I know it’s been quiet here for the past couple days.  I’m using ALL my free time, (believe me, that nothings free thing is right… I’m working for this time)knitting.   Time has been divided into smaller bits of time.. a stitch at a time time,  one by one, segments of mattress stitch time.  The Ribby is slooooowly being seamed together.  Instead of the seed stitch zipper band, I made one using Icord… twice on one side.  Somehow, the impossible happened,  impossibly.  In spite of the fact that both sides of the front were knitted at the same time, on the same needles, One of them appears to be LONGER.  Nearly ONE INCH LONGER!  I know that it isn’t really so, but no matter how many times I have laid one on top of the other, the INCH is still there.  It won’t be when I’m finished, but it is one of those little things that always pop up when it’s time to put the whole damn thing together.  This is where I always get stuck, mired in the muck.  Projects sit months around here waiting to be sewn up.  I really don’t like doing it.  Maybe next time, a top down, seamless project, or maybe another shawl.  Eight more rows, the Paddler is sitting next to my chair, taunting me, eight more rows.. and I still have more seaming, more mattress stitch and then a #@*% zipper.   Got to go..

 

I thought it should be named Autumn. 

If I can get my office work out of the way, maybe I’ll fit in a bit more dyeing. 

All the potatoes are in the barn, drying off before retiring to the bins in the cold cellar.  Buckets of green, white and blushed tomatoes wait to be spread out in covered boxes to ripen slowly through the remainder of the fall. Several years ago, we were still eating *fresh* tomatoes until New Year’s, last year only until Thanksgiving.  We were disappointed to find that most of the remaining apples had blown from the trees last week while we were away.  The deer had completely cleaned up, not a apple, fresh or rotten, on the ground. It’s to be expected, not always controlled. 

 
I was happy to still count ten heads when I walked by today.  After last night, with the coyotes, and all the tok tok talk of the ravens today, I had thought they might be feasting on leftovers.   

Back to Ribby…

One more day, that’s what the weather guy forecast last evening.. one more of these absolutely unprecedented, warm and sunny, glorious autumn days.  Take advantage of it while you can, he said.   I did.

Lately, I’ve been dyeing more complex colorways.  Where they used to be blends of two or three colors, the newer ones have been four or even five.  It takes more time, more dye, and I’m thinking a different eye to appreciate.  I couldn’t help myself, autumn colors are complex.  Here’s Autumn.   

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Dusk comes early.  I know, this is just the beginning, but every day it feels earlier.  I didn’t get a chance to walk down to the mailbox until after supper.  By the time I reached the field, the coyotes were singing.  The light was dulled enough that I had a hard time counting the neighbor’s heifers.  He had moved them over just the other day into a field adjoining my driveway, probably culling them out to be saved or slaughtered.  I don’t want to know.  Sweet faces greet me at what’s left of the fence. 

Tonight I’ll post pictures of four newly dyed yarns.  With 5” of rain predicted over the next couple days, the potatoes need to be dug beforehand.  I’m off.