Newbie

So, I'm new to the world wide blogosphere. I'm finding it fun, but I guess I'd have to say I'm dipping my toe in at the moment. Please bear with me as I get up to speed on the new technology.

I was thinking today of my great-grandmother and all the technological changes she lived through. She grew up on a farm and her childhood did not involve a phone, much less a cell phone, a tv and certainly not an ipod. She witnessed the explosion of air travel and watched men land on the moon. Things I take for granted now weren't part of her daily life. Transatlantic travel involved a ship and took a week. Letters were a big deal. I'm not sure what she would make of email and instant messaging or even the world wide web. But I know she'd been keen for people to use it. She was a fan of progress. She was happy to trade in her old iron for an electric one, as well as use an electric vacuum cleaner and other time saving household devices. I have her old hand beater and it is labor intensive to make whipped cream that way. I prefer my electric hand mixer and for heavy duty baking, my kitchen aid stand mixer.

So while I realize I may not have all the latest bells and whistles on my humble blog, I'm enjoying the journey and the exploration. Thanks for stopping by.

Elementary my dear Watson

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has been running a mini-marathon of the Sherlock Holmes made by Universal in the '40's and starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. There were 14 films made starring Rathbone as Holmes and Bruce as Dr. Watson.

Since then there have been numerous films made with a variety of actors donning the deerstalker cap and inverness cape. However, the standard by which I measure all other Holmes is Basil Rathbone. He seems to have sprung from the pages of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories with nary a change. Watson on the other hand suffered the misfortune being turned into a bit of a bumbling idiot in these pairings. He is much sharper in the original tales. The films from the 1940's capture a mood that the newer productions seem to lack.

I wonder what it is about Sherlock Holmes that continues to fascinate readers? The character was first introduced to the public in 1887. He's 120 years old and still drawing in viewers and readers alike.

Obsessions

My latest obsession is knitting. My mother says I get on these kicks-when I get all wrapped up in a new skill or project. I think that description sells it a bit short. I do get really excited about learning something new and everyone knows practice makes perfect. I don't think it's unusual for someone to spend more time on a new hobby initially. I still love to cook and time permitting I can spend all day cooking up a variety of things and then either freezing them for the week or sharing with friends.

So right now I have several knitting projects going. I am finishing up a sweater from Suss Cousins book, Hollywood Knits. http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Knits-Thirty-Original-Designs/dp/1584792264
I am finishing up the sleeve and then I have to assemble the sweater. I hate the finishing part though. The sewing up is a bit of a drag. I'm also making a scarf in the brioche stitch. It's turning out very nicely and I am very excited to learn this pattern. It's very popular in France and when I was living in Paris, I saw the cutest neck warmer in the yarn section of the Bon Marche department store. Unfortunately my french knitting vocabulary was not up to the task of deciphering the sales girl's explanation and I ended up making a version in a rib knit. But now that I know how to do it I think I'll take another stab at the Bon Marche modele. I'm also working on a cable knit bag. I saw a version on a website for $150 and while very adorable, I can make one for less. http://www.margaretnicole.com/shop.htm

I've also got plans to start on a sleeveless sweater with a cowl neck also from the Suss book, with some cool yarn I bought in Monoprix in Paris. I love to knit and listen to books on tape. And I always take a knitting project when I travel. I find it soothing. At the end of a long day, I find a bit of knitting helps me unwind. Other knitters I've talked to say the same thing. They mention the calming effect. I also enjoy the sense of accomplishment when the project is done and I get to use it. And it's really nice to pick out yarn to make a scarf the length that I want to match my winter coat!

Things I hate

unreliable internet connection
people who cut me off on the highway
dvds rentals that skip and make you miss important parts of the movie
vague instructions
travel delays and the unhelpful employees of the related airline, train, boat...

Things I love

hot chocolate, especially Angelina's in Paris
knitting
old movies
cafe au lait
travel
shopping
cooking
vintage clothes
wandering around in cities
window shopping
driving
golf

I'd rather be knitting.