FALL COLOR

VIRGINIA CREEPER

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

The first Fall color around here is not even a tree. A climbing vine known as Virginia Creeper turns a brilliant red several weeks before the tree leaves turn color.


Like poison ivy, Virginia Creeper grows on the ground until or unless it finds a tree to climb.

Known also as Woodbine, it is frequently confused with poison ivy but having 5 leaves, it does not fit the old saw "beware leaves of three".

It is indigenous to the entire Eastern United States.

JS

Hog Clips for a Loom

Many people have asked me for more details on how I used the hog clips to reduce the waste when warping my loom. The following are some pics and an explanation. Please use the comments option at the end for questions or comments so I don't have to dredge through all the news groups and listserves.



This pic shows the 3/8" clips and the special pliers with a clip inserted ready to use. The clips come in several sizes but I find 3/8" just right for a bundle of 25 2/6 warps.

Here we see a view of the rear beam and how I use the clips to prevent the warp from slipping around the smooth steel rod. This problem is likely unique to my design and may not be necessary for more conventional looms.

This is a view of the front beam tied off , tensioned and ready to start weaving.
The bundle is divided roughly in half and a line is passed through the space and in front of the clip. It is brought back over the beam and under the roller. It is wrapped a few turns around the head of a wood screw in the roller and a piece of scotch tape is used to prevent it from unwinding.

As can be seen, the yarn wasted is less than two inches.

The clips and tool can be purchased from Allied Kenko among many other places.

Any questions... comments?

js

BAMBI

This is one of those pictures that really needs no words other than to say it is one of the joys of living in the country to look out a window and see something like this.

On the other hand, when I posted this picture of what we have to do to enjoy flowers around here, someone suggested that it looked like a concentration camp for tulips.

SUNFLOWER MYSTERY

Marilyn has been trying to grow sunflowers for years and is clearly pleased with this one.

The sheep seems a bit bored with the whole thing but they have their own program.

Year after year, she has planted seeds of all sorts and nothing but runts are ever produced.

We haven't a clue what went right with this one but she planted several groups of seeds in this pumpkin patch and these two are the only ones more than a foot high.













This planting in the park is more typical of what we come up with.

An idea of the puny size can be gaged from the fact that they are only about twice as tall as the Zinias in the same planting.

The seed for these came from the same package as the above.

So, let's hear from the sunflower lovers of the world. What are we missing? What could possibly explain this strange experience?

.......................


And then, what do you think of the blogging idea?

After doing this the other way for ten years, maybe I am just getting bored.

One obvious advantage is that anyone with a comment or question does not have to go back to the newgroup or mail list to post it. So what? You tell me.

Thanks,

js