2008

One particular bench in Lawrence's South Park. The card reads:

Please do not remove these roses they are in remembrance of my beloved late husband.

I have finally finished Karen's Gothic Leaf Stole. This was my first lace project, and it only took me nine months to complete. In my defense, I did have to start the project over since I dropped a stitch.

This past weekend Karen dyed some yarn that will be made into socks. The process was much easier than either one of us expected it to be. The yarn has dried and has been wound into skeins. All that is left to do now is to make the socks.

Lamp post in front of the Java Break in downtown Lawrence.

I finally finished a MST3K themed bag for Karen. I'd like to burn it, but she seems to like it.

This is another photo from the caucus earlier this week. Their shirts reminded me of the music video for "Take on Me".

I've read a bit in the local paper and heard stories from other people, and to my surprise it appears that the caucus location we were at was one of the most organized in the area. Today is the Republican caucus, though with recent developments I doubt the turnout will be nearly as high.

Last night was Super Tuesday, so Karen and I went to the Democratic caucus. This was a strange and new thing for us, as Kansas usually doesn't have a caucus, and when it does it isn't until after the general election. (Ok, this might be a slight exaggeration.)

Before we go any further I have to mention how amazingly painful the caucus system is in practice. First, you pack everyone in a building. Second, you take said packed crowd and have them get into groups based on the candidate that they support. Finally, you have everyone stand around for at least 3 hours for no apparent reason while something magical happens on the other side of the room that no one can see. For bonus points you use a very bad P.A. system so no one can hear either. That is how we run a caucus in Kansas.

I had something uplifting to say about participation in the process and all that, but it's slipped my mind as I thought about the pain that was the actual process. Thought, I will never, ever, complain about how long it takes at the polling place where I vote.

A lot of the people who brought their children, which was at least entertaining while we stood around for several hours. This photo was from pretty early in the waiting, I believe someone was standing on a chair shouting about something on the other side of the room. At least the kid thought it was exciting.

I have finally managed to build a set of needle cases to hold my new interchangeable needle set. I also built one in the same style to hold my double pointed needles, and another bag for the incidental knitting items. It only took me 3 weeks and about 10 different versions (with varying degrees of success). Having to relearn how to use a sewing machine didn't make the task any easier. I'm fairly happy with the result, but I have a feeling I'll need to make a new pair since the internal fabric is a little thin (Another View). The entire set of cases could use some interfacing to help give them a little bit of backbone. This will also give me the opportunity to find something manly, like pink camouflage with little bunnies or some such.

Karen's latest pair of socks has been ripped out; the first one didn't fit correctly. So much for trying a new pattern, new yarn, and a different size needles. After I ripped the sock out, I picked up the Lace Stole that has been stalled on the end table for the last couple of months.