Well, I'm not 100% but I can talk for chunks of time now so that's a step in the right direction.

Kaylea of Chicago is our new Charm Winner for the Month of October. Debbie Brunner is the dyer responsible for these spectacular socks, and there was something else to put up here but I cannot for the life of me remember what it was.


See?
Still mushy in the brain.

OH!
Come see me on Facebook. I made a little group for us there and am trying to get a podcast player onto the apps page.

Today I chat with Madame Professor Elizabeth Klett about Romantic Poetry (that's capital R, not romantic--ain't nothing lovey-dovey about our poems today).




You can see more of my SOAR times at my other blog too.

Disclaimer:

I tried my best to eliminate the background noise in the interviews you'll hear. I found it easier to hear on headphones on my machine.
I hope it works for you too.

What you'll hear about: My Bag!

DeeDee's Racoon


Leslie and her fiber!Janel Laidman's Class (Chameleon Color Works!)


Jennie of the Lace and Upcoming Book

Handwoven, handspun bags.

Enchanting Juno, FiberGal, Amy at Knitty.com and the very first pattern I ever saw on her site (love--LOVE I tell you!).

And don't forget to pick up a NEW Haute Men of CraftLit T-shirt...I already have!

First, OUR WINNERS!

The September donors who will receive sock yarn from CheekyRedHead or a CraftLit charm from Jen Minnis Designs are:
Beverly of CT's name was drawn to receive Sock Yarn! (YAY! General rowdiness!)
and
Lauren of CA's name was drawn to receive the CraftLit charm! (Huzzah! Much rejoicing!)

We'll be getting those things out to you asap.

Today we end Tristan and Isolde (sob). We ALSO have a treat from Listener Jen Massey who recorded a retelling of Tristan and Isolde by Robin Williamson in a book called The Wise and Foolish Tongue.

We ALSO (o there's so much!) will soon have a series of Haute Men of CraftLit goodies, again, thanks to Jen Minnis—our resident artsy type, Erin, Dawn and the irrepressible Heidi—humor wordsmiths extraordinaré. Bless their talent!

And Kate, member of The Boogie Knights, singers of "Tristan The Knight So Brave"! I LOVE the member names on this page!

And next week...SOAR, then...Frankenstein!!!

I score a Weavette (Weave-It...Weavit?); CheekyRedHead makes some LOVELY sock yarn for you (if you donate in the month of September);Jen has charms for the September Donation Drawing as well.

This episode: Isolde floats (like small rocks or bits of wood) or doesn't burn like...not-a-witch..., Tristan finds a Fairy Dog, and then finds another Isolde!

The drama!

Next week is the end of ol' T&I...then on to The Romantics and Frankenstein!

Some...um...interesting crochet (thank you to Dawn for sending the link); welcome to our new sponsor, Knitting Out Loud; a new LYS opens here; what's up with the Weavettes?!; a little info on the insular Celtic languages (thank you Cheeky!); and if you have Nyquil, please send it.

And, of course, don't forget to donate during the last months of the year! You'll be entered in the drawing for the Jen Minnis charms (check out her website button the on the right!) and also SOCK YARN from CheekyRedhead! (It's like buttah.)

I learn more from the best source--that would be YOU.

So here are the cool links: the mag that likes us, the improvement on creating knitting graph paper, Tristan's Leap, and an artist's rendition of the same, Glastonbury, it's Abbey and history, and some of the Arthurian accouterments, and I forgot to mention a blog to watch and a piece of knitting that is as spectacular as it is ingenious.

And, of course, your Liminal Space.

Today we learn a bit from our very own Medieval Scholar, take a look at the Tristan Stone, draw as though we know what we're doing, check out a sock calculator and learn the dimensions to create knitting graph paper on Excel (that would be column width 0.1" and row height .067").

Don't forget to take a gander at the gorgeous pieces Jen created! And another good Arthur/Tristan-y book: White Raven by Diana L. Paxson. OH! And check out who's on our t-shirt heels!!

And some fibery-luvvins from Sandra--her new babies:

Fun music for you (lyrics too!), a crafty article for you that you simply won't believe! (Thank you to Winglake.)

The next two Tristan stories (we're getting to the lovey-dovey stuff...don't worry!) for today, "The Morholt" and "The Quest for the Lady with the Hair of Gold".

And, a new T-Shirt?

I Want Me Some Medieval Hottie!

My Lords, if you would hear a high tale of love and of death, here is that of Tristan and Queen Isolde (Iseult), how to their full joy, but to their sorrow also, they loved each other and how at last they died of that love together upon one day, she by him, and he by her.

By Joseph Bedier

Translated by H. Belocq

Some art to inspire you...




And I think you'll want this information (click to expand it)...


Which I'm borrowing from this lovely site that you may want to visit. Not too shabby!

First, once again, HUGE thanks to Julie who allowed me a much needed period of rest last week before the madness began again this week. I hope y'all scoot over to listen to Forgotten Classics too! (That Heyer woman is a hoot!)

Things I rambled about: Kohlberg's Morality Stages (I mentioned this before, right? It's soooo kewl!), anaphora, Iago.

And next...Tristan and Isolde! The High Drama of Chivalric Romance Will Commence!

BUT WAIT!
There's More!

Julie, our guest host, had this to say about 300:

Now, about 300. It is NOT like the Terminator movies. For one thing the photography is a thing of beauty even if you don't like the movie. For another, yes there is a lot of shouting and sword fighting but the emphasis is on love of a husband and wife for each other, for their family, their city, their country and their culture. Drawn in broad terms, granted, but we ARE talking about Spartans here. Not a lot of subtlety. As well as the comic book version. Also not known for subtlety.

However, when we began watching it, it was clear that this movie was being drawn in heroic, epic terms. That made me instantly think of how the Spartans themselves would have thought and told the story ... in fact, the story is being told by a Spartan. Watching the whole movie as being seen through their eyes made the movie entirely enjoyable for me, as well as those themes mentioned above.

Heavens, look at how much I wrote. Not that I'm passionately defending it or anything! :-D

So!
I stand corrected...and definitely intrigued!

I'm on Vacation, but here are links Julie mentioned for y'all:

Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
(yes, I said Barbara Walker and I was so very WRONG!)

Cables Untangled
(see the cover? THAT'S the afghan I'm knitting for Rose)

LOST Reading Project: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen

Forgotten Classics

And...for reasons I'm not aware of...iTunes and Windows Media Player hates our Audacity file. I'll fill you in on why I can't fix it pronto this Wednesday. However, the player on the Craftlit.blogspot.com site is working well...so...listen there if you can, and I'll fix the problem asap.

Not to get all Biblical on you, but Becky and I were exchanging verses. Check out Psalms 90:17 and Proverbs 31:10+.

That's right! You go, Girl!

A little Joan



A little Whangdoodle

And the Girl from Auntie hypotenuse thingy.

And don't forget to download Episode 64a, which contains the third chapter for this 'cast--another one you would have killed me for not getting to. Never say I don't take your feelings to heart.

Some of the books they recommended: Scott Spencer's Endless Love and Men In Black, Russell Banks' Continental Drift, and Tom and Dan's Macho Meditations (Oh go buy a copy. Make them feel better.) And don't forget to stock up on War and Peace.

And, as a goofy bonus: the Fifty Best Movie Robots (according to other people, not me).

I race through and opening and a closing to bring you two huge chapters. Why? Because—honestly—if I didn't, you'd kill me...we're SO close!

To stave off your appetite until next week, you can watch
this goofy movie. Before there was a Blazing Saddle...before Frankenstein was Young...there were...The Corsican Brothers.

Here's the car with a clutch.

And here's Frank's Diner. And the Aurora Forum (search for "Jefferson") thingy.

And today!?
ANDY MINTER!

Sorry about the stereo kicking in and out. I have NO idea what's going on...but I'm working on it.

A VERY BELATED congratulations to Teresa and Rachael for their Knitting Nightmares. If you're interested in a look-see, you can view the Knitty pattern Teresa used, Blaze and here's a pic of the completed...item.

Looks good NOW, no?

Getting close to the end of the book! Only eight more chapters! When you get on Ravelry, look up the Craftlit group and join us.

I come back to earth after my

Tonight we begin book three.
Tomorrow I conduct a new (surprise) interview. You'll not believe who...

I'm starting a blogroll of supporter/subscribers, so if you've sent in a donation and have a blog, please let me know so I can link to it!

I fight (and beat?) the specter of grammar education—and exhaust my wussy self in the process!

Ooh, and go here to see a Dragoon. NICE uniform! Here's David Brin's Earth. Some wild art for you!

And just a little quote to compare someone we all know with the French Revolution:

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Heather has a close encounter with the OED, some frustrating times getting SAWPed, makes progress on a Clapotis, regresses on a warp, and falls in love (all over again) with Jane Eyre. Thanks to Becky (my Bastille Babe), Tikabelle, Irish Clover, Paper, Knitting2Relax, Teresa (my doppelganger), Heidi, and Julie--don't forget to swing by her Podcast!

Next week--should all go according to plan--another bonus interview for you and (finally) the Knitting Disaster Essays! (There's still room for more! Send 'em in!)

And again, many thanks for your donations and support. Especially now when I'm not-quite-so-gainfully-employed, it's a blessing.

Bach's Goldberg Variations, writers are fun to hang out with, but you're afraid of our competition, My first Odeo! Looking for a dime and trying not to be a martyr. (Now you'll have to listen. That won't make any sense otherwise!)

Disclaimer for this week's episode below.

Get your pattern in the Knitting Pattern-a-day Calendar* and go check out Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... a really scary article Teresa sent in, To be or not to be? At U.S. colleges, it's increasingly 'not' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Other Views

OH! I forgot to say on the 'Cast--there's still one knitting book out there just waiting for a knitting disaster story. I have two...will you be the third?! Send 'em in. Don't be shy!

Oh, and Chapters 21 and 22 of Book the Second! But, sadly, no Chip or Andy...not this week. They'll be back though. Promise!

Don't forget to check out Julie's podcast!

*The 411: $500 will be awarded as First place for both calendars; there are also 2nd and 3rd place prizes; and all contributors whose patterns are used will receive a 2009 calendar. Please go to our website at http://www.knittingpatternaday.com and learn more about the submission requirements and our contest. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will gladly answer your questions. You can also download the informational PDF if you're interested.
Good luck--and let me know if you win!!!

Disclaimer:
The "teacher as martyr" reference comes from an article I read years ago--and an idea that's still being discussed--that teachers are only "allowed" to fall into two categories: martyrs and saints. It went on to say that in any other profession this would be unacceptable, but that for some reason, teachers tend to work (and work well) within those confines. Which means when they no longer have the time or energy to be either, they have to quit. I am not saying that all teachers are martyrs, just that there are some (myself included) who fit that category. There are others (rarely ELA teachers) who manage to have a life and be a teacher. I could never find the balance. Follow up with this entry from Michael Fullan's book, Change Forces.

With love to my family and especially my sons who remind me often that they are my very best things.

I get a little verklempt about Ovid as Theatre.

Today, a little rambling, what I'll do with the start of my "summer vacation", the return of Andy and Chip! (Did I tell you I wrote fan mail to Chip? He didn't write back. My heart is broken.)

Chapters 18, 19, and 20 of Book The Second...we're closing in on that revolution, folks!

And, um...weaving too.

Like I needed another pastime...

Begging for a knitted farm.
And did I tell you about this fantastic book?!

And, finally, I have to share my Sock Yarn Love from Katie's store (this is Desert Olive and Sincerity in the Juliet yarn, 75% superwash and 25% nylon...and it's so soft you'll wonder where they hid the nylon...). Yay Katie!




And a belated thank you to Rachael who dyed some sock yarn for me--gorgeous Kool Aid colors! MORE SOCKS! Whoo hoo! (And Rachael, if your DH convinces you to come to AZ--and you should...it's a dry heat--be sure to let me know when and where!)

And the essay I refer to in the 'Cast.

Don't forget. If you want a copy of When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters you have to send me your most outrageous knitting horror story. My sister and husband--impartial to the intricacies of knitting and your names, but very good writers--will pick the three best for me to read on the next episode, and those three lucky folks will receive their own copy. Gratis! (You can thank the publishing company.)

Soon (I hope) I'll post an interview with Jessica of Ravelry.com--a new website for knitters and crocheters which is in Beta now. You can sign up on the waiting list, though. And, um...you'll probably want to.

But don't let the definition make your head hurt--notice the odd little usage overlap below? Ow!




And, because I'm still an English Teacher at heart:


A little art to make you think...

Debra sent in a "convergence of art, science, and craft." Really. Pics here.

"HoyaGirl" left a message I couldn't reply to asked if she should go ahead and start the paperwork for her Clear Credential. My thoughts: It's never too early to start banging your head against the bureaucratic wall that is Public Education--it's a noble sort of calling that I'm proud to call my own.

My former student Anahad, and my Sister have BOTH released books this month!

And an amazing bird for you and a huge elephant seal!

Show notes for 52 and 53 are jumbled in here.
Sorry 'bout that...

WWMDfK?
I'll tell you what!
Check this out--thank you Jenna!

Don't forget to visit ShopYarnLove! New yarns coming soon! Nummy! And grab a t-shirt while you're at it!

Updates on Turning Forty (yeah, it's in caps) and how much I miss The Met.


Koigu!
On Sale!
My wonderful Daddy!

Hope you caught the interview with Adina Klein from Knit1 we got in on the get-out-the-word event for their new "Green" issue (seriously, NAYY, you should pick this one up--even if you don't knit). Can I tell you how excited (read: terrified) I was?

A badger for a Swap Buddy and more on that on my regular blog.



My Goofy (see the fifth comment) Sister. (And Cool Rosslyn Church Info and video!)

When Knitters Come Unhinged. (Dark Lord? Cute?)

Anything in your life feel like a circle of hell? Take a look at The Onion. I loved this and found it again recently when emailing with a listener. Clevah!

For you Golden Compass Fans�My Dæmon (and my fear of "children in peril):

I think you can click there or here and either agree or disagree with it's shape--then watch it transform.

And, never least!
An Episode Fifty-two link to Becky's work at Librivox. Without here, I kid you not, you'd all be sitting there this week saying, "HUH?! WHA???". Bless you Becky, for saving our ears! I'll play you out with her rendition of "The Tuft of Flowers" by Robert Frost. Her fave.

Show notes for 52 and 53 are jumbled in here.
Sorry 'bout that...

WWMDfK?
I'll tell you what!
Check this out--thank you Jenna!

Don't forget to visit ShopYarnLove! New yarns coming soon! Nummy! And grab a t-shirt while you're at it!

Updates on Turning Forty (yeah, it's in caps) and how much I miss The Met.


Koigu!
On Sale!
My wonderful Daddy!

Hope you caught the interview with Adina Klein from Knit1 we got in on the get-out-the-word event for their new "Green" issue (seriously, NAYY, you should pick this one up--even if you don't knit). Can I tell you how excited (read: terrified) I was?

A badger for a Swap Buddy and more on that on my regular blog.



My Goofy (see the fifth comment) Sister. (And Cool Rosslyn Church Info and video!)

When Knitters Come Unhinged. (Dark Lord? Cute?)

Anything in your life feel like a circle of hell? Take a look at The Onion. I loved this and found it again recently when emailing with a listener. Clevah!

For you Golden Compass Fans�My Dæmon (and my fear of "children in peril):

I think you can click there or here and either agree or disagree with it's shape--then watch it transform.

And, never least!
An Episode Fifty-two link to Becky's work at Librivox. Without here, I kid you not, you'd all be sitting there this week saying, "HUH?! WHA???". Bless you Becky, for saving our ears! I'll play you out with her rendition of "The Tuft of Flowers" by Robert Frost. Her fave.

Hey, do me a favor, wouldja? Click on that Popcurrent thingy in the right margin (here if you're looking at Libsyn).

And take a look at this very useful sock page (I know...am I obsessed?).

I'm freaking people out with my Hufflepuff Sock (What is that...a BADGER?!). Spinning a buncha llama, in public no less. Trying not to lose my mind when I go for a week at a time without talking to another adult. And being very sad over losing Vera.

Take a look here for help on French Titles. And enjoy Book 2, Chapter IX, The Gorgon's Head.

I'm about to head out to see the oral surgeon AGAIN. My mouth is still stuffed with gauze and my head is stuffed iwth Vicodan (which, sadly, ain't workin' too well).

So.
Today it's just the chapters. I'm sorry about that, but I'll post what tidbits I can here. And, honestly, you wouldn't be able to understand me talk about these chapters a sadder note, my friend Jeannie Townsend (of sock creating fame) who has given away literally thousands of sock patterns for free, is now supporting son and grandson (this would be the third grandchild she and her DH are raising!!). She is now trying to pay the light bill by selling a sock pattern. She's able to accept PayPal for $5 to JeanTownsend [at] earthlink [dot] net. Let her know in the note line that you'd like the Gold Sock Pattern.
She also donated a sock pattern which now comes free with the purchase of yarn from the Astrid Dutch Obsessions web site.

Some interesting info from Sandi (who, like me, should take up a collection for an OED):

I was just listening to episode 48, and I was curious about the last line in Congratulatory, which describes the winding sheet of the candle dripping onto Carton's sleeve. I got that it's an obvious omen of death, but I just couldn't wrap my head around how it would be possible to combine a burial shroud and a candle. So, I did a little internet searching and found this explanation:

[a] mass of solidified drippings of grease clinging to the side of a candle, resembling a sheet folded in creases, and regarded in popular superstition as an omen of death or calamity (OED).

Apparently, in Scottish tradition the same association is made between candle drippings and death:

"The common tallow candle in burning often gutters, and the tallow runs over the edge and down the side of the candle. It soon hardens. When the flame consumes the candle, at times the little column formed by the gutter is left standing unconsumed on the edge of the candle. It is called a "coffin-spehl," and is looked upon with suspicion as portending a death in the family at no very distant period."

Based on those two bits of folklore, I'm guessing that there is an association between candle drippings and burial shrouds because: a) the creased wax simply resembles the cloth of a shroud, and b) this creased wax is what remains of the candle after the flame has burnt out, the extinguishing of light, of course, being symbolic of death.

And then, there's today's chapters, Book 2, chapters 6, 7, 8.


Chapter 6: All About Foreshadowing--really. Nothing should be taken for mere "filler" in this chapter. Miss Pross and Mister Lorry are lovely here, and Lucie, you may notice, is in fact the "Golden Thread" that improves all it touches throughout the book. She's almost an archetype--certainly not a 'real' woman, but an important tool that Dickens is using in the book.

Chapter 7: Back to France. Pay close, close attention here. We get a little Madame Defarge here (I wonder what she'd knit?) and while this whole chapter reads like it's an extended metaphor or symbol or grand allegorical moment--it's not. Well...it doesn't hurt to see it that way, but sadly, these guys are real.
This is an ugly chapter, meant to parallel the earlier chapter of the wine cask breaking in the streets. Dickens may not like what the mob is up to, but he has no love of the aristocracy either (remember, he wasn't born rich himself).
As always with Dickens, whenever he gives you a physical description--listen closely. It's a representative of the person's soul. And speaking of souls, listen for the corruption of these men's relationship with God.

Some words for this chapter:
escutcheon the shield of a family crest.

"the merry Stuart who sold it" That was Charles II.

Convulsionists Um...think "Holy Rollers," an ecstatic religious group

Palace of the Tuileries Louis and Marie-Antoinette's digs in Paris.

Chapter 8: Lovely guy, eh? Note more red symbolism. And WHO exactly is coming to call at the end of the chapter? Hmmmm?

Some words here:
the heavy drag a carriage brake

the chase the hunt

the chain of the shoe chain connected to the brake (shoe)

And then, of course, my heart goes out to the poor students and families at Virginia Tech. I'd like to think that this finally will get us to deal with mental illness responsibly...but I think I know us too well at this point. We'll treat this guy like a freak, and the next time a teacher comes forward and says, "I have a kid in my class who needs help." that teacher will be told:
a) if he hasn't made a threat, there's nothing we can do
b) you're blowing this all out of proportion
c) you're white and he's (fill in the color) and everyone'll just think you're racist
d) we can't lock someone up for something they might do
e) look, they're just kids. They say dumb things.

And the kids who need help will continue to go it alone.

Makes me cry.

And So It Goes...
I recorded last night and woke up today to find that Kurt Vonnegut
passed away last night. It's like my own personal Mark Twain died. So sad.

I started reading Vonnegut when I was in fifth grade. My parents let me read almost all of his books (except Player Piano) and I literally wolfed them down--most of them I've reread at some point. He wrote a two page "how to write" flyer that I THINK is still in my box of "school junk". Brilliant.
I'm so sorry he's not public domain. We wont be able to listen to him here, but I so deeply urge you to pick up something he wrote. Slaughterhouse Five (riffs on his experiences IN a Dresden meat locker (!) during our (secret) WWII bombing campaign) or Cat's Cradle (riffs on life, the universe, and everything) are good places to start.
"See?...no damn cat...no damn cradle..."

Back to Craftlit:

I am sad about Vera; don't forget your shirt; check out some neat yarn stores (now and pending) I came across; a cool thimble; nifty blogs to read; a Knitty Coffeeshop (no really); a knitalong for this (which I covet); and more on the mysterious "Hilary Term".

We have a SHIRT!


Take pics of yo' bad self in a shirt and send the pics to me! I'll post them on the blog...just don't expect one of me on that new glass walk-way over the Grand Canyon !

And, please visit to support Katie who has "shirted" us.












And Carrie left this note:

More random information for you - the Bedlam mental hospital in London still exists - it is now a building called Salisbury House off London Wall and Finsbury Circus in central London and houses several law firms' offices among other things including the London office of the company I work for! (you might say not much change there then!). Although the office parts have been altered and updated the stairwells are still much as I imagine they always have been complete with tiled walls and it is a very strange mixture of a building to walk around in.

My First Sock-Swap (or, Just Call Me Sucker).

And who wouldn't want a Ron Weasley Cell Phone Cover?

And, FUN!

"With over a million hits to StitchNPitch.com in its first few months, we knew this program was going to be something special," Patty Parrish, Executive Director of TNNA, explains. "Stitch N' Pitch is sweeping the Nation. The response from baseball Clubs, the needlearts industry and fans is overwhelming. Stitch N' Pitch creates a unique and fun environment for families, singles, couples, old, young, kids, women and yes, even men!"

Watch carefully and you might "catch" a knitting contest, team mascots wearing handmade colorful scarves, images of men knitting, counted cross-stitch frames, teaching tables full of children learning how to needlepoint, a Ceremonial 1st Pitch with a ball of yarn and so much more!! Special Stitch N' Pitch gift bags, giveaways and surprises will round out each fantastic event. Local needlearts retailers, wholesalers, guilds and groups will come by car, bus and train to be a part of this new American phenomenon - Stitch N' Pitch!

Enter Creative & Fun Contest - Just for the Fans!!
CRAFT Magazine's Stitch N' Pitch Contest! The contest is open to everyone to enter in their own baseball theme craft in the categories of knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and embroidery. The contest kicks-off on April 4th with the deadline for submissions on May 31st.

And, as a way to date myself, you really should take a look at The Battle of the Bands (some graphic images, not for kids).

I've cleaned up the craft room!
Can I get an "Amen"?

And I've got more Chip for you today!

And I've got a lot of cooking to do! Good thing that deadline is past!

We weigh in on Mdm. DeF's knitting choices, Cast on for Kenya, and generally enjoy some more Dickens!

NOTE: There may be the same problem with this week's file. Try downloading again...sorry!

The Kenya Info:

HIV positive children in Kenya need
blankets to keep them warm at night and to keep fever at bay, and
also simply to have a soft, comforting object of their very own.
These children own almost nothing, and a blanket handmade with care
especially for them would show them that someone, even someone very
far away, cares.

This blanket drive is part of the Slum Doctor Program, a grassroots
organization whose mission is "to lift the burden of despair for
people impacted by AIDS in Africa by providing hope, medicine, food,
education, and dignity." For more information visit
slumdoctor.wordpress.com. We're asking that blankets be made of a natural fiber or high quality acrylic, so they will be easy to keep clean, and that they be sized for children ages 0-8. We're also
asking that if you do plan to cast on for Kenya, you email
slumdoctor@gmail.com. The blankets will be brought to Kenya by
volunteers, and they need to have an estimate of how many they will
be carrying with them. The deadline for donations is June 15th.
Finished blankets should be sent to the Slum Doctor Program, P.O. Box
2156, Bellingham, WA 98227-2156.

Gotta love the old OED. If only I could afford one...


In my quest for a Parisian/Dickensian map, I found this, and this, and this, but no map that would help us much.

But I did find the links to two video versions: the better reviewed of the two—GO CHRIS SARANDON (he's more than just a Humperdink!); and
this one which didn't get panned, but...well...BOO Bad hair miniseries!

Your challenge! WWMDK?
I feel a Cafe Press T-shirt coming on...don't you?
Wouldn't this be handsome?

With a big:
What Would Madame Defarge Knit?
blazing underneath?

And me?
I knit socks.




Even in line at a theme park.

And I think I may have to get a Weavette. Bad Heather.

WWMDfK?
O how I want a bumper sticker!

And hey--ANDY MINTER! What a mensch, eh?

I belive I promised you links to Antioch Univeristy, MicroRevolt and the KnitPro doohicky, and Heavenly Creatures.

And now? Off to La Disneylandia!

O how many different ways can I bring you joy? Really, only one way:
To bring Chip (Mister Sleepy Hollow to you) back as a reader.
Today BOTH chapters are his.

Love!

Happily my husband's not even jealous...maybe because I've not told him.

Hmmmm...

Little else to show for myself this week, unless you want me to upload some of the curriculum I'm on deadline for?
No?
I have no idea why!

Erqsome (who I think has the most kickin' email address I've seen) sent some great Dickensian links for us to enjoy.

A Finnish site.
A UCSC site.
An INCREDIBLE map page (must see!).
And the ToTC companion page to the map.

Things I had to cut:

Perhaps the coolest thing to come off of my SnB callendar EVER.

My son's gonna be on this! (but we have no idea when...)

And just 'cuz I'm feelin' it...I love these guys...

You'll need to know a few things, like...

What's a blunderbuss?

This, this is a blunderbuss.

This is Chuck.



Who was Mrs. Southcott?
She was an English spiritualist.

What was the Cock-Lane Ghost?
One of the first ever psychic scams. Read about it. You'll find MANY different versions on the web.

This is the issue of Spin-Off that I need two bloody pages from...here's the Sock thing from Stasia which I thought was very helpful. Check out Pandora and Last.fm

And in both the "any publicity is good publicity" and the "I've never heard of an idea so dangerous it couldn't be talked about" departments: the Librarians have lost their minds! Anyone remember Are You There God? It's Me Margaret? Anyone? Anyone?

And if you have the travel bug:
West Coast Folks. East Coast Folks.
Fun!

And don't forget: WWMDFK?
(What Would Madame DeFarge Knit?)

Think on't.

Thanks to our readers Michael Sirois and Kara Shalinberg.

And, finally:
Spinneret's cogent and I think important note on "Screw":

From various sources -
As in England, early lawmakers in this country adopted 10 as the age of consent.
The age of consent in England was raised from 12 (which is what it was when James was born in 1843) to 13 in 1875 and then to 16 in 1886.
The Factory Act from 1844 reduced the hours of work for children between 8 and 13 to six and a half a day, either in the morning or afternoon, no child being allowed to work in both on the same day, except on alternate days, and then only for ten hours
The Factory Act, 1891 raising the minimum age at which a child can be set to work from ten to eleven.
So the perspective on children was a little different at that point, T.O.T.S. (funny that) being published in 1898. Accepting that these children are not from the working class they still would not have fallen under the societal view as young innocents.
Thanks for the great read.

A shout out to SyrenMuse who sent me the link to the Little House on the Praire DVD! Who knew! ABC was such a punk when I asked them nicely if they'd be releasing it. I had no idea they listened to me! Maybe your library will have it...

This week we end with our American Regional writers, Sarah Orne Jewett, 1849-1909,
though we won't be listening to her best-known book, The Country of the Pointed Firs. Instead we'll hear her short story, "The White Heron" written in 1886-ish.

And thanks too, to WingLake who sent this explanatory article, and this amazingly cool site that I've signed up for! I think I'll be leaving some wrist warmers and water colors at undisclosed locations around the Old Pueblo. You?


Rhinebeck Plans...it's never too early to make a date with fiber. And it's never too late to save a little bit of your own personal environment (not to mention cash...which you can then spend on fiber...).

Next week we'll start our new novel
(drum roll...how appropriate!)
A Tale of Two Cities.

With apologies to Mr. Piccone (my freshman year English teacher).

A knitting font (and amazing celtic knot weaving pattern to boot!), another knitting font (can you ever really have too many?), a phenomenal You Tube addition, and a reminder to read Spindlicity (hey Janel!)

Regionalism!
America!

"oooooooh beautiful, for spacious skies..."

(I can't think of that without hearing Fozzy Bear say "patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bear!" as he does after singing that song on The Muppet Movie soundtrack.)

Twain --boy do I love him--who is an appropriate precursor to our next novellist (I think).

Teresa in Scotland (Go Clan MacPhearson!) wanted me to pass on these links to you:
first, two mosquito attacking SAFE products. She recommends a leave-on product rather than a soap or shampoo...especially for people like me who are Mosquito Magnets.

And second, a new soysilk site. Mmmmmmm...extruded protein! Love it!

Having finished with Henry James, I thought we needed a REAL woman to freshen our pallette...Calamity Jane.


Not so much Doris.








Don't know if you've watched Deadwood (NOT for sensitive ears!), but it at least started out close to accurate as far as I can tell. My son and I got to see Wild Bill and Jane's graves








when we drove through there in early August. We ate where Bill was killed by Jack McCall--which sounds more morbid than it is...he was killed in the poker room of a saloon. They stage reenactments of his murder every night, I think.

Jane was quite something.



CHEERS!





And here in the "costume" of her sex.




I'm sorry it's a guy reading the autobiography, but it's still amazing to hear her own words. She was one tough cookie. And while she has the reputation for being, um...not the most attractive woman of her time, I think she was actually a rather handsome woman--far less...weathered than I would have imagined for one of Custer's scouts.









And then a little Bret Harte






For some more local color and American Realism. Let's bring ourselves back from the mannered Victorian brink into a little good old American...Puritanism? Victorianism?
Ah...
When everyone knew their place...

And then some really cool links sent by really cool listeners like Spider_Knit who sent me the Library Thing and Dawn who sent the Purlescence Storytellers Challenge and PeaceFleece! Whoo hoo!

WARNING: Some of you were good enough to let me know pronto that there was a problem with the file. I fixed the glitch in the audio file and replaced it, but not before some podcatchers downloaded it. Sorry about that. If you re-download you should be fine. Many apologies!

Some things you didn't hear me talk about; some things you did. And the end of the book!
The Librarian's Lament (don't you loathe hearing, "yeah, that's just your opinion..." when someone says something like, "the world isn't flat!"), and a killer library.

Some things to do in the spring to help make the world a less polluted place...why can't they just make a kit!?!

A Manifesto I can get behind.

Freaky shark!

Buy yarn here for the rest of January (in case you hadn't seen the Yarn Harlot's post--it's #5). And Teresa sent this link which tempted her even though she doesn't knit (Hey, Teresa, check out the Winter Spin-Off for some embroidery ideas! You could hookup with a spinner/felter/knitter!)

My sister has asked me to knit her a special hat. Sadly, the pdf of the pattern is AWOL so I may have to begin my first adventure in faking a pattern. Whoo hoo!

A list of courses Ruth alerted me to can be found here. No college credit, but MY! MY! look at the listings!

And, of course, next week (if I'm available) we'll hear some short stories while we decide what to read next!

First: Chapters 18-19-20!

Second: Stephanie Pearl McPhee's SOAR interview.
Whoo hoo!

And the rest: Sock Darning.
Nuff said.

And worth mentioning again--the best Toe-Up cast-on in the WORLD! in my deeply biased opinion...

Here's the article on the Ladies in Phoenix, knitting for the good of others...and themselves.

And, from Julie: The Sci Phi Show--another philosophy podcast. Predictably enough the podcaster uses science fiction to launch each subject discussion.

And Julie also wrote: since you've been into Weird Al Yankovich you might enjoy the novelty songs featured on the most recent Geek Survival Guide. The podcast is about 15 minutes long and the songs are fun.

And Debra's Tallit with accompanying planning information:

the bottom border was instinct with some Jewish numerology thrown in; the neckband was charted but also adapted the little "entry motif" before the zig-zag. I used a lot of combinations of 7 (Sam's birthday - 7/7/94, born at 10:10 a.m., and his bar mitzvah is 7/7/07 in the Western world) and C'hai - so there are 18 stitches in the zig-zag repeat, and I'll do 9 of them, which makes 18 of the triangles....

And where she got the Qiviut:

The yarn in the tallit is qiviut, which I found not in Alaska where I grew up, but online from Caryll's Designs.

And...the (unblocked) neverending cable. This is a side view of the (did I mention unblocked?) hood. The color actually came out pretty close to true on this one. Go figure!

Today, Chapters 15, 16 AND 17!
WHOO HOO!

Today I have some fun silkworm links, some pretty pics of the Pysanky eggs by Jen (who is very, very, very prolific while listening), some pics of intersting historical spindles, and some lip from Julie!

Tee hee!

Julie absolutely rightfully called me on the carpet for my anti-governess bias, so here's my rec. Go listen to the last episode, last chapter, with a different ear (that would be at roughly 47 minutes into episode 36). Then keep listening to today's chapters. Yeah...Julie has a point. I'll also let you in on some things Ol' Henry himself had to say about the book.

I may also share some of ELOISE in Paris (okay, NEXT week...) and remind you that really, truly, I loathe being a single Mom.

¿Donde esta mi esposo?

And some helpful info from Jen:
pysanky (piz·ahnk·yeh) is the name of those Ukrainian/polish eggs. singular
= pysanka
Kiska (pl = Kisky) is the name of the stylus thingie.

She also says:
if you like Weird Al, you might be interested in The Apologetix. they are a
Christian parody group that does Christian remakes of pop songs just like
Weird Al.

Oh! And don't forget to visit Ms Stitchy McYarnPants!

Today's theme is "Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense" which comes to us from a (probably apocryphal) story about King Edward III and the Order of the Garter. A rough translation is "Shame to him who thinks ill of it" but my AP English teacher used it as "Evil will be seen by those who look for it." Actually he may have had a different famous French quote, but I took Spanish so I wouldn't recognize a the real quote if it walked up and shook my hand.

ANYway...

Today we have chapters 12-14.

On my needles and on my son's walls today...

And how are your toes? Hmm?

Does your sunscreen have: formulas that include ingredients — like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or Mexoryl SX — that impede damage from the sun’s longer wavelength UVA rays, a protective effect that is not indicated by a product’s SPF rating.

And if you're interested in more on Mosquito bites, check out:
Herbal Medicine site or the WebMD page or something my sister found on Google.

And some chairty/sock 411 from Jenny M. many thanks. You can also check out Knitting Peace.

Cheers for Store Wars and Weird Al!

And a special thank you to Cindy, the generous Park Slope Blogger (ah, the Motherland).

Well, we're having the first winter storm of the season. The mountains are capped with snow, the sky is grey, it's 39° (I hear you..."Hey! It's the DESERT! What's with the snow and temperature?!"), and the day is bleeding ennui.

Not least because my husband is here and I'm here (though it's much greyer today).

But Ennui and Turn of the Screw go well together so no complaints...much.

Today, chapters 10-11. You won't BELIEVE what happens today! Ai yi yi!

Charity knitting! Fixes to the Blogspot site! Felted Doggy Toys! More funny things! Holiday presents of fibery knitty things! (Does he love me or is he just feeling guilty for spending New Year's in Paris with his Brother and Dad?)

Was Santa good to you!?

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Nina sent this very helpful, eminently bookmarkable link to help me with mosquito bites. There's actually a lot of great info here...and this site has a very interesting looking hand/foot/everything cream. Lotions just don't work on me. If it doesn't say "cream" I don't buy it. Well, I bought it and thank you Nina!

And, here's my attempt to rekindle a love of Weird Al...Yoda!

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

This week--Chapters 6-7!

Okay, and you're not really strangers but y'all sure are kind!

Some fun with You Tube and Dante

Julie's socks (whoo hoo!) and 1400 A.D. knit pic

More Organic info from Dawn (worth a look-see)! Seventh Generation and Land Stewardship Project

Janet's pomo fun

And then--That Darn Governess and her latent class and boy issues!!!

BTW: we didnt' have time for these which I got off of a Knitter's Review forum. Did you know these superstitions:

** It's bad luck to leave a project unfinished. The intended recepient will get bad luck from the unfinished item.

** Stabbing your needles though your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn.

** Don't knit a pair of socks for your boyfriend or he'll walk away from you.

** If you knit one of your own hairs into a garment, it will bind the recipient to you.

** Knitting for children you may have in the future, but before you are pregnant, is bad luck (it may prevent one from getting pregnant, or bring ill health to the baby).

And

Interesting Latvian beliefs about mittens

1. Mittens and socks should be knitted in summer, then they will be warm, soft and strong.

2. One should not wash new mittens when there is an old moon,
they will lose their color and let through the wind.

3. One should not wipe their nose in a mitten. Whoever does that never gets rich.

4. One should not give their hand to another with a mitten on, otherwise they will give away their luck.

and, again, thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Hey Look!

Whodathunk?

Then there's this one too:




You should also check out Stephanie/Lumie's blog (gorgeous work!)

Then go here and get smart, RIGHT NOW!

After expanding your brain, you can crack yourself up with my friend Peter on his podcast.

Don't forget to get your SantaCon on! When you're done with that, embrace your inner Earth Mother and find out the skinny on Organics.

And in today's chapters, listen for the allusion to Jane Eyre that ol' Henry snuck into the first minute of this chapter.

As we continue our governess will continue to show her true colors--not a pretty picture.

And today's chapters reveal a bit more of James' brilliance. The Governess--who may still be nuts--does see someone who looks like Peter Quint. She had seen no pictures of him, but describes him to Mrs. Grose--well enough for her to identify the vision. Of course, the problem is...he's dead.

So, the mystery deepens...

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Oh, and I've moved all the links to previous episodes to the right side of the blog page at Craftlit.blogspot.com. There was a question as to why the files are so blasted big, and I'll tell you--I'd like to know that too! I'm working on it...