July Redux

At least, I think it's a redux. Maybe "redux" is the wrong word. Here, in point form, are thoughts about the month that was. Parts of it could be "The Year That Was", as you'll see.

• My Dad died on July 11th after a very sharp and rapid deterioration of his health. On August 7th 2010, Dad moved into the lodge ajoining the apartment building Mom and Dad had moved into a few years earlier, as his health and mind had been deteriorating and it wasn't safe for him or Mom for him to be in the apartment. His health had continued to deteriorate and it became clear that he needed a higher level of care than could be provided in the lodge, so the the next move up in care was to "long-term care" or the nursing home. Dad had always said he never wanted to go into a nursing home, and when he and Mom recently discussed it he said "Well, I guess this is the end of the line." Had he made it to September, they'd have been married 69 years. Mom is doing as well as can be expected.

• Naturally, this happened in one of the busiest months of the year for us at work when, coincidentally, the brand-new phone system crashed and could not get running reliably for 4 weeks; the airconditioning stalled out during the hottest week of the month in an office building with no windows that can be opened; the internet went down for a week, and; the writing of a report went on f-o-r-e-v-e-r. On July 27th 2010, I was relocated to another office within the company requiring a 1 hour drive each way to work (in good weather: winter is another story), and a new business model and a new operations model. It's been an interesting time (as the Chinese curse goes), with a few too many 60 hour weeks and crying myself to sleep at night. On the other hand, the alternative of "no job" is no good either.

• I finished knitting the Alligator Scarf, a nice kit from Morehouse Farms. Great concept, solid instructions. There was enough yarn supplied that I added extra length. Lotsa fun.

• I finished spinning the merino top that I started at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat.  Actually, I finished it this weekend past, so I really finished it in August. Dye-job is by Fleece Artist in the  "Pumpkin" colourway. It's a brilliant orange --like the rind of a ripe pumpkin-- shot with creamy white --like the flesh of a pumpkin-- and the rare bit of orange-smudged-with-green --like a spot on a pumpkin sometimes is. I think I am now finished with the colour orange. (I am not sure, but Fleece Artist may no longer be dyeing fiber. It's not listed on the website.) I wasn't going to post pictures of this for a bit as it is a gift, but the recipient doesn't read my blog so there's no spoiler. The photos show it more yellow than it is; it's really a brilliant orange. 100 grams; a generous 1050 yards.
 

• Speaking of the men's knitting retreats, there are still 3 scheduled in the USA for 2011. The indefatiguable WonderMike is shepherding the West Coast retreaters (always an intriguing group of men) in Seattle (Sept 1-4) for the 4th year; Barry is coordinating the Midwest Retreat again in Michigan (Nov 10-13), and; Rusty is hosting the first South East Retreat in South Carolina (Nov 11- 13). I believe there are still spaces available for each retreat, but you should check with each coordinator to see. If you are thinking of attending, don't dawdle on contacting the coordinators.

• Since getting the iPod a couple of years ago and the iPad earlier this year, I've been buying music through iTunes. It's fast, reliable. This weekend past, though, something struck me about what I don't like about that, and why I like CDs. I like reading program notes. I like reading what the musicians have to say about the music; I like reading the names of the performers on each track of music and details of how the music was put together. That info isn't there on downloads. After sampling the wonderful collection of music "Los Impossibles" by Christine Pluhar, her band (L'Arpeggiata) and guests, I wondered what I was listening to. It took some hunting around youtube to find this clip where Pluhar talks about the music. It's really very interesting; well worth a watch/listen. (And the music is wonderful.) But nowhere on the downloads from iTunes will you find any information about where the music came from. (And what a surprise that is.)  Or the names of the performers: who is the soprano singing "Marizápalos"?  And is that a banjo playing in "El Guapo"?

This, I think, is all for now.

Comments

[Diane]

* Again, sorry about your dad.
* Love the scarf and handspun.
* Agree with you 1000000% about the missing liner notes on downloaded music. I hope some day that will be fixed.

[LaurieM]

My condolences. It's too bad the rest of your life can't go along smoothly out of consideration for your loss.

Lovely orange yarn. I've got some Fleece Artist fiber in rainbow colors sitting in the stash. I'm thinking to chain ply it. I hope I can do it justice.

[L.M. Cunningham]

Love the 'gator, both pattern and colour.

Concur most wholeheartedly with your frustration with not having a readalong companion with music, and that's one reason I've not purchased anything from iTunes. That being said, I have the comparative luxury of living somewhere that has several excellent used music places, with CDs at reasonable prices.

Plus there's all my old vinyl I need to digitize yet for the iPod....

(You realize I now feel that I have to get off my you-know-what and blog something too, right?) :-)

Hugs.
L.

[Rosemary Buchanan]

Hi Ted. I had no idea you were THE Knitterguy! I suddenly feel like I'm related to a celebrity.

Regarding downloaded music...if you purchase and download music from CDBaby you get all the liner notes and cover art too. CDBaby is pretty much all Indie music but that just means "independent" so it covers all musical styles. Did you know Earl McCluskie is a recording engineer with his own recording company? I purchased a CD he produced from CDBaby. The CD was called "Notes Towards" and featured Ben Bolt-Martin and the poetry of Margaret Atwood. I highly recommend it. You can import the electronic download into your iTunes library and play it on your iPod and/or you can burn it to CD.

I really meant what I said when we spoke at your Dad's funeral...we need to get together more than just when someone in the family dies or gets married. Let me know when you're free. I'll make you dinner and we can knit together!

-Rosemary

[Bonnie]

Wow. That's a lot. I'm glad July is over and am hoping August will be much better. The scarf and yarn are gorgeous, I agree with you whole-heartedly about album liner notes, and I'm sending positive vibes your way for you and your family in this difficult time.

[Natalie]

Sorry to hear about your dad. The job complications don't sound like a whole lot of fun.

Your spinning is absolutely gorgeous. I consider your spinning posts partially to blame for my desire to spin. I've been spindling for 8 months & I'm buying a wheel soon!

[John]

Hey uncle Ted when you buy the whole album in one order from itunes they will give you what is called a digital booklet with your download and it has everything you're missing from the album booklet/cover

[Donna]

Ted, I'm sorry about your dad and everything else that's piled on. I wish you peace and joy going forward...

[t]

sorry to hear about your dad.

hope that the support of family and friends (plus lots of knitting and spinning) will get you through this difficult season.

[anne marie in philly]

my sympathies on the death of your father.

I am just catching up on my fave blogs; it's been a crazy july & august (so far).

smooches (cute alligator scarf too)!

[Janet McKee]

My condolences on the passing of your dad. Your parents had many years together. I hope your mom is coping. Peace.

[WonderMike]

Dear Sweet Ted,

I still get chocked up when I hear about your Dad. I know he was having a very difficult time and you were a great son & comfort to him, I am sure. I hope it's getting easier for you without him.

Thanks so much for the kind words regarding the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat. We had an amazing time, thanks to the hard work of my co-planners, Daniel Herrera & Chuck Wilmesher. I'm very luck to know YOU and to have you all as my friends and fiber conspirators.

As others have stated, many times when I purchase music from iTunes, I get a digital booklet which is a PDF containing liner notes, links & images. I hope you are able to locate this in your iTunes library.

Finally, I'm very much looking forward to seeing in person in the Bay Area very soon!

xoxoxo,
~maw

[WonderMike]

and, of course, I meant "choked up". Can't seem to type very well today. :(

[margaret]

Thanks so much for the link to the Christine Pluhar video - this is music new to me, and marvellous - and also for the alligator scarf!