Hello.

Thank you, all of you, for all of your kind emails, comments and well wishes.  Anna Grace and I returned home on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.  I kept it together as best I could while in NC but "lost it" as I drove out of the drive way and headed to the airport.  I’m shocked that SF is gone, shocked at my reaction, just shocked in general.

My mother is doing remarkably well.  She’s just taking things day by day and overall is coping fairly well. 

We did not have a service. SF hated such things and always said he did not want a memorial of any kind.  We had him cremated but his request for no service left us wondering what to do with his ashes.  SF was a retired submarine guy from the US Navy.  Therefore, we’ve decided that we think this would’ve met with his approval.

I did a lot of knitting while I was gone but don’t have photos of that yet.  I made a dulaan hat and I’m almost finished with a pair of plain jane socks.  I’ll post proof at a later time.

In the past few days I have been dyeing roving.  And playing with my new carder that arrived while I was away (and I heart it very much!).

I have a lot to learn when it comes to dyeing things…. as will become painfully obvious in just a moment.

Corriedale in chartreuse.  I wanted it darker.  Didn’t get the formula right.  All of the things I dyed took the color unevenly.  Again… I have much to learn.  BUT, when you have a drum carder it doesn’t matter what color you end up with.  You can always turn it into something prettier.

This was a large amount of Chartruese and Gun Metal (which looks like purplish grey).  But, it all blended into green.  BUT, it was a very pretty dark green so I’ll call that a success and try to claim that I planned it that way.

Next up….. carding.  I had this roving that I bought over the summer.  I had 2 balls and I spun the first.  I liked the colors but I didn’t like them quite as well when I spun the stuff. Plus, the roving was hard to draft.  It may have been a tinge felted but only a tinge.  So, I originally thought I’d just fluff it up a bit with the carder.  Then it occurred to me that I could re-work the colors and make it into something I like better.

I may have gotten a bit carried away.  The top one I did today from some of the roving I dyed yesterday.  It has pretty greens with subtle yellows and blue/grey streaks. 

Way fun.

Well, Dana and I went to Happy Teriyaki for dinner tonight.  We had heard all about eating teriyaki but never had the adventure for ourselves.  The food was good but we are now both feeling a wee bit ill.  So, I think I better get going.  I’m singing in church tomorrow so I’m hoping this passes soon.  (no pun intended!)