Penguin Girl

This week we learn parshat Behar, Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1-26:2. English text with Rashi. The haftorah portion is Jeremiah 32:6-27 (or to 22 (as linked) or 33 or well, it depends on your minhag. Haftorah are like that.) and we also learn chapter 3 of Pirkei Avot.

Counting everywhere. As I’ve been couting sheep (and reading the insides of my eye lids) this week, I’ve not come anywhere near the learning I had hoped to accomplish. We’ll see what happens this rainy and grey Friday.

שׁבּת שׁלום

One of the unique features of my wacky brain is that I can remember bizarre random factoids from my life (such as the colour of a sweatshirt I wore in sixth grade for “group” yearbook photos) but I cannot remember what I wore to work yesterday. I started drawing my work wardrobe about four years ago when E complained that I always wore drab colours. He’s right, however I always have and always will wear boring things. These days he’s worn off on me enough that I try to sometimes spice things up with something different as variety for everyone.

I can’t draw very well but enjoy the fun in trying. I recently took a fashion illustration book out from the library and am trying to improve. We’ll see how it goes.

Today I continue to record what I wore for a few reasons. One is that I often visit certain places once a week and could see myself as always wearing a certain shirt on that …

I’m not sure if this will become a “regular” post or not. I’d like it to be. We’ll see how my energy holds.

With my new camera which lets me take macro shots (YAY!!!) I’m seeing the world anew and trying to capture what I see, both in close detail and at large.

I’m also trying to get used to having a camera with me at all times.. I can count many things over the past weeks which I’ve wanted to take a picture of but didn’t because I didn’t have the camera out and ready or I was embarrassed to take a photograph.

- A new (still shrink wrapped) R-something train undergoing testing on the N/Q track at Union Square last Friday. It pulled into the station and I was standing right near the door and could have taken BEAUTIFUL shots. I was soaking wet and carrying eggs. That’s my excuse. It still pains me greatly.
- A bird taking a bath in a puddle on my walk home yesterday. By the time I fumbled for my camera it had flown …

I have been conscious of my impact on the earth even when it wasn’t in the mainstream (think mid-to-late 80’s). In recent impact news, for example, two years ago I switched to handkerchiefs instead of tissues and this past year I added in cloth napkins and extra dish towels. I try to buy in bulk and repackage or store whenever possible. Our bulk might be your minimum purchase, but it’s a step.

While grocery shopping I often bring my own bag(s). Prior to a renewed eco-effort on my part (starting around November) I brought my own more for selfish reasons than anything environmental. I’m SHORT. If a shopping bag is full it’s often possible for the bag to drag on the ground and/or bang my ankles (especially if it’s full of cans).

I now use my own bags almost exclusively and my mother gave me an awesome penguin one when I saw her on Sunday. However this use of reusable bags has caused an unforeseen consequence.

We …

First: I’m sorry it’s so cold in NYC today. I put away my winter clothes this weekend. I’m not responsible for the rain. It’s a Monday, what more do you want?

As I submitted my Project on Friday my other hand was grabbing for needles and yarn.

What was I casting on for?

A Hug for Mum
Weaver’s Wool Mini Shawl by Peggy Pignato
Debbie Bliss Merino Aran (3 balls of steel blue, 1 ball of grey)
6.5mm bamboo circs
CO: 20080509 around 11am
… שׁבּת …
BO: 20080511 @ 1:30am
This is the pattern that has made me like garter! I just wish I had more yarn to make it a bit longer, but mum says it’s ok. Why did I make this? Mum said she gets really cold at her work in the summer and her swallowtail is too delicate. May she wear it in good health and stay warm.

I’ve been chugging away at many other things too.

On the way out to see mum …

I must admit that I haven’t actually /finished/ any books this past week. Mostly because I slept over shabbat and my eyes are still really tired from the stress of the past few weeks. I’m debating between going for an eye check now why my eyes are at their worst or waiting a few weeks for them to heal.

But I did read two magazines which I feel deserve a special mention, the most current issues of Piecework and Living Without.

I’ll allow you one guess as to what caught my eye in the May/June 2008 issue of Piecework.

Lace!

Actually, it was the bonus which made me shell out $6, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Filet Crochet Doily. I’m not a fan of filet crochet (that whole chain 9-trillion doesn’t do much for me), but I’m a huge sucker for Laura. I recently liberated my set of Little House books from my mum’s, and it was a tradition in my childhood to read, reread, and rereread the series every summer. As I’ll designate these three weeks summer vacation part I, I plan to …