AlisonH
Yarn: Lisa Souza‘s Mardi Gras in merino, a gift from my Purlescence friends’ gift basket when I was so ill in January. Now I finally get to play with it. My Carlsbad Scarf is a good pattern for showing off a busy colorway.
Thursday evening I ran off by myself to the once-a-month South Bay Knitters’ meeting at Green Planet Yarn down in Campbell.
Where half the room burst into clapping when I walked in, and the other half had no idea why I hadn’t been there since October. I explained. I got quite a few hugs, and Beth, the store owner, couldn’t get over how good I looked–the best she’d ever seen me, she said.
But I didn’t buy her rosewood needles over there that were calling to me. I was trying to be frugal. (We won’t mention that silk cashmere that did come home.)
Now, the last time that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee was in northern California, Jasmin and (formerly) no-blog Rachel (go see her new dress!) and I road-tripped together to see her. I took my knitting project and a backup, just in case; it was going to be a long day.
The bag with that backup had in it my pair of Holz and Stein rosewood size 5.5 mm (US 9) I’d used for all the size 9 projects in my book. It was a particularly beautiful pair of needles, made from the leftover wood from making musical instruments, a needle not sold in the US anymore, and that particular pair had been much loved for many years.
And I never saw it again.
It still hurts.
There was a pair of Destiny rosewood size 8s from Vietnam at Green Planet. They had a beautiful grain, but the tips and joins weren’t quite what I’m used to. And they just weren’t Holz and Stein. As if I could ever replace that one pair anyway. I passed on the idea.
Coming home, it having been a long and very busy day, I found myself suddenly almost doubling over in pain and nausea–only for about ten seconds, but it was a complete throwback that told me to definitely take it easy.
So of course today, feeling well and having an hour to myself, because I could and in reaction to that episode, WHILE I could, (after all, you never know), I ran back to that shop to buy those needles. I did like the grain. I’m going to at least give them a try.
Where Beth again couldn’t get over just how very well I looked. And you know? I realized on my way home, it’s a comfort to be told that. Her delight may have been the biggest reason of all why I decided to try out her needles and made the trip back down there. Because now I will always associate them with her caring.
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Oh, so good to hear that you are getting out! And that others are so glad to see you! Keep up the good work,
Humor time:
 An Officer stops a driver for running a red light. The guy is a real jerk and comes running back to the officer demanding to know why he is being harassed by the Gestapo! So the officer calmly tells him of the red light violation. The “Motorist” instantly goes on a tirade, questioning the officer’s ancestry, sexual orientation, etc., in rather explicit terms.
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The tirade goes on without the officer saying anything.
When he gets done with writing the ticket he puts an “AH” in the lower right corner of the narrative portion of the ticket. He then hands it to the “Violator” for his signature. The guy signs the ticket angrily, and when presented with his copy points to the “AH” and demands to know what it stands for.
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The Officer says, “That’s so when we go to court, I’ll remember that you’re an Asshole!”
 Two months later they’re in court. The “Violator” has such a bad driving record he is about to lose his license and has hired a lawyer to represent him. On the stand the officer testifies to seeing the man run the red light. Under cross examination the defense attorney asks; “Officer is this a reasonable facsimile of the ticket you issued my client?”
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Officer responds, “Yes sir, that is the defendants copy, his signature and mine, same number at the top.
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 Lawyer: “Officer, is there any particular marking or notation on this ticket you don’t normally   make?”
 Officer: “Yes sir, in the lower right corner of the narrative there is an “AH,” underlined.”
Lawyer: “What does the “AH” stand for, officer?”
Officer: “Aggressive and Hostile Sir.”
Lawyer: “Aggressive and Hostile?”
Officer: “Yes Sir?
 Lawyer: “Officer, Are you sure it doesn’t stand for Asshole?”
 Officer: “Well Sir, You know your client better than I do!”Â
Comment by Don Meyer 03.28.09 @ 8:19 pmSo glad you decided to buy those needles. They will warm your heart for years to come.
Comment by Joansie 03.29.09 @ 6:46 amEven the needles get a story! BTW, thanks for encouraging Don start his own blog. I loved reading about his pretty Pepper.
Comment by LynnM 03.29.09 @ 7:46 amThese new needles will help you develop new knitting stories! (I too hate losing precious tools.) I’ve been grateful for your comments on my blog lately…and I’ve been unable to keep up and email you a thanks. I appreciate all your thoughts even as I am lost in my own!
Comment by Joanne 03.29.09 @ 3:10 pmIt’s always interesting to try new needles. Maybe a new bond will form…
Comment by Channon 03.30.09 @ 5:50 amLove you. Get better and YES, I just got the news that we are going to Portland.
Comment by Lisa S 03.30.09 @ 7:35 amOne of my favorite sets of needles are some Oscar took the time to get for me. First he educated himself about what I liked to use, and what I didn’t have, then he tracked them down. It was sort of equivalent to me buying him a motorcycle part.
Every time I use them, I feel how much he loves me.
Hmmm…Holz & Stein? Wonder if they make ’em anymore? … *grin*
Comment by Karen 03.30.09 @ 4:39 pmThose needles will warm your heart forever now. Thanks for another great story.
Comment by Alicia 03.31.09 @ 12:20 pmLeave a comment
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