Backpacking

I went backpacking in the Jefferson Wilderness area in Oregon this past weekend. If you've never been packing you really should give it a try. Simple and free you will be. Everything gets back to the basics. And there are so many new little gadgets and items to take along that will make the whole experience more enjoyable and much easier than it could be.

And yes, I did find space in my pack for a couple knitting projects. A whole compartment designated to yarn and needles. Why not! Worked on a project bag with a colorful variegated ribbon yarn. The type of yarn you just can't pass up because it's unique and on clearance but you have no sight of ever having a project in mind for it. Well, that was me and this yarn. I've found that one can always find usefulness in a bag so there it is...a half finished bag. The weather was too wonderful and the lake was all too warm and clear to allow me to finish my knitting. I admit there are other activities that call preference over my knitting and crocheting.

I recently was given two large bags of Llama wool. I'm excited to start the task of cleaning, combing and spinning. Still a newbie at all this and I like it that way. The excitement of new wool and what it will really look like gets me. I mentioned before about publishing patterns and books. Also would like to get my Oregon spun yarn out there. People ask everywhere for yarn spun in the USA....so I plan to become one of the contributors. I let you know how it goes.

too-ta-loo

Maryland

Our summer vacation took us to Maryland this year. Visiting family and exploring fills our time. I even managed to visit three Yarn shops out here. They are hard to find in this area. There are several I can't get to up the northern end of Maryland...maybe someone else can check them out. But the one I enjoyed the most was Stitch DC in DC. Pennsylvania and eighth streets SE of the mall. She was very friendly and helpful and soon to be famous....publishing a book soon and has a pattern in the next interweave knit magazine soon to come out. That's what I'd like to accomplish. Ever think extra accomplishments are so hard to reach? I mean with family and jobs and life I feel putting 'extra' out there only elate me; few others encourage or even understand. But of course we all know that if we relied on everyone else's opinions, we never would accomplish the things that trigger our fascination. So yes I think that writing patterns to share or even putting together a whole book would be quite the thrill and even a possibility in my future. Taking a step...out.

If anyone ever said (like I said once) that visiting DC wasn't really something you'd enjoy doing you may want to reconsider. It's a thrill; a learning experience and chance to feel alive and meaningful in our hard earned country. I really recommend the American Soldier Memorial in the cemetery. Wow...the pictures are REAL and not dramatized. Our freedom comes from sweat, blood, tears, death - loss. Everyone really needs to experience this and feel teary-eyed with overwhelming passion for those that have fought and are fighting. Yes, peace would be nice but WE have to work for everything. WE! We're in this together. Give them the respect they deserve!

Heading home soon. Been a good experience. Glad to BE!

God is REAL!