Category Archives: Arches&Doors

Rua De Santa Maria

Holly Doyne Posted on by

The last time I was in Funchal was fall 2007 (the trip with MSC from Genoa to Buenos Aires. The friend I was traveling with and I did a number of the touristy things like take the cable car up the mountain and the sledges down as well as wander around the town looking at this and that before heading back to the ship.

Since then, I have been to/through the Canaries a couple of times but the stops have been on other islands.

This is the first of two posts on Funchal. Too many photos for one post. Two completely disparate things to talk about.

In the last several years there has been a lot of art development which leads me to the street art. Back all those same number of years ago I had a Friday tradition of posting pictures – normally doors or arches. So this is about the doors along Rua de Santa Maria. Not all the doors, mind you – just the ones which I found interesting or could get a decent shot not obscured by all the other tourists with their cameras. I have my older EOS instead of the 7D which was not particularly happy with me. I am feeling the lack of capability (narrower ISO range which decreases the quality of indoor pictures) and the not-quite-as-good lens.

If you are reading the email version of this post with thumbnails – suggest you wander to the blog as the ability to embiggen some of the photos really makes a difference.

Mostly Reading

Holly Doyne Posted on by

rather than knitting over the weekend. A variety of books, not two things in the same genre. Well, ok, sort of in different sub-genres anyway:

1) Ghost Story – Jim Butcher. The most recent Harry Dresen novel featuring Harry as a soul trying to put right the mess (power vacuum) caused by his complete annihilation of the Red Court. As a Soul? Well, you see, he was murdered immediately afterwards. Sent back to find his murderer, he gets a good look at havoc, unhappy changes and starts to think …

2) The Alloy of Law – Brandon Sanderson. Steampunk in another world -or maybe the Wild West. It doesn’t matter. Some magical talents, a young (well, I think 42 is young) man who has to return home to salvage the family states and fortunes, train robberies and Victorian formalities. Whats not to like?

3) You’ve Got Murder – Karen Tabke & Edie Ramer which I picked up when it was free on Amazon. A on-going writers group picks up a new critique partner and then things begin to unravel. Told completely in email between the characters format (except for the occasional SMS or IM), the authors have done an excellent and credible job of character development. There are enough plots, subplots and twists to keep the story moving along at a fun clip.

4) It’s a Dog’s Life – Dale Mayer. Quick, sweet. Newly employed as an admin in her neighborhood vet practice, the main character discovers that she is not insane, she just hears the occasional dog mentally talking to her. Getting her life together, learning the new job and … well I would hate to spoil the rest.  Again – I picked this one up for free.

5) Taming Mad Max – Theresa Ragan. Couple of friends, toss in some pro football players and let the opinions (and fur) fly. Again, I pulled it when it was free.

6) The Adventures of a Love Investigator – Barbara Silkstone. Divorced and convinced that neither men (nor women) have a clue about love, commitment and relationships – Ms Silkstone sets out to interview a 1000 men (in a year) and see what men [think] about love and relationships. What follows is a pretty funny set of stories drawn from the 526 men she interviewed over the next six years. Some of the men clearly know who they are and their share in the relationship. Others – well it is pretty obvious that there are men (and women) that are obviously not married for a reason. Again – it was free.

7) Dragon Blues – Edie Ramer. A dragon will always defend his horde, won’t he? Even after centuries, even when being hunted for his “secret for prolonged life.” This is a nice urban fantasy and NO vampires. I got it for free. It is now a whopping $0.99.

8) The Care and Feeding of Rubber Chickens. Scott William Carter. Yes, it is a joke – the manual (which includes the first part of the novel.) He’s whacked – and it is pretty funny, especially if you never thought about one as a pet – or when they are actually manufactured.

9) Hidden Summit – Robyn Carr.

Oh, I take it back – I have finished a few more rows on my rainbow jacket. Tomorrow it is back to the audiobooks and knitting.

Doors

Holly Doyne Posted on by

I just remembered this is Friday (all days are now Saturdays to me, but that is another post) and it is a day for photos.

Four different doors. Different periods in time (hundreds of years to the last few). Different styles (temp, permanent, wood, stone), countries (Spain, France, Italy and Afghanistan) and uses. Well, they all are doors, but some more to keep people in than out or avoid sand.

The Elephant in the room

Holly Doyne Posted on by

for me is not cancer nor is it heart disease. I can face deploying again with (not at the main bases) the real possibility of weapons being pointed in my direction or directed toward my transportation.

My real fear of failing health is not what can happen body, but what can potentially happen to one’s mind.  Aging is a nebulous process that is just in the future when you are 20 or 30. It has a bit more reality as parents start to age (in most families – grandparents do not count in this respect – they are old when we are children and just get smaller and grayer as part of the natural order of life).

Sometime, perhaps at 40, or 50 or 60, comes this realization that life, as it currently exists, is not going to last forever. The initiating thought might come with grey hair or a few more wrinkles in the morning mirror. Occasionally a spark of thought comes from an innocuous and previously ignored question from a health care provider about advanced directives or living will. Normally you think in terms of accident or traditional illness.

All of that can be ignored as long as you are healthy. But what if, at an age much too young, you start losing your memory, your orientation, yourself? What then?

What is likely my biggest fear  is dealt with compassionately and realistically by Lisa Genova in Still Alice. I picked it off the paperback shelf yesterday at the PX simply because the cover looked interesting and the back cover even more so.

Told from the view point of Alice, a 50 year old Harvard professor,it recounts the story of a brilliant woman who, in the course of just two short years, goes from being internationally acclaimed in her field to not recognizing her family. From initial concerns to marked deterioration, her early onset Alzheimer’s progress affects her job,  her physical well being, and her family. The science and diagnosis provided in sound and in enough detail to lend credibility as well as the novel’s voice changes to reflect the shrinking of Alice’s world.

Thought provoking and occasionally brutally clear, this novel portrays a future that is not one that I want to personally experience.

Highly recommended as a short, thought provoking read.

a find

Holly Doyne Posted on by

We are all booked into the Hotel La Florida on the hill over looking Barcelona. It looks like it is right above the city. In reality, we are a bus ride to nowhere with polution obscuring the view of the city.

looking over the city

looking over the city

A bit clearer on the weekend

A bit clearer on the weemd

We meandered around the city a bit,

doors and

doors and

arches

arches

and old ceilings

and old ceilings

saw Gaudi architecture

Gaudi House Windows

Gaudi House Windows

Gaudi - balconies and mosaics

Gaudi - balconies and mosaics

and found this:

leading here. Run by Jennifer (kamikazeknits on Ravelery) she has all sorts of goodies in her store. Including the 3.00 mm KnitPro tips…

shop interior

shop interior

This stop made up for dinner which was late and featured dead stuff of both fish and flesh variety. Their alternative for me was Risotto.

slime flavored with mushroom

slime flavored with mushroom

as apposed to yesterday which featured this wonderful custard.


and tomorrow we head home….

.

Change of plans

Holly Doyne Posted on by

I popped into the office early today as there was to be a leaving breakfast starting at 0730. Sometime while I was out of town, the time was changed to 1230.

And me with late morning plans. Right.

My run to Croughton was moved up in the day a bit (lets see, more than an hour there, nothing opens till 1000, I need to go four places and then be back here by 1230. RIght)

All of this ranked right up there with trying to comunicate with the British Department of Motor vehicle registration. It seems that they still have me listed as the keeper of a car we sold in Jan. Never mind that I called them, or let them know (complete with copies of the German registration for the new owner) that it was no longer my car. It seems they want a late fee for not registering that car on time. By the time I was done attempting to converse with them and had convinced them I was not paying a full late fee, I truly had a migraine

Audio

The Heart of Valour by Tanya Huff. Good, solid, military sci-fi.

Arches

From Ladenburg

From Ladenburg

Near the Thames

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Lit up at night, this Ferris Wheel is located near the Thames, just behind Windsor Castle. The cars are completely enclosed, increasing safety but really getting in the way of a photo addict. Of course, from the outside it would have been easier with a tripod this late at night.

Heidelberg Castle

Holly Doyne Posted on by

High on the hillside over looking the Neckar sits the Heidelberg Castle. One of these days, I will wander across the river and increase my photo collection.

Meanwhile, here is the castle and the view from the Castle quite early in the morning (avoiding the herds of travelers by tour bus).

You can see age, time frame and the multiple periods of construction by looking at the stones, walls, and multiple layers.

Knitting

Messing around with the Sock cotton – I have no idea what it will look like when completed.

outside, in

outside, in

and the front is now done. On to sewing together the shoulders.

front completely knit

front completely knit

Arches

hello? look above (grin)

Stitch Markers

Holly Doyne Posted on by

There is something so fun, so appealing about all those bright and shiny dangles. Over the last year, I have collected quite a few and thought briefly about making my own.

I have jewels,

creatures

dragon flies and Loons

dragon flies and Loons

and abstract objects.

And then there are those that I use on a daily basis. They are really simple. They are thin and they have no dangles. There is nothing to get caught in that row, the one below or the one below that. No struggling with a yo increase next to a marker.

I buy another batch every time I place an order with The Loopy Ewe

Phoenix

Finally got to the armhole and 17 rows past it. Two views (with and without flash)

27 March - 165 rows

27 March - 165 rows

172 Rows - 27 March 09

172 Rows - 27 March 09

Watching and listening

more CSI: Miami.
City of Fire – Ellis on audio.

Doors

Finishing things

Holly Doyne Posted on by

This morning at work, I was finishing up projects while collecting information for a briefing I have to do in a bit under 4 weeks.

This evening, I was finishing projects. It just seemed like the right thing to do – I found I needed to extend the one arm before setting it in

all but one sleeve

all but one sleeve

and after the second was seamed and completed – I have a sweater! Now, I have at least two daughters who might well want it. It is maybe a bit more their thing than mine. But it is so nice, soft and fuzzy. Perhaps if I knit it in hot pink and purple, Ms Copper would be interested.

Drops Cardigan

Drops Cardigan

I made progress as well on the alcapa stripe, completing the middle section and am several rows into the second end.

Alpaca Striped Scarf

Alpaca Striped Scarf

Books

Night and Day by Robert B Parker. Quick read, snappy dialog.

Arches

Culture

Holly Doyne Posted on by

I was up a bit late last night. Between the 8 hours time difference from the UK and getting suckered into “just one more row” on my vest – suddenly it was after 0200.

Not a great idea when you really had planned on being up early to hike around the city. And so it was a bit later than planned when I headed out, camera slung over my shoulder.

Museums

Musuem front

Museum front

The Museum of Craft and Folk Art had a lovely small exhibit on paper cutting/folding from the Asian Tradition called The Shape of Things. And if you are an Origami person and are not familiar with Robert Lang go immediately to his site. You need Treemaker. Nothing like combining math with history to develop the fold-lines for about anything you would like to craft.

Of course, no interior photos were allowed.

Across the street is the Contemporary Jewish Museum which just opened in 2008. Built out of the Jessie Street Power Substation, the history of the building before, during and after the 1906 Earthquake is chronicled on the lobby walls.

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Contemporary Jewish Museum

The outside is glorious and inner design is impressive. Can’t say as much for the three exhibits (local SF – typical of type; Andy Warhol – commercial; upstairs exhibit – neither well posted or presented).

Around the Area

Special parking just for motorcycles, and at a great price!

Motorcycles

Motorcycles

Reserved Parking

Reserved Parking

Interesting buildings –

Building Front

Building Front

and those of historical significance. (Guess the Simon Winchester book made more of an impression on me than I thought. It is such a lovely city. To live here? )

SF Chronicle

SF Chronicle

And Fire Station #1 just tucked in, barely visible on what seems to be a side street.

SF Fire Department #1

SF Fire Department #1

Sculpture around the area

Besides lobbies, there were sculptures next to a few buildings and along a pedestrian walk-way.

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Sculpture

Cheerful

Cheerful

Griffin Vest

The yarn – you can see the shades of natural brown through which the yarn cycles

Vest yarns

Vest yarns

and progress. The lower band is complete (20 rows plus edges) and half way up the first tree repeat

progress - 11 Jan 09

progress - 11 Jan 09

Old and newer

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Today was a total loss at work. I think there were a total of five people in the building, most having already left on their holiday. I booked finally about 1230 in order to pick up my DH at Heathrow. His office is allegedly shut down for the holidays as well. What that really means is that he will just be doing conference calls and documents by remote.

Knitting

The quick knit scarf that went to The Singer for her birthday yesterday made out of two skeins of Silk Garden. It is soft and lovely, but really not long enough.

1x1 rib scarf of Silk Garden

1x1 rib scarf of Silk Garden

and then there is the Heartland Lace Scarf out of In the Navy Silke from BFM, that has been completed since August. Since I was updating Ravelry, throught it appropriate to post it here as well.

One Skein Shawl

One Skein Shawl

Arches

Rochester Castle Wall

Rochester Castle Wall

Number 60

Holly Doyne Posted on by

When you are thirty, what is important is the present. The future is both right now and so distant that it seems inconsequential. Perhaps your perspective stretches out long than when you were a teenager. It might even make it a few months, looking toward the birth of a child. Or perhaps next year or the year after.

But at thirty, it is rare to think of what you are going to to doing, or where you will be at the point that your age doubles. You know that you have an infinite lifetime ahead of you.

Turn around suddenly and those years have just vanished. All that bright and rosey future is now the past. You have triumphed over obstacles, survived the births of your children, moved half way around the world.

Certainly, you are not doing what you planned all those many years ago.

When you turn 40, or perhaps 50, you take stock of your life. Where you have been, where you have yet to go.

60 somehow seems different. Most people can look forward just a few years and see the end of their work lives, plan on retirement, playing with grandchildren. Figuring out how to cope with an aging body and diminished financial resources.

I have to admit, I don’t exactly remember how we celebrated my husband’s 30th birthday, in 1978. I know that we were living in St. Paul Minnesota. His recollection is probably better than mine. I know that he planned a life-time commitment when we married; of our peer group then – all couples are still together. Certainly I think that everyone planned on being around for a long time – certainly another 30 years at a minimum.

Turning sixty is impressive (at least from the point of view of my 57) and he shows no signs of slowing down. I knew few runners when we met; he is still jogging regularly 30 years later. He learned a foreign language, started working in another culture, changed jobs numerous times as the army shifted me around.

I hope I have his grace when I turn sixty in 2010.

-Holly

No fireworks

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Much to the disappointment of the Brits with whom I am stationed – I bagged the 4th of July celebration at work (BBQ, Softball and Beer) in favor of the weekend outing with my husband. As a result, I sort of forgot about the holiday completely in favor of checking in at the Zurich airport after an easy S-Bahn ride, waiting around in the Senator Lounge (traveling with a gold frequent flyer has its advantages), and a smooth transition to the hotel.

Hotel Castillo Son Vida

Hotel Castillo Son Vida

Complete with outdoor patio and turret.

Patio

Patio

Tower

Tower

Dinner was served for the group on one of the terraces and it was as entertaining to watch the two solo dads try and round up their off-spring (ages 18 months and 5 years) as talking to most of the adults.

Audio Books

My MP3 player lasted through the plane ride and beyond – South Coast by Nathan Lowell.

Knitting

Candle Flame Shawl out of Wollmiesse provided me with an alternative to the even present socks.

Candle Flame Scarf - Debra Bright

Candle Flame Scarf - Debra Bright

Arches

which tonight are furnished by some of the hotel architecture.

Hotel Ceiling

Hotel Ceiling

and gazing down into the lobby

and gazing down into the lobby

Detonators

Holly Doyne Posted on by

There is the good, and the bad.

Let me do the challenging part first.

After finishing up my errands at RAF Croughton, I stopped by Windsor Great Forest on the way home. One of the other US exchange officers lives in the area. I dropped off a bag from the commissary and stayed a few hours to knit and chat. Sally had been making noises about learning to knit socks. Her challenge was getting the hang of double-pointed needles.

So far so good – right?

Think just getting dark and 2145 as I come around the Jolly Farmer round-a-bout and head down the Maultway aka B3015. There are no lights on this road, it has a lot of curves and the left turn that I need is marked on the right. Directly across from the turn, leaving almost no reaction time.

As I start to slow down looking for the turn this idiot comes screaming up behind me and starts to pass. Did I mention that this is on a short curve and that there are not street lights?

Yes, thought I had.

Picture me sweating as a car comes roaring up from around the curve ahead of us.

Does the idiot pull back in?

No, he speeds up and starts to cut right back in. Only issue is that I am already occupying that space.

Wrenching over to the left, I hit the curb, then pop up on it while the idiot pulls away into the dark. I didn’t get his license plate number. As I drive shakily on, I realize that I now have a front left flat tire.

Why should I not be surprised? Good thing that I am only about 200 meters from my destination.

It is now 2200 as I come knocking on John’s door. Luckily, they were not yet in bed and had a flash light. John is taller and out weighs me by a good 30 kilo. Maybe I should have objected more when he took over the majority of the tire changing, but I was pretty well wiped at that point.

After all of that, I had hardly anything for mail.

The Package

There was, however a package from Roseann, marking my death in Sock Wars III.

The contents of the package

there were of course, the Detonators –

The Detonators

along with a lovely hand woven pouch, some knitter wristlets, tea bags and the balance of the yarn.

On the feet

I tried them on. They are lovely. Knit so tightly that her fingers must have bled. I have narrow feet and I have never had a pair of socks fit that were knit on 72 stitches (usually about 56 is my number). The toes are a bit big but this is an issue with the pattern. Since they are a lovely cotton blend sock yarn, it won’t matter in summer sandals a bit. They are bright, cheerful and a great pair for summer.

Podiobooks

On to Full Share by Nathan Lowell.

Arches

And sometimes it is just a whimsy of seeing a bit of brickwork set into a regular hedge that gets my fancy. Made ordinary by the usual refuse containers. Even if it is located in Windsor Forest – whic is property of the British Royal Family.

Property GateAnd through the arch

-Holly

What to do

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Goals and Priorities for the summer. Hummm.

The KnitWit brought up the idea of setting some knitting and spinning ones for the summer.

It is summer out there, isn’t it? Given that it has been cloudy and a whole 15 degrees. I really need something to concentrate on other than the back garden which is rapidly going to seed.

Unfortunately, my goals for knitting and spinning may need to take a backseat to three work related tasks that have actual deadlines.

I had submitted for a couple of presentations at an August Conference. [Un]fortunately, they were both accepted and I now have to put them together. Unlike the good old days where you could finish up your talk the morning of, the new rules require that all presentations have been vetted by the security folks and are uploaded by 25 July. Takes the pressure off me at the last minute, but I really should have more than the abstracts at this point.

The other project is a bit larger. Several months ago I became involved in a review of materials for teaching Catastrophic Medicine and Disaster Operations to Military Officers. As a side bar, I half jokingly suggested that I turn the work into a thesis for a Diploma at Apothecaries. I have to write the requesting letter (which pretty much commits me to the project) and then have it finished by the first week in August so that I can sit Parts I & II of the exam in Oct (on my birthday no less). The High Holidays don’t even interfere this year.

See the problem?

Work or knit? Or perhaps work and knit. But all my outside reading is going to have to stop along with design work, housework (hey!) and the garden.

Never mind about the garden.

Arches

From last Saturday at Winchester

-Holly

Can’t eat it

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Around the office today was the usual collection of watchers –
The Spaniel, hard at work
and
Tiger Skin

Then there was the chance to briefly enter the Medal Room
The Medal Room
with walls lined with paintings, photos and shadow boxes of medals. Some are originals, donated by families, others are reproductions of the military awards of various key British Army Medical Personnel over the centuries.

Sock Wars III

Sent off this pair of Detonators knit out of STR Silky Tide Pool –
Detonators for Peety
toward the US while at the Mailroom this afternoon. Best I can figure, since I sent them out regular priority mail is that they will take at least a week and probably longer to arrive. This is fine with Peety, she is not in a hurry to be killed off. I admire her dedication, since she has finished up four kills. For what ever reason, I had so many flaking out around me that most of my time was spent doing little but chatting on the forums and waiting.

Arches

A Faux Chocolate Tunnel
From Wednesday’s adventures in Bournville. Passing under the chocolate arch, there was no point in taking a bite.

Oops, so this is Reading

Holly Doyne Posted on by

Sometimes one’s day just does not go as planned.

Right before bed, I had reminded the Mole that we needed to leave NLT 0700 since I really wanted to make dental sick call. At just a few minutes before I wanted to leave, I realized that I had not heard a sound from upstairs.

No surprise, he was sound asleep. Very unhappy when woken to find that he did not have an hour to get ready. And you think teenage girls can take a long time?

It was drizzling, trucks were doing strange things on the roadways, and we were listening to Wiskey Sour. The upshot was that I zigged when I should have zagged and didn’t notice till I saw the exit for Reading. To compound things, instead of just heading around the traffic circle and getting back on the M4 in the correct direction, I decided to attempt a short cut through Reading.

Two times around downtown Reading before we could get out of there (would you believe that there is rush hour traffic in Reading?) and we finally got back to the A33 and found the M4. Lost an hour literally driving in circles.

Needless to say, by the time we got to Croughton, it was after dental sick call hours. They took pity on me. Said I could wait, or have a real appointment time at 1300. I opted for the appointment and we headed off to run errands. Just as I went into the PX, the fire alarm went off. 20 minutes later, they let us back in, all still clueless as to why it rang.

Commissary, then a run by the library which was still officially closed. They are supposed to be finished with the relocation by Wednesday. Since I will be out of town next week figured it would be nice to return the new best sellers and at least some of the DVDs.

Got the tooth looked at. We decided to hold off on drilling a little while longer. I don’t mind a bit.

Came home. The rain is good for somethings.
Rain does some things well.

with the occasional glimpse of sky

Evening Sky

Sock Wars III

I am still watching the forums and howling with laughter. The dead are mounting and the obits are a hoot:

The Dead Dulcinea wrote:
Here lies Dulcinea Quixote de la Mancha, cruelly felled by a fatal case of Sox Pox!

She leaves behind her loving husband, Don (a good guy but seriously delusional), and their children Aldonza Duet, Don Dos, Juan, Pedro, Miguel, Angel and Sam (who bears a striking resemblence to Sancho, Don’s faithful but apparently not so trusty sidekick).

She also leaves behind her best friend Aldonza (the barmaid and part-time hooker), Sancho (we know what kind of friend he was) and a pet dragon, Spike.

Dulcinea loved the outdoors in the frozen tundra called Wisconsin, especially tilting at windmills. She pretty much tilted at everything else after Aldonza poured another one. When not tilting, she was known to wage war with socks.

She’ll be buried in the family plot, wearing her beautiful, Sox Pox Socks!

She leaves her craftroom of wondrous yarns to her knitting friends, figuring they’ll duke it out over who gets what.

Please feed Spike on your way out… you don’t want to walk past a hungry dragon!

and Tiny Tyrant:

Interred May 14, 2008 by Knit Picks Memories in Rocky Mountain Dusk
Tiny is survived by her husband who refused to get the mail that
day and spare her from her fate. Her three dogs, Cliff the Mutt,
Oscar the Dog and Scrat the Brat, who all allowed the mail man
to deliver the package and four felines who simply worry about
where their next meal is coming from since dad is absent minded
about set meals. Her stash is not available as she intends to
come back from the dead and haunt her husband and leave yarn in
all the rooms of the house and needles in the most unsuspecting
places.

I am sure that I will be “dead” sometime early next week. Must think of something to say.

Audio Books

Finished up Whisky Sour and started on Bloody Mary, both by J A Konrath. They are funny and Dick Hill is perhaps my favorite reader of all time.

Arches

No idea why this is hereand from the back

Right near the end of my road, a trail winds back into the woods. This arch, made of long dead greenery wound around a frame stands by itself. No clue how long it has been standing, nor why. Only near object is this strange looking shelter, tucked between two huge trees with toes dug deep in the earth.

tree feet