For a long time, I waxed poetic on this blog (and also not so poetic, to be fair), but Facebook and Ravelry sucked me away. I admit it, I completely fell for the allure of new info every time I check Facebook, and what's not to like about zillions of patterns to ponder and snarky forums for read on Ravelry. But something essential was also lost - the back and forth engagement with my blogging friends. Some of us are still talking on Facebook, but it's not really the same. So, if you have a blog that's been languishing, or even one that hasn't, I'm ready to reconnect. I'll do my best to post here at least once a week, but if I go missing, poke me
To play just a little catch up - Still knitting, of course. Socks and Mittens still rule the house. Gracie is still lame, so that's something you will see me struggling with over the coming months as we decide if she can be rehabbed at all or if I need to find another home for her, with or without me. Jim is still working in DC, but also upstairs in my craft room because his real home office is about ten feet from me and the tv and that's not a good situation for anyone. So up he went amongst the yarn. He doesn't seem to mind, but then again, it's the only option. I still ride horses six mornings a week and can't believe I just passed the nine year mark at the barn. Wow!
So, the biggest thing this week has to have been the total solar eclipse. It was only going to reach 97% of totality here, so Jim and I, along with Cory, his wife, and her parents, decamped for Highlands, NC where it was going to be absolutely, completely total. We rented what turned out to be a a very comfortable and amazingly well equipped cabin right outside of town. We got an invitation from the people who live next to the property we've owned for the last 30 years to come watch on their deck and that turned out to be a perfect spot. We gathered with great anticipation, a big telescope (the host's), several cameras (including mine, of course), filters, solar glasses, food, drink, and waited for the show. We were treated to clear sky to the point just past 50% of coverage, and then the clouds rolled in. Big, dark, fluffy, threatening rain clouds. Much groaning ensued and we all went in to eat. But lo and behold, just as the event hit totality, the clouds thinned and we were able to see the ring of fire! Within the space of no more than two or three seconds, it became totally dark. The birds and crickets became silent, the temperature dropped 25 degrees, and a sunset-like glow appeared on the horizon. For 2 minutes and 24 seconds we basked in the eerie and beautiful darkness. And then, just as quickly, it was over and the sky brightened and the clouds gathered again. We left about 20 minutes later and went a little way down the ridge and I was able to snap a couple of photos of the last of the eclipse. And now, I'm totally hooked on totality! I'm definitely planning on Carbondale, IL in 2014, but if I can find the ways and means to get to another one before that, I'm in!! Here are the beginning, totality, and end of this wondrous event.
So why not join me in blogging? Leave your url in the comments and I'll add you to my reader so we can keep in touch. Or link it to Facebook. I suspect I'm not going to leave that too far behind, no matter how crazy it makes me.