaves do not belong to it.

Gotta run now. I may start a new knitting project tonight; a sock on needles is not enough of a challenge.

Ellen

10/15/05 Saturday Night Blog

Ellen's Sightings in Blogdom:
Ellen has the week off as she travels the south - bet she hits a yarn shop or two.
Naomi is home now and recovering nicely. She will be returning soon.

Cathy's Sighting in BlogWorld:

Knitters and Blogdom Unite! USA Today has recognized the community and power of the Knitting blog.

Lutheran Chik posts Friday Botanical Blogging - I think we could start a botanical blogging for our neck of the woods - oh how we could see the differences as the seasons change.

Norma, a most prolific blogger, posts her thoughts on Social Security, and the inequities and dysfunction of the system.

Sightings in my back yard:


This is what we call a cotton rose, and I have two cobloggers that can help me on this, but the stamen sure looks like this is a member of the hibiscus family (though you can't see it in the photo - sorry).

Potpourri

Ellen and Naomi,

First, rumor has it that Naomi is to be home in the next day or two with her new knee. After almost 2 weeks in the hospital, I know she will be glad to be home and I KNOW she will be glad to post on this blog and to read it. I know that we have been limping along here without her (no pun intended in light of Naomi's bad knee that should be good as new).

First, the bathroom - I can't believe you don't have storage under the sink - I want storage where ever I can find it. Where do you put STUFF if you have no place to put it??? That almost makes me want to panic, and then I realize I don't have to worry about it :)

On your idiosyncracies, I must address and comment -

* I find the older I get, the less I want to shop with others. There are a few people I can shop ok with -- actually my husband is good to shop with. He goes with the flow and makes me a happy camper.
* Bed making is a waste of time - we are hit and miss in that chore. Mostly miss.
* Have you read Swimming in Antarctica? The author, Lynne Cox, a long distance swimmer, swims not only for distance, but in waters that no person in their right mind would attempt.
She also swims in the Bering Strait - interesting read for those that like human endurance stories. To top it off she swam these cold waters in her 40s.

The socks are lovely, I thought you would have them by your shower phone...
Naomi, look forward to your arrival back to blogdom.
Ellen, see you at Trinity tomorrow.
Cathy

A little chance for charity knitters

Ellen, Naomi, and I are participating in Cloths for Katrina knitting project. Naomi is on sabbatical at the moment, working on creating more havoc at airport scanning devices as she becomes more bionic.

Anyway, we would like to see what other folks are knitting for charity. Some of you are Cloths for Katrina Knitters, while others will be knitting for other organizations (I found this link for charity knitting, which includes some of the many organizations that accept donations).

Here is what we would like for you to do to participate in our drawing:

• Post a picture of your completed project on your blog
• Post the charity or organization to which you are giving the project
• Share with others that we are doing this and link back to our site
• Post a comment in the comment section so we can go to your site and enjoy what you are doing!

This is what we have in return. We will have a drawing on Nov. 1 - All Saints' Day for all of you saints out there for the work you do. We will draw for the following yarn:

and for those of you interested in Lace Knitting, perhaps this will entice you:
It's 70% Super Kid Mohair 25% nylon 5% wool. And scruptious.
This is some of my BEST stash, and I had intended to knit the Kiri Shawl, but that was not to be. So, I "branched" out into a smaller project and knitted this with the above yarn:

Branching Out is a lace scarf from Knitty.com. (Scarf is not part of drawing - it's what I knit with the yarn in the drawing.) It was my first attempt at lace knitting and I am looking forward to it again. This lace scarf is now in Ireland in her new home. A transplanted Floridian, she and her family decided to move to husband's stomping grounds. If I get a picture of it in that green country, I will post. However, to be eligible for this drawing, you must post your charity knitting on your blog and let us know!

Ellen, Naomi, and I are excited about this, because we know the good work that knitters do!
Look forward to seeing the goodies! Bring 'em on!

Sincerely,
Plays with pointy things bloggers....

Ribs and Tags

Dear Cathy and Naomi -
How about those Dancing socks? Now there are two, and they are on their way to the big city. I hope they go with Camille's new cashmere sweaters. We can only fantasize about sweaters, since it is still still steamy in the south. (Do you like that alliteration?) I have almost finished the first Sock Garden sock that I am making for myself in Morning Glory, and hope for wool sock weather in the next few weeks.

The bathroom project is sooo close to being complete. Here is the sink that became the centerpiece for the project! Please note: there is no storage space underneath, because this bathroom will not become junked-up. (Cue Scarlett O'Hara saying, "As God is my witness...")

Cathy, thanks for the tag. Between your and Lutheran Chik's idiosyncracies, I think most of mine are covered, but this is a chance for public introspection (is that an oxymoron?) Like you, Cathy, I'm sure my family would identify 5 other idiosyncrasies.

1. I don't mind being alone. While I don't want to be a hermit, or spend the winter in a cabin in the mountains, it doesn't bother me to spend several hours by myself on the weekends, or work pretty much independently at my office, or take long driving trips alone. I don't mind sightseeing by myself, and really prefer shopping alone. Conversely, being around a lot of people for a long time makes me tired and cranky.
2. I plan my Saturday activities aroung the local broadcast of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." My favorite panelists are Paula Poundstone and Roy Blount, jr., but I really love them all.
3. I've always thought bed-making is a waste of time and never do it, except when I change the sheets. I never made my kids make their beds.
4. I am better at finding solutions than giving sympathy.
5. I am fascinated by stories about Arctic and Antarctic exploration, and would someday like to visit Tierra del Fuego.

The Leon County extension service demonstration garden is having it's annual open house this Saturday, and yesterday all the master gardeners were there, getting the garden ready for company. I won't be there Saturday but I did my part yesterday, de-suckering the crape myrtles and pulling bahia grass out of the daffodil beds. Anybody interested in North Florida gardening is should come see what grows well here!

Well, Cathy, I'll see you in a few hours at our Angel's gig. I guess it wouldn't be polite to bring my knitting.

Ellen

Saturday Night Blog

What we are reading and seeing on the world of Blogdom:

Cathy wanderings:
LutheranChik's "L" Word Diary always has some interesting postings - her "Singing in the Reign" caught my attention as well as her silent retreat posting.

The Methodist Minister and Presbyterian Attorney's blog Hurricane Katrina - Mississippi Response offers a bird's eye view of those in the midst of cleaning up after the most costly hurricane/disaster in our nation's history. St. Casserole offers her perspective with tears and laughter from Lousiana (I would love to know where her blog name came from).

And, on the knitting front, At my Knit's End offers its readers a combination of knitting and politics with a good dose of wit. Her Karabella Konservative (10/02/2005 posting) sweater is quite the accomplishment and though I don't know if I would wear it to Nascar, as she mentions (hmmmmm.... me??? NASCAR?? Surely I jest), I think there are finer places to wear that piece of art.

Last but not least, a newly found blog for me is one of the most prolific posters that I have encountered - her postings are eclectic and diverse and one never knows what is going to be posted next. This week's 1600 The Nose have it is one of the more off the wall postings for the week. Norma, keep up the good work. No telling where 1600 is on her page - she will post several entries a day.

Ellen's findings:

My favorite blog is only new to me, but is worth sharing, nonetheless. Martian Anthropologist has a biting satire of the intelligent design controversy. As an aside, I could hardly bring myself to pretend to my own kids that the presents came from Santa Claus when they were little. One time, after hearing an appeal for contributions for Toys for Tots or some similar activity, one of my daughters asked why Santa Claus didn't just bring toys to the poor kids.

Road Trip!

"Road trip!" is one of my favorite lines from Legally Blond. I remember the excitement of heading out into the world with my Delta Gamma sisters or other friends in at Roanoke College. Well, last night my new knitting friend Martha and I made a road trip to participate in some interstate knitting. We met with some fellow Cloths for Katrina knitters (including Cathy and her mom) and talked, ate and knitted. What a great evening, even though it was a little more sedate than my undergrad road trips. My husband told our daughter, "Mom's on the knitting travel team."

Since Martha drove, I worked on the second Dancing sock on the out-bound trip. (Here is the first one, twining itself around the new bathtub faucet.) I've come to think of it as "the sock that won't end" because the twisted rib is so slow compared to lovely, mindless stockinette. I am so ready to cast on a pair of basic socks in Sock Garden for myself, especially since the weather is intimating autumn. Life is good when it is finally cool enough to wear wool socks!

I'm looking forward to hearing from all charity knitters. Please let us know what you are up to.

What City Do you belong in?

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city girl with a small town heart

Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome

Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand

And gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better? (hmmmmmm.... don't know about that!)


What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)

Not a "plain" old trip

Ellen and Naomi,
On the way to the workshop on Monday, I spotted a fence of what I thought might be morning glories, but they are not as large as the flower that I know of as the flower. Growing on a fence in front of a trailer, this plant has been there for a while. On my journey back on Tuesday, I stopped by and took this picture. Unfortunately, it was cloudy, so the flowers did not shine like they did the first morning, but pretty all the same – it covered the entired length of the fence and the flowers were pink, purple and white? Any clue to the name???

The four day workshop was very good – long, but good, and memorable in the fact that we were in this town:

Now, dear friends, Plains is a small town, very small and with the exception of a few stores that have antiques, Carter memorabilia, and a few eating establishments (no chains – all local restaurant/cafes), one is limited into what one can do. However, the Plains Inn is the charm in this small town. The name in itself is quite ordinary for an extraordinary place. Created from a renovated old warehouse, this inn is a bed and breakfast with each room decorated in a decades theme from the 1920s to the 80s. Each room has a distinct personality and relics from that particular decade. The 1950s room has the following:
All rooms were decorated by former first lady Rosalyn Carter and the renovations of the warehouse were done by Jimmy Carter along with some inmates. Each room had a notebook where guests could sign and tell a little about their stay and themselves. Truly a delight to read the stories of people visiting this little community.

Knitting did take place in the form of dishcloths for Katrina, along with a little sock work. However, I still don't have something right on the back of the sock, and it won't take much to rectify it. Unfortunately the knitter didn't get it right, because she thought there MUST be an error in the directions. Looking at a similar sock pattern, the first one must have been correct, so a little tinking never hurt anyone.

Naomi, I remember seeing the Cereus last year. It must be happy on your porch.
I have more pictures and more stories, but I am tired and will post more later.
Cathy

This'n'that

This is my third attempt. I manged to lose the first two.

The Cereus bloom is about 8 inches in diameter. If only there was a way to preserve it. It is completely closed by mid-morning.

Ellen the socks are impressive, awesome. Socks appear more difficult to me than lace knitting.

I was sorry to see the Bob Dylan special end last night and am looking forward to the second half tonight. While watching I complete my 4th washcloth and started a scarf.
Naomi

Irresistable Quiz

Dear Cathy and Naomi - According to this quiz I am Shetland Wool, "tough as nails and prone to intracacies." My daughter concurs, but only if "intracacies" means "quirkiness."










Here are the knitted surprises! Red socks, for the Red Sox fans of the family. I finished them in time for the playoffs, but right now it looks like the Red Sox will finish their season before the playoffs. I really enjoyed knitting the pair on the right. They are Knit Pick's Sock Garden in Geranium, and I used #1 dpns in a basic top-down pattern. The wool is a pleasure to knit. The dark red socks are Knit Picks Essential sock yarn, which struck me as adequate but not exciting.

Here is a glimpse of the no-longer-pink bathroom. I got it painted last week (in time to show off the tile and paint to our company) and the plumber is installing fixtures as I type. Maybe tomorrow there will be a picture of a claw-footed tub.

Naomi, I loved reading about your garden. Please get some pictures, especially of the night-blooming cereus. My Muhly grass is just starting to bloom, and the dark-blue plumbago is covered with blooms. The cuphea is getting ready to bloom for the second time this season, and the tibouchina (pictured above) continues to be just about the prettiest thing I've ever seen. Both the leaves and flowers are covered with silky hairs that reflect the light.

Did either of you see the first half of No Direction Home, the show about Bob Dylan, last night? It made me so nostalgic, and also made me think that the current celebrity-obsessed culture has damaged popular music. There doesn't seem to be lot of interesting music now, in the way that Dylan was interesting and relevant. The show continues tonight, and it will be available on DVD.

I went back to the second Twisted Rib sock, and added a few more rows to the shawl. Second-sock guilt is stronger than second-sock syndrome; unfinished projects feel like failures to me.

Let me know what kind of wool you are.

Ellen

Lost in Space

As soon as I master not losing my blog I will learn to attach pictures. Yes I wrote a blob last night in my usual rambling style and then began editing to tighten it up. I am still looking for it.

My Salvia 'Andrew' is flourishing right now and the hummingbirds are really enjoying the red blooms on the 4 feet tall plants. It was a passalong from a friend whose son developed it while he was studying horticulture in Texas. In a sheltered southern corner it has survived the winter here and played host to Rufous hummingbirds in mid-December. My Beautyberry, Callicarpa, is sparkling with purple berries but they aren't as pretty when the birds deposit them on my car. I have been parking the car right by the door for convenience forgetting that the cable wire is overhead. Twyla, the Night-blooming Cereus has another bud. The third time to bloom this year.

The second member of my household is Priscilla, my husband's cat, who is commonly called Miss Priss or the Princess. Yesterday afternoon she visited her Aunt Beth and family to get acquainted with the three dogs. She will be staying with them next month while I enjoy a short stay in the hospital.

Three washcloths have now been knitted and a fourth started. The grey shawl is beginning to show some progress. Still do not know how I casted(or is it cast?) on 70 stitches when I only needed 62.