Wednesday, November 15, 2006

It Didn't Rain Today...

And none of us really knew how to handle that. It feels like it has been grey and wet for years. We all just squatted on the ground, pointed at the heavens and grunted things like, "Big ball of fire in sky...fire god angry!!!" There was something of a panic, followed by the general agreement that we should sacrifice a virgin to a volcano. We felt pretty good about that course of action until we caught on to the fact that this is Maine and we have no volcanoes to speak of in the area. A few of us thought it might work out if we could convince the lunch room ladies to loan us one of those big vats of chili, but none of us could really work up the courage to approach them to ask. After that we all kind of wandered off to watch the dust motes dance in the slanting rays of golden light or teach some kids something.

It's been a while since we've seen the sun... Fortunately, we will be back to our drizzly, dreary lives tomorrow and the big, yellow ball of fire will be removed from our primitive eyes for a while. It was fun while it lasted even if we didn't really know what to do with it.

I couldn't fully enjoy the brief sunny period to it's utmost, though. This work week is drawing to a close. The children have next week off in order that their mommies and daddies can be thankful for them (and the fact that they do not have to live with them for 7 hours per day during the school year) while the teachers spend two days in workshops before racing off to their respective vacations. Those workshops will consist of many, many brain-melting hours that must be filled with distractions. I decided some time ago that scarf knitting might be the best option for this series of educational presentations as there is less than can go wrong when the project must be hastily stuffed into a bag in order that principals and superintendents might see The Sheep looking highly interested in the grant writing process. I've narrowed down the yarn choice to some Classic Elite Commotion that I stocked up on last year when my LYS closed its doors to me forever. It is a fine yarn, thread-like actually, but looks awfully fancy-schmancy when knit up. I created a seed stitch scarf with beaded fringe for The World's Greatest Stylist last year and have been treated to lunches and presents ever since. I still haven't decided on a pattern for this year's masterpiece, but it will be a simple one and will be knit on circs since I have a tendency to forget to bring both needles when I opt for travelin' knittin'. It has happened more than once...

With any luck, I can get a head start on it over the weekend and have the old motor memory fully engaged by Monday. AutoPilot Knitting is really the best under these circumstances, methinks. I tend to resort to colorful vocabulary when I need to tink back a row or two and that probably will not be a welcome addition to the overall program.

Of course, the amount of rain that has seeped into my Sheepie brain over the last god-know-how-many days has probably resulted in some form of water damage. We'll hope that we can manage to count rows and remember our manners all at the same time.

But if the sun comes out, then I make no promises. Big yellow ball of fire is most distracting to Primitive Sheep...

SA

12 comments:

Mel said...

I even saw a bit of blue yesterday, but we were over in New Hampshire getting David's truck stuck in the mud. The weekend's supposed to be nice, at least.

I think a little colorful language could really liven things up at a conference.

Sheila said...

I look forward to seeing what scarf pattern you choose...there are sooo many out there.
Maybe the Sun Gods, who seem to reside down here, can make a trade with the Rain Gods, who seem to dwell up there, and we can each get some of what we crave!

sheep#100 said...

We thought that the big yellow fire ball was coming our way but no dice - maybe this weekend??

This Weary Traveler said...

Every time the big yellow ball appears in the sky over Minnesota, I am not in Minnesota. I feel damp and cold and soggy. By February everyone around here is too crabby to be exposed to other people. It's dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home. Life on the 45th parallel is not for wimps.

Anonymous said...

I think your rain migrated to Georgia. It started last night and it rained (hard) all day. We got about 3 inches today. What yarn would be best for knitting a boat? :)

Anonymous said...

Rain and grant writing workshops do not a good combination make (except for nap time). Caffeine (or the iPod) is definitely needed here. And maybe if the sun does make a rare appearance, everyone will be motivated to leave early and go out and enjoy it!

missemilysmom said...

Yes the workshops will provide great knitting opportunity... If i can find space and the feeling of aloness. It was rather odd to see the sun and have this warmth!

Anonymous said...

You know the colorful language might be just what the conference needs particularly if it is well timed to a quiet moment.
We had brightness yesterday and a lack of liquid falling from the sky but no actually visible sphere of fire. Now we have fog and complete grayness. I think we need a sun dance.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Lazuli said...

Hahaha! I love your description of sun-worshipping, fearful .... teachers from Maine! Just imagine what those folks up in Alaska are thinking when *they* see the sun! :-)

Cursing Mama said...

Is it just me or would the finding of virgins for the sacrifice have been a concern along with the volocano. Of course I suppose you could've just stuck a student in the chili and called it a day.

Can't wait to see what pattern you choose - I'm in need of something mindless that requires no counting soon.

Lorraine said...

Sun? We saw one of those for about half a day today. I tend to run for the shorts and tank top and join the cats in a patch of sunshine on the carpet. Soak it up, baby! My kids, though - well, let's just say I've gone sunk deeper in their "she's insane" estimation.

catsmum said...

Rain? what is this rain that you speak of? send some over here so I may ascertain it's nature.
Mind you I'm not offering to trade you the glorious cornflower blue sky I'm currently looking at!
I want rain AND blue sky :]