Random Things Of Note:

I'm no dietitian. Nor am I a physician or anything really that ends in "ian." Despite my lack of formal training, however, I have determined that it may be time to get rid of the leftover pie. I am of the opinion that, once you have stopped eating it off a plate and regressed to snarfing it directly from the pan 'cause it's so much more convenient, that it may be a sign of some sort. The fact that I am now doing this with the top button of my jeans undone is another. A middle aged Sheep parked on the couch eating pie out of the pan with a large wooden spoon and loosened trousers is like something out of a horror movie. It is not a good look.

Not good at all...

When not attempting to get in my recommended daily servings of fruits via the consumption of pastry, I managed to find a little time in the day to finish up a bobbin of the corriedale/metallic singles. It has a lovely cinnamon and nutmeg aroma about it now. And one or two sticky spots thanks to the whole pie-fest, but is really quite lovely, nonetheless.

Photographed while still on the skein winder...

Once removed from the skein winder, this yarn showed its true nature. All its soft and sparkly goodness curled up into a nice "sproingy" mass of overspun wool. It is blocking as we speak. Blocking in the most aggressive of fashions.

I'm sure it will be fine... I will not be ordered about by the likes of my handspun. That way lies madness. Soon the sock yarn will be demanding finer digs. The acrylics will begin lobbying for equal treatment under the law. The needles will argue that no knitting can occur without their cooperation and that they have a list of demands which must be addressed. All heck will break loose and the tentative grasp I have on control in my life will be lost forever. This cannot happen.

I still have Christmas shopping to get done.

And there is one last little item of note. A scant 365 days ago I first wrote these words:

Well, The Sheep has joined the herd and started her very own blog.

I remember them pretty clearly for a couple of reasons, the first being that I have a weird memory for certain written phrases and can quote them on command. Not that this little skill has ever come to the fore when I was studying for exams or anything. It is one of those random and somewhat useless abilities, frankly. The other reason I remember these words is that, once published, I realized that sheep flock rather than stumble around in herds. I didn't know much about the whole editing process back in those days...it bothered me for a long time.

So much has happened in the past year, blog-wise. There have been numerous and horrific dental appointments, constipated cats, vehicular strife and a rather frightening bout with the Monkey Pox. The latter was actually pneumonia and came with high fevers and rather excruciating pain. The blog was really my only consistent link with the world at that time. It was actually a reader who put the symptoms together and made the diagnosis, although I rather enjoyed calling my disease "The Monkey Pox." It somehow validated the whole thing.

Then there was the knitting. I have to say that the very idea of regular posting of progress and pictures has made me a better knitter and spinner. I have made more of an effort to correct my errors, finish things in a more timely manner and even challenge myself once in the proverbial blue moon. The Feather and Fan Scarf that is blocking in the back room is evidence of this.

Lastly, there are the new friends I have made through the process. I still rush to the computer each and every day upon arriving home from work to see who has commented and which comment will make me chuckle the longest. I have made some truly wonderful connections through these here internets and am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet others who share my passion for the fiber and the laughs.

Tomorrow starts Blog: Year II. I look forward to what it may bring. Who knows? Maybe the oh, so scary lace knitting will happen. Or perhaps an actual finished sweater...with real, live sleeves! The possibilities are endless!

But there will be no pie for a while. The pie has to go. One more piece and I swear to you that the pie is gone.

Thanks for a year of reading and laughing together!!!

SA