Progress

 This is progress at a snail’s pace.  I started spinning this beautiful Masham dyed by Indigodragonfly before COVID19 when I was still teaching drop spinning.  I found it during the organizing of spinning baskets.  I decided it must be finished.  I spun it on 5 different drop spindles of the same weight by 3 different spindle makers.  Today I finally finished the first spin.  

Now to get it off the spindles to ply the 5 skeins.   

The spindles from left to right: 2 Foresters, 1 made by a midwestern maker, 2 Kurdants

Fly on the Wall

 This afternoon we went to a “juried” art show.  It was interesting to see what was actually acceptable to the group.  Since it was billed as a “Fine Arts Show” I personally expected something a little more upscale.  About 50 percent were truly artistic and had really nice work. Really one of a kind pieces with thoughtful consideration in to what and how the items were made.  

Then there was the “artist” who went to sip and paint workshops.  I say this because they all have a certain style to them.  A customer was trying to get his motivation behind the paintings.  They reply of it just came to me did not quite cut it with the potential buyer. The potential buyer started asking more in depth questions.  The “artist” was out of his depth and could only come up with it came to me.  In my humble opinion this did not reflect well on anyone.  There is always a plan for a project.  A note on a scrap of paper. A crude drawing. A photograph. A note on the phone.  Colors that are calling to you.  Unless of course you just like throwing buckets of paint on a very large canvas and call it modern art.  

Then there were the jewelry “designers” who bought partially pre made beads and added an earring fish hook.  I find it amazing that someone can do so little work and call it original.  Spend maybe fifty cents on parts and sell it for $45.00 or more.  I guess it’s what the market will bare. This takes away from the actual jewelry artist who hand craft each piece..often working for less per hour, but making beautiful one of a kind pieces.  

On the way out I over heard a buyer telling her shopping companion that she did not particularly need more jewelry.  Was not that fond of the piece. Here comes the, But the artist was nice and needed the money.  I will just give it away later.  No one has to know.  Really.  I just don’t know what to say   

I find it amazing what a group will do to fill its coffers. To string people along both the artists and the buyers.   They have to do better.  

On the bright side it was a nice day to walk around an outdoor mall.  

Out and About

 We got out today.  We headed down to the Kino Sports Complex for a Tucson Gem and Mineral event.  I did get 2 shorter silver chains for 2 pieces that John got for me on our last vacation.  I also found a little mounted stone to make into a stitch marker.  

What I did not find were any great deals like in the past.  Charms that used to go for 5 or 10 dollars a scoop of about 20 were at the low end $1.00 a piece today.  Thank you big oil for raising the shipping costs, thus the overall cost of everything.  

We found a new out door lunch spot. Seis on River Road off of Campbell.  They had a salad called a Rustic. I then added some squash and chicken.  I of course left off the salad dressing.  I could eat that salad a few times a week.  

*Edited to correct the restaurants name   

Something Different

 I am trying something different to try to change my perspective on life. I bought a journal today at Target, actually 2. I just could not decide which I liked better.  My goal before bed is to write down something positive that happened on that day.  I got the first entry in.  No, I will not be sharing most of them.  

I have got to climb out of my COVID19 burn out.  I have got to work my way safely out of isolation.  Maybe with an outdoor knitting or spinning group.  Unless the looms are smaller, it might be hard for outdoor weaving.  Even the smallest looms can be awkward to carry around.   Maybe just going to the park to knit or spin with a drop spindle might be in order.  

I am working on getting healthier and more active.  To be totally honest I don’t make my walking goal every day.  I came really close today, even adding a loop around Target before shopping today.  Although I did skip my favorite Starbucks tea and replaced it with a tangerine and cashews. They are about the same number of calories, but nutritionally the tangerine and cashews were a better choice.  No processed foods of any kind involved.  Everything in my life is about baby steps right now.  

Shopping Smaller

 Has anyone else ever noticed that when clothing goes on sale they always have many more options in the size you are not looking for? Yes, it was shopping for smaller size pants today.  So far it has seemed to hold that for every 5 percent weight loss from my original weight, I go down 1 pant size.  At least tops and dresses are much more flexible in sizes, so they get replaced less often.  Usually after about a 10% loss.

I guess I expected something a little different when I hit the 20% weight loss.  I was really not envisioning trudging through 2 different malls across town from each other trying on loads of pants and only coming home with 3 new pairs. Which means that I will be wearing more of my dresses and washing dark dress clothes more often.  In addition to being tired, sore and hungry.  

Let’s me explain the hungry part.  I no longer eat fast food.  That leaves out the mall food court.  In addition to that, I still do not eat indoors.  I always wear my mask inside.  I have yet to figure out a system where I can eat with my mask on.   So it was a quick packet of peanut butter and ice water in the car before I went shopping for dinner.  Yes, I keep a few packets of peanut butter in my purse for things like today.  Then it was home for a very late lunch.    

Tomorrow is almost here so TTFN. 

If you want to know my origins of TTFN you will just have to read When WeWere Very Young by A.A. Milne. A Fun fact. On January 1, 2022 the  original Winnie-the-Pooh series entered Public Domain.  Although Disney still holds rights to its versions of Winnie-the-Pooh.  

20 Percent

 This week I hit a milestone stone in my weight loss journey.  Since January of 2022 I have lost 20 percent of my total body weight.  My reward is going out to buy smaller pants.  I have also eliminated a lot of medication and cut the amount in half for 2 others.  

They say the first 20 percent is the easiest.  I still have more work to do.  Let’s see where I am next January.  

I am following the book “A Pound of Cure” available on Amazon.  I will not get a commission on any books sold. I just like the theory behind the lifestyle changes.  Please consult your medical professional if you want to follow this program.  Not every program is right for everyone.  

TTFN

The Award Goes To…

 The Award for Lack Luster Quality Control in a Mid Range yarn goes to Cascades Yarns, Eco Cloud.  For a mid range yarn going for $14.95 a skein when I bought it. I give this award in the spirit of everyone gets awards for everything now a days.  

Please note the store I bought it from is no longer in business.

 With a 75% failure rate. I bought 4 skeins for a shawl.  Only 1 skein had no breakage. It was stored in a plastic tub. There are no pets in my home. 

Let’s be clear about something up front.  The yarn industry standards allow for up to 5 knots per skein.  I only had 1 knot in the 4 skeins. Which is very good.  It exceeds industry standards. I am not sure of the industry standard for the number of loose strands of yarn allowed per skein.  I will have to look that up someday when I am not so frustrated. In my small sample it ranged from zero to 4. As seen in the picture below. 

This yarn gave my squirrel cage a hard time today. I have never seen yarn knot in the middle with my squirrel cage. I have never seen so many loose ends in a single project worth of yarn.  There should have been a total of 8 ends, instead ther were 26. Yikes. That averages out to 3 separate pieces per skein.  I even had pieces of yarn fall to the floor. I sure hope it knits better than it caked up.

I will spend a lot of time doing European joins so that I have less ends to weave in.  

Please be aware that this is my opinion of the yarn. I bought the yarn because it’s so soft and natural. If you have had a better experience with Cascades Yarns, Echo Clouds please be sure to tell them.