And the Razzies* Go to...

A wild raspberry bramble colonized a corner of the backyard some years ago. How did it get there? Er, process of elimination?? None of our near neighbors grow raspberries. And these are no pampered garden escapes with gracilis three-foot canes, but tough survivors with arching ten-foot canes, thicker than a U.S. 19 (15 mm) knitting needle and studded with fearsome thorns - even the tenderest leaves have barbs sharp as felting needles on their undersides.

Despite its wicked armaments, I always keep a fondly greedy eye on it. When almost ripe, the small berries are brilliant red, bright as beadwork. When fully ripe, they're dusky purple-red and it's not so much a matter of picking them as gently easing the fragile bejeweled thimbles off their cores.

Last Saturday this cluster was two days from perfection.



Two days later: alas, the treasure did not the escape the notice of others!



It took all week, but I finally have blurry pix of two of the culprits. They're fast – a little too fast for my digicam, but you get the general idea. On the left there's a hungry catbird. And the Audubon guide claims they're insectivores and beneficial to gardeners!

   

On the right there's a contortionist squirrel. The thorns discourage arborial raiding, so she stretches impossibly high from the ground while maintaining a precarious balance to claim her prize.

And the razzies* go to – not to me, not this year.

*Disclaimer: These wild razzies are not affiliated with the Golden Raspberry Awards, known as Razzies™.

Firmly Resolved

[Edited 7/19/05 to add: Hello visiting RAOKers! I'm so very happy to join the group today. Please feel free to have a look around and leave a comment. :)X ]

The adventurous Celia matched me with a scarf pal who likes jewel tones. Ever one to oblige, I trekked to my LYS and was delighted to find the latest from Eisaku Noro in stock. These rich Kureyon colorways are new for Fall 2005 - the skeins from top to bottom are #159, #147, and #163.



While it frequently seems as if the entire knitting blogoverse either has made, is making, or will make sweet Ruffles for self or another, I am firmly resolved not to do such a thing to my scarf pal. I refuse to be responsible for springing yet another Ruffles on an unsuspecting world and certainly not on my pal. Not I. No, no. Never, never, never!

Such vehemence has a cause: I've already knit my bit, a Ruffles knit in pink Bernat Softee Baby, 100% Acrylic on pink plastic needles.



So the Kureyon #147 pictured above is in the process of turning into Amanda Blair Brown's other design in Scarf Style, the edgy Stripes and Bobbles.

The Fabric of a Community

Today I was saddened to read about a bias crime involving arson and hateful graffiti committed against a sister United Church of Christ church, St. John's Reformed UCC in Middlebrook, Virginia, on July 9, the day before their 225th anniversary celebration. Fortunately, there was no loss of life; property damage was limited to between $50,000 and $75,000.

   

St. John's was founded by German immigrants who fled religious persecution in Europe. Sadly, the ill-spelled graffiti scrawled on the church's red brick walls suggest intolerance as a motive. The church has a woman pastor and includes among its members a same-sex couple active in the choir. The fire damaged the church's choir loft, but did not spread.

Like the smell of smoke, fear of violence can linger. This is not the first arson against a UCC church in the largely rural Shenandoah Valley and yet county and state reaction has been mute or cautious (for example, see "Is this a hate crime?" in the Roanoke Times). However, the FBI always investigates attacks against religious organizations as possible violations of civil rights. The prompt and unwavering national attention and the generous outpouring of support from the local community have helped begin to repair the psychic damage (for example, see the Washington Post).

Determined to move forward, the St. John's congregation proceeded with its anniversary celebration on July 10. As conference minister the Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback said, "On the one hand, you had this awful, petty violence, both in word and in deed. On the other hand, you have the real fabric of the community showing through by embracing the congregation."

My prayer this evening is for the pastor, members, and friends of St. John's Reformed Church; the community of Middlebrook; those investigating this crime; and the troubled perpetrator of this violence.

Snout of the Trout

Happy Bastille Day to la pal secrète! It's not every country whose national anthem was arranged by Hector Berlioz.

After a few false starts, the Sockapal-2-za sock in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock "Green Mountain Madness" is finally well on its way. My sock pal asked for a surprise, so I'd like to oblige her with a riff on one of her ribby projects. She posts exceptionally clear photos on her blog, which made industrial spying research and development easy. Not to mention ribs increase the chance of a decent fit. Here's a view of the sock topside and profile or, for the architecturally minded, plan and elevation views.

What I didn't count on (har!) is how much the ribs pull in. The first attempt with 64 sts on my favorite 0 needles was very dense and looked like the jawbone of a crocodile. The second attempt with 72 sts on 2s was far too loose. The next attempt with 72 sts on 1s had a fine hand and looked like the snout of a trout, which seemed like positive progress. Now I'm working 88 sts on 1s and sailing along.



The yarn has a fabulous sheen and the colorway seems cool and yet lively. But it resented being frogged and re-knit and I was forced to (wince) cut (wince) part that started to de-ply and frizz. That raises concerns about the durability of the finished socks. And, sadly, there also may not be enough yarn for mother-child socks after all.

I reflexively frogged the false starts without documenting them for your pleasure. Hey, I'm new at this blogging thing.

Shawl Ministry Workshop

Welcome to Ina's knitting blog! Please feel free to explore.

If you wish to register for the Shawl Ministry Workshop using a secure online form, click here. Confirmation will be by return email.

For a workshop flyer or directions, visit www.njassociation.org. Or see below.

Contact Ina at NJAShawlMinistry [at] aol [dot] com with any questions.

Thank you, and see you in September!



NJA Shawl Ministry Workshop
For knitters, crocheters, and fringe-makers



Date: Saturday, September 10
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Place: Christ Church, Summit (see directions below)

Learn about a ministry of compassionate outreach
Meet fellow crafters and see their work
Share stories of healing and reconciliation
Labyrinth walk, Turkish scarves, more
Bring a bag lunch ~ beverages and desserts provided

Free will offering



Directions to Christ Church, Summit
561 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ
908-273-5549

From New York City / George Washington Bridge / Lincoln Tunnel / Holland Tunnel:

Take NJ Turnpike (I-95) South or West to Exit #14, then take Interstate 78 West local lanes and bear right to exit onto Route 24/124 West. *** Exit at Summit Ave, Summit (the 2nd Summit exit). At traffic light at end of ramp, turn left onto Summit Ave. Go straight on Summit Ave for approximately one mile. At Springfield Ave (traffic light in center of town) turn right. Go straight through four lights (about 1/2 mile) to the traffic light at New England Avenue (it's New England Ave on the right, but it's called Tulip St on the left). Christ Church is the red sandstone building on the near right-hand corner. (For reference, The Grand Summit Hotel is on the far left).


From the NJ Garden State Parkway (GSP) North and South:

Going South on the GSP, take Exit #142 to Interstate 78 West into Route 24/124 West, then pick up the directions above at ***.

Going North on the GSP, take Exit #142 to Interstate 78 East (there is no West bound exit!). Go one exit and make a U turn. Then follow directions above for "South on the GSP."


From Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia:

Take the NJ Turnpike North to Exit #14, then Interstate 78 West, local lanes, and exit onto Route 24/124 West. Then follow directions above at ***.



Parking

Free parking available in the church parking lot and along New England Avenue.