Knitting and Movie Updates

Hi, coming up for air for a moment here. Between Saxon 7/6 and Shurley Grammar and Latin and Geometry and Chemistry and Biology and English, there hasn't been much time for this poor neglected blog. And my sense of humor has taken a hit, so I can't even be trippingly light-hearted about this particular page in our lives. Grim, I am. Therefore, let us turn to knitting.

I have more projects on the needles than usual. The ongoing mystery gift, Emily's crocheted shrug, and a hat for a child on the reservation are in heavy rotation. I'll do a matching scarf as soon as the hat is done. The hat is on double points, so I'll take it and the long-suffering socks to my knitting class this Friday so I can demonstrate knitting in the round. The dishcloth, afghan, and vest are all on hold. I delivered about 50 pairs of booties to the Crisis Pregnancy Center today, but that wasn't my work. There are some wonderful ladies in Halfknits who have contributed there.

The movie last week was Arsenic and Old Lace. Is there a sicker comedy out there? It was a lot of fun and I think the teens liked it as well as anything we've had so far. The IMDB trivia page said that it was Cary Grant's least favorite movie, and I can see why, but it was still charming. No one can say "darling" like he can.

Next week: The Maltese Falcon. I hope I can generate more appreciation for it than I did the first time around. To me it felt like a bunch of cliches, in the same way that Shakespeare is just a bunch of quotes strung together. I'll have to remind the kids that it was basically the first film noir, that it set the standard for the rest of Bogart's characters, that it was Sydney Greenstreet's first film ever, and to watch Peter Lorre. A more underplayed, talented actor is hard to find.

Finally done!

Sorry for the long gap in publishing here. Things got in the way. School. Classes. Homework. Job. Housework. A certain blogging program that wouldn't let me upload pictures. A certain computer that shut down Internet Explorer not once, but twice today when I had this entry just about done. Excuse me while I compulsively save this again.

And so (for the third time, not that you'd know it) : ta da! The cardigan, she is done, and I got to cast on for a couple of new things. I love casting on; the possibilities are endless. As you can see, I was in a hurry there toward the end and sewed the label in crookedly. It's my humility label. I didn't have time to redo it, so there it sits. But that's OK; when the recipient is wearing it, no one's going to notice anyway. Isn't she cute?!

And now I have this: It's two boxes of wool donated to Halfknits and it's as scratchy as it looks, but the swatch wasn't too bad. I was thinking a Log Cabin blanket, or maybe some Fair Isle. Whatever we make, it'll be very warm for the people in S. Dakota.

Also on the needles: a mystery gift, Emily's crocheted shrug (well, technically not on the needles, and not even on the hook since it's been frogged twice already. Who'd've thought gauge mattered with crochet too?) and some crocheted blanket squares for Halfknits. Will be swatching soon for second mystery gift.

Our movie this week for English class was Friendly Persuasion. I like Gary Cooper more everytime I see him. And Dorothy McGuire was the big surprise; what a wonderful performance! She's one of those actresses you know you've seen somewhere, so I checked IMDB and sure enough, she's the mom in not only Swiss Family Robinson, but Old Yeller as well.

Received Mason-Dixon Knitting today as a late birthday present from the folks and it's great. I'm ready to make log cabin blankets, and rag rugs, and go to New York, all at the same time.

Ready for the state fair this year? Ready for.... Fried Coke? Just when I think they've fried everything that can possibly be fried. Although the fried Oreos last year were mighty tasty.

I promise; this blog entry was a lot better the first two times.