JessaLu Knits (and Spins!)

Archive for May, 2006

…Summer has just flown by, hasn’t it? June and July went by so fast that I just can’t remember any of it…wait, it’s still May?

Sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. What the eff is up with the humidity?!

Okay I’m done with my weather whine, sorry.

I have a few things to show ya’ll ;o) My garden is doing amazing things this year and I just have to show it off.

First, a little history. I moved into this house in the Spring of 2000. RR had lived here since 1994 with assorted roomies and the extent of their ‘gardening’ was calling their buddy who had a lawn service and getting him to mow the lawn once in a while. There were some gardens left from a previous owner (an older lady had made a couple of flower beds here and there – she ended up selling the house to some no-good disrespectful in-bred rednecks (sorry if I’ve offended any in-bred rednecks, I’m sure some of you are very nice, however these assholes spray painted sw*stikas in what is now my office. They are not nice.)). The beds were overgrown – one was 99.9% Lily of the Valley and .1% Jack-In-The-Pulpit (which told me that my Mama Beth thought my decision to move in was a good one – another story for another day). I ended up ripping up most of that bed and making it into a rose garden, with peonies that I may or may not have gotten from my Grandmother’s garden. *ahem*

Anywho, as most gardeners who have tangled with these flowers know, peonies are stubborn and moody. If you move a peony plant or even look at one the wrong way be prepared for it to not give you flowers until it’s damned good and ready (and no longer pissed at you). The peonies in this picture are in their fifth season:

The bastards beauties didn’t bloom at all for the first two years.

So while I was in my ‘mad for gardening’ phase I did a little research and found these wondrous things called ‘Tree Peonies’. THESE are the queens of my garden. I have two, one that I purchased as a root three summers ago and one that I purchased as a blooming beauty two summers ago. Here is the two-year old a few days ago:

(yes, weeding and mulching have fallen by the wayside – I’m spinning. Shush.)

And here is the three-year old (this is the first year it has bloomed – I am SO happy):

And in other news, the rhododendron that has only given me one measly bloom a year since I took over its care has SEVEN blossoms on it AND the azaleas are blooming!

All my roses but two are happy – one didn’t make it and the other apparently blended in with the weeds so well that it got mowed. There have been discussions. With pictures and diagrams. It shall not happen again. Or there will be consequences. Dire consequences.

Like no more beer fridge and sleeping on the futon consequences.

Yeah, those are pretty dire. However my lovely Joseph’s Coat climbing rose that I have nursed through four frigid Northeast winters is now a ghastly two inch stub. Dammit.

*ahem* Anyway, let me say a quick thank you, to my Grandma T. for the green thumb and the knowledge that keeps me from yanking up the ‘pretty’ plants ;o) My garden has gotten lovelier and lovelier since you passed – I can only hope you’re out there helping me along. Now could you help steer RR away from the rest of my rosebushes? Thanks ;o)

Coming soon…I may or may not have an FO to show you readers…want a hint?

…obsession.

There are many kinds of knitters. Some knit scarves and that’s it. Some break out of the rectangle and start knitting hats, then it’s on to sweaters, socks and mittens. Then there are a few who can’t be happy with just one way to play with fiber. They feel a need to create something from it’s very beginning. They’re mesmerized by the whirl of a spindle, be it a drop or on a wheel.

I happen to fall into that last group.

Lord help me, I’ve started spinning.

I’ve been hanging on the outskirts for a few months now. I can’t remember the first time I mentioned that I might like to give it a shot – although I’m pretty sure I first said it to Carole (as dangerous as that may be – her being all tricksy). I finally caved at Massachusetts Sheep & Wool.

Get this – I bought the fiber first. Then I bought the Bosworth spindle. Oh and those of you who think you might like to try this? I can’t say enough nice things about the Bosworths. Sheila spent 20+ minutes with me in the midst of a busy festival showing me how to spindle. She is kind and patient and best of all – good at showing a newbie how not to f*ck up ;o) She even had the patience to pose for blogger photos! (Thanks again!)

Mass Sheep & Wool was great – not too big, not too small. Just right, as Goldilocks would say ;o) Abi was right, the Cummington fairgrounds are beautiful. I picked up some sock yarn along with my new fiber and Abi got some beautiful superwash (which I’ll leave to her to talk about on her blog).

Then, after the blogger meetup (where you could find some of the usual suspects (Kathy and Heather – you (and others who couldn’t make it) were missed greatly :( ) and I’m sorry but I can’t even begin to remember all the new people I met – Katy has promised a list, I will link to it when she has it up) I brought my new toy to the annual Memorial Day car cruise and proceeded to play with it for three hours straight (and get stared at *alot* in the process. RR runs the music so we’re kind of in the middle of it all and it’s hard to miss someone spinning in the middle of a mini car show). The result? This:

Which I fully recognize looks like complete and utter ass. But I don’t care. Why? Because it’s mine. I made that. Me. With my two hands and a spindle.

I’ve also gotten better.

Now I gotta get a wheel.

ETA: Katy has posted her list – and, if I met you this Saturday and I can’t remember your blog please don’t take it personally, I have the absolute worst memory. Of all time.  At least I think I do – I can’t remember if I’ve met anyone else who’s worse. ;o)  Feel free to shout out in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

…not to be confused with myspace

;o)

Scout has asked to see our ‘knitting spot’ (again) so, since I didn’t do it the first time, here it is. Mess and all.

I’m feeling better – but I still sound like Sid the Sloth from Ice Age. Thanks for all your well-wishes :o)

And, in case you haven’t heard, Katy of Knitterpated is putting together a ‘Bloggers and Brownies’ meetup at the fiber fest on Saturday. 1pm at the tables near the concession stands. Be there or be square ;o)