Time Warp Fiber

I had originally planned a tirade railing against the unwillingness of society at large to accept any kind of non-traditional union, but in the end, it seemed unnecessary. Moreover, my irritation with the antiquated traditionalism of Americans was eclipsed by one far greater. Hemingway. I've not done battle with him since high school, but it was with dread I anticipated having to teach The Sun Also rises this summer. Reading the book has done nothing to assuage said dread, but has indeed intensified it. I've come to believe that I actually disagree with everything about the man. Morevoer, I find his work hyper-masculine, self-congratulatory and whiny. I am further resentful due to the fact that I have to teach to a room full of thirteen year olds a novel revolving around the sexual frustration of a man unable to penetrate the object of his lust. Can we take a moment to reflect on this. First of all, I just love the assumption that no relationship is complete without a penis. Indeed. Let us also take into account that it was Hemingway that was so adamant that one can only write that which one knows. It gives me joy to think that the figure of American virility found himself familiar enough with impotence to write an entire book on it. The phallocentrism grosses me out. My book schedule has been all man stories thus far, not what I would have chosen. In addition to the aforementioned problems, the work is very subtle and filled with french, spanish, and references to things my students can't possibly know. Argh.

Moving away from Hemingway and his penis, I have done some yarn work lately. First, and unfortunately without photos, I knit a rack. Quite a nice one, I think. Someone very close to me is undergoing a bilateral mastectomy tomorrow. The new boobies went off in a package with lots of other goodies before I got the chance to photograph them. Unfortunately, she has also learned that she will need a hysterectomy following her recovery. I feel a knitted womb coming on. Also, I finished a pair of plain jane, carry along socks, done a la Widdershins. It's shameful. I cast these on in December. The yarn is Trekking Pro Natura. I rarely work on them, clearly, but I try and keep a plain sock around for car rides and cinemas. I have been unable to knit on my three hour daily commute; I get motion sick to easily. And, honestly, much of the time I'm just too exhausted. I'll need to cast on another plain sock to take on the role of neglected carry-sock.

In the realm of new socks, there's this little dude. The yarn is Tofusties, in colors I associate with easter. I'm knitting it on 2mm (US zero) needles, 72 sts around. The pattern is a remix on a Fiber Trends one I used o make the socks I sent to Laura a few months back. (Btw, she is tying the knot in less than a week, click over and congratulate her)

Finally, my long-suffering but faithful wheel. I've finished the singles for the green yarn I've been working on. I would desperately love to ply this today, but between laundry and dishes and cooking and lesson planning, plus clearing out the guest/store room for my brother's impending visit, I just don't think I can spare the two hours. Sigh. Why can't people pay me oodles of money to make pretty things. Hope your week goes smoothly, where-ever you are.