Category: Other items of interest

Knitting · New House

Yarn: Sorted and packed

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four large plastic bins filled with yarn

I took up my knitting needles for the first time in 32 years when President-Elect Obama asked Americans to volunteer on inauguration weekend 2009. All of those first projects supported a new caring ministry at church, and I was very select in my yarn purchases: three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun for a prayer shawl or a colorful yet purposeful selection of Cotton-Ease for dishcloths. Eventually, I graduated to better quality fibers, but they were always chosen for a specific pattern. At the time, I was a “monogamous knitter” and that was also how I made my fiber purchases, one at a time. It would be five years before I ventured to that slippery slope of purchasing yarn without having already planned a project.

I have distinct memories of that 2014 purchase. For weeks, before the start of each sampler afghan knitting class, I gravitated to the bin of Frabjous Fibers fingering and admired the soft, springy texture. But the weight gave me pause. I had been working with thicker strands (worsted, Aran, chunky) and the fingering selections felt fragile by comparison.

But as brown was Dad’s favorite color and he would have appreciated the dark chocolate hue, I eventually purchased a skein in the Hedgehog colorway without any idea of what it might become. That was my first step into stash creation. Then there were yarn crawls hosted by local yarn stores – each an opportunity to purchase potential. And yarn clubs with boxes of squishy mail arriving monthly from Idaho and quarterly from Germany (although not in the same year.) Each purchase was photographed and inventoried, but organization was slightly haphazard with yarn tucked in six locations around our small house.

In preparation for our move to Solstice Place, that mishmash has been corrected. Each skein (all 115) has been sorted by weight and yardage, the location has been verified in the Ravelry database, and those skeins are stored in new plastic tubs that Two Men & a Truck will move in 39 days.

Happy knitting!

New House

Transforming Old Furniture

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There are those who enjoy refinishing furniture. They revel in removing layers of multicolored history. Some hues subtle and sophisticated while others so trendy that the era is unmistakably identifiable. I am not one of those DIYers. However, my long to-do list to get ready for our upcoming move includes refinishing two nightstands and a chest of drawers.

two drawer nightstand with yellow lamp and round mirror

In 1946, after returning to Wisconsin from wartime Washington, D.C., my parents purchased a dark walnut bedroom set which included a double bed, a five-drawer chest, and a vanity. When the practice of bedroom vanities fell out of popularity, my carpenter father dismantled the unit and created two matching nightstands. Thirty years later, the chest and one of the nightstands went with me to my first apartment, as well as the round vanity mirror.

I considered myself lucky to find an empty apartment in the small town of Brodhead (population 2,690) when I was hired as the school librarian. The apartment was so empty that while it had a stove there wasn’t a refrigerator. Momma and I worked non-stop for ten days to get ready for that post-graduation move.

We painted two wooden chairs dark blue that had originally been at Shirley McS.’s kitchen table. Momma sewed Delft Blue kitchen curtains and a matching tablecloth using remnants from Mary Jane K.’s drapery store. A plywood shipping box that Dad built to move their household items from D.C. (which still had my grandparent’s address on the top) was transformed into an avocado green coffee table with brass corner protectors and handles. We let the newly purchased yellow, lime green, and white plaid J.C. Penny drapes set the color palette in the bedroom. A brown iron twin bed frame that had been in the upstairs bedroom of my grandparents’ house, my parents’ 1940s five-drawer chest, and one of the nightstands were all painted a cheery yellow and these transformed the drab, empty bedroom.

With 46 days until closing on the Solstice Place house, this refurbishing project lacks that first move frenzy. However, with each layer of yellow paint that dissolves using the citrus stripper, Momma and I reminisce during my daily progress updates about all of our hard work 50 years ago.

New House

Curbside Freebie

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four drawer file cabinet with a free sign sitting curbside in front of a white house

With gigabytes of storage at our fingertips, I hope a paper devotee needs a file cabinet. As we continue our “rightsize” winnowing of household items, this morning’s activities included moving this freebie to the curb and giving away an assortment of woodworking clamps to our friend Ethan E. as he begins building furniture.  He will return in September for the small freezer chest, a pile of lumber, and motley assortment of nuts and bolts, nails and screws (more stuff gone!)  Already out of the house and at a new home is the two-drawer cabinet that I bought in 1976 at the Eau Claire Book & Stationery store when I started library school at UW-Madison.

PS – Three hours on the curb and then it was wheeled down First Street on a dolly!

New House

56 Days to Closing (but who is counting?)

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new house under construction with siding one-half up the front wall
Work continues – July 17, 2025

There are no quiet days at our construction site. They hung sheetrock on a Saturday, finished siding the house on a Sunday and work proceeds steadily Monday through Friday. With our red door key (to match the red doorknob) we check the progress every few days. We are not looking for errors so much as we are curious as to the flow of all these sub-contractors who slip in and out of the timeline.

During one early evening visit, we discovered the electrician missed running the conduit for the in-floor outlet in the TV room. Unfortunately, we did not catch this omission until after the slab had been poured. But, as it was clearly noted on the approved plans, a worker with a concrete saw cut a trough and the electrician ran the wire exactly to my request. I had laid out the perfect viewing dimensions of the new TV room using a triangular ruler, graph paper, and snips of to-scale cover stock representing the furniture. Just as requested, we now have a double outlet 6’-5” from the west wall and 9’-6” from the south/garage wall for over-the-shoulder task lighting. The patched floor is ugly but all will be hidden when the LVP is installed.

With steady progress at the site, we fill our days with behind-the-scenes tasks. Two Men & A Truck walked through our 1st Street house and provided estimates for packing and moving. We selected window dressings at Hirschfields. And we continue the onerous task of evaluating 40 years of detritus tucked in closets. The timing of recent family visits allowed us to repurpose four bags of books and a unique selection of Cubs swag. As the days and weeks progress, our to-do list will continue to grow.

Other items of interest

Political Assassinations in Minnesota

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1000s of people rallying with St. Paul Cathedral and Minnesota Historical Center in the background

With the distressing early morning news, my blue bubble burst. This had not been the bubble of childhood afternoons or wedding party favors for showering the departing couple, but one of those iridescent spheres created by a gigantic backyard wand. With political chaos swirling like Pigpen’s cloud of dirt, I took consolation in my location – my blue bubble. While not a native Minnesotan, I have called this state home for over 40 years. This liberal state of Paul Wellstone, Hubert Humphrey, and Walter Mondale. This progressive state of Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Peggy Flanagan.

While preferring a blue haze, I am not so delusional as to ignore the reality that Minnesota is really purple. It is red where my Congressional representative refuses to meet with constituents who would object to inhumane GOP policies. It is violet when we must rally to protest early morning ICE raids in Rochester and proclaim No Kings. But politically motivated assassinations and attempted assassinations should only happen in some dystopian universe not in the quiet residential neighborhoods of Brooklyn Center and Champlin.

Since the first appearance of those red ball caps, I have wondered to which greatness we want our country to return to:

  • Before 1974 when women could not get a credit card without a male co-signature?
  • Before 1960 when U.S. Marshalls were needed to protect a small six-year girl going to kindergarten?
  • Before 1920 when women could not vote?
  • Before 1865 when human beings were bought and sold as property?

While my late advocacy work at the State Capitol tended to focus on those legislators from our southeastern corner, I knew Representative Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman to be library supporters, people of integrity, honoring the diversity in our communities, seeking equity for all of this State’s residents, and working for the inclusion of all. The murder of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, John, and the wounding of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, make a shameful statement of American life. And yet, even with an active shooter at large and police warnings to stay home, Minnesotans from Bemidgi to Rochester from International Falls to St. Paul gathered by the 100s and expressed their constitutional right to assemble and proclaim No Kings.

Photo credit: © Stephen Maturen/Getty. Demonstrators rally outside the Minnesota State Capitol building during a “No Kings” protest on June 14, 2025, in St. Paul.

New House · Writing

We have a hole!

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large trough in dirt with houses in background
bare dirt trough with orange spray paint
large dirt pile and yellow earth moving equipment

Since March 6, when we selected Solstice Place as the location for our new house, we have scouted the neighborhood with a close eye for any progress on our lot. And today was the day for changes! The trenches have been dug for the footings and a nearby pile of dirt rests ready for future grading. Meanwhile, while waiting for the actual construction to begin, our days have been full of decisions, decisions, decisions.

Our first appointment was at the lumberyard for interior and exterior doors, door hardware, windows, and a hand-railing for the front steps.  This visit gave us a sense of what would follow.  With each visit there were offerings as bid and then the possibility to make choices from a broader selection outside the basic budget.  For example:  we were happy with the door levers as bid but opted for a different style kitchen faucet with the cost difference being our responsibility.

The tile store definitely lived up to the “and more” part of its title as we selected birch cabinets, granite countertops, sinks, LVP flooring, and (yes) tile for the bathrooms and the kitchen backsplash.  We needed two visits for all those decisions.  We even stayed within our allowance for flooring and tile but, I must admit, we went a smidge over in the cabinet category.  

As our construction package includes new stainless-steel appliances, we will leave our functional white appliances on First Street. But even at the appliance store there is a lot to consider: slide in or free-standing stove? freezer on the bottom, side, or top? range hood or cabinet fan? Plus, double checking consumer ratings for reliability.

It took two appointments to determine the location of all the disc lights, although we were steadfast in our choice of decorative blue fixtures for the kitchen and dining room, the brushed nickel for the bathrooms, and the exterior, prairie-style lighting.  From lighting we progressed to plumbing – from the kitchen faucet to the shower heads from grab-bars to towel racks the choices we made this morning will (hopefully) be the last, at least for a couple of days.  But, in the meantime — we have a hole!

Gardening · New House

Garden Report #1

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four whole potatoes and one cut in half resting on a white painted board

Folktale advice directs the gardener to plant potatoes on Good Friday. We opted for a more scientific approach and waited until the soil temperature reached 50°F. That occurred this weekend. The 20 hills of organic Kennebecs are the first of the plantings in this last garden on First Street.

And to boost the yield of late summer produce, I tried a slightly different approach when adding eggshells to my raised, square-foot beds. Usually, I just crumble the shells in my garden-gloved hand but after reading that smaller pieces release more nutrients, I put the food processor into garden service.

Photo credit: © Annie’s Heirloom Seeds, Madison, Wisconsin, Organic Kennebec Seed Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Knitting · New House

Impact of Tariffs on Local Yarn Stores

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chunky varigated yarn in green and orange colors with knitting needles

With the stock market appearing to have recovered after spiraling into a tariff black hole the likes of which we had not seen since 1987 (and that time we lost half of our portfolio’s worth!), it was reassuring to learn that all of our lumberyard decisions – exterior and interior doors, door hardware, and windows – are already in a local warehouse. We had worried that the price of Canadian lumber might escalate to the point of making our construction project nonviable after the current administration insulted our nearest and “best-est” neighbor.

Up until now, I had only thought in terms of big-ticket items (appliances and roof tresses) as being affected by the roiling rhetoric in this uncertain trade environment. But, the instability in the market also has a negative impact on small entrepreneurs like local yarn stores (LYS).

  • Knit Camp and the 2025 Traveler’s Club – Marie Greene is worried that the future shipments for our upcoming virtual adventures to Germany, France, and British Columbia could be affected by shipping strikes, trade issues, or other disruptions. She will combine three quarterly packages into one box. While not a big deal, I will just have to be patient and open each package at the assigned time rather than acting impulsively when my box arrives, it is sad to think the American business environment is that unstable.
  • Yarnology in Winona, MN – Having weathered the global pandemic, they promise to make it through this new gale but they are urging customers to be flexible. Exact shades of favorite yarns may not be available and to buy an extra skein when purchasing for large projects as they may not be able to replenish weights, colorways or dye lots.
  • Stash in Charlotte, NC – Has informed its customers they are stocking up but to brace for the worst. Often yarn stores order directly from small companies and, in the past, were able to avoid tariffs due to the small size of the orders. “The de minimis exemption has been off, on, off, on and so on and no one knows what to expect.”

During the market swings, pundit noise, and alerts from different yarn and knitting sources, I find the Hokey-Pokey is the earworm in my head.

You put the tariff on, you put the tariff off
You put the tariff on and shake it all about  
You do the Hokey-Pokey…
New House

Major step with money due

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line drawing showing front and rear elevation of single story house

With the purchase agreement signed and two-days to deposit the earnest money, we are one step closer to owning the “villa” on Solstice Place.

While there is still a myriad of decisions to be made some details are known. We have a sketch of our new home. We know the exterior colors. A large portion will have horizontal-siding in a rich indigo reminiscent of new blue jeans. The gable peaks will be finished in driftwood-colored shakes (imagine sunlight on silvery gray wood washed up on a rocky Lake Superior shore.)

After several weeks of graph paper drawings using a scale ruler, we know exactly where the in-floor electrical plugs will be set into our slab-on-grade floor. I determined the “perfect” placement of our furniture (everything fits!) I even modified the bathroom layout to ensure we have sufficient space to easily accommodate the turning radius of a wheelchair (should one of us need this accommodation.) We have earmarked two media consoles as possibilities in the TV Room to hold a new 65-inch screen and our existing external sound bar. Between online wish lists and upcoming showroom visits we hope to narrow additional choices quickly and minimize expensive change orders.

Other items of interest

Hands Øff Rally

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winter weather clothing with bright gold scarves
January 29, 2017
five peopl holding protest signs and wearing bright gold scarves
February 13, 2025

Practicing our right to assemble has morphed from an occasional occurrence triggered by an extraordinary event into a regular activity.

My first rally of 2025 was on a frigid, below zero, February day protesting the administration’s rough handling of local immigrants. It was Rochester’s reaction to an early morning ICE raid which removed two restaurant workers without any communication with their families or access to legal assistance. We eventually learned they were removed to a maximum security, for-profit prison in Louisianna despite being in the midst of asylum-seeking legal procedures.

Today’s demonstration was one of over 1,200 of Hands Øff rallies held around the country. Hundreds gathered in Rochester, tens-of-thousands at the Capitol in St. Paul with nearby events from Austin to Wabasha, as well as in every state capitol. This was about showing up, being seen, being heard, and not backing down. Some participants carried signs listing a range of worries, others held hand drawn poster boards focused on specific uncertainties ranging from Social Security to cancer research, from free speech to reproductive rights, from education to national parks; and, of course, hands off libraries. The list goes on and on as it seems nothing about American life is sacred or safe.

I find being aware of the administration’s latest shenanigans, whether I do a quick check or a deep dive, puts a bruise on my spirit and I must remind myself to look to beauty. Poet Lynn Ungar wrote this verse yesterday as we readied ourselves for today’s Hands Øff rally and the work yet to come.

April 5th

I don’t know how this all turns out, 
and neither do you,
but I have to confess it doesn’t look good.
I wish we were headed
for a picnic, for a waltz in the park.  I wish 
we were not ruled by broken men
who want to damage everything
that they cannot possess.  I wish
I could tell you what we do now.
The street is littered with the petals
of cherries that bloomed before
the big wind came.  Tonight
there will be frost, and tender buds
will burn.  But still, the woods 
are unfolding into green, 
and just outside my door some frog
is bellowing for all he’s worth.
Who knows what happens next?
All I can tell you is that the fields 
are ablaze with dandelions
who have never known 
the meaning of defeat.

     Lynn Ungar 4-4-25