One To(k)e over the Line

Sweet Jesus. I was sitting downtown in the railway station and was able to close up the toe of sock number 1.  Because I'm doing them "2 at a time" style, it won't be long before the other is done.  I do so hope the train is on time.

The pattern is a Nancy Bush Mystery Sock that was posted on Ravelry.

I've just realized I need to stage another little project before my road trip tomorrow!

New Old Stock

There was a time when your only option to put words down on a paper involved steel nibs and liquid ink.  If you do certain types of drawing or like to do calligraphy with the inks and paints that would clog up a calligraphy-nibbed fountain pen then, even today, you will still be dipping pens.

There are apparently vast piles of pen nibs stowed away in warehouses and basements, cast aside after the ballpoint pen came along and stole the scene. There are an unending variety in the brands and shapes, and I was unable to find details on which nibs might be good for what. You can pay a buck or two per nib at a good pen store. Alternatively, you can pick them up in quantity (usually a gross or by the 100) for $5 to $20 a box on ebay.  There were some really nice mixed lots on the UK ebay, but shipping was a downer.

I knew I wanted some for lettering and for drawing, but didn't know which ones. I also wanted to have enough for the kids to play with at a calligraphy class I'm teaching next week. So I ordered a few. Boxes.

Needless to say, if any of my buddies are dip pen fanatics, PM me your mailing address and I'll share a few nibs!

In a Jam Again

Friends in Benton City invited me to visit their orchard yesterday and help myself to any cherries that the pickers missed.  Most of their crop took an overnight flight to Hong Kong, but they left a couple for me and for the blackbirds. Needless to say, I am in a jam again today. I'll be cranking out jam, bags of frozen & pitted smoothie-ready fruit, etc.  I guess it is that time of year.