Hollywould Knits

Arivaca

Holly — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:03:04 +0000

You know, I haven’t posted about the week I spent in Arivaca because I really don’t know how to get it all down without it being a huge jumble. That week was hard but it was also one of the most gratifying weeks I’ve ever spent doing anything. I was up at the crack of dawn and asleep at dark. I spent the mornings and late afternoons hiking the migrant trails and dropping supplies and looking for people. That’s the hardest part to grasp and the one thought that was constantly in the back of my head: I was hunting people. Looking for signs of life. Looking for signs of distress. Looking for dead. That was the stressful part and the part I pushed to the back. Every time we went out there was the possibility of finding people in terrible shape or dead. There were signs of life everywhere: pants, shoes, backpacks, empty water jugs, food wrappers, bean cans…under a tree littered with debris someone left tea towels that someone had spent hours cross stitching and hooking crochet borders. Those personal artifacts brought the back of the mind thoughts right to the front. That desert crossing is such a desperate journey. The fear in the faces of the migrants we came upon was heartbreaking. We did what we could with food, water and medical help and then cheered them on if they decided to keep at it. That’s all we had - supplies and well wishes and hopes that they made it safely.

As hard as it was I felt useful out there. Probably for the first time in my life I had a sense of purpose. I woke up every morning ready to go. Motivated, and I don’t do mornings. I’ve been working on a plan to get back there. I am definitely going back next summer but hopefully I can work out something more permanent in the future. For now we are going to gather migrant supplies and ship them out to Tucson over the winter and keep our fingers crossed that we won’t be needed next year at all because people no longer have to cross the desert. Now that’s a pretty thought, isn’t it?

Purpley goodness

Holly — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:48:56 +0000

I have a finished object! Purple footie socks in Colinette Jitterbug.

I am really rather surprised I finished these and in less than a week. I have been in some sort of knit funk lately. I knit one lonely sock out of some Trekking but can’t get into the pair. I started knitting the latest sock club sock and frogged it. (You know, I’ve only knit one sock club sock this year. One. Not a pair, one sock. The green one.) Just didn’t feel like doin’ it, so I figured short socks would be the thang. And, it occurred to me that I don’t wear tall socks so why in the hell am I knitting tall socks and tall socks only? I think it’s partly cheapness on my part. I don’t want to waste the rest of the hank by going short. That’s why the Jitterbug worked out ‘cos I’ve got size 10 feet and those hanks of yarn are short. So there ya have it. My lazy, cheapass knit a complete pair of socks this week. Now I am going to try and knit that Trekking match, although I do have some Shibui knits calling my name. It’s pretty purpley too. Maybe that’s my problem? Not enough purple? Onward.

I drive smart

Holly — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:05:44 +0000

So y’all know that I took delivery of my smart car, right? I got the call while I was in Arizona that it was in and I needed to come get it. So the Monday after I got back I did just that. I love this car. Love it. It is my favorite out of all the cars I’ve owned and they are totally catching on in Atlanta. Proof? I walk out the house last night and what do I see? Another smart pulling up behind mine.

The pic is wonk because I didn’t take it. I asked for a simple picture, for the blog, but ended up with my house, complete with house number, and my fat ass in the pic, too. So I ever so artfully cropped that fucker. Anyway, that’s me in the blue and the other dude in the black. I’d say good taste all the way around…except for the photographer who will be getting a lesson in “just snap the fucking picture from the front steps like I asked god dammit” later. Living with Hollay is such a joy!

Could it be?

Holly — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:47:42 +0000

I may have found a new ugly cardigan pattern! Although, it isn’t ugly - can Martin Storey do ugly? But it is boxy and something I could throw on with my pajamas to run errands in.

It was first published in Rowan Magazine 34 but it’s been updated in Rowan 44 using Cocoon since the original yarn has been discontinued. It’s not in the mag itself but is, or will be if Rowan ever gets the new site launched, a free download. So imagine it in black or grey or some other dark and dreary color…you have to kind of squint or get up real close to the pic like you do with those 3-D pictures. I have high hopes people! High hopes!

Oh yeah - I stole the pic from here, since, well, fucking Rowan’s website isn’t updated.

Quick side note: I think the dude across the street is totally porking the Zoo Keeper next door who, might I add still hasn’t fixed the gaping holes in her house. Curious.

Testes…testes…1, 2, 3…is this thing on?

Holly — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:40:08 +0000

‘Kay, so I am the suck where blogging is concerned. In my defense my summer has been crazy busy. I am about to leave for the beach but wanted to post a quick note to let y’all know what the latest busy has been. The Girl has been doing Girls’ Rock Camp Atlanta all week which culminated in her stage debut last night. Y’all, her band was so good! All the bands were good but you know how it is. Check it:

And now I am off to lay on my ass and drink beer…so the usual just in a new location.

Like a bad penny

Holly — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:43:52 +0000

I’m back. Got back early fucking early Friday morning. Drove through from Amarillo. Never thought I’d say so but that may be the home to the nicest people on earth. I’ve got lots to tell but don’t know where exactly to start. Suffice it to say I am forever changed. Later.

Twitter

Holly — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:54:19 +0000

Steve West here folks, our regular is out in the desert. She gave me permission and the password to post that her wise husband has shown her twitter and she’s posting to it. Her name on there is also hollywouldknits, I picked that one out, smart huh?

She and her sister are in the desert getting ready to head out to do what they’re going to do. I did warn her about the Kool Aid and to pour it out then wait for everyone to fall asleep.

Well that’s it, I’m outta here, got more freelance work to do and my own blog to post on.

I see dead things

Holly — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:40:44 +0000

A final shot before my departure:

That would be the mummified remains of a squirrel that I found in the backyard this evening. I went out to give the compost a spin and noticed the dogs huddled around something only to discover “the dead thing”. The Fat Beagle was about to give it a lick, another reason I am thankful that dog doesn’t lick faces or hands or anything else besides his phantom balls and his ass - oh and now dead stuff. That dog will give anything a taste. Dude, that squirrel is dried out and not De-Con dry but dead lying in the hot Atlanta sun dry. I don’t know if it dropped from a tree - there was a big ruckus in the limbs overhead earlier and something dropped, or if the poor schmoes doing clean up on the shitbox rental threw it over the fence. You know which thing I really suspect so I don’t have to say it out loud. Okay, I’ll say it out loud: I think those fuckers threw it over the fence! RUDE!

p.s. I still haven’t packed anything but I have a plan. Probably not a solid plan but a plan just the same.

Real quick

Holly — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:29:44 +0000

I have finished knits to show on the fly. First, the Casino Shawl. This is a late Mother’s Day gift to Moms, but late is better than never where handknits are concerned. Especially cashmere handknits. This took around 1000 yards of Jade Sapphire 2-ply Mongolian Cashmere. The pattern is a little ticky but I got it done and am happy with the result. I wanted this shawl to have a heavier feel for chilly nights on the deck and things - I don’t really see it as a shawl to wear “out”.

I had folded it before the photos so forgive the creases. That’s Sis posing for me. I blocked that sucker at night and it’s hard hard hard to do right with blocking wires and brown yarn so the points are a little wonky, but whatev. It’s done. FINALLY!

Next I finished the Meheeco Socks, just like, 2 minutes ago. You get pics and I gotta get my ass off to packing. I am getting pretty nervous about this whole thing, truth be told, but I am definitely in. Cross your fingers that something doesn’t eat me.

Friday the 13th?

Holly — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:31:45 +0000

Today, I received the most awesomeness news! My smartcar delivery is imminent! I received this email:
“I just received some great news from the Smart Car Headquarters. The production status of your Smart Car has been upgraded to Status “D”. That may not mean much to you at the moment, but for me it’s very exciting. That means your vehicle is now being shipped from Hambach, France to the U.S. port and soon we will get to personally serve you. I will keep you informed of any status changes. If, before you hear from me you have any questions, you are more than welcome to make direct inquiries through www.smartusa.com or call 1-800-smartusa. You will find them more than willing to address any detailed questions or concerns.

Thanks again for you trust and confidence.”

I left off the pertinents, but i also received a phone call from the emailer on my home phone making sure I still want the car. Hell yeah I want the motherfucking car! I can’t wait for the motherfucking car! Friday the 13th couldn’t be bettah fo’ me! I am hoping to take delivery when I get home from the desert. Stay tuned!