To Re-Purpose

One of the newer words in the environmental protection campaign is "re-purpose".  The meaning is obvious and the phrasing correct..."to take what has been, and make it something else" sw.  As a viable future employee at some lucky company I am seeking to "re-purpose" numerous skills into a package that is good for the employer/employee.
But what should I add to the tool box (if anything)?  I know what I can and can't do, but should I add something I can't do?  i.e. learn some more difficult programs to engineer with, or learn a second language?
Today I will be stepping out a little into territories that will fill my tool box with more than is in it now.  And even if those tools are never used, the process will keep my mind sharp and prepared for the future!

What's On the Spinning Wheel

Last Week I had made a commitment to spin some soft white fiber and Here it Is!  This is an Angora Blend, meaning it has just enough Merino to hold it together and give it stability (please note the puff in the wind).  This is the softest fiber I have ever spun.  It takes-up surprisingly fast, so it's taking me a little longer than normal.  Because it doesn't have much wool in it, I need to be sure that the fiber is wrapped enough to be stable without being thick and ropy.
Initially I was going to ply it to itself, but I want enough end product to make a nice large Shawl.  I've decided to use the BFL/Silk blend as the other half of the plied yarn...not something I do on a regular basis (mixing blends) but I believe this is the best choice for these fibers.  This will give the yarn strength, sheen, allow for a heavier drape when worn, but still maintain the softness.
I have over a pound of the BFL/Silk blend so I will be in a good position to not loose any of the angora in waste.  It should be noted that the Angora Blend is like having a very soft animal (rabbit) just washed, sitting on my lap shedding away.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

A Revelation !

The Book of Revelations--
I'll be honest, this book of the Bible has never been my favorite.
I of course have read it multiple times (because it says I'll be blessed if I do) but I really don't understand it...
I'm about half way through this time and I've come to the realization that it's confusing because it's a dream.
A lot of theologians like to try and interpret multiple parts of John's dream, and these interpretations can lead to divisions within a church, or at the least a lot of discussion that may lead to arguments that aren't productive.  
I believe that if I read it with an open mind and not worry about the strange content I may get more from it, or to put it another way, IF I read it like a dream, and only apply the areas that are obvious (to me at the time of reading) it will be the best for me and I will gain the most from this book.
I had to go through a similar understanding with the The Book of Psalms.  Once I approached it like one who was looking over the shoulder of the Psalmist it was so much clearer, and I could relate to the Psalmist on his praise or angry based on what God was doing in his life at any given time.   
All of the Bible is Spirit filled.  The books of the Bible were written at different times by many different people. I find that I always need to do some background work on the history of these books prior to and/or during the reading to help me understand what is going on historically during the times these books were written.

Vaya Con Dios---Rich

In-Laws

I just finished this Beret, and I need to finalize the size, but I'm not sure how to do that.
Someone needs to take a circumference measurement of their head and send it to me, because if they don't, I'm going to have myself a new Beret !!

A Day Off

I'm taking the day off.  It's been 5 days that I have slaved over the cooking, cleaning, shopping, running, playing with the dogs and other items that I do because I'm currently on "sabbatical", so I thought I needed a day off to rest my feet and cool the jets.  I've started by picking some of our tomatoes we've been growing.  The wifey has been laboring over the fact that I have not been tieing them up properly...but Heh! I'm busy.

We also planted the cotton we have had in pots for awhile, and hopefully it will stay alive, grow and we can get enough cotton in order to use for spinning.

And Speaking of Spinning!!!
This Thursday I started on the White stuff I have been talking about.  I did go back and forth a lot on choosing between the Merino/Silk blend, or the BFL/Angora.  The Angora blend is about 75% angora, and it's a blend that I have not spun yet.  OH Yeah, I chose the The angora blend.  It spins fast and I need to focus more so I don't over spin it.  It's wonderful.......And I look forward to the finished product.  I'm thinking at this time that I may ply it with the Silk blend...but more on that later.

Tomorrow we, wifey and I, will be donating platelets down at the local blood bank so I may not be on my best game.
If you currently don't donate please do, contact--unitedbloodservices.org

Vaya Con Dios...Rich

Results of Augratin and Bacon Dinner

I'll make this  quick... It was delicious.
The sauce was;
sauteed  onions, peppers, and garlic
I added one big can of creamy mushroom soup
1-1/2 packages of shredded cheese (I didn't have a full two)
2 dollops mayonnaise (with olive oil--you buy it that way)
1 stick of real butter.
I layered it three times--potatoes (about 5 before slicing), sauce,  fried bacon (not to crisp).
And put some strips on top for looks.
Baked at 350 for 35 minutes and then another 25 minutes at 425.
Men---don't forget to grease the 9 x 13 glass dish, or let it sit when finished.
The smell is outrageous!!!!!

A Place for Plants

The Plumerias needed a resting spot and over the last few days I have finished up two tier sections for them to sit.

I made them from standard framing 2 x 4 that were straighter than the norm.  I didn't use screws or bolts so in time as they dry they will pull apart a little.  The design is such that 8" long wood screws could be added and that will hold them for ever.  I should add that the design fully utilized (8) sticks of 8 foot long material.
I burnt the wood with a torch to add some finish to them.  I also added two coats of a clear decking finish.  It did color them up a little, but they aren't shiny.  All in all I think they came out real nice.
Later this week the Wify will go ahead and adjust the location along with putting on the plants.

? ? What to Spin Next ? ?

I currently have nothing on the spinning wheel.  I finished the Silk/Merino fiber that I did for demo at the county fair, and now I'm contemplating my next fiber project.
My office looks like an explosion of fiber...everywhere I look there is some fiber that has been pulled out and judged to spin next for my enjoyment and next project.  I have been focused on a lot of silk blends recently from Red Fish Dye Works redfishdyeworks.com 
I even have some plain white of the 50/50 blend to use for a scarf similar to the one shown on this page.  But I need some change, yet a purpose for the yarn that I will be spinning (sorta like my life).  My Wife, Ginny, has a shawl that could use some plain white angora mix, I have the fiber, so if I was a good husband I would go and prepare this for her.  It just seems really weird to clean, cook, AND spin for the wify, so I might not just on principle's sake.  But I think it will be white and will give a good hand when woven properly.
Most of my done yarn is colored, and I have a ton of un-spun fiber that is white.  SO!  White it is, now I can choose, pack up the stash, and put this stressful decision behind me.
Vaya Con Dios---Rich

Dinner Time along with announcements

So here it is at the end of the day again...sorta my favorite time.

The time that I have been planning all day.  Dinner Time.

I like Au-Gratin potatoes.

I like Bacon.

I like Cream of Mushroom Soup.

I have never done this before, but I'm going to mix the soup with the cheese, add some onion and pepper...scratch the pepper.  Spread it around the potatoes, add the bacon strips on top....

Think of Lasagna with Potatoes and Bacon...

I'll be sure to let everyone know if this works and if it's good enough to eat.  Time to start!!
Announcement---
Now everyone should know that I've started running in my off time again, I haven't posted anything because my times and dogs have been a little slow, but starting later in the week I'll keep you all posted on a separate feed how I'm doing.

Vaya Con Dios ------ Rich

Back on LINE and After the Fair

Thank Goodness the folks at A+ Computer (located in Oxnard on Rose) did a most excellent job cleaning my computer and re-loading all that tech stuff so I can return to all my readers out there.
The Fair is now over.  And although I've already spewed multiple posts about my entries here's one last entry for all of those I said good-by to on Saturday.
There were three of the nicest kids I ever met that spent time with me.  I taught them to operate a drop spindle, and they taught me a little about what happens when you show animals at the fair.  They also sold me some jam they made and soap that their grandmother made.  I will think about them and be happy that there are still kids like this in the world.  No slang, hoodies, no games that distracted...they were like little adults without the stress. 
I also meant some other nice folk that were walking by the Guild booth, and I wanted to make sure that they knew I remembered them.  A lot of thingys happen at the fair, and I hope that our exhibit and demo has inspired you, I have added our link as a reminder venturaweavespin.com
Thanks Again for the Encouragement....
Don't forget that everyone needs a "Paul", "Barnabas", and a "Timothy".

Ventura County Fair

The Ventura County Fair has been in progress for about 1 week.  I LOVE THE FAIR.  The Ventura fair is still a place where people bring Animals, Vegetables and Home Arts that they have worked on to be judged and considered the best in the area.  Me, I bring the home arts.
Besides the fair entries shown below I also demonstrate.
Because of my extra time, this year I spent two days in the Guild booth (Hand-weavers and Spinners Guild) and one day demonstrating knitting in the home arts building.
I also was able to spend time with the "Sheep to Shawl" demo.
This is where you start with a Sheep, and turn it into a shawl in one day.  We actually start with the fleece from the sheep and then we Spin it, Ply it, and Weave the shawl.
I'm thinking how weird this must sound to anyone not familiar with where cloth comes from....

Brags-----
This year I entered 5 items;
Hand-spun hand-knit, hat - second place
Hand-spun hand-woven, scarf - first place (see the scarf on this page)
Hand-spun banana fiver-first place, and two additional skeins (wool) - third place
AND
I took first in the spinning competition along with high in trial.

Everything is Colored

It's been almost a month, and the initial joy has left... a little.  I continually try and compare my life today to what it was, and the stress of the job to the stress of no pay check.  I still think I'm in a better place, I just need to convince myself more.
Today I applied for nearly every job on the CalJob board :-) that includes, a Park Aide (administration at a state park facility), a tutor for K through 12th, a customer service rep, and some other funny ones that I just couldn't resist signing up for.  Also on this front I edited my resume to more of a service position.
I ran this morning and did the 4 mile loop in my best time ever.  I'm still not running at the pace I would like, but...I have no pace to go but faster (get it? that was funny)
On the housekeeping front; we're having vegetable soup this evening with beans and lentils, the bed is made, and the laundry is almost finished.
Everything is Colored--- My Laundry sorting is getting much better! originally I wanted to put most everything in the Colored bin, but she showed me how there are many dark (DARK) Colors that would mess up the kit and ka boodle.  The expression she used was (you got it) "Everything is Colored".  This has been a lifesaver to my laundry exploits, and speaking of exploits---I now have taken it upon myself to file her clothing after it's folded,  all you mothers please don't pooh-pooh me and laugh.
And did you hear about the fair?