The Killing of Pits

I tend not to make my BloG a diatribe about politics, religion or other fun things that cause people to run for cover. There is enough of that on the local news and discussions abound at water coolers during business hours and at local 'watering holes' after hours. Besides ... I haven't met to many individuals interested in my opinions on 'hot topic' issues.

But, today, I digress. I don't live in Ohio and due to impending legislation - I am glad that I don't. Ohio Representative Tyrone Yates has amended House Bill 568 , which, if passed, will prohibit the ownership of pit bulls in the State of Ohio. Ok - without mincing words here, not only will pitbulls be banned, but ALL pitbulls and those deemed 'pitbull mixes' will be euthanized. That is right - Killed. Murdered. It doesn't matter that these family dogs have done nothing - have NOT bitten or maimed or mauled ... OK - they *may* have licked someone or snuggled up to their children - but - Mr. Yates has decided that the good citizens of Ohio and AMERICANS at large - can not choose their pets.
(A copy of said amendment will be found HERE - please scroll down to the bottom to see the latest rewording - it is listed as section 955.111!)

Dangerous dogs are products of dangerous owners. Maybe Mr. Yates should use the criminal justice system to prosecute the owners instead of murdering dogs who have done nothing - except to wear the clothes of a breed he dislikes.

I recently sent Pittie Love Rescue the donation from The Knotty Sheep. I received a beautiful thank you - with an adorable little girl in between her two good friends. What do you think Mr. Yates?? How would you explain your legislation to her? How would you explain killing her friends?

I humbly ask you to write/call/email:

John Husted, Speaker of the House
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 644-6008
Fax : (614) 719-3591
Email Address: district37@ohr.state.oh.us

This type of legislation smacks of everything we, in the US, don't stand for - but we do stand UP to!! Mr. Yates ... punish the deed NOT the breed.

Wool - 24/7

Last night I couldn't decide between spinning & knitting. I wanted something easy - and new fleeces had arrived, fresh from the processor. I thought I might just take a turn at both - but opted to cast on a simple watch cap for Macuwita sni. I seem to have a growing stash of left over yarn balls ... this cap will be made from the same yarn as the English Rib combined with handspun singles. (Photo provided as soon as it is completed.)

Sometimes it is a difficult choice to decide between spinning & knitting - I can't be the only 'out there' who feels that way either .... so ....

Did you happen to see my skein entitled Sunset Sailor? I donated this handspun wonder to Etsy for Animals! I love the colors flowing thorough this yarn .... don't you?

OR - maybe you noticed Just Blushed. These spinnable batts are the palest of pinks! Totally girlie & wonderful. Don't they just make you want to spin - like right NOW?

Ah - choices! Sometimes it is just to much fun NOT to choose and to play with everything that we want to play with! WhEEEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Short & sweet - the Herringbones are Done!

It took a total of 9 days to complete these babies .... One solid week for the first mitten - 2 days for the second. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together??

These were a nice, fun knit and Peace Fleece will provide a myriad of options for some colorful mittens!!

These "Herringbones" will be donated to Macuwita sni! "Mitten Quest 2008-2009" is going strong. To date, 21 pair of mittens completed - 230 to beat our goal! Feel free to join us ... we want to warm both hands & hearts!

Tired - but still going

It never ceases to amaze me that just when you are *this close* to throwing your hands up in the air and screaming "No more!" - you dig a little deeper into your soul and find that you had what it takes all along.

That is what is so cool about each & every day - it is all about choices. To love - or not. To be patient - or not. To have Faith - or not. To grow - or not.

It seems that everyone is moving a mile a minute. Not good. Not good for the health of each of us nor is it good for the Planet.
Each minute is valuable - this I know. But, it is how we spend those minutes that really count.

There are times when I don't want to spin, or dye or card wool. What keeps me going are dogs. All dogs / every dog that is still in search of their forever homes. Shelter dogs, in particular, have my heart - they always will. My motivation is that just when I feel like throwing my hands up in the air - I think of all those pups who haven't know love. They deserve good homes - it has become my mission to help them.

There are also times when I don't want to knit. What keeps me going here is those that are cold. Those that may not have access to a warm jacket or a home. Those that live without hats, or scarves or mittens - it doesn't seem right that my stash might just actually outfit a small town. So I knit to share - I knit to let someone I don't know - know that someone cares for them. I want them to be warm - both inside & out.

Check out my first completed, unblocked, Herringbone Mitten!

I am making them out of Baghdad Blue & Chickie Masla Peace Fleece. Pretty, yes?? They will be part of Macuwita sni's Mitten Quest.

My wish for you today is to find what motivates you. Find what makes your heart GLOW and just when you feel like throwing your hands UP in the air - do so!!
And clap to the Heavens knowing that you have the will & motivation to carry on!

The English Rib is DONE!

For such an easy sweater - this baby has taken me months. TWO months almost to the day.
I got bored ... and I will admit that once that happened, I became lazy too. Unfortunately, I am not the type that can have several projects OTNs at the same time. Little by little, row by row - the English Rib is now completed!

So, here I sit as 'proud mama' of this sweater which will be sent off to South Dakota for Macuwita sni. It most likely will fit a 6 year old child, please, take a peek:

As there is no rest for the weary - a pair of Herringbone Mittens has also been started for Macuwita sni's "Mitten Quest 2008-2009". Since this photo was taken, I am only 15 rows shy of completing the first mitten. Got to love small projects!! WhEEEE!

What are you creating??

Knit Mitts!

It is hard to believe that in these first 2 weeks of May, I am thinking about mittens! 250 pair of mittens to be exact!

Macuwita sni members recently voted upon this goal to help warm the Cheyenne River Sioux in South Dakota this UPcoming winter. You KNOW heating a home will be costly in the colder months - so, we might as well throw caution to the wind and start knitting those mittens NOW! Do join us for "Mitten Quest 2008 - 2009 ... we love welcoming new members!

Of course, even though I have been knitting like a fiend to finish up The English Rib Sweater - I also had time to play in the dye pots. Look at these Scrumble Skeins. Perfect for stripes - don't you think?

Time to go peruse the mitten patterns ..... WhEEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

A FABulous Day for Pit bulls!

Faitful readers of this BloG know how much I love dogs!

Seriously, my life would not be as JOYful if these 'in the moment' creatures suddenly vanished. I LOVE all dogs! And while it has been 8 months since my senior girl passed - my rottie x, Diesel, still remains an only dog child. There is no replacing my Motu - and I think Diesel is just fine with that.

Over the last several years - I have donated a portion of my sales to different animal organizations. Not only do I feel compelled to give something back - it is totally good Karma!! It does a body good to get (as I like to describe it) ... "One's head out of one's bum." Yep - think of the visual & you will know what I mean!

Why is this a FABulous Day for Pit bulls? The Knotty Sheep has just surpassed the $100 donation mark!! I am tickled - tickled - tickled!! So - to the folks at
Pittie Love Rescue a check will be coming your way this week!

Thank EWE all SO much .... now, being the goal oriented person that I am - I am seeing the next $100 coming VERY soon ..... Be ShoppiEE!!