Polled

Last night I was called by a pollster ... I was asked a zillion questions of which I provided answers to.  But then I was asked what color I was ... I said "waffle."  The pollster said, "No, no, what color are you?  Are you white? Black?..."  I held my arm up and looked at it closer.  "Um, well, maybe pancake.  Yeah, I think I'm the color of a tasty pancake."

"OK," he said, "I don't see a spot to put that answer, but I appreciate you telling me this.  Now, another question, what nationality are you?"

"American," I replied.

"No, no, what nationality are you?  Are you white? African American?..." he interjected.

"Nope.  Just American.  One hundred percent American, actually," I responded.  And now I can't help but wonder why he would think I was anything but American.  I mean, I don't speak with a twang, or drawl, or anything like that.  Hmmmm.

So while I ponder this, it brings my mind to an issue I've been seeing with various groups I belong to and it's called "fiber snobbery."

And if the pollster were to be quizzing me about my thoughts on this, it would go something like this:

"What type of fibers do you use?" asks the pollster.

"I like them all," I respond.

"No, no, that's not what I meant.  I mean, what type of fibers do you use?  Acrylic? Wool? Cashmere?..."

"I like them all," I repeat.

"Would you say that you're one that likes to purchase high end yarns, or the cheap stuff?" the pollster would ask.

"I'd like to purchase them all," I reply.

"No, no. You can't do that.  You have to tell me which one you prefer, high end, or the cheap stuff."

"It depends," I'd reply.

"I don't have a category for depends, " the pollster would huff.

"I don't know how to answer your question.  I'm American, I'm the color of a pancake, and I don't care which fiber I use as you're not giving me enough information for which I'd use the fiber for," I state.

And this would, naturally, confuse the dickens out of the pollster of which he'd thank me for my time and hang up.

"Fiber Snobbery" is a real attitude that creeps up once and a while.  There are those that can afford the high end fibers, and those that cannot.  Some of the ones that can afford the fibers, that have this attitude, will, shall we say, "gently tease" those that cannot afford the finer fibers and make them feel inferior.

My position on this, since I'm being polled anyway, would be that those in the position of being able to afford the finer fibers should consider sharing with those that are, gently stating, "financially challenged" -- I'm not saying that they should foot an entire bill, but to perhaps share some yardage so that others can experience it for themselves and see what the reference is.  And, that if that person still wants to utilize the less expensive fibers (be it that that's all they can afford, or that's what they prefer), then they should be accepted "for which they stand" and be applauded.

I think there's enough room for everyone ... and if we stop breaking ourselves down into little groups, and instead call ourselves "Fiber Artists," then I think we'd be united to enjoy this fantastic art form happily together instead of discriminating over differences.

If you've gotten from this a bit more than a fiber reference, then good for you.  Tell your pollster your color (name it after a food you like), and tell them your nationality -- American.  Then, use whatever fiber floats your boat.  J

That's my Mom. She's famous!

When you walk into a classroom of 5 and 6 year old kids, they can't help but be curious.  And when it's the parent of one of the students, then that little child's chest tends to puff out, a smile sweeps across their face, and a boast of "That's my Mom/Dad!!" goes out to the classroom.  This is your moment of knowing "You've arrived" and hold a special place in your child's heart.

This has happened to me enough times for me to recognize it -- it's a moment of connection between child and parent, and it's a moment to cherish  as I'm told that the world changes once they become teenagers.  So, this moment belonged to my son and I, and I drank it up.

What I wasn't expecting was what followed ... "She's Famous!"

Who? 
Who's famous?

I looked around the classroom and saw no one else other than the teacher.  I turned around to see if perhaps someone famous was behind me.  Nope; just the door.

My son had turned to his young friends and was exclaiming, "That's my Mom.  She's famous!"  He was proud of his Mom and wanted them all to know that he thinks I'm famous.

Really?  I am?

I certainly don't feel like I'm famous ... I do happen to know many people around the world thanks to my love of crochet and the desire to share it and learn from others as well.  So would that make me famous?

At the dinner table my son relayed the story of my visit to his class with the family -- and how he thinks I'm famous.  "Well, she is, Dad.  She travels all over and everyone knows her!  ...she's a famous crocheter!"

With that twinkle in his eye, and big smile on his face, I sure felt famous at that moment!

Crochet, er Martha, er Both Gets Media Coverage

Every local newspaper, every news station wants to carry the story of Martha Stewart heading off to serve her sentence. And it seems, for the next week, we here, local to the prison Martha has requested to go to, will have to tolerate the CNN and such news trucks camped outside the main gates along Rte. 37 -- and hopefully it won't disrupt traffic too much.

I bring this up this morning as each article I read on this topic crochet is mentioned. It seems that crocheting is allowed in prison, and this seems to be true around the country ... depending upon, I'm guessing, the security level, and if it benefits local charities or not. (http://www.state.tn.us/correction/newsreleases/inmatescrochet.html)

I'm not sure if the yarn and hooks are donated to each prison, or if our tax dollars pay for it, but if it benefits local charities, then I'm all for it.

Regardless if Martha will actually get to do any crocheting, we'll have to wait and see. (If a reference is needed on how to Crochet, they have a page dedicated to it on the website for the "Martha Stewart Living" magazine.)

In the meantime, CNN & others, if you're reading this, then you might want to cover the back door entrance too.

words to live by

The Ridgeway Record (PA) had an artilce about a new Broadway production stating:

     Van Aken reminisces about her grandmother, and an analogy about "doilies," as she begins to write her life "doilies." Her grandmother's words, begin and end her show, "Life is like a doily. It has its holes and flaws, but you must never quit crocheting. Just keep moving the thread and eventually it will turn out OK.".

I don't know if anyone has gone to see this production yet, but when I read that, I thought, "Wow! Now those are words to live by!"

Let the Good Times Roll

There are times when life is good, and there are times when life is a feast.

Yesterday, was a feast.

After great discussion, my husband and I decided to venture out and surprise the kids by taking them to The Big E.  This is the same event we had planned on going to on Wednesday but couldn't due to my son and I being so sick.  So when we woke the kids, we told them to dress quickly -- that we were taking them out to breakfast.

We never go out to breakfast, so the kids naturally got quite excited about this prospect and were game.  Of course they had no clue that our idea of "out to breakfast" was the drive-thru of Dunkin Donuts.  (lol)

A Dunkin Donuts and an hour and a half later, we arrived at The Big E -- the kids were naturally on to us once they noticed all the signs for the event posted everywhere.  Traffic was bad, but considering we were 4 of the 153,912 people that attended, we got there in record time.

Once we inside the gate, we went to the New England State Building where we said hello to Doris and Marci -- they're the one's responsible for this building's events.  They were happy to see us, and inquired about how my son and I were feeling.  "Better," I said, "but still taking things slow."  (We had the stroller just in case, an item we haven't used in a good year & a half.)

Marci told me how the "Happy Hookers" (my group's nick name derived from the name "The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club") solicited a man, a woodcutter, into making crochet hooks for them.  She told me where he was located, and after taking some pictures of my groups items on display we were off to locate him.

We found him in the area known as the Craft Common.  His name is Rich -- and he's a charmer.  His wife is a dear, too.  He was happy we found him, and he showed me the hooks he had designed for one of our members.  The hooks are now in my possession ... lol ... for delivery, of course, but that still buys me time to drool over them!   Just check out the image of his hooks! 

As we walked around the fair some more, there were many crochet sightings ... from ladies wearing garments trimmed in crochet, to entire "blouses," and babies  lightly covered in crochet blankets, or shielded from the sun with.  But there were also many vendors selling "fashion scarves" and ponchos!  ...Many more sightings than last year, that's for sure!

One of the best crochet sightings was found in what is known as the "Grande" building.  The Grande building offered free arts & crafts for children, of which my kids just loved doing -- and as they did so, I wandered around a bit.  They had many crocheted items for sale, from afghans to hats, mittens, potholders & such.  And they also had items on display.  Apparently, they had their own ribbon contest, and two of the ribbon holders were MEN!  (is it a coincidence that I've been writing of men & fiber lately?)  Check out the images of their beautiful work!

Finally, in noneother than the Connecticut State building, I found a vendor called "Spinning A Dream" selling hand spun, hand dyed yarn.  I came home with one done in an array of purples called "Persian."  I plan to one day felt a little purse for my daughter.

The Fair ends on October 3rd.  So if you go, keep your eyes peeled and see what crochet sightings your eyes will feast upon!

Audio entry

The NYC branch of CBS News broadcast last night a story about "Think knitting is just for women? Think again!" -- the reporter also states that he's tried knitting. 

To hear a piece of the report just click onto the audio portion of my entry here ... unfortunately, CBS pulled the video from their website just minutes after I found the report, so I cannot offer you a link.

Men Meet Monday Nights But Not to Watch Football

I'm not one to tell you who you should cast your vote for come this November, but when I read an article that states "...how important [Bush/Kerry] feel the sportsmen's audience is, [that it] reflects a sort of macho image that they're both anxious to exude at this time [which is something that] the International Journal of Crocheting won't," -- I can't help but raise an eyebrow and question this. (you can read the article by clicking here)

I think these two need to take a second look at what our men are doing. They're not only enjoying hunting, climbing, and sports, but as I've stated before, they're also crocheting! ... as a matter of fact, it was reported on NBC5 News that "Men Meet Monday Nights, But Not to Watch Football."

Now, I don't particularly care which of the candidates wife's' cookies win (see first article), but, if they'd like for me to be a taste tester then sign me up and pass the cookie jar my way.

But if they're going to say that what crocheters think of politicians don't count, then perhaps the pollsters should get busy because in 2002 the Craft Yarn Council of America commissioned a report by Research Inc. that found that there are some 38 million people that crochet or knit.

Hmmm ... 38 million seems to calculate to being A LOT of voters!  Perhaps the term "macho" needs to be redefined so that candidates for office can also show voters their ways of dealing with stress ... such as with grabbing a crochet hook and enjoying the rhythm of creating stitch after stitch ... something James Buchanan, our 15th President, who served from 1857-1861, knew a bit about.


PS: Peter of Hookerbear.com has graciously granted me permission to use his image from his website for this entry.  Go ahead, give him a click, er, visit!  J