One Crazy Fiber Lady

First, let me thank everyone again for their positive vibes sent Sara’s way.  She’s doing a little bit better this morning, actually putting a tiny bit of weight on her foot.    Thanks to the sedation yesterday, she was quiet last night, which was good for her recovery.  Though she did take the first three steps up to the addition last night.  Good thing the baby gate was back in place keeping the animals contained.  The GC also took pity on the felines and their insatiable curiosity by putting some up some temporary wallboard to prevent access through the side of the staircase.  So the gate really did effectively keep all the little ones out of harm’s way last night.  I don’t look forward to the daily prednisone dosage for the little miss as it is never fun giving a pill to a cat.   Which reminds me of this very funny email I got ages ago.

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     How to Give a Cat a Pill

 1)  Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
   
    2)  Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
   
    3)  Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
   
    4)  Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
   
    5)  Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.  Call spouse from garden.
   
    6)  Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws.
Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat
vigorously.
   
    7)  Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note
to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figurines from
hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
   
    8)  Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from
below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow
down drinking straw.
   
    9)  Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to
take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with
cold water and soap.
   
    10)  Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and
close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
   
    11)  Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress
to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw tee-shirt away and
fetch new one from bedroom.
   
    12)  Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to
neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from
foil-wrap.
   
    13)  Tie cat’s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg
of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat’s mouth open with
small wrench. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet mignon. Hold head
vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down.
   
    14)  Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches
fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture store on
way home to order new table.
   
    15)  Arrange for SPCA to collect cat and call pet shop to see if they have any
hamsters or fish.

******
That always gets a hearty laugh from me!

Judging from the comments yesterday, my Hitchhiker isn’t going to want for a home for very long.  Who knew?!  A word of warning though, my Hitcher is a left-footed model.  This isn’t by itself an issue, but those who are used to a right-footed single treadle might have some difficulties… though it would give your right foot a break. 

I got to serve as a bit of R&D for Dave regarding this little wheel.  I have the first one with additional ratios.  There was a minor mishap with the first wheel my fix for it gave him an idea which resulted in the current ratio solution!  As you can see nicely tucked next to my chair in this picture, I have the tote bag for it.

I would think that it would make a good starter wheel.  The ratio isn’t overly high so the natural tendency to overspin everything as a newbie is minimized.  And really, it is small and not a major outlay when compared to some other wheels out there.

There’s been a great deal of expressed interest in this sucker and I’m not sure how to handle it fairly.  I’m going to put a price of $225 plus shipping on it (retails now for $259 + 25 for the bag).  If you’re local or we can meet without driving for hours and hours, even better.  But if not, I can box it and ship it.  Not sure what that will add to the deal, but looking at Dave’s site, it shouldn’t be more than $25.  I can take paypal too (and/or installments). Any serious takers now?

Sorry no picture, but I’m now at the cuff of the sock with maybe half an inch before bind off.  Last night’s knitting was devoted again to Ariann.  I’m 18 rows now from finishing the body.  I should be able to finish it tonight.  Sadly, I can’t make the SnB at Modern Yarn as the folks will be going out, but I’ll be there in spirit.  Sniff.  Next week for sure.

Craft on!