...aka darzy...

Ardmore Water Tower

2009-07-06T08:55:00.001-07:00

Ardmore Water Tower
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Last week, I was in Ardmore visiting my family. I also got to see Betsy,which was a real treat!

June 2009 MSH Finished

2009-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

I finished this on my trip to Ardmore, with only about four hours to spare--definitely cutting it close! The list of clues is in this blog post.

Vegan Bake Sale Photos

2009-06-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

More photos here!

Ithaca's Vegan Bake Sale

2009-06-25T19:11:00.003-07:00

As part of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale series of events, a vegan bake sale will be held this Saturday, June 27, on the Commons from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. I hear there is a plethora of delicious vegan goodies lined up!

Proceeds will help Chuck Pappas, a former Farm Sanctuary employee who sadly had to quit his job last March after being diagnosed with Stage IV brain cancer. You would not believe how expensive treatment is, and how little of it is covered by insurance. We need to help Chuck get better so he can get back to helping the animals. Chuck's plight is detailed on the 300 miles for Chuck blog as well as Chuck's own blog.

Ithaca Journal Article
Flyer

Memorable Books

2009-06-22T07:55:00.002-07:00

On Facebook, Emily tagged me on her "Must Have Titles" list (which means it's my turn to make a list). This was a little harder than I expected, and I noticed that most of the memorable books are from my distant past.

Instructions: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing your fifteen too.

1. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood

2. The Virgin Suicides, Jeffrey Euginides

3. Middlesex, Jeffrey Euginides

4. Ender's Game & Speaker for the Dead, Orson Scott Card

5. A Very Long Engagement, Sebastien Japrisot

6. He She It, Marge Piercy

7. Eve's Tattoo, Emily Prager

8. Church of the Dead Girls, Stephen Dobyns

9. A Ring of Endless Light, Madeleine L'Engle

10. Dune, Frank Herbert

11. The Little Price, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

12. Trans-Sister Radio, Chris Bohjalian

13. Inspector Rebus Series, Ian Rankin

14. Possession, A.S. Byatt

15. How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, David Bornstein

Vegan Knitting

2009-06-16T19:14:00.005-07:00

Here are all the reasons why I do not use animal fibers when knitting. There are great alternatives like cotton, soy "silk," bamboo, and, for some, synthetic fibers. I've even seen some corn-based yarn!

From the Farm Sanctuary Veg for Life Website:

Silk

Silk comes from the caterpillars of the silk moth, who protect themselves by spinning silk strands to form a cocoon.
Each worm may produce up to a mile and half of continuous thread. To retain an unbroken thread of silk, moths are commonly boiled, baked or steamed alive when they are ready to emerge.

The Alternatives
Many common fibers simulate the look and feel of silk, including nylon, polyester, Tencel, milkweed seed-pod fibers, silk-cotton tree filaments, and rayon.

Wool

Angora

Angora rabbits are often kept in cramped cages for their entire eight-year lifespan.

Males only generate 75 percent of the wool females produce; consequently, most are killed at birth because they are not as "profitable."

The females typically endure lives of loneliness and boredom and suffer from painful bone deformities and other ailments caused by severe confinement.

Cashmere

Goats raised for cashmere are typically reared in filthy, crowded conditions.

Shorn months prior to their natural shedding time, the goats are often exposed to cold temperatures and become more susceptible to illness.

Goats are often ear notched, de-horned and castrated without anesthesia and sold for meat after their first fiber harvest.

Mohair

While a growing number of goats are being used for milk and meat in the United States, the majority are still used for mohair.

Intolerably sensitive to the cold and parasites, the goats often suffer from chills after their fleece is removed.

Like other animals used for fiber production, these goats are commonly sold for slaughter when they are no longer considered profitable.

Sheep's Wool

Sheep have been purposely bred to produce excessive wool. As a result of having an abnormal amount of wool, many sheep suffer from fly infestations, skin sores and wool parasites.

During shearing, the majority of these animals are handled roughly and their fleece is removed as quickly as possible. Injuries are common and shearers frequently cut into the flesh of terrified sheep.

Lambs typically suffer from painful mutilations, such as tail docking and castration, without anesthesia. Sheep may also undergo mulesing, a painful process by which a four by six-inch piece of skin is cut from their tails and backside.

When the sheep are no longer producing prime wool, they are commonly transported to slaughterhouses in overcrowded trucks. Many sheep become "downers" and are left to suffer and die slowly from neglect.

Australia, the largest wool producer, sends many of its "spent" sheep on a long, tortuous journey by ship to the Middle East where they are sold and slaughtered.

Felt, or compressed wool, is also a product of the cruel wool industry.

The Alternatives
Instead of shopping for heavy, itchy wool socks and mittens or expensive angora or cashmere sweaters, choose garments made with more light-weight and colorfast materials, such as nylon, acrylic, orlon, polyester fleece, cotton flannel, synthetic shearling, Tencel, or Polartec Wind Pro.

Pug People on Ravelry

2009-06-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

All the pug people on Ravelry:

View Pug People in a larger map

Click to Give!

2009-06-14T08:11:00.004-07:00

Every day, you can do something very easy--and free--to help dogs and cats in shelters. Please visit the Animal Rescue site and click on the big purple button. When there are a minimum number of clicks, sponsors donate to an animal shelter at no cost to you. Unfortunately, TARS doesn't always receive the minimum number of clicks. You can make sure that the animals get help by committing to clicking every day!

Hat

2009-06-09T08:48:00.002-07:00

Hat
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Yesterday, I finished this ribbed cap from One-Skein Wonders. On to a new project!

Note: this was made with Mission Falls 1824 cotton.

The June 2009 MSH List is KILLING Me!

2009-06-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

1. A little OCD (Please tag as msh0609-1 and msh0609)
2. Flutterby (msh0609-2 and msh0609)
3. Great Jumping Jehosaphat! (msh0609-3 and msh0609)
4. DUDE! (msh0609-4 and msh0609)
5. Bump (msh0609-5 and msh0609)
6. Ever-decreasing (msh0609-6 and msh0609)
~~7. OBJECTS IN MOTION TEND TO STAY IN MOTION (msh0609-7 and msh0609)~~
8. Puffy (msh0609-8 and msh0609)
~~9. `Tis a silly place (msh0609-9 and msh0609)~~
10. What part of ..... don`t you understand?! (msh0609-10 and msh0609)
~~11. BECAUSE YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE... (msh0609-11 and msh0609)~~
12. Torque (msh0609-12 and msh0609)
13. Indigo (msh0609-13 and msh0609)
~~14. IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT. (msh0609-14 and msh0609)~~
15. Hott or Not (msh0609-15 and msh0609)
16. 16 (msh0609-16 and msh0609)
17. Human Nature (msh0609-17 and msh0609)
18. Persona non grata (msh0609-18 and msh0609)
19. Two G`s (either find 2 G`s or a subject when spelled has 2 G`s in it like: egg, wiggle, juggler etc) (msh0609-19 and msh0609)
20. Jazz hands (msh0609-20 and msh0609)

Vegan Etsy Treasury: Summer Skies

2009-06-07T10:15:00.003-07:00

Thanks to cseneque for including my "Little Bird in the Sky" earrings in her Summer Skies treasury!

Please click on the treasury, comment, and show it some love!

Farm Sanctuary Action Alert: That's NOT Natural!

2009-06-04T15:47:00.003-07:00

The USDA has recently made a decision that allows companies to use a "naturally raised" label on their meat products, even if the animals were raised in horrific, confined conditions. This ruling misleads consumers and hurts the animals. Please tell the FDA that you would like them to reconsider this decision by signing a petition here.

What a Weekend!

2009-06-02T12:53:00.002-07:00

Anna, Frances, and Aimee
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Anna and Frances arrived last Thursday for a visit to Ithaca. We had so much fun! We visited the Cayuga Nature Center and the Farm Sanctuary and spent time at the annual Ithaca Festival. Frances had a great time with the dogs (and visa versa). We are eagerly awaiting their next visit!

See more pictures here.

May 2009 Flickr Scavenger Hunt - Finished!

2009-06-01T13:42:00.001-07:00

May 2009 Flickr Scavenger Hunt
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Thanks to Frances' help, I finished the May 2009 scavenger hunt with just minutes to spare. Click on the photo and browse the comments to see my official Seal of Approval!

Yummy Yarn

2009-05-29T23:28:00.007-07:00

Even though I've taken knitting classes in the past, I forgot everything I knew, so I am starting over with a "new knitters" class. The project is a felted bag, but since I don't use wool, we had to adjust so I am making a cotton bag instead with the great yarn pictured here. Just what I need...another expensive hobby!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-26T20:42:00.003-07:00

George's parents were here for the weekend. We had some fun, but they also helped us out a lot--spending a lot of time helping George work on the yard and also helping me paint and clean.

Chico, their chihuahua, came with them and was a bit overwhelmed with Walter and Harvey!

See more pictures here.

P.S. Though I look like a giant in this picture, I am not a tall person!

We Love Guests!

2009-05-21T21:29:00.002-07:00

Aimee and Jen
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Some of our favorite Arizona folks, Jen and Brian, who are on a massive road trip around the US, came to Ithaca last night. We showed them Ithaca Falls, ate at Moosewood, and walked around the Commons. This morning, we tried to go to ABC but it was closed, so we ate at State Street Diner instead. Jen and Brian are on a tight schedule, so we had time to drive around the IC and Cornell campuses, then they had to get back on the road. George, Walter, and I were all so happy they visited and very sad to see them go. (Harvey was a little relieved. ; ) )

Jen and Brian are on to New York City. We wish them fun and safe travels!

More photos here.

Our "New" House

2009-05-20T07:07:00.001-07:00

New House!
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

We've been living in this wonderful house since we moved to Ithaca in July 2008. When people asked how I liked it, I would often answer, "The only thing I don't like is that we don't own it." Due to George's perseverance and the help of my family, we now own the house!

Though we weren't necessarily looking to buy a house--and while it may not be the best time with the current economic situation and accompanying uncertainties--when the opportunity arose to purchase the house, we couldn't pass it up. I love the layout, the hardwood floors, and the spaciousness. George loves the very large yard we have.

We have started making small upgrades and cosmetic changes--George and Gary (and me, a little) redid a room in the basement to make it a comfortable craft room for me--and we have purchased a new refrigerator, curtains, and rugs. Any large renovations will come much later.

There is plenty of room for guests, so come visit Ithaca and stay with us!

Cool Man

2009-05-19T16:35:00.001-07:00

Walter
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Goodbye, Bubba

2009-05-12T20:19:00.001-07:00

Bubba
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Bubba came into our lives when Ryan found him running along a busy Oklahoma City street in 1998 or 1999, right after I moved back to Oklahoma. Since Grandpa and Grandma had had many Rat Terriers, it was natural they would give him a home. (As they had for many other animals!)

Bubba was a great friend to Grandpa during the final years of his life, and has been a wonderful companion to Grandma, Lizzie, my Mother, Coco, and T Bone. We all wish he could have been with us longer, but his breathing became incredibly labored. It seems his trachea had collapsed and nothing could be done to repair it. He died peacefully and loved yesterday afternoon.

We always laughed that Bubba loved the ladies because if Kelli or I were at Grandma's, he'd abandon sleeping with her to come sleep with either of us. I can't believe he won't be there the next time I visit Ardmore.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail's Herb and Wine Fest

2009-05-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

16 wineries - 16 herbs
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Last weekend, George and I did the Herb and Wine Fest. By the end of the tour, we'd visited sixteen different wineries and driven around Cayuga Lake.

At each winery, we received a different herb (or plant). The wineries had a dish (e.g., pasta or a dip) that used the ingredient, and they had special tastings of wine that went with the dish.

In July, we're doing the Greyhound and Friends tour, and we'll be able to take Walter with us!

Harvey Enjoys the Green Grass

2009-05-01T10:22:00.001-07:00

Harvey
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Having a lush, green yard is such a change for the dogs (and us) since we've been in Arizona the past five years! Harvey likes to graze, while Walter searches for deer poop.

May 2009 Flickr Scavenger Hunt List

2009-05-01T06:53:00.002-07:00

Ouch! I didn't think it could get worse than last month! Alas... As always, please let me know if you have ideas!

May 2009 Scavenger Hunt

1. What box shall we think outside of??? (Please tag as msh0509-1 and msh0509)
2. Mayday or May Day (msh0509-2 and msh0509)
3. One in a 1.000.000 (msh0509-3 and msh0509)
4. Yellow submarine (msh0509-4 and msh0509)
5. Pedant`s corner (msh0509-5 and msh0509)
6. The grass is always greener (msh0509-6 and msh0509)
7. When worlds collide (msh0509-7 and msh0509)
8. Out-of-roundness (msh0509-8 and msh0509)
9. White on White (msh0509-9 and msh0509)
10. Silence in the library (msh0509-10 and msh0509)
11. Message in a bottle (msh0509-11 and msh0509)
12. Design (msh0509-12 and msh0509)
13. Color outside the lines (msh0509-13 and msh0509)
14. Dalmatian (msh0509-14 and msh0509)
15. Abstract (msh0509-15 and msh0509)
16. The color of taste (msh0509-16 and msh0509)
17. Toto I dont think we are in Kansas anymore.... (msh0509-17 and msh0509)
18. Sponsored by.... (msh0509-18 and msh0509)
19. Iconic (msh0509-19 and msh0509)
20. Watercolor (msh0509-20 and msh0509)

Another Monthly Scavenger Hunt Completed

2009-04-30T15:59:00.001-07:00

April 2009 Flickr Monthly Scavenger Hunt
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

This one was tough, and next month looks even tougher!

Blame Factory Farms for Swine Flu

2009-04-27T21:40:00.002-07:00

Modern factory farm practices shoulder much of the blame for the current swine flu outbreak, according to a statement from the Humane Society of the United States. In factory farms, pigs are raised in horrific, intense confinement. Moreover, they are often cared for by the same staff assigned to adjacent poultry operations. Trucking the animals (in the heat, in confinement) allows for the quick spread of the disease across long distances. Surely the amount of antibiotics given to factory farmed animals exacerbates the situation (for more on this, visit the Sustainable Table).

While factory farming likely sparked the swine flu outbreak (not to mention avian flu), people get swine flu from other people who have been infected, not from eating animal products, though that would be poetic justice. To avoid infection, use good hygiene--wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and, in areas where swine flu has been reported, avoid hugging, kissing, and touching others.

To reduce the likelihood of more outbreaks or other diseases associated with factory farms, work to require humane conditions for farm animals. Though you may only be doing it for your own health, it is the very least these animals deserve.

Humane Society of the United States Swine Flu Statement
Grist Article Investigating Link to Smithfield Factory Farms