Books, Socks and Cat

Books read in June May:

Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn. (fiction) I really enjoyed the outings of Lady Julia Gray.It's hard not to love a book that begins with "To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." Alas, the next book in the series won't be out until next year.

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara Tuchman. (non fiction) It follows the Count of Courcy throughout his lifetime. Perfect timing to read about the 14th Century from the point of view of a French nobleman.

A Fool and His Money: Life in a Partitioned Town in 14th Century France by Ann Wroe. (non fiction) More of a close look at a town and townfolk of Rodez than the trial case she was ostensibly following but a fascinating look into the times and people. They felt like neighbors. Rodez is in southern France. (very roughly)

Labyrinth (fiction) by Kate Mosse. This takes place roughly in the same area as A Fool and His Money but here the characters were both stereotypical and capable of the most supreme acts of idiocy to keep the plot going. A plot that was better covered by The Da Vinci Code and I didn't think much of that book either.

Departures (speculative fiction/aka science fiction)by Harry Turtledove, a collection of short stories. I think my favorite one was the origin of the common cold.

Socks: Jaywalker(s)!  Why I decided to take a picture of just one foot....I have no idea. The shoes are why I was so hot to finish the socks, they needed handknit socks to wear correctly. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

• Stats: Shepherd Sock in Irving Park, not quite two skeins. (from Amanda Cathleen in the August Birthday Swap)
• Started: June 2007
• Finished: June 2008. Probably not a reflection on the pattern. Who else hasn't knit a pair yet? There must be more of us. Well, you. Now. ;)
• Fit: They fit really well but they are a bit loose in the ankle. There was limited pooling and the yarn striped quite nicely but better on one foot than the other. Between the camera and Typepad, they're frustrating my attempts to get another picture to show you so you'll have to take my word for it for now. The pattern is a lot of fun. Just enough to do to keep it entertaining but not so difficult it couldn't be a tote around project.

Cat: Hez hates me. First I stuff her into a box and leave her all day at the vet for torment and tribulations, then to add insult to injury, she has to take 2ml of antibiotics twice a day for ten days. We are on Day Two. Pray for me.

Hez sez "I will not pose nicely for you, you horrible excuse for caring companion."

Hmm. The book didn't either. Possibly it's the shakey cam I'm using. (Yes, my unsteady hands. Whatever happened to the days of point and shoot when you didn't have to freeze for 15 seconds?)

Comments

[Jenni]

Jaywalker is my plane knit! Scott is bring the pattern home for me. I had him print it at work. We leave tomorrow morning!! Hooray!

[Jennyellen]

Poor Hez. Oh, the trials of catdom.

I so agree with you about Labyrinth! I tried listening to the audiobook and gave up after the first CD. I was very disappointed.

[Chris]

That is a brilliant first line!

The Jays are absolutely lovely. Well, the Jay I see, that is.

Sending you lucky antibiotic giving thoughts - may both you and Hez survive.

[Julia]

Hmm, your measuring the antibiotics in ml, so you must be giving her a liquid, yes? Shooting medicine down his throat with a syringe is the only way we can ever give Cheddar his meds. Just be sure to wear clothes you don't care about, or better yet, a big enveloping apron or smock or something. I always end up wearing more medicine than administering it. I've never knit a Jaywalker. Or a Monkey. I am so not a follower. (although I did make a Clapotis once).

[Jeanne]

Well, she can't be feeling too bad if she's giving you attitude. That's good.

[Marina]

Evil vet! Surely those things come in pills.

Nice colours in the Jaywalker, which I have never knitted.

[Crafting Jen]

Love the color on those jaywalkers!

I have not knit jaywalkers yet, nor am I likely to. They look great, but all the stories people tell of how tight they fit - combined with my large feet and even larger ankles - suggest that I'd have trouble getting them to work for me.

You did a great job, however. And I'm envious of the shoes, I need a good pair to wear with socks like that!

[Michelle]

Nice Jaywalkers you've got there.

[deb]

She'll come back to you - she's a cat for crying out loud!

[Birdsong]

hmm,, that shocking pink sure would have garnered you too much attention in the 14th century! I haven't made Jaywalkers, but have to say I like yours with the shoe... nice:) Hez looks royally pissed off.

[Opal]

Lovely Jaywalkers! If I recall correctly, I adjusted the pattern so that it decreased around the ankle as it was a little too baggy for me there too.

[Carrie]

Love the opening of that book. Hilarious.

[Literary Feline]

I am sorry you didn't care for Labyrinth. I liked it quite a bit when I read it.

The Deanna Raybourn book sounds intriguing. That first line is irresistible, you are right!

Poor Hez! I got a postcard in the mail from Parker's vet. It's time for his annual check up and shots. I know he won't be happy with me after that visit . . .

I hope you have a great weekend, Carrie!

[mrspao]

Poor Hez - she'll forget eventually. The Jaywalkers look great. I still haven't mastered getting them to fit. Even with a tiny needle they are massive. So I now have some 000 needles and fingering weight.

[Bron]

I'll have to find the Raybourn book...best of luck with Hez. ;)

[Bridget]

Oh the first line of that first book is great - I would love to be able to write like that!

Your socks are really pretty! I have a pair that I started in Sept 2007, that I probably won't finish until next fall, since I'm busy with holiday gifts ...

Hez will come around. In the meantime, though, you'll still pay dearly. Good luck! ;-)

[Jocelyn]

Oh, boy. Cats and antibiotics. You're in for some fun, eh? Hang in there, though -- you can make it up to her when it's all over! Meanwhile, the socks look awesome, and are perfect for those shoes.

[Liz]

I love the sock(s), and you're a reading machine! So jealous on both counts!

[Elspeth]

Very nice socks! I'm impressed you're able to read as much as you do - I have a bag of magazines I can't even get through!

[Liz]

Oooo nice socks, and gorgeous shoes! I completely understand the need for handknit sock sin the new shoes...

[Sonya]

Love your Jaywalkers! Mine are falling apart; I may have to knit up another pair.

Poor Hez. Giving cats meds is no fun for anyone. Dogs however? Hide a pill in a squished piece of bread and down the hatch it goes.

I must get my hands on the "Edward... was still twitching upon the floor" book.

[tara]

Those Deanne Raybourn books sound good and somewhat like the Tasha Alexander series. Love the line you quoted!

[Miss T]

Cute sock! And I'm probably the last Jaywalker holdout.

[Amanda]

Great book recommendations for summer reading. Now that I have a little more time I definately want to pick up "Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary."

Thanks and happy reading and knitting!
Amanda
(Amanda's Weekly Zen)

[Lorraine]

Carrie- I WANT the shoes!

Head noogies to Hez- that'll really peeve her off!