Happy Spring

I celebrated the first weekend of Spring by running across the Golden Gate Bridge today.
Two good things: I got to hang out with my favorite running buddy all weekend (love you B!). I didn't get beaten by any 80 year-olds (I did get beaten by a 75 year-old, but I'm counting that as improvement). One not-so-good thing. I'm going to have to sleep for two days to recover from all the fun we had: 11 1/2 mile run with my team, baby shower for a neighbor friend, and a home-made pizza feast on Saturday. 12k Across the Bay, three hours of wandering around San Francisco, eating cupcakes here, and about 5 hours riding in a bus today. Whew!

How did you celebrate the first weekend of Spring?

Wearin' o' the green

Cosima is blocked and ready for her debut.I'm really pleased with the fit, and the fabric is so soft and cuddly. All in all, it's a great pattern and I love the yarn. But, I have lousy timing. Spring is here in the foothills. It's time to pack her away and wear these.

Did you remember

to set your clocks ahead? Happy Spring Forward Day!

My legs aren't feeling very springy today. My team run yesterday was 8 1/2 miles of hills. Steep. Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. Did I mention steep? My coaches are evil. I wish I still had that pogo stick.

I told you

I'd have some knitting to share with you. Here is my first-ever finished sweater, Cosima on the blocking board. (I realized while uploading that this photo makes her look very wide at the bottom. Not so, just some bad photography.) Hopefully it will stay cool a bit longer so I can actually wear her this year!

It took me a while to get to the blocking because I wasn't happy with the neckline cast-off. She had to take a time out for a couple of weeks before I could face unpicking the last couple of rows and re-knit them on a smaller needle. It was worth it--she looks much better.

I've been quite the ADD-Knitter lately. I don't even want to count the number of my UFO's. I've been actively knitting on Adamas, two secret projects, my homework for sock camp, and somehow I cast on for this just before I went to Stitches West for my train knitting project.

In the Land of Oz shawlette by Adrienne Fong. Socks that Rock Lightweight in Spinel. It's a simple pattern that's fun to knit. And I was dying to use this yarn--it's my color! How could I resist?

Back on duty

Thanks to all of you for your kind words of support for Daisy. She is feeling much better and is back at her post, keeping a watch on the back yard. She's been out walking the last two days (not down THAT street) and seems just like her old self. She's still wearing her t-shirt until she gets her stitches out next week.

Yes, there has been knitting. Pictures soon.

It started out like any other day

But, it didn't end that way.

Thursday evening, while I was walking my dogs, a large bull mastiff mix came charging out of a yard and attacked us. My sweet little Daisy was bitten, and then the dog went after Gus. I was screaming for help because I thought I was next. The neighbors rushed out and chased off the dog. Gus wasn't hurt, but Daisy was screaming with pain. I rushed her to the vet (who I can't thank enough for coming in to meet me at her office at 9 pm). She had to have stitches in the 2 inch long gash on her side, and had to have a drain inserted under her skin because of the damage. She's on heavy drugs for the pain, but was crying non-stop until this morning. It's been awful! She is feeling much better this afternoon and has been able to get some rest. She even wagged her tail a little bit.

I found out the dog belongs to the husband of the sister of the neighbor who ran outside to help me. Yeah, it's a pretty sketchy story. I've been trying to talk to the guy who actually owns the dog so I can get him to pay the hefty vet bill. So far, no one has been home, so I'm not holding my breath. Mostly I just want to be sure this never happens to anyone else. I reported them to the police, and hopefully something can be done.

I've walked my dogs through the neighborhood probably thousands of times over the years. We've braved skunks, a coyote, a mama bear and cub, and the occasional rattlesnake. But I've always felt safe and been grateful for that. Not so much any more, and that makes me sad.