Long car rides, like the one to Gettysburg, make for great knitting opportunities.  I finished a pair of socks on the way down - just in time to make 9 finished pairs by the end of June.  These also make my first finished pair for Summer of Socks 09.

These are for my sister-in-law, Jen.  Her birthday was a few weeks ago so technically they are late.  But since she didn’t know I was making them, I figure it’s okay.  Plus, this is her first ever pair of handknit socks and I think she’ll find they were worth waiting for.

I cannot remember what the yarn is.  I know I didn’t buy it so it was either from a swap or it was an outright gift from a reader.  I’m pretty sure it was handdyed by the sender and I wish I could remember who gave it to me.  It’s gorgeous!  The colors didn’t pool at all and it knit up beautifully.

Happy Birthday, Jen!  Wear ‘em in good health!

Last Friday was Dale’s birthday and I took him to his favorite place for the weekend.  Gettysburg.  It’s a long drive, especially when there is traffic in Connecticut and New York, but it was worth it to see Dale enjoy it so much.  He must have thanked me more than a dozen times.

It sure is photogenic there. The fields are gorgeous this time of year, full of greens and browns.

The monuments are plentiful and some, like this one for the Pennsylvania units, are truly spectacular.  And huge!  Dale climbed up all the steps to take in the view from above but I stayed on the ground below and took more pictures.

This monument overlooks Devil’s Den from Little Round Top. I think it’s a great reminder of what those officers saw back in July 1863. Death and destruction in such a beautiful setting.

As we were driving through the battlefield I spied this red headed woodpecker in flight.  First he landed on a nearby tree and then he flew over and landed on this monument.  What a fantastic sight - I was so happy to capture this shot as we don’t have these birds in Southeastern Massachusetts.

This coming weekend is the big 146th reenactment but the place was already crawling with reenactors.  This Confederate unit was set up at Spangler’s Spring.  They put on a great educational program for the spectators.

But I really prefer to see the fields without the people.  The Wheatfield was the spot of a terribly bloody battle although you’d never know it to see it now.  I can’t help but think about it when I’m standing there, though.  All those men.  Dead.  Such a waste.

It’s important that we remember what happened there.  We must pay tribute and study and understand how fragile our union truly is  so that we never let something like a civil war happen again.

The theme for Ten on Tuesday this week is 10 Guilty Pleasures on TV.  Thank goodness it isn’t a sports theme again.  TV is a subject I can get behind.

1. Everybody Loves Raymond.  I can watch the same episodes over and over again and I never tire of them.

2. Days of Our Lives.  I’ve watched this soap since I was a kid and even though I stop watching now and again something always draws me back.

3. The View.  No one argues hot topics like this bunch.

4. Ghosthunters.  My favorite part is when they turn off all the lights.

5. As the World Turns.  Another soap.  Pathetic, I know.

6. South Park.  I’ve kind of gotten out of the habit of watching this since it’s not on at a time that I tend to be looking for something to watch but it still cracks me up.

7. Alias.  I can watch season 1 over and over.

8. America’s Funniest Videos.  There’s nothing quite like seeing someone get whacked in the crotch to make you laugh.

9. Army Wives.  Just another soap, if I’m being honest.

10. Wife Swap.  Although, now that it’s not on Monday nights anymore, I don’t get to indulge.

I do watch a lot of television I suppose, but how else do you think I have time to knit all those socks?

So the Buffett concert was awesome.  Again.  I feel like I never get tired of this.  How could I tire of all this good fun?  Think I’m exaggerating?  Just look at these pictures.

People bring their living room furniture for tailgating.  Fun!

Dale says he only goes for my sake but I think he’s lying.  Look at that smile.  Fun!

This is my sister-in-law, Jen.  This was her first Buffett concert.  That’s a very unique kind of fun.

Fins up!  Even on trucks.  Fun!

This girl was our neighbor to the right.  She brought lots of jello shots to share.  Fun!

And this guy was our neighbor across the way.  He learned to play ladder croquet and forgot his job troubles in the process.  That’s good.  And fun!

Pirates.  They are naturally fun.   Well, at least the pretend ones are.

Palm trees, hula hoops, Hawaiian shirts.  All fun!

Get my point?

I had this fantasy that the skies would miraculously clear when we pulled into the parking lot yesterday for the Jimmy Buffett concert.  It wasn’t quite that dramatic but it was still pretty good.   More about the concert on Monday.

Have a great weekend.  Fins up!

I’m not going to tell you where I’m going today but I am going to give you some clues.  Here’s all you need to know:

1. There was a hint in Monday’s post.

2. I’ve been twice before and loved it.

3. There will be tequila and cheeseburgers.

4. There will be singing about these.  Sort of.

Can you figure it out?

What comes the day after a post about the cat?  A day of random posts, of course.

~You only have until the end of this week to donate to Claudia’s MS Ride.  There are some fabulous prizes available and Claudia sure could use your support.

~Hannah got her Learner’s Permit yesterday.  If you are a driver in the Southeastern MA area - watch out.

~The Bristow Sweater for Lois is coming along nicely.  I’ve finished the back and the two fronts and I’m working on the sleeves.  These sleeves seem quite full to me.  I even went down a size and they are still rather full.  I hope it works out okay in the end.

~The rainy weather continues.  It’s supposed to be better late this afternoon or tomorrow.  I sure hope so as I think I’m starting to grow mold around the edges.

What’s random in your world?

Ten on Tuesday this week is 10 Favorite Sports Plays Ever.  Me and sports - not so much.  I couldn’t even think of one favorite sports play.  What’s a blogger to do when she doesn’t have a post?  Post a picture of the cat, of course.

Here is Mason.  You may notice that he is lying on my Felted Project Bag.  MY bag.  He has commandeered it for himself and naps on it every chance he gets.  A long long time ago I knit him a felted kitty bed.  He ignored it.  But my bag - my NORMA bag -  that he just loves.

Typical cat.

On Friday, Sunflowerfairy left a comment, as she often does.  She complimented me on the strawberry photo and then said, “Have great adventures this weekend! I can’t wait to read about them on Monday.”  Talk about pressure!  I thought all weekend about what I could possibly show that would look remotely like an adventure.    I think I came up with a couple of things.

On Friday afternoon we went to see Angels and Demons.  It was great.  We came home and spent the rest of the evening on the deck, eating more of those grilled shrimp and just hanging out.

On Saturday Dale had 2 band jobs.  The first one was in the afternoon and I opted to stay home and hang out and knit.  I spent the better part of the day trying to get photos of our resident hummingbirds.

After lots and lots of pictures of the feeder without birds, I finally got this one.  Hooray.

Saturday evening was Dale’s second band job and I went with him.  It was an oldies night at a local social club and there were costumes and old cars and stuff.

I liked the yellow ‘57 Pontiac Chieftain the best.

Sunday being Father’s Day it was all up to Dale.

Lobster, corn and beer.  I’m glad he has good taste.  And I’m glad he shares, too.

And that’s my weekend recap.  I hope the adventures were exciting enough for Heidi and the rest of you!

The local strawberries are ready - and delicious - despite the cool temperatures and persistent rain.
Have a great weekend!