Today's Learning

Another 15 words/phrases of basic Catalan and 10 words of Esperanto slang...

BTW, I am using Memrise to learn these and finding it interesting. I may write more about Memrise later in a separate post!

Reviving This Blog

I want to come back to writing at least a little something on here every day. I thought a good topic might be to post at least one thing I have learned each day.

Today it was 20 words/phrases of basic Catalan :)

Fins després! (see you later)

Thanks to D.H.

Sitting in awareness -
What happens next?

Turning 'round the arrow of attention,
The direct way, the rapid way
It seems-
So much of what the wise ones
Have to say makes more sense now.

What next?
Remember to keep looking
with the single eyeless eye
Remember to keep seeing
Who You really are

Deeper deeper
Clearer clearer

Remember to remember God
Practice disappearing.

haiku

sundogs this morning
as I was driving eastward
listening to Sufjan

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Woke up to snowflakes drifting down and a light accumulation in our yard. Kinda pretty! This reminds me though, I'm gonna need to buy a snow shovel; one didn't come with the house :)

Go Crash, Go! A Retro Gamer's Delight (was a treasure-guarding dragon)

Hi again everybody! I hope that everybody is enjoying the summer so far and that this finds you in good health and spirits. Some of you may recall my intention to do my own version of the "one red paperclip" project, except starting with a pack of gum and trading my way up to a new car. First, I traded the gum for a fierce dragon figurine. Well, I am glad to report that the dragon has found a new happy home. He was last seen heading towards his new abode with wings unfurled in the brisk October breeze... and then the holidays and life intervened and put the project on hold for a bit.

*BUT ONLY A BIT!*

In his place I am now pleased to offer you a retro video gamer's delight! Up for trading is an original Sony Playstation, complete with all cables and a controller. The system is in excellent condition; very clean. In addition to the console, I will include a copy of the "Greatest Hits" edition of Crash Bandicoot (which I am told is semi-rare). See how Crash's story began! Defeat the evil Doctor Neo Cortex and his henchmen! Save your girlfriend Tawna from nearly-certain doom!

All this can be yours! Just contact me via email with your offers to trade. I am open to all suggestions for items to trade, but the more exotic/unusual/titillating the better! I look forward to hearing from you!

Natural Nursery Knits

Natural Nursery Knits, by Erika Knight

Quadrille Publishing Ltd, UK 2009

This book, subtitled "Twenty handknit projects for the new baby", combines the recent trend for knitting with eco-friendly fibers with timeless designs that are sure to be warmly received. The projects presented by Ms Knight go beyond the traditional blankets, hats and booties, although those are here too. Some of the more unusual patterns are those for a stuffed giraffe, a bird mobile, a rabbit-shaped rattle, and a cot cover that combines sewing and knitting. I particularly like the pattern for the teddy bear and plan to make it for myself.

The book not only explores a wide range of patterns, but a variety of natural fibers too. Many people immediately think "eco-cotton" when green fibers are mentioned, but the book also has patterns written for baby alpaca, bamboo, milk cotton (casein-based yarn) and hemp, among others. The suggested colors are all natural plant-based dyes as well.

The photography in the book is gorgeous and serves very well to show off the appeal of the finished items. The patterns are written in a clear, non-verbose style. British terms and metric measurements are used throughout (as to be expected) but shouldn't present any real problems to North American knitters.

Recommended.