Bike Pics & An Unfair Hill

Today I went out and spent a little "Me" time riding into Knoxville to a spa & yarn shop. I took the long way home to avoid a lot of Interstate riding & rush-hour traffic.

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but also because I LOVE those curvy East-Tennessee back roads.

My first stop was to drop off my son's sneakers at Kroger. I parked in the same place as this bike (it's not mine), which had, of all things, a bag of chicken feed strapped on the back. Funniest thing is, I've hauled home chicken feed on my bike too!

Once a bike is moving and in the gear you need for a while (no approaching stops, etc), you really only need the throttle hand, so I got my phone out of my pocket & snapped some sexy action pics. Yes I really did.

In a couple pics you can see the gear (5th, which is the top gear) and speed (the one pic that shows speed, I was going 40MPH). Enjoy!!








This last one doesn't look that bad maybe, but it's about a 30degree downhill grade involving 3 curves and is less than 2 lanes wide. Very fun & kinda scary to ride!


These next two pics I took on our local greenway. I start at about the 1.6 mile marker and walk the trail down to .3 miles and back. At the 1.4 mile marker there is a hill. From my end approaching it, it's a small rise, about 10degrees and maybe 30 feet. But this is the view from the top...


And what's particularly unfair about this hill, is that on the way BACK, after powerwalking over 2 miles, and *almost* when the end is in sight, you're confronted with the UP side of the hill. It's what keeps me from skating the trail. I could see getting 1/2way up and rolling backward at a high rate of speed, missing the curve at the bottom and ending up in the river 20 feet away. Not a happy thought. LOL


One last pic! The honeysuckle is blooming now! I stuck this sprig of it in my (sloppy from riding) braid & took the pic with my phone!

It RAINED, oh NO!

We did Heritage Day at the local public school today. It is a combination school carnival/expose-the-kids-to-the-arts day. And this morning, it rained.

So the school called us to tell us they were still having it, only INSIDE in the gym. Arrrggghh!

300 running, yelling, sweating kid at a time in a gym with 3 huge moon-jump machines (with their noisy air blowers) and NO ventilation. Must have been 100° F in there.

This year, we actually sold some soap, and some vendors from last year remembered us and wanted to buy some. Most of the vendors were selling 50c to $2 kiddie-plastic stuff from Oriental Trading Company. We probably made about $45... but then, the booth was free.

We did 2 soap-making demonstrations (Misty Mountain Rose and Lime in da Coconut) and let the kids that wanted to, cut a small slice off soaps we made yesterday (Scent Slayer and Cedarmint Scrub) and take it home. For free.

Diantha and Veronica went with us, so they and I did spindling demos and let the kids try it, and make a bracelet if they wanted, out of the piece they spun. About 35 kids did them, a few others watched. Several chubby girls with braces and weird flat glasses watched and then didn't want to bother. "I told one, you are much too young to not want to try something new and then sit around the rest of your life wishing you had something to do." Sometimes people think I am weird, when really what I am is to the point. LoL.

Of all the groups or types of kids, the Hispanic girls were the most interested, and the Hispanic boys were even interested, but not most of the other boys, except ones about 10 years old. The Emo/Goth crowd couldn't be bothered. The girls wouldn't do it unless their friends would. I am SO glad I don't send my kids to public school. I am SO glad my kids do something if they want to, and have the confidence to try new stuff and do what they want, even if other kids their age look at them like they have 2 heads.

We didn't sell any Kin-dles, but Diantha sold one CD spindle kit (shaft with hook and grommet) to a girl who said, "My Grandma crochets, she will probably like this." And, we didn't take any pictures. Forgot my camera, dangit.

I am glad to be back home. Later I am going to look at a motorcycle, maybe to buy, and tonight I am going to make a tux vest and tie for Allen to take some girl to her prom.

But right now, I am going to have a nap.

Treasures and Treasuries

I went motorcycle riding all over Knoxville today, in pursuit of sunflower and olive oils for Richard to make soap from. My 13 yod Diantha rode with me. Riding with her on the back is like riding with a feather. She probably weighs almost 100# but you would almost never know she is there. We visited Des and helped her with some quilting and laundry and holding Hannah, who is the same temperament as Diantha. She is kind of fussy and clingy but I told Des not to worry, Diantha outgrew that about 2 months ago. LOL!! Those girls are treasures to me, however fussy. With a little luck, that doesn't last forever.

I got a T West with some bling, just for fun! I let Diantha pick it out...
ring a ding bling

And my HUSBAND actually got a T West, too!
Manly Pursuits

And THANK YOU to mompotter of the SHE team (of which I am now a member) for including a yarn from my my7kids shop in her T west also!
SHEteam is beautiful

Visit these treasuries and click on the items... leave a comment and we'll see if any of the collections can make the Etsy front page!

This Is My 100th Post - Where Is My CAKE?!?

Oh wait a minute, we ate the cake this evening. We had Beverly (Betsy)'s 2nd birthday party tonight after church due to scheduling conflicts with her actual birthday, which is Monday. No matter. She is already cleverly telling us she is "doo" by pointing the index finger of each hand at us, and then turning both thumbs up to show she is thrilled.

She got lots of nice presents. A cow bowling game which is noisy and she loves it. Several little casual dresses. An annoying microphone. Three wooden tray puzzles which she can already work, even if we mix the pieces up among all three puzzles. And the BEST little red quilted bag ever, made my my daughter Desiree, who already has posted pictures of it in her blog.

We didn't eat dinner until 9PM, though I cleverly put the Penne Rigatti in a slow oven before I went to church. We had garlic bread and salad, and went through 3 2-liter bottles of soda and 2 gallons of tea. Sounds like a party. Oh and Beverly chose her own cake... strawberry (Bink!) with chocolate frosting (Bown!), and we ate it ALL. See How much she enjoyed it?

Des did B's hair. She wanted it put up because baby Hannah had hers put up. See?

I rode the motorcycle to church this evening. Veronica, my 10yod, rode with me on the way there. We went to the 5:30 service as a family, then Richard and most of the kids came home. Diantha, Artemas and I stayed to work the nurseries. Allen came to check pick-up tags for the kids, so Artemas rode home with him. So Diantha rode home with me. We took leathers with us, because we knew it would be cold riding home after dark. We went in the bathroom where she donned a pair of leather pants over her jeans and put on Richard's leather jacket. I put my fringed leather chaps on over my jeans and a tunic sweater and then a leather jacket. I said to one of the coordinators on the way out, I just love going to the church were the biker chick can keep the nursery and nobody cares. LoL. If you are ever in Knoxville, you should check out our Faith Promise Church, where the word comes alive and is relevant to lives.

It occurred to me as I rode there how completely trusting my daughter had to be to ride with me. Most of the time she can't see the road. She has no idea of what is ahead or what dangers there are. Even if she could see things happening on the road ahead, she has no access to the controls, nor would she have any idea of how to properly control them if she did. She has to totally trust me to look out for her, plan the route wisely, keep watch ahead, and protect her. She can enjoy a lot of freedom that other little girls riding by in cars don't have, but it is only because someone trustworthy is holding the reins (in this case, handlebars).

Then I thought how much this is TOTALLY like this ride through life I am on with Jesus. Much of the time, I can't see the road ahead, but it doesn't have to hamper my enjoyment. Even if and when I can see trouble coming, my solution to the problem most of the time wouldn't be the right one... it would be like trying to avert my motorcycle from danger without ever having used the controls before. I have learned I can totally trust the Lord to look out for the best for me, plan my steps wisely, be ever watchful, and protect me.

Because of what Jesus did for me through salvation, I can enjoy a lot of freedoms that others traveling this road, having to make their own way and create their own (false) safety, don't have... but it is only because I know that even should something bad happen, I am safe in His hands.

Riding the motorcycle is a balm, or a "defrag" if you will, for my spirit. But having the Lord at the controls in my life is what makes it a happy ride.

Romans 10:8-11
"...Salvation that comes from trusting Christ – which is the message we preach – is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, 'The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Because it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who believes in Him will not be disappointed.'"

Some Useless Factoids about Motorcycling

If you want to see today's block or hear about yarn, scroll down or just unfocus your eyes for like 3 paragraphs. LoL.

I woke up today with a headache that would bring a strong man to his knees. I mean. like my eyes were tearing. I haven't passed that kidney stone from about 10 days ago yet, so there ya have it. About 11 I took some aspirin, 2:30 some extra-strength tylenol-type stuff, and 4 o'clock some Excedrin migraine. Plus in the latter time frame, I got to spend about an hour or so of time on the bike. I actually started to feel like I wouldn't like to die, which I think had more to do with the ride than the pharmaceuticals, since it was a balmyand sunny Spring-like 72 degrees today.

With a tiny little curtsy to the vegans out there, I have to say this:
There's Nothing like Leather
For Beating the Weather.
(Oh, Thank God! My parents were always worried I wouldn't make anything of myself, but in one epiphany, it is apparent what I've become: a Poet!) Vinyl will keep the wind out better than denim, but will stay icy cold in winter, and in summer, is like wearing a plastic bag. Leather will take on your body temp and keep you WARM when it is cold out, and will breathe in hot weather. And if theoretically:
You should have to Ride in the Rain
Or Through a Broken Water Main
(more Poetry! What's up with that?) Like we did today, your socks, legs, and undies will stay nice and tidily dry under leather boots and pants. And to be fair, these poor little beefies didn't die in vain. Not only am I wearing their skins, but I have eaten more than my share of pretty fair steaks in my lifetime. Waste not, want not.

Another theoretical situation which gives us a learning opportunity to study Sociology: should one get a mile and a half from home and run out of gas, and have one's Reserve tank not pick up (which we ALL know would NEVER happen to ME... I am FAR too experienced a cyclist, LoL), and have to wait, and wait, and wait for one's sons to go get gas and bring it... which group(s) of people will stop to see if you need help?

A) Bikers, of any gender

B) Women

C) Men

D) Men with their wives in the car

E) Men with their kid(s) in the car

F) People in very expensive cars, whatever their gender
And the answers are... (drumroll please)... Groups A, C, and E.

Here is another little sociological study: Match the times below with the activities in the cars passing by a stranded motorcyclist on a busy road:

A) Food in their hands or laps B) Kid(s) in the car C) Cell phone to their ears

1) 4:30 PM 2) 5:00 to 6:00 PM 3) 6:00 PM

And the answers are: (oh what the heck, this time let's have a Trumpet Fanfare!) A-3, B-1, C-2

On the left you see the block for the day, as made by Diantha. Mine is on the right. I tweaked mine by turning the outermost HST all around the block, and reversing the order of the light and dark around the outsides of the block. Amazing how different the effect is. I like it this way. LoL. Since Joe Morelli is a vice cop, I thought the fabric with the cards and dice was an appropriate touch.

Because I spent an hour on the side of the road this evening, leaning against the seat of my motorcycle and enjoying the Spring breezes, I got ONE yarn done today. ONE. YARN. DONE. Here it is. I will re-skein it in the morning for a more balanced pic of the colors. I think I will call it St. Patrick Rebukes The Snakes.

And, I got this gauntlet ready to list in my HeartFeltFun shop. I have 2 of them but am making them available separately. Too cool.

Train Wreck Italian Transvestite Art Yarn and Random Thoughts

So here are a bunch of random bits I have put together today. One is this pic of Beverly. Is this the happiest lookin' kid you've seen in a long time or what? LoL!

Today it was like 65 degrees F. This past Monday we had a sudden snow storm, and by Wednesday it was still only 21 degrees for the high for the day. By Saturday it was 63 and today, 65. Suddenly Spring! I got out the Old Suzuki today and took a ride. Actually I took several rides, because my kids are as eager to get on the bike as I am. So I took Diantha for a ride, then Veronica for a ride, the Josiah for a ride. I took him over to Home Depot, where Richard works, so his dad could see him being the little macho guy out for a ride. Richard was just going to lunch, so we hung out with him a while, and then rode back home. Betsy kept insisting it was her turn, but unfortunately, she is too little. Have to be 5 or have their feet rest on the pegs... she has a while to wait!

The block for today was too complex. So I decided to make it in a bigger size, for another quilt than the series of blocks I am working on presently. Ok... the black fabric I bought online, that was supposed to be a hand dyed, is so dark, it is just black. In order to further complicate my life, I took a piece of black fabric, sprayed it with a bleach solution and immediately dipped it in vinegar water to stop the alkaline action of the bleach. Looked like hardly anything until I ironed it dry, then this is what I got.

So then I looked at the block, and decided that the diagonal line of squares would be WAY too plain with the rest of the block having all those little bitty triangles. So I made them be squares-in-squares. And this is the result! The calendar says it is Birds in The Air, but I am calling it Firing Range because all those little high-contrast pieces remind me of targets.

And when did I become the Bad Quilter? I have been quilting almost 25 years and own quilts that I just basically threw together, that the points all match. This block, I squared up the little bitty triangle units. Then I put the black side triangles on them and squared the right angle and trimmed the diagonal. Then I added the tan triangle and squared the unit up again. Put the block together, and darned if every unit doesn't have a triangle point chopped off. ~~ fuming ~~

I also started spinning a yarn this evening from this batt I bought from extremespinning at Etsy. It is both wonderful and horrible... or wonderfully horrible. Like a train wreck, you don't want to see anything gross but you can't help looking. It really is like spinning with some beautiful, soft Merino and someone's chest hair. LOL!! My daughter says I should put it up in my shop as Train Wreck Italian Transvestite Chest Hair Handspun Art Yarn and see if it sells. ROFLOL!!

Rain, and Boring Blocks

It rained during the night last night. (It is Tennessee Winter, who is surprised?) I woke up this morning needing to take a ride. I know that may seem weird to some of you. But I grew up on a motorcycle and it is like defrag for my soul. If I am nervous or upset, even if it is something I can't put my finger on, taking a ride works all my kinks out and I feel better.

Betsy woke up sleepy. She came out to where I was at the computer, wanted to nurse, then slid down to the floor, lay on the rug, pulled the notebook I was using over under her head, and started to snore. I covered her with a quilt and she slept another hour and a half. Wish I had done the same. Richard is on vacation and it was still raining.

I mailed some orders today, made a new yarn to put up, then went to Des' house for the evening. We had some really good Lentil Soup. She hardly ever gets to eat it anymore because Tony won't eat it, because it is brown (go figure, I think that is the only thing the man won't put in his mouth, LoL). Made today's block while I was there. When we got home I made a new cell phone cozy for my HeartFeltFun shop.

Today's block was called Sawtooth Star on the calendar. It is NOT a Sawtooth Star. A Sawtooth Star has little tiny points marching up and down all the big points of the star. Though Quilter's Cache lists *yesterday's* block as Sawtooth Star, and a block known as Variable Star as Sawtooth Square. So. Anyway. This is actually a Diamond in a Star block. That's the right name, and I am sticking to it. This block goes with the one I did yesterday, to the same Healing quilt, and it is boring. Life is too short to make boring quilts.
-- sigh --

Not getting to take a ride makes me cagey and mean feeling. They are predicting drier weather tomorrow, but a 15-degree drop in temp, putting it down in the even-too-cold-for-me-to-ride category. I spent all day waiting for the rain to stop, and it never did.