Kiss My Knits!

Greetings from beautiful downtown Knoxville! I am on the road to Simucon 2007.

I got a late start from Charlotte today because I wanted to send out one final Jayne hat (actually two together, but you get the gist) and because I realized at the last minute that while I did have a dress to wear to the keynote on Saturday night that fit me, my black shoes were like little vises on my feet. I had to go shoe shopping, and I figured it would be easier to do in Charlotte than to find a mall in St. Louis. Although I do know where all the good malls are there. Also between here and there. I love road trips.

Aaaanyway! A late start combined with rain in the Appalachians meant that my schedule was thrown off. I was going to stop by Earth Guild and Yarn Paradise in Asheville. Both closed at 6pm. I walked into Earth Guild at five minutes to six and the woman behind the counter nearly threw me out, but who can blame her? However, when I told her I just needed a bobbin for my Louet (true, although with more time I would have liked to browse) she was very kind about letting me stay. They didn’t have one, but I did pick up a drop spindle. Then we chatted nicely about types of wheels, a subject about which she apparently has very strong opinions. Fortunately we were in agreement on all points. Elitist shopclerk snobbery: it’s not just for comic book store nerds anymore.

Getting there at six was nice, though, because I got to hear all the music that the Basilica of St. Lawrence played. It was charming. Maybe I’ll get to hit the stores on the way back home.

I’m listening to Harry Potter and am up to chapter 6. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Emily and her father and a friend of his and his daughter have all arrived at the beach, where they have all been having a wonderful time together.

Tomorrow, I should arrive in Nashville just as the yarn stores attractions are opening. Then onward through Kentucky, Illinois, and into Missouri. Woo!