Sunsets, Stars, West, Wind
Not only is my daughter, Rachelle, an aspiring and talented mezzo soprano studying at UNT, she can:
It only took two years and my daughter’s elbow grease to get the grout between these tiles. Thank you Rachelle!
Friends, Romans, Librarians: Lend Me Your E-book (Part 1).
Friends, Romans, Librarians: Lend Me Your E-books (Part 2).
I especially like the idea behind the Open Book Alliance. And I completely agree that OverDrive has the right model, but the process for most library patrons is way too complex (I never did get it working and most days I consider myself quite tech savvy).
Join the Fantasy Book Club Series group on GoodReads and help us select our next fantasy series to read as a group. Follow this link to the nominations discussion thread.
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Happy Epiphany Everyone! Did you enjoy your Twelfth Night celebrations?
For some ideas on celebrating the Season of Epiphany, visit Wikipedia‘s ‘Local Customs‘ section in the Epiphany article.
This evening, we’ll de-trim the Christmas tree and pack it and the decorations away for another year. And perhaps today I’ll come home to a grouted tile entryway. Terry and Rachelle (well, mostly Rachelle) prepped and cleaned the tile surface, but could not locate the squeagy we bought over two years ago. So, this morning, they will venture out to Home Depot for another one.
The crochet project for Rachelle’s Brimmed Cap proceeds slowly. I’m at the halfway point so it should pick up steam on the downhill run and be finished by the weekend.
Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas. If I really aspired to ambitious social impact, I’d host a Twelfth Night party, but I’ll settle for coming home to grouted tile.
Why? Because nearly two years ago, we laid down tile in our front entryway. The grout remains in the box.
I love the feel of the tile and the non-squeaky, non-creakiness of it (compared to the rest of the floor in the house which is nailed to the joists, not screwed).
With Rachelle’s help, or Terry supervising Rachelle, the spaces between the tiles should be filled sometime today. Keeping the Rottweilers occupied while it sets will also prove challenging.
I forgot in my last post on my crocheting technique, Back to Math Basics, to explain further how I use the following table and how I arrived at it’s contents:
| Row | x2 | x3 | x4 | x5 | x6 |
| 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 | 96 |
| 17 | 34 | 51 | 68 | 85 | 102 |
| 18 | 36 | 54 | 72 | 90 | 108 |
| 19 | 38 | 57 | 76 | 95 | 114 |
| 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 |
| 21 | 42 | 63 | 84 | 105 | 126 |
| 22 | 44 | 66 | 88 | 110 | 132 |
I used some algebra (or possibly finite mathematics) to achieve the process for inserting the six additional stitches equadistant around the circumferences of the cap.
Let the row be represented by a; let the incremental stitches be represented by b; and, let the insertion position for the additional stitches be represented by P. Then,
P = ab-1
Using the table above, at the beginning of a round, I stitch a-1 stitches and insert the a stitch in the same stitch. For row 16, I started off with 15 stitches and put the 16th stitch in the same stitch as the 15th, then I continued counting 15 more stitches (or to the number 31, since that is ab-1 or (16×2)-1, and inserted the second additional stitch, which is also the 32nd stitch, in the same stitch as the 31st stitch. How many times can I type stitch in a sentence? 🙂
When I reach my safety pin which marks the end (or beginning) of the round, I should have reached the 96th stitch, after which I slip stitch into the first stitch of that round.
Algebra doesn’t always lends itself seamlessly to application in crochet, but an algorithm works perfectly. For example (using no particular programming language, but rather just generic easily understood syntax):
Row = 16
MaxRow = 22
IncreaseBy = 6
Stitch=1
AddStitch=1
While Row < = MaxRow
While AddStitch <= IncreaseBy
While Stitch < Row
Stitch=Stitch+1
EndWhile
AddStitch=AddStitch+1
EndWhile
Stitch=1
AddStitch=1
Row=Row+1
EndWhile
I think that algorithm works, however clumsy it may appear. I’m sure I could do it with less loops and/or recursively, but I’m too far removed from my programming days to dredge up those memories. I may research a bit to remind myself of some more aesthetic algorithmic techniques and revisit this in a later posting.
Still, I find it fascinating to confuse what otherwise could be a boring bit of crocheting. Besides, I always love to tout all the math my fellow students complained about in high school, whining that they would never use algebra or geometry or trigonometry, etc. in the ‘real’ world.
Ha!
Sunday afternoon became more distracting as it approached evening. Aside from the numbness and tingling which reasserts itself every few minutes, I find it difficult to count stitches and determine multiples of double digit numbers in my head while remembering the end goal of max stitches for that row all while the rest of the family watches a movie or taunts the Rotts into playing boisterously.
At row fifteen, I stopped and took a break for a bit. I read a few pages in Grand Conspiracy. I then found a piece of paper to write out the next seven rows numerical stitch pattern. For example, until row twenty-two, I need to increase each row by adding six stitches evenly spaced around the round. I wrote the following quick chart to aid in my stitch counting:
| Row | x2 | x3 | x4 | x5 | x6 |
| 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 | 96 |
| 17 | 34 | 51 | 68 | 85 | 102 |
| 18 | 36 | 54 | 72 | 90 | 108 |
| 19 | 38 | 57 | 76 | 95 | 114 |
| 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 |
| 21 | 42 | 63 | 84 | 105 | 126 |
| 22 | 44 | 66 | 88 | 110 | 132 |
I made it to row eighteen last night before retiring to bed.
Part of the reason I enjoy crocheting, or music (which is tangential I know) has to do with all the finite math involved with the patterns. And the best part of all, at least when working a circular crochet pattern is the chance to use my favorite mathematical constant. Stretch your memory back to the days of algebra and geometry and remember the simple formula for determining the circumference of a circle:
Can’t remember? Well, let me remind you using the photo above. If the diameter of a circle is 10.25 inches, the circumference is the diameter multiplied by the constant pi:
C = dπ
Or, as illustrated above:
C = 10.25 * 3.14159
C = 32.2
I have four more rows of increasing before I crochet a band of a half dozen single crochets (with no increases in stitches). After that, I start decreasing. The pattern reduces to a head band circumference of 18.25 inches, which is too small for Rachelle’s inflated ego, er I mean head. Her cranium has a circumference of over 22 inches. So I’ll have to do yet more math to determine the proper stopping point during the reduction.
I’ve decided not to take this Brimmed Cap project with me to work today, even though with the vanpool I have over an hour I could be crocheting to and from work. Mondays (and Fridays) I usually have to tote quite a few things with me (like a week’s worth of lunches and a laptop). If I don’t finish the cap this evening, I’ll probably take it with me on the commute Tuesday.
Brief post in update to the Brimmed Cap crochet project: I’ve finished the first ten rounds (more successfully than my attempts last week). Marking my rounds definitely helps me keep track of the correct number of stitches.
And lastly, I needed to check my gauge:
I’m taking a break for a few minutes to give my wrists a break. Ten years as a legal secretary in the mid to late 80s left me with some symptoms of carpal tunnel – including tingling and numbness. But I’ll be back to this project in no time.
My first attempt, last year (or more accurately last week) ended in a tangled confusion of what round am I really on and how many stitches are left on this round?
So, this afternoon, I unraveled the chaos, found a safety pin to mark my rounds, and started over again with this Brimmed Cap pattern my daughter, Rachelle, selected as a belated Christmas gift. Last year I made her a Ruffle Scarf using Lion Brand Yarn‘s Homespun yarn in Wild Fire color. Using the same color, I’m crocheting the cap. I’ll post pictures once I have a bit more done.
Two weeks and last year since I sat down to compose an entry. Half my offspring have come and gone (north then south) mysteriously in the night. Said goodbye to one of the best years of my life with some trepidation, concerned that 2011 can’t possibly exceed it.
After trimming the tree on Thursday the 23rd, I spent nearly all of Friday the 24th (Christmas Eve) preparing a family tradition — giving the gift of sticky buns to various friends. I, of course, modify the recipe a bit (see previous link) and don’t bake them. Rather, Rachelle and I deliver them with instructions on how to refrigerate, thaw, rise and bake them so our friends can enjoy hot out of the oven buns in all their sticky sweet goodness.
I asked, but did not insist, if anyone wanted to attend Christmas Eve services. My inquiry met with less enthusiasm than I’d hope, so we spent the evening watching DVDs from Netflix (the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Price of Persia). Oddly, we did not and have not yet watched the Muppet Christmas Carol, a Moss Family tradition going back a decade or more. Perhaps Rachelle, Terry and I will watch it this evening.
Christmas morning, I took my time waking, since I knew my main courses for Christmas dinner (scheduled for one o’clock) wouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to bake). Rachelle was next to awaken and by eleven o’clock couldn’t contain herself and insisted that grandpa arrive early (since I refused to let her distribute gifts until he arrived). Once grandpa arrived, with his delicious pasta cucumber salad, Royna played Santa with Rachelle as her elf-like assistant.
The Christmas dinner menu consisted of a fresh green salad with my home made dressing (an off shoot of the dressing grandpa uses for his pasta salad), said pasta salad, a boneless turkey breast, a spiral cut ham, mashed potatoes (because Terry and I forgot to bake the potatoes), green bean casserole and fresh hot sticky buns for pseudo-dessert.
We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, conversing and even played a game of Catchphrase. Grandpa returned home, everyone took a nap and I read a book (no surprise there).
The strangest and saddest event was Derek and Royna’s sudden departure around 9:00 p.m. that evening. They had carpooled with friends from Texas the previous Sunday and now they wanted to hit the road back south – overnight! The catch was Derek and Royna needed a ride to the UMKC campus (just a couple of blocks southeast of where I work five days a week in the Plaza Library building near the Country Club Plaza). I agreed to transport them and they quickly packed. Being a mother, I was concerned about an overnight return trip to Dallas and insisted that Derek text message me at 6:00 a.m. so I wouldn’t worry. Their return trip was uneventful, he rememered to text me and Derek and Royna were safely home by 7:00 a.m.
Sunday the 26th, I filled up both Pontiacs and saved a dollar per gallon because I had earned over one thousand points at Dillons during the month of December. I knew I’d be driving to work four days this week since my vanpool was on hiatus between Christmas and New Year’s Day (Hallmark closes during that week). I don’t miss having to drive in traffic or fight for a parking space (at least the one I want to get) even though I arrive at work very early.
Monday and Tuesday swept by boringly but Wednesday brought a visit from Terry’s sister Bonnie. She came to visit after dropping her daughter Katie off to visit friends. We enjoyed her visit, and dinner at Famous Dave’s at the Legends. Terry and Rachelle also met her the next day for lunch at Azul Tequila in Lansing. Bonnie retrieved her daughter Thursday afternoon for the return trip home to the Cheney area.
Thursday evening, Terry, Rachelle and I caught a showing of the True Grit remake starring Jeff Bridges at Rooster Cogburn and Matt Damon as Texas Ranger Leboeuf and Barry Pepper and Lucky Ned Pepper. Hailee Stanfeld gave an outstanding performance as Mattie Ross. I highly recommend this movie, even though I’m not entirely sure it’s better than the original. Watch either or both … you can’t keep a good story down.
Friday, New Year’s Eve, arrived. The final day of twenty ten. The only day that last week of the year I didn’t have to drive to Misery (er, Missouri) to work. Rachelle intended to spend the evening with friends. Terry and I thought about finding something at a local bar to participate in, but nothing appealed. So, Terry invited Sean over and I took the dogs upstairs to relax, read and perhaps play a few hours with friends on Aardwolf, an old-fashioned text-based MUD. Not surprisingly, I fell asleep shortly after ten o’clock, only to be startled awake by the boom of fireworks, dogs barking and my daughter text messaging. I eventually returned to my dreams.
Early morning, New Year’s Day, twenty eleven, I’m startled awake, again, by the sound of hail stones dancing on my roof. Did I just sleep through three months of winter and arrive to a Kansas spring thunderstorm?
Spent most of the morning reading a book, playing more Aardwolf and waiting for Rachelle to return home. Later in the afternoon, Terry, Rachelle and I travelled to the Legends (twice in as many days) to watch the latest Narnia flick: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. We had to watch it in 3D (and pay a premium matinee ticket price for the privilege) but the movie was excellently rendered. Again, you can’t keep a good story down.
Today, the second of January, two thousand and eleven, dawns crisply cold and clear. I’m castigating myself for not dragging out the telescope to view Mercury and Venus this morning. I’ve taken too long to write this blog post and missed the opportunity. I spy a gleam of dawn to the east.
Have I resolved to change or achieve anything new as the year starts fresh? Perhaps. I have a few ideas that I’m still brewing and stewing about; just not ready to codify them publicly via this blog.
I’ll leave you with this thought for the day: various translations of Psalm 90:12
Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. (NLT)
Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise. (NCV)
Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! (MSG)
Peace and may all your years, new and old, be happy!