Back in Oakland

I’m back in Oakland (California) for a relaxed visit with my grandson. He started school this week but doesn’t have after school care for two weeks yet. The good news is, he was accepted into the one at his school, which is HANDY and, best of all, a good one. His school moved this summer from downtown Oakland to near the airport. They have much more room and playground space onsite. It’s a bit of a challenge still for the drop-off and pick-up strategy, but will even out soon, I’m sure. There’s no parking other than pretty sketchy on-street parking, or using the store lot across Hegenberger (which is very wide and very busy). He was ready for school EARLY the first two days–half an hour and three quarters of an hour. By Wednesday, though, the norm of stall tactics set in. Ah well, two days isn’t bad at all.

I love visiting my Oakland family. Well, that goes for any of my family since they are all pretty darn nice to be around. But Oakland’s a real city with all the choices and noises. Am trying hard to stay away from all my favorite places–need to keep the spending to a minimum so I’ll have a little for the trip to Shanghai coming up. I do have one thing I’m SUPPOSED to get on this trip: the green-patterned, jungly-looking shopping bag from Trader Joe’s. A friend brought one back from CA this summer and our knitting group has been oohing and aahing over it with the lustful looks usually reserved for yarn. So I volunteered to bring some back. No great expenditure ($1-$2 each and I want to get but they are turning out to be a little difficult to find. Apparently they rotate the designs around some. The nearest store didn’t have them. I’ll need to check a couple more. And if there aren’t any, then the knitters will just have to wait for the next trip!

Have been working on the Victorian Lace Today 3-cornered shawl for my son’s girlfriend in Claudia Hand Painted Yarns–silk lace 20/2. Moving right along, until getting to Chart E going from row 23 to 24. Stitch numbers work fine, but the left and right sides seem to be reversed. No big problem. While I pondered what to do, I brought it with me to show my daughter and she pointed out that I ought to take out all of the knitting in Chart E because I’d changed colors on the wrong row (I’m doing it in two colors) and the color bumps are showing on the front rather than on the back. I picked up the last row of the first color before taking anything out–helped to keep me from dropping stitches. Am ready to go again. This has been one rip-out that I don’t feel badly about. It’s been a complete pleasure to knit and it’s going faster as I go (shorter rows). Now I can knit it for longer!!!

Tax adventure

I never talk about financial stuff in public. People seldom do. But … (in the most general terms and only because we had yesterday some wide-eyed, blood pressure-raising, are we angry or are we scared moments)…

We own some undeveloped land in a state in which we do not live (and at the other end of the country). Every year or so we receive the latest revaluation notice–sometimes just a little less or more, sometimes a larger difference, but nothing to worry about. This year the assessment shows a huge difference, one might call it outrageous. One 40-acre parcel has increased 16 times. Another has increased 49 times. What’s that about? I’ve been in our old files, on the assessor’s website, on the phone with some neighbors in that far-off state (thank you CW), and am now armed with some questions that might not sound too ignorant when the assessor folks get around to calling me back (since we live way, way too far away to make an appointment to meet them). I am not a money person and this is a bit of a challenge, but I’m beginning to see some possible reasons for this craziness. Makes me nervous, though, until I get to talk to a real person. I hope that person makes sense to a person like me, one with little or no experience!

Meanwhile, I’m ready for some cool! Weather, that is.

In shock

It’s been awhile since my last post. Oops. Had to recover from the very enjoyable trip out to Oakland to visit daughter, sil, and grandson. Was supposed to be there to help with transportation during an off-kilter end-of-school-year week but wasn’t needed until the last day. That one was special because I got to go to the park (middle of downtown, about 3 blocks from the school) with the kid’s class for games and ice cream. Was fun to see his classmates and talk to his teacher. Been a long time since I’ve been on a class outing. His class has a LOT of parental participation–much appreciated by the teacher. Even got to pack up a few posters for the teacher–the school is moving this summer; what a job that must be.

Have been spending time at home, reading mostly (Robin McKinley, Georgette Heyer, whenever possible). Checked out a trilogy from the library–thought I was getting McKinley but got the Lighthouse Trilogy by Adrian McKinty. It’s for young adults and reads that way. Am still deciding if I like it. (McKinley is for YA also, but is SOOOO good!) Some quilting (must dig out a picture) and a fair bit of knitting–all on one project. I’ve started a triangular shawl for my son’s girlfriend in silk. More details and a picture later. Guess I should get it on Ravelry, too. Oh my.

The “shock” part of this post is about our trip to Shanghai. Won’t happen until October, but meanwhile I’ve been getting used to the idea. Long flight, language issues, money issues, weather issues, etc. But the more I read (of course!) the more I’m looking forward to the trip. We’ll stick close to the city which will be fine with the amount of time we’ll have–about 10 days. My husband has been invited to give a keynote address for a conference–and a half-day workshop. There will be translators. And a certain degree of wining and dining. Oh heavens–that’s not my thing. I figure it will be good for me and the folks who take us around will be gracious and interesting. And we’ll be eating wonderful food. I’m hoping that walking around the city during the day will be acceptable and safe. Shanghai is supposed to be one of the safe places. It’s also the fashion center of the far east. And casual. I like the combination. This is when I’m pleased to be “of a certain age” because I won’t feel so self-conscious about my very-much-not-high-fashion wardrobe.

Once the shock passes, it’s kinda fun to get ready. Been gathering together some slash-proof items, making sure I have some quick-dry clothing (a bit tough for a cotton freak who will NOT wear polyester or nylon)–or at least light weight, reading up a bit on things to see and do in Shanghai. There’s some pretty fascinating history, too–both relatively recent and going way back. And how could I forget? I’m not a big shopper, but there will be FABRIC: blue indigo wax-resist-dyed cotton, known as nankeen and very popular now. Hope I can find some I can afford. Want to add a bit to the bluesy quilt I’m making for my daughter.

All for now. I feel much better just writing some of this down.

Heading out and some favorite places

Will be leaving tomorrow for a visit in Oakland CA with my grandson. Can’t wait. Will be such a treat to see him and have the energy in the cooler weather to do things with him.

Might even get a quick visit with my friend Jane whose visit to the Bay Area overlaps mine by, I believe, one day. Pretty crazy to be travelling across the country to see each other! She’s on a cross-country drive with her husband in their EuroVan and has been keeping us more or less up-to-date by way of her travel blog. Love seeing where she’s been and her impressions, plus she’s put in some great pictures.

Am taking some pieces of blue to work on a quilt for my grandson’s parents. Have just put together the first 3 blocks, and I’m not so sure about it. Problem may be the center square which is just a bit dull. Will be looking for something else at my favorite fabric shop ever, Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics on Shattuck Ave in Berkeley. What a great excuse!

Some (nowhere near all) of my other favorite places (restaurants/shops) to visit in the Bay Area:
Bluebird Yarn & Fiber Crafts in Sausalito
Sartaj India in Sausalito
The Papery in Sausalito
Black Mountain Artisans in Point Reyes Station
Laurel Book Store in Oakland (always a delight to see owner, Luan)
K2TOG in Albany
Bakesale Betty on Telegraph Ave in Oakland
Article Pract (yarn store) on Telegraph Ave in Oakland
Five Little Monkeys (toy store) in Albany–a few doors down from K2TOG

…and most important of all, Bittersweet, the best chocolate place you could dream of–I’m hooked on their Classic. It’s on College Ave in Oakland.

Oh man, I can’t wait! Now I just have to iron some fabric, freeze some blueberries, vacuum the rugs, fold and put away clothes (then get them out again), and PACK! Be back late next week.

a good thing

I just came across the site for The Alzheimers Art Quilt Initiative . They auction off small — tiny — quilts to raise money for research. Seems like the size (9″x12″) might be good for working on while traveling. Am always looking for ideas for portable projects. And they’ll take anything from anyone as long as the rules are followed. Thank you Karen Combs for mentioning this admirable endeavor in your blog.

Wisconsin, land of my heart…

Maybe the title is a bit gushy, but the two days we were in Wisconsin were like going home. We have some very dear friends there and, although it had been several years since the last visit and over 20 years since we lived there, it was as if we’d seen them yesterday.

There were the in-town friends, colleagues of my husband, who were an important part of our life “back then” and still are.

And there were our country friends, a group of women who raised sheep, spun the wool, and made warm lovely things with the yarn. This is the group (out of 12? or 15?) we managed to gather for one of the days I was there.

We were (and will always be, but not in the active sense) the Mt. Horeb Spindrifters. We met once a month at each other’s homes to knit, spin, and share information or stories about our sheep (and oh, what stories!). Each spring we worked our collective butts off to have a Shepherd’s Harvest where we sold our wool, our yarn, our brats (bratwurst, not children), and provided demonstrations of various sheep-related activities/crafts. We even managed to get our families to participate: one brave and dedicated husband sheared sheep, another equally brave and dedicated husband served as our cashier, others helped with cooking the brats, our children did everything from grabbing sheep for the shearer to demonstrating weaving, and of course everyone helped with setting up and taking down according to availability and ability. People came from surrounding farms, Madison, and as far away as Chicago.

A lot has happened in 20+ years. Some of us have moved away–to Minnesota, to Canada/Norway, to Alabama (that’s me). A few still have sheep. Children have grown up and had their own families. A few of us have moved off the farm. A few have stayed, but sold their sheep. A few still have sheep. Interests have expanded or been re-focused. And there have been deaths in our “family.” We are, after all, getting older. Those who have passed on will always be remembered and held close to our hearts.

I wish I had pictures from the past–they are not digital and I’m not up to scanning, etc., yet. Perhaps later. Meanwhile, here are a few from my two days.

Here’s Mary’s felted jacket–felted and sewn by herself, her wool.
…outside
..and inside, showing some of the finishing detail. (See, M? Not a picture of your armpit–not really!)

And here’s a few sheep.

One of Carol’s rams greeting Martha and me in the driveway… We decided not to proceed and send him crashing in a panic into a fence. The asparagus we were delivering would find other happy eaters.

Martha’s boarders, not feeling too sure about us peering over the fence at them.

These guys live across the road from our old place and aren’t feeling nervous about us at all!

This is the old Hauge Church, built of logs in 1852.

Notice the very narrow-bench seats?

Long before we ever moved to Wisconsin, the land was donated by the owners of “our” farm. It was on the corner of the section and was designated for the sole purpose of the building of the church. All this was in our deed. Interesting historical stuff. People still get married here, have picnics, and just visit. It’s well cared for by local folks and is now surrounded on three sides by prairie (being recovered from old fields and a hillside pasture). The fourth side is the site of some controversy. The owner on that side wants to build a pole barn right next to the church plot. People have objected as the barn will obviously detract from the beauty of the churchyard and its views. Now, I’m not likely to object to a farmer needing to make a living, but this guy apparently owns 400 acres in the area and really doesn’t HAVE TO build the barn right next to the church. One would think. The last I heard, the guy won a lawsuit and the township will have to come up with the money to pay the court costs. Not sure I’ve gotten it right. But what a neighbor, eh?

Funny, I never took any pictures of the land we still own there (without the house). It has become woodsy-er. Things looked very green with just a little bit of apple tree blossoms left. I used to spin quite a bit of my wool and sell it under the name “Wild Apple Wool.” Miss that life.

Lost and found

I deleted my pictures from last week’s trip to Wisconsin. Very sad. Good friends, beloved places. But thanks to my husband, who handed me a tiny ScanDisk with Rescue Pro Deluxe, I now have all 21 of them back (from my cameral card) and filed on my computer. Some will show up in postings-to-come. NOW I can sleep peacefully.

Snake!

I got it!!!  

Our garden guys saw the snake yesterday, but it disappeared into the crawl space vent before they could get it (actually, they were trying to get it with water from the hose–chickens).  Been watching for it and here it is, sunning itself right outside our living room window.

I had to take the first picture through the window in case it moved away by the time I got outside.

It did move, but over by the friendly green hose. Nice, because the hose provides scale. Beautiful, isn’t it? The snake, that is. (I’ll probably have nightmares.)

Will leave it be so it can continue to cut down on our burgeoning chipmunk population.  Goooood snake  —just don’t surprise me, okay?

It disappeared into one of these narrow slots yesterday. Which goes into the crawl space, which is open to the garage, which is where I store my yarn in the freezer. Oh my, now I’ll have to bang even more on the door when I go in there. (Now who’s the chicken?)

Hmmm. Been thinking. There MIGHT BE MORE THAN ONE of these lovelies. I’ll have to seriously watch my step and rustle with a stick when weeding.

The garden to which we returned

Well, we were only gone for two full days and two travel days, but things happen fast in the garden at this time of year. Although we arrived at home in the mid-afternoon, I didn’t see this huge red bergamot (bee balm) until the next morning when I opened the curtains and came face to face with it. So I took a picture right away, through the window (and screen).

This is what it looks like a day or two later, outside.

Remarkable flower, isn’t it? Reminds me of the costuming for the ballet, Firebird. The red, in real life, is what my mother used to wear on her lips–fire engine red. Not sure the intensity comes through on the photo, but you get the idea.

So this is what I found in the garden:

…an intensely blue aster (have to figure out how to shut off the flash) that probably should be cut back so it will bloom in fall (but I just can’t resist letting it do it’s thing now),

…blueberries bursting with juice and beginning to turn,

…a very happy gardenia starting to open its buds; more every day,

…some random coneflowers,

…and a single “fancy” rose blooming off the side of the carport (or is that two flowers?).

Haven’t taken a picture of the poppies–with light coming through their fully open glory–but will. And the tomato plants have probably doubled in size, as have the beans and squash. It’s much warmer (up to 92 today and the air conditioner on for the first time in AGES) than when we left town last Monday, and it shows in the lush growth all around us. The lawn, too — urgh, poor husband.

Dribs and drabs at the end of the day…

I’ve just come in from sitting out in the carport (in my sky chair, of course) watching the light fade. Clear skies and warm, about 80 degrees. This is the wind-down of the day, in chronological order: hummingbirds’ last visits to the feeders, mockingbirds finding their spots for night-songs that bounce off hard surfaces making them sound like they’re in a big, empty room (I think they do this on purpose–very good acoustics in the middle of the night), bats heading out for the night making their high-pitched squeaky noises, airplanes passing far overhead with short, quickly-drying trails behind them, strange bird murmurings, a hint of cicada (maybe, but not close by), fireflies (yes! they are out!), a moment with my husband before he goes back to his computer, and a star or two that turn out to be Vega and Antares.