FINALLY! The Rhinebeck Report
But first, the debut of the Cabled Seamans Scarf knit with buffalo/silk yarn made for Smith's Uncle Bob. Bob was pleased to have a nice warm scarf and even more excited when he found out it was knit with buffalo yarn. Doesn't he look like Sean Connery?
Pattern: Cabled Seaman Scarf
Designer: Adapted from a stitch pattern in The Knitting Stitch Bible, inspired by Myrna Stahman's book, via help from Susan.
Yarn: Buffalo/silk purchased at SOAR 2005, seller unknown
Time to Knit: September 20-October 13, 2006
On our way to Rhinebeck Norma and I stopped by Jessie's place to say hello and have lunch with her. Jessie dyes yarn in the most beautiful color combinations and I can attest to its luxurious softness, too. We dashed through the rain to visit the bird house where her peacock resides and then dashed to the car and off to lunch. It was a very enjoyable and delightful lunch with good food and great chat. Jessie told us of a wine store near by, so we were able to stop and pick up a nice contribution for Winebeck and this is where the Rhinebeck adventure truly begins. I'll also warn you now that I had camnesia for most of the trip.
Norma's GeePeeeEsssssssss had taken us to Jessie's without trouble (almost). But when we left the store we were both a bit puzzled by the direction the said GP told us to go. After driving up and down, turning around and around...we decided to just go with it and give it a mile. Without maps to consult, we had little choice....so, off we went through farm fields, dirt roads, rural farm landscapes and a swamp. YES, SWAMP! The first dirt road we hit we just looked at each other in wonder...but kept our heading and stayed the course (yes, we understand that can lead to trouble). The next time we hit a dirt road I turned to Norma and said "Norma, this is the middle of a swamp!" Just then a road sign popped up (I swear it came out of nowhere) that read "Swamp Road". As Judy would say "yep, yep, ye-up". That confirmed it all right. Norma commented that maybe I should expect an axe to come out from under her seat, but by then she had my complete trust. It was a short time later that we both gasped at the sight of this...
Norma carefully drove through and kept on truckin'. It wasn't long before the dear GPS told us the road we sought was just ahead and also that we had saved 20 minutes of time. It was then we felt safe and relieved. The rest of the trip looked more like the picture on the right (Carole, Norma is a wicked good driver, just sayin').
It was within a respectable time that we arrived at the hotel in Poughkeepsie and as we walked into the lobby a sea of open arms greeted us. It is all a blur but I do remember that Laurie, Carole, Stephanie (likely remembered because I had met them before), as well as Sandy, Beth, Cara, Judy, Ann and Vicki. There were so many others to welcome us with hugs and squeals and my brain freezes when I try to replay and remember everyone. A man checking in asked Norma if it was a high school reunion....a reunion yes! It was overwhelming (a feeling I had much of the weekend) and awesome to meet so many face to face.
Look at the sea of bloggers at the meet up and you'll see why I spent most of the time talking to and hugging people instead of taking pictures. After trying to go through the pictures I did take I became overwhelmed yet again! So many posts have already been published about Rhinebeck and its glorious days of wine, women and song fiber galore, bloggers galore, fabulous knit items galore, and food to live for. It seems I am still behind in trying to catch up with life, with home duties, Bloglines, email and even my own blog.
Please forgive me if I beg off sharing pictures and linking to all the wonderful bloggers (and non-bloggers) I met. The operative word for the whole weekend has become overwhelming. I was overwhelmed with kindness, with hugs, with meeting the bloggers I've connected with most, with fiber and everything else about the weekend. There is one huge regret, if you can call it that, that came from meeting everyone. My dearest wish would be that we had had a chance to sit in small groups to chat and knit, to know each other better and in a more normal mode than a fiber/blogger frenzy. It's not that it wasn't wonderful, it's just that I am so far away and have only blogging as a way to connect (and yes, phone calls, too) and it just wasn't enough. So many of you are real friends and there just wasn't time to be 'normal', to be real. There wasn't time to to get to know more of you or even to do more than just hug and say "Nice to meet you!'. In other words...I WANT MORE! It was heartwarming and fulfilling to be with so many fiber enthusiasts and friends.
I did put a picture of Laurie and Marcia in the corner of my blog. Marcia sold me her wonderful Lendrum DT and you can see on Cheryl's blog that she captured the moment of my taking possession. (She has many other fun pictures, too.) And Laurie? What can one say about such a generous and caring spirit as she? Not only does she have the best hug ever (as you may have heard), but she is a delight and joy to be around. Thank you Laurie for making my weekend that much more special. It would be (and hopefully will be) wonderful to sit and chat when there is more time than just the few minutes we had before falling into exhausted sleep after a day of fiber frenzy.
Tomorrow the loot!
The scarf looks wonderful, and I'm sure it feels wonderful too.
Looking forward to seeing that loot.
Posted by: Vera | October 30, 2006 at 04:08 AM
Welcome back - it all sounds like a dream from here. Literally. I'm thinking of hazy lighting and musical crescendos.
Posted by: Theresa | October 30, 2006 at 04:24 AM
Great picture Uncle Bob with his new scarf. He looks so pleased.
Posted by: Manise | October 30, 2006 at 04:28 AM
The scarf is great - he looks quite pleased. And yes, it was all overwhelming and the goodbyes were way too much like Summer Camp.
Posted by: Carole | October 30, 2006 at 04:46 AM
Lovely scarf. What a wonderful gift. :) And Rhinebeck was overwhelming. I swear it was much different 2 years ago. But I only went up on Sunday with Gracie.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 30, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Beautiful scarf and Bob looks so happy wearing it!
Posted by: Kelly | October 30, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Craziness I tell you! CRAZINESS!
Posted by: Cara | October 30, 2006 at 05:37 AM
The scarf is lovely. Next time, some quiet time to knit and chat . . .
Posted by: Kathy | October 30, 2006 at 05:57 AM
I meant to ask you about the seaman's scarf yesterday. He looks happy with it!
Posted by: susan | October 30, 2006 at 06:11 AM
Love the Buffalo Scarf--it looks great on Uncle Bob!
So glad you had a tremendous time at Rhinebeck, sweetie. Isn't it the most beautiful place? And the photo of Norma's driving---I'm dying here!
xoxoxo
Posted by: Kim | October 30, 2006 at 06:12 AM
Bob DOES look like Sean Connery! He is so young-looking, there is no way he can be Smith's uncle. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that one. :D
Mwahaha, I had almost forgotten about the two-board-under-the-tires covered bridge and Swamp Road. Geez, Louise, that IS trust, woman. The places I took you to!!!
I had also forgotten the high school reunion question!!! Thanks for reminding me. That was such a hoot. Yes, a high school reunion! He had obviously not noticed the wide range of ages represented there. I suppose it could have included teachers, too. Hee.
Posted by: Norma | October 30, 2006 at 06:14 AM
The scarf looks great and Uncle bob looks quite happy to be wearing it.
I love the idea of blogger meet-ups but I think I'd find them way too overwhelming. the picture alone scares me. It sounds like you had fun though.
Posted by: hillary | October 30, 2006 at 06:50 AM
Wow, I'm pretty sure that is the covered bridge used in just about every horror movie to date. You guys were brave!!
Posted by: Jen | October 30, 2006 at 07:05 AM
I was so intrigued by Uncle Bob (who looks more like a thin version of my husband to me!) and that yummy scarf that I never even noticed the photo of Laurie and me (you're right about those hugs!) in the corner. Sheesh, and that was BEFORE the wine! PS....heard through the grapevine that you've been spinning up a storm. Before long your catchphrase will be "It's all about the production"!
Posted by: Marcia | October 30, 2006 at 07:35 AM
It looks like you had a great time. I can't wait to see the loot!
Posted by: Shannon | October 30, 2006 at 07:40 AM
Margene, that Seamna scarf is just gorgeous! And I bet it feels incredible too, in such a great yarn. Love it!
Pictures of Laurie are the best, aren't they?
Posted by: Cheryl | October 30, 2006 at 07:43 AM
Buffalo Bob is a sexy dude! Or maybe it's just the scarf. Gorgeous work!
Thanks for sharing about Rhinebeck. Every report I read about it makes it more three-dimensional for me. A fiber-blogger's love feast!
Posted by: Roxie | October 30, 2006 at 07:50 AM
I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have been. I thought Estes was a slightly overwhelming, I can't imagine a gathering as large as Rhinebeck! It must have been a blast though!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | October 30, 2006 at 08:16 AM
*blush*
I really need to turn this around, and point out the "reaping what you sow" concept. You are one of a kind.
I'm so glad that your Rhinebeck experience was so wonderful. Frenzy really describes so much of the days.
Uncle Bob and the scarf...perfect match, which I'm sure you knew from the moment you decided to put the two together.
Posted by: Laurie | October 30, 2006 at 08:23 AM
Okay then Margene. You sold me. I'm not going to bother with Rhinebeck. I'll just have to come visit you in Utah so I can have you all to myself. :)
Uncle Bob's Buffalo Scarf is absolutely ... a thousand words. It looks so perfect for him - perfect size - everything. He must really love having it. And he DOES look like Sean Connery! Such a family full of handsome men!
Posted by: Laura | October 30, 2006 at 08:24 AM
I felt up all the buffalo yarn I came across at Rhinebeck! Wonderful stuff. Uncle Bob looks quite happy with it. ; )
Posted by: Vicki | October 30, 2006 at 08:28 AM
A beautiful scarf, and an obviously happy recipient! And now that you mention it, that would be a major frustration -- meeting so many people in the flesh, finally, and really having no time to spend together. As if the only place we can have time for each other is on the internet!
Can't wait to see the haul. And I know you will be posting pictures of lovely rovings, making temptation harder for me to resist!!
Posted by: Pat K | October 30, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Uncle Bob must be a wonderful man for you to knit him such a luxurious scraf. It really turned out great!
Rhinebeck sounds like a sensory overload experience in a good way...a very good way.
Posted by: wool winder | October 30, 2006 at 08:42 AM
Wow, he kindof DOES look like Sean Connery. ;)
Sounds like it was a great weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing the Loot!
Posted by: Kim | October 30, 2006 at 08:51 AM
Uncle Bob can park his shoes under my bed any time. The scarf is nice, too.
Yep, overwhelming is the word, and two minds with but a single wish.
Posted by: Lucia | October 30, 2006 at 08:52 AM
Laurie does have a great hug, it's true.
That scarf came out so wonderfully! The cable really pops in that yarn.
Posted by: Martha | October 30, 2006 at 09:23 AM
It does sound a bit overwhelming. But, I'm so glad you had fun.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 30, 2006 at 09:27 AM
Man, wish I was there. And as sure as "bob's yer uncle",that's one great scarf!
Posted by: Carol | October 30, 2006 at 11:14 AM
What a wonderful scarf!
I'm so glad you had such a nice time in Vermont and Rhinebeck. I enjoyed meeting you however brief it was!
Posted by: Karen | October 30, 2006 at 11:17 AM
Wonderful scarf! And it was great meeting you - only it was way too quick. The whole weekend was total sensory overload!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2006 at 11:36 AM
Sounds truly wonderful! I'm so glad you had a fabulous time. I have fantasies of maybe joining you one year! :)
Posted by: Sharlene | October 30, 2006 at 12:00 PM
Lovely post, thanks, Margene. I did sense the hurried fervor of the whole Rhinebeck experience............Perhaps we should organize a bloggers weekend at a mutually inconvenient location? No shopping, just knitting and gabbing.........or, and maybe spinning. Just saying.......maybe in the future?
Posted by: christine | October 30, 2006 at 12:16 PM
What a great masculine scarf! So nice to meet you at Rhinebeck!
Posted by: Diane E. | October 30, 2006 at 02:18 PM
LOL about the high school reunion.
I didn't know you're related to Sean Connery...how very cool. ;)
The scarf is gorgeous!
Posted by: Sharon G. | October 30, 2006 at 02:34 PM
it all does sound overwhelming. so overwhelming that y'all forgot to tell us what you were doing in the broccoli after dark? curious minds still want to know.
Posted by: Dorothy | October 30, 2006 at 04:33 PM
Uncle Bob does indeed have that Sean Connery look:)
It does sound like you had a great time. Now, I'm ready to see the loot:)
Posted by: Alison | October 30, 2006 at 04:59 PM
your words about how nice it'd be to sit in a small group and knit, talk and be "real" truely resonate with me. (hence why I saw so many people from a distance!) The weekend helped me put many things in perspective and the one on one conversations and small group meet-ups mean that much more to me now.
Posted by: kristen | October 30, 2006 at 06:03 PM
Uncle Bob does look very happy, and I know it was as much from getting to see you both as from the scarf... I certainly can relate to the wish to be able to spend more time with dear, like-minded friends... so much of my knitting time is completely alone. We will just have to look ahead to future fiber fests for more meet-ups!
Posted by: Birdsong | October 30, 2006 at 07:59 PM
I love the scarf! And he looks so happy to have it!
Posted by: amanda | October 30, 2006 at 08:37 PM
the buffalo scarf is a beaut! it would've been nice to spend some knitting time with other bloggers - oh well, guess you just gotta keep travelling to other fiber events and such....
Posted by: debbie | October 30, 2006 at 08:38 PM
Gorgeous scarf.
Posted by: Madame Purl | October 30, 2006 at 08:51 PM
Looks like a warm, snuggly scarf! And quite handsome :)
And yes indeed the P-Man's eyes are the same color as his fur...a bright orange!
Posted by: Debi | October 31, 2006 at 12:27 AM
uncle Bob is too cute for words. did you keep notes so you can write up that pattern for us?
Posted by: marie in florida | October 31, 2006 at 04:48 PM
Uncle Bob looks very pleased with his new scarf! Looks great! It was wonderful to meet you at Rhinebeck, it was a wonderful and overwhelming weekend. I too, am still behind on my bloglines! : )
Posted by: Amanda Cathleen | October 31, 2006 at 08:21 PM
What a gorgeous scarf. I'm so happy that Uncle Bob was happy wit it. He's so cute!
Posted by: Wanda | November 03, 2006 at 02:59 PM