tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61406143844516277362024-02-07T20:19:28.819-05:00...aka darzy...Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.comBlogger1185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-22112341959246945002014-06-19T22:21:00.003-04:002014-06-19T22:21:46.431-04:00Trying another CMS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm trying WordPress for a bit - <a href="http://aimeedars.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">visit ...aka darzy... there</a>!<br />
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-52506485021288225792014-06-11T16:10:00.001-04:002014-06-11T16:14:10.653-04:00Craftsy: Foundations in Double Knitting with Lucy Neatby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Earlier this year, I was knitting many washcloths for a charity, and as I looked for patterns, I came across the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfPatterns/Pattern_Display.cfm?ID=11304220&media=RAV&utm_source=media&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=RAV" target="_blank">Inflammable Hotpad</a> which looked fun to make. A problem: I've never used the double knitting technique before. This technique allows you to knit the front and back of a piece at the same time. If you use one color yarn, you'll end up with a tube. Using two colors opens up a range of patterns where motifs pop due to contrasting colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/aimeedars/226976796/image_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cell Phone Cozy Knit by Aimee Dars Ellis (design by Lucy Neatby)" border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/aimeedars/226976796/image_medium2.jpg" height="320" title="Cell Phone Cozy Knit by Aimee Dars Ellis (design by Lucy Neatby)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cell Phone Cozy<br />
Pattern by Lucy Neatby</td></tr>
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Since I wasn't confident trying a project with the free instructions and videos I found online, I signed up with <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=253536&u=960393&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Craftsy</a> to take <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=470586&u=960393&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Foundations of Double Knitting</a> with Lucy Neatby. She provided clear instructions and helpful explanations, and after watching a few lessons, I knit one of the patterns that came with the course: the cell phone cozy. Having had such great preparation, I found completing this project was fun and easy. I still need to finish some of the lessons, though, and I haven't worked on the other projects because they just aren't to my taste.<br />
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When I purchased my Craftsy course, the site was running a sale, so I also enrolled in <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=447083&u=960393&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Adventures in Double Knitting</a>. I am excited about this since Alasdair Post-Quinn seems to use many innovative techniques with interesting designs. I love cowls created with the double knitting technique, but I am hesitant to tackle double knitting in the round.<br />
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Craftsy classes don't expire, so in several months, if I need a refresher, I can return to the courses to review a technique. The classes I've previewed have had excellent production values with valuable material presented in an organized and intuitive sequence. Many of the topics are not usually covered by classes offered at local knitting stores, and they are ideal for people who are visual learners.<br />
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If you are a knitter or crocheter on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, you can join the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/craftsy---craftsy" target="_blank">Craftsy group</a> to share projects and reviews of classes.</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-78119775487931219272014-06-06T18:00:00.000-04:002014-06-08T03:56:25.771-04:00National Donut DayOften, these national recognition days are established by industry groups promoting a product category. When I looked up the origin of National Donut Day, I was surprised to find that the day was first recognized in 1938 by the Salvation Army to commemorate the volunteers ("doughgirls") who distributed donuts to soldiers on the front lines (Fagan, 2009), although another source (Shanoon, 2014) refers to the volunteers as "donut lassies." One blog recounts a story in which a POW in Hanoi during the Vietnam War convinced his captors that the Marine Corps birthday was known as National Donut Day (Dolbow, 2009). The guards were moved to serve sticky buns to the prisoners during November 1968.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jb7JnJLE5TpkrQzgqGW7IOOMXTAEF7ExLV01FZ1KyLTDE0vA_TatBxsz7HScf6mU3ERVzKcCEEj3BGcPnsdslduhqqLbjK58owAovpj4uNh-6RHR9zowioz4LVI5dm6iQI2_DXsV3Rza/s1600/giant-donut-voodoo-doughnuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Honking Donut at VooDoo Doughnuts" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jb7JnJLE5TpkrQzgqGW7IOOMXTAEF7ExLV01FZ1KyLTDE0vA_TatBxsz7HScf6mU3ERVzKcCEEj3BGcPnsdslduhqqLbjK58owAovpj4uNh-6RHR9zowioz4LVI5dm6iQI2_DXsV3Rza/s1600/giant-donut-voodoo-doughnuts.JPG" height="320" title="Interior of VooDoo Doughnuts" width="240" /></a>National Donut Day or not, I love donuts. I remember them from quick stops at the E-Z Shop convenience store before school and as a treat on Saturday mornings after sleepovers with my best friend from sixth grade, Betsy R. When I lived in Oklahoma and had a long commute to work, I occasionally stoped for locally made treats.<br />
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Since I became vegan, though, I haven't eaten donuts so much (which is perhaps a blessing). If I have the opportunity, though, I don't pass it by. I had a delicious vegan glazed donut at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RiseAboveRestaurant" target="_blank">Rise Above</a> in St. Catheriene's Ontario a few years ago. When a particular strong and unyielding craving struck about two years ago, I ordered a dozen through <a href="http://store.veganessentials.com/vegan-donut-sampler-by-larsen-bakery-p2938.aspx" target="_blank">Vegan Essentials</a>.<br />
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Last summer, visiting Portland, Oregon, I nearly cried with joy to learn that the famous <a href="http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php" target="_blank">Voodoo Doughnut</a> offered a wide variety of vegan pastries. (Why no bakery in Ithaca offers vegan donuts is a mystery to me. Another instance of ITH being overrated, though I digress.) Apparently, the bakery has been featured on <a href="http://voodoodoughnut.com/press.php" target="_blank">a number of foodie shows and publications</a>. Consequently, during the day, the line extended down the block and doubled back amounting to an hour or so wait. The line did not deter me. I ate nearly 300 it seems, so it's probably good that I was only there a week. The flavors I tried were as good if not better than non-vegan donuts. I can still smell the shop and taste the frosting! If I could teleport there right this minute, I would. They're right, the donuts are magic. <i>Nom nom nom.</i><br />
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<b>References</b><br />
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<li>Dolbow, Jim (2009, November). "Today is National Donut Day: A funny POW story." U.S. Naval Institute Blog (http://blog.usni.org/2009/11/10/today-is-national-donut-day-a-funny-pow-story).</li>
<li>Fagan, Kevin (2009, June 6). "A holey holiday," <i>SF Gate</i>.(http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/A-holey-holiday-National-Doughnut-Day-3230331.php.)</li>
<li>McCook, Shannon (2013, June 7). "The story behind National Donut Day and Where to Find a Freebie," <i>Parade Magazine. </i>(<a href="http://parade.condenast.com/20632/smccook/the-history-behind-national-doughnut-day-where-to-find-free-donuts/">http://parade.condenast.com/20632/smccook/the-history-behind-national-doughnut-day-where-to-find-free-donuts/</a>)</li>
<li>Salvation Army. (nd). <a href="http://www.salarmychicago.org/donutday/donutDayHistory.htm" target="_blank">The History of Donut Day</a></li>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-56764608450178701172014-06-05T22:51:00.001-04:002014-06-05T22:51:31.762-04:00Job Helmet<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>It's Aways Sunny in Philadelphia </i>makes me laugh, hysterically, with snorting. When George and I first watched this season three episode, I could hardly hear Charlie's speech, I was guffawing so loudly. Current events have brought the scene back to mind. If it were only as easy as strapping on a job helmet and visiting jobland for jobbies.</div>
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My second favorite scene about job searches comes from Seinfeld, season 2. George Costanza certainly could use a trip to jobland! (Can you believe this aired in 1991?) Whenever I think of jobs, I tend to have the same stumbling blocks as George. Oh, those jobbies.</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-14609231597814837232014-06-04T12:43:00.000-04:002014-06-04T12:43:14.587-04:00Pinterest: Happiness Project<br />
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I love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>! If you are on the site, please follow <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/aimeedars/" target="_blank">me</a>! If I had two wishes for Pinterest, I would want to be able to pin pages without images using a customizable default image and to be able to group boards into collections. Alas, I do not work for Pinterest nor do I have programming skills.<br />
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As of today, I have 118 boards with more than 9,000 pins. My boards are well-organized, and you can pick certain boards to follow or select "Follow All." Currently, my most pinned item is "<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/77898268528398541/" target="_blank">Pit Bulls Are Just About the Nicest Dogs There Are.</a>" My favorite of my boards is <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/aimeedars/happiness-project/" target="_blank">"Happiness Project"</a> with quotes, strategies, and images related to happiness, meaningfulness, compassion, empathy, and positive psychology.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/athjspakdkjzlab/Screenshot%202014-06-04%2012.19.36.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Screenshot of happiness project board on Pinterest." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy3OhmqftXgunicxGm24zNYazmXags_5LJVOxOLY82hPEnwkpRTCNkI7WzBc_n7UzfjhTQA1y_75wCp10mw6-ntAXGY60gYnd7MRheogoQF1_B6JWvu5LMTjrPxM9Mtu4N3s2OQr9hx5z/s1600/Screenshot+2014-06-04+12.19.36.png" height="225" title="Pinterest-happiness-project" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can also search the millions of pins (<a href="http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/pinterest-stats/2/#.U49KqfldWSo" target="_blank">over 30 million as of March 2014</a>) for your personal interests. Once you've entered a search term, Pinterest gives you suggestions for limiting the search. You can also look for pins, boards, or pinners that include the search term as indicated in the figure below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUaQLJl56Y0bhZ6Ng4CyVFWD0150phFXSGLwk4LK_CsAqJSu75UeZiU7U0hDLquJYiuTTZLH7VP8XKSp_LGAMYTHWSuMuoMAovDhw5g4eFgZG0Qh31Jh6qjVNyCFKx_lqivhxtH02HfN9/s1600/Pinterstsearch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tutorial for searching on pinterest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUaQLJl56Y0bhZ6Ng4CyVFWD0150phFXSGLwk4LK_CsAqJSu75UeZiU7U0hDLquJYiuTTZLH7VP8XKSp_LGAMYTHWSuMuoMAovDhw5g4eFgZG0Qh31Jh6qjVNyCFKx_lqivhxtH02HfN9/s1600/Pinterstsearch.jpg" height="223" title="Pinterest Search Tutorial" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-80108885816595715812014-05-28T20:30:00.000-04:002014-06-04T12:06:28.068-04:00Maya Angelou, 1928-2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My two favorite Maya Angelou quotations:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC7UafUKDJxiBlXTiL505oJpNaFGkjIJNARjbVCiOsTwiUntONiu-Da9JzWFiC-3by9g4qN7D5q9xjarkLa-YLGmm4QWH8jR6XDt_GgykMeW4ZTgzEEuEgk5cG6C5TUYmqd1zS7R0VPWh/s1600/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC7UafUKDJxiBlXTiL505oJpNaFGkjIJNARjbVCiOsTwiUntONiu-Da9JzWFiC-3by9g4qN7D5q9xjarkLa-YLGmm4QWH8jR6XDt_GgykMeW4ZTgzEEuEgk5cG6C5TUYmqd1zS7R0VPWh/s1600/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you read <i><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Know-Why-Caged-Bird-Sings-ebook/dp/B0026LTNFO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401897112&sr=1-1&keywords=i+know+why+the+caged+bird+sings" target="_blank">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</a>?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-28920312575375543702014-05-27T12:52:00.000-04:002014-06-04T12:07:06.169-04:00Metaphorical Death = Metaphorical Fertilizer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have read and enjoyed "Free Will Astrology" since I was a college student in Chicago. <a href="http://www.freewillastrology.com/" target="_blank">Rob Brezny</a>'s horoscope for me for this week, beginning May 29, once again reflects my current circumstances. While the prediction may seem bleak, I am comforted by the thought of future growth.</div>
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I am going to try to concentrate on the flowers, not the cowpie.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Composting in Roubaix (Nord, France) by F Moreau Lille3</td></tr>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-51122176123169483232014-05-24T12:45:00.001-04:002014-06-04T12:07:41.070-04:00Children of the World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Although I am no longer associated with the church, I have fond memories of the fellowship and the friends I had in my Sunday School classes and at church camp.<br />
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I also enjoy memories of the songs, which were a part of youth groups, church services, vacation bible school, and camp. Sometimes, one of these songs will pop into my head for no apparent reason.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christian Church Vacation Bible School<br />
circa 1981</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Last night, just this phenomenon struck me, and the melody and words (at least those of the first chorus) of "<a href="http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/jesus-loves-the-little-children-the-song-and-the-story.html" target="_blank">Jesus Love the Little Children</a>" arose as if I were in the fellowship hall on a summer afternoon. It struck me that this children's religious song even now reflects my values and concerns about social justice (that is if you just assume Jesus is a kind, wise historical figure and if you ignore the racist undertones of the labels for skin colors*):</div>
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Jesus loves the little children<br />
All the children of the world<br />
Black and yellow, red and white<br />
They're all precious in His sight<br />
Jesus loves the little children of the world</blockquote>
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The Interweb records that a C.H. Woolston (1856-1927), wrote the lyrics to accompany the music composed by George F. Root (1820-1895) who had originally written the score for a Civil War song called, no joke, "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp."<br />
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I know many of the people who grew up with me in Ardmore sang this song, too, as did children all over the country (world?). The song is the subject of myriad blog posts and forum discussions. And yet, here we are, in 2014, still plagued by prejudice and discrimination perhaps heightened (embarrassingly so) by the election of the United States' first black president. (<i>The New York Times</i> has gathered a collection of opinion pieces that explore this issue in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/11/20/racism-in-the-age-of-obama" target="_blank">Racism in the Age of Obama</a> feature.) It is amazing to me that, as a whole, we are so poorly behaved and so cruel. Maybe the song is too childish and the message is too simple, but I cannot see how people who profess to be Christians and who embrace Jesus (as the son of god, not as my historical hero) are so often the same people who do <a href="http://progressivepopulist.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sign2-sign-obama-forefathes-christian-yours-kenya.jpg" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRwTCidGnN8wMaYiZYqAnCltALqm-25eqW09Vimrr5o_IFMUN11" target="_blank">this</a>. (Look at <a href="http://homebrewedtheology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/morans.jpg" target="_blank">this one</a> just because it's funny and you deserve it after viewing the first two links.) Even if you argue that these are fringe groups that don't represent the majority of conservatives, <a href="http://www.understandingprejudice.org/apa/english/page10.htm" target="_blank">modern racism</a> affects people of color in subtle and insidious ways.<br />
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I certainly don't have the answers, but I do know that many groups are working to achieve social justice. Southern Poverty Law Center's <a href="http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/teaching-tolerance" target="_blank">Teaching Tolerance</a> program provides resources to educators to promote acceptance and understanding. <a href="http://www.teachingforchange.org/" target="_blank">Teaching for Change</a> published a number of books and toolkits for parents and educators. Here in Ithaca,<a href="http://www.parkfoundation.org/search.php?coding=247" target="_blank"> the Park Foundation</a> has provided local organizations tens of thousands of dollars to promote equality and social justice. Many large corporations in the United States value and support diversity. Even Denny's, which in the 1990s systematically discriminated against employees of color, has since improved it work culture and bottom line by committing to properly managing diversity (<a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Denny's%3A+a+diversity+success+story%3A+%22a+decade+ago,+the+restaurant...-a090103418" target="_blank">Brathwaite</a>).<br />
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This might be an issue that seems so overwhelming that one might feel powerless to change the institutional forces contributing to inequality and injustice. And, yes, alone, we might be, but that doesn't mean that we can abandon our individual efforts. Let's remember and honor the meaning of the children's song so many of us sang on Sunday mornings.<br />
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* I'm not sure how prevalent this is, but some internet sources indicate that the lines "Black and yellow, red and white / They're all precious in his sight" is substituted with "Every color, every race / They're all covered by his grace" for more palatable and modern lyrics.</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-53139978179214732472014-05-14T22:30:00.000-04:002014-06-08T03:08:20.133-04:00Lazy Pugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You'd think these pugs had been performing hard labor out in the high noon sun the way they are splayed out on the couch. They rarely cuddle together like this; Walter usually likes to keep his distance from the youngsters. It's a shame they have such a hard life!Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-45413029556671586562014-05-11T19:29:00.001-04:002014-06-04T12:08:02.356-04:00Quotation of the Day: Books Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."</span><br />
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~Anna Quindlen, </div>
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"Enough Bookshelves," </div>
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New York Times, 7 August 1991</div>
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I am a voracious reader, and we have books everywhere in our house.<br />
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I must admit that most of my recent reading has been done on the Kindle app for the iPad. I feel like I'm betraying the gods of reading. Right now, though, I'm reading a paperback (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Authority-Novel-Southern-Reach-Trilogy/dp/0374104107" target="_blank">Authority</a>) which I bought instead of the Kindle version so that George can read it when I'm done. It's nice to have the weight and smell of the book in my hands. I will still be happy to go back to my eBooks. I like to be able to search and have a built-in dictionary.<br />
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How do you read books these days? And are there any books you'd recommend? </div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-35721510084184256702014-04-30T00:48:00.002-04:002014-04-30T00:48:23.765-04:00Quotation of the Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Between the head and the heart is the voice, and our voice reflects our choices; the way we reconcile what we think and what we feel; what we know and what we desire. Our voice reaches the world through the manner in which we live -- sound is unnecessary; we show others who we are by the way we go through life, and touch everyone we meet with who we are in that moment.” </span></div>
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~Shreve Stockton</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-35372136990746333322014-03-03T18:04:00.003-05:002014-03-03T18:04:39.898-05:00Ravellenic Games: Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I knit two cat beds for the Tompkins County SPCA. The sides are floppy, but the beds themselves are cushy, so I hope some of the cats will enjoy them. For this, I received three medals - one in Free Dance (an open event), one in Charity Curling, and one in Stash Skeleton (for using yarn that has been in my stash for awhile).</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-27419340187067908242014-03-02T12:13:00.002-05:002014-03-02T12:17:22.250-05:00Ravellenic Games: Alpine Abode Enhancement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every two years during the Olympic Games, Ravelry hosts a knitting challenge called the Ravellenics. I wanted to get as many badges as possible during the games. One of my "medals" came from the Alpine Abode Enhancement category (including washcloths, pillows, blankets, and ornaments or any other home decor) for which I made a hearts garland using the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-bunting" target="_blank">Heart Bunting pattern</a> from Knit 1, Purl 1. Finished in time for Valentine's Day, I made 11 hearts in total, for the 10+ years George and I have been together.<br />
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Stay tuned for updates about my other Ravellenic Games accomplishments!</div>
Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-41920699299978917772014-02-26T12:23:00.004-05:002014-02-26T12:23:55.439-05:00This Makes Me Laugh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-18115437840675576512014-02-25T13:58:00.001-05:002014-02-25T13:58:58.177-05:00Vino CowlOne of my Ravellenics Games projects... The Vino Cowl, published by Classic Elite Yarns and designed by my friend Julia. The yarn is Lions Brand Cotton-Ease.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPROijnZbqlttgEQyiIQJ4yOWYDHx3LZHDTldTFsT-0yCsmUQozFnG_KOJxm2NgjnB9oKJbgtlLlRPhZlD6mHhnTCthRTGWVcU9Evi1t0FTTy7gcSkXEFeJixQbxBhBblf2839mf1_tws/s640/blogger-image--1736510647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPROijnZbqlttgEQyiIQJ4yOWYDHx3LZHDTldTFsT-0yCsmUQozFnG_KOJxm2NgjnB9oKJbgtlLlRPhZlD6mHhnTCthRTGWVcU9Evi1t0FTTy7gcSkXEFeJixQbxBhBblf2839mf1_tws/s640/blogger-image--1736510647.jpg"></a></div></div>Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0Ithaca Ithaca42.435758 -76.480385tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-47659568709358114582014-02-20T19:52:00.000-05:002014-02-26T12:24:17.113-05:00Lily and Walter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-38707547895163906132014-02-16T19:48:00.000-05:002014-02-26T12:24:40.287-05:00Spin Right Round<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hanging out with spinners... they have cool tools!</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-59460678648834064022014-02-11T19:55:00.000-05:002014-02-26T12:24:50.821-05:00Tretta Hat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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From the Tretta Hat design by Grumpernia, available on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tretta-hat" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>. Fun pattern. Might make another one, slightly bigger.</div>
Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-35362087950549510252014-02-07T11:47:00.001-05:002014-02-26T12:25:04.517-05:00Quotation of the Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kindness in words creates confidence.<br />
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.<br />
Kindness in giving creates love.<br />
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~Lao Tzu</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-61458370962300712152014-01-28T10:50:00.000-05:002014-02-01T11:00:48.342-05:00Goodbye, Pete<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I enjoy Seeger's music and appreciate his commitment to equality and environmentalism, so I was sad to learn of his passing.<br />
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Be sure to watch "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvCPQqQWds" target="_blank">This Land is Your Land</a>" from Obama's first Inaguration which Seeger performed with Bruce Springsteen and listen to this interview with him on <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/28/we_shall_overcome_remembering_folk_icon" target="_blank">Democracy Now</a>.</div>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-73233739075179397772014-01-19T12:50:00.002-05:002014-01-19T12:50:26.196-05:00Sweet Mistakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ellis Paul always knows just what to say...<br />
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Bless your sweet mistakes<br />
That crumble you down to your knees<br />
That brought you to this place<br />
Changing you by degrees<br />
When change was just what you needed </blockquote>
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~Ellis Paul,<br /><i>Sweet Mistakes</i></blockquote>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-71876208267241017202014-01-17T20:30:00.000-05:002014-01-19T13:00:42.055-05:00Some Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My literature education was bereft of James Baldwin. Recently, I fortuitously saw his poem,<a href="http://allthingsjamesbaldwin.tumblr.com/post/3732406025/some-days-for-paula" target="_blank"> Some Days</a>, posted on a nondescript wall. While I find the entire poem comforting, my favorite line is:<br />
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<i>I know that love is the only answer.</i></blockquote>
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Go ahead, read the poem for yourself! I hope, like me, you were smiling by the end!<br />
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-87463530275388588452014-01-09T13:31:00.001-05:002014-01-09T13:31:26.957-05:00Polar Vortex<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I saw a post on Facebook, I think, telling the polar vortex, "You're drunk. Go home." I agree!</div>
Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-88153603584042455842013-12-28T23:38:00.001-05:002013-12-28T23:38:14.472-05:00Quotation of the Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,"</span><br />
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~Desmond Tutu</div>
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Tutu also penned the forward to the forthcoming <i>Global Guide to Animal Protection </i>edited by Andrew Linzey, for which Tutu writes,<br />
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I have seen firsthand how injustice gets overlooked when the victims are powerless or vulnerable, when they have no one to speak up for them and no means of representing themselves to a higher authority. Animals are in precisely that position. Unless we are mindful of their interests and speak out loudly on their behalf, abuse and cruelty go unchallenged.</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archbishop Desmond Tutu Outside Tuto House, Soweto by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wesselspj/" target="_blank">Johan Wessels</a><br />licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0 </a></td></tr>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140614384451627736.post-22078188817399811612013-12-14T11:46:00.001-05:002013-12-14T12:08:43.978-05:00Love Wins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Love wins. This is what we taught her: to honor, to praise, to be loving," - Nelba Márquez-Greene, mother of Ana Grace, one of the children killed last year on this day during the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut</blockquote>
Last year on this date, twenty-six people, twenty children and six adults, were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School by Adam Lanza, who had previously shot dead his mother. Minutes after the massacre, Lanza took his own life.<br />
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Instead of retreating into hate and bitterness, the families of many of the victims have used the unspeakable losses to promote healing rather than revenge. Since their precious daughter loved animals and even made business cards for "Catherine's Animal Shelter" with herself as Care Taker [sic], Catherine Violet Hubbard's family has created a <a href="http://cvhfoundation.org/" target="_blank">foundation</a> working with <a href="http://www.theanimalcenter.org/" target="_blank">The Animal Center</a> to raise funds to build a sanctuary.<br />
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Earlier this fall, Catherine was posthumously honored as the <a href="http://www.aspca.org/blog/aspca-humane-awards-meet-dog-cat-and-kid-of-the-year" target="_blank">ASPCA Tommy P. Monahan Kid of the Year</a>. In an <a href="http://www.wfsb.com/story/24193537/family-friends-remember-catherine-hubbard" target="_blank">interview with WFSB Channel 3 News</a>, Jenny Hubbard, Catherine's mother, remarked,"We're (going to) create a place where creatures can come and heal and find tranquility, and Catherine is going to be so proud. She is going to be thrilled that we brought her all her animals."<br />
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You can download the "I am a Butterfly" icon <a href="http://cvhfoundation.org/catherinesstory" target="_blank">here</a> and use it as your profile in social media to raise awareness of Catherine's vision.</div>
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A therapist, Nelba Márquez-Greene, mother of Ana Grace, decide to put her work counseling troubled individuals on hold to work on community-level initiatives aimed at promoting compassion and connections through the <a href="http://anagraceproject.org/" target="_blank">Ana Grace Project</a>. In partnership with the <a href="http://klingberg.org/" target="_blank">Klingberg Family Centers</a>, Márquez-Greene founded <a href="http://anagraceproject.org/initiatives/the-center-for-community-and-connection/" target="_blank">The Center for Community and Compassion</a> with a mission of reducing violence through promoting connections and compassion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Grace, Photo from <a href="http://anagraceproject.org/" target="_blank">The Ana Grace Project</a></td></tr>
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Please follow the example of these families and use the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings to make a positive impact on your community and your world.<br />
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<li>Be kind. Matt Crebbin, coordinator of the Newtown Interfaith Clergy association reminds us, "Kindness is a choice that we all make," (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/09/newtown-shooting-anniversary_n_4414254.html?ir=Impact" target="_blank">HuffPost</a>). </li>
<li>Advocate for gun reform. <a href="http://billmoyers.com/content/take-a-stand-against-gun-violence/" target="_blank">Moyers and Co</a>. provides a primer on how to take a stand against gun violence. Since Sandy Hook, 194 children, with an average age of six, have been killed with guns (<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/12/children-killed-guns-newtown-anniversary" target="_blank">Moyers & Co.</a>).</li>
<li>Donate to the <a href="http://cvhfoundation.org/how-you-can-help/donate/" target="_blank">Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation</a> or <a href="http://anagraceproject.org/donate/" target="_blank">The Ana Grace Project</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.seedsofcompassion.org/why/" target="_blank">Practice compassion</a>. If you have children, actively teach compassion to them.</li>
<li>If you are a teacher, consider the <a href="https://www.classes4classes.org/Ideas/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Classes4Classes</a> program to promote compassion among school children.</li>
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Remember, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>love wins</b></span>.</div>
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REFERENCES AND LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/12/14/250786728/a-grieving-newtown-mothers-motto-love-wins" target="_blank">NPR story on Nelba Marquez-Greene and her family</a></li>
<li><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/25/nation/la-na-newtown-report-20131126" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times coverage of the Sandy Hook Massacre Report</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/09/newtown-shooting-anniversary_n_4414254.html?ir=Impact" target="_blank">Huffington Post on How Newtown families want to mark the first anniversary</a></li>
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Aimee Darshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808228065018937275noreply@blogger.com0