NYC - photos

I have no belief that I can recapture our week long visit to New York City  and adequately blog about it.

Chris took photos with his camera, I took photos with my camera, Chris took photos with my camera, and sometimes Strangers took photos with my camera.  I journaled on most days but some days were even too busy for that.

So here's what I'm offering... photos with captions.  No running commentary or detailed travelogue, or even chronological ordering.  Maybe occasional comments.  That's it.

First comment - There is a space - people - sound distortion/impact when you jump from an isolated farm to a real city.  And then the same thing happens in reverse when you return home.  It can mess with you.

Second comment - From the very beginning New York City (or as it was known New Amsterdam) was founded as a multi-cultural city/port.  I think that is the key to understanding New York.

By no means was English the dominate language I heard while visiting.  I could not say there was a dominate language at all.  I like that.

We stayed at the Larchmont in Greenwich Village.  A small studio room, bathroom and shower down the hall.  It's perfect - location and size.

The foliage was at peak and lovely.  Central Park in the rain.  Now I know why New Yorkers carry such large purses and messenger bags - it's for the umbrellas.

The first Jewish Synagogue in NYC, now surrounded by the Asian communities.  

  

The Magnolia Bakery.  

OHMYGODSGOOD cupcakes. I had four.  Yes four! I was not the only one.

 Who you gonna call?  Ghostbusters!

Remember the sign Christopher found for me last month?

We found one for him!

This was taken at a open air market on Fifth Avenue.  I wish I could have seen them setting this up.

Katz Deli - fantastic sandwiches!  Wicked crazy crowd in what one would think was chaos but the legendary deli has it all under control.

 Order the corned beef on rye - you won't be disappointed!  Remember that scene in When Harry Met Sally?  You know the one - the orgasmic one.  It was filmed in Katz Deli.  I swear she had the corned beef.

I love the tall skinny buildings - especially the brightly painted ones.

For the knitters: while walking in the Chelsea District we saw an art installation with faux sheep and reflecting waters. Two yarn establishments were visited (Chris has photos - I was busy fondling the yarn), first was School Products where I bought yummy baby camel yarn, second was Habu Textiles where I bought exotic yarn that shall not be discussed here.  Both of these were "quests" that really paid off because we had no other reason to go to the garment district and we found out what's behind those obscured windows on the upper floors of the tall skinny buildings.

One day we took the Ferry to Staten Island, and not just for the view.  Chris knew of a guitar shop on the island that he wanted to visit.

  

In Union Square there was hoopin' spotted!  Hillarey was on my mind often - not just for the hoopin'.

Below is the only photo I have of the parade.  NYC's finest gathering about two hours before Mama Donna Henes was to lead the Greenwich Village Volunteer Participant Parade.  After this I stuck my camera in my pocket and just enjoyed the evening!

We visited Washington Square Park numerous times - for the music, the dogs, just walking through and sometimes just to people watch - day and night.

Sunday was spent going across the city (and Central Park several times) as we watched the marathoners.  Chris read that two million people came out to watch the marathon, one million to watch the parade the night before.  

For Mom, I took lots of photos of Chinatown...

On Friday, our final (though partial) day we wandered the streets of Greenwich Village.  We had hot dogs at Gray Papaya, and then one last cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.  This photo was taken not after that final cupcake but after the third cupcake near Rockafeller Center.  I had red velvet.  It's my favorite.

(Sis - I thought of you making them for Roger.)

You can tell I enjoyed the red velvet cupcake by my refusal to open my eyes and return to the real world after that last bite.

Elemental

While Autumn has been quietly advancing I feel as if I have been rushing about and too busy to enjoy the beauty, the colors, the brisk air, and the wind.  But not for long.

The wind - Le Vent.

If you are a fan of the movie Chocolat, or was one of the people who do such things in the correct order, read the novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris, fell in love with the novel - then saw the movie - you'll appreciate the sequel, Girl Without a Shadow.  Vianne Rocher is now in Paris with daughters Anouk and Rosette - but still running from/with le vent.  She is trying desperately to establish a new life, hiding who she was from herself and the world at large.  A common theme for women who have been burned by public misconceptions whenever they do not conform or behave by societies rules of wear this, don't speak your mind, hide your true feelings....it's a long list.  I recommend buying or borrowing both novels for pleasurable and thought provoking reading.

Terra Firma

Chris and I are leaving the farm Monday and flying to NYC for a week's vacation.  We both have bits of mixed emotions about leaving - the farm is at its most beautiful right now with leaves changing color, trees becoming barer and opening up spectacular views, and animals preparing for winter.  I love this time of year - anywhere but especially on the farm.  But New York will be lovely as well and we've got a folder full of places we want to go, things we want to see.

The night before Halloween we'll go to Kris Waldherr's gallery for tarot night and I'll see friends from the days when I wrote for The Beltane Papers magazine.  Then on All Hallow's Eve we'll be in Greenwich Village enjoying the costumes that a funky and fun neighborhood has to offer.

My daughter Hillarey and her partner Lance will be spending Halloween in New Orleans this year.  I'm sure we'll meet for a Halloween and costume comparison when everyone's back home.

Shifting Waters

This week I spent several days in the studio dyeing yarn.  Playing in color, watching clear water change to subtle or rich colors.  I let mood inspire my choices and a most satisfying time was had.  Pale silk was transformed to cranberry and vibrant purple, very fine lace merino becomes a pool of warm pea soup for winter,  organic fingering-weight merino now resembles whipped pumpkin and autumn sumac.  Each skein was rinsed in lavender water, long regarded for its moth repelling properties as well as its fragrance.  At our final two fall shows we'll add a small offering of Lost City Knits yarn to the lavender stand and test the waters of this new venture.

Warmed by the Fire

Some of you may know that Chris and I do not have a TV in our new house.  Or actually we have an old TV upstairs for Netflix movies but no station reception.  We like it that way.  One of the glories of fall and winter for us is watching the fire in the wood stove.  Hours can pass and the beauty of the colors behind the glass front wood stove will warm our bodies and calm our spirits.  Reading a good book,  or knitting a simple project in front of the fire are joys that we never take for granted.

One of the new yarns that I dyed this week was for me, fine lace yarn the color of raw sugar to match beads purchased at The Bead Merchant that resemble little bits of warm molasses (those on the right only).  The pattern is Shipwreck, a circular shawl with lace motifs in the center then a large border of simple knit-one yarn-over.  Miles of mindless border stitching.  Perfect for travel knitting as well as sitting in front of the fire.

edited to add: The beads have changed.  These just were not large enough and do not slide well...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Eighty-one years ago a wonderful thing occurred.  Melba Louise was born to Ida (Conn) and Floyd Hillary Gibson.

Here's a look at some of the great photos of my mother, Melba Louise (Gibson) Bell.

This is one of my favorite photos of Mom, taken I believe when she was in High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

Mom and Dad (Edgar Bell) with Mom's best friend,Virginia Furr (aka Aunt Ginner)

My maternal grandmother, Ida (Conn) Gibson, Melba (Gibson) Bell, and my sister Londa (Bell) Floyd.

Mom with her baby sister, Johnnie Mae (Gibson) Morgan.

Here is another of Mom with my sister, Londa.  Don't you love that suit!

I have no idea where this photo of Mom was taken but possibly outside a variety store that she and my father owned in the early 1950's.

Mom as a car model in sailor buttoned short-shorts.

If I could whistle I would!

Another one of my favorite photos of Mom.  Isn't she lovely!

Three generations.  From left to right -

Londa (Bell) Floyd, Denise Bell, Melba (Gibson) Bell, and my daughter Hillarey Dees.

What a line up!

I love you Mom.

Traveling Shawl Update!!

And the big knitting news --

A winner for The Traveling Shawl has been chosen!!!  Sherry of Northern Minnesota was chosen at random to receive the completed Traveling Shawl.  

If you're a new reader to this blog - The Traveling Shawl is a lace shawl project that has traveled across the US being worked on by a knitter in each of the fifty states.  My friend Kay designed the shawl and I have served as our representative to Komen for the Cure.  

Please take a few minutes to visit The Traveling Shawl blog to read about the amazing women who have worked on this project.  But don't stop checking the shawl blog because our winner has a story to tell as well - her journey is forthcoming along with more photos.   

It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - don't forget your mammogram and don't let the women you love forget.  

4x4 Required

As forecasted the rain began yesterday.

And continued.

It may sound a bit strange (but if you know me you're used to me being strange - yes?) but I absolutely love heavy rains.  Yes they make for a mess and can be dangerous.  I love the deafening sounds of heavy rain.  I love the roaring of an overflowing creek.  I even love the feeling of isolation.

Yesterday evening Chris checked the rain gauge between our house and the red barn - it held three and a half inches of water.  This morning I checked it again - another two and a half inches had fallen.  After coffee and a bagel we put on wellies, jackets, and hats and walked down to the lower pasture where the creek was over flowing.  It is at least twice as wide now and the large boulders that lined the crossing are no longer visible.

Still curious - we walked down the lane to the dirt road and further to the blacktop where there is a low-water bridge about a mile away.  Actually it isn't as bad as expected but still overflowing with water.  Last year they cleaned the "whistles" or pipes that run beneath the cement and allow water to pass under the bridge.  Because Clear Creek is lined with gravel the whistles can easily be clogged when heavy rains erode the floor and banks of the creek.

If necessary we could possibly cross in our truck which has 4x4 or maybe use the big tractor to cross (which poses the question of what to do then?).  It's not necessary as far as I'm concerned.  I enjoy a little isolation.

For an update on knitting - while going to and from, and staying in, Memphis last week I finished four of the five repeats of Chart A on the Icarus Shawl in llama yarn.  It's going to be great!

Chris and I went to the Tulsa State Fair to see the knitting displays.  I won a blue ribbon for the Blue Silk Aeolian.  Sorry no photos - but we'll take some nice ones when I get it back home next week.

On the way to Memphis I was knitting away when Chris pulled over the van.

"Get out" he said.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"Just get out."

So - being the sort of trusting type I hopped out.  He didn't appear angry so I only worried a mild amount that I was being deposited on the side of a highway for knitting and not carrying my side of the conversation.

I love this guy!  He'd found a sign for me!

A mood fit for rain

An estimated seven inches of rain should fall here in the next two days.

I'm looking forward to the isolation, the quiet, the comfort food.  Some knitting, some reading, a good fire in the wood stove.  

Life is good.

Open to suggestions....

The current reading material is a novel loaned to me by Christopher's father Paul.  Vindication is a novelized telling of the great feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft's life.  Paul recently read this novel for his book group.  He has a very good sense of what I enjoy reading and asked if I'd like to borrow it after the book group review night.

It's a good but quite dark book thus far.  Right up my alley - realistic portrayal of women's lives.

While I'm not a well educated woman (a college drop-out who simply wasn't prepared for college at the high school I attended) as Chris has noted, I am fairly well read.  I usually roll my eyes when he says this but I'm starting to feel much better about the compliment (and it's woefully difficult for me to believe compliments since I know most are just lip service).  Several times the author, Frances Sherwood, has referred to other novels, classics, usually during dialogue.  Mary Wollstonecraft (the fictional character) laments at one point of becoming like Moll Flanders, and I immediately knew the reference to the book and the meaning of her fear.  I love when that happens.

During breakfast this morning I decided that while I have several novels lined up in my queue that I refused to postpone, I would very much like to make 2010 my year for the classics.  What suggestions do you, Dear Readers, have for me?  Classic fiction - classic non-fiction - biographies of historical figures (particularly writers and artists) - I'm open.  Don't be shy - list your recommendations in the comment section below - and thank you!

Memphis bound

Clear Creek Lavender is once again headed south to Memphis and the Pink Palace Festival.

Earlier this evening I reread  a post written while we were in Memphis last year.  While I haven't practiced or perfected my southern drawl in the past year I am delighted to be going back to Memphis where being polite is natural and even the barbs are sugar-coated.

I asked Christopher tonight at dinner where we'd had the great ribs and since his memory for names is much better than mine he immediately said "Corky's".

MMmmm Corky's dry rub bar-b-que!


Vodka tonic anyone?

(cross posted on Clear Creek Lavender Blog)

Letting the yarn decide...

Remember that post by me about casting on Shipwreck with my hand-dyed llama yarn?

It wasn’t meant to be. I frogged the llama yarn and put it back the side of my desk. Llama yarn just doesn’t have the right elasticity for that project. I loved the yarn (from a dear friend’s llama) and loved the color.

I’ve ordered some wonderful blue silk from The Knitting Goddess. It’ll be perfect for Shipwreck. (Edited to Add: Blue Silk from The Knitting Goddess has gone missing due to the UK Postal Strikes.) 

But while I’m waiting for the silk to arrive I needed (yes needed) something to work on. Socks weren’t doing it for me. After a few rounds late one night they went back into the designated sock bag.

I tried swatching the llama for a cowl. Wrong project for the yarn. Again.

Then after several days of no real knitting progress I had an AH HA moment! The perfect project for the llama yarn popped into my noggin and I even had the pattern, actually I had a magazine copy and a book copy of the pattern.

The perfect match for the llama yarn is the Icarus Shawl! I’m halfway through the first chart and terribly smitten with the combination.

When the Icarus was initially published in Interweave Knits I was a rookie knitter. I’d knitted socks and scarves but lace was tantalizing me at every turn. At a spring festival I bought a skein of lace yarn but in my ignorance didn’t realize it was not nearly enough for the project.

Long story short – that initial Icarus (Icky as I called it) was frogged over a year ago. And that was a long past when it was completed.

Icarus is a lovely pattern and with my much improved lace skills it is flying on the needles. I’ve bought beads that I’ll use on the final chart or two. I’m now happy to be working on my Icarus Shawl (which shall never be called by that other evil nickname).

It was a very good lesson to keep in my mind, let the yarn decide the pattern. So until my Shipwreck silk arrives from across the pond I’m happily committed to my new improved Clear Skies Icarus!

Riddle me this....

Why is that I can finish enormous complicated lace projects but I can't finish a dang thing with sleeves?  

Second sock syndrome - not a problem.  

Sleeves can stop a project dead in it's tracks.