Invasion

Last night I noticed that the cat was transfixed by something on the floor. She usually does this: finds a bug, chases it around and stares at it, but doesn't bother to kill it (thanks, cat.) However, last night I found that she was staring at this:

That, my friends, is a desert centipede. I hate these things even more than spiders, snakes, or possibly even scorpions. Centipedes are vicious, and instead of hiding like normal bugs, will chase you. I once witnessed one eating a bat. (For another example of their destructive power, click here - not for those with the insect hebe-jeebees.) After throwing the cat across the room, I proceeded to capture the creature under a baking pan. This turned out to be a bad idea, since I didn't have anything to slide under it to enclose the beast. So, I had to let it go and capture it again under a pot lid, the whole time going, "ah! ah!" and trying not to put my hand near its scary, scary pinchers.

Living in the desert is not for the faint of heart (this is the 3rd centipede I've had to remove from a building - as well as 2 scorpions and a bat.) In my park ranger days, I had a roommate who only lasted 2 days before quitting because she was so scared of the spider population in our house.

Does anyone know how to knit a centipede trap?

A Sock and some Goats

Ooh, look, I finished something! A Sock. . . (kind of funny, since ReluctantMango and I are knitting the same socks, without any planning or discussion :)


I also sewed a totebag to cart all of my stuff back and forth to work. (Purse, lunch, water bottles, book, sweater, etc.) I used some upholstery fabric, backed with interfacing. It was my first time using interfacing, and I'm pretty sure that its coming off of the fabric. But I'll just blame that on it being from Wal-Mart.


Speaking of Wal-Mart, the other night I drove into the parking lot, parked, and noticed a goat. There was a pickup truck parked in the lot, unattended, with a GOAT standing in the bed. (Presumably tied up - I can only hope.) So, was the guy like, "Sure, I'll bring you the goat, but I just need to pick up some Bud Light at Wal-Mart first"? What was he doing with a goat anyway? What do you do with goats? Milk them? Does he drive around with a goat in his truck in case he just really needs some cheese? Sometimes I don't understand this town.

Speaking of goats, I drive by a corral of goats every day on my way to work (and sometimes sheep, cows, and horses. I know.) Well, suddenly, one day, all of the goats were gone, replaced by a horse. What happened to them? Again, what does one do with goats? I really hope it doesn't involve massive goat slaughter.

Ok, enough of that. Apparently I'm in a goat mood.

Creepy

I really like Anthropologie catalogs - even though I've never ordered anything from them, their photography and sets are always amazing, and their clothes are inspirational. I always think I'm going to knit or sew my own version of their clothes, so I have a stack of these sitting around. I just got their newest catalog in the mail - and was immediately freaked out. Is it me, or does this model look like she's going to kill you? In every picture she looks like she's plotting evil deeds. As the other member of my household put it, she looks very "Salem Witch Trial."

Anyway. Besides being haunted by images of homicial clothing models, I may have started another sock. Accidentally. I'm digging the stripe pattern - its Regia yarn I got at Maryland Sheep & Wool back in May. The yarn was deeply discounted, and even though I didn't really like the other colors, I should have bought more. Sock yarn is like that - and you sock knitters know this - you can never have too much, even if you have more socks than you can wear, and even if you "don't really like the color." And even if you live in New Mexico and wear flip-flops 8 months of the year.


Have you seen the new CROCS? I love you, Crocs.