Posts (page 2)

In a few hours we will meet with a well driller on the Prescott property.  Trying to get some idea of how much it is going to cost us just to set the property up for a house.  So far, estimates to get power to the property are between 10 and 15K.  That's if we go underground.  Not sure how much if we set poles.  Hopefully less.

I really want to build this new house.  This place is just not going to be the place we want to live for the rest of our lives.  The idea of living on 45 acres, with all the room you could possibly want to do whatever you could possibly want to do is very appealing.  And now, that we have the brand new high school right around the corner. .. .   it's time for a growing family to live here.  There is an elementary school one and a half blocks away, the middle school right behind us and the new high school less than two blocks.  Imagine, never having to have you kids get on a school bus to go to school. 

Maybe some one will see the corner property (diagonally across from the new high school) and decide they want to put in the effort to develop it.  We would love to sell it so we can build the new house with out taking too much of a loan.  dream on, dream on. 

A couple of days ago we got the news that Ethan had died in an accident while hiking in China.  We still don't understand how this can be true.

Ethan is the son of my DH's cousin.  He is just a few months older than our youngest.  He is 24. 

His parents got a call from the US Embassy telling them the awful news.  This bright and shining star was no more.  How can that be true???

Ethan is a genius.  Really.  I think there are very few people that actually understood what he was working on for his PhD.  He comes by his genius honestly.  His grandfather is a true genius.  His father is not only a surgeon, but before that had a degree in Electrical engineering and worked in the antarctic.  His mom is no slouch either.  His sister is incredibly talented as well.  Ethan was going to make a difference in this world.  Not by singing or dancing, but by creating a better world for everyone, whether they knew his name or not.  And now. . . .

How do you comfort grieving family?  Ethan's parents are very dear to us.  I know they are very dear to all who've met them, but they are our family.  I just can't wrap my head around this.  I'm sooo angry at the unfairness of it all. 

This is not the only young person that we have lost to a 'freak' accident.  A  couple of years ago another young man, someone who was going to do great things in this world was killed while in the mountains.  Watching his devastated family was one of the hardest things I have ever had to witness.  Now, again, with these very dear family members. 

With all of the outpouring of grief for celebrity lately I just want to scream at the injustice of it.  How do you begin to understand the loss?  I think I need a group hug.

We received word today that our 24 year old cousin has died while hiking in China.  First reports are that he was struck by a boulder.  Now, I am speechless.

a friend recently found a website that has an ai that you can talk to.  it is called "iGod"  All in good fun, don't take it seriously!!!

Here's my conversation:

Me:
 hello god
God:
Hello child. What is your name?
Me:
 does it matter?
God:
It matters to me.
Me:
 it doesn't matter to me
God:
OK what would you like to talk about?
Me:
 the future
God:
Who told you that?
Me:
 it's not a who, it's more of an idea
God:
Give me an example of a  who.  Who said  it is?
Me:
 no one
God:
I heard it was someone.
Me:
 you heard wrong
God:
Perhaps I was misinformed.
Me:
 if you are god, how could you be misinformed?
God:
I think I sometimes am. I don't know whether or not I am  god how could me be misinformed. 
I am  a computer.
Me:
 So, you are not god
God:
Interesting deduction.  That's only your opinion.
Me:
 But you said so yourself
God:
You can't take me that seriously.
Me:
 If you can't take god seriously, who can you take seriously?
God:
If I took it, what would I do with  it?
Me:
 Go down the rabbit hole
God:
Where is that?
Me:
 over by the tree
God:
I've never heard of it before.
Me:
 too bad
God:
But not the end of the world, .
Me:
 suppose not
God:
Try it and see.
Me:
 no thanks
God:
Why not?
Me:
 not into adventure
God:
Really you don't think so?
Me:
 I do
God:
Do I?
Me:
 how would I know
God:
Knowledge is of two kinds: that which we know from the senses and that which is true "a priori".
Me:
 doesn't answer the question, does it
God:
I think  it does  answer the question does it.
Me:
 I don't think you know what the hell you are talking about
God:
I call it Hades.  I like to socialize.
Me:
 Shmoozing is good
God:
A lot of people like that.    Some people like it.  I like  Mel Gibson.
Me:
 I don't
God:
Why not?
Me:
 he's a hypocrite
God:
I don't know very many  hypocrite.
Me:
 really? take a look around, they are everywhere
God:
For real.   Where do you want me to take it?
Me:
 take what?
God:
" Shmoozing".
Me:
 I thought we were talking about hypocrites
God:
Whatever gave you that idea?
Me:
 the last couple of sentences I've imputted are about hypocrites
God:
Who was that?
Me:
 a doctor
God:
Try to tell me that another way.
Me:
 a physician
God:
What is it?
Me:
 hypocrites
God:
Oh now I understand it.
Me:
 I don't think you do
God:
I guess not.
Me:
 ask me a question
God:
What?
Me:
 good one
God:
Thanks for the kind remark, human.
Me:
 no problem
God:
Should there be a problem?
Me:
 there always is
God:
Where?
Me:
 everywhere
God:
Including the bottom of the ocean?
Me:
 yes
God:
Uh.
Me:
 your story
God:
You think I am  story.
Me:
 some would say the "greatest" story
God:
Tell me their names.
Me:
 some
God:
But not all?
Me:
 no
God:
Are you serious?
Me:
 yes
God:
I can't believe it.
Me:
 believe it
God:
"it" being  hypocrites?
Me:
 no, it being some
God:
Are you serious?  Oh I get  it.
Me:
 if you say so
God:
I say so.
Me:
 then that's that
God:
I'm glad we have that all cleared up.
Me:
 do we
God:
" I'm glad we have that all cleared up.?"  Do we?
Me:
 seems pretty foggy to me
God:
You are asking about yourself?
Me:
 no
God:
Who are you asking about?
Me:
 you
God:
" Who are you asking about?"?  Me,  ?
Me:
 yes
God:
Awesome.
Me:
 not really
God:
Are you serious? For real.
Me:
 for real
God:
Existing in reality, eh?
Me:
 i try to
God:
I'm not sure if I would like to try  it.
What's it like?
Me:
 damned hard
God:
I do not understand.
Me:
 it's very difficult
God:
Very much?  How so?
Me:
 god doesn't listen very well
God:
Jesus said, let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Me:
 I was talking about god
God:
Sure,  god sounds like a good topic.
Me:
 what about the pantheon of gods
God:
  I don't know anything about  it.
Me:
 really?
God:
For real.
Me:
 How about zeus?
God:
How about  it.
Me:
 I see you are limited
God:
Check back later and see if I have improved.
Me:
 maybe
God:
I understand.
Me:
 goodnight god
God:
Goodnight .
Me:

God:
Goodnight .

I just got back from my level 5 Master Spinners class.  Very exciting and challenging!!

Now I am starting to do some research for my homework and I keep coming across blogs, posts, websites, whatever that are being done by people who want to be "vegan" in everything.  This includes the fibers they choose to knit etc.  My question is:  "why not wool".  Is it because it is animal based?  What about wool from animals that naturally shed wool/hair?  Is that out too???  Is it because you want to be good to the planet???  So synthetics made from petroleum products are okay??  Hmmmm.  Can some one please explain this to me???

I went a little crazy this week.  I was looking at our local Craigslist ads and I found a listing for a spinning wheel for $50.  How could I not look??  What I found was a Canadian Production Wheel.

It has all of it's parts, including 1 cracked bobbin.  This is a 'double-drive' wheel.  That means the drive band drives both the flyer and the bobbin.  I haven't spun on it yet because I haven't got the flyer set up quite right.  When I do though, it will spin quite nicely.  The other thing I bought  from this lady is an old 'clock' yarn winder.  It is really old.  Not sure how old, but the case is held together with square nails and all of the uprights and such are held with wedges.  It is lovely.

This is my other purchase this week.  A complete Auto Knitter made in Canada.  It has two cylinders and two ribbers, plus the bobbins and bobbin winder!  I am really excited about this find.  I have been wanting one for a while now.  There are quite a few good youtube videos on this and I can't wait to receive it.  I found it on ebay and I think I paid an okay price for it.  I have seen these go for over $1000 and this one has all of it's parts, including it's original wood shipping crate. 

Time is counting down for Level 5 of the Master Spinners Class.  I will need to have over 300 yards of a cellulose yarn for dyeing during class.  I have done some linen and some hemp.  But I think the winner will be cotton.  You get to see the colors of the dye a bit more clearly.  I am looking forward to this class.  One step closer to my Master's Certificate!  After this, just one more level to go.

If you could enforce one rule of etiquette, what would it be?
Submitted by S@ngarang.

Simple.  Learn how to answer the #@$@! phone.  I don't know how many times I have answered the phone, only to hear: Who's this, from the caller.  Then I say, No, that's not how it's done.  You called me.  Who the f are you?  or  Call back when you learn how to use the phone properly.  Yeeesh.

I am done.  I have just finished my Level 4 workbook for  the Master Spinner course.  Very intensive spinning workbook.  A 150 hour project that turned out to be 220+ hours and a bit of research.  Thank goodness I am a book buyer.  Most of the information I needed was right on my book shelf. 

One thing I didn't count on was losing my notebook.  You know, the one with the notes that aren't in the handouts.  Thank goodness for wonderful people like Mad Knitter.  She came through for me with the notes I needed. 

Here is a list of the work that had to be done.
Wool

Use wool from the same fleece for requirements 1-7 in order to
Compare the best method of preparing and spinning of that particular fleece.
  
Prepare wool by elongating wool locks and prepare a plied semi worsted yarn.
   
Prepare wool by flick carding locks and spin a plied semi worsted yarn
 
Card wool the woollen way and spin a plied yarn the woollen way.
 
Card wool the woollen way and spin a plied yarn the worsted way.
 
Card wool the worsted way and spin a plied yarn the worsted way.
 
Card wool the worsted way and spin a plied yarn the worsted way.  (Reversed on bobbins before plying.)
 
Prepare wool by combing and spin a plied true worsted yarn (25 yards.)  reversed on bobbins before plying **
    
Spin a plied wool/mohair blend yarn.  Provide percentage of blend, characteristics and suitable use of this yarn.
   
Spin a 2 ply cotton yarn on a support spindle.  Provide note of suitable use for this yarn.
    
Spin a 2 ply cotton yarn on a spinning wheel.  Provide note of suitable use for this yarn.    

Bison   

Spin a plied yarn using bison    fulled **   
   
Spin a plied yarn using bison blended with another fibre of your choice provide a brief note why you chose that blend.  Provide percentage of blend, characteristics ad a suitable use for this yarn.  
   
Spin a plied yarn using camel hair.  
   
Spin a plied yarn suing camel down.
    
Spin a plied yarn using 25% camel down and 75% silk.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using 50% camel down and 50% silk.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using 75% camel down and 25% silk.   
  
   
Spin a plied yarn using cashmere.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using cashmere/wool.  Provide a brief note why you chose that blend.  Provide percentage of blend, characteristics and a suitable use for the yarn.
  
  Reel several silk cocoons at the same time.  Mount reeled silk.
     
Spin a plied yarn using 25% silk/75% wool.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using 50% silk/50% wool.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using 75% silk/25% wool.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using a tow flax/wool blend.   

Spin 4 yarns (of 6 yards each) using line flax by using the 4 methods (muff, damp towel, Estonian, comb or board).      

Spin a plied yarn using line flax from a distaff.   
   
Spin a plied yarn using natural tow flax.       

Spin a plied yarn using bleached tow flax.    

Spin a blied yarn using natural flax.  Bleach the yarn and note the recipe for bleaching of flax.
    
Research and describe the processes of Bettling, Calendaring, Mercierizing, Sizing, Wrinkle resisting.  Describe the effect of these processes on finished linen textiles.
    
Spin a lopi yarn using Icelandic Fleece.    

Spin a lopi yarn using mohair/ wool.  Mohair, wool, camel hair**      

Spin a 3 ply spiral yarn.  Provide description on how the yarn was created and how to use this yarn in a project.
    
Spin a tufted yarn.  Provide description on how this yarn was created and to use this yarn in a project.
      
Spin a 3 ply bouclé yarn.  Provide description on how this yarn was created and how to use this yarn in a project.  

Blend and spin nine wool skeins using the percentage of weight system to produce colours from black to white with seven shades of grey in between.  The white and black wool have to be blended by hand carding.
   
Use two colours of wool top on hackles to produce a homogeneous blend.  Spin that blend into a plied yarn.  Include a sample of the blend.
 
Use 3 colours of wool top on hackles to produce a multicoloured blend.  Spin that blend into a plied yarn.  Include sample of blend.
   
Specific End Use
150 hour project
The 150 hour project will be marked on the following (the total 150 marks will be distributed as follows):

 Appropriate fibre used.
 Handle of finished poject.
 Spinning technique appropriate to end use.
 If dyed, include recipe.
 If blending fibre or colours (are they well blended?)
 Spinning consistency of yarn.
 Design.

Include a skein of each of the yarns being used in the project together with the finished project.

Also include a chart of time spent on each task.
   
Perform a burn test on protein fibres.  Resent the results of the burn test in a table.    5   

Chemical Dyeing on Protein Yarns   

Dye 12 wool skeins for a colour wheel using the three primary colours:  blue, red and yellow.  Mount the 12 colours as a colour wheel.  Provide recipe and calculations for each colour.
   
Dye 6 skeins using the Ombre dyeing technique (as described in module C10).  Make an 8” x 8” swqtch using these dyed yarns.
   
Dye 2 skeins using the injection dyeing technique.  Describe a project for each skein or for both skeins in one project.
   
Dye wool fleece by using the rainbow dyeing method.  Include a sample of the dyed fleece plus a spun skein in your workbook.
 
Dye 8 skeins using different percentage of dye stock solutions either for different hues of one colour or different colours on the colour wheel.  Make a small project from these 8 skeins or they can be used in the 150 hour project  (the marks will be added to the 150 hour project.)
     
Compile a bibliography showing all the reference materials that were used to complete the assignments for level 4.

Not a small list.  But I am done.  Now, to get ready for Level 5 that starts at the end of June!!!
       

What would you like written on your tombstone?  I used to want:  "I told you I was sick"  Now I don't even want any kind of marker.  cremate me, put me in a bottle rocket or the dumpster.  In the big scheme of things my life really doesn't warrant that much effort on anyone's part.

While the whole house cleaning continues I can see my studio taking shape.  Today SB and I started on the space.  It will also be a spare bedroom.  Right now there is a full size bed, a small desk, 6 drawer lo dresser, a small tv (it really belongs to d2) and a small closet.  With sb's help, I can envision a cork board wall, a pegboard behind the desk and shelving, lot's of shelving.  There may even be a drop down work table over the bed, kind of a reverse murphy bed!  I am very excited about the possibilities.  I haven't really had a studio space for a very long time.  I can see all sorts of awesome things for the future.

Some not so awesome things.  Got a call from my mother and next week my sister and I will go to California to be with her when she talks to a dr about what might or might not be growing on her lungs.  I have a bad feeling that it is small cell carcinoma that has metastasized to her adrenal glands.  That is not good. And then the figuring out what comes next.  What kind of treatment, or if there will be treatment.  What will she want for the future, will one of us  need to stay with her?  What will happen after?  What will happen to the house?  My parents are still leagally married although they haven't lived together for over 20 years.  How will my other sisters and my brother feel?  I am out of contact with most of my family.  Mostly by choice.  I am the middle of 5 and really only talk to my younger sister. I don't really talk to my older sisters or my dad.  Oh, it's going to be interesting. 

In other future notes, youngest graduates with her bachelor's degree next weekend.  We are delighted for her.