Just can't win...

any points with someone who is that closed minded


sometimes i see better with my eyes closed pictures

Getting back my knitting mojo

I love to find things to knit that support activist activities and causes.  This one is for the mothers out there that want to nurse in public places.  Why not?  It is the most normal and healthy thing to do for your baby.  So do you want a baby hat for you child or maybe you know someone who would appreciate the positive statement that it makes.  Makes a great shower gift! 

A workers mitten, free pattern.

These mittens have an open top to fold down when you need your fingers and fold up when you need the warmth.  I am providing the pattern here for free and I hope you will make one pair for yourself and one pair to share.  There is plenty of winter left here and we all need to stay warm and be functional too.

I used Red Heart worsted weight and double points size 7.  I tend to knit with some tension so you may want to use a 6 depending on how loosely you knit.  These are what I would consider a ladies xl or a mans small size.

Cast on 32 stitches and join to make a circle, knit 12 rows of 2 by 2 ribbing (knit 2 pearl 2).
In the next row, increase into the first knit stitch of each set of 4 stitches that make up the ribbing while changing to all knit stitches.
This will create 40 stitches on your needles.
Knit 15 more rows.
In the 16th knit row increase as follows, k, k+, k, k+,k, k+ thereby increasing by 3 stitches (k+ means to increase by one.  I knit in the front and the back of the stitch).  This is where the thumb is.
Knit 3 more rows.
Knit 9 stitches onto a holder and continue to the end of the row, turn.
Pearl to the holder and cast on 6 stitches at the end of the row, turn.
Knit until you get back to the beginning  and join once again into a circle and knit 8 more rows.
Start the 2 by 2 rib once again for 20 rows (or longer if you wish) and cast off loosely.
Go back to the thumb area and attach your yarn at the end of the holder and pick up 9 more stitches evenly around the thumb hole.  divide them so you have 6 on each dp needle.
Knit 2 rows, in third and fifth rows decrease one stitch on each needle so you now have 12 stitches.  Knit 8 more rows and cast off loosely.  Weave in loose ends and you are done. There is no left or right hand as I knit them both identical, they conform to your hand when you put them on.

Family ties

Sometimes it amazes me how 5 people who were raised in the same household could grow up so different. I guess that makes an argument for nurture vs nature or does it? We all came from the same 'nature' and for the most part had the same 'nurture'. So how does one become an atheist, one a bible thumper, one a cult member, one an athlete and one an activist. I would never say that each of these descriptions is an all-inclusive definition of any one of us as we also have things in common. We all have a strong mid-western work ethic, a love of family and a stubborness when defending our beliefs.

I always believed that conversation and communication were an important part of being human. I love a in-depth discussion with my friend Matt talking about movies we have seen. Coming from different generations we almost always see the movie from a completely different perspective. When we watched "Forrest Gump" I felt nostalgic and he saw a history lesson.

Lately, there seems to be a problem keeping the discussions civil within the family unit. Everything deteriorates into insults, CAPS and hurt feelings. I don't like having some members of my family, extended or otherwise, at odds with each other or, even worse, not willing to talk to or see each other. Some of these behaviors have been going on for a while and some have just bubbled to the surface. Is the younger generation being influenced by the older? (nurture) Is it Facebook that is really the enemy? I would like people to remember that gossip is NOT A FACT. If you were not there, don't assume the first story you hear about something is the truth. There are always 2 sides (or maybe even more).

My mother was a great peace maker. I think if she were still here with us that a lot of this would not be happening. I also believe that if she were alive, she would be supportive of my effort at Occupy Wall Street and even participate in the effort to make this country and this world a better place to live in. She was like that. Happy Birthday Mom, a few days early but I have been thinking about you a lot lately. I hope you got the note I sent on the smoke of the palm fire tied to the strings of my heart.