Where in the World?

Where in the world was I today that I saw

a tranquil lake


golden trees


horses and dogs




soccer players



and croquet players in their whites.



Here's some hints:

I also saw a certain knitting diva,



spinning wheels



and spinners and knitters alfresco.



Answer:
Hubster and I took a walk in our front yard, NYC's Central Park on this perfect fall day and



went to Cara's Spin-Out!

Back to School Socks

Getting a Petals package from Sundara is always exciting. . . but, this fall package might be my absolute favorite!



Sundara explains in her charming note that she chose this color of poppy because her Great-grandmother would grow them each spring. The deep purple/cranberry color looks like fall--but it's also a reminder of spring blossoms.

However, I looked at the color and was reminded of the tie we wore with our Catholic school uniform during sophomore year of high school. Each year wore a different color: freshman wore black, juniors donned blue ties and seniors, of course, wore red.

My parish school went to 9th grade, so I didn't enter the high school till the deep purple/cranberry year and how I loved putting on that tie--a symbol of high school and all the traditions that I would experience.

Hmmmm. . . I wonder if I can knit a pair of knee socks with this luscious yarn and wear them with my penny loafers.

The Boogie Down (Baroque) Bronx

NYC is full of quirky places. Saturday evening, I went to an event at a place I haven't been to in almost 40 years.



Contrary to what the sign says, that's the facade of the Paradise Theatre. It's located on the Champs-Elysees of the Bronx--the Grand Concourse.

Opened in 1929, it's a fine example of "atmospheric cinema." Built to resemble a Baroque Italian garden--and Baroque it is!







Back in the day, it was a venue for live acts and movies. I remember seeing "Rosemary's Baby" there with a then boyfriend from nearby Fordham University. Early in the '70s, the Paradise was divided into a multi-plex and then it closed in the early 90s.

However, in recent years, there's been several new owners who have brought the Paradise back to life. So much of the interior was destroyed that they had to work from old photos to recast many of the statues and to restore the ornate work.





I was there to attend a concert by my all-time favorite baseball player. Uh, no, he didn't play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on his bat.

Bernie Williams #51, former centerfielder for the NY Yankees is more than a terrific ballplayer. He's also a guitarist and composer. Latin, rock, classical--Bernie does it all.

Here's a link to a video of Bernie playing with the Allman Brothers last spring.

But, back to Saturday night. Yeah, that's Mr. Feliz Navidad himself Jose Feliciano up there on the stage with Bernie.



They each played their own set and they also made some music together. Muy caliente! They don't call the Bronx "The Boogie Down Bronx" for nothing!

WARNING WARNING WARNING!
Knitting content ahead!

Oh, right, that's why you're all here. OK then -- the Tabloid Socks are in need of toes:

The Old Razzle Dazzle

I was planning a sleight of hand and razzle dazzle you all by talking about blogs of knitters who actually get things done. Maybe then questions wouldn't be asked about the Tabloid Socks and any other alleged knitting I may have on the needles.

Then I was tagged by country-living, sheep-raising spinner/knitter Windyridge and the blog wrote itself.

The rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Just the facts ma'am:
1. I almost always have cut flowers in the apartment.
2. Hubster and I went to the same high school--but, not at the same time.
3. I have a driver's license, but haven't driven in eight years.
4. My handwriting is illegible.
5. I have a collection of souvenirs from the 1939 NY Worlds Fair.
6. I once tried on somebody's NY Yankees World Series ring.
7. When sleeping, I can't stand having my knees touching.

OK, you're it!
(Don't feel obligated to pass this on. It's not really my thing either.)
1. You'll receive an excellent education in handwork when you read the multi-talented String Play.
2. From my knit group--Yarnmule. Sweaters, socks--she does 'em all--sometimes twice!
3. Spinner, knitter and another knit group member Devorah and the Squid family will take you on a cyling tour of New York.
4. Yet another knit group member Knitted Yarns is a new blogger. Check out her beach knitting and photos.
5. And knit group member DeDe, may have moved to LA--but will *always* be an Upper West Side Knitter.
6. My evil enabling birthday twin, Margaret has knit so many beautiful things such as the Kuani Cardigan and the Bee Fields Shawl.
7. Sherri is an adventuresome knitter whose faith and love of family shines through.

Showing a Good Time

The long-neglected Tabloid Socks were pulled out of the UFO abyss and shown a good time yesterday afternoon. There was some alfresco knitting.



Enjoyed a manicure / pedicure



and ended the afternoon with a coffee and a muffin.



These babies have been on the needles for too long. Yesterday's jaunt was just the beginning. The Tabloid Socks can expect a good time all weekend.

Have a good one, everyone! And show your UFO socks a good time!

Resourcefulness

From a cantaloupe in a mesh bag



to Oregon Red Clover Honey lace weight in a yarn bra.



If I had some duct tape, I'd be MacGyver.

Wonky Sunday

We will soon have one more vintage item in the apartment. Our dining room set is from the 30s. We have lamps owned by my parents. We use old silver, pressed aluminum ware and Depression glass. And on October 19, my computer will be considered vintage!



No, that isn't a photo of woven cloth. It's what's been happening to my computer screen.

The Apple tech actually used the word "vintage." He said that we should think of computers' ages in terms of dog years. On 10/19, my computer will officially become obsolete. It's four years old. Decision time. New computer? Or get this one fixed and wait for the next bad thing to happen?

I'm writing this entry very, very quickly. The screen starts out fine and lines appear. It will get worse--so, I'm trying to get this in before it gets too wonky!

Knitting news:
Looky look at these stitch markers to be used when working the new architecture of Cat Bordhi's socks: :



I can't wait to try!

A "Horror" Story

Presenting for the first time in public



the Forest Canopy Shawl.

I took this photo on the fence and bushes belonging to my next door neighbor, a prolific, well-known novelist of creepy stories. As I was snapping pictures, the mailman was delivering the mail and when he came to my neighbor's brownstone, he rang the bell. The novelist came out, spotted me and for a moment there was a look of horror in his eyes. I must have appeared as a stalker or a paparazzo.

Very quickly I called out, "I'm only taking pictures of a shawl I knitted. Your bushes provide an excellent backdrop."

"Oh, OK," he said with a puzzled backward glance.

The mailman, a buddy of mine who knows I get many parcels of yarn and knitting paraphernalia remarked, "I think you scared him."

"Imagine that," says me with a satisfied smile.

Blocking Lesson

How to block the Forest Canopy Shawl:

Take one pile o'blecch fresh off the needles



Soak, blot, place large towel on floor, stretch shawl and apply 80 pins



and a cat.