Wyoming Breezes

"Stormy" 1999 by Nancy Glazier Oil painting on Belgian Linen The National Wildlife Art Museum in Jackson is filled with dynamic paintings, among which were two, realistic, bison paintings that appear to be photographs. "Chief" 1997 by Robert Bateman Acrylic on Canvas Staring down an open corridor between galleries, "Chief" (a life-size painting) commands the viewer to stop and study the detail. A plaque on the side states that Bateman spent many hours studying bison in the field. Bateman is quoted, "I was after a dynamic shift, when the life-hand side of the picture is the place where the subject originates. It's like an oncoming locomotive. The tension increases as you move from left to right. This particular guy is at Elk Island Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada." You can take a virtual tour of the museum here .

Peppermint Twist , a Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket, was started in Washington right after Christmas and now is on its way to Texas. This blanket will be knit with only red and white yarn. I prefer themes that dictate the colors used in the blankets. Update : April 3, 2012

Outdoor Market Tokyo, Japan Spring 1980 I loved shopping in Japan, especially in Tokyo's bustling, outdoor markets where the stores were packed with interesting items. These markets were open long into the evening. Since I served on the Overseas Education Association (OEA) board, I was fortunate to visit Tokyo several times for meetings during my two years in Japan. Trains did not travel from Misawa to Tokyo while I was in Japan, so the OEA representatives from Misawa flew stand-by on the military transports.

Fiesta , a new Western Region Oddball baby blanket, should be bright-colored if the other knitters pull colors from this first section. I used the empty needles from Nature to start this full-sized blanket. While it is difficult to make out, I used the Box stitch . Update : June 2012

Star Gazer Quilt of Valor 55 x 67 inches PineTree Lodge Designs (Whirligigs #218) was used to make  Star Gazer . The pattern offers three possible block layouts; thus, a wide variety of tops can be made from the different blocks layouts. The center section of Star Gazer required 12 assorted fat quarters. I used the BB#1 block and the "B" layout for that block which created a "floating star." Focus on the neutral triangles to see the stretched star. Update : May 26, 2012 Alycia posted this quilt on her blog today. It should be wrapped around a hero soon. Star Gazer was presented at a Vet Center in June 2012.

Antero Winds Flute, Cobus Du Toit; Oboe, Max Soto; Bassoon, Kaori Uno-Jack; Horn, Megan Garrison; Clarinet, Jerone Fleg January 16, 2012 Lander, WY Last week, I attended a local Community Concert in Lander, featuring a quintet called Antero Winds. It was a delightful concert: the music was light-hearted and soothing. Some of the selections performed were  Klezmer Dances for Woodwind Quintet (arr. by Gene Kavadlo and Adam Lesnick), Milonga sin Palabras (Astor Piazzola), Trois Pieces breves (Jacques Ibert), and Fire and Flame (Peter Kwasniewski). I loved every piece they played and left the auditorium wanting more.

Four Oddball blankets have recently been finished. They are. . . Veggie Tales started July 2011 Mr. Green Jeans started September 2011 Sweet Dreams started August 2011 Blue Hawaii started December 2010 This blanket was stalled for months and was finally put back into circulation.

English-speaking Competition Officials Autumn 1979 Misawa, Japan The first year I was in Japan, I had the honor of judging an English-speaking competition at an off-base high school. The students recited and/or read selections of literature in English. Some students were highly proficient, and others painfully struggled with the simple readings. The contest took most of the day, and the school officials were most gracious and presented each volunteer judge with a gift. Americans were commonly approached off base by Japanese teenagers and young adults, wanting to improve their English skills.

Jane F., Nancy J., and Trish S. January 14, 2012 At a recent knitting night, Jane revealed that she had never seen the Tetons during the winter, so four of us planned a road trip to Jackson. The forecast said a storm was approaching the State, and I secretly hoped the Tetons would not be shrouded with clouds when we got over the pass. While Saturday was a cloudy day, the Tetons were definitely visible and decked in Winter finery. Temperatures in Jackson were in the mid 30s; however, by late afternoon the wind was blowing and dropped the temperature. Jane F., Nancy S., and Nancy J. 

Candy Hearts , a Western Region Oddball preemie blanket, started by suehling is being knit in the colors of Valentine candy hearts. I used Caron Simply Soft (Lavender Blue) and the Purled Ladder stitch for my four-inch section. Now,  Candy Hearts is on its way to California. Update : February 7, 2012 It's nearly finished. Update: April 22, 2012

Grand Teton Sunset January 14, 2012 Saturday I went to Jackson with three knitting buddies. While there, we toured the National Wildlife Art Museum and visited a yarn shop. As we headed home, a colorful, winter sunset made the Tetons even more beautiful and memorable.

I added the final section to Nature , a Western Region Oddball baby blanket, using Caron Rhapsody (Charcoal) and the Purled Ladder stitch . The colors in this blanket should make it boy-friendly. Since I was the sixth knitter and cast off, I will start another blanket for the group. My friend Cheryl added the border over the weekend. Nature is a cute blanket.

Misawa AFB Misawa, Japan January 1981 This man struggled to clear the walks just outside of my BOQ. All of this snow is the aftermath of one all-night storm. Once the walks were cleared, it was business as usual.  Nancy Stearns Misawa AFB Misawa, Japan 1981 My BOQ was fairly close to the school, and some days it was easier to walk than dig the car out of a snow bank. One major difference I noticed was the snow in Japan did not squeak underfoot like that in Wyoming. This was probably because, unlike Wyoming, the temperatures were not sharp or bitter cold: the cold in Japan was damp and chilled to the bone no matter how many layers were worn. Misawa is located on the northern edge of the main island ( Honshu ) of Japan. Storms consistently dropped more snow on the island to the north ( Hokkaido ) where the Sapporo Snow Festival was held every year. Snow sculptures can be seen on these posts .

Old Glory is a Western Region Oddball blanket. The first section was knit with a Seed stitch , and the second section is the Box stitch . The blanket is on it's way to Idaho for the next knitter to add four more inches. Update : April 23, 2012

Hudson, WY January 2012 Billboards were once painted on the sides of buildings all across America, and the few remaining are vanishing before our eyes. Last week, I stopped to capture some fading bits of Americana in my area. Husdon, WY January 2012 This is the other side of the building which is even more interesting. The left side of the photo shows a the ghostly SINCLAIR painted over the previous business' sign. At the top, I think it says, "D. J. Gaspersttn" or "D.J. Gasperstti" and then HUDSON, which is the name of the town. The campaign ad to the right is from several years ago, and I have no doubt that it will remain there until it, too, fades away. Hudson, WY January 2012 Across the street/highway is this building. I've lived in this area off and on nearly all of my life, and I don't remember this building renting rooms or having any residents. Despite these remnants of the past, the small town of  Hudson is well-known...