Blogging

People often ask, why would I want to write a blog. My life isn't all that interesting, who'd read or be interested in what I have to say. Have you heard that? Bet you have.

If you look up the definition of a blog, you'll find lots of information, but, basically it's a combination of the word web and log. It's an interactive means of communication. The communications is on going, it is updated...it is not static like a webpage. Some people blog like they're writing a personal diary, other's are more topic focused, others full of passions and causes.

Webpages are written, updated once in awhile but are read only. There is no interaction between the writer of the blog and the reader of the blog. A blog has that interaction. You write something as a blogger, you want people to read it, you want people to comment on it, others may in fact even comment on the comments. That's the interaction. That's what makes a blog a blog, and not a one sided static and often stale webpage.

So, my question to all bloggers then is this. If the point is interaction, why then do people make the interaction difficult, time consuming, and delayed? If you want you blog to be read, and you want people to comment, why do you put up road blocks for them to do so? I know you've all seen a blog that requires you to join, before you comment. Often those are here's my thoughts in your face, controversial type topics. They want to be read, but don't really want to encourage you to counter, to correct in some cases. They really don't seem to want the dialogue--so what's the point? You've probably also seen where comments aren't even an option........when I hit blogs like this, I never join and try not to return back. I'm not one that wants to blindly read and not communicate back. I also don't want to give them the readership they so crave. Blogging is a give and go. We all want readership, so reciprocate I say...go read other blogs, do for them what you want them to do for you.

Comments, anyone who says they don't care if they get comments, they blog for themselves....nah, I don't buy that. They want comments, they want followers, they want to know they've been read...chances are them saying they don't care if they get comments is their way of saying....I'm not taking time to reciprocate your comments. I often will read, comment several times; and if that blogger doesn't do the same, I move on. Blogging by definition is interactive. Interactive is not one sided.

Continuing on, we write to be read, we know we've been read, if we receive comments. Invite them, don't discourage them with those silly, hard to read, time consuming numbers and letters. They're annoying, they sometimes don't work. And, do they really keep you from getting spam? No, your filter does that. Do the professional spammers still spam you when you use them? Yes, they do. Comments need to be approved, more annoyance. This again takes time, this limits interaction, this delays communication. If you use the captchas because you think it prevents spam, why then do you also need to approve the comments before it's published? Do you need to approve the comments so you only print those that agree with you? If so, aren't you also limiting the interaction? To my way of thinking, yes you are. You're building road blocks and discouraging people to comment. Information grows as people read a blog and make comments. So if you're the 4th or 5th person leaving a comment you often have the ability to pick up additional information/opinions and interact with those commentors as well as the original blogger; but if your comment has to be approved first, that doesn't happen until much later, if at all.

Visit the blogs of those that visit you, don't read them in a reader. Do for them what they did for you, take the time to visit. Reading in a reader doesn't give the blog traffic, the traffic you got when they visited you. Don't take the easy way out and click reply via email to a question they've asked. Visit them, comment back, give them the time they gave you; the traffic they gave your blog. Be a reciprocal blogger, be an interactive blogger.

Being an interactive blogger is fun, that's how we meet new interesting people.

This is my B post for the Z-A challenge

Growing through Crochet

I can see it now, a ball of mint green yarn (possibly rug yarn from memory), and a red crochet hook. Boo-boo gave me this special ball of yarn and plastic crochet hook. Boo-boo, no..that wasn't her real name. I never knew her real name. She was a rolly polly person, as wide as she was tall. She, I think was Pam's Aunt. Ok, so now you wonder who the heck is Pam...ok, I'll start at the beginning.

I was young, grade school age, probably 7 or 8 from memory. Pam was my best friend, and she lived right next door. Boo-boo, I think was her Mother's Sister. She'd come to visit and sit and crochet, hour after hour after hour. I'm not sure she could move around well, as she was always in the rocking chair. She made dollies, lots of them. I was in awe of her making what appeared to be knots with this hook thingy. I'm sure I must have bugged her death, asking question..."what's this, why do you do that, what are you going to do next, why are you doing this...you get the picture. I remember sitting watching, staring. She probably wished this little girl would go home and leave her alone; but...one day she presented me with a ball of mint green yarn about the size of a softball and my very own red plastic crochet hook. She taught me to make a dollie. I'm sure it was..................."lovely!" Mom said so, and we all know, Mom's don't lie about such important things as kids accomplishments. lol

I think then I bugged Mom for yarn. Yarn was not in the family budget, but one day she bought me Red Heart Variegated Yarn...looked sorta Mexican, and in fact, I think I've seen this variegated since. A whole skein...all 4 oz. She bought or had (I don't remember) knitting needles. She taught me to knit and purl. I made a fabulous, stylish, and very trendy scarf. We called them half scarves in those days. They covered the ears and tied under the chin. I think she cast off for me, and she crocheted the edge and a tie. I wore that thing! Really, I wore it. I've not found any pictures in the family photo's to prove it, but I remember it.

So now, I know how to crochet and knit! A child prodigy really, all the neighbors said so.

A lady who lived several blocks-- away, within walking distance in those days anyway. Now days I'm sure people would hop in the car. Anyway, this lady, who's name I would love to know had a shop in her basement/cellar. I'm pretty sure there was an outside entrance and so, it being an older house was probably a cellar. I also remember the ceiling being really low. Somehow, I found out she had this shop. It was right next door to drug store. I'd go and look, lovingly touch and dream of making such things Some were knitting, most though I think were crocheted. She made those dolls with big dresses, afghans, baby layettes, coat hangers and so much more. I don't know how much stuff she sold in those days, but her basement cellar was a favorite place for me to go as a young girl. I think I managed to buy one or two items. Maybe she let me, cause I was there so much.

We moved away from that darling little town, and I never saw Boo-boo or the shop lady again.

Fast forward, I'm now married and hubby is going to school during the day and working full time in the evenings. I'm working full time first shift at the hospital. I had lots of alone time, I needed a hobby. I remembered back, went to the store, bought some yarn and a blue metal crochet hook size J, and one book. I struggled to get my hands right, looked at the picture..........this was long long before the internet, long before u-tube. I made an afghan after some doing. Nothing fancy, double crochet stripes, 3 colors for my Grandmother who needed a lift. They were colors that matched her furniture. I felt like I had accomplished something very special. If only Boo-boo and the shop lady could see me. I think they might like to have known, the little girl that pestered them so long ago, the little girl they took patience to teach..........remembered.

I have this afghan now. Grandma is gone, Boo-boo, and I'm sure the shop lady is gone. Sadly, so is my Mother, who taught me to knit. But, I remember.

I remember this green, is about the same color as my first special ball of yarn. I've continued to grow, and so has my crochet.

Are you Energized?

Energize, to give energy to, to activate or invigorate. That's the definition I found when I looked up the word. I knit and I crochet each and everyday; but I'm not the one that makes the most to donate, nor are my skills the best of those that donate to Bridge and Beyond.

Bridge and Beyond is a grassroots charity I started to aid the local homeless in Central Ohio. Through the help and generosity of many other knitters and crocheters, we've accomplished quite a bit over the last couple of years. My blog, Bridge and Beyond focuses on the need, documents the donations, and reaches out to attract others who can help.

I knit and crochet hats, scarves, mittens, slippers; and I assemble afghans from donated squares. But, I believe my biggest asset is that I Energize, Activate, and Invigorate others. Through my blog, my computer...I Energize others into action, and together through the help of many pairs of busy energized hands we make a difference.

*This is my E post for the Z-A challenge.
**Apologies if this post seems conceited, it's not my intent to sound self important; rather to draw attention to how we knitters and crocheters come together**

Flat Stanley

Do you know me? I'm Flat Stanley here to tell you a little bit about me; you might or might not know. I'm a creation, a character out of a series of books brought to life by Jeff Brown. He first wrote about me in 1964, 47 years ago. I don't look that old though, do I?

Jeff Brown wrote a series of books about Stanley Lambchop. The story briefly told is a bulletin board with pictures fell during the night on Stanley, making him flat; but not dampening his spirit. He made the best of things. He still played with his brother, and went on adventures. Because he was flat he could be a kite and sore; or be slid under a door to play with friends. He in fact could go "everywhere". He could visit people by mail. He could be folded, put in an envelope and mailed around the globe, meet new people and have all kinds of adventures.

Some book titles by Jeff Brown: Flat Stanley, Stanley in Space, Stanley and the Magic Lamp, Invisible Stanley.

In 1995 in London, Ontario Canada his life was altered by Dale Hubert, an English Teacher. He got the idea, kids might enjoy and learn more about writing if they wrote letters about Flat Stanley and his adventures. So, a huge project began. Flat Stanley was mailed off to places around the world and returned to his original destination with letters about his travels. The kids learned alot from Stanley and the project spread through out the world in classrooms with kids of all ages.

Through Flat Stanley, students had writing assignments, learned geography and history. The project expands further when the internet becomes part of children's education. They are webpages, blogs, clubs and more filled with Flat Stanley fun. It's a project suitable for kids of all ages, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It's a wonderful way for kids to stay engaged and learn during the summer months when they're not in school.

Here's 27 adventures Flat Stanley has to share with you. Though my Friday series of Fun with Flat Stanley is currently on hold; it will again become active, so please keep checking in. In June, Flat Stanley hopes to launch a new series, and a special contest for kids of all ages. Flat Stanley knows there are many ways to learn about math, art, music, history, geography and life. Join him.

Mom's Iris

Though it didn't appear to be a very pretty start to the day, cold-dark-gray; this is what I saw looking out my window. Mom's Purple Iris's lining 3 fence rows. A few had opened yesterday; but apparently during the night and or early this am they burst forth with this magnificent color display. They were gorgeous. I looked out, then up and waved to Mom. I've had these Iris in my yard for a good many years, but the starts all came from her yard. So, everytime they bloom I am reminded of her. I put on a pair of shoes and went out before my first cup of coffee to get these pictures. You can see the dew still on the flowers. They have a lovely soft scent too.
Here's a cluster of them. They generally bloom a good while. Later, when it's less wet out, I'll cut some to bring indoors so I can enjoy them in and out. I've given lots of starts of these to others to enjoy as well. Aren't they beautiful!

*I post for Z-A challenge

Jake in Review

This adorably little Toehead is Jake. He's sporting a knitted Ohio State Sweater I made for him several years back. The sleeves needed to be rolled up, my questimation on the rest was pretty good. Didn't have a pattern, used the basic rectangle approach and knitted this on my Bond.
Jake here tromping through the grass with hubby. He loved to pretend he was mowing back in the day. Our plan is when he's old enough to really mow...show him the picture and convince him he still loves it. lol We keep the mower in the shed and we'd get it out and pretend we were mowing when he came to visit.


Warming up after pool time here.
Jake getting his veggies drinking V-8. He loved it, knew where I kept it in the fridge and would point and say 8?
Exploring out in the yard with is binoculars.
I always kept bubbles on hand which he enjoyed on our deck.
Nothing like a wheelbarrow ride through the backyard. I'd take a break in my yard work and he'd climb in.
First summer, before he got all his curls.

This is my Jake in review picture post. He's various ages here. Hope you enjoy!
J post for the Z-A challenge.

The Knitting Circle, by Ann Hood

I read this book poolside while vacationing in Aruba. I need to say I read it right after finishing, The Friday Night Knitting Club. Some of what I thought about both books is probably because I read one right after the other? They seemed very similar to me. Stories of women coming together to get through life by knitting. I liked and disliked parts of both books. Both had tragedies. I didn't look at the dates to see which book was written first; but...while reading this one, The Knitting Circle; I couldn't help but wonder if one was copying the idea from the other.

The premise of this book seemed to be when your life is falling apart, when you can't deal, when you can't socialize--you knit. That knitting in fact can "save" people. Both books have the people in trouble pulling away from people they know and love, from people who love them to find solace is knitting with what initially are strangers. Everyone experience grief differently, I just don't know if agree with the premise. I've seen lots of folks experience grief, differently; I've experienced it myself...but can't say I've witness this type of cooping. I'm not sure I found the book believeable. However, I've been fortunate enough not to experience what I believe to be the worst type of grief possible which is explored in the book.

I do recommend this book. I'm unsure if this is one I purchased at the airport some time back, or one my DD passed along to me. In retrospect, I think I'd like to recommend (which I didn't initially) The Friday Night Knitting Club. I think reading them back to back is not such a good idea and probably soured my initial opinion.

*Removing the word The...am using this am my K post for the Z-A Challenge

Red LACE

Work in Progress Wed, AND L (z-a challenge)
Red happens to be a favorite color of a certain SIL who's soon to turn 60. Summer scarves need to be light, lacy, open and I think this will serve nicely for all those. I rarely get cold, but still like to wear a summer scarf now and again. When you out in the evening, sometimes the cold of the air conditioning on your neck really makes the arthritis there hurt. So, a nice decorative scarf not only helps that, but eliminates the need for a necklace, and can jazz up an outfit. The yarn is Feza Jewel. I'm using number 8 knitting needles and a double drop stitch to create the open lacy look. I love the look of the yarn, it has a shimmer which makes it a bit dressier I think.
Holding this up in front of the window so you can see the lacy openness of it better. Though one truly can't hold a scarf still enough to get a good picture. It always moves. It's just under 3 inches wide.

This is my 4th start for this scarf. I had other yarn in Buckeye colors. I started 3 different times using it, changing needles to try and get it to work...after 3 tries with 2 different stitches and 3 different size needles...I put that yarn away and choose this instead. This is much softer also. The other I think would be scratchy against a neck in summer.

I think if I used this yarn again, I might like it worked lengthwise for a different lace look, but...then again casting on 200 or 250 stitches...maybe not.

Let me Quench your Thirst

Nicely chilled Martini's anyone? The martini on the left is a Dirty Martini with Vodka and olives, and the martini on the right is Gin, a dry Gin Martini with a twist for hubby. He likes Bombay. My favorite Vodka is Rain, but that's not easy to come by. We can't get it here, so often instead I use Belvedere.
Though sometimes I prefer a Lemon Drop Martini with a nice sugared rim. I make a good Martini if I do say so myself. We've gotten so were disappointed when we order one out, and find ourselves saying they're not as good as mine. lol You really need them to be ice cold, which in a busy bar is hard to do. I chill the glasses in the freezer and really shake the shaker which can give you very small little ice crystals...nice! Now that, quenches your thirst.

What type of Martini's do you like? Do you make them at home or order them out?

**This is my Q post Z-A challenge.

Who is She, SANDY, that is?

Sandy of Sandy's Space, who is she? Well yeah there's a little ditty of a profile on the blog, don't we all have that. (pretty typical picture of me, preparing pasta and wine at hand....I'm sure there's yarn laying somewhere too)

Well, Sandy's a 60 year old who sometimes feel 60 +, though is lucky enough to usually feel much younger. I don't get hung up on age, or birthdays, they're just numbers after all. Numbers don't mean much unless we place great importance on them.

I'm married and when June rolls round this year will be celebrating 39 years. Neither hubby or I have been married to anyone else. We met in high school, though we only had one date then. We were friends, lived on the same street even. He worked with my younger brother the summer after high school and that's when we started dating. Unlike kids today we didn't know and date each other for eons and eons before getting engaged; nor were we engaged for YEARS earning our millions, buying everything on our list before getting married. We dated about 9 months, got engaged in the fall and got married the very next June. We had a very small outdoor wedding. My Mother made my dress and the dress my SIL, Jan wore who was my maid of honor. Though I guess technically she was my matron of honor since she was married. We had one used car between us, and somehow managed. Hubby was working full time evenings, and went to school during the day, while I worked day shift at a local hospital. We were happy, don't think we cared our furniture didn't match, or wasn't new. Don't think we even realized we didn't have much. We were together and that's what mattered to us.

We were married a good long while before we had our one practical perfect daughter. We never vacationed without her, and in the early days we camped mostly because that was affordable, and because we like being outdoors. We hiked, cooked out, and enjoyed lots of family time. We had one TV, and later when she needed one for school 1 computer.

I love good wine, quiet time, pretty scenery, computer time, and naturally knitting and crochet time. I go no where without a project in hand. You never know if you'll have time to do a row or two. I learned to crochet and knit when I was very young. Mom taught me to knit and a lady next door taught me to crochet. I really didn't do anything with either craft until after I was married though.

I'm not an animal person. Many animals scare me. I've always assumed part of that came from being attacked by a large dog when I was a kid. Also, probably too the number of people I saw badly mauled when I worked for a plastic surgeon from their family pets didn't help. Though we had dogs when I was kid growing up, and hubby and I had 2 cats when we were younger.....so, we have had pets; but not now.

I love to travel, and almost always visit historic locations when we do travel. I love learning who was there before me. I enjoy doing genealogy, though due to library cut backs don't do as much of that as I used to. I like spending time in and photographing gravestones for the same reason, to learn history and genealogy. Most cemeteries are such peaceful pretty places, it's also a good place to walk.

I began this blog back in August of 2005, though blogged in other venues prior to that. Some of you might remember aol had blogs, though I couldn't get anyone to blog with me then. Everyone I knew that had aol was afraid to blog. I blogged for awhile on msn spaces and yahoo's 360; until both became irritating with things not working. That's when I found a home here on Blogspot. I didn't blog as much then as I do now, and have deleted all my earlier blog posts here. I now have 3 blogs here on blogspot, Traveling Suitcase, and Bridge and Beyond. Obviously Traveling Suitcase is a travel blog, Bridge and Beyond is dedicated to helping homeless through knitting and crocheting. And now, perhaps you know a little bit more about me, the lady called Sandy.

This is my S post, Z-A Challenge

So much more then a Washcloth

A washcloth, really...you're blogging about a washcloth? Yes, I am. The finished washcloth in pretty spring colors was a gift. I belong to Oddball, and in fact blogged about in yesterday, (scroll back for the post). As we send around our knitted blankets that benefit charity; we generally include (though it's optional) a little gift for the next person doing the knitting. I got this wonderful washcloth from Cheryl. Cheryl is a fellow Ohioan which is cool, and if you've not used a hand knit or crocheted cotton wash cloth, you really don't know what you're missing. They are fabulous.

Hand knitted or crochet washcloths are both new and old. They are new and or retro, because; they really are quite old. People used to make these all the time, and suddenly they've become popular again. People in the crafting communities have decided maybe Grandma knew what she was talking about after all. They're very nice on your skin. They can be made square or round, some folks like to use them in the shower and some in the kitchen. There are several brands of 100% cotton yarn, but probably the most common and widely known and used is Lily, the original Sugar'n Cream 100% Cotton made in Canada. The new larger skeins are normally 3 oz, and measure 150 yards.

If you like to use body wash, you truly only need a dab if you use one of these wonderful cotton washcloths.

The 2nd one pictured, The camo one that's on the needle, well... I decided after getting Cheryl's gift I hadn't made one in awhile and nabbed some camo cotton. I'll be making as many as I can from the one skein and all will be donated to Bridge and Beyond.
Bridge and Beyond is one of my other blogs that focuses on helping homeless and those in need. Please hop over, always love visitors. Homeless people live in the elements. Do you have any idea how good it feels to take a bath, a shower, to wash up? To do that with a hand knit or crocheted washcloth is something easy to do at our end; and very meaningful at the other end. Skin tired, cold, wrinkled from the elements deserves to be washed with a hand knit especially for you cloth. Hand made shows them someone does care. We knit and crochet to warm those in need through Bridge and Beyond.

A simple washcloth with a bar of soap, is so much more then a washcloth and soap.

**A-Z Challenge W post
****V post CLICK HERE

Oddball, Xanthic ?

This baby blanket is knitted, each strip/section by a different knitter. The blanket travels as each person adds the section much like a progressive dinner moving about. This OddBall Baby Blanket has traveled through Washington, California, Hawaii, Wyoming, Minnesota and to Ohio. This group, Oddball Blankets is fun to belong to because of the variety. Some groups make baby blankets, others full size blankets, others pet blankets. Each travels in a prescribed geographic area. Though the group I belong to is several groups merged so our geographic area is quite large. Doing a section is a nice way to try a new stitch. The end result is heart warming in that all blankets go to charity. The other nice point of the group is using up your stash, using up your odds and ends. It doesn't take much yarn to knit a section. Blankets are all named and knitters are to choose colors appropriate for the theme. We sign up in fact for the blankets we want based on the yarn we have on hand and what goes with what.

This blanket is Titled "Cupid". When I signed up I thought, great I have lots of reds and pinks. Beyond that, it occurred to me people might use white or purple as well. I had plan A and plan B. I knit and crochet and so was added for the border patrol. Border Patrol people crocheted the edge. I had a great variegated laid aside with pinks and reds I thought would probably really tie into the theme and pull the blanket together. Later, I also noticed I had a 2nd variegated with pinks and purples...which is also romantic and "Cupid" like to me. Thus, I was ready with plan A and B. Looking at the blanket above with blue and yellow, neither of preconceived ideas were going to work. Searching through my rather large stash, I had nothing that pulled these colors together. Shopping trip! Normally I love shopping for yarn, but that sorta defeats one of the 3 things I like about the group.


Xanthic? Yes you're saying the word is in the title....what is it? According to Rgb scales #237 and #237/9, it's also listed on the Hex list as EDED09. I've read it described as the color of ripening lemons, and the color in eggs. When looking at a sample of the color, it seemed to me to have a tinge of green? Now, that could be due to my computer screen; but...that's my current take on it. See the yellow in the variegated above? And don't forget the 2 blue sections.
Here then is my work in progress using Red Heart's Fiesta to try and pull some blue and some Xanthic into the border, hoping to pull this blanket together. The color is called Harvest #6332. Firstly let me say, I hate this yarn and do not recommend it. It's not wrapped well and separates easily when being crocheted (as bad as Caron's Simply Soft). It might be better knitted? Using a cross stitch here to add a little bit of a lace look to it...Cupid after all would be frilly, lacy, romantic. Or at least my idea of.

Check back on Friday for FO, hoping to get this done and in the mail. Thus far I have to say, it's not one of my favorite projects. I don't like yarn I'm using, and I'm not feeling the theme of Cupid.

**Z-A, Z post, badge in sidebar
***WIPW post, badge in sidebar

Y Post Here