Orange is the New Black

Tomorrow we will see the presidency transfer from a black man to an orange man. While I don't feel the need to learn to be happy, I do feel the need to be mindful.  It won't be the end of the world.  We will survive it, and our democracy will survive.

Or so we hope.

Here are a few random things about the transition.  Most of them make me smile.

At least someone in Scotland still has a sense of humor.  Easy for them.  Let's hope we can keep things in perspective and keep laughing.  I always did love The Twilight Zone.  Maybe this Trump presidency won't be so bad?

There is a lot of fodder out there for the press corps, whether they are allowed access to the White House or not.  Let's hope they do their job.

Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia is one of my favorite yarn shops anywhere.  Turns out they are the ones handling the donated hats.  I have already heard from a person who will be wearing one of my hats.  Perhaps I will hear from more.  I think it's perfect - a shop where I tend to drop a lot of money is supporting a cause I also support.

My fellow Minnesotan, Garrison Keillor, is looking for a new religion.  Been there, done that.  I never did find a religion that didn't leave me feeling disappointed and/or disillusioned.  Don't know what else to say about that.

Speaking of Minnesota, the shops here are running out of pink yarn.  Minnesotans are, if nothing else, predictable.

And one of our senators from Minnesota has been spicing up the news about the confirmation hearings - particularly with deVos and Perry.   Really.  And people didn't take him seriously when he transitioned from comedy to politics.

I think I'm ok with the fact that I'm not marching on Saturday.  I would not like it, I only like the idea of it.  I don't like crowds.  I don't like being outside all day.  Instead, I will be getting my volunteer orientation at Planned Parenthood, which I think will have more impact in the long run.

Stay strong.  Resist.

Knitting Update

I knit a lot of pink hats - mostly for the pussyhat project, although I threw in this one too, which I had on hand:

Mostly I knit regular hats because the leftover pink yarn I had on hand was silk (Ella Rae) and alpaca (Blue Sky Melange).

Which would not have worked well with the pussyhat pattern.

They're all on Ravelry if you're wondering about patterns.

Many were knit on the cruise, which turned out to be very therapeutic.

I received a yarn donation for this one.

And I also picked up a couple of pink yarns at Needlework Unlimited before they closed.

So I used the "official" pattern for one.

I also knit grandson a pair of slippers.  He wants to have slippers like all the grown-ups.

And I knit this random cowl as part of my attempt at putting my stash to good use.

This hat was made with the leftover yarn from the Bella mittens I made for Girl-child.

And I got a last-minute request for a (not pussyhat) pink hat for Boy-child's girlfriend, so this was made.

And when all the other hats were done I finished a Koolhaas for me - started before the cruise.

Hats are so satisfying.  I used some new patterns and made a couple using old favorites.  Most were for a good cause. Now I'm on to my 2017 knitting goals, which means I'm back to the blankie, making more socks and looking to start the first of a good looking lineup of projects.

Happy knitting!

Orlando

I came home from Tampa, spent the weekend with my people and then turned around to fly into Orlando.

I tried local beers.

I discovered things in my hotel room.

Checking email by the pool was awfully pleasant. 

The place though, was pretty weird.  We ended up calling it "the biodome."

The pool was outside but everything else was under the dome.

Including the alligators.

And turtles.

Made to look like you were outside all the time.

Even though you weren't.

Including heat lamps for a spot of "sun" for the gators.

And a ship, which was part of a restaurant.

I do love goldfish with whiskers.

The baby gators were very cute.

Anyway, it was a trying trip but fruitful enough.  I'm glad to be home.  I'm delighted that it's snowing out today :)

Tampa

I was in Tampa for work during the week between Christmas and New Year's.

I discovered the Tampa Museum of Art on the Tampa Riverwalk.  It was great.  There were two exhibits I enjoyed ... The first was on contemporary Cuban artists:

There was also a section that had folk art which included a bunch of AMAZING quilts:

As well as an amazing Henry Darger piece:

It was a good trip.  Busy.

I came home for New Year's and then went to Kissimmee the next week, also for work.  More on that later.