non-knitting thoughts on the world.

It's not often I jump into a subject publicly that is likely to push a lot of buttons. I, in fact, tend to avoid controversy wherever possible. Other people's beliefs and lives are not my business to comment upon. However, sometimes things pass by me that make me realize that I am one of the few left that feel this way.

I read a news story this morning covering the controversy about Kathy Griffin saying 'suck it Jesus' at the Emmy's. Christian groups across the country have taken up arms against her and E! Television for not censoring it. Full story here.

What god I believe in is irrelevant, and I would not have said what she said. But not everyone in this country believes in Jesus. Atheists do not believe in Jesus. Jews do not believe in Jesus. Muslims do not believe in Jesus. Scientologists do not believe in Jesus. Why is it that there is a section of the Christian population in the US that believes that everything should be scrubbed of anything that smacks of non-Christian beliefs? (Please note that I am not including the entire Christian population of the US in this. Those that belong to the live-and-let-live school that I myself belong to have my utmost respect and admiration.)

It sounds trite, but this country was founded by those escaping religious persecution. In our laws are the rights to free speech and freedom of religion. If I could get up in front of an awards show audience and say, "I would like to thank Jesus for this award." There should be no reason I can't get up and say, "I would like to give no thanks whatsoever to any deity or demigod at all for this award." Which is, more or less what Kathy said, only perhaps a bit more crassly. She's a comedienne, who has made her career from being crass. The fact that she said something crass should not surprise us or be limited to certain venues.

I just think that more people should think about the fact that everyone's beliefs are different before opening their mouth. Including Kathy. But censorship is not the answer.

Peace.

(Knitting content will be following soon)

Getting into this...

Slowly but surely I am working my way towards more consistent posting. For now, forgive pauses between posts. Since my last post I have gone on vacation to Bar Harbor with my husband and the in-laws, canned 50 lbs of peaches (fresh peach salsa) and 150 lbs of tomatoes (tomato sauce) with my canning partner in crime, and oh yeah did I mention I'm working on my PhD?

Knitting has been extremely plentiful recently, and I finished (and gifted) the 'baby shower object'. It's a beautiful baby blanket, all in white with purple and pink animals added in duplicate stitch, a modification of a vintage pattern (bedtime story from FreeVintageKnitting.com) I fell in love with. Only problem is, I finished it whilst on vacation, and blocked it the night before the shower...and *gasp* forgot to take a picture of it. As soon as the recipient gets a chance, she's going to take a pic for me. That's what best friends are for.

I have also finished my first ever sock for me, knit from the universal toe-up sock formula on Knitty. I'm using sport weight acrylic (I know, 'ewwwwwww') because it's washable and cheap and I've got a ton of it. (Did I mention it's cheap?) But the first sock is done, and the second one is in progress.

I have also...ok, if I've accomplished this much knitting, it's been too long since I last posted....nearly finished my Caroline from Berroco. I am working on the neck now, and I am totally in love with this sweater. It's cute, it (so far) fits well (I tried on most of it whilst seaming), it was easy to do and the material that the Zen yarn makes is so fascinating. So far I love love love it, it will be interesting to see how wearable it is. Ribb

Finally, I am super excited because I finally bought Charlene Schurch's 'Sensational Knitted Socks' book. I have read it cover to cover at least twice. I want to make every possible combination, I want to make pairs of socks for me and pairs of socks for friends. I want to start now Now NOW! But I am forcing myself to do a few other things first. Until then, I just leaf through it and look at all the things that could be.

I promise pictures and more details on all of the above in the next few days.

What's next? Binary from Knitty - for my dad for Christmas. (Shhhh, don't tell him) Then, maybe, I'll let myself knit a pair of socks from Schurch's book. With *real* sock yarn. yay!

For now, I should head back to my school work.