b.5.2.

The B-52’s have always been a favorite of mine…. when we were little this was one of the songs Julie and I would sing along to and try to match our voices to Cindy and Kate. Our Dad was fairly patient with this type of thing on road trips. We were pretty young, junior high, when we were obsessed. So this footage is a bit ahead of my time, but how amazing it must have been to see these guys live in a sleepy college town in Georgia when they were just starting out. I’ve seen them many times in concert, but by the time I saw them they were performing in arenas- already hugely popular with songs like Love Shack. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I would’ve loved to see them in a little club in Athens when they were still cultivating their sound. I truly think there’s no band like them, they were from another time. Both futuristic and retro, certainly ground breaking.

more about "The B-52’s – Atlanta – 52 girls 1978", posted with vodpod

more about “B-52’s Hero Worship“, posted with vodpod

I’m sorry I’ve gone missing. I just don’t seem to have any words these last few weeks. Well… I do, but I don’t know where to begin. Nor do I know that I have the right words or the fortitude to talk about things lately. But, I’m getting there.

Flo.

A small sweater coat for cool nights and chilly days….. my first knitting pattern is
now available on Ravelry! I tried to keep the pattern straightforward like the kimono and sundress patterns, but it is really a challenge for me to distill knitting into words. Hopefully I was successful and knitters will find the pattern a simple, gratifying knit.

Like my sewing creations, this little coat started as a request from my sister. And as Floria grew, another was requested…. pretty soon the boys each wanted one. And now, the neighbors’ kids want ‘em!

** I updated the pattern size info as well as added a bit more info.

If you are a knitter who would like this pattern, but you’re not on Ravelry, please feel free to email me at afinlarc at yahoo dot com.

The Almost Vacation.

Sometimes, when you pin everything on one idea it can pay off in spades. Other times, it can feel reckless and you find yourself saying ‘what a colossal waste of time’. Like maybe you rushed the research, hung your hat on a picture and called it a day. I found myself in the latter camp this weekend, though we managed to salvage the second day. I planned everything, had the maps, had the cabin. The only thing I didn’t factor in was the ‘too good to be true’ scenario, which we were staring down the barrel of from the get go.

Let’s start with the map and directions. They took us to another town. We pulled up in the driveway of a lovely German couple working in their yard, he splitting logs and she pulling weeds. They were terribly charming and the man said “Das the correct address, but dees ist not Sullivan, ist Hancock” and she said (while trying not to laugh) “You need to git ovah dah breege to dah next town”.

Not a good sign.

So we get to the cabin eventually, and let’s just say the photo  you see in this post,  the advertised photo, is missing a few things that really captured the feel of the spot. For instance, the chain link fence between the cabin and the water. Also missing: the giant cottage between us and the water, thus obscuring the “waterfront”. Add to this the 6 rowdy 21-ish neighbors with a dog that did not stop barking for a split second and I think you’re starting to get the picture. And it’s not exactly the picture of peace and quiet. I can also add that it was raining, and it was much colder than the weather report (the cottage was not heated and though I packed for cool weather, MP did not and he therefore got so cold he considered sleeping in the car). Did I also mention MP was sick? And that it was a small bed and he was coughing in my face all night?

We decided to head into Bar Harbor to eat, and while it was certainly not the worst in terms of ‘touristy’, it was not the sleepy Maine town I was picturing. 3 large tour operators arrived while we were eating our lunch.  We just watched the people pouring out of the buses and I imagined how horrifyingly crowded it must be in July and August if May is considered the ‘off season’. On the plus side – dog are allowed everywhere, even in restaurants! As you can imagine, that swings the entire region into bonus points with me.

I wanted to get up and go home the next day (one of the perks of living so close – makes it easy to scrap a plan gone bad), but MP insisted we tour Acadia and make the best of it. I was reluctant, but he was right. So, so worth it. Incredible vistas and scenery so overflowing with shades of green, yellow and blue…. it is still all I can see with my eyes closed. The history of the region was really interesting and we went on an auto-tour that took us along roads that zig zagged through private and park lands. And just when we were about to pull out of town, the rain stopped… the sky cleared… and it turned into a beautiful day.

Found and Focusing.

We found a cabin, so off to Acadia National Park we go. Maine has a certain calling for me, we visit as often as we can and often times find ourselves dreaming about a little piece of land or a cabin of our own….someday. For now a few days in the peace and quiet will help us both escape an incredibly overwhelming month and an entire week of heavy carry-out food. My Joy+Ride goal was to focus more on MP and Lottie and myself. Just focus, and find an awareness that feels so fleeting lately. Here it is, almost June, and I’m just now sorting it out. Ah well, better late than never. The joy will come.

Bar Harbor is only about 4+ hours from here, but it may as well be a world away. I’m bring reading materials for weeks- I’m particularly thrilled about this one. I’m only a few chapters in and already I can tell that this may go down as an all-time favorite. The weather promises to be a bit cooler than Boston (thankfully) and most of the sea kayaking outfitters still have openings.

Have a wonderful Memorial Holiday, or just a great ol’ weekend! Here’s to Maine!

New Cushions.

When I saw this IKEA fabric a few weeks ago, I went nuts. I love it! I wanted some new cushions for the sofa to welcome summer, and this fabric was the perfect solution. The green is absolutely perfect, and I’m always a fan of black and white patterns.

WWYD.

So, I’m just curious…. I have a question and I would love to see what people have to say in the comments section here.

Last year, someone took my Kimono tutorial, clipped off my name and header and posted it on their site as their own work. My photos, my text, you name it. Maybe it was the language barrier, but this person truly felt they did nothing wrong. Eventually, with the help of a few members in Ravelry, she removed my work. End of story.

Then someone else took my pattern, made a minor change, and posted it as her own work. I let it slide at the time because these two instances were happening concurrently and the first one was just so egregious.

In the latest case, someone has taken my pattern, drawn it “freehand” in their own handwriting in another language, and claimed it as their own (again, no link to me, credit to me, or permission). The pattern is the same, all of the dimensions are the same (down to the 1/2cm) and the directions are the same. This person is not responding to my numerous attempts at contact, which leaves me asking….

Keep in mind, this is the exact pattern I spent months creating, refining, simplifying and distilling into the kimono tutorial. What would you do? Would you name and shame? Would you just laugh it off, or let it go? When is that line crossed from flattery or naiveté to blatant stealing?

Take Note.

This site is great…. It’s a public blog on which anyone can post. There’s an article up right now that may be of interest to many.  Usually the posts and comments are great, if not funny.

Another site that cracks me up. I particularly enjoyed some of the Mother’s Day postings.

A great movie we saw last weekend. Add it to your netflix queue along with this (which I’ve seen 4 times) and this.

Lastly, Memorial Weekend snuck up on us and we are trying desperately to find a great cabin to rent in Maine at the last minute, preferably less than a 5 hour drive from Boston. The keywords would be: secluded, remote, quiet, silent…..beautiful. Any recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

Making Room.

Running on fumes over here….. I have much to catch up on. Just last Wednesday I was quietly walking through Mt. Auburn looking at birds and owls. 7 short days later I can’t seem to keep my head above water. Such is the cycle, and I’m not complaining. I just find the passage of time fascinating.

MP has a rule he’s lived by since I’ve known him: if something comes in, something goes out. This rule can kill me at times [Honey! I got you this new shirt!...Really? Then this one has to go!] but lately I’ve been trying to heed his wisdom. So, in preparation for the 2 books pictured here, I got rid of a few that I knew I would not open. And it was worth it, I’m really excited about these books! The second one is great, but there’s no patterns. I’m a little ticked about that. Lucky for them the photos are wonderful and inspiring on their own.

Lastly – the pattern is almost done. I can’t believe how quickly it went, I’m not sure why I didn’t write it down sooner.