Rip-O-Rama

It's been a week of backwards knitting. Sometimes you just need to have projects go away and get on with the new. First we had the sweater that was almost finished, but the yarn was unraveling, then the shawl where I absolutely could not find my place. I may just rip out a few more things while I'm at it.

I'll need some easy projects for the near future anyway, as Jack goes in next week for his hip resurface. It's pretty close to getting a new hip, all the same recovery, a lovely 12 inch incision, and all the same physical therapy afterward. Guess I'll be playing nurse for a bit. It will be so good to not see Jack in pain. We were on a run in June and he just said he had to stop as his hip was really hurting. Turns out his joint was almost bone to bone. I was glad when the doctor said it wasn't caused by running since we both used to run marathons. It was great that they squeezed his surgery in so he can get healed up and back to his normal active life....just no more running for him.

Terrific Tucson

It's always fun in Wisconsin, but I'm really happy to be back to our new home in Tucson. My friend Meggan did the drive across the country with me as Jack is having a lot of problems with his hip. Meggan and I did the leisurely trip with stops in Denver, Santa Fe and Sedona. I was home for two days and then off to Hawaii. September was a whirlwind, but I'm getting settled back into my normal exercise and knitting, spinning routine. Finally getting around to finishing some knitting projects. I had quite a few neglected projects that deserved some attention. I can't believe the end of the year is closing in.

Friends from Down Under

I'm still a click off for sleeping, but hey...what's new. It was a fast and fun filled two weeks with my sisters , nieces and great niece in Australia. It seems that I always inspire people to rekindle their knitting or begin knitting. Must have something to do with my not being able to just sit without doing something. Have a couple of new "Cowgirl Knitters" in the family and also made some new animal friends. The pig is actually the grown up piglet from Charlottes Web and all the kangaroos and sheep etc. are from Clare's sister's house. The baby kangaroo was just taken in the day before to be housed for the next few years while it rehabilitates.

I 'm so glad we'll all be together again in a few months....I have soooo much fun with my sisters!

Finally Warming Up

After a cool month in the Northwoods it's finally getting to be comfortable. Guess I shouldn't complain as everyone in Tucson is cooking. We're very busy up here...playing in the lake, running, canoeing, biking, and of course our Thursday night pontoon get togethers in the middle of the lake. Have been enjoying the change in wildlife viewing.....people here don't even know what Javelina are. A change of scenery is a good thing. It makes you appreciate everything.

The Eagles nest is the tree picture and the little brown thing is a toad house....and yes, I put it down near a toad and it hopped right in!

Wisconsin

Well, we made it to the Northwoods....our butts are a bit more flat from the 2000 plus mile trip, but we're running and walking the kinks out. We didn't come to Wisconsin last year as we were busy finishing up the Tucson house, so it is especially great being back here. We have a cute baby Pileated Woodpecker living in a tree right by the house, and we can always rely on the Bald Eagles that have had a nest for years on the other side of the house. Looking forward to a busy and fun filled summer.

Fiber Fiber Everywhere

Today while I was swimming, doing the backstroke, I was looking up at the clouds and started thinking that they looked like some really nicely drafted wool. Then I glanced at a woman relaxing by the pool and thought, wow... her hair looks like a lovely blend of silk and merino, and what a wonderful golden color it would spin into. Guess I'm starting to look at things a little differently now that I've started spinning.

Spinning...as in fiber

I am now the proud owner of a Kromski Fantasia Spinning Wheel. For the last month, whenever I've told someone that I was taking a spinning class, I always have to say "as in fiber". Most everyone thinks it's on the bike. I'm still trying to get my feet to slow down a bit, they just like to go fast. I'm having a great time learning and now that I have my wheel I'll be able to practice every day.