Existential Yarn

"Who am I? What's the meaning of my life? Why was I put here?"

As a knouveau knitter, I am continually learning not just the techniques of knitting, but the ways of experiencing the knitting process as well. For instance, I have read about many knitters who say the yarn "talks" to them. Naturally, as a psychologist-type person, I immediately think "delusional, perhaps even psychotic". What kind of people am I starting to emmulate here? But then I have my own moment of fiber insight - and all of sudden I GET IT.



That yarn I have for the funky scarf swap? I swear it's trying to talk to me. I started off with a pattern in mind, began knitting on #15 needles and 4 rows into it, Rosa (the yarn already came with a name. This disease hasn't yet progressed to the point where I am naming yarn on my own) said she didn't like what she was becoming and to stop now. So I did. Then we tried #17's because, well, she's sorta chubby in spots. Rosa said this was definitely NOT her, so we frogged and decided to try #13's - nope - then 11's. I don't think she's cut out to be the kind of scarf I wanted her to be (sigh). Problem is, she's clammed up and isn't giving me even a hint of what she has in mind. My yarn is having an identity crisis!

"I don't know what I want to be when I grow up..."

If this keeps up, I'll be bringing her to see a counselor who can maybe help her understand herself, gain some insight and help her figure out how to reach her true potential. Meanwhile, I'll go back to knitting on the urban camo who knew just what he wanted to be and hasn't suffered a moment of angst since being cast on.

Hydrangea Heaven

This year has been a good year for my hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are one of my very favorite shrubs - easy to grow, great garden color from late spring through early winter, long-lasting blooms - what more can you ask from a flowering shrub? I have 3 varieties in my front gardens: Oakleaf, Limelight, and Annabelle. I would have more, except they would have to go into the back gardens, where they would become deer candy, which would break my heart and cause me to put out a contract on Bambi & co.


These were planted last June, right after we moved into the new house. They bloomed much heavier than I expected and I was able to dry a bunch of them to bring to my new neighbors as they moved in. This year, I've harvested a huge bunch which I've started drying out on the porch. As soon as they're done, I may do another batch since they are still out there in abundance. This way, I'll have flowers all over the house throughout the winter as well as few small bunches to share.






I also found out how to block the silk scarf I recently finished knitting. It was much less complicated than I thought it was going to be. Here's how I did it:






I used my cutting board as it has a grid. I pinned the scarf all around with stainless steel T-pins. Then I spritzed it with room-temperature distilled water and am leaving it to dry overnight.





I also found the yarn I will be using for the Funky Scarf swap. It's Shaefer (a merino with a touch of nylon), hand-dyed in the "Rosa Parks" colorway. It is very cushy and I can't wait to start it. One of the gals at the lys helped me select a pattern that won't be too challenging for my limited attention span yet is quite funky. Hope my FSpal likes it.






Finally, I cast on and completed 6 rows of the grey "Urban Camo" scarf, which is similar to the dark green "Urban Camo" scarf I had completed for my brother and then frogged because it ended up too short:(:(:( I am using a different variation of the placement of the colors which I think I like better. I'll get back to my brother's scarf at some point since I don't need it until Christmas and need this grey one before then. I want to do a few rows of the second color and will then post a picture of the WIP.



And now, it is time to gather up sleepy kittens and puppies and go to bed because we have lots of cleaning to do tomorrow in order to be ready for C's aunt who is coming to visit for a few days. There are LOTS & LOTS of dust bunnies to round up, so must...get...sleep...

Let's Get Funky!

Yay!!!! I signed up for the Funky Scarf swap - my first. I'm so excited, it's practically dorky. And I heard from my swap pal and have made initial contact with my own swap pal so we are good to go. I alresdy have some ideas of what I'd like to do, but it will depend on what my buddy likes. I've visited her blog and seen a few pictures, and think I'm starting to get a little sense of her style. But, OMG she is a good knitter! And I am not! Intimidation strikes! But at least I can knit scarves. Either that or a cat bed, so we're safe.

Now here is the questionnaire for my secret pal:

Let’s get the allergy part out of the way. Are you allergic to any fibers?
No, just shrimp, pollen, and mold. Also math.

Do you prefer any fibers over others?
I prefer natural to synthetic, both to knit with and to wear. I'm not crazy about eyelash, scratchy, real fuzzy yarns or metallics.

Thinking back to Scout’s post about what funky means to you, post an image of something that you think is funky!
Okay, here's some random stuff I would call funky.




Would you prefer funky yarn or a funky pattern?
Funkyyyyarn!

What are your favorite colors?
Turquoise, blues and violets

What is your favorite piece of art?
I have too many to post! However, these 2 really speak to me:


(The one on the bottom was painted by an elephant, which is part of what I love about it. How funky is that?)

What colors would you never have up close to your pretty face?
Red, green, yellow, beige

Would you prefer an actual scarf or a cowl?
Scarf me!

When you wear a scarf do you prefer a wider/shorter scarf or a thin/long scarf?
Probably more long and thin.

What is the climate like where you live?
Everything, 4 true seasons.

Would you prefer a functional scarf (to keep you warm) or one just to funk-up your wardrobe?
Surprise me!

What else would you like your partner to know about you?
I like things that are eclectic with a touch of exotic/world flavor. And I really, really, really want world peace. And a chunk of chocolate cake would taste really good right now.


Okay, this is probably way more info than anyone wants to know about me. I can't wait to find out what my secret buddy puts on her own list - after all I need to get to the lys ASAP! And buy yarn!!!! Maybe some new needles!!!! And maybe more yarn, 'cause...well, you know.

A Little Creole On the Prairie

Today wasn't bad for a Sunday. I slept in a bit, did a tiny bit of cleaning, made some groceries (as we say in New Orleans), and made a run to one of my favorite yarn stores, The Studio.

They have a great selction of natural fibers and very friendly staff. More than makes up for the fact that their air conditioner was barely working today, with temps in the high 90's. I picked up another skein of the Noro that I was working on 2 weeks ago and kept frogging, some more Beatrice and Lamb's Pride Extra Bulky in a grey colorway for a man's scarf, and some more Beatrice and a beautiful orchid color silk/merino that coordinates with it for my SIL's scarf (or maybe for me if I fall in love with it). This'll keep me busy for a couple of weeks. And I've had my stash fix for the week so I'm a happy Knitter!


Then I broke out my beautiful new skillet and got to work cooking up this stuff:




Here is the recipe. It's really easy, extremely healthy and delicious too.

Creole Summer Stew

1 lb fresh okra, sliced into 1/4" wheels
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 large, firm tomato, diced (remove seeds)
2 ears fresh sweet corn, cut off cob
1 1/2 lb very lean ground beef
2 TBLS garlic powder (NOT garlic salt)
1 TBLS Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning (use more for a hotter dish)
1/4 tsp thyme
1 large bay leaf
2 Abita Turbo Dog beers (or substitute)
salt and pepper to taste

Pour approximately 1 cup beer into a large skillet, add okra and 1/2 Tony's seasoning and bring to a lively simmer. Simmer okra for 30 minutes, stirring often. It will look gooey - don't worry, just keep cooking. Drain okra into colander and rinse until the sliminess is gone. Raise the temperature of stove, add 1/2 cup Turbo Dog to skillet and saute onions and peppers until the onions are transluscent. Add meat, 1 TBLS garlic powder and cook until the meat is browned. Add the corn, tomatoes and rest of seasonings and beer. Stir well, lower the heat so mixture is simmering, cover loosely and cook down, approximately 30 minutes. Drink the other Turbo Dog while waiting. Eat it alone or serve over rice. Serves 6-8.

Here it is cooking.
Even C (aka "Yankee-Boy") liked it! And I was satisfied by my taste of home. And who would of thought that okra grows on the prairie? By the way, for you who may be okra-haters, this is also a great way to cook mirlitons (chayote) or zucchini. You can also substitute chicken or shrimp for the beef.


>And what is a good meal without good music? We listened to the new CD by Elvis Costello and Allan Toissant, "The River In Reverse". I cannot recommend this highly enough. I could listen to Elvis Costello's voice singing anything, 24/7/12. But to hear him singing New Orleans R&B, with killer backup is to die and go to funk heaven. The perfect CD for a lazy, hot and humid summer evening, dining on perfectly spiced Creole food, sipping some dark and smoky Abita beer, just being with the ones you love. With stuff this good, it's easy to feel at home in my little corner of the prairie.

Urban Adventure

Today represents a "first". My hub, C, went with me to check out a new lys! He actually agreed to do this willingly!!! Like all man-Martians, he HATES shopping in any form, so I was quite surprised. Maybe he thought that if he went along, he could keep my yarn-buying from entering the danger zone - hah! - as if that would stop me. Of course, he may have been using the promise of new yarn as foreplay...and it's working ; )


So, we climbed into the SUV and took the long journey from prairie to urban core. Our first stop (of course) was the lys. Quelle disappointment! I will not name this poor excuse for a yarn store, but let me say that any shop that has less than 1/3 of its square footage dedicated to yarn is NOT a yarn store, even though they represent themselves as such on their website. And when at least 1/2 of the yarn is synthetic, well, call me a snob, but they are no better than the giant chain craft stores, although mucho pricier. What a HUGE letdown, since I was hoping to find some beautiful merino for my SIL's Christmas gift and some really fun handspun for the Funky Scarf swap I have joined. Needless to say, I bought nothing. C was sympathetic,. bless him.


We strolled over to the River Market, where we had a lovely Thai salad and satay. I bought some fresh, tender, baby okra pods, red bell peppers and sweet onions. Time to make some Creole Smothered Okra - to die for! Even if you think you don't like okra, this is one to try. I will post the recipe in the next few days. (Just like Pavlov's dogs, I am drooling already).


Then we visited the delightful (and thankfully air-conditioned) Steamboat Arabia Museum. This is a celebration of treasures that were found buried in a Kansas wheat field and an enjoyable way to spend 2 hours on a hot, muggy Saturday.


Finally, we stopped in at Pryde's in Westport, a mecca for cooks and gardeners. This was C's idea, bless him again. See, several years ago I splurged on a Berndes frying pan - non-stick, deep, covered - perfect for sauteeing, braising, steaming, wokking, pan-frying, etc. - in other words, the most versatile piece of cookery I owned. I loved this pan, wanted to marry it. And C (aka "Mr. Why Read Instructions, It's Just A Frying Pan") - well, let's just say my beautiful pan needed to be replaced. So we got a replacement today - the LAST one of its kind, they don't make this particular model anymore. So, my relationship with the pan-of-all-pans continues anew....and C has already read the instructions carefully. So, I shall be christening the pan with some luscious smothered okra tomorrow....mmmmmmm! And, you don't need to follow a recipe for this dish - my kind of cooking.


If you've noticed, none of my pictures have been publishing the past week or so, even from previous posts that did show them before. I don't know what's going on, but have contacted the Blogger geeks for help and hopefully they'll figure out what's going on.

UHHHHHHHH

It is still hot. It is still steamy. And it is ozoney. So my allergies are at an all-summer high and I am miserable, no matter what I take. So I am taking advantage of the fact I have no energy to do anything but to Knit, Knit, Knit. And as long as I am not challenged by any more than a simple garter stitich, we are cookin'. I am almost finished with a mystery project I started about 2 weeks ago and will bind off on that tonight, finally. I have also gotten most of the urban camoflage scarf finished and should bind off on that one tomorrow night. Here is a glimpse of the mystery project:

When I have allergies, I am brain dead. Unable to be clever, creative, or lucid for that matter. Bad timing since my practice is going into overtime, what with most of the schools starting this week. (Lucidity is a good trait in a therapist.) So, trying desperately to think of something to post that is interesting (at least to me), I have resorted to my usual desperate tactics of posting cute pictures of my canine and feline children. The first is Abbie, looking about as pathetic as it is possible for a beagle to look:

Try to imagine this face accompanied by incessent, heart-breaking little moans. And, no, I did not do this just to have a laugh at her expense...she had a bug bite on her tail and had chewed it raw. The vet made us do it. She is all better now, thanks to Dr. D and his Cone of Humiliation.
How hot has it been? Even Criquette has abandoned the porch in favor of air-conditioned comfort:

Stay cool ya'll.

A Special Day

Today is special because, ** years ago, my little sister was born. My sister (aka "Sassy FouFou") is 10 years younger than me - I'm doing us both a favor by being discreet about her age. I probably had a bad case of sibling rivalry and can't say I was always nice to her, in fact, I tortured her on a regular basis because that's one of the jobs an older sibling has to do, right?

Anyway, she grew up to become one of my favorite people in the world. She is one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted and forgiving people I know, as well as being a great cook and super mother. And she is an artist and the gift I am sending her is to remind her of that, even though she doesn't have time right now to focus on her art talent. Plus I am throwing in a little silliness, because don't we all need more silliness in our lives? (I am reminded of this every day by the fun, courageous kids I work with.)

So Happy, Happy Birthday, Sassy FouFou - hope your year is full of grace and blessings and joy and chocolate! Love, CriquetteAnne.
PS: I tried to post some cute pictures, but something is messed up with the server:(

About Crickets And Criquettes And Such...

Even though I hate mid-summer, I do love the sound of the crickets singing their little hearts out for a date. And there are lots of Los Lonely Cricket-Boys singing for some sweet cricket-lovin' these past few days. Since I don't have any exciting Knitting news to share, I thought I'd turn our thoughts to our little crunchy friends today.

Crickets come in different sizes and colors:











They may be famous:









You can get them covered in velvety chocolate:






Or munch them straight from the can:







Did you know some crickets are particularly devout?:









This is also a Criquette.
She loveslovesloves crickets. For breakfast, for lunch, for dinner and for little crunchy snacks.
So if you are a Los lonely cricket who is thinking of taking up residence in my garage or basement, please reconsider if you value your life. And in case you are a cricket who doesn't read, please note the following scematic:

plus

equals

So for those crickets out there on the prairie who may not remember the Great Basement Cricket Massacres of 2004 (conducted single-pawedly by Criquette), let this serve as your final warning.

Ramblings From A Heat-Stroked Brain

As a cool-weather junkie, I have always intensely disliked the summer, especially the stretch in between early July and late August, even as a child. Midsummer is the ugliest time of year. The quality of light is harsh and ugly, the plants and grass are drying up and looking ugly, my hair and skin look and feel ugly. It's hard to breathe, think, move. I've noticed that my mood becomes more irritable and depressed.

In fact, mental health scientists are beginning to recognize a phenomenon similar to seasonal affective disorder that strikes many people in the winter months. It is being referred to as summer seasonal affective disorder. I've thought of it as my "summer sickness" for years now and thought it was just another of my little eccentricities. However, I am comforted by two thoughts: (1) if scientists are giving it a name, it's not just my imagination that I feel this way every year; and (2) there is an end in sight - at some point, the autumn will be here and I will be in euphoria once again until next July. It's interesting...my youngest brother (aka "Air Force Boy") seems to have the same kind of reaction to the summer as well, only I don't think he is aware of the SSAD phenomenon.

Thank God for Knitting, that wonderful activity that can be comfortably indulged without having to go into the heat (except to go get more yarn). I recently saw a question posted on the Knitting Novices forum, as to whether people were still Knitting despite the heat. Heck yes! In fact, do Obsessed Knitters ever not want to Knit?

As I was driving home from a yarn run yesterday, I stopped at a light that is across from a community pool. Temperature was around 100, heat index 107. So hot, the pool was almost deserted. But laying on a chaise, in the full, beating sun, frying her brains and body to a crisp, was a bikini-clad Knitter, needles flying on some wooly project. No question, this was perhaps the Queen of Obsessed Knitters. I bow to her level of commitment to Knitting and hope she had on a really good sunscreen.

The BIL kureyon scarf came off the needles yesterday and is looking amazing. I plan on blocking it tonight and will post a picture next week. And I started a new scarf, from some beautiful Noro Iro yesterday - since it's a silk/wool blend, it feels a little cooler to work with. I got about 2/3's of the way through and should have finished this afternoon, except for the fact that I forgot my Adderall today and totally forgot to pay attention to the (simple) pattern so now must frog 2 rows of lengthwise stitching. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! So I decided to put it down, do some other stuff for a while (like clean house, make groceries, do laundry) and then pick it up later this evening.

Yesterday:

Today:


Now it is later this evening, and I decided it would be less frustrating to just rip the whole thing than try to carefully pick up 350 stitches without twisting or dropping them. While I was at it, I decided to cut out an olive-brownish-yellow section of Iro that just did not go with the other bright, summery colors. I also decided this was a good time to learn how to do a Russian join. This particular was not a good candidate since there is no twist to speak of. But I did a good enough job and have learned a new Knitting skill.

So now I am off to cast on and furiously Knit away at what I am calling the Gaugin scarf, since the colors remind me of his lush tropical paintings. And just to thumb my nose at the heat, I am going to watch a DVD called "The Cooler". Take that, heat wave.

Where Are The Baby Hats?

Now I could have sworn that I posted a blog with pictures of the baby hats I have completed for my charity Knitting group. But I can't find them anywhere! I can only attribute this to either an ADHD moment or a hormone moment, neither of which are pretty, let me tell you. Especially when it comes to remembering.

I discovered this fact when I went to send my first reply to the Knitting Novices group over at Yahoo, in which another novice asked for help with figuring out sizes for baby hats. I was going to use a link to this blog so she could see the pictures, and realized "What pictures?" This shook me up so much, i almost lost my courage to send the reply. You see, I've never done that sort of thing before. Isn't it amazing how such a small thing can make a person so nervous? Like, if I get it wrong, what will they do...fire me?

So here are the pictures, taken in my June garden:


So, in case you are wondering, here are the relevant facts.The pink/white/yellow/green hat and the blue striped hat are based on the watermelon hat pattern so kindly provided by the Yarn Harlot. These were both knit with Simply Soft yarn, using US9 circs. The green and yellow hats are the result of my playing around with some scrap yarn, in my effort to find a pattern I like, in addition to the little roll brims.

I still have about 3 or 4 little premie hats that just need to be stitched up and then will be ready to go to Truman hospital.

I have cast-on and have about 4 rows of the Kureyon scarf and now I get it! I knew it would self-stripe, but I had no idea all of the subtle shade differences are in that one little ball of wool. It's so much fun to see what's coming next. I can't tell yet if I like the way the garter stitch is going to look knit lengthwise, and only hope we don't hear the croaking of friggin froggin around here!

Grits And ButterBeans

GRITS (Aug 24 - Sept 23)
Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter, or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well.



BUTTER BEAN (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

Always invite a Butter Bean to a party because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies.

When I was a child, never, never did I ever imagine that I would marry a bowl of grits. David Cassidy, maybe, but grits, never. But here I am, and I must say, it's not so bad.

I had an email the other day from a friend who apparently has just discovered the Southern Zodiac. I was first introduced to this many, many years ago after I first married Mr. Grits. He was not at all amused since (1) he hates grits, being a Yankee and all that, and (2) has a low tolerence for silliness. Personally, I think he was just jealous that he was not born to be a butter bean.

Being re-introduced to this again was a lot of fun. Of course, I had to share this with Mr. Grits again, who STILL was not amused. But I'm okay with it, because I looove grits, especially when they're swimming in butter. But not butter beans, I don't think that would quite be right.

But here on the prairie, this butter bean sure does like being with her bowl of grits. And thanks her lucky stars she didn't end up with a Moon Pie!

Christmas in July

Maybe it's denial, or maybe it's a way of coping with the heat, or maybe it's just plain boredom. Whatever the reason, I gave in to an overwhelming urge to go to lys'g this afternoon. I was trying hard to stay away, because the last thing I need is more yarn and I accept the fact that I am not a person who can go to a knitting shop and "just look". So I justified the trip and the certain purchase by deciding that I need to knit some Christmas gifts and if I wait too long, I'll never get them finished on time, blahblahblah. So I found the idea for the pattern in the book Teen Knits. It calls for 2 colors of yarn (100 yds of each color), to be knit horizontally, first one color, then the second color. The end, that's it, how easy!

So I went to the first shop, a somewhat new place called Cottage Fiber in Mission, Kansas. PJ, the owner, is actually a spinner and weaver, and not a knitter. That means there's more roving and batting and other strange fluffy hunks of fiber than there is actual yarn for knitting. She does have lots of hanks of natural-colored yarns but I am not yet ready to try hand-dying so I did manage to restrain myself there. (Mental note to self - this is where I am heading when it is time to try hand-dying my own - I am already lusting for some silky alpaca that will knit up into a luscious scarf pour moi.)

Since I was "in the neighborhood" - alright, 10 miles away, close enough - I had to go explore a shop I have heard much about, The Studio. I don't know if I like it as much as KnitWit and The Yarn Shop, but I certainly liked it enough to buy yarn for not one, but 2 Christmas gifts! I did like the gals who work there a lot. not only were they all helpful, but there was a conversation going on about "knitting ADD" AKA the phenomenon of having about 23 projects all going at the same time. I love it, felt right at home with my own kind. Plus, they must have every single kind and color of Noro yarn, about which I have read so much on various knitting blogs. This will be my first time - popping the Noro cherry, so to speak. It already is enticing me to forget all of the other yarns that sit waiting for me, either on needles or in the stash, and cast it on, now, tonight. I am soooo weak....

So here is a picture of the latest stash members:

Starting from the left, the Noro Kuryon (#51) and it's partner, Lamb's Pride worsted in black; Cascade 128 Chunky (#183) and it's partner, Classic Elite "Beatrice" (#3272). It looks like the Kuryon will knit up in shades of grey, dark blue-green, sienna, and black - perfect for my quirky bil who takes himself way too seriously. The Cascade is a gorgeeeous shade of dark loden and the Beatrice, a smooth merino, is composed of 2 variegated yarns twisted together. It is in beautiful colors that remind me of pretty camo - light and dark leafy greens, chocolate and mocha, and light and dark thundercloud grey. It should make a sophisticated fashion statement for one of my Bambi-hunting brothers, who is obsessed with deer in much the same way I am obsessed with Knitting. Only this scarf will be his city scarf, used when he out hunting for parking places and the best spot for lunch.

So now I am going to sign off so I can go and pretend to knit some swatches and get started on Christmas, even though it's just July.

Baked Beagle Brains

And so it came to pass that on the fifth day, God created the creatures that would inhabit the land, sky and water. And God saw that it was good. And He told the animals to get in line for their brains. But lo, the Beagles were not paying attention because they were off chasing the Bunnies, so they did not get any brains.
But because they were otherwise cute and loveable, God blessed them on the sixth day by creating Humans, to care for them and keep them safe from their own selves.
And God saw that it was good. Amen. (from The Good News Bible For Beagles, 2nd ed.)

Now I love Abbie dearly but must be honest. Beagles are not known as the Einsteins of the canine world. They are not the brightest light in the chandelier or the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you get my meaning. And although Abbie is not a 100% beagle, she did not inherit her brains from the Jack Russell portion of her DNA.


I offer this as proof:


The temps all week have hit record highs, as in 100F degrees in the shade, heat indices of 110-115. And if we don't keep the porch door firmly shut during the day, guess who's out on the porch, laying in the full, beating hot sun? She will eventually cook herself for so long that she'll finally stagger inside like a drunk puppy and collapse into a panting heap. Then, 5 minutes later, she tries to head back out to bake what few brains she was given. She is relentless in her begging to go out this week, but, as her Humans, it is our sacred duty to protect her from herself and keep her inside, no matter how much she pouts and huffs.

And don't believe anyone who tries to tell you that Abbie's Human mom doesn't have any brains, either. Just because I've pulled the thick, wooly basketweave scarf back out this week to knit on doesn't neccessarily mean my brains are baked too. It just means that my brain is good and properly hooked on yarn. And God saw that it was good. Amen.

Back To Normal

My brother and his family have left. The house needs straightening, sheets and towels need to be washed. The cats have come out of hiding. It was a good visit, and just the right length as we all still want to visit each other again. We went to Hunters' Heaven (aka Cabella's) for my brother, so he can find new toys that will help him kill more Bambies. Lucky for deer in Clinton, Mississippi, he just ended up getting lots of clothing items with Bambi pictures on them. I went "hunting in the trophy gallery with my camera and got a good closeup of one of Bambi's relatives that I plan on putting up at the edge of my yard to warn all deer passing through to stay away from my flowers (aka "deer candy")or they will join this guy in the trophy gallery at Cabella's!

We ate lots of good food, especially Kansas City barbeque, which I would argue is maybe the best barbeque anywhere (and please do not send coments to the contrary as you will not change my mind. And I am done talking about this now.). We saw "Pirates of the Carribean", which was more dark and violent than the first, and not nearly as good, but any movie with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom eye-candy still gets at least 2 popcorn bags in my review.

One of my favorite things was going hiking at the arboretum. The weather was dry and in the high 70's with a brilliant blue sky and light breeze - could not have been better. The woods were spiritual in their beauty. Abbie got to go and pretend she was tracking rabbits for us - she was ecstatic! She started moaning and yipping when we were still at least 2 miles away (don't feel sorry for Chloe - she doesn't have the stamina for hiking so she got to hang out in the yard with "dad", plus she got some extra treats). Here are some pictures from the trail:

And in the course of all of our driving about to various places, I got in enough Knitting to make 2 baby hats for my charity knitting group. I'm really obsessed with baby hats right now. Every one is a variation in pattern at this point, as I am experimenting to find one I like the best. so far, I am still not satisfied and so the quest continues. The other poor projects sit in my bag languishing...

Company's Coming

Life can get lonely here on the prairie. That's why it's good to have company come to visit. In this case, my brother, his wife and one of my nieces (who briefly lived on the prairie with us after Hurricane Katrina left her temporarily homeless). They are very easy to be with, low maintenance and just plain old fun. I had quite the love/hate relationship with this brother (aka "the Instigator") when we were kids. I am the oldest and he was the "baby" at the time, before my sister came along and usurped his place (hahahaha!) - but that is a different story for another day.

My second brother and I were convinced he was spoiled rotten and did our best to torment him. Unfortunately, he decided that it was his mission in life to make our lives miserable, which he did quite successfully. He picked at us, teased us and tattled on us constantly. The worst thing of all was when he would slap himself and make himself start crying. He would call for our mom and when she came to see what the fuss was all about, he would tell her that we had hit him. Meanwhile, we would be playing Barbies or a game in a different room, minding our own business. Mom always believed him and would descend on us in a fury, spanking us and sending us to our rooms for the rest of the day. And there would be the Instigator, laughing at us behind her back. We would pray at night for the gypsys to steal him or for our parents to finally admit that they had brought the wrong baby home from the hospital and return him to his real family.

We grew up to become good friends and I love him and his wonderful family dearly. He still instigates, teases and torments, of course, but maybe I have grown wise to his tricks and can no longer be riled. I am happy to report, however, that about a year before our mom died, we were all visiting by her house. The subject got around to when we were kids, and the Instigator's trick to get us in trouble. My mother had never believed that he would do something like that. Well, he finally admitted it and my mom was forced to face the ugly truth of what a little demon she had spawned! So we all had a really good laugh. And I get even with my brother by giving him really dumb gifts every birthday. This year will be a box of chocolate-covered creams with cockroach centers. Yes! Really! And, being the funny guy that he is, he will love it!

And now, when I am counseling families about sibling conflicts, I hear from many, many kids how they have a sibling who will hit or scratch themselves and blame it on my innocent patient who then gets in big trouble. And of course, the parents never believe them. It is always such a JOYFUL thing for me to validate these kids and help the parents come up with a suitable consequence for the instigator in their family!

Let me close with a baby picture of my brother, the Instigator. Have a great 5th of July (since the 4th is practically over). (Happy late birthday, Mark! Love, Your big sister, Empress of the Universe and Boss of You and don't you forget it).