AWOL Blogger and the Poncho Worn

Indeed I have been AWOL. I apologize to any loyal readers out there. But between my ENTIRE family coming down with an insidious germ that sent everyone to the prone position for a week and rendered me unable to find the will even to knit -- along with the fact that life and work had to proceed uninhibited throughout, well, it's been a rough couple of weeks.

Now we're gearing up for end-of-the-year scout activities and baseball for both children. I hope to keep this up!

In any event, I have been quite derelict in posting pictures of the Olympic poncho modeled by Vicki. But first a tease -- here's what she did with the fringe.

And here she donning the winning garment. Nuff said. (And I'd like to point out that she's standing in front of her new front porch--part of a massive remodeling project that nearly knocked her and Pete senseless last year.)

Another Olympic Feat

Those of you who know my aunt also know that she's a knitter. From way back. I have sweet memories of the teensy tiny finger puppets she knit me when I was a child (knowing what I know now, they had to be, like, size 000 or something equally tiny).

She's also an Olympic knitter. For the Knitting Olympics, my aunt elected to try an aran -- a complicated piece of yarnwork filled with cables and twists and calculations that make your head spin. She updated the design to make it a hip sweater for my cousin. Here she is wearing the little gem:

(If any guys are interested yes, she's single)

And here's a closeup on the cables:

Totally medal worthy. Now I want one.

Lizard Socks and the Real Deal

Everyone knows I was out of town, but I haven't had much time to tell my story about knitting on the airplane. I still don't have the time.

But I will say that it seemed somehow special that I had the chance to look at some of these ...


... while I finished these.


You're looking at socks created in Opal's "Chameleon" colorpath. My son has been calling him his "lizard socks." He was more happy with them than with the stuffed octopus I brought him! In fact, that's why they're all stretched out. He wore them for two solid days.

At the Westin del Mar

So I'm here, in Puerto Rico ... as everyone who reads this knows. I transfered to the Westin Rio del Mar today and here's a picture:

Want to know what the best part of being at the Westin is? We're right across from the national rainforest here, El Yunque:

Knitting on an airplane

I don't have much time to post because I'm traveling for work -- here in sunny Puerto Rico where things are way too expensive.

I have multiple funny stories to share, but no real time. So I'll leave you with a few pictures from Rio Grande, which is a tremendously expensive cab drive away from San Juan, but very very beautiful. I stopped by the beach on my way back to my room. Near sunset ... here are two views: one looking east, and one looking west. Those with good directionals should know which is which.