When Knitting Was a Manly Art

Isn’t this sweet?

Flowers about 1/2 inch across, stem about three inches tall. Not as spectacular as those Primroses you buy at the Superstore, but more like nature intended. Native to Sweden and Norway. This is actually lighter in color than I expected. It should be more like this.

Primula scandinavica

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Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin Ridge - NW Oregon
7:15am - Overcast - Current temp. 36.0F(2.2C)

Max 52.2F(11.2C) - Min 32.7F(0.4C) — 0.08″/2mm precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]

Another day and I’m slowly coming out of my deep blue funk.

I grow a number of Lewisia species. All native to the Western U.S. Difficult enough to be adventurous, easy enough for success. Lewisia tweedyi is a native to eastern Washington and Oregon. The flowers are large and spectacular. The two 1 gallon plants in my collection are just coming into bloom.

My other passion is Primula (Primrose). Again, mostly the species, but sometimes the hybrids grab me. ‘Quaker’s Bonnet’ is an antique primrose that was a favorite in English gardens in the early 1800’s. These guys nearly went extinct, but have been revived and are now available from many sources. The fully double flowers are only 3/4″ across but fill a pot with their pretty little flowers.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin Ridge - NW Oregon
7:15am - Light rain - Current temp. 44.1F(6.7C)

Max 72.7F(22.6C) - Min 44.1F(6.7C) — trace precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]

A quick post to prove I’m still alive.

I’ve spent the past two days dividing and repotting Louisiana Irises. The potting soil has sucked out what little moisture I had in my hands to the point that they feel like sandpaper and stick to everything like Velcro. I’ve still got 4 or 5 more days worth of work to finish, if the weather cooperates (rain is predicted for tomorrow… ;-()

I’ve started toe decreases on the Strong Heels sock - you remember the Strong Heels Sock? - and if I can keep at it, I’ll post pictures of *a* completed sock in another day or two.

Weather has been beautiful (about 73F today) and I’m still in the dumps.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin RIdge - NW Oregon
7:15am - Clear - Current temp. 53.8F(12.1C)

Max 64.6F(18.1C) - Min 38.7F(3.7C) — 0″ precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin Ridge - NW Oregon
7:00am - Clear - Current temp. 38.7F(3.7C)

Max 55.9F(13.3C) - Min 37.0F(2.8C) — trace precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]

I think the weather has been getting to me. After days of beautiful temps., Thursday and Friday turned cold and wet. So much work to get done and the weather keeps fighting us. Nearly two inches of rain and temperatures never out of the low 40’s.

Not much done on the Aran either. After such a great day last Saturday, things are stagnating again. I really want to finish this sweater, but motivation is not there. I’m hoping that with a change of weather again, I can get out of this slump and get back to work.

Dad is out of hospital, but not back home. He’s still not walking or urinating on his own and Mom is not in any position to care for him. So he’s been moved into a Nursing Home with rehab. facilities and the folks there are working on getting him back on his feet. The good news is that one of his Grand Daughters is a nursing assistant at the home and is excited about helping her grandpa.

I’ve spent a lot of time online the past few days and have run across a few interesting sites and so some links instead of pictures of knitting progress.

First link is to a photo essay of a young Russian lady’s motorcycle trip through the dead zone around Chernobyl - the worst nuclear disaster in world history. A brave young lady and an amazing and sad story.

Next link is to a site I wish I’d found while I still worked for Intel. Demotivators. “Increasing success by lowering expectations”. Some of my favorites are Goals and Power. Reminds me so much of my 20 years in high tech.

And lastly a link to a free copy of a new book written by Lawrence Lessig. Lawrence Lessig is a Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and founder of the school’s Center for Internet and Society. The book is a look at the current state of copyright and the internet. An interesting look at the RIAA, MPAA and why changes should probably be made in the the enforcement of current copyright legislation.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin Ridge - NW Oregon
7:15am - Clear - Current temp. 40.8F(4.9C)

Max 42.4F(5.8C) - Min 37.0F(2.8C) — 0.91″/23mm precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]

Pumpkin Ridge - NW Oregon
7:15am - Rain - Current temp. 37.0F(2.8C)

Max 45.7F(7.6C) - Min 37.0F(2.8C) — 0.94″/24mm precipitation

Popularity: 6% [?]