Wan is pretty much the way I’m feeling today (although, really, I’m a little more flushed than pale), not to mention a little cranky about this drippy nose. There are worse and more painful things you can have wrong to be sure, but not many that are more annoying.  I just keep reminding myself that this (theoretically) means the medicine is working and to be patient . . . but meanwhile, my face is a trifle flushed, my eyes a little glassy and I don’t even want to think of how many times I’ve blown my nose today–and it was fine on Tuesday! No nose problems until I started using that nasal spray from the doctor. That’s what makes this so aggravating. My nose is making me cranky today (grin).

But enough about my health–you’re here for knitting, to be entertained, and all I’m doing is whining. I’m so sorry. Please come in, have a seat, and be comfortable. Hot tea? Coffee? A cookie? Good. That’s better. I’m so glad you could come.

I started the sleeve for my Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan.

I know, you’re thinking that it doesn’t look like much, but considering the entire sleeve is only something like 9″ long, this is pretty good progress.

I really can’t wait to try this sweater on, which I can’t quite do yet. The sleeve stitches waiting are on a short Denise cable, doubled-back on itself, and connected to itself, end to end. It’s a great, secure way for holding the stitches, for keeping the cable out of my way while knitting on other things–no point protectors to pop off at the worst possible moment–but there’s no way I can fit my arm through there (grin).

On the plus side, look! I got my State income tax refund today. I’m rich! I’m going to run right out and buy . . . well . . . I don’t know. What can one buy for seven dollars and change these days? Maybe a mass-market paperback?

Oh, but the most exciting thing? My smart and wonderful niece got accepted to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students. How cool is that? I am so proud of her. She works so hard, gets straight A’s, is a Junior this year, and is already looking at colleges. (Wow. How’d she get so old so quickly? Oh, and T? If you’re reading this, leave me comment once in a while, okay?)

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Now, this week’s Booking Through Thursday. Today’s questions were suggested by Christine.

1. How do you decide to read a book by an author you haven’t read before?
   Any number of reasons–if the author is recommended by a friend, if the book looks good in the store, if the premise sounds interesting, if it’s got lots of good review on Amazon . . . I love reading favorite authors, but I love finding good, new authors almost as much!
2. What sort of recommendations count most highly in making that decision?
   If the recommendation comes from a person with similar reading habits, it helps, but since almost no-one I know reads the same variety as I do, that list of recommenders is a small one!

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Lastly, it’s Joke Day in blogland, did you know?

It’s not so much a joke, as a silly list you may have seen making the e-mail rounds. Cute, if you know your dog breeds.

How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?

1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we’ve got
   our whole lives ahead of us, and you’re inside worrying about a stupid
   burned out bulb?
2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I’ll replace any wiring that’s
   not up to code.
3. Dachshund: You know I can’t reach that stupid lamp!
4. Rottweiler: Make me.
5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the
   dark.
6. Lab: Oh, me, me! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can
   I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!
7. German Shepherd: I’ll change it as soon as I’ve led these people
   from the dark, check to make sure I haven’t missed any, and make just one more
   perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the
   situation.
8. Jack Russell Terrier: I’ll just pop it in while I’m bouncing off
   the walls and furniture..
9. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I’m sorry, but I don’t see a
   light bulb!
10. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in
    the dark.
11. Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or “We don’t need no stinking
    light bulb.”
12. Greyhound: It isn’t moving. Who cares?
13. Australian Shepherd: First, I’ll put all the light bulbs in a
    little circle…
14. Poodle: I’ll just blow in the Border Collie’s ear and he’ll do
    it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning, Reading // 11 Comments »