a southern gal knits in the north: October 2007

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October 2007

The Fat Lady Sang...

More HERE

more later life is busy this week...

October 30, 2007 at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Watched the RED SOX and Rockies play a more matched game tonight - while last night's huge lopsided win was good for morale it was a bit boring to watch a FIFTH consecutive hit-heavy game. NOT that I want BO to lose but a fan wants to see a good fight.

''I'm actually ecstatic with the way we're playing,'' Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. ''We're on the verge of winning a World Series.'' And yes, we are too - ecstatic that is.

Lowell's play at Third Base was the "biggest play of the game" according to Francona. "That made my night,'' Francona said of Lowell's play. "Well, a lot of other things did, too, but that was special. A lot of guys just pull up there into second base. Mikey saw the opening and took it. That's the ballgame right there."

Thanks too to Schilling and Okajima and Papelbon - ''This was the Pap-ajima show tonight,'' Schilling said. ''That was just phenomenal to watch.''

"I'm definitely more nervous now at this stage in my career," Schilling said. "I think it's because I know things are winding down and now I look around and enjoy so many things around me, like watching Josh [Beckett] and [Hideki] Okajima. It's fun. When I was young, it was just getting myself ready 24/7. Now I'm enjoying what I'm getting to see."

Tom Verducci (CNN Sports) writes "Nearing 41, pitching against a flamethrower nearly half his age, Schilling won a pitcher's duel at Fenway in the World Series. It was a game to remember, including when his name appears on a Hall of Fame ballot."

The home team advantage looms as the game shifts to Coors Field - as Papelbon said in a postgame interview - "There will be 50,000 fans there and we just have to go in and get our business done."   It would be great to hope that BO will win the next two but IF they don't it would be 2-2 and back to Boston for the final two which would augur well for a good final match for the New England Fans.

And the Rockies are ready too - ''We're going to make a series out of this,'' Rockies rookie Troy Tulowitzki said.

Again from CNN's Verducci - "the Red Sox are not suited for Coors Field or NL rules. They will lose at least one big bat out of their lineup, with a pitcher having to take the at-bats that would go to Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz or Mike Lowell. And if Francona plays Ortiz at first and Youkilis at third, he will have two infielders playing out of position and a left fielder, Manny Ramirez, whose defense could be exposed in the vast Coors outfield.

It's hard to imagine anybody beating Josh Beckett, the Boston Game 5 pitcher if we get that far, but Colorado has a decent chance of turning this into a real series over the next two games."

* * *

Thank goodness for the cool weather returning, at last, here in the Hudson River Valley - it may finally be time to retire the window fans and haul out the portable heaters. With gas prices up, thank goodness for the new programmable thermostat - last winter it helped bring the heating bill down substantially from the previous year. One good thing about living in this tiny railroad apt where the four main rooms are about 12x12 is that a portable heater warms up the small spaces very quickly and efficiently. And with a combination of louvred doors and heavy curtains (there were NO connecting doors when I moved in), a small closed room becomes toasty very quickly. And of course layered wool clothing is helpful too. This past winter after the installation of the programmable thermostat (55 nite/58 day), I became very familiar with the skiing and cold country clothing company websites stocking up on wool underwear as my basic home garment layered with big wool sweaters (worn tunic like). Being a knitter,fingerless gloves work up fast, and my multicolored collection attests.

I am a little ahead of the weather - but probably not much. Who knows what it will be in the next few weeks? We can hope for a gradual descent to cold temps but given the varied and unprecedented temps of the last month, who knows? (I won't start on the Global Warming topic - you can read Al Gore). So where it was 75 on Tuesday and 70 on Wednesday and is 48 right now - it could be 30 by next weekend.

A comparison of electric consumption between the last three years disclosed an increase - the only changeable factor being the temperature - and thus the increased use of fans. Usually October is the lowest month of electricity use. Sigh.

* * *

Tonight at our weekly knitting group at a village coffeehouse, a bantering conversation with the barista about the music selection. This is a smallish venue located on the main commercial street of one of the Hudson River villages. It is quiet and lightly trafficked now mainly due to its location both at the end of the street and across from the vast (95 acres) GM former plant now a fenced vast empty lot. There is great controversy around the proposed development of this site - where are the Rouse's of former years? I digress.

So, we knitters asked our regular barista whether he was allowed to choose the music that played (as always in commercial places TOO loudly - we are constantly asking to have it turned down) As it happens, they use Sirius and he said he could choose between a few channels. So I asked if he would take a request for a channel - 85 perhaps? (If you are not a Sirius fan that is the MET Opera channel) However, although obliging at first, when he found out it was Opera - a shaking head. Oh well, it was worth a shot (I guess) and would have been nice to hear the opening of tonight's LUCIA played thru the big speakers.

I did catch the "Mad scene" of the Live webcast tonight - with Annick Massis in the second cast role of Lucia - and was quite taken with her portrayal. Interestingly, the flute soloed with her but only in the cabeletta , the glass harmonica opened the scene.   I thought she was quite good - clear ringing bell tones in her coloratura and the entire scene dramatically and sensitively sung.

* * *
While looking up the Met schedule, the website has this intriguing annoucement:

The turnout for our open call for War and Peace extras just over a week ago was terrific. But we still need additional male supernumeraries to populate the ranks of the Russian and French armies in the company’s monumental production, which returns to the Met in December.

A second audition will be held this Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 10AM at Good Shepherd-Faith Church. The church is located at 152 W. 66th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam Aves. We are looking for men to portray soldiers, so come prepared to march! Bring a picture and resume if available.

The production, which had its spectacular company premiere in 2002, is the largest in the Met’s vast repertoire, with nearly 75 solo roles. Based on Tolstoy’s epic novel, War and Peace depicts Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia and subsequent defeat. The Met’s principal guest conductor Valery Gergiev will be on the podium, with leading roles sung by Irina Mataeva, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Larisa Shevchekno, Kim Begley, Samuel Ramey, and Vassily Gerello. Join them on the Met stage!

Know any aspiring spear carriers?

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October 26, 2007 at 06:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Start as you mean to go on...

October 24, 2007

Colorado 1, Boston 13 at Fenway Park
Colorado Record: (0-1)
Boston Record: (1-0)

Winning pitcher - Josh Beckett (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Jeff Francis (0-1)

Colorado Runs: 1, Hits: 6, Errors: 0
Boston Runs: 13, Hits: 17, Errors: 0

HR: COL - None
HR: BOS - D. Pedroia (1)

Next Boston Game: October 27, 2007 06:00 PM MT vs. Colorado Rockies

"Beckett got off to the most overpowering start since Sandy Koufax,
Pedroia became only the second player to lead off the Series with a
home run, and then a relentless offense led by Manny Ramirez and David
Ortiz racked up hit after hit.

Boston set a record for runs and
victory margin in an opener and finished with 17 hits, becoming the
first club to hit eight doubles in a Series game since 1925. After
taking a 6-1 lead against Colorado ace Jeff Francis, the Red Sox piled
on seven runs in the fifth, when Rockies reliever Ryan Speier walked
three straight batters with the bases loaded -- the first time that
ever happened in a Series game."

RTRH

Not much knitting done yet - a lot of desk work to do tonight. But off now to do a little knitting and enjoy the COOL weather finally!

October 25, 2007 at 01:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Will the Green Monster roar tonight?

OR
How much knitting will be done during this WS?

Game   Matchup     Day   Date      Time ET   TV
Gm 1   COL @ BOS   Wed   Oct. 24    8 pm     FOX
Gm 2   COL @ BOS   Thu   Oct. 25    8 pm     FOX
Gm 3   BOS @ COL   Sat   Oct. 27    8 pm     FOX
Gm 4   BOS @ COL   Sun   Oct. 28    8 pm     FOX
Gm 5*   BOS @ COL   Mon   Oct. 29   TBD      FOX
Gm 6*   COL @ BOS   Wed   Oct. 31   TBD      FOX
Gm 7*   COL @ BOS   Thu   Nov. 1    TBD      FOX
   * - if necessary
       all times tentative
       All times are Eastern Standard Times

October 24, 2007 at 06:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Red So(x)cks

I guess I will have to get out my DPs and make some Red SOCKS ... [11-2 yahoo!] if I can tear myself away from the v neck aran cardigan. Here is the progress from last night (prior to Sat there were about 2 inches)

This is the front

and here is the back

i added the center panel with the two braids next to it to EZ's pattern (its the V Neck Aran Cardigan in The Opinionated Knitter).

Knitting in the round with a center steek.

well at least its red!

and UH OH these words are too delicious!

Welcome to the official website for Evelyn A. Clark's designs.

go see - and I dare you to just buy one!

and here's a cute cat phot (and no I didn't get her to pose!)

October 22, 2007 at 01:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"I left my heart in" ... Boston

Drew Powers Red Sox Into Decisive Game 7
News from The Associated Press.
AP Photo
BOSTON (AP) - From the brink of elimination and the depths of a yearlong slump, J.D. Drew helped the Boston Red Sox force a Game 7. The struggling Red Sox right fielder hit a grand slam and drove in five runs and, behind yet another postseason gem from Curt Schilling, Boston battered the Cleveland Indians 12-2 Saturday night to tie the AL championship series at three games apiece. "We needed tonight's game, we needed a good performance for Schilling," Drew said. "We got that, now we're going to play in Game 7."

I spent the evening watching the Red Sox hammer the Indians and listening to the Live webcast of Christoph von Dohanyi (formerly of the Cleveland Orchestra) lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven, the Piano Concerto #3 with Lars Vogt and then Sym #5 The BSO program commentator let on after intermission that the Sox were winning. …. Sunday night will be very interesting – the Red Sox outscored the Indians in the last two games and obviously with Home Team advantage emotions will be running high.

Was able to get about 8 inches of knitting on my EZ V-neck Aran Cardigan which I am designing – I added a central panel with a saxon braid and two side braids for the back … photos soon.

Interestingly enough I was planning a move to Boston a few years ago but instead moved to the Hudson River Valley and it still is the top of the list as the area to which I would move as I continue my way up the Northeast coast. I actually have family on the East shore – my uncle Andre Dubus’s four children all live around and about the northeast shore above Boston. I remember driving along the coast from Newburyport down to Logan after his funeral and loving the coastal scenery. I took tons of photos of places … i need to scan them in to digital (inherited one of those scanner/copier/faxer/printers so maybe some day….while listening to the Ring ?)

And after a VERY muggy and rainy Friday after another week of abnormal highs we had at least closer to normal temps today – in the 60s with nice low humidity – but its supposed to be 75 on Monday – WTF? sigh – where is FALL!? That photo was taken last Saturday from the terrace at KYKUIT – the Rockefeller home along the Hudson – more about that anon.

Actually my camellias think its fall – which is very strange as I ordered a split of some Fall and some Spring bloomers – but probably this extended warm weather has really screwed them up – ALL of them are COVERED with BUDS… the White SNOW DAWN was the first to bloom this week – the others are just starting to open up… Click on the photos for more.

October 21, 2007 at 02:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

argh

i cast off on the Hemlock Ring blanket late Tues night or rather early Wed morning and when i woke up and spread it out - well, its a bell not a ring no amount of pushing or pulling or anything will make this thing lay flat - and it certainly wont look like the original.

maybe i will post photos later but = see i had used a size 7 60" after knitting most of the center and sides on 10 and 9 - and even tho i knit loosely - well, its never gonna lay flat (remember is WOOL EASE and that acrylic has no memory). i was so intent on finishing this in a WEEK and delivering it to the nephew … you know, haste makes – whatever..

so sigh and a few other choice words. so today i ran to the lys and purchased three sizes in large size 60" needles but its going on the back burner cause the new priority is my rhinebeck sweater.

More on that later ... now to go and SWATCH (yes especially in time crunch knitting) for the sweater and there is an old Irene Dunne movie (well, they are all old) new to me – and of course my soap (two eps).

In other news – its trying to turn cooler and maybe even cold by the weekend - its only in the 60s right now but with LOTS of humidity from the rain which we DESPERATELY needed - in the last day we got about one inch - more than the last MONTH !

And more rain in the next few days - praise be! so 86 (record) on Monday and 70s Tues and Wed... maybe we will see the 50s this weekend like they are predicting - its all coming from Canada - so friends send it down! we want nice chilly weather for rhinebeck!

And a visiting relative means no knitting group for me today – but a trip to the city and dinner and the New York Philharmonic (all Tchaikovsky program!).

More also on the sweet time i had with my three 1/2 yo nephew today – what a great age – he is so smart and adorable – and yes i am very biased.

October 11, 2007 at 01:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Franklin does it again...

October 11, 2007 at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

did you see this?

IT IS considered one of Leonardo da Vinci's finest paintings and its theft from the Duke of Buccleuch's home in 2003 was one of the most audacious art crimes ever committed.

But last night, it was announced that the £37 million Madonna of the Yarnwinder had been recovered - and The Scotsman can reveal that alawyer working for one of the country's most successful and respected law firms was among four men arrested.

The man, who was believed to be a partner in the firm but who had not been officially named, was arrested yesterday in the offices of HBJ Gateley Wareing in West Regent Street, Glasgow.

Police said the 16th-century painting - whose theft was regarded by the FBI as one of the world's ten worst art crimes - was discovered following a raid in Glasgow. The three other men arrested were said to be from the Lancashire area.

Last night, it was reported that the painting had been discovered by police at HBJ Gateley Wareing's offices.

The four men are due to appear in court today.

RTRH

A hugely valuable and rare link to genius of the Renaissance
ALASTAIR DALTON

MADONNA of the Yarnwinder is one of only a few paintings which have been authenticated as a Leonardo da Vinci.

Art critics have described the painting, which is just 19in by 14in, as one of his most interesting and complete sketches.

It is also regarded as one of the most important paintings to have been stolen in the UK in the past 70 years.

Brian Sewell, one of Britain's best-known art critics, said: "There is so little that can reasonably be attributed to Leonardo, there are only about 12 of his paintings left. As this one has been accepted as one of his finished ones, it makes it very important and highly valuable."

The 10th Duke of Buccleuch, who succeeded his late father this year, said: "It's the most beautiful work of art by one of the greatest painters in the world. It is a work of such peace and beauty."

He said the painting had been purchased in Italy in the 18th century by the third duke and had been conclusively identified as a work by the Renaissance master only in 1986 following scientific tests.

It was painted in about 1501 for Florimand Robertet, the secretary of state to Louis XII of France, and symbolises the future passion of Jesus Christ. Professor Duncan McMillan, the visual art critic for The Scotsman, said: "It is incredibly important and contemporary with the Mona Lisa."

Leonardo, born in 1452 at Vinci is often described as a "Renaissance man", a genius who left behind a legacy of some of the world's finest art.

Two of his greatest works were the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, which attract millions of visitors each year and are the most reproduced artworks of all time. Their nearest rival is Michelangelo's Creation of Adam.

Leonardo's drawing of the Vitruvian Man is also iconic.

He was also a scientist and engineer who designed prototypes for early "machines" such as helicopters and telescopes.

Scientists regard his research as unique and astounding for its time. He compiled hundreds of notebooks containing 13,000 pages of notes and drawings, many of which are a rare combination of art and science.

Possessing a great deal of self- discipline, Leonardo spent hours every day, whether at home or on his travels, recording his observations and ideas for future projects.

The journals were mostly written in mirror-image cursive script - some suggest that this was because Leonardo was left-handed rather than a necessary precaution in a time when church authorities persecuted free-thinkers who put science before religious beliefs.

October 05, 2007 at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)