A Hot Time

I finally finished another warp of towels, only my fourth this year.  Again I congratulate myself for recognizing that the craft fair deadline was a burden and I've settled down to enjoy weaving.  I had an email a while back from another CERT volunteer, requesting some towels from a neutral palette.  I finished these on the eve of our volunteer fire department fundraiser and barbecue so I emailed Norma to say I'd bring them in case she was still interested.  She bought two.

The Red Rock Rattlers CERTs (community emergency response team) are volunteers who feel our first line of duty is to support our VFD and we always work the picnic.  Alexia once again volunteered to help with the childrens games.  Saturday morning she woke up with an extreme case of bed head so the first line of business was a bath.

Her chief responsibility was to staff the face painting booth and the theme seemed to be vampire.

Care Flight arrived as part of their public outreach.  Several of us haven't been certified in helicopter landing protocol, so the crew agreed to provide onsite training.  I was fascinated by what they do and can do, and while I'm glad to receive the certification, I'm not sure how relevant it is.  I mean, they come out here and land without help securing a site all the time. They did it the very next day.

They welcomed the kids to check it out and Lu jumped at it.  The crew is the pilot and two nurses and they can do everything except x-ray and lab.  They go everywhere and were onsite at the Hawthorne Depot disaster earlier this year.  It's nice to know.

Ultimately Lulu succumbed to the temptation and painted her own face.  This was not her best work.  It was a 100 degree day and by the time we left, we were both exhausted.

There is a farmers market of locals out here in our valley.  It's every other week and residents volunteer their yards.  Currently the site is Steve and Sunny's - announcements are by the massive group email by which we valleyites are connected.  I set up a table the next day, Sunday, and in spite of the extreme heat and minimal attendance, I had good sales.  This might be the venue I was looking for.

Today was my trip to town.  It was CSA (community supported agriculture) pick-up day.  Delivery comes from Fallon, about an hour east of Reno in the most improbable place to grow anything.  At the turn of the last century, the Newlands Water Project was approved in Congress and water was diverted from the Truckee River and piped to the high desert in Fallon.  It shows the complete lack of regard for the Indians who lived at the end of the river at Pyramid Lake and thanks to an endangered fish, they were able to reclaim their water in court.  This has led to a perpetual tug-of-war between the farmers in Fallon and the Indians in Nixon.  It has also made the farmers shrewd about water use.  I visited Lattin Farms last year, where our box comes from, and they have developed an impressive system of giant hoop houses and drip watering. 

It continues to be a friction point, and I know people on both sides of this conflict.  My contemporaries in Fallon are trying to make a living on their farms, and small farms are always marginal.  On the other hand, I want so much to preserve the natural beauty that is unique to the high desert.  Pyramid Lake would be a wetlands, had our native tribes not won their case in court. 

This is what the delivery looks like.  It's accomplished by a huge network of volunteers at multiple locations.  St. Mary's Hospital has been onboard since the start and that's my pickup point.   I'm sure this is different from other CSA programs as this is the only game in town.  Nothing grows here and we who subscribe are grateful.  Actually, that top box is mine, now that I think about it.  Mike is always our delivery guy from Fallon and this summer he's enjoying the company of two of his grandsons. 

Every box is like Christmas in summer.  I'm in awe of what the Lattins are able to produce.  Each box comes with a page, listing the produce, suggested recipes and a note.  Today for the first time, the note was from Rich Lattin, thanking us in all humility for supporting them and for helping them move into this new generation of food.  It was a risk they took when they accepted the CSA challenge.  They had to step forward to organic food.  I have no doubt they did it with trepidation but I'm so thankful they did.  The remarkable thing is that they have actually dropped prices.  You should see us all cluster around the delivery truck.  It's like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in daylight.

Life Moves On

I finally finished the Penelope Blouse, pattern by Oat Culture.  The pattern was a gift from Barbara Sue and the yarn was a gift from Theresa at Camp Runamuck.  She had offered stash yarn in return for a donation to SPCA.  She must  have sent close to two dozen skeins.  The pattern for this tunic called for the yardage of five balls, but I didn't put the lace on the armholes so barely used the 5th.

I love the lace detail on the bottom.  The color is so dark that photography is difficult.  The yarn is wool and silk so the fabric drapes nicely.

I wore it to book club on Tuesday and I know it looked good because people noticed it and commented on it.  I've always been sensitive about people knowing I made something since I grew up in obviously homemade clothes.  But this time I know the sweater earned the praise.  Thank you Barbara.  Thank you Theresa.  I've cast on the denim blue yarn and will use tank top shaping this time.  Ian drove me to book club.  I still can't drive until this weekend and it's my 4th day without caffeine.  I don't recommend it.

Meanwhile, life moves on.  Monday night was the Red Rock Rattlers CERT team meeting at the fire house.  We are growing as people recognize how far our valley is from anywhere.  I'm a team lead for 2013 and as such have now been supplied with an amply stocked backpack, as you can see.  One of the things I needed to do today was go through the contents and check the items off on the inventory list.  All present and I even got everything back in the bag.  I need to spend some time getting familiar with the contents, but not today.  Laundry would not be put off.

I have come to think of weaving dishtowels as equivalent to mindless knitting.  It's so soothing to sit down and weave for an hour and have a zen moment.  One of the ladies from my book club emailed me for more dish towels.  She bought a couple at one of the craft fairs and loved hers - wanted to gift some.  From the 120 I have woven since May, I've sold 110.  They just took on a life of their own.  I gifted three so the seven in my Etsy store are it, until I pull these Harvest Field towels off.

I just ordered the Singer Fabric Steam Press from Costco.  I was reading Costco Connection this morning at breakfast and thought, that's exactly what I need - a mini-mangle!  One review said they used it to press saris - has to work for towels.  I had just enough in Paypal to cover it and it will make my life so much easier.  I'll be able to press the towels in an instant.  As it is now, it takes forever and they're still not wrinkle free. I know they'll become like chamois but wrinkled towels are not a good selling point.

And I had an email from Shirie.  I'm going to new employee orientation Monday morning, which gets me one step closer to being in school libraries.

Boring Post - Just Sayin'

Yesterday was my trial by fire.  Teaching experience isn't a requirement for a substitute teacher so into the abyss I marched.  I had the experience of a lifetime and a great eye opener.  Anyone who says that teachers shouldn't have tenure and if their class doesn't perform, should not get a renewed contract, should not be allowed to weigh in on the debate until they conduct a classroom for a day.  I was early and reviewing the lesson plans when before I knew it, students were pouring into the room.  It was 45 minutes until school started, but the school feeds breakfast to these lower economic level ESL students and thus my day began.

I was one step ahead of them all day, and during the math exercise where they were supposed to be working independently and quietly, I lost control of the classroom.  No one understood the exercise and they all needed help.  And no wonder.  I didn't get into negative numbers until algebra and I was very confused, to point that I remember my frustration.  I've reviewed the day, mulled over the problems and see where I got tripped up.  I'm subbing for them on Friday and know how to fix some of the problem moments.  They're really good kids, a little wild, from a difficult neighborhood, and not functioning at a 6th grade level at all.  Already they are behind.  I said yes to Heather when she asked me to sub as we worked together in the library.  She has provided them an magnificent library at her expense and if nothing else has cultivated a love of reading in her students.  Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. 

I don't understand KWL lists and Vinn diagrams, which was what the kids were supposed to be working on independently during the social studies section.  They were trying to fill in the circles but they didn't understand how to compare and contrast the Greek City States of Athens and Sparta, so were randomly writing in stuff - but they were sincerely trying.  I decided that if they're still working on that this Friday, we're going to divide up into Sparta and Athens and identify who we are and what makes us tick.  I'm only the sub so I get to do that. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to be saddled with the "teach-to-the-test" burden.  No Child Left Behind?  Really????

I was on campus today for my interview at the College of Education Learning Resource Center for a substitute school librarian position and stopped by the campus library to see if my friend Amy was in her office. She wasn't, but I couldn't resist taking a picture of their Christmas tree.  What Christmas tree could be more fitting?!

I was a half hour early for the interview so I sat a table in the LRC to read.  Looking around the room at the shelving units of childrens books I realized just how disappointed I would be if they didn't hire me.  I really miss those books - a lot.  I read a short story from the new The Chronicle of Harris Burdick yesterday.  I picked the one Louis Sachar wrote and the kids were completely absorbed.  I miss that more than I can say.  When I went to the desk, a woman introduced herself to me and said - you must be our next interview.  My heart sank.  I thought Shirie wanted to hire me.  I didn't realize I was "the next interview."

The three of us sat at the conference room table and chatted a bit, then Shirie said, so tell us about your work experience.  I began but Shirie just started laughing.  That was a formality she said.  We chatted for most of a half hour and in that conversation I mentioned the story I read from the "Harris Burdick" collection.  I bought it after reading the New Yorker review but Cindy said she was unaware of the collection and wrote down the name to place on order.  Score!  When we pushed back from the table, they both said - you're hired.  I think that's my second most favorite "hire experience."  My first was my original public library hire.

I started my day in town by having lunch with my daughter and youngest son and after the interview was left with killing time until the CERT annual awards dinner.  I called my CERT team leader who was in town so we met for coffee to kill some time and then I  helped set up the room at the EOC (Emergency Response Center) for the program.  Community Emergency Response Team is our full name and we're an arm of FEMA.  It was just one year ago this weekend that I started the academy. 

After watching a house burn to the ground, I realized I didn't know the first thing about emergencies and signed up.  Our team, the Red Rock Rattlers, received the team of the year award.  The team I admire most is the ART (Animal Rescue Team) team.  They are on call all the time and are required to donate a bajillion hours a month. I toyed with that before the school library thang came onto my radar screen.

I was exhausted by the time I turned onto our road, but I couldn't resist fishing out my camera.  Here we are in the middle of nowhere, and we have neighbors who are crazy enough to run up their power bill to provide this for us.  Cool beans. 

Zombie Invasion

Alexia checked the garden every morning before breakfast, hoping against hope that something was finally ripe enough to pick. Finally Grandpa discovered one small zucchini for her.
She was thrilled. He showed her how to cut the stem and then let her cut it for herself. And that's still the only thing that has been ripe enough to pick.
She and I baked three loaves of bread on Wednesday and while we waited for them to rise, we had high tea. I broke out my Noritake china that I bought when we were stationed in the Philippines so we could have the real deal. Friday we baked Lemon Squares from the last Cooking Light magazine for the VFD barbeque the next day. If you saw that recipe, they were a smashing success. However they do contain nuts and I was worried that I'd forget to supply a note. Alexia wrote a note for me. It says "almins in the leamian sqrares. Cut them and leave some for me."
The Zombie Invasion was a promotional for the annual volunteer firehouse barbeque and fundraiser. The safety fair theme was that if you're ready for zombies, you're ready for disaster. The day included this band which we have had before. They're really fun, doing retro music and occasionally there are toe tappers who feel the need to swing out a little and dance in the grass.
CERT volunteers created and ran the childrens games. Sandy and her grandson put all of them together and they were a hit. This was a first time event and she went all out. She's the leader of our local CERT team, the Red Rock Rattlers.
The bean bag toss was probably the favorite, followed by pin the eyes on the zombie.
The drop dead absolute favorite was the water balloon fights which were open to kids of all ages. The Care Flight helicopter came and the crew allowed children to sit in the cockpit. I think everyone loved it but Alexia who was terrified and done as soon as she started. Volunteers fingerprinted children and a laser simulation fire extinguisher station helped people learn how to use one properly. Some people had never even held one.
The children earned a "gold" coin for participating in each game and then were able to trade them in for the toys in the tubs. The prize element raised the popularity of the games, if you're ever doing something like this.

Alexia and I and a small crew filled water balloons for hours on end and got very wet in the process, but it was hot and somehow it was fun. One of the important things in disaster preparation is knowing your community and there was plenty of community building going on.

A number of the volunteers got into the zombie fun.

At the face painting table, you could also choose to be made into a zombie. Alexia came home as a "bling bling zombie" - her words. The "jewelry is from the bins, traded for her plastic coins. About 3:30 I drove her to Hallelujah Junction to meet up with her parents, halfway between our homes, as they were taking her brother out for his birthday. Originally she wanted to go to church with me this morning but she announced very seriously at dinner Friday night that she had decided to go home so she could spend the last day of summer vacation with her family. Third grade (year-round school) starts tomorrow. She's getting so grown up.

After a week in Oregon followed by a week with Alexia, I was in bed last night by 8:00 and slept until 8:30 this morning. I was the zombie and no one knew it!

Red Rock Rocks

Melissa was back from SoCal for a couple of days to tend to her business here. She's in the unenviable position of being my age with businesses in two states and little opportunity for retirement. We had planned a play day but realized we were both too tired to play, so we just ate at her place, played with her kittens and took a walk about Virginia Lake, which is just across the street. We had to laugh at the Canada geese *on* the lake. I forget that I have the capacity for video on my phone and am kicking myself for not catching the hilarious landings of the geese on the ice - lots of crazy sliding by them and lots of crazy laughing by us.
I decided Friday was Christmas cards day, however I had just gotten back my soap basket from Carol and Kerry who had added it to their craft fair booth and realized that I was out of lavender soap. It's quickly become my most popular bar. Since soap needs to cure for three weeks, it was the priority. I made orange cinnamon soap the prior Friday so our house smells fantastic.

We dragged our feet on Christmas cards this year. We couldn't decide if we should order from Unicef, Habitat, the Art Institute of Chicago - deer in the headlights. I mentioned to Ian that Sandy paints a card for each Christmas - she had them for sale at the craft fair we recently did. We bought from her, right here in our valley, and because she prints them in her printer, I was able to compose a Christmas note and print that right onto the card. I had more fun with cards this year than I have in years. No photo - I was able to get them done after the soap. The cards are in the mail.
Then I had CERT training for another four hours that night and another 8 1/2 on Saturday. We were doing simulated trainings and we just cracked me up. I took a picture of myself with my phone. I have no idea how anyone gets anything done with all this equipment on. I was breathing so hard I kept fogging my goggles and since I was wearing a headband, the hat kept falling off. When I did the simulated splinting of a broken leg, I put the danged hat under the guy's foot to elevate it and facilitate the wrapping of the splint, but the thumb of my right glove popped off. I was a hotshot with the fire extinguisher simulator however, and they passed me.

The trainings have come at a terribly busy time but I felt compelled to train with the other people in our valley. The second winter we were here, we were snowed in for three days. The Sheriffs department monitored us by helicopter, but it's left me knowing that we are isolated. I missed four Christmas parties and was sorry to miss every one - one for each day of training - but I knew training was important.


This is the graduating class of the Red Rock CERT team. All training is developed and standardized by FEMA as a result of their dreadful failings at Katrina. Sandy, our team leader, is in the foreground, the same Sandy as Christmas cards and bookclub. Our valley meetings will begin in January. It's not likely we'll ever wear the equipment I wore in the simulation, but it is likely we'll be asked to direct traffic and man phones, and Sandy has done both. She manned phones for the Stead air race crash when people were calling in from all over the world, looking for their loved ones. I've finished CERT Academy but have more trainings I'd like to take before I feel competent to report for duty.
My son was driving back to Oregon this morning after being here for the weekend and texted me that we had a fire in our valley - he could see if from the highway as they were going north. Indeed, we did. One thing they drilled into us during the trainings was to call 911. Don't assume someone else did, so I called 911. I don't know anything about the fire, other than it is now out because Carol's husband is on our VFD and she told Ian he was on his way home. He works full time but today was his day off. I love our firefighters!
On a positive note - Ian and I went down to Joe's open studio, which is this weekend and next. We had chatted the other night and I told him I loved one of one of his pie plates and I'd like another one just like it, but I have one I don't like. The thing is, he's an artist who has had to make functional pieces in order to make sales in our current economy. No two pie plates are ever the same - he isn't fond of production, however no one makes a stonewear pie plate like he does. So I took both my plates, the one I like and the one I don't. I thought he would be making me a new one in the future, but he traded me this one for the one I don't like. It's going to a potluck on Tuesday.

We were sorry to miss his party Friday night, but I had training. I told him that when I dropped Sandy off it was 7 degrees, and when I drove by his place, I saw the lights were still on and cars still there. He said I should have stopped in anyway. I've never lived where my neighbors are so far away and yet I feel I'm in a community.

Bonnie sat next to me in the trainings. She and her husband recently moved to our valley from South Carolina. They found the foreclosed property on the internet, there are many, and when they came to see it and learned about our fight against the corporate water rights grab, they knew they wanted to live here. They knew that a valley that could come together like we did was the place they wanted to call home. She brought tears to my eyes. We did fight, we won, we are a community, and we are home.

Making Color

I have started keeping a dye journal. I've been successful dyeing my Shetland roving without felting it so have begun to keep track of what I'm doing in earnest. The top three samples in the left card are the natural colors of our three Shetland wethers, as of their 2010 shearing. I can put the three in one dyepot and get three shades. That's not cheating, right?

I'm recording the sheep, i.e., the base color, the dye percentages I used and the date I did it.
I got semi-solid colors from mixing dye colors in a cup and letting them strike at different points, but I would like some more variegated colors as well.

Yesterday I mixed up the three colors I've just made and used them on the roving. I have no idea what I'll get in a finished yarn. Laura called right while I was in the middle of this and I asked her to call me back in about 15 minutes. I managed to spill some dye and had just finished cleaning it up when she called back. Her weaving books are packed from the move, so I'm her librarian! She also wanted me to correct her comment. She's not often wrong, but when she is, she is *really* wrong.
This is what I'm getting and I'm really happy with the results - so far. I don't know if these will translate into an interesting yarn. That's why I do this. I get to find out!

I'm currently enrolled in CERT training (Community Emergency Response Team) which is offered by local governments through FEMA. We live in such a remote location, when Sandy (of Sandy's book club) asked for volunteers to train, I knew I needed to enroll. We just completed 12 1/2 hours of training this evening in the last 24 hours and have another weekend just like it coming up. I missed our Red Rock Hounds Christmas party last night and the Reno Fiber Guild party today - that hurt. I elected to not defer this training because I'm training with other residents from our valley.

I stuffed knitting in my bag this morning so had finished my lunch break, originally typed knitting break, when one of my neighbors returning to her desk saw me knitting. She said, I'm a knitter, crocheter and weaver. That got my attention. She's working on an Ashford loom. I told her that we really need to get together. I love my life. Am I getting repetitive?