KNIT LOUNGE

Life in a Nutshell

Only in Key West will you see a duck, an Ibis, an Iguana, a chicken and a Seagull all within 5 feet of each other. I wish I had my camera for that.  

To the 50 year old man on Duval Street wearing a black leather biker jacket, a black tutu and combat boots - you really should have shaved your legs before you went out for the night. I'm glad I did not have my camera.

Stonewall sent me this picture.

 

Do you think he is trying to tell me something?

To the couple who opted to start WW-III in the middle of the crosswalk and stopping all the traffic in the process. Thank you so much for inviting us in to your life but would you mind containing your contempt for each other to the sidwalk so the rest of us can carry on.  It's a good thing the Key West Police Mounted Patrol was only a hoof beat away.

After 20 years of humble service our mattress decided that it was over due for retirement.  Our replacement will arrive on Saturday!

I'm almost done with Horai. I never want to K3TG again.

Stonewall kindly ground the all the tips on my blocking wires to a smooth blunt finish! No more snags. I think I'll keep him.

He also rearranged our bedroom and did a pretty good job.

I have moved all of my Knitting supplies, wool and books into the Knit Lounge aka the spare room. The organizing begins.

Did you know that finding a basic electric skillet is not an item readily found in Key West?

Well now you do.

And if you are desperate for a inexpensive lampshade you can forget it. It's not going to happen either.  

I miss Wal-Mart.

Island Time

I am thoroughly convinced that Key West is permanently encased in a twisted time warp continuum. Very few things get done around here quickly or efficiently because Islanders have a very relaxed and casual attitude about everything. 

Personally, I think its the relentless and constant heat that causes this phenomenon.

The Locals or Conchs are people who have lived here for a very long time have brought this behaviour to a completely new level. 

When new comers to the Island inqure about this they are told that  "This ain't the mainland and we do things on "Island Time".  

It makes me crazy. 

 
 

Most Conchs appear to be oblivious to the fact that some people would like to take care of business and errands in a timely fashion and prefer not camp out in the Post Office, K-Mart, Wal-Greens, Ross, Bealls, Ben Frankling etcetera, etcetera.

Even if there is only one person in line ahead of me, there is always something that slows things down, especially when the employee is  acquainted with the customer, which happens more often than not. Then it becomes "Social Hour" and I have been privy to a great many conversations that I could have lived without.

For example : The other day I learned that good old Uncle Bob, who lives in Big Pine, had a nasty boil on his bottom and had to be taken to Dr. Norris to have it lanced.

It was so bad that he could not even drive himself to the Doctor's office. Poor pitiful Bob had to lay in the back seat of the car, while his ex-wife drove him there and back. Ewwww!

I have learned to cope with this infuriating Island Time behaviour by ensuring that my Kindle always goes into my purse before I leave the house. Yes, my knitting is in my purse too but sometimes the Kindle is easier to manage. Scandalous I know.

You can be sure that I make a big deal of pulling it out of my purse.  Then I'll unsnap the cover and begin to read. Of course I'll  hold nice and high so everyone can admire the pretty red leather case. 

It does not do make things go any faster but I feel that it does make a rather bold statement to those who might actually notice or care. 

Quite often I usually recieve  a few comments from others who are stranded in line with nothing to do. They are envious.

Yes, indeed I have gotten my moneys worth out of the Kindle and it's barely two months old. However, it is the only thing that keeps me from loosing my mind in Alcatraz.

Daily Constitutional

I walk three miles every evening with the exception of Saturdays. Fortunately,  I live near the sea wall and there is a four mile stretch of a very wide uninterrupted sidewalk that lends itself perfectly for fast paced walking. This is my Daily Constitutional. Mind you, I am a prissy girl and I throughly detest becoming saturated in perspiration on a daily basis but brisk walking keeps my hip from complaining and clears my mind.

My Constitutional takes me right past to the East Martello Museum, which is the home of Robert the Doll, a supposedly a haunted toy that once belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an author.

  

Quite frankly this little fellow gives me the creeps and I have no desire to visit with him.  However, I would not have him think that I am a rude person so each evening I wave politely at his front porch as I walk past.     

I'm sure Passersby think I'm a little off when they catch me waving at a building but I think it is best to be respectful of things that go bump in the night.

After all good manners have never failed me yet!

Should I?

 
..... .Yes, I think I will. And you dear reader will be subjected to trival bits of Key West life with my knitting adventures on "The Rock" thrown in for good measure. By the way, "The Rock" is a  nickname that the locals have loving bestowed on this particular Key.  

 However, I  tend to think of Key West as Alcatraz with the crappiest K-Mart on the planet. Now don't get me wrong. I'm thankful to have one but the customer service leaves something to be desired. When the rare occasion comes around and I am forced to make a return to the customer service desk, I always bring my Kindle because its going to take forever. Anyone who lives here will confirm that. I can read three or four chapters before the hassle begins. Fun times. I digress.

Now, I suppose  a proper introduction of sorts is in order. In 2004 I taught myself to knit and found my niche. I became enthralled with sock knitting  ever since, learned that sweater knitting is not as bad as it used to be, and have became quite passionate about lace knitting. You should see my wardrobe and my stash.

Four years ago I lived in Arizona with my beloved husband, Mr. Stonewall Jackson and our only son, Tech Boy. One day we decided to pack up our stuff, sell the house  and return to his roots in Florida and we landed in Stuart for a while. After a year of looking for work as a Network Administrator,  Stonewall landed an excellent government job in Key West FL.  

At first the thought of moving to balmy Key West caused me great anxiety since I'm a perpetual knitter. So what on earth was I going to do in the Southernmost part of the United States. Well the answer came quickly enough, shawls keep your shoulders from developing frost bite from the non stop frigid Air Conditioning and cotton tops since finding small clothing sizes here is next to impossible. And on occasion I escape Alcatraz and fly home to Richmond in the winter months so I can enjoy wearing a newly made hand knit sweater and a pair of socks.

After living here for a few years I've been blessed to make a wack of great friends who knit. I supposed life down here is pretty good after all. 

So join me every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for endless idiotic dribble on the Southernmost Point in the good old USA.

In the meantime Knit on, dear friends, knit on!