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.

Apologies to my blog

for ignoring you for so long.  I guess you could say I have been busy.  Now for a few thoughts on the "Right to Work" crap-o-runeyliciousness that is going on in my home state of Michigan.

I understand the reasons "you" might want to take advantage of a system that has been fighting for your rights to a safe and fair work environment for decades.  Wages are at an alarming low right now and you want to save money.  Imagine where the American worker would be right now if there were no such things as Unions.  Do you really think that you would be better off with a coupla dollars in your pocket every week?  I am not saying that Unions are perfect, they are not. They are run by humans and we are not perfect but I would rather have someone to stand up for me to the "boss" than not and I am willing to pay for that.  And the only reason I even need to pay for that is apparent it you look at the corporate profits vs the standard of living that the "middle class" is experiencing right now.  good luck with that

Who knew...

that your child could be so ungrateful for everything you had given her over the years.  Forget about the cars I bought for you.  Forget about the 5 thou I gave you to leave him.  Forget about the 20+ thou that you took.  Your mother is now homeless.  HOMELESS.  A game on tv is more important than that?  Your nightly visits to the bar are more important than that?  More important than my mental health?  Did your extensive medical training include anything about depressive disorders?  I guess not

Poetry time

Her gaze strode out the kitchen window and landed on the tawny brown deer in the back yard
Brown like the dining room set, brown like her coffin, like mine
This time the flowers are purple
Purple is my favorite color
But you knew that, or did you?

Her gaze left the kitchen window many more times than mine ever will
She tried to change the world, she did
I tried, I failed
But you knew that, or did you?

So many ways alike, so different
So many mourners, so few
So many successes, so many failures
But you knew that, or did you?

This time the flowers will be purple

I expected much...

more from you, yes you.  I understand telling some homeless street person "sorry, I just don't have any money for you".  I understand telling some charity "sorry, We just don't have any extra money for you this year".  I don't understand why you think I want your money.  I didn't ask for it.  Yet when you were asked if you could help a family member, the first thought out of your mouth was "I don't have any money to give".  What about your time?  What about your home?  What about some food or clothing?  What about your LOVE?  Aren't those things that you could give too?  You wonder why I don't call?  Why should I when I don't get any support, respect or consideration from you.  The words " I love you" are so hollow when they are not backed up by actions. 

Okay, I get it....

I have no excuse.  I didn't have a bad childhood, I was never molested, I don't have a drug or alcohol problem.  I'm fine?  NOT!  If you are deemed mentally ill because of one or more of these issues, they can handle that, they have treatments for that.  However if you can't pinpoint a reason for your "problem", then you're not sick?  I know how I feel.  I am trying to tell you how I feel and you are understaffed, underpaid, overwhelmed with your own problems?  Fine, then be prepared to sweep up the pieces when they fall. 

Godammit, I need some help here.  I don't know why I can't get out of bed.  I don't know why I cry all the time.  I don't know why I am not hungry and when I do eat every thing tastes like paper.  I don't know why I want to die but at least I am trying to get some help so why don't you help me?  When I tell you I am not taking my meds, you say "oh, you should take them".  Yeah, that will help me remember.  I can't even remember what day it is.  I wake up and I can't tell if it's 7am or 7pm.  I feel like my brain is turning inside out and morphing into something like oatmeal. 

I feel like anything that ever made me happy has been taken away from me.  I want it back