Global Warming….Crisis or crap?

I just started reading Al Gore’s book “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH” in order to obtain some hard facts about global warming. It is something I have been meaning to do for quite a while and finally got myself into the library to check it out.
I am immediately struck by two things about this book that I do not like. First, the information is presented as a very emotional call to action. This is not a bad thing in itself; however, I prefer to be swayed by solid facts from well cited sources that lead to conclusion(s) that make sense.
Which leads me to my second complaint, where are all these “facts” coming from? Gore continually refers to scientific studies that are not cited by name or report or location for information. After running across several of these, I jumped to the back and looked for a source citation. I did not find one. I did find a long listing of acknowledgements for the pictures but no sources. I like to know where all this information comes from so I can read (or skim) some of these things myself and make my own decisions.
I will finish reading it and in the meantime will look for information on different theories so I can make up my own mind about the reality of global warming. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Long Time...No Blog....Again

For those of you who still check back occasionally to see if I have updated, try not to have a heart attack that there is actually a new posting. I was feeling a lot of guilt about not updating when I looked at the date of my last post. I then realized that my life went to hell in a hand basket shortly after the last post and it has taken some time to come back. Also, I am lazy and have a great tendency toward procrastination. We'll leave it at that.

Commitment and Action
I normally don't make resolutions for the New Year. I always ended up disappointed at my lack of ability to follow through. This year was a little different. My resolution for the year is to apply myself to commitment and action. This is vague enough that I can hash out the details of it as I go and specific enough that I can apply it to all areas of my life. Also, no self induced guilt at the end of the year because surely I will be able to point to at least one thing that I committed to and took action on! Look - I have already accomplished one thing by updating my blog post! Go me!!

In Knitting News
I noticed my last post was of Becca's (DD2) blanket. I am proud to report that I have since completed one for Kelsey (DD1) and one for my oldest nephew and have one on the needles for my other nephew! Sorry gang, no pictures of these handy. Suffice it to say that Kelsey's was a combination of solid turquoise stripes and variegated stripes and the nephews was all variegated in blue, black and white. Both made of the Yarn Bee (Hobby Lobby). I really prefer the variegated of this yarn, it is so much softer. It does wash up well and knits up fast on size 15 needles.

I still have a ton of projects on the needles. I will have to get Norm (DH) to bust out the camera and take pictures for me that he will spend a week playing with on Photoshop and then will deem them suitable for posting.

In Other News
I just finished reading Anthem by Ayn Rand. Very short but interesting. I love her books I have read Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and am thinking about reading them again here in the near future. I haven't had as much time as I would like to read lately. I have been listening to the Harry Potter series on CD as I work on nephew 2's blanket. I really enjoy the audio books because they force me to slow down and listen. When I read, I tend to read fast and sometimes miss details because I skim over them in a hurry to get to what happens next.

Norm and I went to American Gangster on Friday night. It was a long movie - about 2 1/2 hours. It was good but I have to remember to see the movie and then read the book - not the other way around or I tend to be more critical of the movie. As always, the book is much better.

Well, that's all for now. I will have knitting pictures for next week! Have a good week!

I'm back.....

After much encouragement (nagging) from people who actually read this blog (both of them) I am finally going to post and update. I have been knitting, reading and trying to get a schedule with the girl's back in school. It seems we are busy every night!

I do have some finished project pictures:

This is Becca's blanket made from Yarn Bee (Hobby Lobby) Frosting. I used size 15 needles and this went really quick. It is super warm and super soft! I am working on one for Kelsey in different colors. I will post it when I finish - probably in another couple of months!

Here is the tank I finished. Next time I will make it in a smaller size and leave out the bust short rows. It is made of Cascade Cotton (Quattro?) and is my first finished wearable piece (not counting scarves).

I am in the middle of several other project and have started a sock using the magic loop method. The needles are so tiny that I can only work on it in short sittings until my hands get stronger. I have more finished objects and will post those as soon as I buy batteries for my camera and can take pictures.

Short and sweet......but updated!!!!!

This is fun...

if you are an anal retentive goal setter. Actually, normal people might enjoy this also. A little background before the links so this all makes sense. Last summer I was at a loss for a good read and remembered when I was in college that there was a list of 100 books everyone should read. So I googled for the "top 100 books" and came across a website that had this list of novels. I also found a movie list, non fiction list and a sci-fi list! I printed off these lists and have been slowly but surely working my way through them. With a few exceptions, I have enjoyed all the ones I have read/watched so far. Some of the books have actually made me think to get through them! My brain was so excited to wake up and be challenged!
I digress. This morning I went in to get the link to post on my blog and found they have totally changed thier format. You can add lists and then check off what you have completed! It gives you a % for how much you have completed and an easy link to share your lists! This beats the heck out of putting it on a spreadsheet and tracking it that way! Normal people may not even have considered this as an option but I bet some of you will understand. Anyway, here are the links to what I am currently working on:


Part of the fun is to see what you have already read/watched. The other cool think about this website is that if the books cross over onto another list and you have it checked as read, it automatically checks it for you.

I am going back to play now!

Wishful Thinking

I can not believe it has been so long since I posted! I have no pictures today but offer this:

Top Ten Things I Would Do If I Won the Lottery

1 I would definitely quit my job. A lot of people say they would continue working. They are either lying or have no other interests. I have so many things I want to do and so little time to do them.

2 I would open a huge yarn shop with bright and beautiful yarn from floor to ceiling and every great accessory known to knitting! I would only hire people who loved to knit and then pay them enough that they could afford to work there. My job would be to travel the world fondling and ordering yarn!

3 I would travel (see above). The first places I would go include Southern France (for the beaches), Egypt (for the pyramids), Australia (because that is where hubby wants to go) and Hawaii (for the beaches and volcanoes).

4 I would give $1 million each to my family and close friends in an effort to ease any financial burdens and to allow them to pursue their dreams.

5 I would find the best and most compatible educator in the U.S. and hire them to tutor my children. They will have to enjoy travel!

6 I would buy 100 acres in the middle of Nowhere, USA and build a house complete with heated, in-ground swimming pool and a hot tub. It will have all the latest technology, a beautiful kitchen and lots of windows!

7 On my 100 acres, I would create a pet sanctuary. I would hire a full time veterinarian and people who loved to work with animals. I would take all the animals from the shelters that were about to be put down and pets that were going to be given up. I would offer free adoption and lifetime veterinarian care to all adopted pets.

8 I would set up a scholarship fund for non-traditional students that would allow working adults with a family to afford to go back to college and complete their degree.

9 I would become a business angel and invest in start up companies with potential, heart and passion.

10 I would knit more, read more and play more!

Long Time, No Blog

I keep putting off new posts because I wanted to add pictures. I finally took some tonight. First, I would like to introduce Oliver. He has been with our family for ten years. He decided to stay with us after the move from South Dakota to Oklahoma. His personality is pure cat. He tells us when he wants love, when he wants out and when we need to refill the cat food dish. We live to serve him.




Next comes my baby Zeus. He is the son I never had. This cat is all mine, he is a great lap cat and always comes to snuggle whenever I sit down. He will follow me all over the house waiting for me to sit and tries to encourage it as often as he can. He has been with the family for less than a year. I made the comment one weekend that I would love to have a lap cat for a change. Oliver can be so aloof and our other cat, Squeaker (to be introduced later), only has eyes for Norm. I came home from an outing with Kels and Norm had this little surprise for me. I have no idea how this cat knew that his destiny was to be my lap kitty, but he is fulfilling his role with perfection.

And now for the knitting pictures! (drum roll please)

Our first WIP is not getting much attention lately. I love this afghan and plan to have it finished by the time Oklahoma summer is over. Sometime in December (maybe).


Next on the needles is my summer tank. I had some misgivings with the short rows at the bottom, but with lots of encouragement, I managed to get past my anxiety and move on to the decreases and increases. More short rows are coming up but I think I am ready to appreciate what they will do for the shape and fit of the tank.
And last, for now, my future socks. They are not on the needles yet, but will be when I get bored with the tank and am ready to take on a new challenge.

That is all the excitement for tonight. My heart is racing and my hands are eager to get back to work on the tank!

Knitting Success

I acheived a knitting success this weekend! I have mastered (well, I can do) the seed stitch. It was driving me crazy! The concept is simple enough but the execution had me baffled. I simply took myself off to my room, posted a "Do Not Disturb" and proceeded to tackle the elusive stitch head on. It worked! I have completed the swatch for the afghan pattern that I want to do and will get with my other knitting buddy to make sure my gauge is going to work. Not bad for someone who has only been knitting for a month!

The weather has been absolutely miserable. Cold, sleet, ice. Yuck! I moved from South Dakota to get away from this. I guess I didn't get far enough south. Oh, well, it won't last for long. It did give me an excuse to stay in Saturday and knit!