sheepless in suburbia...

TDF '09...

Day 1 - 2 : Today is a Judi Day so I'm off and spinning! I'm currently watching the Tour De France on telly so I'm definitely into the spin of things.

I was a bit slow off the block, as we got an unexpected, but much appreciated mid Saturday call for a "let's do BBQ night".  However, Sunday I pulled out the stash, and selected 225 gms of Louet Merino silk top "Lichen" that I bought last year from Wildrose Fibres at their Spin by the Lake retreat. I don't normally buy big bags of anything, but that results in a bizillion mini bags, and samples, and usually not enough to actually have something project worthy. Now that I opened up the 225 gram bag, I can see why I stick with the mini bags... Wow! this is alot of fibre!

   

My plan (plan? What plan? You mean there actually is a plan?) is to spin some nice consistent singles using worsted technique. I've reviewed The Intentional Spinner by Ms Mackenzie Cuin, to discover that worsted draw (also known as short draw, forward draw or inch worming) is the s-l-o-w- e-s-t draw... so this will be a personal challenge for me (I'm known as a smokin' treadler - but not a particularly skilled one). While Anne Field also describes the short backward drafting technique (Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics) I've decided to stick with a forward "feeding" of the fibre into the bobbin. Backward drafting throws me into wild spasms of "woolen technique" and then it's all down yarn from there. I've made a project card and attached it to my wheel for reference. I'm aiming for a medium fine yarn which has 10 - 12 twists per inch and 20 - 24 wraps per inch.  I'm right on target, thus far.  End goal is a smooth two ply yarn suitable for some type of lace project (I am still working on my first knitting lace project which is coming along slowly).

I may veer off periodically to a less disciplined spin now and then, so I'm scouring my stash for a few other contenders. My trusty Louet will be called into service for these spins.

Last but not least - if you are a complete newbie to the Tour de France (as I am) I think I'll post a little "TDF tidbit" just for the heck of it.(Based on what I can glean from watching the race, and surfing the 'net).

In the beginning: The first Tour de France began on July 1, 1903, with 60 brave participants (both professional and amateur enthusiasts) setting out through the French countryside, logging in almost 2,500 km.  21 riders actually completed the grueling race. The idea for a long distance cycling race was hatched by journalist Geo Lefevre, and supported by his L'Auto Magazine editor Henri Desgrange. It was later decided to run the race during the daylight hours only, so judges could keep track of the riders. Today the Tour de France is divided into 21 stages, covering 3,500 kms of  flat and mountainous terrains.

Definition: Peloton: (French) meaning little ball or platoon. This is the main group of cyclists riding in a bunch in a road race. Similar to birds flying in formation, by riding close together (also known as drafting or slip-streaming) energy can be saved by avoiding the drag caused by the wind (I have been watching the riders break into snake like echelons to avoid cross winds). Apparently there is a good deal of strategic  maneuvering taking place within the peloton. While riding within the pack saves energy, you can be at higher risk of being in a collision. Those in the front can control their ability to 'break away' at the critical moment...

(Sources: Wikipedia, Tour de France website).

Happy 4th of July from Canada!

Last year the sheepless family spent 4th of July in New York City. It was a wonderful exciting experience. I admit I was fairly ambivalent about visiting the Big Apple. I mean, it is after all ... big! And I am a bit of a self confessed untraveled hick.

Having said that, within the week I was negotiating subways like a pseudo pro, buying flowers and bagels at the corner grocer, and carrying my umbrella and my knitting  everywhere.

The people were friendly (our cab driver was a delight - giving us the complete "inside scoop" on the hot topics of the day) and most helpful in answering all our "touristy" questions.

Happy Birthday America!

Tour de Fleece 2009 ... here we come!

I am still checking out the stash for my first TDF. Thus far I am on several teams:

• Rookies - I'm not new to spinning, but this is my first Tour De Fleece
• Stash Busters - I am using already acquired stash
• Northern Borders - a north  / south Canadian American sharing borders group

I announced that I would look at worsted spinning as my focus ... I confess I am a poorly focused spinner. I have a tendency to start with one technique and suddenly head off in an entirely opposite direction. But this time... I will persevere!

I've taken a few before photo's which I'll post as I go along. This year the sheepless goal is consistency - not quantity.

Tomorrow is the big day! 

This cupcake's for you!

Oh Canada Cupcakes from Canadian Living Magazine

Well, I hate to admit it, but it took this blog from a neighbour south of here, to get me to sit down and write this post.

I'd like to think that I haven't let myself slide into such complacency, that I am willing to document the details of the dog eating nasty no-no's, but I can't muster the energy to blog a mere "Happy Birthday Canada!" How pathetic is that? Shame on me.

I wasn't even sure exactly how old we are. Apparently we are 142! Please say it ain't so! I remember vividly when we turned 100.  In 8 more years we'll be 150. (I know, I know, you can do the math too - but in my world that means I'll almost be half as old as the country(minus 14 years ). I hate to sound like the kind of person who believes all things revolve around their minute sphere of influence, but how exactly did I get that old?

Oh well enough about me.

Today is Canada's birthday. 142 years old. Sit on the porch, eat a hotdog, and have a cupcake.  Soak up the warmth of the sun on your face. Pause and reflect for one quiet moment of gratitude.

Now yell at the top of your lungs "Happy Birthday Canada!"

It's a dog's life...

... he's done it again. Despite the warnings, the nagging, the cajoling and brow beating, Cosmo the Wonder Dog has managed to find something he just outta naughta... and he ate it.

... and now he's got a sour tummy.

So off to the Vet. Heart check. Temp check. Tummy, breath, ears, eyes, skin check. "Hmmm... yes he's got a bad tummy." The vet sighs. "'Oh Cosmo! Did you eat something you outta naughta?"

We look guilty. We look at our feet. We do our best... but he just seems to find something ghastly to nosh on.

"Well, here's an antibiotic. And he'll need some hypoallergenic food for a while... it's a bit expensive..."

Tonight, we (the two legged inhabitants of the sheepless household) ate hotdogs.

The canine dined on basmati rice, pheasant and duck.

I'm ready for my close up Mr DeMille...

Saturday was sheep shearing day. I am the scooper and flinger of fleece, sweeper of the board, ear tag checker, belly fibre trasher, and all round helper outer. Pretty much anything that does not require too much technical expertise. As my Grannie would say, "I'm just looking for someone with a broad back".

It is a job I love. Each year I am asked if I would like to do something else - and each year (clutching my broom to my chest in true Charlton Hestson NRA glory) I defer.

I see the before and after shots; the first visual of the inside fleece.  The lanolin warmed locks as they peel away with each long blow of the shearing blades. Oh, my precious...

Shetlands are of particular interest, due to the many colour possibilites. White, charcoal, pewter, musket, fawn, moorit. Single and double coats.

We work a full day. We eat cookies and sip iced tea. We get giddy with play on name games. This year we amused ourselves with a new musical group we have christened "The Travelling Woolberries".

 Shearing day is a "De-stash Freebie Day." This year two big bags of fleece have come home with me for a midsummer fleece assessment.

Work beckons... bye for now.

And I walk...

.

Last weekend I was a Calgary Half Marathon participant. Although my time wasn't steller by any means (I am a walker) I have to say I am rather pleased with myself.

However, having said that,  everyone in the sheepless household has thoroughly enjoyed watching me hobble around the house, using sheer body momentum to get myself up and down stairs (if the feet don't follow the body - I'm flat on my face), using my arms to lift my legs in and out of the car, and agonizing as I bend, twist, and squat.

Today's question... just because you can do it, does it mean that's a good thing? I recently listened to a radio spot saying that the "prestige of the marathon" has been tarnished by the average Joe and Josephine participant. Introducing half marathons, walking instead of running. Times in excess of 6 hours for completion. Medals for just finishing...

Well what can I say. I've got the T shirt. And the medal. I came. I walked. I finished.

Yea me!

Are we there yet?

 

It's Raining Parasols ... at the Venetian - Las Vegas 2009

As you are well aware, I like to think of myself as a "process" person. I think I've made this a conscious decision because it takes me so long to get from point A to point B in virtually everything I do (from knitting a sock, to weaving a tea towel, to reading a book, to baking muffins, to writing a blog, to cleaning the bathroom ... not to mention that nasty 20 pounds I gained after childbirth some 19 years ago - or was that when I quit smoking?)

 Atree3 describes it all very nicely... (it's on Youtube but she has disabled the embedding code). Therefore, you must - CLICK!

Happy Mother's Day! A day late of course...

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year. As you well know,  I am very big on celebrating any day which I feel I can get out of work free use to my advantage. I don't really have too many expectations on Mother's Day, other than doing pretty much whatever I want for the day (which I pretty much do most of the time anyways). And the success of that endeavour rests on my shoulders.

On so, what did I do yesterday?

• I went for a nice long walk with a very good friend. We are planning to walk the Calgary 1/2 marathon at the end of the month. It seemed like a good challenge to set back in January, when all those lofty resolutions are made. And here we are almost 5 months later. I thought I'd be in better shape by now. I thought I'd be about 20 pounds lighter and leaping along like a gazelle. I thought I'd be taller! But I'm not. In fact overall, I weigh more now than I did when I started. I keep telling myself it's ... muscle. The fact that we discovered a variety of coffee stops along our route did not help.  Two weeks ago we discovered a gellato shop. Chocolatini raspberry blackberry swirl... need I say more.
• I fell off my scooter in the parking lot of a very busy grocery store. No damage to me or the bike. Just heap big embarrassment. And a reminder as to why I am wearing my full suit of armour, even for the "little trips". (PS.  Even at the ripe old age of 53, this old aging gracefully overweight voluptuous grey haired  natural woman is a man magnet. When I fell off my bike, every guy within 3 blocks came a running. With in seconds my bike was upright, and the questions began "Wow! Nice bike! What is it? Good mileage? How's the pick up on the highway?... Oh, do you want help getting up too?"
• Go home, hand Old Guy his coleslaw, and retreat to my room. Pick up the needles and continue knitting my lace wrap, while watching Season 1 highlights of Coronation Street.
• Old Guy, Cosmo the wonder dog, and I go for a walk, in which I purchase my mother's Mother Day Card, and pick up more leg waxing strips (my experiment last month went quite well, and I'm going to try it again).
• Have a beer.
• One of the true Mother's Day traditions in the sheepless household, is the annual Smoked Pork Pull BBQ. Old Guy starts the night before, seasoning and preparing the pork. He lovingly smokes and turns and babysits it all day while it slow cooks to perfection on the grill. He makes baked beans (new recipe this year) and drenchs the coleslaw in some kind of pig pucker sauce. All very time consuming. All very succulent. All very, very, much worth it... and appreciated.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all ... now clean up your plate!

Knit my ride...

As you know I am scaling back. I am looking at my purchases, supplies and fibres all with a much more discerning eye. I am scrutinizing my numerous subscriptions trying to determine which ones are truly inspiring, which I reread, and which are ... well not so compelling.

This week, I opened up my mailbox to find my Summer 2009 Interweave Knits had arrived. I sat down for a quick preview and look what I found!

A hand knit cozy for a 1980's Kawasaki motorbike.
Fibre artist Theresa Honeywell.