Four years. Wow.

And here I find myself on my fourth blogiversary with absolutely nothing to say. Even my pictures.. meh! I meant to take them earlier in the day, while the natural light was perfect and plentiful, but it just didn't work out that way.

Go With The Flow socks by Evelyn Clark from the Spring 2005 issue of Interweave. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you may recognize the yarn. Its Cider Moon Flurry in "Peas and Carrots" which started out as Roza's Socks last September. They just weren't turning out, so I ripped, skeined and washed to get rid of the knit kinks. As soon as it was dry, I cast these on.

The Lucy Bag. Oh my am I excited about this one. So excited that I'm nearly done! Why so excited? I've wanted this pattern forever. Literally. I went to buy it at my then, local yarn store in Madison, Lakeside Fibers, but they never had it in stock. Seriously, as soon as it restocked, it would be gone again. Even online, every time I looked.. out of stock. Finally, on Saturday, I found Mission Rose had it in stock. Its being worked in my fave felting yarn, Patons Classic Merino.

How cool are these socks? Really, just how cool? And how cool is Anna Zilboorg (yes, that Anna Zilboorg!) for coming up with this pattern as an incentive to donate to Barack Obama's campaign! Anna sent me this this .pdf file with additional pictures and information on how to get your very own copy. A great group to donate to the campaign through, is the Ravelry Knitters for Obama group. If you can't manage to get/open the .pdf (it happens sometimes), just forward your email donation acknowledgment to campaignsocks AT swva DOT net, and she'll get the pattern out to you.

I'm working these in Berocco Comfort DK, but its 50/50 acrylic and nylon. Not exactly an ideal fiber for socks. But I also picked up some Dale Heilo (100% wool) .. so a second pair is on the horizon.

Or if you have some time, consider reading the Letter From Birmingham Jail...

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.

*emphasis added is mine.

We rented "Sicko" this weekend.I cannot even put into words how it left us feeling. Both Richard and I are still talking about it.

But there was a very memorable part. An interview with Tony Benn. I literally started to applaud from my living room chair.

".. if you can find money to kill people. You can find money to help people."

Wow. How incredibly simple. I've been thinking this, saying this, for a very long time. And it is simple, if Washington got rid of the insurance and drug company lobby.

Toys linked to a date-rape drug recalled

China-made beads for kids metabolize into GHB when ingested

WASHINGTON - Millions of Chinese-made toys have been pulled from shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found they contain a chemical that converts into a powerful “date rape” drug when ingested. Two children in the U.S. and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads.

With only seven weeks until Christmas, the recall is yet another blow to the toy industry — already bruised by a slew of recalls last summer.

In the United States, the toy goes by the name Aqua Dots, a highly popular holiday toy distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master Toys. It is called Bindeez in Australia, where it was named toy of the year at an industry function earlier this year.

I think my title is about all I can say. I'm actually speechless.

In a few days, on Sunday to be exact, I will celebrate my first annual 39th birthday. This is a big milestone, no? Well, maybe it isn't since I plan to celebrate the same birthday every year from here on out.

So I'd like to entertain a little reversal here, and have a little contest. No answering questions, no donations to charities, just leave a comment telling me about a favorite birthday present you've received. I'll pick one at random on Sunday, November 4th and put together a little surprise package for the winner. See, as much as I love receiving surprises.. I adore putting together surprises for others. If the winner is a knitter or spinner, perhaps you'll get a nice fibery surprise in the mail. If you're not, maybe an Amazon or iTunes gift certificate... I have lots of ideas!

And here, I'll get you started. What is my favorite birthday present? Cassidy! She was born just a few months shy of my 30th birthday, and I had always wanted a baby before I turned 30 (weird.. I know!) But besides all of that, Richard and I were both surprised, since we had always thought our path to parenthood would be a difficult one. We were looking at facing lengthy and heartbreaking fertility cycles.. then there it was.. a positive pregnancy test, all on our own. And after a rocky first trimester, when we were expecting the worst to happen every day, despite bed rest and progesterone supplements, we were truly blessed... just in time to fulfill my 30th birthday wish.

Now, go, and tell me all about your favorite birthday present! As you can tell, it doesn't have to be a "thing", it can be "the perfect day", a great meal... anything.

P.S. Scorpios Rule!

I saw this on BlueGal's blog earlier today and wasn't going to post about it. But then I ended up on the youtube main page and there it was. It was a sign. Need.to.pass.this.on.

This is for you Cassidy.

*this film is a follow up from the also impressive Dove Evolution film.

I know I moved politics to liberalmom.com, but lets face it, for now, MLT gets much more traffic. And besides issues of race, at least to me, are not political.. they are basic common sense.

To the point, Mychal Bell's bail has now been denied. And I literally feel sick to my stomach.

Will you consider doing something?

Get the banner here
Sign the petition
Join the letter writing campaign

And I'm still poking around looking to see if there has been a legal fund set up, though I do know there are several firms working pro bono on the Jena 6 case.

*cross posted at liberalmom.com