Cooler than You: Stupid Things I Say and Do

I seem to have a growing pile of posts to put out and a dwindling amount of time . . . or well, the same amount of time buy a growing number of things consuming my every waking moment and then creeping into my dreams.  Yawn.  Insomnia has been kicking me this week.  C'est la vie. So, as I try to grapple with the article edits, papers to grade, and general chaos of a holiday month I'll give you my tribute to the Kelly Skirt . Hot damn, right? Ain't she just damn fine? I mean, just look  at that top-stitching?  How, you ask? Well . . . One double needle, two spools of gold top-stitching thread, some ginger peach tea with a splash of honey, and a bit of moxy got it done.  I recommend the same forumla for you, but feel free to change your tea choice.   I lined those pockets with some leftover Purple Plaid Thurlow Shorts material because, well, I figured if I lived in the shorts last summer I might also live in this skirt. ...

As of late I've had a strange array of students coming to me with everything from true personal nightmares to the run of the mill young 20-something reactions of life. As my seniors encroach on graduation, and they ask me about life and what I've done, and I force them to look at plan Bs, they are amused in my plan B with a Kentucky newspaper or the hilarity of my once orange hair. Okay, they love  that and enjoy the input on what not to do past graduation...so today you have a deviation, as my mind needs to unwind a bit. So, while I have a closet full of things to blog about, show off my sewing prowess, or make you drool with my newest knitted and cabled hat, I'm deviating this week. Instead, here's an odd window of what I often call my darkest hour as to cope and survive poetry and romance eases the pains and falls of reality. Sometime ago a former student wanted to know about prison teaching, as I did that once.  Ya know, college level courses in three mal...

I'm a little a late, as I was in Turkey last week and this week has been all things chaotic . . . But, in case you didn't get enough pencil love a few weeks back I certainly have some more.  What? I love a good pencil. Round two with Simplicity 9084.  A simple skirt, works with a cardi (like here), a button down, and always with boots.  Cha cha.  Has a nifty vent, and this one is made out of a soft wool blend.  I heart. Yea, the mirror with the out of town messages.  For the record, it is cleaned off now.  After photos, I know.  I did the same shortening of the short version as before because--well, ya know--I ain't no giant.  The rest . . . cut to the pattern.  Added the lining because a pencil without a lining is like coffee without the caffeine.  Just silly.  Yes? Yes.  Notice it fits slimmer this time? I didn't add any to the width, as the last is loose (a little).  Pretty nifty, if you ask me.  ...