Radiohead and Knitting

When this little guy isn't grabbing my attention, I'm able to work on a few projects during the week. I can't help it. He steals my heart everyday. I'm a sucker for Dexter's shenanigans. I swear when I sit down it's his cue- "Oh, you wanna play? me too!"

Mother came over for the holidays and I knit her some fingerless gloves. The pattern was given to me by my knitting guru Nancy Lange. It's a mock cable stitch thats simple, elegant and can be modified. I also knit a small infinity scarf during the holiday break for myself. So warm and squishy!  It's a basic seed stitch in a chunky light blue wool.

Ahhhh, knitting. 

The black and white picture is from Mt Hood Meadows. I took Drisana and her boyfriend Garrett up two weekends ago. Poor kids, it was a down pour and Drisana's first time snowboarding. They  were determined to stick it out and were drenched by the end of the day.  There are some die hard ski folks on that mountain. The parking lot was full before 9am. Nobody cared it was raining.  I sat in one of the cozy restaurants and knit the day away drinking a warm beverage. I was making a second pair of gloves for a teacher Abe works with.
 

Abe and I went over to the coast with our friends Doug and Alisha to watch the Ducks play. We hadn't been to the casino in quite some time. I definitely don't miss the smokey atmosphere.  I'm not a gambler, but we've got a couple penny slots we like to play. Don't laugh, yes the penny slots. Bah, they were gone and rotated out. Maybe for the best. We took a lil selfie in the banquet hall. I think it turned out pretty cute. My guy is handsome. LOVE the beard.

 Radiohead.  This is what I'm listening to today. *Sigh* . I'm a huge fan. I had heard of them some years ago, but never seemed to get around to listening to their albums until about 3 or 4 years ago.  You know "Creep" was popular, and maybe partly put them on the American map, but it's such a blip in their history.  Where had I been!?! I put them in my ears and I'm lost. I'm traveling in my mind and the rest of the globe. Going to places I long to be near. Places I'd forgotten about and dear memories I can't believe I forgot about. Let's not say forgot, more like filed away for safe keeping only to be released when I hear "All I need" . There is something about the experimental instrumentation that is so appealing. A symphony in my head.  It's like watching a great movie that moves you and when the credits role, you're left listening to the soundtrack pondering the theme and how it affected you personally. The music moves you in away that seems larger than ones self.  It's hard to describe, a feeling that goes deep within and forces you to travel. "Reckoner" , Johnny's electronic guitar solos, Deamers drums, Thom Yorke falsetto voice. I'm shuffling 4 older albums; In Rainbows, The Bends, Kid A and Ok Computer. They've  released a couple more under Radiohead in the last couple of years, very experimental. I like, but not attached yet. Thom also has Atoms for Peace which includes bassist Flea from Read Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead producer Nigel Goodrich,and R.E.M drummer Waronker. They don't relish the spot light, interviews or being trapped in one dimension. I think that's why they appeal to me.

They bring me back to my days listening to Portishead, The Smiths, The Smithereens, The Cure, Bjork, Talking Heads, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, Pixies, The Breeders, Jesus and Mary Chain, Depechmode, The Ramones, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order,Siouxsie and Banshees, Tears For Fears, Psychedelic furs, Pet Shop Boys, The Cult, Billy Idol, Adam Ant, Yaz, The Go-Go's, David Bowie. Did I lose you? I could go and on. You must watch, From the Basement, their live video album of In Rainbows.
Until next time...

Have a great day!!!!!!

To Jaron

Today's blog is dedicated to my wonderful brother -in law, Jaron Smith.

I met Jaron almost ten years in my little apartment for dinner one night when Abraham was courting me.  Immediately I knew he was a fabulous person, a great brother and was going to be a wonderful friend. Abe had already shared with me  some stories of them growing up and their many shenanigans from their small home town in Monroe, Oregon. Some of his stories reminded me a little bit of my brother Josh and I.  I knew I was going to love him. Abe and Jaron have had their ups and down like most brothers. Now as adults I see their friendship is an unbreakable bond. I'm not a super funny person. I have my moments, but I live vicariously through Abe and Jaron's humor. They have so much and more. He and Jaron have so many funny stories of growing up and filming their many adventures in their back forty ( haunted houses in the barn, adventures in the pond, stray animals, and more home movies, ha ! ).  I've had the privilege of watching some and get a kick out of their humor. These boys had some funny, scary, intriguing, wacky ideas about life and their futures. I'm so happy I get to witness their lives as adults but it would have been fun to know them as kids.  Jaron is exceptionally business savvy, a true entrepreneur , honest ,redicouslously good at decorating, loving , kind, witty, honest, encouraging, loves nature, farming, and animals. He loves The Wizard of Oz, let me repeat that, there is much love with this movie. I love The Wizard of Oz too. I played Dorothy and the good witch in the 6th grade . It's one of my most precious moments as a kid.  I'm happy to have someone who can relate to my obsession. He has great taste in food, movies, music and of course glasses. He's a true and sincere friend. Did I say he's a comedian? He is. I can see Jaron in Abe and vice versa. The vlogs ( video blogs) I've seen by phone between him and Abe are every bit funny the millionth time Abe shows to me. Priceless. Those are keepers. The Vines he and Drisana have done are hilarious. While he's the life of the party, he's got this soft, sappy side too.  Sentimental and loves to keep memorabilia. We both have a love of llamas and alpacas. Sometimes when I'm knitting I dream about one day being in Jaron's barn        ( he'll have some day) while he's tending to the animals, I'd be taking care of the alpacas and we could have a business selling their wool. I could spin it and make beautiful skeins of yarn. He has such a big heart for animals and has beautiful dogs and cats. 

This is just a glimpse of who Jaron is. When you get to meet him in person you'll just know your heart and life is going to be a little fuller. 

Jaron and Shane moved to Missouri a few years ago and I miss them both like crazy. I love all the pictures they post together of their many outings.   Shane, I love you. You are wonderful, I  love reading about your travel adventures on Facebook .  Your Jaron is de best. Treasure him, he loves you to pieces and I know you him. 

Jaron, you are a beautiful human being and a very loving soul. Thank you for being you . What a blessing you are to so many. You have filled apart of my life that I'll keep forever. I love you. 

Love always and forever,

Your sister, Jessica 

This and That

It's been a busy couple of work weeks, which included an incredibly fun trip to Seattle.

On Sunday,  Rebecca, Kathie, Cory, Kathy and Debra took me to Churchmouse on Bainbridge Island. It was a beautiful, sunny day to take a ferry ride.  When I walked through the doors, I think I held my breath for a moment. Actually, I know I did. Talk about sensory overload. I didn't know where to look first. My left, my right? the teas? Oh my!  I poured over every skein and touched each one. A candy shop for fiber lovers. I choose two patterns, Flora's Cap and Walking Rib Cowl and Muffler. These will be two nice projects going into the winter months.  1 skein of  Isager, a yummy Alpaca Merino to go with a beautiful baby pattern book called All you knit is love. We had a nice little lunch, ice cream at Mora's and of course there was plenty of time to knit on the ferry ride. It was just one of those days you didn't want to end. What a wonderful group of ladies who took a day too hang out with me and go to a luxurious yarn shop. This was a very special day, sprinkled with some firsts for me. 

Yesterday was Dexter's 2nd birthday and we celebrated with a pupcake,  Happy Birthday bone and some treats. He's a such sweet dog with a big personality.

 I usually take Dexter for a walk in the evening and weekends, but never take my phone. I started bringing it or my Nikon to take pictures along the way. I've been so caught up with work and daily life that I've put things I enjoy on the back-burner. No more. Health, and hobbies are just too important. I'm knitting, but not as much as I would like need to.  Writing and photography have always been my serenity.  How have I kept knitting ( Thank goodness!!) , but dropped the other two things? The mediums have so much cross-over. Knitting has become more than just a hobby though. For me it's tactile, visceral and so calming. Wooden needles in hand, touching ever so soft Alpaca and reading a pattern is incredible soothing and simply enjoyable.  It's funny how it only takes one "thing" to help reel us back in and remind us of forgotten love. We need those moments, people and places to remind of us our passions.  

Purple and Cream? Fingerless Gloves? 

Fall Socks? 

It's the start of a new week and almost the end of October already. The weather has changed in Eugene and it feels like a soup night. 

Today I made a spring mix salad with pecans, blue cheese, cranberries, and raspberries, tossed with a champagne dressing. Mmmm. 

I've got several knitting projects going and am being very indecisive on what I'm going to work on or try to finish. The wrap? Abe's hat? The Avery Cowl that I'm still having issues with? The HighClere Castle scarf? Hmm. so many choices. Maybe something new? You can never have too many things on the needles.  Ha! 

Almost there...

Today I fiddled around even more and figured out how to add more gadgets to my page, tabs on the top and connect them to my other sites, load pictures and mess around with fonts and what not. Whew!!!! I'm feeling pretty tech savvy right now. I still have a few more items to figure out but super excited to have gotten this far. Now the fun starts. How about a picture of my knitting books? I'm always on the prowl for more :) 

A little of this and that

The First day..

I did it! This is my very first blog and post. Still not sure how to set this up, but I'm super excited to learn. I can't wait to share my knitting and things that interest me with you all. That's all for tonight. This is just the beginning...