tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667758452907764742024-03-14T04:10:27.964-05:00Mr. Micawber's Recipe for Happiness~ Living Graciously on Limited Means ~Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.comBlogger829125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-41560529894180520132023-12-11T20:58:00.000-06:002023-12-11T21:24:33.913-06:00Unexpected Joys<p><span style="font-size: large;">Unexpected joys just might be the best kind. The pleasures we anticipate often fall short in reality, but those moments of delight which take us by surprise, having no expectations to live up to, leave no room for disappointment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's one such moment from last month. I went outside to hang some laundry on the line, and saw this growing against the house wall:</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mY7SH9MFoDCB5pVX5pgn3G6X5RP_Nsd54aDM2T1SF3PI6S1Kgbp_a2uXsmXKeB7ZPHhbCdFUeB4ZPUsq4l1eTIWBxgXUb83ztJsyNYudBLhJ1kWUld9ofK-8SmwCcpfNbcXumJWiT_6WP2qkFVf6kgAX6b7KimnyfElpjRdqykM0qEeRG8ZH-FEgaQs/s2661/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="2658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mY7SH9MFoDCB5pVX5pgn3G6X5RP_Nsd54aDM2T1SF3PI6S1Kgbp_a2uXsmXKeB7ZPHhbCdFUeB4ZPUsq4l1eTIWBxgXUb83ztJsyNYudBLhJ1kWUld9ofK-8SmwCcpfNbcXumJWiT_6WP2qkFVf6kgAX6b7KimnyfElpjRdqykM0qEeRG8ZH-FEgaQs/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A violet in November!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">It made my day.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Some joys come a bit sooner than we expect, like this year's first appreciable snowfall.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On the last Sunday in November, we woke to an inch of snow on the ground, with more falling. Suddenly the thought of Christmas decorations seemed right and proper - much more so than in the mild fall days preceding. Though I've never belonged to the put-up-the-tree-the-day-after-Thanksgiving school, preferring instead to deck the halls closer to Christmas (and leave the decorations up well into January to cheer the bleakest stretch of winter), this snow made me think again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't put up any decorations that day, but I did take a walk to admire nature's efforts:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KTTWuKo48KosFyv3r5miFDMQ-DnhM2sQCvi7yR2jztpPiEgbnMCmRasJy35VAwvfQ2qQXAS2Y4lmOaEQiKsaYaByveBQMEbEXIBO3wdBj7F2gyNxpcv1s4S51mmk8iWuslFXYtuQzwkTW96-E5ZJVqDxXvXZLJIUzN8fFoTDb9-G4K11QKXJoXEz5VA/s4000/IMG_3723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KTTWuKo48KosFyv3r5miFDMQ-DnhM2sQCvi7yR2jztpPiEgbnMCmRasJy35VAwvfQ2qQXAS2Y4lmOaEQiKsaYaByveBQMEbEXIBO3wdBj7F2gyNxpcv1s4S51mmk8iWuslFXYtuQzwkTW96-E5ZJVqDxXvXZLJIUzN8fFoTDb9-G4K11QKXJoXEz5VA/w640-h480/IMG_3723.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ_LjNa9b7_4Wv15kJkuH4ToheWiqMAf1Yp1XodXjEZu9ZURVv5G9-46D2bUaXXSCiYkcFzYT-PkwGmQNIeeGoifpQfHN_24nqFcMwGTysrWw4h0odI2QVabuzuwwGInx3WRH6RTIZKBEUd-FZxPb_Gz5FEQ7-Hm_2f8nDhqJ1onQPAgEYJ39HuJE3YE/s1939/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="1447" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ_LjNa9b7_4Wv15kJkuH4ToheWiqMAf1Yp1XodXjEZu9ZURVv5G9-46D2bUaXXSCiYkcFzYT-PkwGmQNIeeGoifpQfHN_24nqFcMwGTysrWw4h0odI2QVabuzuwwGInx3WRH6RTIZKBEUd-FZxPb_Gz5FEQ7-Hm_2f8nDhqJ1onQPAgEYJ39HuJE3YE/w299-h400/IMG_3727.JPG" width="299" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7fgmQtnlu_BHMVeBXSsouqEuV0jvUOPD2SLZ8QHDYLhqRIvH5Z3y3q_y68i5uDSrTS2ycjUBfd9lUfJbHV7v1mq4NCuH7MEt763ngzclF3Rz86tKaOwSsOpAUn6sw2A-icyN3cnqV8pXcK45cddmvuO3TFHHnuSsp6_y0ZWS6dngN4uFvrpTkKjqEPQ/s4000/IMG_3733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7fgmQtnlu_BHMVeBXSsouqEuV0jvUOPD2SLZ8QHDYLhqRIvH5Z3y3q_y68i5uDSrTS2ycjUBfd9lUfJbHV7v1mq4NCuH7MEt763ngzclF3Rz86tKaOwSsOpAUn6sw2A-icyN3cnqV8pXcK45cddmvuO3TFHHnuSsp6_y0ZWS6dngN4uFvrpTkKjqEPQ/w480-h640/IMG_3733.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVGio1bH10OfOfgdCah_DMIdil4Hu1jmeWwU91r8NmJEjE3RHtLTQxk1VO_otSN0mKo6cwRo8NoSejQqatSwsrkJmPybrqNeV5BMqsWAzjb1M2EiCO1lgv0m_PDe4VHdT9vjXZlCshcAUvo1gDKKdknPxni1phfEM4iuoUWR9S2WgkqH9c3Zgt17Tppo/s3663/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="3663" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVGio1bH10OfOfgdCah_DMIdil4Hu1jmeWwU91r8NmJEjE3RHtLTQxk1VO_otSN0mKo6cwRo8NoSejQqatSwsrkJmPybrqNeV5BMqsWAzjb1M2EiCO1lgv0m_PDe4VHdT9vjXZlCshcAUvo1gDKKdknPxni1phfEM4iuoUWR9S2WgkqH9c3Zgt17Tppo/w640-h480/IMG_3738.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESSdMv0PxQ9-H2Er6jtS0TFQFB41VL_1CUw_WblvZylXO7jMpT7yXLO_bLgKKhXF5TTt1r6tE1Fap-mTFs4YB8_rxErfZY7p-smyNJyp39LMUurNB6yLWmoKdAeKHXpB9XbUNNR5esltQB4rRBv1H1wxG4zbNT5kBtMmJUpawKjPQjTY8Ss4hDmeb9c/s4000/IMG_3742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="4000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESSdMv0PxQ9-H2Er6jtS0TFQFB41VL_1CUw_WblvZylXO7jMpT7yXLO_bLgKKhXF5TTt1r6tE1Fap-mTFs4YB8_rxErfZY7p-smyNJyp39LMUurNB6yLWmoKdAeKHXpB9XbUNNR5esltQB4rRBv1H1wxG4zbNT5kBtMmJUpawKjPQjTY8Ss4hDmeb9c/w400-h265/IMG_3742.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following weekend we got our Covid vaccinations, along with another snowfall. So inspiring was it (the snow, I mean) that I ignored my sore arm and vaccine-induced achiness and fatigue, and put up the Christmas tree and some lights - then had to lie down for a nap. That's all the decorating I've achieved to date, but there's no rush; ornaments will follow in due time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our lovely few inches of snow slowly shrank and melted off last week as the temperatures rose, culminating in yet another unexpected joy: a Friday in the 50s, and a rare December bike ride!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The air was warm(ish) in the sun, and chilly in the shade. A cool wind did its best to dry roads still damp from snowmelt, while traces of the white stuff lingered in shady areas:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPkjQih6tbsx9mXgIAn2DxjWmMDVnhtqDRnFW_Q5bm8Aa_rOmA1UIDUBOWx2Of_gRqje-8QwczeRTRnoKG5oZTMaLGaBn-Py8nf7wO0MeMz6IbNgIG9EoqAZkLcMUBpJoS0VYxELElhl0VOjx8h-qBF5cE9rBezBqPbbeN8XxfsdEDVbwNvOkMaWmYk8/s3663/IMG_3763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3663" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPkjQih6tbsx9mXgIAn2DxjWmMDVnhtqDRnFW_Q5bm8Aa_rOmA1UIDUBOWx2Of_gRqje-8QwczeRTRnoKG5oZTMaLGaBn-Py8nf7wO0MeMz6IbNgIG9EoqAZkLcMUBpJoS0VYxELElhl0VOjx8h-qBF5cE9rBezBqPbbeN8XxfsdEDVbwNvOkMaWmYk8/w640-h480/IMG_3763.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A blue-and-white sky floated above:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc6-h9H3VvjfZIHyvddlXxzyCii2PSgv9HsKn6VLocR3-YroyjzCEebIy2HDpK3NkSgrqpR5P_31SqX5OuWSSfDzb71W1JMXuuoiQYoY3m823xbZqHLtuuVWjzsxbORqs2_RW1ZTUjcHjYayXuBehoh6NyEnvj3DKdjcUTKrGZu-Ayr-2BG0rBTeNe1c/s4000/IMG_3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc6-h9H3VvjfZIHyvddlXxzyCii2PSgv9HsKn6VLocR3-YroyjzCEebIy2HDpK3NkSgrqpR5P_31SqX5OuWSSfDzb71W1JMXuuoiQYoY3m823xbZqHLtuuVWjzsxbORqs2_RW1ZTUjcHjYayXuBehoh6NyEnvj3DKdjcUTKrGZu-Ayr-2BG0rBTeNe1c/w480-h640/IMG_3766.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And a low wintry sun created long shadows, turning my road bike into a penny-farthing:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUDFTIRvC5J7bOYIUTo91Ks9xjwv5wFGT4A-kmWS8DMfR7TxKIG6rTUAATVCta0WDy-ozGq9nlt7nFFC2amtK5EltCfYO_Fh6kyLYTRLFJawNscT0zVwa3AZu3sAsoaMaMv1UeG02ixgZrVj7tkNetVrsnefiDKSyuuiZE3LF05qIPtT_84KrJuOKeaM/s3767/IMG_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="3767" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUDFTIRvC5J7bOYIUTo91Ks9xjwv5wFGT4A-kmWS8DMfR7TxKIG6rTUAATVCta0WDy-ozGq9nlt7nFFC2amtK5EltCfYO_Fh6kyLYTRLFJawNscT0zVwa3AZu3sAsoaMaMv1UeG02ixgZrVj7tkNetVrsnefiDKSyuuiZE3LF05qIPtT_84KrJuOKeaM/w640-h480/IMG_3770.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">What a treat to take a road ride in December, and add a few unexpected miles to my yearly tally (which now stands at 1019; you can read about all my 2023 rides <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/p/2023-riding-diary.html">here</a>).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which do you prefer: planned-for pleasures that include the sweets of anticipation, or unexpected joys?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-38536704501437021722023-11-13T16:57:00.000-06:002023-12-11T21:25:01.954-06:00A New Pattern<p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm happy to present the <a href="http://likecrochet.com/magazine/crochet-hat-patterns/holly-berry-granny-stitch-beret/?t=63962">Holly Berry Granny Stitch Beret</a>, now available in the <a href="https://www.ilikecrochet.com/toc/magazine-december-2023/">December 2023 issue of <i>I Like Crochet</i></a>.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyLLmQaNlSH3UldaugLukXtfTw1-wM_8FZG73EXKP0CD5Na7gVHnJK4VSDrhwKsrlvEgiRzIwBkD675CdavDQDS3TNan5O-Th6P5BljBrxsdjP12CPXT2qSScz1QMEHIvuUXIXqliT85eucX1WDESW27da7kKjTxu0-Br_LDMT9B1a5ZiBMIcOSsmIBs/s504/Holly-Berry-Granny-Stitch-Beret-small-5421%20copyright%20I%20Like%20Crochet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="503" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyLLmQaNlSH3UldaugLukXtfTw1-wM_8FZG73EXKP0CD5Na7gVHnJK4VSDrhwKsrlvEgiRzIwBkD675CdavDQDS3TNan5O-Th6P5BljBrxsdjP12CPXT2qSScz1QMEHIvuUXIXqliT85eucX1WDESW27da7kKjTxu0-Br_LDMT9B1a5ZiBMIcOSsmIBs/w399-h400/Holly-Berry-Granny-Stitch-Beret-small-5421%20copyright%20I%20Like%20Crochet.jpg" width="399" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo courtesy of <i>I Like Crochet</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">This festive project stitches up quickly in light worsted or worsted weight yarn with a size H (5mm) hook. Thoughtful construction details make for a flattering (not floppy!) beret; the simple single crochet band features invisible decreases and <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2023/02/corded-hdc-edging.html">Corded Hdc Edging</a> for a polished finish.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The bright red magazine sample was worked in Cascade 220 Superwash, a soft and warm washable wool.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIvsbI4wWE3o5SJZKGXa2y62qH9Q6SonEO5YJvAdkN64CkHC9uJl-4f0KlV7RyRYubEszqUkllpp1N9OorgJeN8yZ8Ro-UnA95IRcQAIaqMVzh_6oS2BmYIRXp7_ICiducejaFXpKsWv4jVVq5M2dp1YNCfKRpp7B_Fs5Dgwg_tGq22qEQ7dXlh3T6Oo/s516/Holly-Berry-Granny-Stitch-Beret-small-5408%20copyright%20I%20Like%20Crochet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="516" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIvsbI4wWE3o5SJZKGXa2y62qH9Q6SonEO5YJvAdkN64CkHC9uJl-4f0KlV7RyRYubEszqUkllpp1N9OorgJeN8yZ8Ro-UnA95IRcQAIaqMVzh_6oS2BmYIRXp7_ICiducejaFXpKsWv4jVVq5M2dp1YNCfKRpp7B_Fs5Dgwg_tGq22qEQ7dXlh3T6Oo/w400-h268/Holly-Berry-Granny-Stitch-Beret-small-5408%20copyright%20I%20Like%20Crochet.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo courtesy of <i>I Like Crochet</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">While developing this pattern in response to the magazine's call for submissions, I made a sample for myself, using some lovely squishy Malabrigo Rios:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIJBBLRpQ_TVq7CMCzTnwvWJb3EXVQ1_7bDSTchX7d8JnN5itj8CNp7DRKEr1hNyhRFqrK2xcFLUWZ8l3jY16Y8iRvb6WZ8bgL-gmvwELmQJ5XIl-rsf0zBn6EIx_3A8thewbuTEf32_n17AjS6HzmUpMCDyD4HEUwla196bLgQ-h3jIPJo7mllSfTZ0/s5120/Granny%20Stitch%20Beret%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="5120" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIJBBLRpQ_TVq7CMCzTnwvWJb3EXVQ1_7bDSTchX7d8JnN5itj8CNp7DRKEr1hNyhRFqrK2xcFLUWZ8l3jY16Y8iRvb6WZ8bgL-gmvwELmQJ5XIl-rsf0zBn6EIx_3A8thewbuTEf32_n17AjS6HzmUpMCDyD4HEUwla196bLgQ-h3jIPJo7mllSfTZ0/w640-h214/Granny%20Stitch%20Beret%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to wearing both my berets this fall!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to make a granny stitch beret of your own, you can access this pattern for free <a href="https://www.ilikecrochet.com/magazine/crochet-hat-patterns/holly-berry-granny-stitch-beret/?t=63962">here</a>. Be sure to check out the other lovely patterns in this issue of <i><a href="https://www.ilikecrochet.com/toc/magazine-december-2023/">I Like Crochet</a></i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-21336079810789331482023-10-30T19:40:00.001-05:002023-10-30T19:40:48.557-05:00Fiery October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are few things more beautiful than a sunny late-October day in Wisconsin, when maples light up the woods:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE4NI5B99ZHNfc77ledMfKuSZUUbUc7M5kSDE8OAENJvCQWAgKcSsBGT92ssKerqV6HddORjvGrLQ1eYdsQU3g04pzzrNbTQdAzvtART4PkfhRPnTRB-4_Oz9EIeIHNesGAXpWubhLTO2njpq0RH7VC7RL6wfFG4Ixa3qhdPozzsgXobi_FOBysJzIzg/s3653/IMG_3579.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="3653" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE4NI5B99ZHNfc77ledMfKuSZUUbUc7M5kSDE8OAENJvCQWAgKcSsBGT92ssKerqV6HddORjvGrLQ1eYdsQU3g04pzzrNbTQdAzvtART4PkfhRPnTRB-4_Oz9EIeIHNesGAXpWubhLTO2njpq0RH7VC7RL6wfFG4Ixa3qhdPozzsgXobi_FOBysJzIzg/w640-h480/IMG_3579.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Roads are edged with bronze and green, gold and scarlet: </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBJKwAD1fptJnZrAzmtEBikpXLYyI215SvrB7IOkkOwoLIldyDS1ze-XWCQ97vNleyPF5kYLdPPDq9jP8xVQ5nZKpf1ZBoiMFqbaeXpPxIArlIS7lOMaXnwz8cNQO26ECINcG6-9__etr3vMfbOaVjTyvzoIZwoPLo7hNMtCk7_i0d9L012l5MVxpDQc/s2959/IMG_3585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="2959" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBJKwAD1fptJnZrAzmtEBikpXLYyI215SvrB7IOkkOwoLIldyDS1ze-XWCQ97vNleyPF5kYLdPPDq9jP8xVQ5nZKpf1ZBoiMFqbaeXpPxIArlIS7lOMaXnwz8cNQO26ECINcG6-9__etr3vMfbOaVjTyvzoIZwoPLo7hNMtCk7_i0d9L012l5MVxpDQc/w640-h480/IMG_3585.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Red oaks glow like embers against a deep blue sky:</span></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbeNVHDNUraosdYOjdCImxHHYdui8pZaqJRPa1K1PyEqe4rWtp8M4i71Ghc_iBcCZtdp4sZbf7ZIUrSYpxI5Y8zvQdbFWXYLEZCD66S6MuitXvK974OGhUhiCw-9L2lgQeKd3zhuiGiSbLT5mOLDj3XpQANjimduEvccdyeh1RDxU47_NqQzTSOTig4k/s1805/IMG_3586.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1804" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbeNVHDNUraosdYOjdCImxHHYdui8pZaqJRPa1K1PyEqe4rWtp8M4i71Ghc_iBcCZtdp4sZbf7ZIUrSYpxI5Y8zvQdbFWXYLEZCD66S6MuitXvK974OGhUhiCw-9L2lgQeKd3zhuiGiSbLT5mOLDj3XpQANjimduEvccdyeh1RDxU47_NqQzTSOTig4k/w640-h640/IMG_3586.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>And a golden hush hangs over the forest:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeP_CQTv-rq5rB2mrAnTXUaSco0BxbQZncMj7hyphenhyphenRumfjWodA9F-XAsRtJi2hWDrJP3t3dj-RXJ0lAzIS8Cmmf2ZZP6o9_Gx_m0ZZHaJIi8yAdbZXP8J8GLE3qqxxGe3Qy7AUPW0bZh244-DT3SA_2QJBE570FB_Xho8nLWPUzyTLmdGP_edG4srnk9h4/s3777/IMG_3587.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3777" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeP_CQTv-rq5rB2mrAnTXUaSco0BxbQZncMj7hyphenhyphenRumfjWodA9F-XAsRtJi2hWDrJP3t3dj-RXJ0lAzIS8Cmmf2ZZP6o9_Gx_m0ZZHaJIi8yAdbZXP8J8GLE3qqxxGe3Qy7AUPW0bZh244-DT3SA_2QJBE570FB_Xho8nLWPUzyTLmdGP_edG4srnk9h4/w640-h480/IMG_3587.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Birch trees tower like torches over sun-dappled banks:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OL9aCH0LVXH5y6Q-oFxYHU8mO5u00YUIWsj1rZYrblmk-d00pVtR5IJIEv5ShG_og3CZ605DjArV89YsoWSdkHLcxXGbZHtC4D8iz4nP7GgwkIcZc231g8ioDolTpx2DIe8FqkqeoF8tJl4UyPimNPhH80YON2afnipk0-UxZXaHhz73u4HATkEzAsw/s2407/IMG_3589.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="2405" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OL9aCH0LVXH5y6Q-oFxYHU8mO5u00YUIWsj1rZYrblmk-d00pVtR5IJIEv5ShG_og3CZ605DjArV89YsoWSdkHLcxXGbZHtC4D8iz4nP7GgwkIcZc231g8ioDolTpx2DIe8FqkqeoF8tJl4UyPimNPhH80YON2afnipk0-UxZXaHhz73u4HATkEzAsw/w640-h640/IMG_3589.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Silver-black waters mirror soft brown grass and shining leaves:</span></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYogzzL8bDpHRXzG25BslrAUfpkt0hKvE5h1GgkPvYUiV3IB_5LYM1MSvr9JkT2dEJsm0TskpH-bVUvmwiRrte24_NCLFNyTwZBodipZZ_e6R9uUSarK1XxGih-JCjVOueMGnWjOuCO0IbWwcJj7mw0IfKisHzYO5NVeLA-f-rO88xrTL0MCAOxLhLcEw/s3702/IMG_3602.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3702" data-original-width="2769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYogzzL8bDpHRXzG25BslrAUfpkt0hKvE5h1GgkPvYUiV3IB_5LYM1MSvr9JkT2dEJsm0TskpH-bVUvmwiRrte24_NCLFNyTwZBodipZZ_e6R9uUSarK1XxGih-JCjVOueMGnWjOuCO0IbWwcJj7mw0IfKisHzYO5NVeLA-f-rO88xrTL0MCAOxLhLcEw/w478-h640/IMG_3602.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And late-blooming flowers make the most of fall's lingering warmth:</span></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTD6AWiPxXhsEtlBfRnro2goFOAEGAVgVFhsEH_D-K3_MPV3nlbJ7dCwP6iib6Fw17ngYTSsV3snz_6X99pcnVbbYBTYfWdHMa7ZYFWmFzswYV_1R3o7NSXY2gc2edZd6-pqACFtoyZPRx1HT53NB91hDd9pHVi1B0fZd_4W-ixI7DATBkDzaSnz558M/s2523/IMG_3603.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2523" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTD6AWiPxXhsEtlBfRnro2goFOAEGAVgVFhsEH_D-K3_MPV3nlbJ7dCwP6iib6Fw17ngYTSsV3snz_6X99pcnVbbYBTYfWdHMa7ZYFWmFzswYV_1R3o7NSXY2gc2edZd6-pqACFtoyZPRx1HT53NB91hDd9pHVi1B0fZd_4W-ixI7DATBkDzaSnz558M/w400-h281/IMG_3603.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div>Nature is ablaze with color, dancing in the face of frost:</div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pCVJsAPAgrC3FDymJgTZp_VWzBJsX_n63eC1_SwLKTK0SDE1OfAZrvuO0H8GFLkXIEsJ15lLG20TLpflIBwakAd6B5R2IRkWIuaTRyJ_hXB-8qubmA8Zgbnz96eH1_quwVF5U0jzxCkN8ggaINqyUeOtyRnv5W0XnqXODlnrHJLjd7ApT75-XeHHnfQ/s3485/IMG_3609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="3485" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pCVJsAPAgrC3FDymJgTZp_VWzBJsX_n63eC1_SwLKTK0SDE1OfAZrvuO0H8GFLkXIEsJ15lLG20TLpflIBwakAd6B5R2IRkWIuaTRyJ_hXB-8qubmA8Zgbnz96eH1_quwVF5U0jzxCkN8ggaINqyUeOtyRnv5W0XnqXODlnrHJLjd7ApT75-XeHHnfQ/w640-h480/IMG_3609.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">These pictures were taken a week ago. Since then we've had a hard freeze, and brightness is falling from the trees. But it was glorious while it lasted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">October was busy and a bit blurry for me. It started with a trip to California to visit family (and hike, and walk on the beach, and go to an Angels game, and eat lots of wonderful food). I returned home to unprecedented 90-degree temperatures in Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter succumbed to Covid, missing several days of work and some really lovely cycling weather. By the time I was back on my feet, temps had dropped sharply, and all the rain we didn't get this summer seemed determined to fall before the month's end. On the bright side, our drought status has now improved from "extreme" to "moderate". That more than makes up for some missed rides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There's snow in the forecast for tonight. Wherever you are, may you be healthy, safe, and warm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-3299852756206800162023-09-25T15:31:00.001-05:002023-09-25T15:31:35.319-05:00September Flowers, and a New Shawl Pattern<p><span style="font-size: large;">Where did August and September go? Here we are on the cusp of October, with autumn beginning to color the landscape, and the air resounding with geese on the wing. Summer heat has given way to warm days and cool nights. Thanks to rampaging seasonal allergies, I'm rather looking forward to the first frost, though as yet there's been no hint of one. (On the bright side, delayed frost means a longer garden season; there is much solace to be found in fresh-picked herbs and tomatoes.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I posted any wildflower photos, so here is a month's worth to make up for it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Butter-and-eggs, or toadflax, has been thick along the river trail this year:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5LSMFgLAD9r31s7BtG9-_Vw-_vNuce98JU8wB97F_xVv--m2YWFyLOmblf2J6JgUy1EZkkjlGqGIMTHOUsllp4Puyhd9rOWzwdec_BJN-0tk97RCkiqt2BvqYnCMVJVx9LNNg2wfuW_Yj2Q-HJaU_QL_R8NSImX2sRfcULShPqep8q9RBVn2WnsBzv0/s2489/IMG_3313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="2488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5LSMFgLAD9r31s7BtG9-_Vw-_vNuce98JU8wB97F_xVv--m2YWFyLOmblf2J6JgUy1EZkkjlGqGIMTHOUsllp4Puyhd9rOWzwdec_BJN-0tk97RCkiqt2BvqYnCMVJVx9LNNg2wfuW_Yj2Q-HJaU_QL_R8NSImX2sRfcULShPqep8q9RBVn2WnsBzv0/w400-h400/IMG_3313.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The real stars of September are of course the asters - all kinds, all sizes, from tiny spears to tall and swaying bouquet-like clusters, in every delightful shade of white and palest pink, soft blue and lavender:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfM1qnk05dsFcsntXfH1Rc3nsew8iKMYFEYMB1tYLRMMSmuMCjHEBilHo-Nlo9aCfGCQsIVRw8bndbyeiWBYIGJJimxT_k05ms4SfA3CO7NidjuLYCJt_Kg9dqWa89iXyCPjJ8UNx6RmQPYVZ4J1eDI9qioTTS7FWJSevh19NAI7WvMT8f0P5RUkI-oY/s2715/IMG_3365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2715" data-original-width="2181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfM1qnk05dsFcsntXfH1Rc3nsew8iKMYFEYMB1tYLRMMSmuMCjHEBilHo-Nlo9aCfGCQsIVRw8bndbyeiWBYIGJJimxT_k05ms4SfA3CO7NidjuLYCJt_Kg9dqWa89iXyCPjJ8UNx6RmQPYVZ4J1eDI9qioTTS7FWJSevh19NAI7WvMT8f0P5RUkI-oY/w514-h640/IMG_3365.JPG" width="514" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7a2av9ulIYbrhD90UtWMQWE1c9efgHleKUUSlrY4HDW4VUT933XQj5jvoG0X9utfIGxAVnY8aWt8U3a4yZ51hl2sQvE16cUJ520VOVs3ZzU0A6jg4-7j_V9kBX9C3dl1xf9J9mhDemiS9DZaEsz3GecDe1lK5rcWnVs8DLBT4tIndZNbLJfVJeCeBvk/s2945/IMG_3369.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="2944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7a2av9ulIYbrhD90UtWMQWE1c9efgHleKUUSlrY4HDW4VUT933XQj5jvoG0X9utfIGxAVnY8aWt8U3a4yZ51hl2sQvE16cUJ520VOVs3ZzU0A6jg4-7j_V9kBX9C3dl1xf9J9mhDemiS9DZaEsz3GecDe1lK5rcWnVs8DLBT4tIndZNbLJfVJeCeBvk/w640-h640/IMG_3369.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrgtJnckIliFQRIz3mm8W5kzDV8F_TG7by1vsmBBTQ70P_S0oSPfpTsGvgWNumMFKtu598wJ_uRte5p4VFekQ1x9NhBXcSyibqXrVWu-aZXswJe8ezERZfaYj-KkQpvBZUP6XSJ38WJzDm9qMDRGRBk_GG96GzdnUeS3anp54W0CMjqo1m70OgOmYLSY/s2721/IMG_3378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="2721" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrgtJnckIliFQRIz3mm8W5kzDV8F_TG7by1vsmBBTQ70P_S0oSPfpTsGvgWNumMFKtu598wJ_uRte5p4VFekQ1x9NhBXcSyibqXrVWu-aZXswJe8ezERZfaYj-KkQpvBZUP6XSJ38WJzDm9qMDRGRBk_GG96GzdnUeS3anp54W0CMjqo1m70OgOmYLSY/w640-h480/IMG_3378.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I_sKDEd025ursTJDHL15tTgkpvE51gEz-mJiiy09bu55z2wPfFIxuOFqISfz-Lrw5SM0LJAm9o8sGWp5flQvPoNInlY8zklEUWd0kY76tNifSjcyL-2SV1-QGJb_hkiOsVZjqA6gyr3E8UlAlQFKtIu79KJjZfeaynbJjROHEO8DOaXWtAIrve2Gcso/s2095/IMG_3387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="2095" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I_sKDEd025ursTJDHL15tTgkpvE51gEz-mJiiy09bu55z2wPfFIxuOFqISfz-Lrw5SM0LJAm9o8sGWp5flQvPoNInlY8zklEUWd0kY76tNifSjcyL-2SV1-QGJb_hkiOsVZjqA6gyr3E8UlAlQFKtIu79KJjZfeaynbJjROHEO8DOaXWtAIrve2Gcso/w640-h534/IMG_3387.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Red clover still shines out from roadsides and ditches:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d1QbpAxCSFtpXPkN-Ul7TsWMTlOm4b-77OAebyUtpSl9yI-MUjeQJ_i2g8ggf6Ns_0LvejmJhfsRoxuyCGrTf6g1iV4RSlK8QYVBPDB6thrNP-ErmNQ_A1ljRmjbyzzLlKjxrT2KFbdTRAifySeQ_VfEqLjbjhJ-jg3A8u57MC8Dh1kAqC0PQTkolqM/s1645/IMG_3368.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="1645" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d1QbpAxCSFtpXPkN-Ul7TsWMTlOm4b-77OAebyUtpSl9yI-MUjeQJ_i2g8ggf6Ns_0LvejmJhfsRoxuyCGrTf6g1iV4RSlK8QYVBPDB6thrNP-ErmNQ_A1ljRmjbyzzLlKjxrT2KFbdTRAifySeQ_VfEqLjbjhJ-jg3A8u57MC8Dh1kAqC0PQTkolqM/w400-h399/IMG_3368.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Queen Anne's Lace is beginning to curl up and hug itself against the cooler weather to come:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw1gqiuNCuAemwqk6kcu0rtyHdkY-u5URY5wdtF3tXVbZRSUEnqHOAO_yqj_FH1bMY1NqX_Kw9IapyEqWK9MMp0nkkkm5rPk2_9AP_jUcH8kb5JfECMEschWlzXlOGEjcbBwpp7oZtHrF-nLGfRZqevhZCSdK7vVKPjtJCy0sr_E2vzCcjmYok5aQRW0/s3418/IMG_3380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="2571" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw1gqiuNCuAemwqk6kcu0rtyHdkY-u5URY5wdtF3tXVbZRSUEnqHOAO_yqj_FH1bMY1NqX_Kw9IapyEqWK9MMp0nkkkm5rPk2_9AP_jUcH8kb5JfECMEschWlzXlOGEjcbBwpp7oZtHrF-nLGfRZqevhZCSdK7vVKPjtJCy0sr_E2vzCcjmYok5aQRW0/w482-h640/IMG_3380.JPG" width="482" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Once-bright coneflowers are putting on their fall clothes:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4fJA-bCbQys5cJCwo1zyozLjOHflTSkHCmtpEgjpUOOCHMtLjCfAVBOm0vj9oPDbeEhsW2jEaoQg1OBcRh255Dm-vPPFo2qhEhWR0UMhfm2-LFd4EI6OZHufPV6RAnl8K_WvP5mIm4nPko1upM3s0bmkhn7dmPlRTlYb2-ynSBicVEo4c98fhJ0b4Qc/s3418/IMG_3385.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="2557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4fJA-bCbQys5cJCwo1zyozLjOHflTSkHCmtpEgjpUOOCHMtLjCfAVBOm0vj9oPDbeEhsW2jEaoQg1OBcRh255Dm-vPPFo2qhEhWR0UMhfm2-LFd4EI6OZHufPV6RAnl8K_WvP5mIm4nPko1upM3s0bmkhn7dmPlRTlYb2-ynSBicVEo4c98fhJ0b4Qc/w478-h640/IMG_3385.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">On a clear day in mid-September, goldenrod shines against a deep blue sky:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerbl-GYqzjPyEIX7F7ZClCv4FlSxA9xY7ATwoZR559nVxo6eUf_avYZPdybHzfatY-pbO_l7DRkeuIwgML6sic6RUhSzGDW3MPiVrhKGakek6kbMAYBLh71ww4oncloORgovepEGYFs3OWwRhE36P-AR4QNG8Q8SwYcOIjre6bUHuwlQT6RXtJ50fCVc/s3418/IMG_3407.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="2564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerbl-GYqzjPyEIX7F7ZClCv4FlSxA9xY7ATwoZR559nVxo6eUf_avYZPdybHzfatY-pbO_l7DRkeuIwgML6sic6RUhSzGDW3MPiVrhKGakek6kbMAYBLh71ww4oncloORgovepEGYFs3OWwRhE36P-AR4QNG8Q8SwYcOIjre6bUHuwlQT6RXtJ50fCVc/w480-h640/IMG_3407.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The marshes are full of cheery tickseed:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXP66l4frInqI0xUsQtStANkbnVNek71TMmE1gk9aHqmwIqP2s70Oq7nmHqx49NmkmujslG8GR4KR3MCg1upeWKUtjcQmNZuOyZh9m3PPgdaU6sHOz2c4ujg8B0UBX1SogAkrNCi_QjWThHr2hrMrCJAVUXBe7Ze03NWMt7Ze7i-VEGkJ9XJddAc2bFI/s3549/IMG_3412.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="3549" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXP66l4frInqI0xUsQtStANkbnVNek71TMmE1gk9aHqmwIqP2s70Oq7nmHqx49NmkmujslG8GR4KR3MCg1upeWKUtjcQmNZuOyZh9m3PPgdaU6sHOz2c4ujg8B0UBX1SogAkrNCi_QjWThHr2hrMrCJAVUXBe7Ze03NWMt7Ze7i-VEGkJ9XJddAc2bFI/w640-h480/IMG_3412.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Snakeroot blossoms in pale clumps at the edge of the woods:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ6wPtEP8AK1W_WwOVu_Z8YIo0h0z-92q5L-eWqYvBsVtEZA0w9f7XH3tHbGAXCBjQbVEhMJ1qdRGLGWuVrUhnIYOUl52FhlDbOJKrO5bdbtsjVwh_QDTZf_37S-zrxXOn5rkl_Xa4Tq5bxryo8aZaDNi7MOPcyW1M39Ylgda-Ccl4ngIV5EhJdUsECo/s2570/IMG_3418.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="2570" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ6wPtEP8AK1W_WwOVu_Z8YIo0h0z-92q5L-eWqYvBsVtEZA0w9f7XH3tHbGAXCBjQbVEhMJ1qdRGLGWuVrUhnIYOUl52FhlDbOJKrO5bdbtsjVwh_QDTZf_37S-zrxXOn5rkl_Xa4Tq5bxryo8aZaDNi7MOPcyW1M39Ylgda-Ccl4ngIV5EhJdUsECo/w640-h480/IMG_3418.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Tiny white sweet-clover edges the road:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvKg8fxAiGcYFXdBbLaLsKl-tm5jwfeXKQMNcfB5MJQdwLOeWWIQZhygRde7IACUo4NQzxRYDGMKUeJN5Lq_OUpnLwSFzV_DLzYrK6CK9eqvi2T1IwQrF5h-BDUoWCkPrO10KGDKyvJ41l5ArJ8mCt8Cfy4zlhgZR25QnQnO3UfE1kithHyGke4_bbH4/s2394/IMG_3425.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="1791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvKg8fxAiGcYFXdBbLaLsKl-tm5jwfeXKQMNcfB5MJQdwLOeWWIQZhygRde7IACUo4NQzxRYDGMKUeJN5Lq_OUpnLwSFzV_DLzYrK6CK9eqvi2T1IwQrF5h-BDUoWCkPrO10KGDKyvJ41l5ArJ8mCt8Cfy4zlhgZR25QnQnO3UfE1kithHyGke4_bbH4/w478-h640/IMG_3425.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Cinquefoil is still blooming too:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZq0qa3kA6y8R92ZJpRWoh9RhKPF1_Z0NO0ZBDXWsPZ-AvjEc90KkpJ3g_MxF3WyZqHF8IkbGah18idMUCyjb3vmophuo3YWzuy9Ymi0dnZepqCJhjR67yOx9mm6P2gBhGSwQQctq86GYgokE0PRu9oYnS1ajKnS76sUql8qY-h4J-nvjJcO7YcTO4sg/s2043/IMG_3427.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2042" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZq0qa3kA6y8R92ZJpRWoh9RhKPF1_Z0NO0ZBDXWsPZ-AvjEc90KkpJ3g_MxF3WyZqHF8IkbGah18idMUCyjb3vmophuo3YWzuy9Ymi0dnZepqCJhjR67yOx9mm6P2gBhGSwQQctq86GYgokE0PRu9oYnS1ajKnS76sUql8qY-h4J-nvjJcO7YcTO4sg/w400-h400/IMG_3427.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And a lone amaranth (I think) guards a glowing golden field of soybeans:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF089PvY-NzGsea_bxlVpJQ-sqIZHutVYYPFH7txB-fUnrsR6mpBihE2s0z1MtHocqxZdI_VbX64J6-gOrUCeEyvuSPN6GQvvpOQNcWO0StmIfeIKMUe5M7i2XDXSuNPLeIUM7qW_lQWTHe1NsNRMg1fX9aVu7G3I4UmFD9IJaJBV2BrgMpjoX5On3qY/s4000/IMG_3432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF089PvY-NzGsea_bxlVpJQ-sqIZHutVYYPFH7txB-fUnrsR6mpBihE2s0z1MtHocqxZdI_VbX64J6-gOrUCeEyvuSPN6GQvvpOQNcWO0StmIfeIKMUe5M7i2XDXSuNPLeIUM7qW_lQWTHe1NsNRMg1fX9aVu7G3I4UmFD9IJaJBV2BrgMpjoX5On3qY/w480-h640/IMG_3432.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On this ride, I pass a thick patch of hawkweed (or possibly hawk's-beard), looking like tall lacy dandelions:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojCBeI9zaz_m8V5kKZPQW5hEsSp-BfAenNUvgrp9ArXudlTFjYAqdO9kZ1w2p-wSwLURobr4gjX-V9LYc2-YLYof_uVzVSNJyfZiDcRGL8w_pDnr5PfBYqKZ5lal_vpaUkUKWuoiRp27hvws6rK-IgBIyvToxr0OEywfWtWoz8vExYeBkDedRsgf45xc/s3078/IMG_3442.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="3078" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojCBeI9zaz_m8V5kKZPQW5hEsSp-BfAenNUvgrp9ArXudlTFjYAqdO9kZ1w2p-wSwLURobr4gjX-V9LYc2-YLYof_uVzVSNJyfZiDcRGL8w_pDnr5PfBYqKZ5lal_vpaUkUKWuoiRp27hvws6rK-IgBIyvToxr0OEywfWtWoz8vExYeBkDedRsgf45xc/w640-h480/IMG_3442.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Many of them have gone exuberantly to seed:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwponne1ZcOjFfQ9WVvEg3fvWQfhHLl6gPzquzOBqshYrLkLdfFSAs5q4yIYkNG3jk7FoeyRRJ_OKSIJ46sEr5cSfNR-9DUmSf7NkuXQ3iggTD6-PFzc2jAcp9QfRiaqSPA0Dq3fGxrhG0ZRPNCn7EoBpRucLt46R6zIcv51-ETPIoV_1QXj9hNjjcsnI/s2235/IMG_3452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="2233" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwponne1ZcOjFfQ9WVvEg3fvWQfhHLl6gPzquzOBqshYrLkLdfFSAs5q4yIYkNG3jk7FoeyRRJ_OKSIJ46sEr5cSfNR-9DUmSf7NkuXQ3iggTD6-PFzc2jAcp9QfRiaqSPA0Dq3fGxrhG0ZRPNCn7EoBpRucLt46R6zIcv51-ETPIoV_1QXj9hNjjcsnI/w640-h640/IMG_3452.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A week later, most of the goldenrod have also gone to seed:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkKUt2nv8xwE7CR4IYZsK64xlVM1r2fhfjRqbZaw5Gf7WKyuRKDzAi99bxko88ExRWulj0FhetDq04wH0Dic6AuBJFOXxgsTjIs9ur7ZG5B0uFrPzH2FGd0ceC9ioZlbSpN_VWzCexARvxIqpTMqWT5UIpsQO7gMYvFvwrMfi8kM18OTIV0ibgtZiCYM/s3140/IMG_3468.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3140" data-original-width="2352" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkKUt2nv8xwE7CR4IYZsK64xlVM1r2fhfjRqbZaw5Gf7WKyuRKDzAi99bxko88ExRWulj0FhetDq04wH0Dic6AuBJFOXxgsTjIs9ur7ZG5B0uFrPzH2FGd0ceC9ioZlbSpN_VWzCexARvxIqpTMqWT5UIpsQO7gMYvFvwrMfi8kM18OTIV0ibgtZiCYM/w480-h640/IMG_3468.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The countryside is taking on its late-September coloring of scarlet, yellow, and green:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9yLt-j_ZVJzDxb1d5rbVHxFqExkxnV9g5p0SV7qlKphIP6o5Ao4Da78I7mMRmhDEk1gH0cKPl_L2oSXBUtansIUBfaFaiNjdKL-bU6v4r8R_Bf9mRqN_UGgYotYrSWEa53fV8NCR_xu7HHxzYNUZcAVz-m2FEhKDZ3DJNs4RPNSM9sOuc-PEOz9tkWw/s3568/IMG_3476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2678" data-original-width="3568" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9yLt-j_ZVJzDxb1d5rbVHxFqExkxnV9g5p0SV7qlKphIP6o5Ao4Da78I7mMRmhDEk1gH0cKPl_L2oSXBUtansIUBfaFaiNjdKL-bU6v4r8R_Bf9mRqN_UGgYotYrSWEa53fV8NCR_xu7HHxzYNUZcAVz-m2FEhKDZ3DJNs4RPNSM9sOuc-PEOz9tkWw/w640-h480/IMG_3476.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Not exactly a flower, but a bike named Iris:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohQkv2bVea1ewII7JSTld0f-1OssRNYOgdvuTuRVLzQFOmO9IiKgNyCE6nhljvR7KDnrwfiQy_AProWvpDkjaAygQcX2bymk2DHS1WvY09tIswsDSAH0tnCDfi0dMKY2G-dN30_qZs3TgO_VBj8yMJpV4w4x713YKckq66zgX8HMOLnwK6H8Rw7CdqKM/s4000/IMG_3479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohQkv2bVea1ewII7JSTld0f-1OssRNYOgdvuTuRVLzQFOmO9IiKgNyCE6nhljvR7KDnrwfiQy_AProWvpDkjaAygQcX2bymk2DHS1WvY09tIswsDSAH0tnCDfi0dMKY2G-dN30_qZs3TgO_VBj8yMJpV4w4x713YKckq66zgX8HMOLnwK6H8Rw7CdqKM/w640-h480/IMG_3479.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Another common September sight - a woolly bear crossing the road:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV8TOGbb9U6s0vAX5F2M8dTuidMAOix1O9BEJx3VmuCIwlYhll-Bod-Cq5GTC1fLwTJx_nubBRsC-N6TSukElp6MF-0WhiDQgQwLQ9vA5vJO16vHojqmMORNq1IzDwoVDTc5tH4zMu97etnZXg8x9sRAtdU4vf9Z9Mm8Hhjd-3J0RvS8HNvD_FNKRbbI/s2271/IMG_3481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="2270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV8TOGbb9U6s0vAX5F2M8dTuidMAOix1O9BEJx3VmuCIwlYhll-Bod-Cq5GTC1fLwTJx_nubBRsC-N6TSukElp6MF-0WhiDQgQwLQ9vA5vJO16vHojqmMORNq1IzDwoVDTc5tH4zMu97etnZXg8x9sRAtdU4vf9Z9Mm8Hhjd-3J0RvS8HNvD_FNKRbbI/s320/IMG_3481.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">(Tallulah the turtle, being rather fond of woolly bears, here climbed down to say hi. But the woolly bear was in a rush, and crawled right past her without saying a word, so I have no photos of their encounter.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Over the weekend, life turned grey and drizzly, and rain is forecast for the next several days. I'll miss my bike commutes this week, but am very grateful for the moisture (we've been in severe-to-extreme drought status all summer).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">How has your September been?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In other news, I recently released a new shawl pattern:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaNfIx6XYpDp_fB40imU7KI2OQruM8i-BXH2hFNHQw43BiJhALalMnHw9E-mu__NWdahHWawJtBtV-aOERczX2ApMpDEt-RBX3hEOhwrvKSx6INMg2Ll_Xq_Q_P1vqOqP6_c9j8quGV8D1-2V7R6q8iaMdrb-R58yoCy8opFcdNVLl6eFCVkm9X785Zg/s4000/Vuelta%20Shawl%20Collage%20B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaNfIx6XYpDp_fB40imU7KI2OQruM8i-BXH2hFNHQw43BiJhALalMnHw9E-mu__NWdahHWawJtBtV-aOERczX2ApMpDEt-RBX3hEOhwrvKSx6INMg2Ll_Xq_Q_P1vqOqP6_c9j8quGV8D1-2V7R6q8iaMdrb-R58yoCy8opFcdNVLl6eFCVkm9X785Zg/w640-h640/Vuelta%20Shawl%20Collage%20B.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Note: </i>The pattern links below will take you to my Ravelry store; you don't need to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me using the form at right to arrange a pattern purchase through Paypal Goods and Services.</span></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">A tribute to my twin loves of bicycling and crochet, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vuelta">Vuelta</a> is a top-down triangular shawl named for La Vuelta a España, the final Grand Tour of the professional cycling year. (Which was won by an American this year! Way to go, Sepp.) The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vuelta">Vuelta shawl</a> is open and airy, with lacy stitch elements inspired by sprockets and spokes and wildflowers growing along the road.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vuelta">Vuelta</a> is suitable for laceweight, fingering, or sport weight yarn, and is easily customized for size; the edging can be worked after any even-numbered row. My sample was designed with a gradient, but this pattern will also look lovely in a solid, tonal, or lightly speckled yarn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">A note about the yarn: I used Apple Tree Knits Groovy Lace in colorway Rainy Day Gradient, from my sister's stash (miss you, Sis). Groovy Lace is a single-ply, 100% wool laceweight yarn, beautifully light and ethereal. My sample used 85 grams, or about 623 yards, and measured 48" wide by 20" deep after blocking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3eoJO9yH9wsJS1iMazJvzecFKdKhgeA2O4BDahygHHlTNTYV7gLVy3SrABYiEDI6SMihnD9vynVBftCLHCA_KwdJekWdWnAyb0u-uAEfhhQpIxCF9fQ0Ef6cmdSILEAz1zsOWI6taIUS7Te2wgM_CIH4czYdML6ykzWs0PuFAIadDjfpRf42cihvUQI/s2797/Vuelta%20Shawl%20Side%20WrapA.JPG"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="2797" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3eoJO9yH9wsJS1iMazJvzecFKdKhgeA2O4BDahygHHlTNTYV7gLVy3SrABYiEDI6SMihnD9vynVBftCLHCA_KwdJekWdWnAyb0u-uAEfhhQpIxCF9fQ0Ef6cmdSILEAz1zsOWI6taIUS7Te2wgM_CIH4czYdML6ykzWs0PuFAIadDjfpRf42cihvUQI/s320/Vuelta%20Shawl%20Side%20WrapA.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vuelta">Vuelta</a><span> pattern is 6 pages long and includes written instructions and charts. You can find it </span><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vuelta">here</a><span> in my Ravelry store. <b>E</b></span><b>njoy 25% off the pattern through October 3, 2023, with code SPROCKET at checkout</b><span>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading, and happy crocheting!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-13945885227119912862023-08-14T15:48:00.003-05:002023-08-14T16:07:23.527-05:00Maerula - a New Pattern<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Note:</i> Pattern links in this post will take you to my Ravelry store. You don't need to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me using the form at right to arrange a pattern purchase through Paypal.</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Meet <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maerula">Maerula</a>, my newest crochet shawl pattern:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUbJRBMj8ULRBe0nx6DNqR2tAzaaC8PLQWnOY4vraa3GbzRJxBYmXnDOtgxlFBB3raa1wGy7j9S4oXdzGQHiHoMLzg60uGIH7Rq-jcB9eQTimyBRE1iNbxXEPwOjU1_k2WAvEm6TzUgafdO3swqXZ7uDP8VfXr7nPV4-oaQ_I-0KeuFQ5safmq_GcnxQ/s4000/Maerula%20Shawl%20Final%20Photos%20and%20Charts2-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUbJRBMj8ULRBe0nx6DNqR2tAzaaC8PLQWnOY4vraa3GbzRJxBYmXnDOtgxlFBB3raa1wGy7j9S4oXdzGQHiHoMLzg60uGIH7Rq-jcB9eQTimyBRE1iNbxXEPwOjU1_k2WAvEm6TzUgafdO3swqXZ7uDP8VfXr7nPV4-oaQ_I-0KeuFQ5safmq_GcnxQ/w640-h640/Maerula%20Shawl%20Final%20Photos%20and%20Charts2-001.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Named for <i>Anteos maerula</i>, the Yellow Angled-Sulfur, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maerula">Maerula</a> is a shallow, asymmetrical triangle shawl with rounded corners and a scooped top edge. It's crocheted side-to-side in a lacy stitch pattern inspired by butterfly wings, with a striking edging worked in one with the rows. <b>This pattern is suitable for fingering, sport, or dk weight yarns.</b></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My sample was made with Hobbii Cotton Kings Sultan Pastello, color Gooseberry, a stranded 100% cotton sport weight yarn perfect for warm weather or chilly offices. The finished shawl measured 64" x 14½", and used about 586 yards.</span><p><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maerula">Maerula</a> pattern includes full written instructions and charts. You can buy it <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maerula">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and <b>enjoy 25% off the pattern through August 20, 2023 with code BUTTERFLY at checkout</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. Here's a peek at the butterfly behind this pattern's name:</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcxVdF-k6KGcNf3AcLBIUCNgTohBTSRMSjaLTZyUuy-lV59Ds1uXqxENuaB3aD7jNKuZeb16SZmPbunW-1fI7wecpQj4T53-M-xcx-4slXULuLMECy0077_nHSJgRkBiWSbMTuczUzhxTvNBq4NB65Kt0VVlzWCDO1z_DOS1XaW7oOruN5XbR-FFI-Io/s1024/Anteos%20Maerula%20photo%20(c)%20John%20Rosford,%20some%20rights%20reserved%20(CC%20BY).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1024" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcxVdF-k6KGcNf3AcLBIUCNgTohBTSRMSjaLTZyUuy-lV59Ds1uXqxENuaB3aD7jNKuZeb16SZmPbunW-1fI7wecpQj4T53-M-xcx-4slXULuLMECy0077_nHSJgRkBiWSbMTuczUzhxTvNBq4NB65Kt0VVlzWCDO1z_DOS1XaW7oOruN5XbR-FFI-Io/w400-h340/Anteos%20Maerula%20photo%20(c)%20John%20Rosford,%20some%20rights%20reserved%20(CC%20BY).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anteos maerula</i>, Yellow Angled-Sulfur<br />(c) John Rosford – some rights reserved (CC BY)<br />Photo used under a Creative Commons License</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">You can find many more photos of <i>Anteos maerula</i> <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48578-Anteos-maerula/browse_photos?photo_license=any">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><div><br /></div></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-62203791880734069522023-07-24T21:37:00.002-05:002023-07-24T22:00:11.157-05:00Not a Feature, but a Bug<p><i><span style="font-size: large;">(Warning: insect photos ahead.)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I've found that photographing wildflowers also means photographing bugs. (And spiders and bees, but for brevity's sake I'll use the collective term "bugs".)</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's intentional:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-KqCopb-y6Bd3pU7yRq7vhNxrinb_YNbhuZNW143SQrSR3U92BDlC_K2LK3ezsg36WfnLFLDkPiy9aPHrr0DB3GHpr-bcb0WHEYirnun9Qn0XMnZWlSai3BFkZJ0HatJMy425IW692T-76Gyx1xa1wny8Tj2Ky6qu0JPY9v_GBnC7dlpXdUOXesSLCw/s2999/IMG_2944-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="2999" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-KqCopb-y6Bd3pU7yRq7vhNxrinb_YNbhuZNW143SQrSR3U92BDlC_K2LK3ezsg36WfnLFLDkPiy9aPHrr0DB3GHpr-bcb0WHEYirnun9Qn0XMnZWlSai3BFkZJ0HatJMy425IW692T-76Gyx1xa1wny8Tj2Ky6qu0JPY9v_GBnC7dlpXdUOXesSLCw/w640-h480/IMG_2944-001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bee on blue vervain<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But usually it's not. Often I don't even notice the bug until I'm editing photos on my computer screen at home:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5h74Iw4ZjlFirlFdrGVCiqZW7JU9nbHITK-horWwm7VQi89oiqr5X7XOBwPBc7IdGfyY9QPtG_XxRUKJqatimpn1Sh4P9hVGgQXm9_0sKtC7Q_5GAK9aMGEOkSKHsTebT_PzK9mAzEpHWu9mxBYJ4IKU6_ZrnQc-oxEyUCTHT_It2G_OAUtgVcYKzlg/s2298/IMG_2927-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2298" data-original-width="2298" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5h74Iw4ZjlFirlFdrGVCiqZW7JU9nbHITK-horWwm7VQi89oiqr5X7XOBwPBc7IdGfyY9QPtG_XxRUKJqatimpn1Sh4P9hVGgQXm9_0sKtC7Q_5GAK9aMGEOkSKHsTebT_PzK9mAzEpHWu9mxBYJ4IKU6_ZrnQc-oxEyUCTHT_It2G_OAUtgVcYKzlg/w640-h640/IMG_2927-001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Orange milkweed with unsuspected ant</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13pLzij2pZbob8NSkGH7QIjO_xX6IgmkHx041JEo6GS-tt8HKCTP41XurVVWDp9Ev2Tdl6l3tvyquVcghUdvT1yw6WAKXxPd1k9gkLE638Xcdk9P3IZqWjQx9MtIFBCdDmI98SdTcNZPWE-Jokmt7sniUYwHoP7QyYOruqdh-0iKEo-PNBLLj4tfY3vQ/s2752/IMG_2911-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="2746" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13pLzij2pZbob8NSkGH7QIjO_xX6IgmkHx041JEo6GS-tt8HKCTP41XurVVWDp9Ev2Tdl6l3tvyquVcghUdvT1yw6WAKXxPd1k9gkLE638Xcdk9P3IZqWjQx9MtIFBCdDmI98SdTcNZPWE-Jokmt7sniUYwHoP7QyYOruqdh-0iKEo-PNBLLj4tfY3vQ/w638-h640/IMG_2911-001.JPG" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wild bergamot with hidden bee (I hope it's just napping)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's a combination of the two:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9s5pKaWEm-cnN1XtjGGKUA2TYw2aPE25Ao3qbhNM3Ym1gkQC3IbiXYvObM5dEK3ECSLbuLH7rRaTg3q8YNtcsEpkNgi3gFZefRlWgdKhK1o7G02ncBnjfo9Ui3hrRTPpDazUa8-BL6G_e5rrucwdz3BaA5ypALuWSbnhLJtuFd9kCTD8ti7aBbx3GdU/s3301/IMG_2937-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="3301" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9s5pKaWEm-cnN1XtjGGKUA2TYw2aPE25Ao3qbhNM3Ym1gkQC3IbiXYvObM5dEK3ECSLbuLH7rRaTg3q8YNtcsEpkNgi3gFZefRlWgdKhK1o7G02ncBnjfo9Ui3hrRTPpDazUa8-BL6G_e5rrucwdz3BaA5ypALuWSbnhLJtuFd9kCTD8ti7aBbx3GdU/w640-h480/IMG_2937-001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bee on swamp milkweed with bonus white spider lurking in the blossoms</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">And occasionally I hit the mother lode:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSUKEKS3ZIC23VHQcFxoLMe2y01wpG3jjbDZpgXzLSZGW1Lx3MYzciE4fuqAViudryBYhCHI-Yy6ernZOTUApM2QMMgh1f5F2dhumhOY4HR6FJBVxBkkpToQIpAFFN6Hv4VvYm4xgw67ZfUIuuz08SDKzR8rhIj5N9qykmpHpqGfgxvlp7Wz2G2PC2I/s2949/IMG_2908-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="2949" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSUKEKS3ZIC23VHQcFxoLMe2y01wpG3jjbDZpgXzLSZGW1Lx3MYzciE4fuqAViudryBYhCHI-Yy6ernZOTUApM2QMMgh1f5F2dhumhOY4HR6FJBVxBkkpToQIpAFFN6Hv4VvYm4xgw67ZfUIuuz08SDKzR8rhIj5N9qykmpHpqGfgxvlp7Wz2G2PC2I/w640-h480/IMG_2908-001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rudbeckia with very long-legged spider that<br />disappeared just after I snapped this photo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">I used to be scared of bugs and spiders and bees, but after years of close encounters like these, I've learned that most of them simply aren't interested in me. They just want to get on with their buggy lives, and if I leave them alone, they'll generally leave me alone. (Mosquitoes and deerflies and ticks, however, are always worth avoiding. And I've learned not to weed near a ground wasps' nest.)</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">How do you feel about bugs?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-35372735655155841562023-07-10T15:41:00.002-05:002023-07-10T17:13:13.813-05:00Cycling at 93°<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The road exhales heat like a slow-breathing dragon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trees let fall a benison of shade</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Changeable winds blow hot and cold</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and carry birdsong sweet as spring</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I settle into a steady rhythm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and follow my shadow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">towards the curtained coolness of home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HnASKwa8RcOe5iIEH-qlx386P04TtCB9L-V3Bl7LOloXmeyDBXJiJC56tz5muI0dJI7tsM_phLPmhJaSzjxMURtjQEiNN3urv6uyrX6EXhiSW7w-TQXQKVVGjlfBH28W203gfpA2Pu8RSauADqFkqSpD6nfIBjCMaJEV7F_iiU4j85zhxCzPLH9_PmQ/s3048/IMG_2806.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3048" data-original-width="2280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HnASKwa8RcOe5iIEH-qlx386P04TtCB9L-V3Bl7LOloXmeyDBXJiJC56tz5muI0dJI7tsM_phLPmhJaSzjxMURtjQEiNN3urv6uyrX6EXhiSW7w-TQXQKVVGjlfBH28W203gfpA2Pu8RSauADqFkqSpD6nfIBjCMaJEV7F_iiU4j85zhxCzPLH9_PmQ/s320/IMG_2806.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><div><br /></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-41127410219263578742023-07-04T14:33:00.003-05:002023-07-04T14:33:54.034-05:00Red, White, and ... Green<span style="font-size: large;">Happy July 4th! Today I celebrated my independence by weeding the garden beds, working on a crochet design, and making pesto* - which we promptly enjoyed for lunch:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRqPfaXoIk0XZd-oNThrGUctobGG8fQo_BzQZH5jNfTJas9AhsMHxPGf3vk2nUTcr8AywHU6AMFip7QX0ePf9AurqeH44q5TNBoEJGqbDkHqUo8urooXo3KY_fHkqVGEzBWRPrIWlKw0yxLWDkFwRGQ4KjsRRUBwxN8f-kCBv15djtLMRMRSqqFqJfjI/s4000/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRqPfaXoIk0XZd-oNThrGUctobGG8fQo_BzQZH5jNfTJas9AhsMHxPGf3vk2nUTcr8AywHU6AMFip7QX0ePf9AurqeH44q5TNBoEJGqbDkHqUo8urooXo3KY_fHkqVGEzBWRPrIWlKw0yxLWDkFwRGQ4KjsRRUBwxN8f-kCBv15djtLMRMRSqqFqJfjI/w400-h300/IMG_2812.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gluten-free pasta, pesto, and sweet red pepper</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5oAKqXV2DE08P038mCAN0l0s-rN91LzJJkP4mvqg_j8hfoId1qf943seVKGxZ0pFHL05emkLP5wWPGqvteZwgZ4I5t_tpws86LCU0qIxk6VCFqasJolVh9-y1qwkwfF3ihtDF2cyCgBT_ONHM3UGIFFTWNMZINso6DcMQ0whq54ou0BWCQOc3ZVnHjU/s2998/IMG_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="2998" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5oAKqXV2DE08P038mCAN0l0s-rN91LzJJkP4mvqg_j8hfoId1qf943seVKGxZ0pFHL05emkLP5wWPGqvteZwgZ4I5t_tpws86LCU0qIxk6VCFqasJolVh9-y1qwkwfF3ihtDF2cyCgBT_ONHM3UGIFFTWNMZINso6DcMQ0whq54ou0BWCQOc3ZVnHjU/s320/IMG_2818.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Extreme close-up!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This surfeit of green goodness is brought to you courtesy of the aforementioned garden beds, supplemented by pots of herbs in the porch window. Despite weeks of blazing heat and statewide drought conditions, my <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-very-small-garden.html">Very Small Garden</a> is flourishing (by the grace of God and with the help of twice-daily watering).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This year's crops include collard, kale, and serrano peppers:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcC8vIL4Vp9xHlbdycu1T9eORTpHLdOnFD4sRPcCMG_cBvRTtjavNfjatYQYniR2Vyt9GQet31Mmr3dq99dzB5Xpe2b7rw-kT6hhjScNENoaHY-RGEV2v6pMAL6yEoy32pNxLNYjxcqhEDdbhnj92dERZBFhLgvCUQy1fk5Z_3-w_z7RXV8cWf5ZMJAE/s4550/2023-06-027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="4550" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcC8vIL4Vp9xHlbdycu1T9eORTpHLdOnFD4sRPcCMG_cBvRTtjavNfjatYQYniR2Vyt9GQet31Mmr3dq99dzB5Xpe2b7rw-kT6hhjScNENoaHY-RGEV2v6pMAL6yEoy32pNxLNYjxcqhEDdbhnj92dERZBFhLgvCUQy1fk5Z_3-w_z7RXV8cWf5ZMJAE/w640-h494/2023-06-027.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Basil, tarragon, thyme, flat-leaf parsley, and chives (plus spearmint, not shown):</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyGnBMt7mQhqWJUnYMZPSe50FYmTMD_VT_TDXUpevs9Ak-Z3xnJ-2KGZTy-K4DKDRU0oedlkDbmb6ix7Wtt3KHePZItPa6-P5_Cdt14GZE3C0wdSKuy1e8_f3Mot5d0sqJiIjTuJ2y-gBYflQaZsVAYlIZxegB30DhZGF8-Td3dx-1ePXuXGCY9bKAPU/s5120/2023-06-028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyGnBMt7mQhqWJUnYMZPSe50FYmTMD_VT_TDXUpevs9Ak-Z3xnJ-2KGZTy-K4DKDRU0oedlkDbmb6ix7Wtt3KHePZItPa6-P5_Cdt14GZE3C0wdSKuy1e8_f3Mot5d0sqJiIjTuJ2y-gBYflQaZsVAYlIZxegB30DhZGF8-Td3dx-1ePXuXGCY9bKAPU/w640-h360/2023-06-028.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">And two varieties of tomato:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8FhebwWB-JS5hl-6tL-zGn93uwjAQS7i8i1sBQHKA_9yCJ5oWlPdoZgkQ1tQJPyqvLhjvlgjmjhLGOpXtAWNvaPzyrh8lxHDF286K4YLrKyeAzO0zhp1XtHIkdUJYFBOYJyjkAsl5pq1vk8YqefqCTXo1MixY4aK8C6KvY8SFi0XEpPPhBXVBLuncUQ/s5120/2023-06-029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8FhebwWB-JS5hl-6tL-zGn93uwjAQS7i8i1sBQHKA_9yCJ5oWlPdoZgkQ1tQJPyqvLhjvlgjmjhLGOpXtAWNvaPzyrh8lxHDF286K4YLrKyeAzO0zhp1XtHIkdUJYFBOYJyjkAsl5pq1vk8YqefqCTXo1MixY4aK8C6KvY8SFi0XEpPPhBXVBLuncUQ/w640-h360/2023-06-029.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">All punctuated by dianthus and bright marigolds:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIvp9KbFCHDjo3MS749tPpxbjSbfo52w2au7W7e79W6l1R7MVambEP9vJXf1AZetovBF2PYgIrLQviPlmT8LTLcrzGPJufJLHeHw-rlKvli6ex6zyeN2xinuNu9ycYqMRoy_a9ILOW_XOWgAIH5eCXB0kYtuzrdf6l8MjcjHPLBroZJLSzbby5r-F6VI/s4550/2023-06-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="4550" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIvp9KbFCHDjo3MS749tPpxbjSbfo52w2au7W7e79W6l1R7MVambEP9vJXf1AZetovBF2PYgIrLQviPlmT8LTLcrzGPJufJLHeHw-rlKvli6ex6zyeN2xinuNu9ycYqMRoy_a9ILOW_XOWgAIH5eCXB0kYtuzrdf6l8MjcjHPLBroZJLSzbby5r-F6VI/w640-h494/2023-06-26.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">And to top it off, backup basil and mint in the porch, plus rosemary awaiting transplantation:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEETopSBWo5xp-WfmGCtXpIgw3j_05_w7QPKMhqXNNA5V9rNEq-nUrhMM127vjxh-avJ56c3vqtmUvoRymsL48o2VX40reCGqrnBmp8rOPjyMPD0wOynWe4nT8TDn_AP2CrwVl5DSbyecQc2HobiGc6S3zUFe_9XpcnQfGU5rclnbB-j4B0dmQxa4HLg/s3629/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="3629" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEETopSBWo5xp-WfmGCtXpIgw3j_05_w7QPKMhqXNNA5V9rNEq-nUrhMM127vjxh-avJ56c3vqtmUvoRymsL48o2VX40reCGqrnBmp8rOPjyMPD0wOynWe4nT8TDn_AP2CrwVl5DSbyecQc2HobiGc6S3zUFe_9XpcnQfGU5rclnbB-j4B0dmQxa4HLg/w640-h400/IMG_2764.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">I feel rich.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What do you like to grow?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">*My pesto recipe is a very loose one, little changed from the <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2011/08/hey-pesto.html">version I first posted here</a>: 4 parts packed fresh basil leaves, 2 parts finely grated fresh parmesan, and 2 parts olive oil, with walnuts (or pine nuts if the exchequer allows), crushed fresh garlic cloves, and salt to taste. Toss all ingredients into a blender and process to desired level of smoothness. I've recently started adding a tablespoon or two of hot pasta water to the blended sauce, which smooths out the flavor and seems to prevent oxidation.
</span></div></div></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-87129528368065456502023-06-05T16:37:00.000-05:002023-06-05T16:37:05.896-05:00A Mixed Bouquet<div><span style="font-size: large;">... of rides and a hike and wildflowers. (Mostly wildflowers.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">View from a favorite bridge on a mid-May ride, with swallows swooping and circling overhead:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FYdsNGPvtahInPVkUrX-XgJIDXihS3WpoMP0D--ByRni_41esn3-qsQSIVvUqK0xqm77vdUmWiUJgyd4P2IbrreSplWtkB7CL7U19sVldjrpqfDvTpMlM-slIe8VQakCqBQdwJ3CttWPtX7EOKoacpXsrHXXP-OvnzIvNR0vBZ2OKRKu4p7PcnBI/s4000/IMG_2305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FYdsNGPvtahInPVkUrX-XgJIDXihS3WpoMP0D--ByRni_41esn3-qsQSIVvUqK0xqm77vdUmWiUJgyd4P2IbrreSplWtkB7CL7U19sVldjrpqfDvTpMlM-slIe8VQakCqBQdwJ3CttWPtX7EOKoacpXsrHXXP-OvnzIvNR0vBZ2OKRKu4p7PcnBI/w640-h480/IMG_2305.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Leafy spurge taking over a roadside ditch:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TlXkKZG5s4pYug_UbY6m_BoqPy8MVfZ_nF9eEH5uoLScMO1hbguT-Sy0b5ZFchjtKpRxdBz4E-avnWlrOYxAD1xejFjEAclgtnac7pxJAP2wdAx_AgUxfCMNG0gJLYR0ESGU4DLZfjigaRD7rl_Vm72gIZG_B-xqrlRVot6PpaWyxCiXGeqHinTf/s2374/IMG_2317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2374" data-original-width="2374" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TlXkKZG5s4pYug_UbY6m_BoqPy8MVfZ_nF9eEH5uoLScMO1hbguT-Sy0b5ZFchjtKpRxdBz4E-avnWlrOYxAD1xejFjEAclgtnac7pxJAP2wdAx_AgUxfCMNG0gJLYR0ESGU4DLZfjigaRD7rl_Vm72gIZG_B-xqrlRVot6PpaWyxCiXGeqHinTf/w400-h400/IMG_2317.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Lilac in the wild:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyiXhZKEo3R0lZs37PY_ZM6kDJFQLAwiQQqqnKLEhIKMtxbBShYlRF_Tt1B6nFy8g4v0zqC8qeGxfQbLR_ZGRbJG3i2o3bPmttTtqfleLqNv_uSWq7laGze--djSY7MRz7c68LLWmZ7oS6mRPCCRYLp9VHvAD7S5pfsosaicB25MNIvqh_GCWXSxp/s2533/IMG_2333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2533" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyiXhZKEo3R0lZs37PY_ZM6kDJFQLAwiQQqqnKLEhIKMtxbBShYlRF_Tt1B6nFy8g4v0zqC8qeGxfQbLR_ZGRbJG3i2o3bPmttTtqfleLqNv_uSWq7laGze--djSY7MRz7c68LLWmZ7oS6mRPCCRYLp9VHvAD7S5pfsosaicB25MNIvqh_GCWXSxp/w400-h301/IMG_2333.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Dandelion pastoral:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS10LzFyS8zRhhVmWhqYa1bH_JPiclzdGVRTiUtBGPJTbAMBWTIPFNX1tL6xEm8KcTs4_G9ynDsQABG6s1syK2eCGmnvqoi1FmRYQqPzaz8oWaLR_oGvn3CFFCHgtJd7RKzQVZXTbn36hLIN7I8Bycv3KXdm5c9PFhEXfeQ-p8Klil1Wi4KftySIJm/s3033/IMG_2338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2276" data-original-width="3033" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS10LzFyS8zRhhVmWhqYa1bH_JPiclzdGVRTiUtBGPJTbAMBWTIPFNX1tL6xEm8KcTs4_G9ynDsQABG6s1syK2eCGmnvqoi1FmRYQqPzaz8oWaLR_oGvn3CFFCHgtJd7RKzQVZXTbn36hLIN7I8Bycv3KXdm5c9PFhEXfeQ-p8Klil1Wi4KftySIJm/w400-h300/IMG_2338.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sheep newly shorn:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR-P1r-pWmqmsWt50BXG_g-iJ9XLnT7RjcG6X-ploutGwtEGbnkim7SyafD_rZCxbgPd130NUxcFch6Qwum4t-E8UGebxCNcKvTQkZLGFr_PuhfWrgck_6-F_Vw5adBueu_Bl8tSHCYnsmMmwhx7KDbhR86qS2iES46PM-WFvBHBmvCmv831c_2ey/s1408/IMG_2345.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1408" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR-P1r-pWmqmsWt50BXG_g-iJ9XLnT7RjcG6X-ploutGwtEGbnkim7SyafD_rZCxbgPd130NUxcFch6Qwum4t-E8UGebxCNcKvTQkZLGFr_PuhfWrgck_6-F_Vw5adBueu_Bl8tSHCYnsmMmwhx7KDbhR86qS2iES46PM-WFvBHBmvCmv831c_2ey/w640-h480/IMG_2345.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Another favorite bit of water:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxknLTYmnIkPpAfLFjxzoCLN-js5LMBbwIpFPY6VPUdJYuZNFHRWRi8_3hbaDOReJPSHlqUFmhYriJaEW8zfYnWI-wackxR0JrcFPierqK_gnp_HMfwBmQtnV3MA9kX0Z0eERDKY2DxmXHy1OVw_apmSmVoWypKM70PydRBZfT3Q4PMhi6mjWc3I0/s1952/IMG_2354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1952" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxknLTYmnIkPpAfLFjxzoCLN-js5LMBbwIpFPY6VPUdJYuZNFHRWRi8_3hbaDOReJPSHlqUFmhYriJaEW8zfYnWI-wackxR0JrcFPierqK_gnp_HMfwBmQtnV3MA9kX0Z0eERDKY2DxmXHy1OVw_apmSmVoWypKM70PydRBZfT3Q4PMhi6mjWc3I0/w640-h480/IMG_2354.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Jacob's ladder, or Greek valerian:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqGkjNoKcp2gGP1LDYeTxa4y6MIZVJCHwq9s6QaqU8B0p5ygKFJG48KUYkEGqcdpbIjDglDPAxePQsl3LB6_KoQokGkc8G333TkEu0qYZq42y0xv6umcXPV0h_UXLNx63YoAgZl9FcBDW3uoq71r1N3OGC5KW0FrgrX-EvBYohiy3ay9RtKQrZoMt/s2010/IMG_2366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="1507" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqGkjNoKcp2gGP1LDYeTxa4y6MIZVJCHwq9s6QaqU8B0p5ygKFJG48KUYkEGqcdpbIjDglDPAxePQsl3LB6_KoQokGkc8G333TkEu0qYZq42y0xv6umcXPV0h_UXLNx63YoAgZl9FcBDW3uoq71r1N3OGC5KW0FrgrX-EvBYohiy3ay9RtKQrZoMt/w300-h400/IMG_2366.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Darling chokecherry blossom:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oVwDsblcsiCjYU7Xn2Ld2QXeTpSSmS_yikmG-cJsGfOcJTLlV_RmTslcx2Rgw3y-KkABoXriEnanmnr9z4cwkWsWHSKIwqMXDcHvBgAuX5EaALQybLalj0JlD0QsBXhwqmQ_4OJmSNRA9tqtoqGj-gJKonCmdIg52tpRb7878CSQadvZ79Hk4sRN/s2162/IMG_2384.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="1619" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oVwDsblcsiCjYU7Xn2Ld2QXeTpSSmS_yikmG-cJsGfOcJTLlV_RmTslcx2Rgw3y-KkABoXriEnanmnr9z4cwkWsWHSKIwqMXDcHvBgAuX5EaALQybLalj0JlD0QsBXhwqmQ_4OJmSNRA9tqtoqGj-gJKonCmdIg52tpRb7878CSQadvZ79Hk4sRN/w300-h400/IMG_2384.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Bonus for the sharp-eyed cyclist (this is why cycling jerseys have pockets):</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF3yp10D4UN5o2GV6Ei7fvYAOlbip873udkWmv3hHG-oZxJw_CSCRxVgc8OpqtymeDkZi2DLZFYt5tBJWmUg9VH4Ivn_vmNW7FV1s1o9ShL__U230a1XWk_Q9dn6Wtbm3XkdT7Ygc2iL6MLfMGaSRuYFyb26T660pXH37KU_wvQjBwqJ3dqGdmA4Z/s3611/IMG_2388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3611" data-original-width="2703" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF3yp10D4UN5o2GV6Ei7fvYAOlbip873udkWmv3hHG-oZxJw_CSCRxVgc8OpqtymeDkZi2DLZFYt5tBJWmUg9VH4Ivn_vmNW7FV1s1o9ShL__U230a1XWk_Q9dn6Wtbm3XkdT7Ygc2iL6MLfMGaSRuYFyb26T660pXH37KU_wvQjBwqJ3dqGdmA4Z/w300-h400/IMG_2388.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Later that week, on a short hike at a nearby nature preserve, wildflowers spotted along the trail included wild geranium:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lwC0xtCzJlJn4fT-y0ct-xR78u85WANrb7eir7fx-RuoTNHcJuHgrURM_pjV_9JpE0ozkc6QcBEnUTn-KFxf0LQc3US5isIb4DYgD3MKE6T6jlsQtg5AH5H6g-Xnw-ssD_w8gP2HcZpzORVFUz2N_GYSQMFWk2YgB5SptsOOo75Z8ENciScDYxOf/s2746/IMG_2401.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2062" data-original-width="2746" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lwC0xtCzJlJn4fT-y0ct-xR78u85WANrb7eir7fx-RuoTNHcJuHgrURM_pjV_9JpE0ozkc6QcBEnUTn-KFxf0LQc3US5isIb4DYgD3MKE6T6jlsQtg5AH5H6g-Xnw-ssD_w8gP2HcZpzORVFUz2N_GYSQMFWk2YgB5SptsOOo75Z8ENciScDYxOf/w400-h300/IMG_2401.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Blue-eyed grass, a miniature member of the iris family:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsQ4iYpA5yb1wvI-Dqi6GFQjHAvfHx1_FsELuZMG-GN-iJLlv79xRi_Ec40JnfdsFkW2NzhRvE0a8D06lq9Ni_5-wkCgM3a6KPrP5pny4drpPyhqNQsQpcIiLRIvblmOaOAanZ7ETidsv17vogShVm4TirVa1tH-1bBDNWrUTeKdGIp5KRjbm_9o4/s2538/IMG_2402.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2538" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsQ4iYpA5yb1wvI-Dqi6GFQjHAvfHx1_FsELuZMG-GN-iJLlv79xRi_Ec40JnfdsFkW2NzhRvE0a8D06lq9Ni_5-wkCgM3a6KPrP5pny4drpPyhqNQsQpcIiLRIvblmOaOAanZ7ETidsv17vogShVm4TirVa1tH-1bBDNWrUTeKdGIp5KRjbm_9o4/w400-h300/IMG_2402.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wild columbine:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint2EuJnmx9eWtDSMGF-72LusWzecQQVVDkuNacnuPQu8GXMVUrj2eTCuWo9CEMuc0uIMdSOmjqNFJ4qqz-3OJjERGB0TICoy7hU6ycIY_VCwdcGuiDtxFZK9-O5hhvTOESz6tqHAx9WaRashdP49ruCxPYo3dWEHhBoS3oMoeFuUcDfqh28OB8ixU/s1772/IMG_2408.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint2EuJnmx9eWtDSMGF-72LusWzecQQVVDkuNacnuPQu8GXMVUrj2eTCuWo9CEMuc0uIMdSOmjqNFJ4qqz-3OJjERGB0TICoy7hU6ycIY_VCwdcGuiDtxFZK9-O5hhvTOESz6tqHAx9WaRashdP49ruCxPYo3dWEHhBoS3oMoeFuUcDfqh28OB8ixU/w300-h400/IMG_2408.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">False Solomon's seal:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTTRGw-QETVRI2yAkuYUB9WcbzBjBe05zvFnPnTmDqhzrwM3rYGkYa17Ubt8y_K1eMWwnkjNygV980Oif5Y4zyyN5uyoCblLyeNG7V01Yfxg9aSThWz_befHE00UdXy4PdoKey8ynYV-DSzqVa8CUItTvb3boARSMi_dMKS_6x963qmFmZtatKrnj/s1951/IMG_2426.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="1949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTTRGw-QETVRI2yAkuYUB9WcbzBjBe05zvFnPnTmDqhzrwM3rYGkYa17Ubt8y_K1eMWwnkjNygV980Oif5Y4zyyN5uyoCblLyeNG7V01Yfxg9aSThWz_befHE00UdXy4PdoKey8ynYV-DSzqVa8CUItTvb3boARSMi_dMKS_6x963qmFmZtatKrnj/w400-h400/IMG_2426.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There was also a possible Ent sighting:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuNASYLyvww58s_Fwb-lj0CrN4509C9aa50Lz9ROa4KcX6EbOLWgl8cd9IkHxnaPpzoBONt5FKr0NeriEJ5jklPU3OkxiBI7dTabNaCprI6u-Bpju4J5pePxFaFt1l5K7jRHvtRuId-rnIDLXkdJho7F3P7yEiWJhmre1XXPwdoXwu2wFLkoPxuKI/s3772/IMG_2418.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3772" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuNASYLyvww58s_Fwb-lj0CrN4509C9aa50Lz9ROa4KcX6EbOLWgl8cd9IkHxnaPpzoBONt5FKr0NeriEJ5jklPU3OkxiBI7dTabNaCprI6u-Bpju4J5pePxFaFt1l5K7jRHvtRuId-rnIDLXkdJho7F3P7yEiWJhmre1XXPwdoXwu2wFLkoPxuKI/w640-h482/IMG_2418.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the hill, a lovely view:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW52PKmnorvZAejr-aW6FEI6h8-XhYgzxAEwNaR9zirtJo5hUmSvFnc70XfA1HEFPCOZReY7XsGkLWLcubXRZMEep5sMOa2Be22Wkw_Xjm4rkIZK7ElKsUMPNvJpWlgBoR53sOQMq1TiJEuNehNjwaVtbZW18UVeLLzCvEhKPn_8RIq11LzSDvd5l8/s3261/IMG_2432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3261" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW52PKmnorvZAejr-aW6FEI6h8-XhYgzxAEwNaR9zirtJo5hUmSvFnc70XfA1HEFPCOZReY7XsGkLWLcubXRZMEep5sMOa2Be22Wkw_Xjm4rkIZK7ElKsUMPNvJpWlgBoR53sOQMq1TiJEuNehNjwaVtbZW18UVeLLzCvEhKPn_8RIq11LzSDvd5l8/w640-h480/IMG_2432.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Also enjoyed were bright new leaves unfurling in the woods:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUU5O2eANa6OETA68ErEGW4vmJjWcjrK1EUXvGm1mQnnWLFlqL_U8ZpBqGBfuHuqWXN-cpk-SFPP_K7ARxA65eSLcu1Uj6NBtQKe2lCYFdINNm2d3ac_eYiMiVqvy-y0rkCVLxZuN8ncZOFPJQ9kQKzxmmFtyftdYEndQ87ANxs2QJ-svmy-l55Os/s2434/IMG_2435.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1830" data-original-width="2434" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUU5O2eANa6OETA68ErEGW4vmJjWcjrK1EUXvGm1mQnnWLFlqL_U8ZpBqGBfuHuqWXN-cpk-SFPP_K7ARxA65eSLcu1Uj6NBtQKe2lCYFdINNm2d3ac_eYiMiVqvy-y0rkCVLxZuN8ncZOFPJQ9kQKzxmmFtyftdYEndQ87ANxs2QJ-svmy-l55Os/w400-h301/IMG_2435.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rocks, trees, and sky:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_dJJDGZ7fcy-WjT3mWdhL87yy3ZsIe_nebTpX6yKDrCTQun-ckYL8qUYmdPKNxtMd4T2Nyj_lVBbclNaI27vltMGH9WYH2_AOZcxCdFNFjfjzubLucKmkxdAp9F-f7j7eDpzqNWL-IOtuslHLjElu2mjgk2wLOYcPtyxClDddlHLulIFyrTJzJvN/s3425/IMG_2436.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="2577" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_dJJDGZ7fcy-WjT3mWdhL87yy3ZsIe_nebTpX6yKDrCTQun-ckYL8qUYmdPKNxtMd4T2Nyj_lVBbclNaI27vltMGH9WYH2_AOZcxCdFNFjfjzubLucKmkxdAp9F-f7j7eDpzqNWL-IOtuslHLjElu2mjgk2wLOYcPtyxClDddlHLulIFyrTJzJvN/w482-h640/IMG_2436.JPG" width="482" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A six-petaled wild strawberry blossom:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu-yVHMMhjC81tzlnogiIzjpaeOkAykN3-IeBsNxjFWVXZAzOZyfu92csHkz7_1JNTbpvgyBgtCA00J0QeBq2-MCnoXaKLebAqlg9L3fjReByCPb-RaDZBSGhbjh66orGShsz-QJbGPInDShKIvV3rU55ugw6aFu1LN4hITkNbgXpupBOeETN4v2D/s1908/IMG_2445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1908" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu-yVHMMhjC81tzlnogiIzjpaeOkAykN3-IeBsNxjFWVXZAzOZyfu92csHkz7_1JNTbpvgyBgtCA00J0QeBq2-MCnoXaKLebAqlg9L3fjReByCPb-RaDZBSGhbjh66orGShsz-QJbGPInDShKIvV3rU55ugw6aFu1LN4hITkNbgXpupBOeETN4v2D/w400-h300/IMG_2445.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And glorious wild lupine growing next the road on the drive home:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyRrAWcZjrMfRf7H9NJt8E40UI9YeSK8zjMQ4f32KQFqMhV1uwMVH29I8cf13H54BiM652ByGjpYmce79pueZ_4je-bqt0D3VT0I4LpdNNZZUmUfwbsKBlIUE22IPoPc44O4q2VOyv6W0W1VmgY7_8Uwi-W_JTweEYsMeS2kWbEFj2EKSu0ArICHH/s4899/Wild%20lupine%20May%2020%202023%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4899" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyRrAWcZjrMfRf7H9NJt8E40UI9YeSK8zjMQ4f32KQFqMhV1uwMVH29I8cf13H54BiM652ByGjpYmce79pueZ_4je-bqt0D3VT0I4LpdNNZZUmUfwbsKBlIUE22IPoPc44O4q2VOyv6W0W1VmgY7_8Uwi-W_JTweEYsMeS2kWbEFj2EKSu0ArICHH/w640-h426/Wild%20lupine%20May%2020%202023%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On my next ride, oleaster was blooming all about the countryside:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_MTkaKO7hbyCyY0R_Nkm4jDtU0bpiMIxbi9HY9G4Lxeq8_GoAFlYS0-X5RNsqVcHY2sYA2XkSwDrc0JcZ0pS6A3kzkOW9DiR9XekmFHAQonR9bgLqcX5AzyRIhFH2CKccxZb9nmvqypUoZhloPUGWDfdWTuovxXYPnKlgOcQ08eMujnLV58ESHu/s1772/IMG_2466.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_MTkaKO7hbyCyY0R_Nkm4jDtU0bpiMIxbi9HY9G4Lxeq8_GoAFlYS0-X5RNsqVcHY2sYA2XkSwDrc0JcZ0pS6A3kzkOW9DiR9XekmFHAQonR9bgLqcX5AzyRIhFH2CKccxZb9nmvqypUoZhloPUGWDfdWTuovxXYPnKlgOcQ08eMujnLV58ESHu/w300-h400/IMG_2466.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And viburnum (possibly <i>V. lentago</i>):</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jgr6Z4KnX4HpLJ8cTAzqrB7zqEzGxBwDlQpfoQQibAa4Qn-DCcYHkdvq6dosszQsxEjv4mb_GD5qpvJ1p9uAOZpIIsHdQR6CLe6Odl0GruSWCVrDqPiaIFlz0YCrQkLyN2u1OurbD1kkRbYIWMwFCEETfXwoFKlXuCR0k6evZi15XPPEPF3ATgoS/s2493/IMG_2470.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="2493" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jgr6Z4KnX4HpLJ8cTAzqrB7zqEzGxBwDlQpfoQQibAa4Qn-DCcYHkdvq6dosszQsxEjv4mb_GD5qpvJ1p9uAOZpIIsHdQR6CLe6Odl0GruSWCVrDqPiaIFlz0YCrQkLyN2u1OurbD1kkRbYIWMwFCEETfXwoFKlXuCR0k6evZi15XPPEPF3ATgoS/w400-h373/IMG_2470.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A field was edged with dried mystery plants:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr4TvHBNuB8eXZ8mHqg9hL_Q1potARJh1eEZ1gdPD9bYCxZLV122zPAffqmALY2PFKYOrwEB1Mm4AnusQ5d5nvUnSpzvJ-Si_ug_YgiCkVgoJwTPeAWjYEixs-N7x4Y94M6d7ll7Qzbo0z-TIcT9lGJ9tYp2CZ6bnLe2c8hngdq7VA47Mq7_Hhz4Y/s3222/IMG_2474.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2415" data-original-width="3222" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr4TvHBNuB8eXZ8mHqg9hL_Q1potARJh1eEZ1gdPD9bYCxZLV122zPAffqmALY2PFKYOrwEB1Mm4AnusQ5d5nvUnSpzvJ-Si_ug_YgiCkVgoJwTPeAWjYEixs-N7x4Y94M6d7ll7Qzbo0z-TIcT9lGJ9tYp2CZ6bnLe2c8hngdq7VA47Mq7_Hhz4Y/w640-h480/IMG_2474.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Dame's rocket, a favorite (though invasive) wildflower, was just appearing:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFWyK07ik4LWJlcxZ0ZtX5ViOC7C4IeGgP_-21ETzRPYX2T6DCmcZkvTDF8U255fYk6m0N_6TLe8aqdOngBZSf2B4B9pV5pdmbIVAYPHa_WjZC0Byh7ypnBKnYvi6jB-OWj0zAItmODRAsufc9DC2GYtcKjpsA_WPkAxUdwqLscrBNZavKXbfCE-B/s2984/IMG_2476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="2984" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFWyK07ik4LWJlcxZ0ZtX5ViOC7C4IeGgP_-21ETzRPYX2T6DCmcZkvTDF8U255fYk6m0N_6TLe8aqdOngBZSf2B4B9pV5pdmbIVAYPHa_WjZC0Byh7ypnBKnYvi6jB-OWj0zAItmODRAsufc9DC2GYtcKjpsA_WPkAxUdwqLscrBNZavKXbfCE-B/w400-h300/IMG_2476.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Delicate frilled puccoon...</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUAE6IS-XXX_adjVy7DKx26TPUoZtzFRALdKH0lnjeG1NIlrOA_umSExSa7DoUtqRPeD2ZnjO3e2RHjixc_DZeP-oJFFkkpqe5JcObk3p0TbX888c0RGujyBB-5YttVPVt37uQdXbMliEYUe9dDQHVGotTpnMQVBD5Y1EySrkaXbR59XTG_XDll5E/s2775/IMG_2482.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2083" data-original-width="2775" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUAE6IS-XXX_adjVy7DKx26TPUoZtzFRALdKH0lnjeG1NIlrOA_umSExSa7DoUtqRPeD2ZnjO3e2RHjixc_DZeP-oJFFkkpqe5JcObk3p0TbX888c0RGujyBB-5YttVPVt37uQdXbMliEYUe9dDQHVGotTpnMQVBD5Y1EySrkaXbR59XTG_XDll5E/w400-h300/IMG_2482.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">...overlooked a very green pasture, with cattle framed in the wire fence:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hqaK3jKZ6deoo0SZNnITy7xHKeNGMFb2uXbCjqvogsHxw3SYKFfFCuaiXPSOQxr3bp_rqmduqCTcRsFHxloObPyZMguQywCMEBInKsyw3mcrR0iJAjrJQzJZMvbBWstCGsA40ABnF_Vpix7CFqHq-cc3NKEKYR60Vb4uXnIimhcTta6hUTyJDXSU/s4000/IMG_2485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hqaK3jKZ6deoo0SZNnITy7xHKeNGMFb2uXbCjqvogsHxw3SYKFfFCuaiXPSOQxr3bp_rqmduqCTcRsFHxloObPyZMguQywCMEBInKsyw3mcrR0iJAjrJQzJZMvbBWstCGsA40ABnF_Vpix7CFqHq-cc3NKEKYR60Vb4uXnIimhcTta6hUTyJDXSU/w640-h480/IMG_2485.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Miles later, I found new-to-me wildflower, probably spring-cress:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQEE7Ixfi16Nonr8EZQpL2DJ_EozPOtumQybQRcEF6pm2ON935j1qnzvZGrsLa8e83p2OXXGkjUT0me0gwfD1XY7bYKlwxyUkyiyPihVMwzGjBtTbBmJZyeDRTVwEobStRNQD0EunqO2WxakNdGGzFK6vxR_ArHJYsf0vzwHcUTkYHKPoYOQMNEDD/s5120/2023-05-22,%20spring-cress%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQEE7Ixfi16Nonr8EZQpL2DJ_EozPOtumQybQRcEF6pm2ON935j1qnzvZGrsLa8e83p2OXXGkjUT0me0gwfD1XY7bYKlwxyUkyiyPihVMwzGjBtTbBmJZyeDRTVwEobStRNQD0EunqO2WxakNdGGzFK6vxR_ArHJYsf0vzwHcUTkYHKPoYOQMNEDD/w640-h320/2023-05-22,%20spring-cress%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And Golden Alexanders (<i>Zizia aurea</i>), earliest of umbellifers, and one of the few flowers with a botanical name as delightful as its common name:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2-wfuzGZaNqlRWngDmjTs7mEcnLj1Uh6yrbAPcqnL8bLAvzVOn5HsYdkP35j7LZq-11rmV8rein0ztjjaY7mi6gfNsH5C6OAnzQIAUzJx7JKPmSryKk6exe0CrS4Q6b0L3e2N2K8pVHtnIEbuaTl9tCf20q2jgylgs6I0St6CkXF3AhBoOv6t9u-/s5120/2023-05-22,%20golden%20Alexanders%20or%20Zizia%20aurea%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2-wfuzGZaNqlRWngDmjTs7mEcnLj1Uh6yrbAPcqnL8bLAvzVOn5HsYdkP35j7LZq-11rmV8rein0ztjjaY7mi6gfNsH5C6OAnzQIAUzJx7JKPmSryKk6exe0CrS4Q6b0L3e2N2K8pVHtnIEbuaTl9tCf20q2jgylgs6I0St6CkXF3AhBoOv6t9u-/w640-h320/2023-05-22,%20golden%20Alexanders%20or%20Zizia%20aurea%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On a bike commute later in the week, I found another new-to-me wildflower, prairie groundsel:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqdqTo5mBO6DKE5eHqNf37pMbFewdYuJ2V-KcWVkT8Ebu0SRNsgGtlsojoG7YJIqEjZCp5kw4x_754BGMfkntO7goYqQ7E1py_kq3fzaLxI6xbg3Z5666NlGifnjQ54n75hhc7icfFRVwSHgD4hqlkIvPC6qL_fb6GJnkLB9--gZOFtK_KYAKtiyu/s1705/IMG_2517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="1705" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqdqTo5mBO6DKE5eHqNf37pMbFewdYuJ2V-KcWVkT8Ebu0SRNsgGtlsojoG7YJIqEjZCp5kw4x_754BGMfkntO7goYqQ7E1py_kq3fzaLxI6xbg3Z5666NlGifnjQ54n75hhc7icfFRVwSHgD4hqlkIvPC6qL_fb6GJnkLB9--gZOFtK_KYAKtiyu/w400-h399/IMG_2517.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And the familiar humble cinquefoil:</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPQ2FXV2vLzmB5akhgFxTchCuDF2_3ny2t6L6Kuj-bq-pCtnXPPJ-GtgpNnSkZGkILNHx6CYNfb-iMpqcnn82GxTaDiK81rXQXrdHjUt_TXSq1Azl4SC2I9NEK8xuQbdT5Frdrpc4DaDkbZ1wybgKHDdqiOrJF96LdLkYirmyPwFiOTrhi_Fj4LsQ/s2250/IMG_2528.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="2250" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPQ2FXV2vLzmB5akhgFxTchCuDF2_3ny2t6L6Kuj-bq-pCtnXPPJ-GtgpNnSkZGkILNHx6CYNfb-iMpqcnn82GxTaDiK81rXQXrdHjUt_TXSq1Azl4SC2I9NEK8xuQbdT5Frdrpc4DaDkbZ1wybgKHDdqiOrJF96LdLkYirmyPwFiOTrhi_Fj4LsQ/w400-h309/IMG_2528.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the last weekend of May, hoary puccoon were blooming:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uB_LrauhBExEwT12DJ3hSFOBqu_GQlucOu66zKFtQyqrc3DhnRl1jFZG_aItXAgyr_NDq1WbWwKJ1fR66V0sPm1PHy4p5IfYw1mD-_wsP2ypJlIgISJm8fEV3D-TgJmtMpH1LojmwsRtzP0uARdG8aFR0-BmHHusqHbZaeL-_Kuxw3KUItEpORAs/s1924/IMG_2538.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1923" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uB_LrauhBExEwT12DJ3hSFOBqu_GQlucOu66zKFtQyqrc3DhnRl1jFZG_aItXAgyr_NDq1WbWwKJ1fR66V0sPm1PHy4p5IfYw1mD-_wsP2ypJlIgISJm8fEV3D-TgJmtMpH1LojmwsRtzP0uARdG8aFR0-BmHHusqHbZaeL-_Kuxw3KUItEpORAs/w400-h400/IMG_2538.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And balsam groundsel:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55wR_NKjMUUMe7e7q3lohB7GxFDWhOWySAS6nbpdtv5bYI1Hylmlao2SEDFoq0Ns63LqiqYS99rlWoBOejeJ27YivmD1j2Rp6uAs9OxmHZmtJI-XmdCSjxWVlC58AEA5jKQMJ4CwDc_BsaGz6OorT_5QmFv3EFnBxuAQtXvqxif_LlUke1MQSKP_d/s2068/IMG_2543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="2068" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55wR_NKjMUUMe7e7q3lohB7GxFDWhOWySAS6nbpdtv5bYI1Hylmlao2SEDFoq0Ns63LqiqYS99rlWoBOejeJ27YivmD1j2Rp6uAs9OxmHZmtJI-XmdCSjxWVlC58AEA5jKQMJ4CwDc_BsaGz6OorT_5QmFv3EFnBxuAQtXvqxif_LlUke1MQSKP_d/w400-h300/IMG_2543.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">At my turnaround point, voices carried across the lake from boaters enjoying the holiday weekend weather:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR63XOR7DZbMTRpU8tTbSzSFKsGs7JysFLLKCYnXVQoTgSUtodChkqWbrWE8TArFjHHiL3c1Ofx_5e5HZdVSJOX--L_8gqpc_Gf18MYm-qkg55hy3tehr5o7ReRM5YIBa81Yi1O7r_1jRw7VViM_jYcL-Gjt4vQkRC6ujcHs2c_G9o_yp4r7Lmm2b8/s3642/IMG_2548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2199" data-original-width="3642" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR63XOR7DZbMTRpU8tTbSzSFKsGs7JysFLLKCYnXVQoTgSUtodChkqWbrWE8TArFjHHiL3c1Ofx_5e5HZdVSJOX--L_8gqpc_Gf18MYm-qkg55hy3tehr5o7ReRM5YIBa81Yi1O7r_1jRw7VViM_jYcL-Gjt4vQkRC6ujcHs2c_G9o_yp4r7Lmm2b8/w640-h386/IMG_2548.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The last ride of May was a commute, with photo stops for bird's-foot trefoil along the river trail:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiOBRPhZE5BFLfoRroYYezDi2OTZLf9TRmoGRqyaMPH3Dw2pyU7C2VzysL9UC6PeTnFw4Rv33XB4bkoDzWASY7CBXkOguN4qrMWSgnmWyHlPm5SQPrqEIhfVmP1Kjr67qfqeSdt2NEYA1cggzYc1evqoSlJp6spDcBInbBNSONSJBq9RlJh-JwFTu/s5120/2023-05-30%20Birdsfoot%20trefoil%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiOBRPhZE5BFLfoRroYYezDi2OTZLf9TRmoGRqyaMPH3Dw2pyU7C2VzysL9UC6PeTnFw4Rv33XB4bkoDzWASY7CBXkOguN4qrMWSgnmWyHlPm5SQPrqEIhfVmP1Kjr67qfqeSdt2NEYA1cggzYc1evqoSlJp6spDcBInbBNSONSJBq9RlJh-JwFTu/w640-h320/2023-05-30%20Birdsfoot%20trefoil%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">And showy guelder-rose (<i>Viburnum opulus</i>) on a country road:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJOcA9KrDeAi_Sz9rLvQByhdCJfu-6Zuou66MsGs8ySnVE62sTlLXwIKX_wvTOagqvXJw_UX_b4IaVFg0xF-rtF8VaPNhQ8dxCYDw0Zm42dZ6EY_mcLFVtYsKxm5Owfj6QMvuqeG2SHUYiqXkyze7r6OrifYvdvWK_LdJNniQQswbqVJVKbAcDQ5i/s2222/IMG_2562.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="2220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJOcA9KrDeAi_Sz9rLvQByhdCJfu-6Zuou66MsGs8ySnVE62sTlLXwIKX_wvTOagqvXJw_UX_b4IaVFg0xF-rtF8VaPNhQ8dxCYDw0Zm42dZ6EY_mcLFVtYsKxm5Owfj6QMvuqeG2SHUYiqXkyze7r6OrifYvdvWK_LdJNniQQswbqVJVKbAcDQ5i/w400-h400/IMG_2562.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I can't quite believe it's June already. The last week has been unusually broiling; we seem to have tumbled straight from chilly end-of-winter into full-blown summer heat. My little garden plants, only a week in the ground, are struggling to find their footing in this baking environment. Things should start cooling down tomorrow, I hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">How's your weather? Hot, cold, or just right for June?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-84887036614652584562023-05-15T13:59:00.001-05:002023-05-15T13:59:03.609-05:00Plum Dandy<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">May is the month when the promise of spring seems finally fulfilled. Soon after we turn the calendar page, the first dandelions appear, then violets begin popping up in the lawn. A week or so later, there are blossoms everywhere. It's a glorious time to be alive and out-of-doors.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some photos from my May rides to date....</span></p><div><span style="font-size: xx-large;">~</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May 4: </b>It's gorgeously clear and sunny, with a forecast high near 70 - just right for riding to work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's a particularly large crabapple tree along my route that always flowers about ten days before any others in the area. Today it's in full panoply of bloom:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7nb6Qxw7FzJ6SuT17gvmIr9WC_40HZsL3kYui1WsupEUIDvUsCC26QmXj5H_CNwPOIzg2aIV38mBrlTzP0Ly-RsWD3TuJ-wgvyJs_CxOqrnniuFjHeu_OG8goJTnUFgOY8R1Sz6CYv6pSxGZw7uxFHcwNLS1hMu5XjOUYkUnwFP4AbCSzbWO0VgB/s3549/IMG_2107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="3549" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7nb6Qxw7FzJ6SuT17gvmIr9WC_40HZsL3kYui1WsupEUIDvUsCC26QmXj5H_CNwPOIzg2aIV38mBrlTzP0Ly-RsWD3TuJ-wgvyJs_CxOqrnniuFjHeu_OG8goJTnUFgOY8R1Sz6CYv6pSxGZw7uxFHcwNLS1hMu5XjOUYkUnwFP4AbCSzbWO0VgB/w640-h480/IMG_2107.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Along the river trail, a Canada goose stands guard. Its mate is nearby; I expect to see fluffy goslings appearing any week now.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRzyze0bo1M5Ch-VDNhOMLhZuazhcpiEw_SQly2OfpCkpwfXFuOmPULcwJHeVfTPiKzpLDrd4YqatOWUsRA52EVpjbMf3dAYC_7LxTGJWxjSsY5Q07EPnADUYL7qopPqNRn_KcMrUeF_KK90LEqHP3o22Q6UII2Lpwm-UK3l7xt-84edkTFo46VdN/s1656/IMG_2109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1656" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRzyze0bo1M5Ch-VDNhOMLhZuazhcpiEw_SQly2OfpCkpwfXFuOmPULcwJHeVfTPiKzpLDrd4YqatOWUsRA52EVpjbMf3dAYC_7LxTGJWxjSsY5Q07EPnADUYL7qopPqNRn_KcMrUeF_KK90LEqHP3o22Q6UII2Lpwm-UK3l7xt-84edkTFo46VdN/w400-h301/IMG_2109.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The river has dropped several feet since my last cycling post:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRYMoqHBR2v-7-UvUTg64ggpFY9yTEUGcQrixmklAjSopiE_uhq89gOMZn2CQOxgEWevZTu2Lsr75L-tVlc8UGhpLqsJ1ek9EDB3Be5bZMcBd70oyY86pHSaKsieYOTs6KZ132QXeraRNnGDWHTI8O6dmy-3jb2kfCMpU-Nlqe1kVpW9NOzbFlTZ2/s2667/IMG_2111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="2667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRYMoqHBR2v-7-UvUTg64ggpFY9yTEUGcQrixmklAjSopiE_uhq89gOMZn2CQOxgEWevZTu2Lsr75L-tVlc8UGhpLqsJ1ek9EDB3Be5bZMcBd70oyY86pHSaKsieYOTs6KZ132QXeraRNnGDWHTI8O6dmy-3jb2kfCMpU-Nlqe1kVpW9NOzbFlTZ2/w640-h480/IMG_2111.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Dandelions star the grass next to the bike path:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hHG0BuyroHdQ_BK9ID9A8koIjfdZwlvYZMVlwXuFURTNRDDLC0-klpWj0zS1Px5GU17K2fiEsr_qwaHyw34mFw3pw0R5AvMiNcFh9Joxn35FpSoKEJ1r0237n5Q6vVAISuxdXztk15423pSjU98NWOt42VrT2Z1jHRXbly1gS-cJ4n7LDkPCcvxZ/s2934/IMG_2116.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="2934" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hHG0BuyroHdQ_BK9ID9A8koIjfdZwlvYZMVlwXuFURTNRDDLC0-klpWj0zS1Px5GU17K2fiEsr_qwaHyw34mFw3pw0R5AvMiNcFh9Joxn35FpSoKEJ1r0237n5Q6vVAISuxdXztk15423pSjU98NWOt42VrT2Z1jHRXbly1gS-cJ4n7LDkPCcvxZ/w400-h300/IMG_2116.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The afternoon is even lovelier than the morning. On my way home, I stop for photos (and deep sniffs) of wild plum blossom:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZniEpg1d64FXTqYfLwBzvkQyKTperc2nKGWRfD_xN0p5diZRYjTPYi5V7QJTXUQq_j85C9coI_mfa6E8Za6mvX21ks761w0Dyhw62CFRnsdqHz-3ky42KSXAEmCmcWIsu2ty5mQwKdurKRmMwZOk39c5rKVGhNjfWAzOZdmT4jk2LyBoLhWiGyaJ/s2597/IMG_2131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="2597" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZniEpg1d64FXTqYfLwBzvkQyKTperc2nKGWRfD_xN0p5diZRYjTPYi5V7QJTXUQq_j85C9coI_mfa6E8Za6mvX21ks761w0Dyhw62CFRnsdqHz-3ky42KSXAEmCmcWIsu2ty5mQwKdurKRmMwZOk39c5rKVGhNjfWAzOZdmT4jk2LyBoLhWiGyaJ/w640-h480/IMG_2131.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The small, perfect flowers have a sweet, piercing scent that travels in puffs on the warm breeze.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyktnz3NHeJdGGg2H6Br-P52sYQTaNr0ieNiPI4TwaQoDRxL6AaiibA8gLkqjdaPOxRCRQzE47czNiId_mhY-6MV93S21NgleNuEIyHvYTJ89ND7OeQ_485FQq6Bbr052-zuLmhOdVlkrlYuENK4drzNliuCEyKn1jfYQ0S7Ql0ERp982XOIHn2pA/s1110/IMG_2132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1110" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyktnz3NHeJdGGg2H6Br-P52sYQTaNr0ieNiPI4TwaQoDRxL6AaiibA8gLkqjdaPOxRCRQzE47czNiId_mhY-6MV93S21NgleNuEIyHvYTJ89ND7OeQ_485FQq6Bbr052-zuLmhOdVlkrlYuENK4drzNliuCEyKn1jfYQ0S7Ql0ERp982XOIHn2pA/w640-h476/IMG_2132.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A few miles from home, I startle some wild ducks in a rainpool next the road; they swim away, then waddle off across the wet field, heading for a larger pond farther away.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsQAcOT7agi2hZA0SayMa9S8wPIXKPTSzzS-H9MzLOnQ0kMLBJKMOf2ddfHSnOJajUEMuape_j25ByHq4ifUB-hgf6nruO10_LSgTX89EJ-6OoPE1f9wt3Xr-nMms2PjGRtnW4j-3PBCj_uwlT_z_EikBJiGq97hdMZjKVjQI4fP7oHbftZlIaRLW/s1680/IMG_2135.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1680" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsQAcOT7agi2hZA0SayMa9S8wPIXKPTSzzS-H9MzLOnQ0kMLBJKMOf2ddfHSnOJajUEMuape_j25ByHq4ifUB-hgf6nruO10_LSgTX89EJ-6OoPE1f9wt3Xr-nMms2PjGRtnW4j-3PBCj_uwlT_z_EikBJiGq97hdMZjKVjQI4fP7oHbftZlIaRLW/w400-h300/IMG_2135.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The two on the left are a mallard and his mate; I don't know if the others are their offspring, or a pair of a different breed. (It seems a bit early in the year for ducklings to be that large, so I'm guessing a different breed.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Once home, I wander around the lawn to admire the violets. On rainy days they're damp and draggled, but today their faces are raised to the sun:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeesDzXsugTbcK3eGAPMzCJqXOZLpaVxiem1zBszz4iiyPTXx9FctjrpBSzVLn3hcY-vQw99j-cndc-4D3vs0KN-yecAzFGoadteHqsQRlaKVHhcwJRi75cUj8qyjyDRjq5xeNhKXc5M2Dyi5fGOKvT2bR9ioEqCjRMjXuIUrl2uEfd3SJHJKauSd/s3668/IMG_2143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="3668" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeesDzXsugTbcK3eGAPMzCJqXOZLpaVxiem1zBszz4iiyPTXx9FctjrpBSzVLn3hcY-vQw99j-cndc-4D3vs0KN-yecAzFGoadteHqsQRlaKVHhcwJRi75cUj8qyjyDRjq5xeNhKXc5M2Dyi5fGOKvT2bR9ioEqCjRMjXuIUrl2uEfd3SJHJKauSd/w400-h300/IMG_2143.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFjmqdkc2zeQCtwzoX2i051sLBK0_WjcexfDlMfsrpIMOZBzot1TO5YnppHIJcmOi_Pu66jyJBNZ2uZwfgkJJoF_snLu3U5M-DMpn3097-8fxJO8DQXbM2wenUyRTMsrWUiD86a6VwdLiPp7EPC4sGK_IgrADhhCjQNCl5Gq1wCrowQqasa8CRQTt/s1561/IMG_2147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1561" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFjmqdkc2zeQCtwzoX2i051sLBK0_WjcexfDlMfsrpIMOZBzot1TO5YnppHIJcmOi_Pu66jyJBNZ2uZwfgkJJoF_snLu3U5M-DMpn3097-8fxJO8DQXbM2wenUyRTMsrWUiD86a6VwdLiPp7EPC4sGK_IgrADhhCjQNCl5Gq1wCrowQqasa8CRQTt/w400-h300/IMG_2147.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A good start to the month.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May 7: </b>It's a warm and cloudy Sunday with rain in the forecast, so today's ride is short, though with plenty of photo stops.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Along the country roads, hardwood trees sport dangling blossoms and spectral leaves:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3JiU3naUvsWIlexWBWw7JnFCoItQvoIXo6zOhoEAfsVNaw3JzxCsAjlFy1UTuolzgaYPsnKzkYQWBecvc-HZruUv-AiXxutC_52xKZQ5Llxx-uSflthIXMGwiqD8l_gJCzjvSQgQgRUzqRrkOQITk1XzFtik9zmK-vt4LJxpLEWrYhJDXVgV4yio/s2330/IMG_2155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="2330" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3JiU3naUvsWIlexWBWw7JnFCoItQvoIXo6zOhoEAfsVNaw3JzxCsAjlFy1UTuolzgaYPsnKzkYQWBecvc-HZruUv-AiXxutC_52xKZQ5Llxx-uSflthIXMGwiqD8l_gJCzjvSQgQgRUzqRrkOQITk1XzFtik9zmK-vt4LJxpLEWrYhJDXVgV4yio/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Other things are blooming too:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdABY6VKURFJhqU9zyVGy78OoOYifSlRLCbYz37B6UlrklyKt2pSJA621hksAVe8TBPSX2SHsftuIJcCJmOELvKtPyydc0MqqB2CaFyRCpAHu0BH4UDJqXyCd6XQ8YBXqGM1pdSPU0vHdz2DOWrXob_aY2QZ1O51lMwfd-f5VHk31mSZmglQ3OBTXD/s4550/Ride%206%20post%20photos-002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="4550" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdABY6VKURFJhqU9zyVGy78OoOYifSlRLCbYz37B6UlrklyKt2pSJA621hksAVe8TBPSX2SHsftuIJcCJmOELvKtPyydc0MqqB2CaFyRCpAHu0BH4UDJqXyCd6XQ8YBXqGM1pdSPU0vHdz2DOWrXob_aY2QZ1O51lMwfd-f5VHk31mSZmglQ3OBTXD/w640-h494/Ride%206%20post%20photos-002.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Clockwise from upper left: marsh marigold, wood anemone, marsh marigold, plum blossom</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Iris the bike leans against a bridge:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMsXG8adeINpWWJ0PNP_8Xkpr68S7SoJc1Z-Kk2G1gxVAmQH3CGx8rjv70apRthiy1yKpLco_rKLGp1SeLj1wCDRengR2NNHIG78ZNmbJ5C2AuStOFz6GlwBcje3cUeZvZXf2jTbXRd0aO9Im_GpIj0W7Iqatk_zzb3QPp7app9gaqp3p-SZTau7j/s3321/IMG_2188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3321" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMsXG8adeINpWWJ0PNP_8Xkpr68S7SoJc1Z-Kk2G1gxVAmQH3CGx8rjv70apRthiy1yKpLco_rKLGp1SeLj1wCDRengR2NNHIG78ZNmbJ5C2AuStOFz6GlwBcje3cUeZvZXf2jTbXRd0aO9Im_GpIj0W7Iqatk_zzb3QPp7app9gaqp3p-SZTau7j/w640-h478/IMG_2188.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Far down the road, three deer come out of the trees and pause before crossing to the other side:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGko2Wyw8RV2a81Vhz7WxY5u1UBw_w9UX8yIX0to1IcWga7Lf7xztxpzpJuiMl1IHh2_h2Mos83w4VyFqTeU7gXBONszPLEv0bYHUrsPVQG3d_aQS3sIkMzPiffXjtiH4G9lCoEZo4HaSPT7-7-QsODqCXNqbkdzLaVHDOdv-wv3od6n-23w16njN/s1800/IMG_2191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1473" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGko2Wyw8RV2a81Vhz7WxY5u1UBw_w9UX8yIX0to1IcWga7Lf7xztxpzpJuiMl1IHh2_h2Mos83w4VyFqTeU7gXBONszPLEv0bYHUrsPVQG3d_aQS3sIkMzPiffXjtiH4G9lCoEZo4HaSPT7-7-QsODqCXNqbkdzLaVHDOdv-wv3od6n-23w16njN/w328-h400/IMG_2191.JPG" width="328" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Near the next corner, I spot a large clump of mayapple growing a short way into the woods:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6QFGr_yGdHxqNoZ4YHzE8fHmUe7z83OHN24eJG6AjMt-i3gCxFHnE14lWGbAYwRUcM3ZdD-yJQThYVMry26cbB31djaDvZNbBEaNOK2sq6IJaHdvHSJ7ratMUS5GEcDhS5cfsCbrqVX7APmXmsGTkQJPrJByfJu2PjdI9AxLZdEVDVPPdm9yzuo/s4000/IMG_2208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6QFGr_yGdHxqNoZ4YHzE8fHmUe7z83OHN24eJG6AjMt-i3gCxFHnE14lWGbAYwRUcM3ZdD-yJQThYVMry26cbB31djaDvZNbBEaNOK2sq6IJaHdvHSJ7ratMUS5GEcDhS5cfsCbrqVX7APmXmsGTkQJPrJByfJu2PjdI9AxLZdEVDVPPdm9yzuo/w640-h480/IMG_2208.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the verge are more wildflowers:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="5120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ4wGCOPV_q38Uo6EIIPJz6263x2Ud82CcArpq-aYpbcPt7WqOhkNxd5OOrk4Hcrq4ZwerL8BBkhsHIsG29UN3clB4Cluhd2q2ierhgSaxBBUnBqNiOM1PwVmUw05C9qClrtTa-NvjD7UDOk3nPkh48uITNmGjz706lVW4lMhDWycwM2OfdUDfk76/w640-h400/Ride%206%20post%20photos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Clockwise from top left: violet, mystery plant, field pussytoes, violet, garlic mustard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ4wGCOPV_q38Uo6EIIPJz6263x2Ud82CcArpq-aYpbcPt7WqOhkNxd5OOrk4Hcrq4ZwerL8BBkhsHIsG29UN3clB4Cluhd2q2ierhgSaxBBUnBqNiOM1PwVmUw05C9qClrtTa-NvjD7UDOk3nPkh48uITNmGjz706lVW4lMhDWycwM2OfdUDfk76/s5120/Ride%206%20post%20photos.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />(As you can probably tell, I love wild plum blossom and violets. I can't resist snapping them wherever I see them.)</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A good, if short, Sunday ride.<br /><br />~</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May 9:</b> The morning is very foggy, but forecast to clear in the afternoon. I'm determined to ride to work, so I set off in the mist. Within a few hundred yards Iris and I are damp all over, so I stop for a moment to stow my camera inside my backpack. No photos will be taken this morning.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">By the time I leave work, the sun has come out. Flowering crab trees along the levee are bursting into rosy bloom:<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht83TSEPRL1o7DINdi_KW8XRMg_Fu7lmn44Pfuo2BPyBhKitLEfR22iKyrzw6KkhMl-tD1ApQUcLM4cgHAomhxlc8xKQ6Jiticu8ThewoUWiruo8l433MVzvj-lJIb8Sv9wr2Qgc4G_96v-QNsHW4OJLu9PAfIsVJsxcXt-AJF9tpPu5j2tG0iMmu8/s1948/IMG_2220.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1948" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht83TSEPRL1o7DINdi_KW8XRMg_Fu7lmn44Pfuo2BPyBhKitLEfR22iKyrzw6KkhMl-tD1ApQUcLM4cgHAomhxlc8xKQ6Jiticu8ThewoUWiruo8l433MVzvj-lJIb8Sv9wr2Qgc4G_96v-QNsHW4OJLu9PAfIsVJsxcXt-AJF9tpPu5j2tG0iMmu8/w640-h482/IMG_2220.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Winter cress shimmers in the grass next to the bike path:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5WkheSsPSvr4ZpxLf50cbUZK0_iAqt2BTsBiOt6DOes90R7CA_0GOAB0n_RW4-pEfHYJrMsnAZ7YYvNrsUdh6ZvMxMHPyKMn5alGw8_jUy_kLNSCL_2HICjGxaQ_HkJabI5TCIHGJ8ESTbfk7J-B2nkbcugaRDcNctryYuxaHI_n1ymldBwZuuz5/s3237/IMG_2230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="3237" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5WkheSsPSvr4ZpxLf50cbUZK0_iAqt2BTsBiOt6DOes90R7CA_0GOAB0n_RW4-pEfHYJrMsnAZ7YYvNrsUdh6ZvMxMHPyKMn5alGw8_jUy_kLNSCL_2HICjGxaQ_HkJabI5TCIHGJ8ESTbfk7J-B2nkbcugaRDcNctryYuxaHI_n1ymldBwZuuz5/w400-h300/IMG_2230.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Outside of town, the air sings with the whistle and call of robins, cardinals, and red-winged blackbirds.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG5Vml9l2-lCyPh4olWrqLX8AEon5iIYj3P_qVFsDc4Kbp8mTTp4HcaJ_9FMHpzC7pX80TiCqixjNHAlDe-3kNJ98BwrAbjWV-hpdGHufQhpDVLGSkHT6zODJ0D7F46OWxnbTbn-C9YkD-XLQgeo6nYgt_QwiZia2zBo1xsb_9DkeZI38s4aJMRuz/s1805/IMG_2236.JPG"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1349" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG5Vml9l2-lCyPh4olWrqLX8AEon5iIYj3P_qVFsDc4Kbp8mTTp4HcaJ_9FMHpzC7pX80TiCqixjNHAlDe-3kNJ98BwrAbjWV-hpdGHufQhpDVLGSkHT6zODJ0D7F46OWxnbTbn-C9YkD-XLQgeo6nYgt_QwiZia2zBo1xsb_9DkeZI38s4aJMRuz/w299-h400/IMG_2236.JPG" width="299" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Along a back road, a lonely oak is coming into delicate leaf:<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2BFWxkrHEM80JsLq9IHVW_oRdTt8gzkmcJwItMoRvGldwZOdyMsJHA0NwFU4ifkgS6W93Q0VLU3RD4pFrCDbbBeIsFK653uSMtD0ny4VbCA6KeT8j8HIfuXkRjhegyCUMPXmbkq8Vn5G1hxmaJ6VQHj8vwJ_UiioZy19AhA2vSpdxoQ8IO5ldqJU/s2667/IMG_2241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2BFWxkrHEM80JsLq9IHVW_oRdTt8gzkmcJwItMoRvGldwZOdyMsJHA0NwFU4ifkgS6W93Q0VLU3RD4pFrCDbbBeIsFK653uSMtD0ny4VbCA6KeT8j8HIfuXkRjhegyCUMPXmbkq8Vn5G1hxmaJ6VQHj8vwJ_UiioZy19AhA2vSpdxoQ8IO5ldqJU/w640-h480/IMG_2241.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's such a treat to be able to ride to work and home again. And to be warm!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May 11:</b> Sunny and pleasantly warm-to-hot; another great day for a bike commute. I've only one photo from this ride; a snap of a favorite barn along my route home:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5E1JyFGT4xu6EzfNrGbaese3lqXda0S6rWn7Mt4wq3gv2P7tHzyNCMa_pZgZTNAuclgB113iBIhXIzdxCM9iNuBQsoI4MNwiwP8goz4uAXbTyhour0MaofRgkAoUaQxPJkbz9fgBCbgMHEyaNnppDxBQMm7uZh-fdnqSXH9F1RBH1-BWdTiCkAjj/s2810/IMG_2248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2102" data-original-width="2810" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5E1JyFGT4xu6EzfNrGbaese3lqXda0S6rWn7Mt4wq3gv2P7tHzyNCMa_pZgZTNAuclgB113iBIhXIzdxCM9iNuBQsoI4MNwiwP8goz4uAXbTyhour0MaofRgkAoUaQxPJkbz9fgBCbgMHEyaNnppDxBQMm7uZh-fdnqSXH9F1RBH1-BWdTiCkAjj/w640-h478/IMG_2248.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Such a lovely time of year, with new beauties around every corner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't mean to go this long between blog posts, but life has been busy with crochet design (a magazine commission was just completed, and a new self-published pattern is coming down the pike) as well as regular work. And now our evenings are being spent watching the Giro d'Italia. The days are just packed. :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What's flowering in your neck of the woods?</span></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p></div></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-83199999363430720072023-04-24T17:33:00.001-05:002023-04-24T17:33:34.408-05:00A New Twist on an Old Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote><p>(<i>Note:</i> All links in this post will take you to my Ravelry store. You don't have to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me using the form at right to arrange a pattern purchase through Paypal.)</p></blockquote><p>I'm pleased to present <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olive-twist-ii" target="_blank">Olive Twist II</a>, an updated version of the Olive Twist shawl pattern originally published in <i>Love of Crochet, </i>Summer 2014.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_FNJRA7kvb22UnNCzjMy1sChjTiiaHZFV9HXIwL05_gFnWD2ckyHewKiN-hC_p1lvZWncKqOI7vDVJdyBkKUeRCz2VOfypcza8m6thptjOvqGuMxvobmHqN6M9Fw1l6RsWSP1tthT0OQWRrKf4Rt1tm4-587ZZvOAaVcBZiJBmV74-8-j55yuozM/s3868/Olive%20Twist%20II%20collage%20with%20title.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3868" data-original-width="3833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_FNJRA7kvb22UnNCzjMy1sChjTiiaHZFV9HXIwL05_gFnWD2ckyHewKiN-hC_p1lvZWncKqOI7vDVJdyBkKUeRCz2VOfypcza8m6thptjOvqGuMxvobmHqN6M9Fw1l6RsWSP1tthT0OQWRrKf4Rt1tm4-587ZZvOAaVcBZiJBmV74-8-j55yuozM/w634-h640/Olive%20Twist%20II%20collage%20with%20title.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olive-twist-ii" target="_blank">Olive Twist II</a> is a lacy, top-down triangular shawl featuring twisted loops for a filigreed effect. It works up quickly in <b>any yarn weight from fingering to worsted</b>, and the size is easily customized by working more or fewer repeat rows.</p><p>The updated pattern has been revised to improve the shawl’s shape, allow for a range of yarn weights, and eliminate the need for a top edging, making it suitable for gradient yarns. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olive-twist-ii" target="_blank">Olive Twist II</a> will also look lovely in a solid, tonal, or lightly speckled yarn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdveWJw5m5S0oyvEuXfBOurMJh4lz382y1hc3ZaL_gwiD15o8Rya9DaDAnUTVPGkcQo3u_T5GuC0g80deo1YG3BeupIz0iZYb65IF6b78IubSaMOMQHJQLWiWpKcZTCE7ebS08rviM1sBCliXr066ISI9bT9-253BNMVv0aKQ5odWWfmzHslMwNVvZ/s1666/Olive%20Twist%20II%20corner%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="1665" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdveWJw5m5S0oyvEuXfBOurMJh4lz382y1hc3ZaL_gwiD15o8Rya9DaDAnUTVPGkcQo3u_T5GuC0g80deo1YG3BeupIz0iZYb65IF6b78IubSaMOMQHJQLWiWpKcZTCE7ebS08rviM1sBCliXr066ISI9bT9-253BNMVv0aKQ5odWWfmzHslMwNVvZ/w400-h400/Olive%20Twist%20II%20corner%20detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My sample was worked in Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous Fibers Blossoms, color Narcissus Poeticus, a lovely 80% merino/20% nylon fingering weight gradient yarn with a soft hand, great structure, and wonderful drape. The finished shawl measured 44" x 19" after blocking, and used about 450 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>The yarn blocked beautifully, letting the twisted loops really pop:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZQXIEWjCuWtZ9KYLuWH8OyWiLA-DBLf3pPOprbKPWU8vMOL0z4UHecyECIU_3YGWT5w9KZ9LRBC-TwH-MZMA31n1-5E7mDwYNrbKuS35bnU0-V8MKS0jcSCx2I--92qNCuIYrmglJztE-1LWZRUQuqh9jct9Vvg7v1SBM3BPQnr9hGj8ij91-icg/s483/Olive%20Twist%20II%20blocking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="482" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZQXIEWjCuWtZ9KYLuWH8OyWiLA-DBLf3pPOprbKPWU8vMOL0z4UHecyECIU_3YGWT5w9KZ9LRBC-TwH-MZMA31n1-5E7mDwYNrbKuS35bnU0-V8MKS0jcSCx2I--92qNCuIYrmglJztE-1LWZRUQuqh9jct9Vvg7v1SBM3BPQnr9hGj8ij91-icg/w399-h400/Olive%20Twist%20II%20blocking.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><p>This stitch pattern responds best to vigorous blocking, so if you're planning an Olive Twist II of your own, choose a fiber that will block well.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olive-twist-ii" target="_blank">Olive Twist II</a> pattern includes full written instructions, charts, helpful illustrations, and a link to a short video tutorial. You can buy it <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olive-twist-ii" target="_blank">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy 25% off the pattern until May 1 2023 with code <b>TWISTY</b> at checkout.</p><p>Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-68002760631293973732023-04-17T19:44:00.003-05:002023-04-17T19:44:25.441-05:00Back in the Saddle<p>There are cyclists, I'm told, who ride year-round, even in Wisconsin; intrepid souls, who fear neither rain nor snow nor wintry blast. I am not one of them. Ten years ago I'd occasionally ride in near-freezing temperatures, as long as the sun was shining. Nowadays, softie that I am, it takes a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit - wind chill included - to tempt me into the saddle.</p><p>Given these constraints, and the exceeding storminess of March, the Micawber cycling season did not begin until early April this year - two weeks ago to be exact.</p><p>~</p><p><b>April 3: </b>The day is grey and gloomy, with threats of rain, but temps are in the mid-50s with a moderate south wind. Not idyllic weather, but good enough for a short and easy after-work ride with Mr. M.</p><p>We stop at the first bridge for a photo of Iris the bike, with a snowmelt-swollen stream in the background:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2qSj6n5l_Xg13k40QxBdYrJ_jfM6iNUTmSRCXf1IbgNh1PYv7Kk-fUw-Opp7AB-ZGCNoOD4iq22XdUfxwRiFD3OC588MABzLS-Z0xodEefcHo0bdiU63vUyMj2Ge086IUM7aQL3tXe7a7c7l5wxn3DmHK-lcQaKt5_RtUaiAXsim-che2hQ2wgaR/s3519/IMG_1902.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="3519" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2qSj6n5l_Xg13k40QxBdYrJ_jfM6iNUTmSRCXf1IbgNh1PYv7Kk-fUw-Opp7AB-ZGCNoOD4iq22XdUfxwRiFD3OC588MABzLS-Z0xodEefcHo0bdiU63vUyMj2Ge086IUM7aQL3tXe7a7c7l5wxn3DmHK-lcQaKt5_RtUaiAXsim-che2hQ2wgaR/w640-h480/IMG_1902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A mile or two later, the sky darkens to charcoal and we're pelted with scattered raindrops. On our way back into town, we take a short detour to the local lake to see the migrating pelicans. Here's one of them, looking comically solemn:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxwlAVt9YIc4eNj8h_VkEvAgrED23ZdtE3aw2apl2r7U3ZspdkLombIkbfBJhAWf3HujoaDz7yDeut8FsuA5lN5UpkGh0xMBKu0Wvwn9OxR6n4QgWpe1jc_eEFZgHXNWFhItFYRb3GpZmzB1GvJRXS_94-ZyXwmhQ7yfXLKpiBrgaUku6oVcJX5WB/s2081/IMG_1916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="2081" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxwlAVt9YIc4eNj8h_VkEvAgrED23ZdtE3aw2apl2r7U3ZspdkLombIkbfBJhAWf3HujoaDz7yDeut8FsuA5lN5UpkGh0xMBKu0Wvwn9OxR6n4QgWpe1jc_eEFZgHXNWFhItFYRb3GpZmzB1GvJRXS_94-ZyXwmhQ7yfXLKpiBrgaUku6oVcJX5WB/w400-h299/IMG_1916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then it's home for supper. Winter's back is finally broken, and the cycling season has begun.</p><p>~</p><p><b>April 9:</b> Easter Sunday is warm, windy, and hazy. In the afternoon, Tallulah and I take off for a short out-and-back ride with a bit of climbing thrown in. The countryside is still mostly brown, under a carpet of dried grass and last fall's leaves:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeweQCxKIGqOv386ASIN69yLompngJCQFEivS0P8a8vvxV_27spfHyI61CKfIowGtnYcJ88bESq03_mG04CtZeUl2KvlJw6NXnjLREPVaWCo__y5BEw82gAqY4ERB3l7xoFp7vNtzY3MUoiyyL9MIGUQTRoRcYELqRi0S7rrDk2GnWWCZgvXJNHdYj/s3351/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="3351" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeweQCxKIGqOv386ASIN69yLompngJCQFEivS0P8a8vvxV_27spfHyI61CKfIowGtnYcJ88bESq03_mG04CtZeUl2KvlJw6NXnjLREPVaWCo__y5BEw82gAqY4ERB3l7xoFp7vNtzY3MUoiyyL9MIGUQTRoRcYELqRi0S7rrDk2GnWWCZgvXJNHdYj/w640-h480/IMG_1936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Our turnaround point is another local lake, where we stop to watch the wavelets rolling into shore:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDYqjP6nm3EjQcMU4V3znrutkI67pI5Z219GZMb9lt_mq2lkBfi3N3_cXU0fdkEoc5laumtc5bPM4K984OHBriJ6b-htWF-he9ph-tlV07ao1r819Y3bJhKPEHcgrsAoQSDSM_Q5PMXAI5uyhZNRrcf17yiS-aPORdP2wOOZOfVn28KRA6a4qHyaj/s3326/IMG_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2498" data-original-width="3326" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDYqjP6nm3EjQcMU4V3znrutkI67pI5Z219GZMb9lt_mq2lkBfi3N3_cXU0fdkEoc5laumtc5bPM4K984OHBriJ6b-htWF-he9ph-tlV07ao1r819Y3bJhKPEHcgrsAoQSDSM_Q5PMXAI5uyhZNRrcf17yiS-aPORdP2wOOZOfVn28KRA6a4qHyaj/w640-h480/IMG_1948.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Tallulah climbs onto a rock to look out over the water...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEldB-3uLsWlGKU9SdgfWACz7ll9-ZxfSCD59i97_Koqbcn1-djqeIuI-P8DOU0VRhAM9CSvwbfubSJCeFZgd26AcJF8AK5Pf0867T3cVhGNGgYjDYpHiMk7R-Rfv3XCsMwTZrx-TBwVKxqm4eg7TgPaeCqZczs2gfEd5iy7opRV4CYd1h5byY2-Ot/s4000/IMG_1947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEldB-3uLsWlGKU9SdgfWACz7ll9-ZxfSCD59i97_Koqbcn1-djqeIuI-P8DOU0VRhAM9CSvwbfubSJCeFZgd26AcJF8AK5Pf0867T3cVhGNGgYjDYpHiMk7R-Rfv3XCsMwTZrx-TBwVKxqm4eg7TgPaeCqZczs2gfEd5iy7opRV4CYd1h5byY2-Ot/w640-h480/IMG_1947.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>...but is nearly blown away by a gust of wind. She decides it will be safer to explore the tiny new growth under the nearby trees:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VZ7tAErDru9tOYBlwR66KIeRhoUcLfn9RTr6xs0yGzJKzhSMslMtaOgeNusITNeeejoU5is-w-UqHjxBeFZYuc59hjl1lQqZLohr6XVZ3ABQPqALVQMW9RSHH8l--tFg6OgfOtL6JxUQEsXQjwETaQ1cwsWaoLWUE0BQ2ogKchqCxoLavDxDkHOm/s4000/IMG_1954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VZ7tAErDru9tOYBlwR66KIeRhoUcLfn9RTr6xs0yGzJKzhSMslMtaOgeNusITNeeejoU5is-w-UqHjxBeFZYuc59hjl1lQqZLohr6XVZ3ABQPqALVQMW9RSHH8l--tFg6OgfOtL6JxUQEsXQjwETaQ1cwsWaoLWUE0BQ2ogKchqCxoLavDxDkHOm/w640-h480/IMG_1954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our way home leads past a pond guarded by a pair of Canada geese:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI8hMOkUnIfQ6dGhF9CQliEg8onGMY9lNsYPEnFv4HrrhARmL8oVpk964Y-32dH63S_QipdxmdS7GH5bhfO9GXQjYKnS-p41BtwA7HJj3p7JsXvRatu3-8JJDUDjbmzsTPxWsDH6SRFh1Xh4m8VRzjnVEdutTKI7Z1wltZjMXbhEDlbO5JWudATD6/s2558/IMG_1957.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="2558" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI8hMOkUnIfQ6dGhF9CQliEg8onGMY9lNsYPEnFv4HrrhARmL8oVpk964Y-32dH63S_QipdxmdS7GH5bhfO9GXQjYKnS-p41BtwA7HJj3p7JsXvRatu3-8JJDUDjbmzsTPxWsDH6SRFh1Xh4m8VRzjnVEdutTKI7Z1wltZjMXbhEDlbO5JWudATD6/w640-h480/IMG_1957.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A good, if gusty, Easter ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>~</div><div><br /></div><b>April 11:</b> The weather has turned most un-April-like: today the forecast high is 82, perfect for the first bike commute of the year. The air is very dry when I take off in the morning; frogs are singing madly and gladly in every bit of water, and trees are starting to look hazy with incipient leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div>I nearly catch a train on the way in, but by the time I reach the tracks it has passed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkJiOThIdCNTBfTJqdtjBM3MiXxwsGrRCuFeInYZ8cPmotw8GMV07i1vw7zCq7NJMJGiPq6eEmFTNJLCOF3iJ4CzzScpcLCph12LxKni9eqLCJCnKQhQbGXLx4_Hb_1lJjGbJmI6Ol7Bn9wOj0ZS1pEk0VHi-RxJfAcKlquB5aXwcpL3AgAKJVbj3/s2667/IMG_1977.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="2667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkJiOThIdCNTBfTJqdtjBM3MiXxwsGrRCuFeInYZ8cPmotw8GMV07i1vw7zCq7NJMJGiPq6eEmFTNJLCOF3iJ4CzzScpcLCph12LxKni9eqLCJCnKQhQbGXLx4_Hb_1lJjGbJmI6Ol7Bn9wOj0ZS1pEk0VHi-RxJfAcKlquB5aXwcpL3AgAKJVbj3/w640-h480/IMG_1977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the way home, I stop near a marsh to snap some fuzzy catkins; it's good to see a bit of green amid the prevailing buff and brown:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWotDRLN3_qa5VDtLZzpUyUxFfTS6Gdz1oU8wEgzAAgwgxEEhztULvufz-Pgjl3BGThyqA-DTNwjXRDRh7mqxOd6Uw3awm8TgAU5-DPiFNBepPnhojn-833bkSvzkMTephCdhldMrG_Sp0WbYrtFZ6sN9UFNUbM34BHxOvuEN6npz7AuLei4HRDOn/s2572/IMG_1989.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="2572" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWotDRLN3_qa5VDtLZzpUyUxFfTS6Gdz1oU8wEgzAAgwgxEEhztULvufz-Pgjl3BGThyqA-DTNwjXRDRh7mqxOd6Uw3awm8TgAU5-DPiFNBepPnhojn-833bkSvzkMTephCdhldMrG_Sp0WbYrtFZ6sN9UFNUbM34BHxOvuEN6npz7AuLei4HRDOn/w640-h482/IMG_1989.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At home, I find a bit more green; the chives near our door have reached nearly-pickable height:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW-KPjEhu79w5wOovtDoblUxOqFrX8pRZxonzK4UV8kNj58VajdCIlv2AqyqZh5matBUf7JdtC9xy9rWWr7sFo9s1uq7QiI0D57tH4msP5nBO0w5Gw1UiE16s3l_8er-oQ-z_QI1AO49yxTBd5pAiVApxOZXNyBtNIiu17Jd9cCtmOrzTm68vNcj3/s3133/IMG_1990.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="3133" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW-KPjEhu79w5wOovtDoblUxOqFrX8pRZxonzK4UV8kNj58VajdCIlv2AqyqZh5matBUf7JdtC9xy9rWWr7sFo9s1uq7QiI0D57tH4msP5nBO0w5Gw1UiE16s3l_8er-oQ-z_QI1AO49yxTBd5pAiVApxOZXNyBtNIiu17Jd9cCtmOrzTm68vNcj3/s320/IMG_1990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Can violets be far behind?</div><div><br /></div><div>~</div><div><br /></div><div><b>April 13:</b> Continuing hot weather means another bike commute. Today the air is softer, the sky a bit bluer, and a steady headwind is blowing.</div><div><br /></div><div>A favorite tree stands solo in a field edged with freshly-harrowed soil:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvQQIgPMPUiL64YXp5FxspOCY9D7OcqDbRvsD5JMAcy0np9p_MXEG6nZ2ZxnqEkXVNI6780mPOCAGL2oamKYvR8QEL5TihVgoS4atHyzKIqe8CNnBia2XTQNqd5s3AyzKLNg4PbhKLa5oIwLNGWj27RyXAmhmb1QVM6LDmCh70wRzDOGxRjrHTX7K/s1611/IMG_1996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1611" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvQQIgPMPUiL64YXp5FxspOCY9D7OcqDbRvsD5JMAcy0np9p_MXEG6nZ2ZxnqEkXVNI6780mPOCAGL2oamKYvR8QEL5TihVgoS4atHyzKIqe8CNnBia2XTQNqd5s3AyzKLNg4PbhKLa5oIwLNGWj27RyXAmhmb1QVM6LDmCh70wRzDOGxRjrHTX7K/w640-h482/IMG_1996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The farmer is across the road, working another field:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijc2aFZF4gSM2QsF2CWH_Try28gUsueUCnPzV9Fbqk5pdTm0l6u33Kh4zVYEFIFNUxIYbFkLYYPgRveFRpWRI-lEYLFcQrqnkE_eVGYKFWx1de7-fp3GbBFm5hCqT5WaVpkT1nNHeADJareORX7gAit9FHHA7DDkzcEU49hlrXuKUB0EgMnzXMfrk7/s1606/IMG_1997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1606" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijc2aFZF4gSM2QsF2CWH_Try28gUsueUCnPzV9Fbqk5pdTm0l6u33Kh4zVYEFIFNUxIYbFkLYYPgRveFRpWRI-lEYLFcQrqnkE_eVGYKFWx1de7-fp3GbBFm5hCqT5WaVpkT1nNHeADJareORX7gAit9FHHA7DDkzcEU49hlrXuKUB0EgMnzXMfrk7/w640-h480/IMG_1997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All the local rivers are in flood; from the river trail, I see trees up to their waists in water:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-NcZ8m6oCIzXzSBrXF8dn_6mX5F8lD7vLlnkdFQ5LOg0jn1Q5V9KLpeAfo_8iTwNLJt1TA_oxMzjl_BV7N2EW3jlx3yH1kRPxBXFnVNnpc2PLgRmEQd_OL2MFqd6ZZkcdZUYY0Ou4aHTsu7gLv8qEeox2T2H2RIaGxPfRUdiztLI33osIKkR9bbW/s3351/IMG_1998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2514" data-original-width="3351" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-NcZ8m6oCIzXzSBrXF8dn_6mX5F8lD7vLlnkdFQ5LOg0jn1Q5V9KLpeAfo_8iTwNLJt1TA_oxMzjl_BV7N2EW3jlx3yH1kRPxBXFnVNnpc2PLgRmEQd_OL2MFqd6ZZkcdZUYY0Ou4aHTsu7gLv8qEeox2T2H2RIaGxPfRUdiztLI33osIKkR9bbW/w640-h480/IMG_1998.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Due to the high temps and wind, we're also under a fire watch. It seems odd when there's so much water about, but we really do need some rain to keep all the dry grasses from going up like tinder.</div><div><br /></div>~</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, before breakfast, I visit the little clump of scilla out back for some photos of Spring in action:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDVx7RSToV_ZyvdGozDvHQ8yPEuf3mQkR2Mrrvm0otL0bFw5f3eOV9AwFG-RXO1q6fft2Z1rwRHM_TULlwxmoQDmizsoNGKf59S4HaXVKTvTRPDKD4dobsuQxhs1E8ENymAV5u0q2jwWnYL_4GUd-tL238sQoES2_0Tu1CJ0OERhm2eYb1nuxsN-K/s2623/IMG_2021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="2290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDVx7RSToV_ZyvdGozDvHQ8yPEuf3mQkR2Mrrvm0otL0bFw5f3eOV9AwFG-RXO1q6fft2Z1rwRHM_TULlwxmoQDmizsoNGKf59S4HaXVKTvTRPDKD4dobsuQxhs1E8ENymAV5u0q2jwWnYL_4GUd-tL238sQoES2_0Tu1CJ0OERhm2eYb1nuxsN-K/w349-h400/IMG_2021.JPG" width="349" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then stop at the planter for the first handful of homegrown herbs to glorify my breakfast egg.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmkCvbRI8ADDQOS07_0IbjPeAGAZeYrF2R8UgxoP1CtRp-E6_ELhD1Kf4BeI73ApB3kVfYVmmft0AuPhwwIGKbM07imxeO1Yo9VIXHd2n-aFLIYqj_I-B8PnjVPIx2woaFHm2d7m3OgI9bFz1tTV6iULwwFYlrtySlR_NJmTwNdeCWFBedurKJ5Od/s2142/IMG_2033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2142" data-original-width="2142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmkCvbRI8ADDQOS07_0IbjPeAGAZeYrF2R8UgxoP1CtRp-E6_ELhD1Kf4BeI73ApB3kVfYVmmft0AuPhwwIGKbM07imxeO1Yo9VIXHd2n-aFLIYqj_I-B8PnjVPIx2woaFHm2d7m3OgI9bFz1tTV6iULwwFYlrtySlR_NJmTwNdeCWFBedurKJ5Od/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>~</p><p>The balmy weather lasted through Saturday, when earth and trees turned suddenly green with thick grass and baby leaves. On Sunday, temperatures plummeted into the 30s, and it snowed all day. Monday we woke to a white world that looked as if Spring had never been. Although most of the snow melted off by late afternoon, it's much too cold (for me) to ride.</p><p>Rain is forecast for much of the coming week, so I don't know when I'll get out on Iris again. But I'm glad to have had a taste of warm weather, and some good rides to start the season.</p><p>How's April treating you?</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-14303999896987346712023-04-03T12:16:00.001-05:002023-04-03T12:21:15.915-05:00Knotless Standing Stitches<p>Back in the dawn of blogging time - or, in my case, 2012 - I wrote a tutorial for the <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2012/09/knotless-standing-single-crochet.html">Knotless Standing Single Crochet</a>, a free-standing single crochet worked with a new piece of yarn into an existing project. (Very handy for starting a new color when working multicolor crochet in the round, or at the edge of flat striped rows. No slipknot is used, hence the "knotless".)</p><p>At the end of that post, I hinted that the Knotless Standing technique could be applied to taller stitches, but that further research would be required - after which I apparently forgot all about the topic, until a few weeks ago when reader Jennifer contacted me to ask about a follow-up tutorial.</p><p>Thanks to Jennifer's question, I've taken a deeper (or do I mean taller?) look at Knotless Standing Stitches, and this post is the result. As you'll see, the basic technique remains the same through all applicable stitch heights, with an extra tail-weaving step added to the taller stitches.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKhqEjPSpUKn7rOejexnsfMyoFRKe7K-6hA9soMYBQZqJhBMCWrr8PoUqHmBRxpHo9mreAwEJi1rIJjF7xONjO5P154c8vkVCaO9rabkbrpi76CrYbJd7tKry2KHBYwCGadQEhf50dn2OW12TxvPUCKuToieaHb9U8x_T1RNV1OtqyuYnZxBtGdv4/s838/Knotless%20Standing%20Stitches%20with%20Sue%20Perez.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="838" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKhqEjPSpUKn7rOejexnsfMyoFRKe7K-6hA9soMYBQZqJhBMCWrr8PoUqHmBRxpHo9mreAwEJi1rIJjF7xONjO5P154c8vkVCaO9rabkbrpi76CrYbJd7tKry2KHBYwCGadQEhf50dn2OW12TxvPUCKuToieaHb9U8x_T1RNV1OtqyuYnZxBtGdv4/s320/Knotless%20Standing%20Stitches%20with%20Sue%20Perez.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><b>This technique works well with:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>US single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and taller <b>standard crochet stitches</b></li><li>Dc and taller <b>clusters</b> (not demonstrated in this post)</li></ul><p></p><p><b>This technique does NOT work with:</b></p><div><p></p><ul><li>US half double crochet (hdc)</li><li>Any <b>single</b> stitch that ends by pulling the yarn through 3 loops</li></ul><p></p></div><p><b>Taller Knotless Standing Stitches Phototutorial (scroll down for videotutorial)</b></p><p>To start a Knotless Standing Stitch, wrap the new yarn across the front of the hook towards your hook hand, around the back away from your hook hand, then drop the tail in front, over the working yarn:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSKGP6LA6QMuHgSAJbZnkstJUJzdMvM0ju2XsI5Iw7gwdwiYi7CpdL9dCJXmGpqfg5Y2XUM8BKWKbg3EaNjay2d4XgN3vR_JZaaDM9pAdM8JMSeXk_62C78pAjbKQoIYeQfXkibQsyBIab2fr0HSh_yWG2oA5ATjsu2XrXbnpH_QLUfFLi39wyKFO/s824/Starting%20the%20Knotless%20Standing%20Stitch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="822" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSKGP6LA6QMuHgSAJbZnkstJUJzdMvM0ju2XsI5Iw7gwdwiYi7CpdL9dCJXmGpqfg5Y2XUM8BKWKbg3EaNjay2d4XgN3vR_JZaaDM9pAdM8JMSeXk_62C78pAjbKQoIYeQfXkibQsyBIab2fr0HSh_yWG2oA5ATjsu2XrXbnpH_QLUfFLi39wyKFO/s320/Starting%20the%20Knotless%20Standing%20Stitch.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><p>Holding the yarn tail in place (against the fabric for sc, against the hook for dc or taller), <b>yarn over as many times as needed for your stitch</b> (remember, this technique doesn't work with hdc).</p><p>Insert hook into desired stitch or space, and <b>work the stitch as usual until you have 2 loops left on the hook</b> (if the stitch has loosened up, pull gently on yarn tail to tighten stitch). Here I have a partially-worked Knotless Standing Dc:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAimLJW4JHLURg1fMkf5OVdDYh5TI-zgGZlGdn40gboX_i4ztNEoxPk1epGryP0sz_2IKmp6ZuQfttR79b9da1KuqGaQeckKr9gW48f5WuKTS9uaVbzgFlmalC5FZAJyZLkZ3UYA-dCELeepmRSbUfSDU03sgPdRpBYL6qVJZJF1YdvT3E6RIT98bt/s744/Work%20stitch%20until%202%20loops%20remain%20on%20hook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAimLJW4JHLURg1fMkf5OVdDYh5TI-zgGZlGdn40gboX_i4ztNEoxPk1epGryP0sz_2IKmp6ZuQfttR79b9da1KuqGaQeckKr9gW48f5WuKTS9uaVbzgFlmalC5FZAJyZLkZ3UYA-dCELeepmRSbUfSDU03sgPdRpBYL6qVJZJF1YdvT3E6RIT98bt/s320/Work%20stitch%20until%202%20loops%20remain%20on%20hook.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><p><b>Before you complete the stitch,</b> move the yarn tail behind the hook, away from your hook hand, and over the working yarn:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTV5eqjdA86-lGTbhqF-ylWRunKI-zncNiU3KYwJIBPDPmjchqiqqEZtxh6nVQHpxUFwp9ZHrHpe9DLL5cPQSkqkuVmC6JYM3ylZEMrmgaQ-LnEiPGXzum65fgg1IrrRNxvWJQHsQFxNI8xOnwYk1CZ1rpnb4b37ciK3W6eGoBAoeOroCwrZr0mDV/s747/Move%20tail%20behind%20hook,%20over%20working%20yarn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="746" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTV5eqjdA86-lGTbhqF-ylWRunKI-zncNiU3KYwJIBPDPmjchqiqqEZtxh6nVQHpxUFwp9ZHrHpe9DLL5cPQSkqkuVmC6JYM3ylZEMrmgaQ-LnEiPGXzum65fgg1IrrRNxvWJQHsQFxNI8xOnwYk1CZ1rpnb4b37ciK3W6eGoBAoeOroCwrZr0mDV/s320/Move%20tail%20behind%20hook,%20over%20working%20yarn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Yarn over and pull through the 2 loops on the hook to complete the stitch:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV42-3VW1m19sZkziu-co52hLMgwXFSgbcLolXfGC5y6-t3DP1RQ7B_CIE-GAYtoHjept8h41QrXGVrrFRgzQZiuDfCLSIrQv2ZETapuPXGCDH88QOQ40etviMhRPvDDYgJNpPFnMaTryFkPcax5GBjQPqzh9PT9VwM7LeitrRD6szrxmsW2adjTJ/s829/Knotless%20Standing%20Stitch%20complete.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="829" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV42-3VW1m19sZkziu-co52hLMgwXFSgbcLolXfGC5y6-t3DP1RQ7B_CIE-GAYtoHjept8h41QrXGVrrFRgzQZiuDfCLSIrQv2ZETapuPXGCDH88QOQ40etviMhRPvDDYgJNpPFnMaTryFkPcax5GBjQPqzh9PT9VwM7LeitrRD6szrxmsW2adjTJ/s320/Knotless%20Standing%20Stitch%20complete.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On a dc or taller stitch, the yarn tail will be sticking out of the stitch post on the back. <b>After working a few more stitches, or just before ending the round, </b>weave the tail downwards (towards the base of the stitch), through the back bump(s) of the Standing Stitch below where the tail comes out. <b>Always weave the tail through as many back bumps as there were yarnovers at the beginning of the stitch.</b> (In other words, weave through 1 back bump for a dc, 2 back bumps for a treble, etc.) In this photo, I've woven through 1 back bump of my Knotless Standing Dc:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRezHX5dlfYwNX3dV_KzW7SaFxYVWqIz7mie-8tKutfY9LeCFsFApSyKCKjikdk4i27nmVVNblinCCfHdDRV5i9dYdczBVi1brbGUXuor98gfBPU6TXOdcCYDlnvlTCVyvvCm7bjVSkQpW77H8zVlUZQxDqC2aqBYrA9pe5JudXIJDhhoEKwZ8fAl_/s608/Weave%20tail%20down%20through%20back%20bump(s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRezHX5dlfYwNX3dV_KzW7SaFxYVWqIz7mie-8tKutfY9LeCFsFApSyKCKjikdk4i27nmVVNblinCCfHdDRV5i9dYdczBVi1brbGUXuor98gfBPU6TXOdcCYDlnvlTCVyvvCm7bjVSkQpW77H8zVlUZQxDqC2aqBYrA9pe5JudXIJDhhoEKwZ8fAl_/s320/Weave%20tail%20down%20through%20back%20bump(s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>After weaving the tail down through the stitch post, weave the remainder through other stitches when and as desired.</p><p><b>What Size Knotless Standing Stitch Should You Use?</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If working <b>flat</b>, start with a Standing Stitch the same size as the remaining stitches in the row.</li><li>If working <b>in the round</b>, you have two options: use a Standing Stitch the same size as all the other stitches in the round, OR one size shorter. If you start with a shorter Standing Stitch, you can close the round with a join (such as a slip stitch, slip loop join, long loop join, or invisible join) that passes over the Standing Stitch and connects to the stitch after it, thus preserving the stitch count.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Knotless Standing Cluster</b></p><p>To use this technique with a cluster stitch: wrap the starting yarn tail as for any Knotless Standing Stitch. Yarn over as appropriate, and work the cluster until you have 3 loops left on the hook (or until you are ready to "yarn over and pull through all loops on hook"). Move the tail behind the hook and over the working yarn, then complete the stitch. Weave the tail down through either side of the cluster as desired.</p><p><b>~</b></p><p><b>Knotless Standing Stitches Videotutorial</b></p><p>This tutorial includes Knotless Standing Sc, Dc, and Tr, and shows how to start weaving in the tail for all three.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwi_hBFH_XY" width="320" youtube-src-id="fwi_hBFH_XY"></iframe></div><p>~</p><p>If you have any questions about this technique, feel free to ask in the comment box below. You can also use the contact form at the upper right side of this page, or find me on Ravelry as MrsMicawber.</p><p>As always, thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-3103906641440747632023-03-20T16:56:00.001-05:002023-03-20T16:56:24.655-05:00Spring?Weary of winter, of frost and snow and bitter winds, we've waited so long and (im)patiently for this day. At last it has arrived! Spring has sprung.<div><div><br /></div><div>Or has it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what the first day of spring looks like in the middle of Wisconsin. A lake still sheathed in ice:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIvVyNJtuyxi0zgkdcov_6_E084vqPDCQvEn3buzXiLBdShXTOjEMJDSlrk9IKFfKCS7s7dOF0CJDl8c1WQQIkltM6duuq3Nlpz-jzG3o6t4IEQ9p0i3qo5oS5KnRRh5j33TYlxtsAUk-4DbbFj2ix_1k0bJ9XOYzdKgCH4NgMqkNwLyb-H6iwO1U/s3648/IMG_1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIvVyNJtuyxi0zgkdcov_6_E084vqPDCQvEn3buzXiLBdShXTOjEMJDSlrk9IKFfKCS7s7dOF0CJDl8c1WQQIkltM6duuq3Nlpz-jzG3o6t4IEQ9p0i3qo5oS5KnRRh5j33TYlxtsAUk-4DbbFj2ix_1k0bJ9XOYzdKgCH4NgMqkNwLyb-H6iwO1U/w640-h480/IMG_1807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A gull waiting patiently at the edge of a bit of open water:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Ic-VhowAi4BTi-pVVnQFDMmULUuWcsKOXXlbgQvdB4Un98d76eb9ZRKEprFe-4oAVjg3HAQpL7m4INoLSccNjck6C3zEvQymsyM8-4X-rXOHL-qU42CBEMawx7qiEeqa9enKV3RFjl-3tFq54wwigO4Z3c2EP6tWdMs3tPDLhlJJygX6b1CzoWD/s1679/Gull%20on%20ice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1679" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Ic-VhowAi4BTi-pVVnQFDMmULUuWcsKOXXlbgQvdB4Un98d76eb9ZRKEprFe-4oAVjg3HAQpL7m4INoLSccNjck6C3zEvQymsyM8-4X-rXOHL-qU42CBEMawx7qiEeqa9enKV3RFjl-3tFq54wwigO4Z3c2EP6tWdMs3tPDLhlJJygX6b1CzoWD/w400-h300/Gull%20on%20ice.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Last year's flowers wondering if things will ever warm up again:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzC5bzdliCaRu-ThSYYD_ssEVUfjQPCaPJMs44Gi9zEZ1WR8AD3Q35wUWxh6wcll27MkBggGIa6nohaJxmyW-uKD25mNhKlHo5e_kwvwxQuBlfgGX08SrS2wEuVNrLNsfSaEae1H6sM5ntB0Yq8rJOHCUp696uaGgM1ylfX6VZIiXlDmN4fVTEb4D/s3251/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="3251" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzC5bzdliCaRu-ThSYYD_ssEVUfjQPCaPJMs44Gi9zEZ1WR8AD3Q35wUWxh6wcll27MkBggGIa6nohaJxmyW-uKD25mNhKlHo5e_kwvwxQuBlfgGX08SrS2wEuVNrLNsfSaEae1H6sM5ntB0Yq8rJOHCUp696uaGgM1ylfX6VZIiXlDmN4fVTEb4D/w640-h482/IMG_1812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Evergreen trees casting long shadows over the (shrinking? Please let it be shrinking!) ice:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6h-8WK67gbxqR_ESq9f6x2lbfU5epsUFTUlG6OaPaGYutUVwizBMcP68u_qa5YyK-mHRQXJDz-VcyhihBusCpaBoPp27YGFk2NQ_qyXUgDF08zS-83Z8KGY1VQf8WQavbe--az693ey-CoECAfhjBfNXeKjdhwpmpW750FRZskLaJ6e8O4wfs571/s3504/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="3504" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6h-8WK67gbxqR_ESq9f6x2lbfU5epsUFTUlG6OaPaGYutUVwizBMcP68u_qa5YyK-mHRQXJDz-VcyhihBusCpaBoPp27YGFk2NQ_qyXUgDF08zS-83Z8KGY1VQf8WQavbe--az693ey-CoECAfhjBfNXeKjdhwpmpW750FRZskLaJ6e8O4wfs571/w640-h480/IMG_1814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Red-twig dogwood providing a pop of cheery color:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjum7Df3EIqgPW8GOzhWU6kQY1h7XxavVp5VIbV27_aHCKiVfJLcO9-eBNVXR9LABFPohWMjz8vU2Gk3h3m_AJyM4lUvk1SDkiux_r1Tl0iGO09o3Lz8imBXyQMyPrxkXwM2FNs_S_lrIO-2OXf_nLHIYjj_yx44hiuyUOP6Ks5mlMBAVwHVbCYpWd/s3568/IMG_1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="3568" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjum7Df3EIqgPW8GOzhWU6kQY1h7XxavVp5VIbV27_aHCKiVfJLcO9-eBNVXR9LABFPohWMjz8vU2Gk3h3m_AJyM4lUvk1SDkiux_r1Tl0iGO09o3Lz8imBXyQMyPrxkXwM2FNs_S_lrIO-2OXf_nLHIYjj_yx44hiuyUOP6Ks5mlMBAVwHVbCYpWd/w640-h482/IMG_1818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A cozy squirrel's nest high in a bare tree:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3zj6GMIMHHPZcQ3dtG6kAYuuHqi16HZX8gm3sOuqDvMt0i610JTw5tOEBfInQCJBT8wgyR5YxvBsRiCEZBDxT5mHys0wPrc1nd3enu-IdXGtfuMYNBeYv8hX_nGFuVMW1udxJ-5yPbYxbAdtQYl2SXMP6XHf8sdyeiZqlPgL_6n9WpvpnmhJW7GE/s3088/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3088" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3zj6GMIMHHPZcQ3dtG6kAYuuHqi16HZX8gm3sOuqDvMt0i610JTw5tOEBfInQCJBT8wgyR5YxvBsRiCEZBDxT5mHys0wPrc1nd3enu-IdXGtfuMYNBeYv8hX_nGFuVMW1udxJ-5yPbYxbAdtQYl2SXMP6XHf8sdyeiZqlPgL_6n9WpvpnmhJW7GE/w640-h482/IMG_1824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Spring may not come in with flowers and warm breezes here, but at least we have sunshine and blue skies. (And the hope of flowers to come.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>~</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Spring to my northern-hemisphere readers. And happy Autumn to those of you south of the equator.</div><div><br /></div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-8391795989810300592023-03-11T12:12:00.001-06:002023-03-11T12:12:45.475-06:00Elenath Scarf: a Free Crochet Pattern<p>I've been wanting to post this pattern since January, but life kept getting in the way. Now we're well into March, and it's nearly spring - but one thing that's certain in Wisconsin is that Winter Will Return (in fact, we woke up to 8" of new snow yesterday morning), and a scarf is always handy.</p><p>So, in the spirit of better-late-than-never, I present the:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpp7GnAcP_t4ncRqqmJa5LOue17wXb21np_9rTD72FMdMLZGiawTzN1XdLF3EExqPisLHLVLx2vYmNsjHuA2eBbW0HvdisodIkV629YS_f9mDxrIcia1aSfzL5Nuhb_l1Fg3o-UkUG35dvSJOpOeMT8XKZqTI5VH9SCAPyZOrGw4zWkIaCqN4OaO_/s1000/Elenath%20Scarf%20thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpp7GnAcP_t4ncRqqmJa5LOue17wXb21np_9rTD72FMdMLZGiawTzN1XdLF3EExqPisLHLVLx2vYmNsjHuA2eBbW0HvdisodIkV629YS_f9mDxrIcia1aSfzL5Nuhb_l1Fg3o-UkUG35dvSJOpOeMT8XKZqTI5VH9SCAPyZOrGw4zWkIaCqN4OaO_/w640-h400/Elenath%20Scarf%20thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Elenath is a beautifully thick and squishy scarf featuring two kinds of star stitches, yarnover slip stitch accent rows, and a decorative edging of yarnover slip stitch and <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2023/02/corded-hdc-edging.html" target="_blank">Corded Hdc</a>. A special turning chain on the tall stitch rows gives this scarf a sturdy and straight edge, so you can omit the edging rounds if you like.</p><p>The name "Elenath" comes from the Sindarin language invented by J.R.R. Tolkien, and means "starry host" or "all the host of the stars of heaven".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz7yO6Z7dR-SFHe_ievO1eO0i1BM2Po_JrKdX1RnuHBiisX2mwPKvQGNXTlde2v1NX8IrZbMs4E66bgSliWDu69KlDCN60ty1jFCc3NR-h2HrzE1tHhzEJTuEXJ2PaoXV_-FC79oiXqBtS73dJJWuSsBbLSRV9MXQopN1IHXcLPSBcrDMZqPJFv7q/s661/Elenath%20Scarf%20folded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="661" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz7yO6Z7dR-SFHe_ievO1eO0i1BM2Po_JrKdX1RnuHBiisX2mwPKvQGNXTlde2v1NX8IrZbMs4E66bgSliWDu69KlDCN60ty1jFCc3NR-h2HrzE1tHhzEJTuEXJ2PaoXV_-FC79oiXqBtS73dJJWuSsBbLSRV9MXQopN1IHXcLPSBcrDMZqPJFv7q/s320/Elenath%20Scarf%20folded.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>~ ~ ~</p><p><b><u>Elenath Scarf Pattern in Mostly Plain English (videotutorial follows written pattern)</u></b></p><p><b>Sample Size:</b> 4½" x 60" (size is easily customized)</p><p><b>Yarn Requirements:</b> Worsted weight yarn, approx. 300 yards (more for a larger scarf)</p><p><b>Yarn I Used:</b> Loops & Threads Natural Marl (discontinued)</p><p><b>Hook(s):</b> Choose a hook size appropriate for your yarn. Optional: extra hook one or two sizes smaller for edging.</p><p><b>Hook Sizes I Used:</b> US J/6mm; US H/5mm for edging</p><p><b>Recommended stitch tension:</b> Relaxed for star stitches; moderate to firm for yarnover slip stitch</p><p><b>Notions:</b> Yarn needle for weaving in ends</p><p><b>All crochet terminology is American.</b></p><p>~</p><p><b>Abbreviations and Special Terms</b></p><p></p><div><i>Dc:</i> Double crochet</div><div><i>Near/Nearer/Nearest:</i> Close(st) to your hook hand as you work.</div><div><i>Far/Farther/Farthest:</i> Far(ther) from your hook hand as you work.</div><div><i>RS:</i> Right side</div><div><i>WS:</i> Wrong side</div><div><i>Yo:</i> Yarn over</div><div><i>YoSS (yarnover slip stitch):</i> Yo, insert hook into indicated loop/stitch, yo and pull up a loop; pull this loop through the two loops already on your hook.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pattern</b></div><div><blockquote><i>Note: </i>Scarf is worked over a multiple of 6 + 4 stitches. My sample is 16 stitches wide. For a wider scarf, increase your starting chain by any multiple of 6.</blockquote></div><p>Loosely chain 17, turn.</p><p><i>Row 1 (WS):</i> Working into the <b>back bumps</b>, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, YoSS in each of the next 15 chains, slip stitch in the next chain. (N<i>ote:</i> if you plan to omit the edging, replace the ending slip stitch with a YoSS, here and on every YoSS row). Do not turn. <i>16 stitches</i></p><p></p><blockquote><i>Tip for Row 1:</i></blockquote><blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The initial yarnover of each YoSS helps form the accent loops on the RS of the scarf. To prevent loose/floppy loops, make sure your initial yarnover is snug on the hook, close to the working loop, before inserting your hook into the stitch below.</li></ul></blockquote><p></p><p><i>Row 2 (RS):</i> Make special turning chain: insert hook down through the front loop of the stitch you just made, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook (you should now have two loops sitting on the working yarn, next to the working loop on your hook); insert hook into the nearer loop, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook (you now have two new loops on the working yarn); insert hook into the farther loop, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook. <b>Turn</b> work clockwise (counterclockwise if you are crocheting left-handed), here and throughout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA84E0l4q72lR5fVcw76PMicoqfi8ZXnj3AJzbTHqulxEfIiBA2FnJrzF3kQvLA3_lTBjnQQooYMcxesBy5eFd_RGsfqOw2uhfLMkDonhUI2gXKFfaiI5RYYkFV1-M63zNc0fdHBXAPvS46ea2NnmozQdTLIC8KvlNkECz0PBdgLJVLTr76bCi0J0/s732/Elenath%20Scarf%20special%20turning%20chain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA84E0l4q72lR5fVcw76PMicoqfi8ZXnj3AJzbTHqulxEfIiBA2FnJrzF3kQvLA3_lTBjnQQooYMcxesBy5eFd_RGsfqOw2uhfLMkDonhUI2gXKFfaiI5RYYkFV1-M63zNc0fdHBXAPvS46ea2NnmozQdTLIC8KvlNkECz0PBdgLJVLTr76bCi0J0/s320/Elenath%20Scarf%20special%20turning%20chain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote><p>First tall star: Yo, insert hook into <b>back loop only</b> of stitch that the special turning chain comes out of, yo and pull up a loop <b>as tall as the turning chain</b>, [insert hook into <b>back loop only</b> of next stitch, yo and pull up a tall loop] 3 times. Grasp working yarn with finger and thumb close to base of tall loops, yo and pull through all 6 loops on hook (a large vertical loop will form around your finger at the side of the star); remove finger from vertical loop without letting go of loop, insert hook into vertical loop space, chain 1 to catch loop (you can let go now), chain 1 more to complete star.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>Remaining tall stars: <b>[[</b>Yo, insert hook into back loop only<b> </b>of <b>the last stitch used for previous star</b>, yo and pull up a tall loop, [insert hook into <b>back loop only</b> of next stitch, yo and pull up a tall loop] 3 times. Grasping working yarn close to base of tall loops, yo and pull through all 6 loops on hook, insert hook into side loop, chain 1 to catch loop, chain 1 more to complete star.<b>]]</b> Repeat the instructions in double brackets across, <b>omitting the final chain-1 after completing the last star</b>.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>Ending dc: Yo, insert hook into the back loop just used <b>and </b>the back loop<b> </b>below the YoSS row, complete a dc. <i>Special turn + 5 tall stars + ending dc = 16 stitches</i></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCP43ePWGUMe38shzfMitngG0BFrQnmZZdXJZu6yHMzEP3oYuYNeh_PFQ44W8Pl-M0xLlPKbp81uZiX81B2NQPCYyNV3xd248wvzBAzKfXyDcHyBlKVQvCjL-GfgJC1LYg1uR02L2JhNK3lBo-Ij59gSEx_cE_-H-ACLMVgEVWaGWFnVlwoXNXOMy/s562/Elenath%20Scarf%20ending%20dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="562" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCP43ePWGUMe38shzfMitngG0BFrQnmZZdXJZu6yHMzEP3oYuYNeh_PFQ44W8Pl-M0xLlPKbp81uZiX81B2NQPCYyNV3xd248wvzBAzKfXyDcHyBlKVQvCjL-GfgJC1LYg1uR02L2JhNK3lBo-Ij59gSEx_cE_-H-ACLMVgEVWaGWFnVlwoXNXOMy/w400-h294/Elenath%20Scarf%20ending%20dc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote><i>Tip for Row 2:</i></blockquote><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><li>Each star stitch (here and on Row 4) starts with a yarnover. Be careful not to add any more yarnovers between star legs (if you do, the resulting fabric will be very stiff).</li></blockquote></ul><p></p><p><i>Row 3 (WS):</i> Ch 1, turn clockwise, YoSS in the <b>back loop only </b>each of next 15 stitches; insert hook up through the 2 topmost WS loops of special turning chain, make a slip stitch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_7nSMP1JDpSrCVJf6CdjfP1g1xvJoFFNADEhCT0wV6AbDZAPZoPCszy1Oy_tcJXjOmPUchNTjydRdWaJ7gNhGx8zTWUVw-EfRPiWERFs8V4so2dDfbbH8QUzL7XNtqi7jmAzofV35HAjheCuc7NWAu_35k7m6KLFNVVU12IG-08-fYfZwuwPyDIv/s1000/Elenath%20Scarf%20ending%20slip%20stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_7nSMP1JDpSrCVJf6CdjfP1g1xvJoFFNADEhCT0wV6AbDZAPZoPCszy1Oy_tcJXjOmPUchNTjydRdWaJ7gNhGx8zTWUVw-EfRPiWERFs8V4so2dDfbbH8QUzL7XNtqi7jmAzofV35HAjheCuc7NWAu_35k7m6KLFNVVU12IG-08-fYfZwuwPyDIv/w400-h200/Elenath%20Scarf%20ending%20slip%20stitch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>Row 4 (RS):</i> Make special turning chain (as at beginning of Row 2), turn clockwise.</p><div><blockquote><p>First star: Yo, insert hook into <b>middle back vertical loop</b> of special turning chain, yo and pull up a generous loop, insert hook into <b>bottom back vertical loop</b> of special turning chain, yo and pull up a loop, <b>skip </b>the stitch the special turning chain comes out of, [insert hook into <b>back loop only</b> of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 3 times. Yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook, chain 1 to form eyelet and complete star.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>Remaining stars: <b>[[</b>Yo, insert hook into eyelet of previous star, yo and pull up a loop, insert hook into farthest back vertical loop of star, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into back loop only of the last stitch used for previous star, yarn over and pull up a loop, [insert hook into <b>back loop only</b> of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 2 times. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook, chain 1 to form eyelet and complete star.<b>]]</b> Repeat between double brackets across; your last star should end in the last stitch. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>Make ending double crochet (as at end of Row 2), inserting hook into back loop just used <b>and</b> back loop below YoSS row. <i>Special turn + 7 stars + ending dc = 16 stitches</i></p></blockquote><p><i>Row 5:</i> Repeat Row 3.</p><p><i>Following Rows: </i>Repeat Rows 2-5 to desired scarf length.</p><p><i>Final Row (RS):</i> Chain 1, turn, slip stitch with <b>relaxed tension</b> in <b>back loop only</b> of each stitch across.</p></div><div><b>Edging</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>If desired, switch to a smaller hook.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edging Round 1 (RS): </i>Ch 1, (does not count as a stitch; place marker in ch-1 so you don't accidentally work into it later), rotate work sideways.</div><div></div><blockquote><div>First long edge: Slip stitch in YoSS row end (inserting hook straight through the ridge of stitches), [YoSS under 2 loops of middle section of dc, YoSS under 2 loops of bottom section of dc, YoSS in next YoSS row end]. Repeat between brackets to corner, rotate work. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>First short edge: YoSS in <b>back loop only</b> of each stitch across to next corner, rotate work. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Second long edge: <b>[[</b>YoSS in slip stitch row end, YoSS under double side loops at middle of special turning chain, YoSS under double side loops at top of special turning chain.<b>]]</b> Repeat between double brackets to next corner, YoSS in next slip stitch row end, rotate work. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Second short edge: YoSS in <b>back loop only</b> of each stitch across (do not stitch into marked ch-1).</div><div></div></blockquote><div></div><blockquote><div>Make Long Loop Join: remove hook, enlarge working loop to about 3/4". Skipping ch-1 and first edging slip stitch, insert hook from WS to RS through top loops of first YoSS of this round, pull long loop through. Insert hook up through back bar and back loop of originating stitch, pull long loop down and through (long loop will pass over ch-1 and slip stitch; tip of long loop becomes new working loop). Adjust join if needed to match surrounding stitches in size.</div><div></div></blockquote><div><i>Edging Round 2:</i> Half-double crochet in back loop of slip stitch. [Insert hook down through front loop and front bar of hdc just made, yo and pull up a loop, insert hook into back bar of next YoSS, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all loops on hook; Corded Hdc complete.] Repeat between brackets around.</div><div></div><blockquote><div>Make invisible join: Cut yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Gently pull yarn tail up and out of stitch, without distorting stitch. Skipping starting hdc, insert hook from WS to RS through top loops of first Corded Hdc of this round, pull yarn tail all the way through. Insert hook, from bottom to top through back bar and back loop of originating Corded Hdc, pull yarn tail down and through. Turn work so WS is facing you; pull yarn tail sideways and down through next horizontal loop to the right (to the left if you're crocheting left-handed).</div><div></div></blockquote><div><b>Finishing</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Weave in ends. If desired, to "settle" YoSS accent rows, stretch scarf crossways all down its length by tugging long side edges outwards, starting at one short end and working your way to the other short end (or fold the scarf in half, with short ends together, and tug outwards on four edges at once).</div><div><br /></div><div>If desired, block lightly. (I didn't block my scarf at all.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>~</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Videotutorial</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wR-uu6oIn3w" width="320" youtube-src-id="wR-uu6oIn3w"></iframe></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>~</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Idea for Variations</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>My scarf uses alternating tall star rows and regular star rows, but you could use all tall stars, all regular stars, or mix it up and work the star rows in any quantity or order you like - for example, 3 tall star row repeats followed by 1 regular star row repeat. (Just remember to work a YoSS row between each star row.)</div><div><br /></div><div>~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any questions, or find mistakes in the pattern, please feel free to comment below, or contact me on Ravelry where I'm MrsMicawber.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgyJZfn_xyLNXCsrSrDEZTURQ9EX1QnXH5EdRt9qxBzIbHoSUkzja2tGuv6QC5eSv3bLYx3tR4ax9AXZOWDHZI3sht7lzR1MUa9NbSQvyxU2cEp1aFgyyeKPXy3-3Bp6I7aIU6ED2nG0IsOLcip2rP-hrNQqE2oQUf_HrhJ-lD5V0LpwxAiXkrvQF/s567/Elenath%20Scarf%20detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="567" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgyJZfn_xyLNXCsrSrDEZTURQ9EX1QnXH5EdRt9qxBzIbHoSUkzja2tGuv6QC5eSv3bLYx3tR4ax9AXZOWDHZI3sht7lzR1MUa9NbSQvyxU2cEp1aFgyyeKPXy3-3Bp6I7aIU6ED2nG0IsOLcip2rP-hrNQqE2oQUf_HrhJ-lD5V0LpwxAiXkrvQF/w200-h198/Elenath%20Scarf%20detail.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div><p></p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-83667495315134134102023-02-27T11:50:00.004-06:002023-02-27T11:51:55.260-06:00Looking Up<p>The weather here has been a real rollercoaster of late. For two weeks in a row we've gone from comparatively warm days (complete with birdsong, nestbuilding, flyovers by geese and blackbirds, and even a robin-sighting), to heavy snowstorms (some with bonus ice!), to rain. Rinse and repeat. I rejoice at the snow, marvel at the birds, and am unenthusiastic about the rain as it turns everything to muddy slush, but there's no doubt that spring is putting out tentative feelers, testing winter's strength, and teasing us all with hints of an early thaw.</p><p>Today is of the grey-and-rainy variety, but yesterday was gloriously blue-skied and sunny - perfect for an afternoon walk. Clouds and contrails made a dramatic backdrop to the trees and fields:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21cPj_fkqmAuLCdbs3IxA38Mp3ifewN5tdfoTx5bzHUPEcrgLtPj_DUpvwDGsiYkEK-SUBNSk2NVhqt-1pKt2A09hUviTg8dYjgW3zHdAGHdGt8GKmQVPkfCVBAFYwDCaCcI6x4VWvgOB2n2mkXxjy-pVKiqN7EC9xSqtubYVq8ilCphXz5d5VKXV/s3693/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="3693" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21cPj_fkqmAuLCdbs3IxA38Mp3ifewN5tdfoTx5bzHUPEcrgLtPj_DUpvwDGsiYkEK-SUBNSk2NVhqt-1pKt2A09hUviTg8dYjgW3zHdAGHdGt8GKmQVPkfCVBAFYwDCaCcI6x4VWvgOB2n2mkXxjy-pVKiqN7EC9xSqtubYVq8ilCphXz5d5VKXV/w640-h480/IMG_1631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A half-moon floated above bare branches:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVs5eARY7Vj8LEzabLjEROT3TmPLUEhOMFxIp-3witYrDYdKOV7_fFTN7xUytReAAPuYC_5uheNsEoeDSu8Z148s8HSrTxBDuQIamy3SP9y0oNkXHUnTotwtjixSAZ1eKl6UTgUczxQXC0Y5Hrlzh3gXay9sk34-d-wS55nziIl8YqT2zR84pRGd/s704/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="704" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVs5eARY7Vj8LEzabLjEROT3TmPLUEhOMFxIp-3witYrDYdKOV7_fFTN7xUytReAAPuYC_5uheNsEoeDSu8Z148s8HSrTxBDuQIamy3SP9y0oNkXHUnTotwtjixSAZ1eKl6UTgUczxQXC0Y5Hrlzh3gXay9sk34-d-wS55nziIl8YqT2zR84pRGd/w400-h299/IMG_1636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In the intervals of looking up, I couldn't help snapping photos of dried wildflowers (the ruling passion). These looked like little brown mop heads:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_Xc1UqqUuPJXCESHk2FDIdb2DN5v-cnQeg232PAYVRflVWFLuJpIyBfSqRQSkPeIxutFZxBSG4aSvT4tFw8Ncwb9q6KZS3w8xDR01rc5mS49VHeMN765AhnDiJtztYlGnoPhV1KgbCWMRQOiqboob2RnR54iao-WHExpkca3jYW96QVd33pS1YwP/s3292/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3292" data-original-width="2471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_Xc1UqqUuPJXCESHk2FDIdb2DN5v-cnQeg232PAYVRflVWFLuJpIyBfSqRQSkPeIxutFZxBSG4aSvT4tFw8Ncwb9q6KZS3w8xDR01rc5mS49VHeMN765AhnDiJtztYlGnoPhV1KgbCWMRQOiqboob2RnR54iao-WHExpkca3jYW96QVd33pS1YwP/w300-h400/IMG_1637.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Goldenrod stood guard along the trail:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnFlsnmNmcvbxOImV78dnCs527sht9R9OZAkkh4prnQI8-wicKdQ6kCwJjaJPfL7XXxbx8vafq3MVI_B3ge-2rDQfE3mK1Hs-2sxJxzauo6txhJPQCeb2X4uj4su9qOf_ZRWdts0ynApuD4wJpqEYQ4SECNKopNk-NcorLg8kU1hBrXp-s0r9nq-q/s3319/IMG_1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3319" data-original-width="2491" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnFlsnmNmcvbxOImV78dnCs527sht9R9OZAkkh4prnQI8-wicKdQ6kCwJjaJPfL7XXxbx8vafq3MVI_B3ge-2rDQfE3mK1Hs-2sxJxzauo6txhJPQCeb2X4uj4su9qOf_ZRWdts0ynApuD4wJpqEYQ4SECNKopNk-NcorLg8kU1hBrXp-s0r9nq-q/w480-h640/IMG_1645.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And horsemint on a snowy bank:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ky815XUbywlk-6rbdSr0dEWm1BBYDUwmTqxdPrmlHZzQwLiRM3Ql_mT0n_5DvhULk21QA_J0K0ryLszKjGsiZnOxhf0xk9bHu2ACpKgo9OAsTL6UUFU4Lk5GgGd4bEvtVtmCE0wclwN356AoNRQ0E53VR1AzSAEIAyBLPXfeggGPYkWUWhYg8RSB/s1362/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1025" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ky815XUbywlk-6rbdSr0dEWm1BBYDUwmTqxdPrmlHZzQwLiRM3Ql_mT0n_5DvhULk21QA_J0K0ryLszKjGsiZnOxhf0xk9bHu2ACpKgo9OAsTL6UUFU4Lk5GgGd4bEvtVtmCE0wclwN356AoNRQ0E53VR1AzSAEIAyBLPXfeggGPYkWUWhYg8RSB/w301-h400/IMG_1647.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Above the flowers, a hawk wheeled and swooped:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2uStEyUbgrb18cAWvIZFe3LigjzGQtD34pWECEtmdbXDsurv6RgrvPYuKzJw6QVYadQZRsjkHfGcKwkMewClEMRfs_Q5JpxfKcbhjYSaXX2vsw2Lz15WUMZAT5I9NYZiyzBWpHNYJJzY8J74l_sPJoWvPlZW5CscygFP0v4o-9ePCIqMFLn-CVSF/s1601/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1601" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2uStEyUbgrb18cAWvIZFe3LigjzGQtD34pWECEtmdbXDsurv6RgrvPYuKzJw6QVYadQZRsjkHfGcKwkMewClEMRfs_Q5JpxfKcbhjYSaXX2vsw2Lz15WUMZAT5I9NYZiyzBWpHNYJJzY8J74l_sPJoWvPlZW5CscygFP0v4o-9ePCIqMFLn-CVSF/w640-h480/IMG_1642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>At one corner of the field, a venerable chestnut bore fuzzy buds:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15IKbhFKAx-BA1CUYY1Ta6nrMv-E7gREoQG2I5ew7fzXfqV3gJ07in53XBYjR_UqAuHoXsbGeLEx1qHgwUVdDFr0IxKmoHS2MmBoPbsC-WLt7csSoxgcI-tLUxR3AFd07aYuuQKqe7nHnetwo4uYOnBd-ZHCic9la8hQEYv2J7NTdRvHZLJtGzA6I/s1711/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15IKbhFKAx-BA1CUYY1Ta6nrMv-E7gREoQG2I5ew7fzXfqV3gJ07in53XBYjR_UqAuHoXsbGeLEx1qHgwUVdDFr0IxKmoHS2MmBoPbsC-WLt7csSoxgcI-tLUxR3AFd07aYuuQKqe7nHnetwo4uYOnBd-ZHCic9la8hQEYv2J7NTdRvHZLJtGzA6I/w480-h640/IMG_1656.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the far opposite corner, another hawk (or perhaps the same one?) alighted on a telephone pole:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mPtRAEcEOqcWzWxFsWK3Oba13rrLFEl1V4XvZ3pTM6SDna_eZeZGorJ8inwAkjD8xTPvcdRZb7kh7HSEJNC6vtL7LhZsJXeO1Xt634V-ND7zqGErvSsTljNgLMBWOsBG3wWzaHbtBnSEvonh42_sngi0h-7xFXogxRk-RzSAEvajxam7NARr3z8E/s1533/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1145" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mPtRAEcEOqcWzWxFsWK3Oba13rrLFEl1V4XvZ3pTM6SDna_eZeZGorJ8inwAkjD8xTPvcdRZb7kh7HSEJNC6vtL7LhZsJXeO1Xt634V-ND7zqGErvSsTljNgLMBWOsBG3wWzaHbtBnSEvonh42_sngi0h-7xFXogxRk-RzSAEvajxam7NARr3z8E/w299-h400/IMG_1661.JPG" width="299" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overhead were more contrails, like giant lacy scribbles across the sky:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxQeim0-csz_6R3tnxhzn5qR5_pX7BvPvsRc8SKeuUYkW1pO3w55IvXXBfDJ2KLCQ-rBVOvYrcp3qjiOStCtsyIuBO_wYlgh4LiWqXdslwjxSlScIjKr9hyJt7USxzg0ruIv9zO1_eq2TF2Jchyb6tZCaYxBAktrLBxsG2WSvdsLp5S-dlGVptfc9/s1492/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1492" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxQeim0-csz_6R3tnxhzn5qR5_pX7BvPvsRc8SKeuUYkW1pO3w55IvXXBfDJ2KLCQ-rBVOvYrcp3qjiOStCtsyIuBO_wYlgh4LiWqXdslwjxSlScIjKr9hyJt7USxzg0ruIv9zO1_eq2TF2Jchyb6tZCaYxBAktrLBxsG2WSvdsLp5S-dlGVptfc9/w640-h478/IMG_1673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Time to turn westward, where the sinking sun was caught in the branches of a favorite oak:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_BaezcIm9VbRSBJ1pSWAGZJBU9R2s5MEHEwLyfN6Cat1tB9l0uJdLXMefOAAUx8IrM5CGBI71npMDVYHZyEjntXfeBh95LbaA_rvRAcEtCdDlqLwfeDLu-timIQ_tEuXUtkAhOraLekw4-khZt3pFwKSjy57BII3xXg9DiJCiHLjv5vtfRpUK6KF/s3597/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="3597" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_BaezcIm9VbRSBJ1pSWAGZJBU9R2s5MEHEwLyfN6Cat1tB9l0uJdLXMefOAAUx8IrM5CGBI71npMDVYHZyEjntXfeBh95LbaA_rvRAcEtCdDlqLwfeDLu-timIQ_tEuXUtkAhOraLekw4-khZt3pFwKSjy57BII3xXg9DiJCiHLjv5vtfRpUK6KF/w640-h480/IMG_1679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Then home to an early supper and an evening of crochet.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>How is your weather? Any surprise snow lately?</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-53951685020528023292023-02-22T14:00:00.001-06:002023-02-22T14:00:20.119-06:00Corded Hdc EdgingHere's an easy textured edging I recently developed for an upcoming free pattern:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ENXcOoc8c__zundxgpwbUWBEW5Ip_JGu7gYF3q3UiJeLf1yUdqYi56GojrPexLG7ji5u3DJEak4ECDeoKCIVrkWvOKIbW87Gv89DlEN6f7v5J9E6T_XtFsggAHUdvi2AQnzd6_ve9dMaUxR1T4ChfSsayVnRL3l_QDMXZ411W9Z_rQrdPxAIyZN/s3524/IMG_1589-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="3524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ENXcOoc8c__zundxgpwbUWBEW5Ip_JGu7gYF3q3UiJeLf1yUdqYi56GojrPexLG7ji5u3DJEak4ECDeoKCIVrkWvOKIbW87Gv89DlEN6f7v5J9E6T_XtFsggAHUdvi2AQnzd6_ve9dMaUxR1T4ChfSsayVnRL3l_QDMXZ411W9Z_rQrdPxAIyZN/w400-h320/IMG_1589-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Corded Hdc is a simple variation of the half double crochet stitch. It makes a stretchy, sturdy edging with a corded/cabled/braided look that's attractive on both sides. It's especially effective when combined with slip stitch or yarnover slip stitch:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSVMx_V1aa9f0B3kgpjRU1223LJ8aF7aPK9deCfsgbHdCd31CMF4owaL5od5uv-_QK6J_kwZK0tq5_xwNfGOujnk2m6c_2QM82EDJSZfA_R-eNOIbDf3EHh7AgAG9oEV3vQGXA13tvYjzIPuyU-hmbHLETq69RzvqUDewN9cwKHxn1xnlKgJDAH4q/s5120/Scarf%20with%20Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSVMx_V1aa9f0B3kgpjRU1223LJ8aF7aPK9deCfsgbHdCd31CMF4owaL5od5uv-_QK6J_kwZK0tq5_xwNfGOujnk2m6c_2QM82EDJSZfA_R-eNOIbDf3EHh7AgAG9oEV3vQGXA13tvYjzIPuyU-hmbHLETq69RzvqUDewN9cwKHxn1xnlKgJDAH4q/w640-h320/Scarf%20with%20Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%20by%20Sue%20Perez.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This scarf is edged with a round of yarnover slip stitch followed by a round of Corded Hdc.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Corded Hdc Edging Videotutorial:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wfHZ50Hu5hA" width="320" youtube-src-id="wfHZ50Hu5hA"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Corded Hdc Edging Phototutorial:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1uYNLVZElNUFRhRhX1U5zxXJ6238FvWJav81RfBQfr3UvsKm5168CBRtiU_IG6ql1WfNSLY89Ac5ftroWaANdcicRJ_gQqEk6P41o_WUgfjeHop5eRHKklJpA1u4ql2m5_8aL4abkgd_B3UYLcX18sYtU33ldJ-ObNfJjXPv5V16KJ-tl3Uu2t3Z/s1200/Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1uYNLVZElNUFRhRhX1U5zxXJ6238FvWJav81RfBQfr3UvsKm5168CBRtiU_IG6ql1WfNSLY89Ac5ftroWaANdcicRJ_gQqEk6P41o_WUgfjeHop5eRHKklJpA1u4ql2m5_8aL4abkgd_B3UYLcX18sYtU33ldJ-ObNfJjXPv5V16KJ-tl3Uu2t3Z/w640-h212/Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfD3Ukc7AiBCO_wGO0A5Ba9XRbh7WQV7cGmuXJgG4LOm9sKWZ3R_Y5dkhBd1KZtvTlWTxGWvBt8N5NvMJMbd2-loEHiqkIGQkDywZc05qfx0pnjYEnrqXGKd4fFo9B60dUFMjTSUtl5qMaMtchPNSQ6r0DKz1_UVMw-KsN5Y_WwUiqklyNI7EiUy_/s800/Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfD3Ukc7AiBCO_wGO0A5Ba9XRbh7WQV7cGmuXJgG4LOm9sKWZ3R_Y5dkhBd1KZtvTlWTxGWvBt8N5NvMJMbd2-loEHiqkIGQkDywZc05qfx0pnjYEnrqXGKd4fFo9B60dUFMjTSUtl5qMaMtchPNSQ6r0DKz1_UVMw-KsN5Y_WwUiqklyNI7EiUy_/w400-h199/Corded%20Hdc%20Edging%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>1. </b>Hdc in the stitch where you want your edging to start.</div><div><b>2.</b> Insert your hook down through the front loop and the front horizontal bar (the strand just below the front loop) of the hdc you just made, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops now on hook).</div><div><b>3.</b> Insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops now on hook).</div><div><b>4.</b> Yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Repeat Steps 2-4</b> around your project, ending in the stitch just before the starting hdc. Finish with an invisible join (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHZ50Hu5hA" target="_blank">video tutorial</a> for details).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Corded Hdc Edging Tips</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>When inserting your hook into the previous stitch's front loop and front bar, you may want to place a finger onto the working loop to keep it in place.</li><li>Consider using a hook one or two sizes smaller when working this edging.</li><li>For corner spaces, 2 Corded Hdc may be enough. Experiment to see what works best for your project.</li><li>Since the back of the stitch is so attractive, consider working the edging with the project's WS facing you.</li></ul><div>Can Corded Hdc be used to make crochet fabric? Yes, but the fabric may be rather stiff. You'll also have to decide which loops you want to work into: top loops or double top loops? Front loop and front bar, or back loop and back bar? Each will give a different appearance. Have fun trying!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Coming soon: a free scarf pattern that features Corded Hdc edging.</div><div><br /></div><div>~</div><div><br /></div><div>There's not much new under the sun, including crochet stitches. I developed this one myself, while experimenting with yarn and hook, but if you've seen it somewhere else under a different name, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</div><div><br /></div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-52801049003223154802023-02-13T13:06:00.004-06:002023-02-13T13:30:41.632-06:00New (and New-to-You) Patterns<p>I may have slacked off from blogging for nearly a year, but I didn't stop designing. So this post is a bit of a catch-up to highlight my two latest patterns, and show you two more that were published last year but never blogged.</p><p>We'll start with the newest first. (<i>Note:</i> All links will take you to my Ravelry store. You don't have to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me using the form at right to arrange a purchase through Paypal.)</p><p>~</p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Rhyolite Hat</span></u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF2DhdvoG_iF2IhG73I6FSyRFogQ8L_-0Hd_L3VL-sLJy3c2b49M-ukkB2pcW6hmvddpO_BnjdAhBw4LczA0E-CME_T4L89WOTX7YAs8wGBpLCq7RjJd-r22DLD2gFLp6Uu3dArIePYgqi60Ghk4R2cByB9WI9ezUdEL4UxHCL1yruH9NzNi88rRk/s4000/Rhyolite%20Collage%20rose%20background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF2DhdvoG_iF2IhG73I6FSyRFogQ8L_-0Hd_L3VL-sLJy3c2b49M-ukkB2pcW6hmvddpO_BnjdAhBw4LczA0E-CME_T4L89WOTX7YAs8wGBpLCq7RjJd-r22DLD2gFLp6Uu3dArIePYgqi60Ghk4R2cByB9WI9ezUdEL4UxHCL1yruH9NzNi88rRk/w640-h640/Rhyolite%20Collage%20rose%20background.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like the stone it's named for, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhyolite-hat">Rhyolite Hat</a> features a fascinating combination of textures, from the smooth and stretchy linked-stitch crown, to the cushiony, crystalline-looking star stitch band accented with drop stitches. It's also reversible, so you can wear it inside out for a completely different look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div>Rhyolite looks best in a solid, tonal, or lightly speckled yarn. Light to medium colors will let the stitch pattern shine.</div><div><br /></div><div>The pink Rhyolite sample was worked in Emma's Yarns Simply Spectacular DK, 100% superwash merino, color Glamping. This yarn was lovely to handle and work with, though just a tiny bit splitty here and there. Based on its yardage and size, it seemed more like a light worsted than a DK weight, so I used the same size hook (US H/5mm) as I did for the green worsted weight version.</div><div><br /></div><div>The green version was worked in Misti Alpaca Best of Nature Worsted, 100% alpaca, color Spring Bud. This yarn is beautifully silky to the touch, and held up well to lots of frogging and re-working as I developed the pattern. The finished hat feels soft and luxurious, with a wonderful drape.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both hats were very lightly blocked by spritzing with water to dampen, then laying flat on a towel to dry.</div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yJx1Fg3_HMbIIMJALoZzrfI2_SUqCqVPEHKj7PmVYDmDb_i0PZA0vTGTifBxpfLknnlVQmQRyJRDlaUJastcdze0Aj19k2aCOyWXqfxBP_fyKragmnPMTsWBcXjGGZFKeFgnqaBWYpiLrk5nNUtticdpAiIhEbqc_TIIori52CmlkBmIunwMC38D/s5120/Rhyolite%20Hats%20side%20by%20side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yJx1Fg3_HMbIIMJALoZzrfI2_SUqCqVPEHKj7PmVYDmDb_i0PZA0vTGTifBxpfLknnlVQmQRyJRDlaUJastcdze0Aj19k2aCOyWXqfxBP_fyKragmnPMTsWBcXjGGZFKeFgnqaBWYpiLrk5nNUtticdpAiIhEbqc_TIIori52CmlkBmIunwMC38D/w640-h320/Rhyolite%20Hats%20side%20by%20side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div>Rhyolite is worked top-down in spiral rounds from the crown to the band, and joined rounds from the band to the brim. Careful stitch placement and special joining techniques give the band a perfectly seamless appearance. If you enjoy unusual stitches and mindful crochet, you'll like this pattern.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhyolite-hat">Rhyolite Hat</a> pattern includes full written instructions for both worsted weight and dk weight versions, plus charts and a video tutorial for the special stitches and joins. Find it <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhyolite-hat">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy 25% off this pattern through Tuesday February 21 with code <b>MRSM</b> at checkout. (This code will work for all of the patterns featured in this blog post.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~ ~ ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Ashborn Shawl</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-h70ghV5yIbjGQEEc1hDeklZAxKYg52UEAjRj1R31k4IgQhTXr5CxdvUoD0g0khFEPigwjHd-Fs682onQBnk3HNk3CJd3XcjfNlccqSlnvrnquYBCkHGdX4wBvZQzVoDZsWvuNvpY6yMrDVOu1UCw28Z2VWZ1jWRKsew-b9Ht72r1-qHk8gRA74o/s4000/Ashborn%20Shawl%20Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-h70ghV5yIbjGQEEc1hDeklZAxKYg52UEAjRj1R31k4IgQhTXr5CxdvUoD0g0khFEPigwjHd-Fs682onQBnk3HNk3CJd3XcjfNlccqSlnvrnquYBCkHGdX4wBvZQzVoDZsWvuNvpY6yMrDVOu1UCw28Z2VWZ1jWRKsew-b9Ht72r1-qHk8gRA74o/w640-h640/Ashborn%20Shawl%20Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ashborn-shawl">Ashborn Shawl</a> is a shallow, elongated crescent shawl, worked side-to-side with a softly zigzagged lower edge. The simple stitch pattern and intriguing short-row edging make for a happy mix of mindless crochet with regular pops of interest. Wear it bandanna-style, or swirl it around your shoulders for layers of soft scallops. The pattern is divided into sections for easy customization, so you can make your shawl wider or narrower, deeper or shallower, by working more or fewer repeats of the desired sections.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFLLMJU3S16vAQ_UYj3ymY-N8b0-2tCn4Fkcm_cHD-FK0dAWtfsX4m0XDwDrYQt8fyDZAAfq9Bns8uSmOrUNf39LOaRunNSXbBitp6gRupcuARkjLBUWM63vljFTvFtcZV-b5oDqFlDCtKhrG7q5XyHZzyH-HX2hzP7WPPG3R228PUcdo1_Jitan7/s4000/Ashborn%20Shawl%20swirled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFLLMJU3S16vAQ_UYj3ymY-N8b0-2tCn4Fkcm_cHD-FK0dAWtfsX4m0XDwDrYQt8fyDZAAfq9Bns8uSmOrUNf39LOaRunNSXbBitp6gRupcuARkjLBUWM63vljFTvFtcZV-b5oDqFlDCtKhrG7q5XyHZzyH-HX2hzP7WPPG3R228PUcdo1_Jitan7/w400-h300/Ashborn%20Shawl%20swirled.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ashborn was designed with a gradient, but will also look lovely in solid, tonal, or lightly speckled yarns. This sample was worked in Hobbii Cotton Kings Sultan, 100% cotton, color 37 Pearl. Stranded cotton yarns like this one can really flatten with wet-blocking, so to preserve the edging texture I gave this shawl a just bit of a spritz to lightly dampen it, then let it dry flat. (The fabric worked up so nicely I could probably have skipped the blocking altogether.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Zxqep__UHQXFig1SaX41Kfw_F84jEh5t1nR1UeLm897AXyReezwt-is90MeLgYyTpOcwAEeMa7Sb2JP3DjCW_0W2O0_m3DHbXBzDS43V4g5S5aOFWmjXgm37bgIsKUvkmDtnU3buKSeJEdQb1bSw-Cfyo6Nw_UXBzp3v_vGVcG9c_-KQQfUKOIa/s3291/Ashborn%20Shawl%20folded%20flat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3291" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Zxqep__UHQXFig1SaX41Kfw_F84jEh5t1nR1UeLm897AXyReezwt-is90MeLgYyTpOcwAEeMa7Sb2JP3DjCW_0W2O0_m3DHbXBzDS43V4g5S5aOFWmjXgm37bgIsKUvkmDtnU3buKSeJEdQb1bSw-Cfyo6Nw_UXBzp3v_vGVcG9c_-KQQfUKOIa/w400-h300/Ashborn%20Shawl%20folded%20flat.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ashborn-shawl">Ashborn Shawl</a> pattern has written instructions, full charts, and a link to a video tutorial. You can buy it <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ashborn-shawl">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy 25% off this pattern through Tuesday February 21 with code <b>MRSM</b> at checkout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next two patterns were both inspired by a little verse of my own, published here in May 2011 (a lifetime ago!):</div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Cross-legged in the grass, I watch</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>the rainbow growing in my hands</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>while lilac winds make music </i><i>in the pines</i></div></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Music in the Pines</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN5v2I4ChKZBAwVjw3l5W2uIYVnUCAXi2_dsjCoTDz09-PmpgQ59L3vdx_iZg0mAVsGldKPXGnBGeu1xzDB4n-x1f86sSFXTc9qWld9nNnJJ_wENrYem6cihEBIuU394sbmDhe784ejmtrIk8Zxw-tdY9Shcm4c8UnuijMjFZlbWMBnFO4I8zEfQH/s4000/Mitp%20Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN5v2I4ChKZBAwVjw3l5W2uIYVnUCAXi2_dsjCoTDz09-PmpgQ59L3vdx_iZg0mAVsGldKPXGnBGeu1xzDB4n-x1f86sSFXTc9qWld9nNnJJ_wENrYem6cihEBIuU394sbmDhe784ejmtrIk8Zxw-tdY9Shcm4c8UnuijMjFZlbWMBnFO4I8zEfQH/w640-h640/Mitp%20Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/music-in-the-pines">Music in the Pines</a> is an asymmetrical triangle shawl with a softly curving neckline, worked corner-out in a lacy combination of chain loops, v-stitches, and treble crochet clusters. A scalloped edging is worked in one with the rows, and an openwork section across the short end features subtle pine tree shapes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgQjiIpP80uufcnUt1Il1Wtt607l0_AiCGXF-GFiV-KnI1xHv-TE1c1TcTu-01hX2mYXxIoqXlOxt9ygZw40Fahc7xhi5WBqwVWnlnAdKCqpRIUx_6XxE9L7_NorNllrCz777DsCYwXbYuZc0XG_52pkT6CfwRj9ztZLKRf8OCLQKXkUonXAt9Sr5/s2837/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="2835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgQjiIpP80uufcnUt1Il1Wtt607l0_AiCGXF-GFiV-KnI1xHv-TE1c1TcTu-01hX2mYXxIoqXlOxt9ygZw40Fahc7xhi5WBqwVWnlnAdKCqpRIUx_6XxE9L7_NorNllrCz777DsCYwXbYuZc0XG_52pkT6CfwRj9ztZLKRf8OCLQKXkUonXAt9Sr5/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/music-in-the-pines">Music in the Pines</a> was designed with a gradient, but will also look lovely in solid or tonal yarns. (For best appearance, choose a yarn that will block well.) This sample was worked in Hobbii Azalea, a stranded cotton/acrylic blend, color 5 Persil. The yarn was soft and pleasant to handle; it responded well to wet-blocking and being pinned to shape until dry.</div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/music-in-the-pines">Music in the Pines</a> pattern includes written instructions and charts. Find the pattern <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/music-in-the-pines">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy 25% off through Tuesday February 21 with code <b>MRSM</b> at checkout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>~</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Lilac Winds</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1niAgVZKaZJ-TZBOLuTHitTcQWMiEPyg4fepBN9pF-cYDnMPHu0onYLaW5Y2eXZtIzalLi2cM7HlUsaAPfsmDTp5g-hTOm-E3_TFts1zuZ6sXAAL4WLA6bATwn1bQOUVEBPjhlaHjom-tBoTfkTdfGU5JN5qvlS7qjgCn3zD2FGOHJLP58VMp1bRF/s4618/Lilac%20Winds%20Final%20Photos%20and%20Chart%20Images1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1niAgVZKaZJ-TZBOLuTHitTcQWMiEPyg4fepBN9pF-cYDnMPHu0onYLaW5Y2eXZtIzalLi2cM7HlUsaAPfsmDTp5g-hTOm-E3_TFts1zuZ6sXAAL4WLA6bATwn1bQOUVEBPjhlaHjom-tBoTfkTdfGU5JN5qvlS7qjgCn3zD2FGOHJLP58VMp1bRF/w640-h480/Lilac%20Winds%20Final%20Photos%20and%20Chart%20Images1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sister pattern to Music in the Pines, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilac-winds">Lilac Winds</a> is a lush and lacy trapezoidal shawl with a softly scooped neck. Worked from the top down, it features stitch patterns inspired by lilac petals, wind, and pine boughs. An easy foundation loop row lets you customize your shawl’s relative width and depth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ9JEH9PecRixf-_6sdJ_WTt9IhNd2xOnNAlWXA7oaPTiWGmemK_0QP7hMNDeb-28FDhm18PqWjy1cbt00Z06Ll_tvTE9l5wxZ7Xr5x7SnWT0O7Q3q0AH-EdJlrWEJpSa8S3mmj2bwroSkVw6HLiJh5u5_ebJqIbMAUjsCfHT-CHIb2mTtAuwHRzk/s2827/Lilac%20Winds%20Hanging%20B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2826" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ9JEH9PecRixf-_6sdJ_WTt9IhNd2xOnNAlWXA7oaPTiWGmemK_0QP7hMNDeb-28FDhm18PqWjy1cbt00Z06Ll_tvTE9l5wxZ7Xr5x7SnWT0O7Q3q0AH-EdJlrWEJpSa8S3mmj2bwroSkVw6HLiJh5u5_ebJqIbMAUjsCfHT-CHIb2mTtAuwHRzk/w400-h400/Lilac%20Winds%20Hanging%20B.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilac-winds">Lilac Winds</a> was designed with a gradient, but will also look lovely in solid or tonal yarns. (For best appearance, choose a yarn that will block well.) This sample was worked in Hobbii Cotton Kings Sultan Pastello, a 100% cotton stranded yarn, color 7 Beautyberry. The finished shawl was blocked by dampening and pinning to shape. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilac-winds">Lilac Winds</a> pattern includes written instructions and charts. Find it <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilac-winds">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy 25% off the pattern until Tuesday February 21 with code <b>MRSM</b> at checkout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~ ~ ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Whew! All caught up now. The next pattern I post will be a free one. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div></div></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-11676143065322152232023-02-06T16:57:00.000-06:002023-02-06T16:57:14.456-06:00Happy Trails<p>I've been a bit of a slug this winter, preferring hibernation to exercise. (Wait - <i>do</i> snails hibernate? <a href="https://www.azpetvet.com/can-certain-snails-really-sleep-for-3-years/#:~:text=Snails%20need%20moisture%20to%20survive,helping%20to%20escape%20warm%20climates." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apparently they do.</a>) Weeks of gloomy weather, plus a three-week January virus (not Covid, thank God), were major contributors to my general desire for sleep and slothfulness. But a new month is upon us, the virus has receded, and the sun has shone for several days now, so yesterday I put on my winter boots and sallied forth into the great outdoors.</p><p>I wasn't the only one on the trails:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LhAQ_DBk3BG7Tz7KTQfJcJkqq3mvuy0uJnYLg04DFUPSwwNUzawfdNSBv3-2yS3HaRT1GFhlCJUbWmSKm2glA0wLaf1QfMZ3b1XTQ0ecQkICTJx4lEz7d-dGmnWs4APMJtfsZ1g4u5bniO29fGqBgDdRPO1kKl-Uy4UuYT_MIdckBhYjOEyZ7VUw/s2766/IMG_1448.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="2766" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LhAQ_DBk3BG7Tz7KTQfJcJkqq3mvuy0uJnYLg04DFUPSwwNUzawfdNSBv3-2yS3HaRT1GFhlCJUbWmSKm2glA0wLaf1QfMZ3b1XTQ0ecQkICTJx4lEz7d-dGmnWs4APMJtfsZ1g4u5bniO29fGqBgDdRPO1kKl-Uy4UuYT_MIdckBhYjOEyZ7VUw/w640-h482/IMG_1448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the edge of a field, winter winds had carved the snow into sandlike ridges:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_SSl3tBp994XK-svBpbPEaNtHX8laDGXfi0qfkmdvzo_3oEler-mCD3oR-BZFbWKvaBZiLYZaBTcCptQQIq2eOkY2c5wSPqL8pi1Hk5y4oHxlYSzmVKYToe3SRal0Qo1RDesoaGPh8Y9qSN2MxumdkF9MjTezpFDCTG1U2IeZD4NPJRSs6i93wY/s1586/IMG_1453.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1586" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_SSl3tBp994XK-svBpbPEaNtHX8laDGXfi0qfkmdvzo_3oEler-mCD3oR-BZFbWKvaBZiLYZaBTcCptQQIq2eOkY2c5wSPqL8pi1Hk5y4oHxlYSzmVKYToe3SRal0Qo1RDesoaGPh8Y9qSN2MxumdkF9MjTezpFDCTG1U2IeZD4NPJRSs6i93wY/w400-h300/IMG_1453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These fascinating tracks reminded me of a lacy crochet edging:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbmn9RAXxOQ6PyivjFJ6ELpiM00ff2X3jLxc61K27ZMU4i0pTwZ--Qqgp8G-QAElMkH3mOmrF0crDg-ccDC1buwDO7MWMevjgsSYTFcePFYz0RhHco_AjQeQJFD0V0jZGmryWhsxNl0KR139s-VdfvTPeHx37qtDfGWz9aROzSYLE3FqohpB3I_ia/s813/IMG_1457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="602" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbmn9RAXxOQ6PyivjFJ6ELpiM00ff2X3jLxc61K27ZMU4i0pTwZ--Qqgp8G-QAElMkH3mOmrF0crDg-ccDC1buwDO7MWMevjgsSYTFcePFYz0RhHco_AjQeQJFD0V0jZGmryWhsxNl0KR139s-VdfvTPeHx37qtDfGWz9aROzSYLE3FqohpB3I_ia/w474-h640/IMG_1457.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This tiny treasure was hiding in a deer's hoofprint:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BtTIN07xJ9iwoEVrJse14L6KOpXwCIiCB0FRidDsflMFY4hmp6Zs_NlhQEYX5XH_rmLVbdf1W5FTB05d3ckN7KrkPWz4DPr4pmF-y812tAUijT5UA_7bBY-1Ei23arMrOHWNqJFU4a8njtVNZ6rIHHiywtUBCJTApwiT3NC_OAb20vaD_uA3KOY7/s2425/IMG_1463.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="2425" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BtTIN07xJ9iwoEVrJse14L6KOpXwCIiCB0FRidDsflMFY4hmp6Zs_NlhQEYX5XH_rmLVbdf1W5FTB05d3ckN7KrkPWz4DPr4pmF-y812tAUijT5UA_7bBY-1Ei23arMrOHWNqJFU4a8njtVNZ6rIHHiywtUBCJTApwiT3NC_OAb20vaD_uA3KOY7/w400-h301/IMG_1463.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the prairie restoration project, dried flowers caught the rays of the setting sun:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKnT48jSIIoxy5HxkiI-Y6IGjBHy8KTsWWx0lmWwPJ8xFd3QxKVOo90GqGvUq6lw0GTcxKYpJtrNJ7jIPr0LkcSLbaGsrV0hBB7kCBKOmVYdILOL8ARh_oV6x1VquEypnekMtK_UEZATMKIpQJxIB-Vq-_P7hLPXyfuc7MbPvzI-5iXmtR_4SG-Ui/s3410/IMG_1468.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3410" data-original-width="2823" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKnT48jSIIoxy5HxkiI-Y6IGjBHy8KTsWWx0lmWwPJ8xFd3QxKVOo90GqGvUq6lw0GTcxKYpJtrNJ7jIPr0LkcSLbaGsrV0hBB7kCBKOmVYdILOL8ARh_oV6x1VquEypnekMtK_UEZATMKIpQJxIB-Vq-_P7hLPXyfuc7MbPvzI-5iXmtR_4SG-Ui/w331-h400/IMG_1468.JPG" width="331" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then it was farewell to the happy trails, and homeward bound for supper.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGAN1eJUW87fajOyZWT7eXF_GosrXgYZy-m-QBi_byF49rg7juqyOFs89EkjkHkLblpbFJsGdxWpdaCJ9x9a3WxZil2y7dnV7dU_VFm-_kR-w8DTupIeRLJAz1hbY5igyXBnwT5R94aKkZ00PzBpy2Q-5-udQdGpVi31gdosCuRGRGks0d2Ryb0p4/s2559/IMG_1471.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="1910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGAN1eJUW87fajOyZWT7eXF_GosrXgYZy-m-QBi_byF49rg7juqyOFs89EkjkHkLblpbFJsGdxWpdaCJ9x9a3WxZil2y7dnV7dU_VFm-_kR-w8DTupIeRLJAz1hbY5igyXBnwT5R94aKkZ00PzBpy2Q-5-udQdGpVi31gdosCuRGRGks0d2Ryb0p4/w478-h640/IMG_1471.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><p>It's good to be walking (and blogging) again.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>In other news, there's a new pattern in the works; I hope to release it later this week. Here's a sneak peek:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYwOcbIcrgxAka6oM_EfL5qwoJGJs9ykQMiSSlHQyl1G_ReHt1mDNN6zuVqbfnFO1eNIH4UpcN08cfHlPRhl_6fQtWvOFMBUoIqnU5fMtM931P9L91swWZre20IOORePiO3fGpb5ft10nLosBAmnWjY43CfXrXgEYiRz-3TgXGV26fguB8BCfnNBc/s2326/IMG_1279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="2325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYwOcbIcrgxAka6oM_EfL5qwoJGJs9ykQMiSSlHQyl1G_ReHt1mDNN6zuVqbfnFO1eNIH4UpcN08cfHlPRhl_6fQtWvOFMBUoIqnU5fMtM931P9L91swWZre20IOORePiO3fGpb5ft10nLosBAmnWjY43CfXrXgEYiRz-3TgXGV26fguB8BCfnNBc/w200-h200/IMG_1279.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Happy Monday to you all!</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-41125150873808723852023-01-09T16:05:00.000-06:002023-01-09T16:05:57.873-06:00Unfinished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_-yZpzvj6FVverZPmSl0mwxCyo2cwTyQ36BSkgCAzJ0nxBV9TBFU9J-MW-b4vwg5qopeWQkZcwKPPNfdGAX3jgf_8cCCSS6IZzLXV_hf9sC5GMYG5BjeFshkKAQhFi-Rmw27C-CTqi6D9oigwj0-VGc9b13bEUaVsDivAvE3ZjYFoBBMfkrpzZ7Z/s3559/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="3559" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_-yZpzvj6FVverZPmSl0mwxCyo2cwTyQ36BSkgCAzJ0nxBV9TBFU9J-MW-b4vwg5qopeWQkZcwKPPNfdGAX3jgf_8cCCSS6IZzLXV_hf9sC5GMYG5BjeFshkKAQhFi-Rmw27C-CTqi6D9oigwj0-VGc9b13bEUaVsDivAvE3ZjYFoBBMfkrpzZ7Z/w400-h254/IMG_1247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>These were my sister's last projects.</p><p>A few days after <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2022/02/two-new-patterns.html">my last blog post</a>, she laid them down and never picked them up again. The next month she was gone. Her projects, like her life, remain unfinished.</p><p>I've been trying to write this post ever since, and the words just wouldn't come. Even now they seem to be stuck somewhere between my heart and my fingertips. I think of her, and my dad, every day. Losing them both, six months apart, was crushing. Getting through the first birthday and Christmas without her was inexpressibly hard.</p><p>I'm sorry, friends, for this long silence. My sister was so proud of this blog; maybe that's why everything connected with it has been too painful to contemplate in the months since her death. She would be the first to tell me to buck up and keep posting, but up to now I haven't been able to bring myself to do it.</p><p>Now that the ice is broken, I hope to do better. Someday, when it doesn't hurt so much, I'll finish her projects. And maybe someday I'll be able to write a post about her, and about some of the things she meant to me. But not yet.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>Wishing you all a belated Happy New Year, with fervent hope that 2023 will be better than 2022.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-48302097951999991692022-02-12T14:16:00.000-06:002022-02-12T14:16:11.908-06:00Two New Patterns<p>I'm pleased to announce that I have recently published not one, but two patterns. And - wait for it - one of them is <i>knit</i>. (Gasps resound from crocheting readers around the world.)</p><p>Let's start with the crochet pattern. This is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crystallon" target="_blank">Crystallon</a>, a lacy shawl inspired by thoughts of crystallized water (Crystallon means "frozen drop" in Greek):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilzuDWdbwD5ibFicrXzZZVhc5jIet4xIOKTenJfXaHYas2_qxVQDV0SHsBBZUVOE0_wEt3AfM9cyIuwNLQwSPUeO1PK8TY0yVXDR1v3zfAJl_W75P-GOODW1EFUKr2ArPxEMM-EaAMq3sV0_YluXLDHVCJo7j-w1JHJF2bBw1p2ALSXOuEkmQH4s8t=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilzuDWdbwD5ibFicrXzZZVhc5jIet4xIOKTenJfXaHYas2_qxVQDV0SHsBBZUVOE0_wEt3AfM9cyIuwNLQwSPUeO1PK8TY0yVXDR1v3zfAJl_W75P-GOODW1EFUKr2ArPxEMM-EaAMq3sV0_YluXLDHVCJo7j-w1JHJF2bBw1p2ALSXOuEkmQH4s8t=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crystallon" target="_blank">Crystallon</a> uses only chain, single crochet, and double crochet. My sample measures 55" across by 25" deep, and took 142 gm (about 621 yards) of sportweight yarn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZNvzoaLgMS_aliuWRGdGI3Dn2YBbdGa5W0bOku4zKvB58dFDvsF-oDTvFTdDLCIG6spWs4gMa-DZr2LGQkSwGfKs0pi5SDj1dRGr-Zw_J9AUFsTG2ryI4-FdG00MmQUszC-M9IL--OLSO0mKHXzMrfiF1IChsU0HxXnDh4KvLmGMETR4WgSHgusbm=s3559" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3559" data-original-width="2958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZNvzoaLgMS_aliuWRGdGI3Dn2YBbdGa5W0bOku4zKvB58dFDvsF-oDTvFTdDLCIG6spWs4gMa-DZr2LGQkSwGfKs0pi5SDj1dRGr-Zw_J9AUFsTG2ryI4-FdG00MmQUszC-M9IL--OLSO0mKHXzMrfiF1IChsU0HxXnDh4KvLmGMETR4WgSHgusbm=w532-h640" width="532" /></a></div><p>The yarn is <a href="https://hobbii.com/sultan?option=19498&store_id=10&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl47t1tj49QIV3smUCR0mFwQvEAQYASABEgIw1PD_BwE" target="_blank">Hobbii Cotton Kings Sultan</a> (color Apatite), a stranded gradient yarn consisting of four threads that change color one at a time, every hundred yards or so. This yarn is unplied, and takes a bit of getting used to, but it blocks beautifully and is a very affordable option for gradient-yarn lovers.</p><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crystallon" target="_blank">Crystallon</a> includes charts and full written instructions, with options for a beaded or picot edge. Find the pattern <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crystallon" target="_blank">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and enjoy a 25% discount until February 20 with code <b>ICY</b> at checkout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRJXAa2kmvozyU8m5GHPiH1PysjM1PzVk8bj7LE9tAx-W-ZJJ5aDt7-rHSuvkEM6Psz8-6osr0T3S_FxWmVj5-fv-8CpPOE4T0Wx1RGuZuFvLsLEwiVp0z6FZ8FqMC5hqUyNzMh7HwF8V9byupVIX5mqy2Y94IMCGf8UMcwCM4XcD_TNKiGju96Jhy=s2851" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="2850" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRJXAa2kmvozyU8m5GHPiH1PysjM1PzVk8bj7LE9tAx-W-ZJJ5aDt7-rHSuvkEM6Psz8-6osr0T3S_FxWmVj5-fv-8CpPOE4T0Wx1RGuZuFvLsLEwiVp0z6FZ8FqMC5hqUyNzMh7HwF8V9byupVIX5mqy2Y94IMCGf8UMcwCM4XcD_TNKiGju96Jhy=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>And here is my new knitting pattern: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ihat" target="_blank">iHat</a>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxkHNjJQ6uvyo0UumoFeWln6QGlPjP_8UeHTmdesKCbzlZTXWvH7uhSSrPpUwSaEnbSAI0-3G-Hpeq_ah9fu3K_3nE-czb3Q8dnUJnfcyXT2joM52qK6EBfCDY8OLnibT4HkodJxk6bdd1W-3FJ6gO_rhFzqo80Ct9Y6i7XiG6h2GmWhuRUGQgouFb=s2281" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="2280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxkHNjJQ6uvyo0UumoFeWln6QGlPjP_8UeHTmdesKCbzlZTXWvH7uhSSrPpUwSaEnbSAI0-3G-Hpeq_ah9fu3K_3nE-czb3Q8dnUJnfcyXT2joM52qK6EBfCDY8OLnibT4HkodJxk6bdd1W-3FJ6gO_rhFzqo80Ct9Y6i7XiG6h2GmWhuRUGQgouFb=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>iHat knits up quickly in worsted weight wool, and features simple stranded colorwork, subtle decreases, a quirky spiral crown closure, and contrast color nupps made with a crochet hook.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2ewoG-MBskuqXi9pql5i1Q-Ab4SFIRwOufFMTgQfyt_Y12tcIAfAQtnuKK1LuwKA5lQ4WEFisN2YqFGi4-3szDz3tEZFnEL8NohoVJOyRkcRgcLK1x1UIu_rkpHdUw_pk4mK6JHDVBJRIgSQMA-8aW-0pqAB3CREm5BEgjQllDK28rm7dKEnUhNKx=s3435" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3435" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2ewoG-MBskuqXi9pql5i1Q-Ab4SFIRwOufFMTgQfyt_Y12tcIAfAQtnuKK1LuwKA5lQ4WEFisN2YqFGi4-3szDz3tEZFnEL8NohoVJOyRkcRgcLK1x1UIu_rkpHdUw_pk4mK6JHDVBJRIgSQMA-8aW-0pqAB3CREm5BEgjQllDK28rm7dKEnUhNKx=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The nupps can be worked as-you-go (videotutorial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8-qb5-L864" target="_blank">here</a>), or after the hat is complete. Having tried both methods, I found the afterthought nupps easier to make, with more consistent results. Your mileage may vary.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKv0KTpIQdLFfobIjyyHgoNS6RDdB78AX1OIk18Y_Ws9JDLOIVsPN5VlOSJTMz6X3uB5PVVSzmXSSVt1H36B08kOAjTOjVmHX-uGMH-OhWL-v4TdNzuo73HDyGy16Jrpa3vSUwZDo3Zmi0BTIk8bEVrp3BRTgoDg1UmLqzkb_AKSocLuSX9SJA_px5=s2988" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2985" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKv0KTpIQdLFfobIjyyHgoNS6RDdB78AX1OIk18Y_Ws9JDLOIVsPN5VlOSJTMz6X3uB5PVVSzmXSSVt1H36B08kOAjTOjVmHX-uGMH-OhWL-v4TdNzuo73HDyGy16Jrpa3vSUwZDo3Zmi0BTIk8bEVrp3BRTgoDg1UmLqzkb_AKSocLuSX9SJA_px5=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Afterthought nupps on the left, as-you-go on the right</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The grey/yellow hat was worked in Knit Picks <a href="https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wool-of-the-andes-worsted/c/5420103" target="_blank">Wool of the Andes Worsted</a> (colors Mist and Creme Brulee); the sand/purple hat was worked in <a href="https://www.stonehedgefibermill.com/product-category/shepherds-wool-worsted-weight-yarn/" target="_blank">Shepherd's Wool Worsted</a> (color Beaches) and Wool of the Andes Worsted (color Columbine). All the yarns were lovely to handle, and blocked well.</p><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ihat" target="_blank">iHat</a> includes charts, full written instructions, and illustrated tutorials for two nupp methods. Find the pattern <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ihat" target="_blank">here</a> in my Ravelry store, and get a 25% discount until February 20 with code <b>MIHAT</b> at checkout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqoBFLDvF0VaKielnlScvgrdvf6xO9wEOUdkFHbrg0FjmUSEd_Le6fWjrPth8529tmOBUHlEOyDj0ogQWIO0G3CMLMq2Sv3Uz9xnJl_cIHSGMNFnyUyOcBofveaeLn4FW8qluimjgZd1w6dyhCCQ5Ua-Zz385TvfUV-z_R6CfN7yF29SYDaWoHkdZ=s2182" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="2181" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqoBFLDvF0VaKielnlScvgrdvf6xO9wEOUdkFHbrg0FjmUSEd_Le6fWjrPth8529tmOBUHlEOyDj0ogQWIO0G3CMLMq2Sv3Uz9xnJl_cIHSGMNFnyUyOcBofveaeLn4FW8qluimjgZd1w6dyhCCQ5Ua-Zz385TvfUV-z_R6CfN7yF29SYDaWoHkdZ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><p>Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting. <i>And</i> knitting!</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-64543676810214119652022-01-21T10:41:00.002-06:002022-01-22T18:40:38.982-06:00January Days<p>A cloudless day in January can be a glorious thing. As I write this post, the sky is clear and palest blue; on the horizon is a rosy flush, turning gold and apricot as the sun approaches. There, it's up, and the shadowy blue-grey snow outside is lightening visibly every second. If the weather holds, the day to come will be bright blue and sparkling white, with tracery of trees standing out clear and sharp against the sky. (Some of them not so sharp after all; last year's long autumn coaxed many to bud out before their time, and their outlines are still feathery.)</p><p>Then there are days like last Sunday, when I took these photos. Clouds lay like a heavy blanket above the earth; a fine dry snow was falling, growing heavier as I walked, blurring and softening the lace of the trees. The world seemed a grey and brown sort of place, but there was still beauty to be found.</p><p>Tiny dried blossoms:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPbY1Q0N4zTyledm10veELslvxp24J8mopwZTzJSvrM3SeKq5tvKYplOP-y39UKIVpjd00WFw6reoCRAiFWesWENzFTvzs2vF0XGTFBFjt10pFah9R90hR5Sw6YiZEW-l6oxA9mUYNXpyPal7HpxyMaixHikA-RB6hj4jisbAmwg9cK1eMR5WNZsHd=s2049" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPbY1Q0N4zTyledm10veELslvxp24J8mopwZTzJSvrM3SeKq5tvKYplOP-y39UKIVpjd00WFw6reoCRAiFWesWENzFTvzs2vF0XGTFBFjt10pFah9R90hR5Sw6YiZEW-l6oxA9mUYNXpyPal7HpxyMaixHikA-RB6hj4jisbAmwg9cK1eMR5WNZsHd=w476-h640" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The miracle of snow on my jacket...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4vOSAbngHrKcYMrOuiwAwBmXU03bd_3DVqwpXMYmVotLJkamiIdKt3CzTaMc_BHs9TqaG_IWTIztPISYRLT2FuorVBpQTbfPBfvLCctlEoopgP3JaMddZvHdJER0CVjfvL3glBxBhGzZBDOLcaNcBya9cpVlOkUR-vOiIy8aTTmpu9tgXyxA9MLYs=s441" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="441" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4vOSAbngHrKcYMrOuiwAwBmXU03bd_3DVqwpXMYmVotLJkamiIdKt3CzTaMc_BHs9TqaG_IWTIztPISYRLT2FuorVBpQTbfPBfvLCctlEoopgP3JaMddZvHdJER0CVjfvL3glBxBhGzZBDOLcaNcBya9cpVlOkUR-vOiIy8aTTmpu9tgXyxA9MLYs=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>...and on the ground:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBv3TwoA0bfC0O7Gn_mJSnreseGACJKB0et-qdhREpv_vFGj-rWTKk5E4dOQwcbngGSw2Myv-RXCLM77uhtgZpcstUrqMW3isWyCi0E9DnN3Tgk8rD165C6DiDeWjc_5Rx2YsAw7kQJgvX5eNXH1nABynpIW_Xjt8EQbSEbREc97YSECXHt5Rbns9r=s883" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="883" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBv3TwoA0bfC0O7Gn_mJSnreseGACJKB0et-qdhREpv_vFGj-rWTKk5E4dOQwcbngGSw2Myv-RXCLM77uhtgZpcstUrqMW3isWyCi0E9DnN3Tgk8rD165C6DiDeWjc_5Rx2YsAw7kQJgvX5eNXH1nABynpIW_Xjt8EQbSEbREc97YSECXHt5Rbns9r=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>An avenue of lacy trees:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu4-mbhfeEZ5kZziPilShCVd6PV4BtUtb3XUwgimWERkGKmwAYH00xsZxSaCieVLfb8QnZqaJgS-LML0FJ0uu5XvlswncDSsPqCifRmfI9CAGNjJwhNS7TtKelDKujYqO2zmmu4h68YGMWpEy_rITjK5_adOUiAaS3SlAnyMxmEGsR5XlSuApOyhjj=s3464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu4-mbhfeEZ5kZziPilShCVd6PV4BtUtb3XUwgimWERkGKmwAYH00xsZxSaCieVLfb8QnZqaJgS-LML0FJ0uu5XvlswncDSsPqCifRmfI9CAGNjJwhNS7TtKelDKujYqO2zmmu4h68YGMWpEy_rITjK5_adOUiAaS3SlAnyMxmEGsR5XlSuApOyhjj=w554-h640" width="554" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lichen on bark (with more of that lovely snow):</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxHDGmJhoDS-0VVcAweC8HmzPv-H076Pmd3RDbw_23yAbx_SqolTyb29C6OrwfGMF0Vqztx6l-M9Jb7eRFKXDdVw81hje5zUf4ab73-thuI5D_e6MNDTXan9x_YpeJqdQxWY9s2sY9rs1TVxNwAxXHOke1qFk_otLXNZnNPzz5VSLdU1BOSdwtfVi0=s1566" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1566" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxHDGmJhoDS-0VVcAweC8HmzPv-H076Pmd3RDbw_23yAbx_SqolTyb29C6OrwfGMF0Vqztx6l-M9Jb7eRFKXDdVw81hje5zUf4ab73-thuI5D_e6MNDTXan9x_YpeJqdQxWY9s2sY9rs1TVxNwAxXHOke1qFk_otLXNZnNPzz5VSLdU1BOSdwtfVi0=w640-h484" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ghosts of Queen Anne's Lace:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig6e8buNgVl0oWxuGxheLKBe888fllkJFw6_4Y0-ncy0gKWZGaPfjlo44YF2opxrisVxKxK4L6tkUPnA3qC5uFbWQsEoQuXAp4jSN6w-JHuyvT3alazPFYIMyseQdvEauxKesFdfy3O21WZubtUXiunyGDklxHDszAeipScIttKRk3DTQERmltpxu2=s2384" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="2384" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig6e8buNgVl0oWxuGxheLKBe888fllkJFw6_4Y0-ncy0gKWZGaPfjlo44YF2opxrisVxKxK4L6tkUPnA3qC5uFbWQsEoQuXAp4jSN6w-JHuyvT3alazPFYIMyseQdvEauxKesFdfy3O21WZubtUXiunyGDklxHDszAeipScIttKRk3DTQERmltpxu2=w640-h584" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Marvelously sculptural dried flowers:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxycluF7cgZEY_0IfBKAj8Pk1ygCMNJ8H09ZBncTXNaO53Yi6Hb2a6L9fOQACEr6jBG-R8tYKVyMPFrcrs_P0KHaI3byxPvuoT_0dS1CRe3rXl7YQ5SHzz_qjSsj_4CK0kBlYrSfTt4RxPioP6rm0-bCDvEvPs9nBI12U51PlrPwSrUrpfZlSeA4ap=s2414" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1815" data-original-width="2414" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxycluF7cgZEY_0IfBKAj8Pk1ygCMNJ8H09ZBncTXNaO53Yi6Hb2a6L9fOQACEr6jBG-R8tYKVyMPFrcrs_P0KHaI3byxPvuoT_0dS1CRe3rXl7YQ5SHzz_qjSsj_4CK0kBlYrSfTt4RxPioP6rm0-bCDvEvPs9nBI12U51PlrPwSrUrpfZlSeA4ap=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bud-beaded twigs:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv4IHDtrN3ZPkdo7wjN0UJHXvDafwF8jdWviraBNe0DX7v4L77GsvndACsm58SXU5FfszSVp2swk82YlA_WHVu0cMp_HXIbJ_FSUTgKhzrf_6VJGD2F52yVzaah5Rx5NDua0pBJthjluT43kYmlA_AZ84d3JWTJalVF4zgX22N5q-9_9Zi-PaVlmpi=s1601" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1601" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv4IHDtrN3ZPkdo7wjN0UJHXvDafwF8jdWviraBNe0DX7v4L77GsvndACsm58SXU5FfszSVp2swk82YlA_WHVu0cMp_HXIbJ_FSUTgKhzrf_6VJGD2F52yVzaah5Rx5NDua0pBJthjluT43kYmlA_AZ84d3JWTJalVF4zgX22N5q-9_9Zi-PaVlmpi=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>An intricately-veined leaf in the snow, with bonus berries attached:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAasbHUH8Gk3I96f4we3_mxD_1JI6JYnGXyUNNDY6jvHFIz63Yj9QRaqRY3rfSBmiHdGqDBA2GepnlpsefSz5XWKYeXcwPNpazV0QR_1JyGJtN4CpquaIP4dYjT76AuxxiykdgIS5AuN_6MCmCE9Iu_9mAW5VO5PLOVwNjxzekBVHHJM1isPvJDmwm=s2559" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="1917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAasbHUH8Gk3I96f4we3_mxD_1JI6JYnGXyUNNDY6jvHFIz63Yj9QRaqRY3rfSBmiHdGqDBA2GepnlpsefSz5XWKYeXcwPNpazV0QR_1JyGJtN4CpquaIP4dYjT76AuxxiykdgIS5AuN_6MCmCE9Iu_9mAW5VO5PLOVwNjxzekBVHHJM1isPvJDmwm=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Birdsong from the tangle of branches around a pond:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUDcWdudqh1t-3LIqeidIlF3bmfka81HaXogslIr5P_n9_vLLdsMzdsquZWhOAiF71RcwypAsXQzrcrsHZxsz9iYE9IrRli3o_8QWal-f9oy0_BP8wQ5KENNgydi1IZDo4zFlLweJthsS6j4LGfWmGwlqvhGfRi0wc0Aw1bJietRXj0ouRU9E2YRi=s1820" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1820" data-original-width="1363" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUDcWdudqh1t-3LIqeidIlF3bmfka81HaXogslIr5P_n9_vLLdsMzdsquZWhOAiF71RcwypAsXQzrcrsHZxsz9iYE9IrRli3o_8QWal-f9oy0_BP8wQ5KENNgydi1IZDo4zFlLweJthsS6j4LGfWmGwlqvhGfRi0wc0Aw1bJietRXj0ouRU9E2YRi=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>On my way home, a train whistle sounded from the next town over. In summer, that sound would make me long to be out riding my bike. On a cold grey January day, it made me grateful for a warm house at the end of the road, and I walked a little faster to get there more quickly.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>I'm sorry this blog has been silent for so long. When my dad died last year, the urge to write and create seemed to die along with him. But time really does heal wounds, and the creative (and communicative) urge is finally coming back.</p><p>How have your January days been?</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-22360451883453307362021-09-27T10:58:00.000-05:002021-09-27T10:58:00.699-05:00Online Live Loop Cable Classes for October<p> Many thanks to all who left kind comments on my last post. I really appreciate your words of comfort.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>In October I'll be teaching two online classes for the Crochet Guild of America:</p><p><u><b>Live Loop Cables II</b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRKAKdY46RI/YVHnynjSx-I/AAAAAAAAbYg/Ekkt-4KEQvkLJZjaWKN-G6vbo7a5EQ1dgCPcBGAsYHg/s587/Live%2BLoop%2BCables%2BII%2Bsample%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="587" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRKAKdY46RI/YVHnynjSx-I/AAAAAAAAbYg/Ekkt-4KEQvkLJZjaWKN-G6vbo7a5EQ1dgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/Live%2BLoop%2BCables%2BII%2Bsample%2Bphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is a 2-day class, held on Saturday October 2nd and Saturday October 9th, from 1:30-3:30 pm, US Central Daylight Time.</p><p>Live Loop Cables II is a follow-up class for those who have already taken Intro to Live Loop Cables, or have completed a Live Loop cable project.</p><p>In this class, you'll learn to work Live Loop (LL) cables in back and forth rows, then take your skills to the next level with advanced cable techniques including horizontal LL cables, branching cables, merged cables, continuous or ring cables, and raised cables.</p><p>Click <a href="https://www.crochet.org/events/register.aspx?id=1556268">here</a> to find out more. Registration for Live Loop Cables II closes Tuesday September 28th.</p><p><b><u>Archness Wrap</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxvvYYyjaV0/YVHoDbhi2oI/AAAAAAAAbYw/bW4KDJJedAYZOHxhVCe-jRZPbinioxVgACPcBGAsYHg/s4550/Archness%2BWrap%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4550" data-original-width="3516" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxvvYYyjaV0/YVHoDbhi2oI/AAAAAAAAbYw/bW4KDJJedAYZOHxhVCe-jRZPbinioxVgACPcBGAsYHg/w309-h400/Archness%2BWrap%2BCollage.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p>This is a 3-day class, held on Saturday October 16th, 23rd, and 30th, from 1:30-2:30 pm, US Central Daylight Time.</p><p>The Archness Wrap class is aimed at students who have completed Live Loop Cables II or who have completed a Live Loop cable project in back-and-forth rows.</p><p></p><div>In this class, you'll use your Live Loop skills to stitch a beautifully cabled center panel, then work outwards from each side to form lacy crochet "wings". The Archness Wrap features many unusual techniques, including Live Loop cables and bobbles, "cheater" I-cord edging, twisted loop lace, and more. All techniques will be demonstrated and practiced on a miniature sample during class time. Finished wrap size is approximately 82" wide by 13" deep. Pattern will include written directions, charts, illustrated tutorials for special techniques, and ideas for varying the size of your wrap.</div><div><br /></div><div>Click <a href="https://www.crochet.org/events/register.aspx?id=1556268">here</a> to find out more. Registration for the Archness Wrap closes Tuesday October 12th.</div><div><br /></div><div>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-61804022140329057892021-09-19T17:58:00.001-05:002021-09-27T10:58:33.580-05:00Thank You, Dad<p>Late last month, my dearest dad went home to be with his Lord. He was 94.</p><p>The deep and abiding loves of Dad's life were God, his family, and his country. (Next on the list would be planes, <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2011/12/spreading-joy-part-2-under-tree.html">trains</a>, and cameras.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wl2tWFZKEDM/YTvIp-amOGI/AAAAAAAAbUM/TOSvHJbvLUcnaRnyAj_F1trlzaRcx5KPwCPcBGAsYHg/s555/Dad%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BMarines%2Bin%2BKorea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="414" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wl2tWFZKEDM/YTvIp-amOGI/AAAAAAAAbUM/TOSvHJbvLUcnaRnyAj_F1trlzaRcx5KPwCPcBGAsYHg/w299-h400/Dad%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BMarines%2Bin%2BKorea.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad the Marine</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dad was born and grew up in Southern California. As a young man he served with the US Occupation Army in Europe, and later with the Marine Corps in Korea. He then spent 42 happy years working in the aerospace industry, first as a bookkeeper, then carving out a position sourcing parts for the planes he loved.</p><p>Here he is at his desk, dapper in suit and tie:</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSqvO5guNp8/YTvI4H2jzXI/AAAAAAAAbUQ/m7JoXifO3X09Ot46zrL9CXfLTew6cDDsQCPcBGAsYHg/s597/Dad%2Bat%2Bwork%2Bin%2Bthe%2B60s.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="597" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSqvO5guNp8/YTvI4H2jzXI/AAAAAAAAbUQ/m7JoXifO3X09Ot46zrL9CXfLTew6cDDsQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h320/Dad%2Bat%2Bwork%2Bin%2Bthe%2B60s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work in the 60s</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Dad worked hard to support his wife and five kids. We didn't have a lot growing up, but we had everything we needed: food, clothing, shelter, <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2011/12/spreading-joy-part-3-goodly-heritage.html">faith</a>. Dad and Mom both came from broken families, and were far from perfect parents, but I know they loved us and did the best they could.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuuAHzVSM0Y/YTvJLCk1pKI/AAAAAAAAbUU/j2fCSUGBVYUrwcIdx1KqA4PQaxlYiO6WQCPcBGAsYHg/s3872/Dad%252C%2BMom%252C%2Band%2Bthe%2Bfive%2Bof%2Bus.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="3872" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuuAHzVSM0Y/YTvJLCk1pKI/AAAAAAAAbUU/j2fCSUGBVYUrwcIdx1KqA4PQaxlYiO6WQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h283/Dad%252C%2BMom%252C%2Band%2Bthe%2Bfive%2Bof%2Bus.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband and father</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Money may have been tight when we were kids, but later on, when we'd all grown up and moved away, Dad delighted in generosity. He loved nothing more than taking the whole family out for a special meal on the rare occasions we were all together. Every Christmas he would send checks to all the kids and grandkids, and order pounds of See's Candy for family members near and far. And more than one of us has a story to tell of surprise checks received in the mail to help cover extraordinary medical expenses. Those meals, those checks, those boxes of See's, were little pieces of Dad's life and years of hard work, transmuted by love into gifts and support for the family he never stopped cherishing.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm7Lx8FZOj4/YUewAfZzT4I/AAAAAAAAbXQ/d2iAuuO7zlMl_hQOWfch5hQxB7txPpVggCPcBGAsYHg/s445/Dad%2Bwalking%2Bme%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Baisle%2B1985.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="445" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm7Lx8FZOj4/YUewAfZzT4I/AAAAAAAAbXQ/d2iAuuO7zlMl_hQOWfch5hQxB7txPpVggCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h400/Dad%2Bwalking%2Bme%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Baisle%2B1985.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking me down the aisle in 1985</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Over the years, that family grew to include many grandkids and great-grandkids. Dad loved to follow their exploits on social media, and download and print the photos they posted. His home was always full of their pictures and drawings.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZV8qxrRqfU/YTvJTqhETXI/AAAAAAAAbUo/SKr0O-KoTQws20741MSBI8PeHyBelkBUgCPcBGAsYHg/s604/Dad%2Band%2Bthe%2Bgrandkids%2B2009%2B%2528minus%2BBen%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZV8qxrRqfU/YTvJTqhETXI/AAAAAAAAbUo/SKr0O-KoTQws20741MSBI8PeHyBelkBUgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/Dad%2Band%2Bthe%2Bgrandkids%2B2009%2B%2528minus%2BBen%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With grandkids in 2009</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dad was widowed in 2012, and two years later he left California to start a new life in Wisconsin near my sister and me. He loved it here, and when anyone asked him what he thought of the cold weather, he invariably - and proudly - announced that he'd been through winter in Korea, so a Wisconsin winter was nothing to worry about!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYbc1hcR950/YT_hEHgkn9I/AAAAAAAAbWU/6tdFtbeYCNsnFjsnWMyAk71FIRVWcTz_gCPcBGAsYHg/s960/Band%2Bconcert%2Bwith%2BDad%2B2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="960" height="355" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYbc1hcR950/YT_hEHgkn9I/AAAAAAAAbWU/6tdFtbeYCNsnFjsnWMyAk71FIRVWcTz_gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h355/Band%2Bconcert%2Bwith%2BDad%2B2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a military band concert, July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dad enjoyed many excellent adventures in the last seven years of his life, including visits to the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh, a Badger Honor Flight to Washington, DC, a trip in a World War II biplane, a helicopter ride, and many train-related outings. He also went through several major surgeries, somehow bouncing back from them all, and made it through the long Covid lockdown without a murmur.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKvZ-2kiEcI/YTvMufgpXTI/AAAAAAAAbVA/EV0CMYlrQJ0SA6dHQ_HipgAvJuiyYT0yACPcBGAsYHg/s1368/Dad%2Bthe%2Bphotographer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1368" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKvZ-2kiEcI/YTvMufgpXTI/AAAAAAAAbVA/EV0CMYlrQJ0SA6dHQ_HipgAvJuiyYT0yACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/Dad%2Bthe%2Bphotographer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capturing autumn color</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dad's love of photography stayed with him to the end. When the day finally came that he could no longer lift his camera, he happily took pictures with his phone.</p><p>Here is one of the very last photos from that phone, snapped in June when Dad was in the hospital being diagnosed with the condition that would take his life:</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-NkJ2QpAjw/YTvO9zpCP3I/AAAAAAAAbVM/TEgugOiLnckk6-p3Vi0HtV0jnb9Wp599gCPcBGAsYHg/s1440/Dad%2Band%2Bme%2BFather%2527s%2BDay%2B2021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1440" height="379" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-NkJ2QpAjw/YTvO9zpCP3I/AAAAAAAAbVM/TEgugOiLnckk6-p3Vi0HtV0jnb9Wp599gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h379/Dad%2Band%2Bme%2BFather%2527s%2BDay%2B2021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father's Day, 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A little over two months later, he was gone.</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><p>I've been struggling to write this post for weeks. There was so much more to Dad than my words can convey: his sweetness, his stubbornness, his sense of fun, his delightful voice, his outspokenness, his loyalty, his courage, his stoicism, his devotion to duty, his sense of discipline, his determination, his vast and varied life experience, his astounding knowledge base (watching any WWII movie with Dad was an education in itself; he could point out everything that was right or wrong about the planes, ships, tanks, and armament).</p><p>Was he perfect? No. Did I agree with all his opinions, or approve of all his choices? Again, no. Did he sometimes drive me crazy? Yes (and I'm sure the feeling was mutual). Did he make mistakes when raising us? Absolutely. But somehow the failings and friction don't seem to matter any more. Only the love remains.</p><p>I knew when Dad moved to Wisconsin that any day could be his last, so I spent the last seven and a half years telling him I loved him. As I think back over his life, and ponder all that he was and did, I wish I had said more.</p><p>If I could talk to him right now, this is what I would say:</p><p>Thank you, Dad. Thank you for all your loving care for us over the years, for your service to God and country, and for passing on your Christian faith to your family and those around you.</p><p>Thank you for those summer Sunday afternoons at the beach when we were young, and for the family trips to Northern California. Thank you for teaching us to love water and mountains and forests. Thank you for scrimping and saving so you could take five kids to Disneyland once every two years. Thank you for teaching us to work for what we wanted.</p><p>Thank you for filling the house with books so that we could learn to love reading. Thank you for sharing your love of planes and trains with us; to this day we all look up whenever we hear an airplane fly over. Thank you for the <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2011/12/spreading-joy-part-2-under-tree.html">train layouts under the Christmas tree every year</a>, and even more for the <a href="https://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/2011/12/spreading-joy-part-3-goodly-heritage.html">family Bible readings on Christmas mornings</a>.</p><p>Thank you for holding my hand when I was little, for picking me up time and again when I fell, for letting me go when the time was right, and for always welcoming me back. Thank you for loving my husband as a son.</p><p>Thank you for graciously accepting the limitations of age, and for knowing when it was time to let your kids take charge. Thank you for trusting us.</p><p>Thank you for smiling at me through your pain when I held your hand in those final weeks. (I'm so sorry I didn't do that sooner, and more often. I hadn't realized how hungry you might be for a loving human touch.) Thank you for that last big hug, and those last loving words, when your strength was failing and your eyes growing dim, before you sank into the long sleep of your final days on earth. </p><p>I know that you're in Heaven, Dad, and strong and healthy once more. I know that I will see you again one day. But I love you and miss you right now. Thank you again, for everything.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQcSyrXjjrQ/YTvQy_rHqtI/AAAAAAAAbVY/6QwnaA_xMv0pIvKeSwTiosIjI5F5A9KIACPcBGAsYHg/s445/Staff%2BSergeant%2BDad%2BCalifornia%2B2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="334" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQcSyrXjjrQ/YTvQy_rHqtI/AAAAAAAAbVY/6QwnaA_xMv0pIvKeSwTiosIjI5F5A9KIACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/Staff%2BSergeant%2BDad%2BCalifornia%2B2009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p><p></p></div>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366775845290776474.post-60979608894261585322021-08-09T21:00:00.001-05:002021-08-09T21:00:41.085-05:00A Tale of Two Crashes<p>Just over two months ago, on the first Friday of June, Wisconsin was in the middle of a most un-June-like heat wave. I had spent the morning and early afternoon editing photos for a blog post, but knocked off to take a short ride before dinner. Near the end of the ride, on the outskirts of town, a dog jumped out from someone's yard. It ran next to the bike for a second or two, barking, then turned and ran into my front wheel, taking the bike down hard and me with it. The bike and I bounced and skidded into the opposite lane, and I got pretty banged up in the process. (The dog was fine. It trotted around in the road for a bit, then headed homewards.)</p><p>A friendly sheriff who was parked just up the road kindly called an ambulance for me, and notified Mr. M of the accident. I spent the evening in the ER getting cleaned up and stitched, talking cycling and bike-fitting with the doctor and nurse. X-rays showed no broken bones, according to the ER doctor. But a few painful weeks later, when I still couldn't walk without crutches, I visited a sports medicine doctor who diagnosed a broken pelvis. An MRI a couple of weeks after that showed that I actually had three fractures: two pelvic and one vertebral.</p><p>Now, nine weeks out, I've finally started walking without a crutch. My first solo efforts resembled those of a tipsy penguin, but my gait is slowly improving. The last of my bruises have faded, and much of the swelling is gone. I've just been cleared for physical therapy, and the doctor says I should be back on the bike by fall.</p><p>That is the tale of Crash Number One.</p><p>~</p><p>A few days after my bike accident, Mr. M ran some updates on my computer, whereupon it too crashed. After many valiant but futile efforts to access the data, he removed the hard drive and took it to a repair shop, where the technician was able to recover some of my files and photos.</p><p>I now have a new hard drive and a new operating system, but my computer is set up to be used standing, so (thanks to Crash Number One) I can't use it comfortably for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time. Over the last week, with Mr. M's help, I've begun re-loading programs onto it; when that's done, I'll start digging through the files that were saved from the wreck.</p><p>The most important files, like my patterns and book manuscript, were safely backed up elsewhere before the crash. Unfortunately, the drawing program I used for charts and illustrations was a legacy program that can't be recovered, and is no longer available for download, so none of my saved drawing files are accessible. This means I have a long road ahead of learning a new drawing program and reconstructing all my crochet symbol and in-progress chart files. On the bright side, it will be good exercise for my brain. :|</p><p>That is the tale of Crash Number Two.</p><p>~</p><p>In the middle of all this, my dad was hospitalized, and upon release, was enrolled in hospice. He has two terminal conditions, one of which is extremely painful and virtually untreatable. Please keep him in your prayers.</p><p>~</p><p>Gosh, this seems like a depressing post, but I don't mean it to be. I can't say I enjoyed being on crutches for two months, but being temporarily helpless has made me realize afresh what a great privilege it is to be healthy: to have the freedom and strength to walk around, or step outside whenever I want; to use the bathroom without help; to make a cup of tea and be able to carry it to the next room; to walk on my own without wobbling or hurting; to ride a bike. Some of those things I have regained, some are a work in progress, and some are still in the future, but I am so grateful for the hope of recovery.</p><p>I'm grateful too for decent (if sometimes fallible) medical care; for bones that knit and rebuild themselves; for the sure and certain hope of a new life and new body for my dad when his current body finally fails; for a computer capable of doing things that would have seemed miraculous a few decades ago; for a loving husband to help me through the good and bad times. And, not least, for good friends around the world.</p><p>Oh, and for the flowers in my yard, and a camera to capture their beauty:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFMqggGJl5s/YQhmyfycOiI/AAAAAAAAbSY/6Lxp59J2hfApdML7gq0oiJMPfR4HouXvQCPcBGAsYHg/s4242/2021-08-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4242" data-original-width="3771" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFMqggGJl5s/YQhmyfycOiI/AAAAAAAAbSY/6Lxp59J2hfApdML7gq0oiJMPfR4HouXvQCPcBGAsYHg/w568-h640/2021-08-02.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><p>I can't get to any wildflowers just yet, so am photographing the blossoms I can reach. :)</p><p>How are you? I hope the last two months have been kind to you.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</p>Mrs. Micawberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680436275934263596noreply@blogger.com14