Thing 26: Ning

This morning I reviewed the 23 Things on a Stick Ning, which I joined last year. Two groups interest me, so I joined them both: "Knitting in the Library" and " Library Trustees."
My photos at that site remind me of summer.
Last year I didn't discover the Ning until I was doing one of the last 23 Things. It should be much more helpful as I move along on this project. Since I'm way behind, maybe members of my new groups will have answers I need.
I look forward to exploring the Ning more. The badge I added provides the link to the Ning, too.

Thing #25: Blogger's Tooklit

After reading about blogs, I have named the general topic of this blog near the title, so visitors will know right away.
I also like the idea of encouraging comments by not requiring commenters to sign in. I'm still looking for a free way to do that. Disqus makes commenting easier; however, I'd like to find a comment feature that allows anyone to comment, even if they're not registered to Disqus. Anti-spam ability is also necessary.

Posting to the blog through email is an interesting new feature.

Robin Good;s videos about widgets led me to add a dictionary "word-a-day" widget along the side of this blog.

For example, Contactify allows others to email you directly, without seeing your email address.
Postreach offers icons so blog readers can mark your post "cool" "fun," "insightful," and more.

Thing #24: A Few Changes

The look of my blog has changed just a little so far, and I've been exploring how to re-customize the layout. Since finishing "23 Things on a Stick," I've posted a few times but continue to read other's blogs regularly. The slideshow about 25 ways / reasons people blog showed some I plan to browse. One new goal is to try to collaborate more as I work through "More 23 Things."

Thing # 24: More Things on a Stick

I've been thinking about adding to this blog, so here goes!
Advice to sockknitters: To get kinks out of Addi Turbo circular knitting needle, soak the needle in warm water. Do not get it close to a hot tea kettle!

New Yorker Stories Podcast

Yesterday listening to Louise Erdrich read Lorrie Moore's "Dance in America," a New Yorker short story podcast, on my mp3 player, added a new dimension to my daily walk. The New Yorker website has a wealth of stories. I chose one to downloaded and put it onto the mp3 player. I thought the story was lost but then found it listed as music. Today I deleted that story and added a James Thurber story and lined up a couple more for future walks. It's a beautiful walk up and back my road, one I've enjoyed over and over, often with music playing. I look forward to more stories now from The New Yorker.

Stand Still Parade; Potato-Planting

Who ever heard of a stand still parade? The tiny town of Whalan MN held its Annual Stand Still Parade this morning. The parade-goers walk around the floats, cars, and various other parade items lined up on the town's two-block long main street. Along the adjacent bike trail, the local Lutheran Church members, sponsors of the event, and friends sell Norwegian favorites like lefse, rommegrat, and fruit soup, along with traditional lunch and desserts. Today at the microphone were Irish singers and other musical groups, interspersed with Ole and Lena jokes. The parade itself lasts just an hour, while other activities like the petting zoo, craft demonstrations, horse-driven cart rides, and music continue much of the day. This morning the weather was perfect for browsing the tables of crafts, plants, and other local interests. I bought handmade greeting cards from a woman who weekends in Whalan. Habitat for Humanity raffled a playhouse to raise funds for a house project in nearby Rushford. Actors from the Commonweal Theatre sold show posters. Several antique cars were on display, allowing many parade-goers to reminisce about the good old cheap-gas days. The Stand Still Parade is a unique and casual small-town festival with a big turnout. On the way home, I drove through the park at nearby Lanesboro and listened in to some old-time musicians from the Bluff Country Gathering.
I've waited for weeks for the perfect potato-planting day. Yesterday I set out stakes in the vegetable garden, and this afternoon I planted potatoes (more than last year, even), pole beans, and cucumbers. Ah! Garden time again.

May Project: Socks on Circular Needles

I finished a felted bag and also a pair of soft green socks in Austermann Step yarn with aloe vera. My present challenge is knitting socks on 2 circular needles. I read the Cat Bordhi book, practiced, and cast on with some brightly colored Regia Cotton yarn -- but frogged after 4". Boo hoo. The sock would be too big. I gave myself a little while to get over the disappointment, and cast on again this morning. Using English, rather than Continental style, my knitting's much tighter.
Why bother? I love the challenge, the beautiful yarns, and the finished socks. Now that it's garden season, I don't wear my knit socks all the time, but almost.
Wish me luck!