Welcome to Monsoon Season?

Welcome to Monsoon Season?

Today is the first full day of summer, or so you thought, really what began today was the start of the Monsoon Season here in West Michigan.

Seriously.

Don’t tell me there is no such thing as Global Warming.

After we got a record setting amount of rain on Friday night, something unbelievable like almost 9 inches in 3 hours and my Little Dutch Town was looking for the little boy who did not put his finger in the proverbial dike! I am convinced that The Netherlands kept all intelligent forms of life there – or at least all the engineers!

It is funny, don’t you think, our founding fathers came from a place that is really just reclaimed land from the sea! We obviously have missed the boat in that much of our town is or was under water over the weekend.

But, when it rains, I say find a good indoor activity to do – like say knit… or spin… or weave!

I got a little treat from my friend Beth at The Spinning Loft this week. A box full of fiber-y deliciousness that contained 18 different breeds, from Wensleydale to Jacob – a veritable feast for my Woolen senses.

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My Summer Reading Kick-Off Contest

My Summer Reading Kick-Off Contest

Is The Fey on your summer reading list?

It should be!

My friend Claudia Hall Christian has really done a great job writing a book that keeps your attention with a fast-paced read!

I quickly found myself engrossed in the story and did not want to put it down as Alexandra Hargreaves took me along with her on this thrilling journey.

There is some romance, and lots of twists and turns and its hard, if not impossible to put down!

Claudia has been kind enough to offer you, Gentle Reader, a discount in your purchase of this book, just use this code: EYCG5KNS.

You will not be disappointed, so don’t delay – let The Fey kick off your summer reading with a bang!

To encourage you, leave a comment – I will use a random method of selecting one of you and I will send you her book free – yes, free. So, leave me some comment love and if you retweet my blog post, let me know in your comment and that will give you an extra opportunity to win!

So comment already and have a great weekend all!

Provoking thoughts for Thirsty Thursday

I recently found a new podcast – The Dinner Party Download. I have been enjoying it tremendously; the hosts are Rico Gagliano and Brendan Frances Newnam of Marketplace Money fame.

Anyways, the idea behind the podcast is to give you “…a fast and funny “booster shot” of unconventional news, cuisine, and culture to help you win this weekend’s dinner party,” and one of this week’s “unconventional news” items was this stunning piece of information: over 50% of Americans think that torture is acceptable in some circumstances.

Yes, you read that right that would be over 50%.

I do not know about you, but that news saddened and depressed me.

Greatly.

I think that maybe the just under 50% of us that do not think that torture is acceptable in any circumstances need to be a bit more vocal about our belief that torture does not add any value to our society, nor does it make us any safer as a nation.

Seriously, Gentle Reader, if your beliefs on this issue lie in category that mine do – the less that 50% category, then we need to open our mouths, pick up a pen, or send off an email to our representatives in Washington DC and do so quickly.

In case you have never written to your elected officials, modern technology has made it incredibly simple. You can do it all online, and with amazing ease! I encourage you to try it!

To end this on a more positive and warm fuzzy note (yes, that would be a fiber reference!) I have been knitting and spinning. I would have snapped some photos to share with you today, but the sun has evidently gone on vacation. Bad lighting does not a good picture make. Stay tuned for sweater updates, spinning updates, and what is fresh off the loom!

Now I am off to gather the ingredients to make a “Casey’s Killjoy” from Alex and Ika’s.

Cheers!

The Graduation Hangover

I survived, now where is my tee shirt?

A new chapter unfolds and now the work begins in earnest to get things ready for Heidi to head off to college in the fall. Therefore, I went to work in earnest to earn money to help pay for this new endeavor! Overtime, FTW!

It was a big week at Casa Del KatKnits, and last week was, in my not so humble opinion, an historical week for the world. A week which holds promise for finding common ground with those who differ greatly from us in some ways, and have more in common with us than we care to admit.

It started when my President said these words in Cairo, “And I’m also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum.” It profoundly struck me how very appropriate these words are. In fact, his entire speech was profound, un-political, and heartfelt.

Calm words echoed by his calm demeanor, coupled with his forthright tone resonated loudly across the world. How amazing to have our nation represented so eloquently to the watching world.

It saddened me to see someone post something on a social network in anger about President Obama’s speech and how “they had killed over 3000 Americans” and that he was a “traitor.” I however strongly disagree with those statements. I think we have spent far too much time being students of fear and hatred. Indeed, there has been too much justification of prejudicial attitudes that encourages the world to continue on the course it is traveling – a journey that for many will be the very last one they take. There has been enough bloodshed, with far too many lives lost.

After all, if we focus on those things that we have in common, how hard can it be to overcome or overlook those things we do not have in common. Moreover, I believe that is where Barak Obama began the journey last week, and he is calling to each of us with encouragement to look at what we share with the world around us rather than focus on what makes us different.

Change unfolding before us with someone encouraging us to step forward without fear or trepidation. It is almost as if we are all at our graduation and unknown possibilities lay before us.

Exciting times, don’t you agree?

And the let down is palpable…

And the let down is palpable…

Well, it is over.

Finished.

Kaput.

The fat lady has sung.

Heidi has graduated from high school and she did so quietly on Monday night. It was a beautiful graduation ceremony – the speakers were inspiring. How incredibly refreshing to hear young people speak with such passion about getting out of Holland, Michigan, doing something for the world around you, and to look for new things to learn each day. I shall miss my relationship with Holland Public Schools – you have been a constant companion in my life for the past fifteen years and I am not sure I can do this cold turkey. No more report cards, no more parent-teacher conferences, and no more orchestra concerts – this will leave a huge void that I am not sure I will know how to replace.

Although, I have been trying by working some extra shifts at work and that is not exactly the replacement I was looking for but my pocketbook is enjoying the overtime pay!

I am still working on plugging in the links to your blogs on my “recommended reading” page. Bear with me – I will get you there!

On the fiber front, I have been knitting up a storm – and seem to have caught a good case of Cast-on-itis! My newest itch to cast on is another FLS! It was a great knit, and I want to knit another one. This time I will knit it with some hand-dyed yarn from my friend Rita at Yarn Hollow!

It is indeed turning into the Summer of Sweaters here!

I am looking forward to the summer and August in particular. My vacation requests have no conflicts with co-workers with more seniority so it is clear sailing for my dates. What do I have coming up you ask? Well, I am planning to attend a conference of the League of Michigan Weavers at Hope College and then it is the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan. My goal is to have my new Indigo Ripples skirt finished and some spinning to enter for judging! I am Jonesing for a ribbon, so look out!

I am also going to be trying out a Fiber Sample pack from the Spinning Loft and I will be sharing the process with you here! I have never washed fiber and have not spun many of the fibers that will be included in the sampler – stay tuned for my reviews, my systematic guide, and my level of success!

Enjoy your weekend, I am off to find that darned housekeeper and put her to work!

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