Sarah's Day: August Heat and Fiber, Running and Driving

Well, August came upon me in a big way. I wasn’t even expecting it and all of a sudden I was in the middle of it.

It’s been such a busy month. And September plans to be no different. Only I hope the humidity can settle down a bit.

I started the month at Stitches Midwest with Julie—and we didn’t get one selfie. Jeepers I am losing my touch. But just because we didn’t get a selfie doesn’t mean that we didn’t have a wonderful, wonderful time.

Stitches Midwest is MUCH different than West. First of all, it’s spacious and roomy and manageable. There are great places to eat nearby—within walking distance AND in the hotel. Oh, and did I mention at a reasonable cost? I saw some local people I know which was super fun. The rooms were so, so nice and I was able to afford a single room. I took a really good class about the Anatomy of Yarn. I learned so much. There were a ton of spots to sit and knit with plenty of widows and light. I plan to return next year for SURE. Did I mention the market? Not as big as West but that was ok because I was still able to spend too much money!

Beautiful hotel.

We were able to see our friends from West though……..

Julie pointed out there was a TV in the bathroom mirror. A mixture of creepy and fabulous.

My view of Schaumberg Il. There are a LOT of tolls to get here but it was an easy and nice drive. It was also hot there. Hot and muggy. The story of my life.

Our empty bar for Saturday dinner!

And seriously good food.

There was lots of yarn and fabulous fiber just down the hall FYI-

I bought the kit AND the book. My biggest spend. Can’t wait to knit it and my goal is to wear it to West.

A little sampling of the market---

There was so much more. AND they had quilting and sewing too which I think I will take a class in that next year. I love it. I tried to get some fashion show pics but they didn’t turn out well. The fashion show is on a raised platform instead of in a theater and we thought that was a much better venue. We could sit closer and see better.

So—we left on a fiber high. I dropped Julie at the airport and headed back home.

The next weekend I ran the annual Western Days Stampede. It’s a trail race and I’m getting better. I was a minute faster than last year AND I didn’t fall down. Win-win. The weather cooperated and wasn’t chokingly humid.

Start

and Finish

Weekend three found us driving up to Grand Forks-—

or more accurately Veselyville

We spent a nice weekend chillaxing with Blane and Melanie doing nothing which was just fine with me.

Pen Pen and Squirrely Bird

Flat views and corn

It’s hazy due to the fires in Canada. But not too bad. We got there Saturday and left Monday. I took more naps in those three days than I’ve taken in months. But it was much needed and very relaxing. I was hoping to get up there Friday but Dave didn’t get the day off. Oh well, next time.

Thursday was Laura’s birthday so we had dinner on Wednesday at her place. And again, I have no pictures of people but I was VERY intrigued by a chicken casually walking up on the deck to partake of some cat food.

Say What?

And I could not leave without some pics of these girls--

Are you talking to me?

And babies, lots and lots of babies.

The population has tripled since our last stay there…..

Happy Birthday to my Blog Muse! I was looking for the famous Laura picture of her carrying a calf but I found this one called Laura and Gargantua. I think this is possibly related to the fact that the calf was huge but it cracked me up and deserves a repeat in the blog—

Happy Birthday!!

Finally, last weekend was the Scheels Health Human Half. Ugh. It wasn’t as hot but the dew point was up in the mid 60’s. I can’t even. My time was 2:14:47. I can’t seem to finish it up anymore. I am losing my strength early and I don’t know why. I need to research better training or something. I had my doubts about this race since all my half marathons have been going off the rails this summer. I was pretty demoralized but oh well. As the pacer said when she was trying to pass me “At least you are out here running”. Yes, but running so much more slowly than two years ago. I am discouraged. And next week I have the half in Virginia and it looks to be even hotter and more humid than ever—high of 85, dew points have been up in the upper 60’s. Maybe stormy which will likely add to the moisture. I have already got a poor attitude about that. I told Cody that if it’s truly that hot I’ll be running a mile and a half, then walking a half. mile, rinse and repeat. There’s not way I can tolerate running in that for 13.1 miles.

BUT—I did get out and run the race and I did finish and Cathy did a great job and we had our ritual post race bloody which was the best part of the whole dang day.

So that’s why I haven’t gotten much done around here-and next month is the trip to VA and then Scotland!! Woot woot. I can’t wait. I’ll have better hair and my teeth are fixed. Way too much fun.

I forgot to mention that I voted in the primary and I hope you all did too-

Miscellanous thoughts--

It’s been hazy here as mentioned before

Manny has been holding his water quite well for the past 3 or so days. Of course, we’ve been here letting him out on a regular basis. But I was checking out some solutions at Pet Smart the other day….