My latest top down hat.

I finished the hat on the bottom on November 21st. I did the siding of this hat with a k2, p2 ribbing all the way down. I used a wool blend sock weight yarn stranded with mercerized cotton crochet thread size 10. I used a size b (U.S.) crochet hook for the crochet part. I used size 5 U.S. needles to knit the ribbing.

I made the hat on the top about two months ago for my son. That one is basic stockinette stitch from the edge/top down to about the ears and k2, p2 ribbing for the last couple of inches. I used Lyon Brand Homespun yarn. The crochet part was made with a size H (U.S.) crochet hook and size 7 U.S. knitting needles.

Both hats start with crochet. The method requires two measurements. The first is the width of the head. The second is the length of the hat.

Materials required:

1 crochet hook

1 pair of circular knitting needles

enough yarn to make the hat (less than one skein usually)

1 safety pin or other stitch marker

Crochet instructions

Ch 2.

Rnd 1 - sc 4 x in 2nd ch from hook. put marker or safety pin in 4th st., sl st in 1st st. (4 st)

Rnd 2 - ch 1, sc in same st., sc 2x in next st., sc, sc 2x in last st., place marker in last st, sl st in 1st st of rnd. (6 st)

Rnd 3 - ch 1, sc 2x in same st, sc 2x in next 5 sts. place marker in last st., sl st in 1st st. (12 st)

Rnd 4 - ch 1, sc in same st. sc 2x in next st., *sc, sc 2x* 5x, move marker, sl st in 1st st (18 st)

Rnd 5 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc, sc 2x in next st, *sc in next 2 st, sc 2x* 5 x, move marker, sl st in 1st st. (24 st).

keep adding one sc to each round for each of the 6 sides until the hat is the width you measured. You should end up with a diameter slightly longer than 3x the width.

If you want to follow a crochet pattern to finish the hat, this will be the foundation row for the pattern you choose to follow.

To start knitting with crochet hook pull loop through each st as if to sc. do not complete the stitch. Transfer the stitches to the circular knitting needles. (I typically transfer 5 stitches at a time from the hook to the needles.)

This will be the foundation row for the knit part of the hat. Follow whatever pattern you like to finish the hat up.

@ Cathleen Bang Anderson 2009

Adverse reactions to medications

I have had to help my sister get medical care to deal with adverse reactions to medications twice in less than a month.

The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.

* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!

Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.

* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!

Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.

* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.

* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY

Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.

If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.

9-11 memories

This is the anniversary of the downing of the two World Trade towers.

One of the planes did not make the intended target because the brave passengers stopped them.

More than 3000 people died that day. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries and are still coping with those today. The economic, medical and emotional losses are still horrendous.

This is a good day to focus on how we can each take small steps to improve our own lives. Changes can be like ripples in a pond. Once change can influence others to make changes in their own lives.

Random acts of kindness can and often do make huge differences.

Fibery Co-Op

Fibery Co-Op members are talented, resourceful folk, and many have products and goods available that will make your world of fiber far, far more fun and productive.

So, The Fibery Co-Op will offer a selection of goodies, a different Fluff 'N' Stuff collection, perhaps 6 times a year. The Fluff 'N' Stuff menu link to the left will lead you to the current collection's page, and, when the box is for sale, there will be a link there to the shopping cart.

All proceeds from the sale of Fluff 'N' Stuff Collections will be sent in the name of The Fibery Co-Op to Heiffer International to help families around the world achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training.

If you want to be included in the next collection, contact

jackie@fibers.downinthecountry.com

The spoon theory.

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

The author does a really good job of demonstrating what it is like to live with disability.

New lyrics for a hymn

My daughter belongs to Job's Daughters. They almost always close their meetings with the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers".

I have always loved the music for this song. The words however, I find extremely offensive.So, keeping in mind that this is a girls group, is my first verse.

I do claim copyright in the words.

Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.
Parents, guardians, friends, hand in hand we go
Many different cultures, all as one in peace.

Forward faithful daughters, walking on towards peace.
To the future adventures, go we forth to live.

Another cure for the deficit

I'm not the only person who has proposed this. I've been suggesting it since the 1980s.

Legalize and tax both prostitution and marijuana. I believe that would contribute towards solving a number of issues including state and federal deficits. Criminal gangs would have two fewer sources of income. Since prostitution would be regulated once legalized, it would likely help reduce human trafficking, abuse and spread of STDs.