Tale of Woe Revisited

Remember my Tale of Woe? Where I vowed I would take a wheel thrown pottery class?

Last night was the first class of eight. It was so fun! It reminded me of felting, where something magically emerges under your hands. A few manipulations, and like magic a bowl appears. So far, a bowl and a plate have been completed. No pictures yet, but I promise I will show all attempts, failures and successes.

With the class, we have free use of the studio, as long as there isn't a class going on. This could be dangerous. I have a feeling I'll be needing another bag of clay before too long.

Shelter from the Storm

My area in southern Minnesota has been hard hit by flooding the past few days. 8 to 10 inches of rain have pushed rivers and streams out of their banks, taking bridges and roads with the rushing water. Many homes are under water. Not good.

I've been lucky. The two pumps I had going managed to keep the water in my basement from reaching the furnace and other mechanicals.

ETA:Eeek! The pump (not a sump pump, I have to watch it so it doesn't run dry) had finished emptying the basement around 11 this morning, so I unplugged it, and plugged in the dehumidifier. I just went downstairs to empty the dehumidifier before bed, and discovered another 7 inches of water had seeped in again in the less than 12 hours. It was about an inch from my furnace. So glad I went back downstairs before bed. I have the pump going again.

One good thing about the recent rain. I was able to watch the way the rain drained off my slight hill, and it went right where I thought it would go. I am convinced that the site I chose for the art shack building is the best place. The man who wanted to charge me over $750.00 to regrade everything because "he could tell the water would go right through there" can suck it! My chosen site was high and dry, and the place he told me it should go had ponding water. I've been living here for ten years, this "little lady" knows where the spring run off goes. Suck it, mister! I'll keep my $750, thank you very much.

The building hasn't been moved yet because the county has been resurfacing the road all summer. I think they might finally be done.

When I first saw this pair of mourning doves outside my upstairs bathroom window, they were huddled together with their heads on each other's backs. So sweet. I ran back downstairs for my camera, and they turned to look at me when I moved the curtain out of the way so I could snap the photo.

Actual Knitting Content

That's right, I actually finished something. It is warm and soft and cuddly.

My version of the Danish Tie Shawl. I didn't have the correct Spin Off (Spring, 2008)where the shawl was featured, but I found a similar one on Ravelry here. I didn't stop when the directions said, I just kept knitting until I ran out of yarn. I used two skeins of natural Kimmet Croft Softie that I got at the Textile Center Garage Sale and dyed myself.

Here it is as intended to be worn. It crosses in front and ties in the back, leaving the hands free to do whatever. No fussing trying to keep the shawl on.

I finished it just in time too. There has been a marked change in the weather, so this will come in handy at the Threshing Bee next weekend. I'll be doing spinning demonstrations. If you're near St. Charles, MN, stop by and say hi!