More Singer pics

1929 Singer Model 66

For those of you not on Facebook, here's my newest project (because sure, I have "extra" time!).

Found at a local Salvation Army. The machine seems to work well (the wheel turns silky smooth, and the needle goes up and down), but I don't have a power cord for it or a pedal. Did these even HAVE pedals? I haven't done much research yet - I've only had the thing for a few days. And it's living at my friend's house so I can't look at it now.

She has a garage, and we're doing tandem woodworking projects. She's into "shabby chic" so quick and dirty is working well for her. Sadly, I'm more of a perfectionist. So far I sanded off the horrible cracked varnish and did some wood fill for the worst chips. Next: stain and re-varnish. I am considering ebony stain with a hint of gold trim.

As always, click on pics for a bigger view. Thoughts? Info?

No more Blogger...

The migration is complete! In addition to my personal Facebook page, my acupuncture clinic has a fanpage too. Come play!

Migration

Hey there! I've kind of forgotten about this blog. In case you were actually reading it, I apologize. I hang out on FL and Facebook more now. I don't play any of those games (Farmville, etc - UG!) and I promise not to update you on my breakfast choices. Come Friend me!

In other news, I've been hard at work with my clinic since it opened in my new location November 1st. 3806 SE Belmont St: I'm part of Earth Body Wellness. And mere blocks from a great set of food carts. :)

SuperHamm & Headbutts

There's a rumor flying (cape and all) that Jon Hamm will be the next Superman. Two of my "mad" crushes colliding... this is definitely Dwarf Kryptonite in the making.

Movie: I was dressed for the FrightTown haunted houses (highly recommended) and Figgy gave me the head-butt of approval. :)

Babbling on about Bicycles

Ancient languages still live online ! You can listen to some Babylonian here.

Also (MAN I love the PacNW, and Craigslist), I scored an awesome tiny bike. It's difficult to find a ride with adult features that fits a dwarfy inseam, but thanks to my two-wheeled advisor Wayne I am pleased as can be. Finding a used one makes me even happier. I want my wallet fat and my hips slim, and this bike should contribute to both goals!

Language

The new Knitty came out yesterday, and I'm one of the featured designers. It's a warm fuzzy feeling to see people "hearting" and "queueing" my work on Ravelry. I've even gotten some sweet fan mail! Thanks for the encouragment, everybody!

Meanwhile, my inner linguist is tripping the lights fantastic ... Studying Latin has sparked up a whole new part of my brain. I'm remembering French I haven't thought of since college. I'm fascinated by how the words we use change our way of thinking.
Read this, and this! Comic by xkcd.com.

PS - this is cool too. Fluid dynamics are so beautiful!

Rose City Acupuncture

New website for work! RoseCityAcupuncture.com: It looks pretty much identical to the old one. I don't have a location yet, so that info is still pending. Waiting on my OR licensing, but please spread the word that I'll be open soon!

PS - for those who don't know, Portland is the City of Roses!

Gorgeous Nae! Pic by Matt.

First-of-Many Tea/Crafty Parties!

Left to right: Linda (also seen showing off her new market bag), Fran, Dianna (maker of vast quantities of Cthulu masks), and Paddy. The first group shot: Birthday girl Dianna being surprised with her (and my!) favorite: Carrot cake. As you can see we did not lack for sustenance. Homemade scones, quiche, and even cucumber sandwiches were featured in the feast. And yes, there was tea at this tea party. Linda and I supplied prodigious amounts*, which were both consumed on site and packaged in little DIY teabags for later. You should have seen us - it was a cross between a wine tasting and an opium den. "Ooooh... smell this one! It's smokey!" "Oh my god... the lavender is so subtle!" "This orange one would be perfect iced!"

We even did some knitting and crocheting. It was, as they say in the Pants, totally awesomesauce.

I followed it up with a sushi dinner with a different batch of buddies, then collected Nae at the airport. You'll be seeing lots of her in the next week. :)

*Props to AJ for being my personal tea hook-up.

LOLCats at home

Tubecat aka Cubecat is on a restricted diet and has been losing weight. We're very proud of his progress. Still... he's got some more work to do.

Puella Amatur. Puella Beata Est!

More Roses

Back to the Test Rose Garden, this time with the girls. My next camera will have smell-o-vision. My favorite variety today: Rainbow Sherbert (pale pink with yellow inside), which actually smelled like orange sherbert!

Surprise Catting!

We stumbled onto a shockingly good zoo today, hidden deep inside a carnival at Portland's Waterfront Park. The fair was the usual collection of traveling ring toss scams, wretched vaudville, mildly thrilling rides, and greasy food. We were wandering around killing time before collecting Maddie (junior year finals today - woo hoo!), and were about to leave when I saw the pony rides. The ponies were clean and not underweight like most at these things. Next to the corral was a petting zoo consisting of sheep, goats, a mini bull (yes, intact, and loving on the kids petting him!) and a potbelly pig that was so happy to be getting attention he was actually wagging his tail! Next to that was a reptile tent. Tiny crocs and lots of snakes (which for some reason had "Prohibited in Oregon" on many of the cages). A handler was wearing a giant iguana.

Then I turned the corner and nearly plotzed. "Oh my god! There's a tiger here!" He was about 5 feet from me, gnawing away on a raw piece of meat. He was so beautiful... I'd never been that close to one before, not without thick glass between me and those teeth. In fact, his cage was sorta flimsy... thin metal bungied together, and the gate had drop hinges! Anyway, I was looking at the white spots on his ears, and that broad, gorgeous forehead, and I wanted to touch him... He totally heard me thinking that. Stopped eating, looked up, and said very clearly "No, you don't touch me." He was angered and offended that it would even cross my mind. I slunk away to the next cage...

There were all sorts of fun creatures. Patagonia cavies, a lynx, a bobcat, a lion, a porcupine, etc. They all looked healthy and happy. The cages were clean. I usually hate zoos because the critters look miserable if not downright insane (don't get me started on elephants), but this place impressed me.

Then we got photo ops with Nala, a 7 week old lion kitten. She was very sweet and playful. Her fur was rougher than I expected, more like wire. What an experience! She was playing with my finger, just holding it in her mouth, and I was loving it until I realized I shouldn't let her do that.
Even brand new she had a formidable amount of muscle and giant claws.

The Rose luck strikes again. Random wonderfulness around every corner. :)

Gillie turns 14!

See the candles? 1 and 4. The Mommies are so clever. Traditional birthday red velvet cake by Maddie.

Rose pics (both types)

At the International Rose Test Garden.

Rain damage from our recent spate of record setting storms is most apparent in the lighter roses. As always, click to embiggen. If you want *really* big versions for your desktop or whatever, email me. I have 40 more. :)

The kid isn't one of ours. I just thought she was adorable.

Plus

Bonus mini pic (sorry, I was too far away and it was dark in the arena) - but I had to show off Bridget's excellent posture. She was ON and posing the entire class, while the other girls (and one guy) slumped and slept. Bravo!

I love my camera!!!

Last week I finally gave in and got a new charger for my camera. The original is packed somewhere and I was trying to hold out... but Matt found me one on eBay for $8. So... Yay! I have photographic capability again! These shots are from a McMinnville horse show, starring Bridget (in sparkly black) and Starbuck (in gleaming chestnut). Also: Seamus escaping from a locked horse trailer, Tommy "doing his girl impression," Paddy washing Darby (the paint), all the girls washing Darby, and Matt hugging our own sweet Gillian.