Daily Vocabulary: Mawkish

Mawkish
Adjective

1. Excessively and objectionably sentimental. See Synonyms at sentimental.
2. Sickening or insipid in taste.
[From Middle English mawke, maggot, variant of magot; see maggot.]

Sarah's mawkish acquaintance constantly encourages her to "grieve the loss of her dreams of natural childbirth," despite the fact that Sarah's son is almost two, and Sarah is still madly in love with the anesthesiologist.

Have You Noticed?

The days are getting shorter.

Off to Black Sheep

And visiting with Fabulous Julie and Ross!

When I come back: true tales of my trip to the peninsula! Some finished projects! The DBA who didn't!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

By Any Other Name

It's Audience Participation Friday here at Zeitgeist!

This has been bothering me for a while now, but I can't seem to arrive at any coherent conclusion about what it means. Every time I hear a news story about the Democratic presidential candidates, the men are referred to by either their full names (John Edwards) or simply their surnames (Obama) - but Hillary Clinton is always just "Hillary." I was actually startled today to hear her referred to as "Mrs. Clinton," and while I can't claim to follow political reporting 24/7, I do think my reaction is indicative of how rarely her surname is used lately.

So, what I want to know, is what does it mean? Is she Hillary to avoid reminding people of Bill Clinton? If so, is it because of the bad feeling toward presidential dynasties, or to soothe the people who still can't get over the White House blow job?

Or is it a way to belittle her? In a man's profession, she's just Hillary. Just a woman. Doesn't belong, can't compete. If you know me at all, you know my opinions about misogyny being alive and well in America today - it shouldn't surprise you that I think this the more likely explanation.

And let's not forget the jarring "Mrs. Clinton." Not "Ms," no, and let's not fail to remind the world that she's married. Chattel. Property. I think this one feeds into the mindset that she's really only running so Bill Clinton can have another couple terms.

Okay, so I guess I have pretty much made my mind up, but I want to hear what you all think. Leave me a comment with your thoughts - if it's interesting enough, I'll send you something pretty!

Good job, boss - contests always bring 'em outta the woodwork!

A Few Finished Projects

I haven't really been feeling the blog for a while; I've had an attack of unbloggables. It all started with the Supreme Court Virginia Tech Jerry Falwell Mother's Day my mom's yarzheit. Maybe some day I'll be able to write about all those things in the manner they deserve, but for now, I'll just show you some knitting:


The February Baby Sweater from Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann

This is for my friend Holly's daughter, Bronwyn. I just barely finished it in time for the baby shower (back in March!), where it was suitably admired.



I've also finished a Fake Isle Hat:



This was my first major colorwork project, and I really enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to do more. (Good thing I liked it - I have the yarn for several more colorwork projects already!)

I finished spinning a few things. (Quite a while ago now, but who ever accused me of being prompt?)


Spring Breeze 100% Merino, Navajo-plied

I spun this single when I was first learning, before I knew that beginners shouldn't spin Merino. I didn't make nearly the mess of it I expected, and plying hides a multitude of sins. I'm very happy with this yarn; it's wonderfully soft and squishy. It's hovers around Aran weight.




Seattle Garden, three-ply merino/mystery wool

This is the leftover from the Spring Breeze plied with the last of the grey mystery wool that came with my wheel. It's roughly worsted weight.

Remiss

My latest installment of the Funky Carolina Fiber Club came in the mail today, and I realized that I've been terrible about posting at all photos of my loot. Everything is four ounces except the Merino/Bamboo, which is six.


L-R: Sea Salt 60/40 Merino/Bamboo; Fiore BFL; Mystic Superwash Merino from the Zen String Fiber Club

Angelina also has a sock yarn club and an experimental yarn club; subscriptions are quarterly. I've just renewed my fiber club membership for another three months.


T-B: Delilah BFL; Sunkissed Superwash Merino; April Showers Merino from the Funky Carolina Fiber Club

Carrie is still putting cute little cards in with every shipment, and they come packaged in bright tissue paper - what's not to love? I've just renewed this one for another three months as well.


L-R: Dandy Lion Superwash Merino; Strawberry Fields Corriedale; Nightshade Coopworth Sliver from the Spunky Eclectic Fiber Club

Amy's club is a monthly subscription through p*yp*l, and I have to say, it's nice not to worry about it lapsing. I think she and I have very different color sense; I never would have put some of her combinations together, but I haven't been disappointed by any of them.

I think I join clubs because no one would ever let me into theirs when I was a kid - it's a way of proving to myself that I'm no longer a loser, or at least, that I'm a loser with lots of company.

And, yes, I realize I've now proven that I haven't actually spun any of my club fluff, but that's because I have the never-ending sock yarn on the wheel still. I'm really excited to finish that and get to some of these lovelies.

Oh Noes!

We're all out of bar fruit, and I don't know when I'll get to Trader Joe's to pick up more. Looks like a steady diet string cheese and water from the monkey bottle for my kid for the near future.