2013 has come and gone

This was the first year I retired. It was great, sheer freedom. I had planned on cleaning my entire house and getting my flower beds in order and using 30K yards of yarn in projects. I got my house cleaned but the attic, garage and basement and I got half my flower beds done and I made the yarn goal. So what did I do with my time: Socks: 17 pair, Dishcloths: 53, Slippers: 1 pair, Afghan: 2, Seat Cushion: 1, Lambs: 2, Shawls: 5, Potholders: 14, Dryer Balls: 24, I-cords for toy bags: 46, Grocery Bags: 19, Aprons 6, Tablecloths: 3, Napkins: 4, Gift Card Billfold: 2, Car Trash Bag: 2, Sweaters: 4, Lap Robes: 16, Ad Pouch: 2, Book Cover: 3, Tea Towel: 7, Quilt: 2, Fall Candle Holders: 6, Rug: 1, Hat: 4, Mittens: 2, Star: 2, Calendar: 1, Scarves: 12. I also read 12 books. I guess I had a pretty busy year. I am going to get the basement done this winter since it is a good inside project, try to read 24 books, try to knit 24 pairs of socks, and get the flower beds done. I also want to use at least 30K yards of yarn and see what else I can get done. I hope you have a great 2014.

George Carlin Sums It Up

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin: The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away. George Carlin

Voting

Yesterday I remembered it was supposed to be the day to start the 30 day sweater voting. Well I went to the website and sure enough voting had started. You have to have a facebook account and can vote once every 24 hours til the 22nd. There are 36 sweaters and if I had not entered there are half a dozen I would vote for. However I am asking you vote for mine. My sweater is side pockets. Here is the link to vote. http://30daysweater.com/vote/ You can view entries and search for mine or scroll all the way down and I am the last sweater. Click on the picture and then vote. Thanks in advance for your vote. When you come to the home page look at the prizes, some sweet give aways.

My Zoo

I feed the birds and of course the squirrels come too. The possum was up the other morning and he had too much fur that tells me the winter is not gonna be good. The squirrels are happy happy happy that the walnuts were plenty and they are having fun with them. The sky the other morning was a pretty pink puffy cloud for a few minutes.

Violets

I have 7 violets scattered around the house, 5 of them are blooming like crazy right now. I have split 2 of them and they will need to be split again soon. They must like my house.

Christmas Gifts

I have been busy making Christmas gifts and we had a bit of snow this morning. I am done with winter now we can move on to Spring.

Dear Fed Ex

As a knitter of over 50 years your commercial offends me. You should fire your advertising staff. Knitting is no longer done by little old ladies such as the nana in your commercial. Knitting is done by all ages, both men and women and is growing as more than just little old gray haired ladies making crap out of that old Red Heart yarn. I understand the concept behind your commercial but... how about nana make some aran sweaters that her family might actually use. Those things are a work of art and are very heavy. I bet nana could pack quite a few sweaters in a box and get them to her family pretty cheap and they would actually wear them. Seriously you need to fire your advertising staff and find one that actually understands the times have changed.

My Bird Count This Week

This is the first week for the bird counting. I usually have more birds than the count but they are still a little late getting to the feeders, there is still a lot of natural seed out there to be had. They built a very pretty trail not too far from my house and walking it the other day there were a lot of bird, lots of natural habitat and seeds from flowers dying. Yesterday I had: 3 cardinals, 3 Juncos, 3 house finches, 12 house sparrows, 4 doves, 4 gold finches, 1 downy woodpecker, and 1 starling. Today I had: 1 dove, 28 starling, 1 robin, 2 juncos, 1 blue jay, 2 house finches, 3 gold finches, 8 house sparrows. The starling are a mess but I put out bowls of cheap cat food and they leave the feeders alone. I count them because in all reality I do feed them just not bird food. The blue jays also like the cheap cat food and I have seen a sparrow snatch a piece as well. Stay tuned to next week to see what visits and eats.

Feeder Watch

Since I feed and watch the birds I have decided to join in this year and record my findings. If it helps I am all for it. I received my kit from Project Feeder Watch from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They have a cam in Canada where you can watch the birds they get. The watch goes from Nov 9 to April 4. I have chose Tuesday and Wednesday as my two days to count and report my data. I made myself a cover for a spiral notebook to record my data in. I only had butterfly fabric in my stash, and no bird fabric so it will have to do. I feed the birds all year long but I change up my feed a bit in the winter, I put suet out and a peanut butter/cracker/cereal mix in 2 feeders. In the Spring and summer I have my hummer feeders out, a butterfly feeder and an oriole feeder. Besides watching the Decorah Eagles I will be watching what visits my yard as well. I know the Turkey Vultures fly over head a lot but have never seen them come down to eat the small roadkill that is close to my house. Stay tuned and see what visits my yard and maybe we will have some new birds this year. Last year I had a ton of Pine Siskins, such cute little birds.

Happy Halloween and Happy Anniversary

It is a wet soggy Halloween because it has been raining for 3 days but we need it and it isn't snow. It is also my parents 59th wedding anniversary. I always wanted a Halloween quilt so I got my fabric out and cut out the squares, I laid them out the other day. The trees are gorgeous this year, although they are falling like crazy with the rain and we have had 2 slight frosts. My walnuts are all over and the squirrels are happy happy happy.

O'Possum

I got my possum sweater done. I need to weave in the ends and block it but it is basically done. I got this yarn from a friend who has a child in Australia. It is so soft, 60% merino, 30% possum and 10% nylon. It is so nice to work with. I have an entire skein left so need to decide what to make with it.

Decorah Eagles

The camera has been turned on the new nest. Mom and Dad are busy building up the nest from last season in preparation for the new little bundle of joys which will arrive about late March or early April. http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles?utm_source=crowd-live-backend&utm_medium=visit-channel&utm_campaign=notifications

Fall is here

The wind has kicked up today and there is talk of a small freeze this week, I have tomatoes coming on and flower blooming. The walnuts are falling off the trees. I actually have 3 walnut trees in the back that have nuts for the first time I have lived here. The squirrels are happy happy happy. The trees are turning and my mums are about done for the season.