Civilization....

My mom jokes that since I live alone, and spend a lot of my time alone these days (since my good friend R the Greek Scholar and S from Seattle graduated and got good jobs) that I am uncivilized.

Whatever.

But on Sunday I had a guest that rolled into town ahead of a roaring storm (well it wasn't that roaring but the clouds were black and menacing.) It was Lazuli, who had come for a brief visit of spinning, knitting and library fellowship (really she needed some books from my university library.)

I met Lazuli way back in the day-- we took a survey course together back in Divinity school, one that was taught by a famous professor in our field. It was there that I also met Coffeeboy (who would later marry Lazuli- he met her in that class too- funny how that works, eh?) Anyway Lazuli, Coffeeboy, Greta Jane and I all study the same field, but different strands of it. Lazuli and I both got knitting in ernest when in Div school and met Greta Jane our second year, who already knew how to knit. The whole gang of us have been good friends for years now, and Greta Jane and Lazuli have been fielding a lot of my current jobless-state angst.

Lazuli arrived with a surprise from her and Greta Jane:

The teapot and tea (I drink tremendous amounts of tea. In fact, it is all I drink besides water. I'm lactose intolerant, so no milk for me, ever, and I don't like drinking anything sweet, so I can't stand soda or juice.) were accompanied by a note, telling me that even if I didn't believe in myself (again, the whole job thing) that they believed in me. It was a lovely note, and a beautiful teapot (and oddly, for someone who drinks so much tea, it is my first "nice" teapot. ) and I can't wait to try out the teapot. They also included a bright, lovely skein of Tofutsies sock yarn. I am excited and plan to make a sock out of that soon. I mean these women know me well: tea, teapot and sock yarn. :) Thank you Greta Jane and Lazuli! You are both such great friends!

So Lazuli came down here from the mountains to use my library, but we all know why she really came.

There was spinning to be done!

Lazuli gave me a plying lesson, and I finally got my lazy butt in gear and finished off the BFL I had on the bobbin.

And I got so excited, I had to ply the whole batch. So sat and plyed until my arm ached.

And I ended up with this:

It bloomed beautifully after the wash. It is still drying in the shower, but I have enough for a hat (I also have a bit more to spin and ply) so I thought I would finally knit something out of my own handspun. Whattdaya think?

Meanwhile Lazuli brought her Handspun Sock Yarn of Glory and was working on her sock. She finished one:

Isn't that amazing? Her OWN handspun folks. Its beautiful, gorgeous, gorgeous. I was having handspun sock yarn envy, and I think that is what might jumpstart my spinning again. I want to make sockyarn!!!!

Meanwhile, Milo discovered that Lazuli is a cat lover

And he took full advantage of the moment.

Lazuli came on Sunday evening and left today (Tuesday.) It was a short visit but much need for me, it was so nice to have a friend around, someone to cook for (I made banana bread and homemade appl-cranberry scones). We wrapped up the visit with a trip to the yarn/fiber store. Where I got this:

I am thinking of using both to make a wickedly loud scarf.... and so I can work on my plying. Handspun sock yarn, here I come!!!!

Comments

[Lazuli]

I've never seen almost all our blog names in a row like that; it sounds quite bizarre. Anyways, I'm so glad you had fun; I did too! The kitties were highly suspicious of the Milo-scent, poor things. I think they've gotten over it. Enjoy the fiber!

[Kat with a K]

Great teapot, and beautiful yarn!

[Greta]

Ditto on what Lazuli said, but you know, I am not sure I have ever seen our real names in a row like that.

[Kate]

How funny to see, the yarn is beautiful. I'm going to start spinning some wool tomorrow afternoon. I have to clean my house first. And I'm a really early beginner at spinning, and plying isn't quite easy, is it??

[Rebekah]

I'm so glad you had such a nice visit. Good friends are worth their weight in gold. Milo looks like he found a good friend himself.

I don't use teapots much myself, but lately have been using them more often and drinking more loose tea.