It’s become increasingly clear that my Leaf Lace Shawl will not be finished in time for Maryland.  I could cut it short at this point, do the lace edge and block it, but I still have one more skein of yarn that I spent two hours beading when I could have used it as perfectly good knitting time.  I’m going to keep going.  I may finish at Maryland.  I can see myself now, trying to block and dry it on the fly.  I like to steam block,.  The steamer is NOT going.  Rethinking my plans, put that on the list, or on the list of lists.

More time was spent dyeing.  I love watching and planning the color changes and thinking of what to make next.  Yesterday I dyed one that I calling ‘Purple Finch’.   Purple finches are not purple.  My Grandmother always told me that she loved them because they looked like they had strawberry juice poured over them.  And so they do, little brown birds with strawberry juice..   I also dyed a combination of blues and purpley blues, very Aegean, if you’ve ever seen it ( the Aegean).  All this when I should have been knitting the shawl, should have been cleaning and packing, should have, could have, what fun is that?  ( pictures will come when I get a minute.. lol)

Wednesday afternoon I fly out on the first leg of my MS&W trip.  I’m sliding into panic time.  The company’s billing is underway, the printer has already crapped out twice today.  I bought it new ink cartridges and it got worse.  It’s after 8pm and I’m finally getting the invoices out.  It’s only step one, then the statements, proofing, folding, stuffing into envelopes and sealing them up.   That ought to take me well into the afternoon, or I can pull an all nighter.  Then I can get on to packing.  I had first intended to take a wheel.  I’ll make do with knitting.  If I HAVE to spin, I’ll find a wheel… 😉   I thought I’d take a laptop, mine weighs more than any other I’ve ever held, and my back is out.  Unless C gets nervous having me travel without access to biz files, I will check that off the list.  Yarn, well,it IS Maryland afterall, there will be plenty of yarn.  I’ll take just what I’m working on.. everything else can be had, right?  oops.. check!  Linda is checking for the nearest Starbucks, I need coffee sooner than that, coffee pot?  I saw that Norma got new luggage, shoes and shirts to match.  I’ll stick with my old stuff, oh yeah, and dye the roots ( you too?).  Of course, if I DID get new lightweight luggage, I’d be better able to haul /pack more inside with my really bad back..  hmmmm..   Let me tell you that NH S&W is MUCH easier, drive up, drive back.  I need to get through billing.  There’s tomorrow, then it’s Wednesday.   Hyperventilating starts, now?

In case you are wondering, I did.  I decided somewhere around 4:15 pm Friday to fight brave traffic and drive to Circles to see the Harlot in action.  This was not a small decision, Friday afternoon rush hour traffic in any city is something to think about, but BOSTON.  This is the Northeast folks, driving here anytime of day is considered a contact sport.  Road rage is real.. I’ve had people get out of their cars and and grab onto the mirror of my car just for merging in front of them on an on ramp ( yeah, it was stop and go, and most of that STOP).  I mention this, because in preparation for the drive I downloaded driving instructions from Mapquest ( obviously they’ve never been anywhere they give directions for, yes, it’ll get you there, but why would anyone choose to go THAT way) and also from Circles. Luckily, I had both on my lap.  Somewhere I chose the wrong rotary and went speeding off into the nether realm of the city’s outskirts.  I did not go back, I had faith, I was meant to get there, I would magically find my way if I just kept driving the right general direction, and I did.  Get there.  Completely frazzled, and knowing that I’d never repeat that trick again.  It was in that state of mind that I met the Harlot getting out of the car next to me, muttering something about Pepto Bismal and nerves.   I do hope she got home this weekend.  How she’s managing all those ‘visits’, all those speeches, well wishes and heavens knows… writers cramp.. how many times HAS she signed her name in the BOOK?  Enough, you all have heard about Steph, I’ll tell you about the rest of the crowd.  I didn’t know a single person, but I recognized a few bloggers.  Then I met some more, bloggers that is, and then they started to point out other bloggers… have you any idea how many knitters blog??  I met Colleen , Paula (smart, she planned ahead and took the train into the city),  Claudia (in Rogue of course..),  Amy ( in her green bamboo shawl) and tho’ I didn’t actually meet them, a room full of other bloggers.  It was fun. 
Saturday, was the real beginning of the Fiber Season.  I didn’t managed to arrive at the Ct. Sheep & Wool in time to meet Marcia, my apologies here, but many spinning friends and new blogging friends did stop by the Merlin Tree booth to try out the HitchHiker.  What a funny wonderful world, several years ago there were Wendy, and LB and just a handful of knit bloggers.  Today, knitters greet other knitters by touching whatever knitted wearable each has on and announcing… I’m (insert blog name here). 

don’t get huffy, I really don’t mean to slight anyone I didn’t mention..  it’s Monday morning afterall
I did not include links to pics, is there a way to only fatten up one’s face?
oh yes, and mamacate.. anyone willing to bring 3 yr. old twins ( and teach them to say, ‘let’s buy some wool’, is memorable , wouldn’t you say?

With a week to go before THE Maryland Sheep & Wool festival, I’m starting to realize that I once again have NO IDEA where, or evn IF anyone is meeting up.  I envision myself once again, as I do, going, wandering and wondering…. WHO.. do I know this person virtually,  would I recognize anyone from those little pics on their blogs if I did?..  are they all meeting somewhere and I just can never figure it out?  So I ask you..   what’s up??   Who amongst you are going?   Just askin’.

I am going to the Conecticut Sheep & Wool tomorrow.  It’s small and close enough to make the effort.  The Merlin Tree’s Hitch Hiker will debut, and I’m going to show my support.   The weather isn’t looking very good but it should be fun anyway.  There are several local spin-ins Saturday as well.  Lots of fibery things to do this weekend.

Tonight I see that Steph (you know, the ONE with THE BOOK) will be in Boston.  I raise my hand, I’m a wannabe there.  But 6:30pm, that’s almost still rush hour(s)..  not a nice thought. 

Thanks for all the comments offering suggestions as to what to do with unmatched yarns.  Actually, I’m all set.  I was trying to matchit for someone else.  I still have one more skein to bead of my original dyelot.  It should get me where I’m going.  The Charlotte shawl was a good idea.  Thanks, Tamara.