So much for not buying yarn until I’ve actually finished something
San Francisco was nice. We did some touristy things, like seeing the redwoods
visiting the Cakebread winery
and driving on steep winding roads that scared the crap out of me.
There were also a couple of yarn shop visits. First stop was Marin Fiber Arts, where I bought Drops Alpaca for a Wrapped In Comfort shawl. The other shop was Imagiknit. There I bought some Misti Alpaca Lace, possibly for something from Victorian Lace Today. I liked both shops. They were both friendly without being overbearing, which is why I felt the need to purchase something. Both had nice ranges of yarn to choose from, though Imagiknit had a larger space so a larger selection.
I started a sock before I left (something about trying to make sure that first round isn’t twisted on an airplane doesn’t appeal to me) and ran into a bump. I emailed the designer for clarification but I wasn’t able to check email until after I got home. I did get about 2 inches into the sock after we got home but I’m going to frog it. The socks (Dream Twister Socks) are pretty, I’d really like to make them, but they’re too fiddly. It would be a miracle if I finished the first one, let alone get up the motivation to do the second one.
Bella found a new friend yesterday. You can click for bigger if you want a better look.
That is what is known as a Western Rattlesnake. Also known as OMG BELLA GET IN THE HOUSE WHERE IS THE SHOVEL I HOPE IT DOESN’T GET ME BEFORE I GET IT! The Man was visiting family over an hour away so I was on my own. This little guy was right outside the back door, against the house. The wood in the bottom right corner is the decking that he slithered out from under. I’m assuming he slithered, I didn’t see him come out. Bella was giving little barks at him where he is. Our lawn chair has a nylon canvas back and seat so I turned it on it’s side to make a barrier between me and the snake. I got the shovel but with the lawn chair and the snake being right up against the house, I was having a hard time getting the shovel pointed just right. I slowly started lowering the shovel to make sure I was going to hit him and not just rock, and he finally had enough. He retreated under the deck, rattling his little tail off. Fantastic, he still has his head! By the way, I didn’t get as close to him as it seems. Thank goodness there’s a zoom feature on cameras.
I’ll end with a more pleasant picture, taken by The Man
May 8th, 2008 at 9:46 am
AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!! Venomous snake, RUN!!! We had a very large king snake decide to come hang out with us while we did yard work the other day. Now I know they aren’t venomous and they even eat the bad snakes, but the urge to kill any snake that makes itself known is a hard one to ignore. I find myself crushed that you didn’t get that one. How mean am I?
May 9th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Great Og, woman. I’ve only been moderately close to a rattlesnake* once. I went out with a co-worker to see where he went deer hunting. On the way back out of the woods, he suddenly stopped the car and got out. I couldn’t figure out what he was after till I got out too and saw the rattlesnake (don’t know what variety it was) stretched across the dirt road in front of us.
It didn’t rattle or coil up, and I wisely resisted the strong urge I had to poke it with a stick.
I don’t want to find out what Jasper would do if he saw one of those guys outside. Jeezopete.
*i.e., a rattlesnake not safely enclosed in a display case
May 11th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
You know, my blood pressure and pulse have been pretty good lately. But not anymore! There is something about snakes (not just venomous snakes - any snakes) that makes my heart beat faster and make me feel a bit sick. You are way, way braver than I am. I would have run into the house and stayed there for a year. I’m so glad you and Bella are okay.