Knit Addict

Happy Birthday to Jim.  And many more.

Lots has happened in the last couple of weeks.  Those of you on FaceBook already know most of it, but not everyone has made the leap yet.  I made my first trip to DC - pretty cool.  Had to work, but still got to see some awesome stuff.  Since I like history, it’s a great trip for me.  And….we have a new kid.  And I’ve even knit.

So first, meet Thomas.  He came to us July 18.

He may have been here all of 15 minutes before he was up on top of the kitchen cabinets.  He’s really relaxed and settled in though.

Loves his catnip, scratches where he’s supposed to (he’s got several places, scattered through the whole house) and has totally taken over our hearts.

As you can see he’s become quite comfy here.  He’s *VERY* friendly, and is an on-you cat as opposed to a near-you cat like Squeek was.  We’re thinking he needs a buddy too, so are keeping our eyes/ears open for another.  Will start checking shelters soon.

Knitting has become a bit more of an adventure with him around, but I did manage to finish the Torreyanna last night.  It still needs blocked, but you can get an idea even now.

Well, except for the top border which is completely invisible in this photo.  Blocking it is going to be challenging, and may have to wait a few days.

The trip to DC was for work, although I did have some time to go sightseeing.  This tree is in the National Sculpture Garden.

I gotta tell you - the idea that our Government holds all this treasure - art, history, archives, and on and on and on - in trust for the people of the world, keeps it all out there for us to visit, and doesn’t charge admission so *anyone* who can make the trek to Washington can share in it - makes me proud.  This is one of those things our tax dollars support, and personally I don’t begrudge a penny of it.

I toured the Holocaust Museum.  What a sobering experience!  Even though most of us know the history, actually seeing some of the exhibits hits pretty hard.  EVERYONE should go.  Then maybe they’d understand how horribly wrong it is to throw the word Nazi at the politicians in the US.  On either side, because I admit to cracking some brown shirt comments directed at the last administration.  I’ll never do it again.

The actual work I went up for was important, and it was good.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, learned some things, met some people, and am glad my boss thinks enough of me to send me.

Raced through part of the Natural History Museum one evening, had dinner with Knitting Camp buddy Michael one night (which was awesome, BTW), and then went to Arlington another evening.  That’s where I got the most pictures.

The place is huge.  It’s peaceful and beautiful and well worth the trip.  It’s a shame they’re having such an issue with mixed up grave sites.  I hope they get it straightened out, because our Veterans and their families deserve better.  We got there in time to see the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Solemn.  Very solemn.  As it should be.

Pre-change inspection.  I had the feeling Goddess help that young man if anything were found amiss with his uniform or weapon.

There’s also an ampitheatre at the Tomb.  I don’t know what sorts of events they have there, because the Visitors center was closed by the time we made it.

Also went to JFK’s gravesite.

And to the Women’s memorial.  VERY worth the visit.  Everyone should make the trip if they have the chance.

Mostly knit on helmet liners during the trip.  They’ve become my favorite travel knitting, partly because I’ve got the pattern memorized so I don’t have to try to keep up with it.  Plus it doesn’t take much in the way of supplies, and much of it is plain ribbing or stockinette that I don’t have to pay close attention to.

The new STR kit came the day I got home.  The colorway is called Firecracker, but the inspiration came in part from beets.  One of the patterns is called “My Heart Beets For You” and it’s the one I’ve chosen to knit.  Really like the other pattern this time too (”Dusty Corners”) and will probably knit it from the January yarn since neither of those patterns really reached out and grabbed me.

As you can see I’ve just barely started it.

Happy Sunday!  And Happy Birthday again my dear.