knitting vegan

Knit out of Bamboo for my vegan niece. It feels nice. Not sure how durable this yarn will be.

Making Pickles

Secret family recipe (mom's) for dill pickles.

Here we are, stuffing the jars and getting a batch ready.

We make them once a year.

Several Hours later, 24 quarts of pickles. Yum.

Sketches

Back to school, SAT tests, and college applications have me thinking about this guy Matthew B. Crawford, http://ping.fm/T88PI , and his book: Shop Class as Soulcraft , read an article here: http://ping.fm/Ixmb2

Crows in Seattle

I am reading a local woman's book, and noticed three reviews of her work this week. It's a pretty good read, if you like birds, an excellent meditation of the crow's place in city life.

Crow Planet by Lyanda Lynn Haupt is a book to set by your bedside, or take on a trip. Enjoy.

Jury Duty

Whew! They didn't pick me for a two week (first trial) or a three week (second) trial, so I was sent home after only two grueling days serving on Jury duty downtown Seattle. Bus. People. Fluorescent lights (so bright, they could seriously make a prisoner of war crack) in the room they had us waiting in. I brought sunglasses to wear the second day so I could tolerate the lights. The slow, grind of justice. I am not sure how random this process really is. Last year I was summoned, and served on a trial. This year, out of 55 possible jurors. 25 asked to be let go for hardship in the first minute. The stories! The drama! The pleading! I am quite sure the guy accused of stabbing a woman, or the the bloodshot eyed businessman disputing an eminent domain case thought the jurors complaints were small compared to the hell they were in. Well, I've done my civic duty for the month. I'll be so happy when I get the check in the mail for twenty dollars for my trouble.

On Turning Sixty

This article in ODE is an interesting take on friends and turning 60. I am thinking of this because I just left a friend's birthday party, where there were many friends, of all ages (really, from 5 weeks old to 91). See what we did for the artchix next where we celebrated one of us turning 60.