frog – New England's Narrow Road

Making Sense of Knitting Talk

Knitting was a favorite pastime when I lived in the Northeast, but I never realized there were certain terms used, which I call “knitting talk”. This is probably because I was always alone when I knit. If I’d been part of a group I’m betting I would have heard them discuss “tinking” and “frogging”.

To “tink” is to un-knit. The word itself is “knit” backwards, which is what you do when you tink your work. When I first began knitting I couldn’t un-knit anything. I would make mistakes and just keep going! That’s why I only knit very simple scarves and hats! Tinking a few stitches is okay, or even a row, but beyond that I think I would lose my mind.

To “frog” something is to completely rip it out. Remove the needle and pull…. it’s so sad. Another useful thing I’ve learned is that some people use a lifeline. I’ve tried this a couple times and have not had success. Perhaps I am doing it incorrectly, but I can’t pick up those stitches once I get back to the lifeline.

Also, if the lifeline itself comes part way out of the project, you are in trouble. This just happened to me on a hat (pictured below). I had done all the k1,p1 rows for a wide, roll up brim, but when I began the top part of the hat I didn’t like it. NO problem, I had (smartly) added a lifeline. But as I frogged back, I realized that the lifeline was not completely around the needle!

knitting a blue hat — This hat is no more…!

It is obvious that I need more practice.

This is why so many people stick to crocheting!

Visit From a New Hampshire Tree Frog

In Florida the bright green tree frogs are everywhere. Until recently I didn’t know that here in New England we also have northern tree frogs.

The gray tree frog has skin that looks like the bark of a tree in fact. A few weeks ago, this little guy sat on the edge of my outside chair for most of the day. The cats ignored him, and he rested on the chair undisturbed. I’m glad I got his (or her) photo.

The colored splotches are so interesting. It would be difficult to spot this frog if he were clinging to lichen covered tree!

This frog photo is my own, but I’ve donated it to Pixabay for anyone to use, so help yourself.

Photos and Friends By The Lake

bridge at the lake — A favorite spot for photos.

I used to live near Gregg Lake in New Hampshire and I had the opportunity to go back there a few days ago to take some photos from some of my favorite spots. The little bridge on Craig Road always offers a nice view looking off either side, and the wildlife didn’t disappoint me. The heron was on the far side of the swampy area, just off to the left in this picture, and I took a photo of him but it didn’t come out very well. I didn’t see any snapping turtles or snakes sunning, but I almost stepped on a big frog at the edge of the water. He didn’t move even though I was very close, so I took his picture.

The blueberries are plentiful, but still green of course. I’ll have to get back there in a month or so to pick some. It was quiet and peaceful and although some people were using the public beach, the water is still too cold for many I assume.

I saw an old friend drive by and met a new one. Tina was walking and asked me what I was photographing and I said, “just nature”. So we struck up a conversation and she told me that she had been coming to the lake each summer for over 50 years. Her family owns one of the few houses along the road.

I asked if she’d seen a lot of changes to the Lake area, but she said no, not really. That is the nice thing about living in a quiet small town, things don’t change too quickly. One of the things that makes Gregg Lake a nice place to kayak, swim or fish is that not many big, noisy boats want to bother with such a small lake. We had a nice talk and she told me about how she had come across a loon while out in her kayak and how it stayed right close by for about 45 minutes. She said it was so close that she could have touched it had she wanted to.

I love the water, and that is why. It’s always interesting and so full of life. I love having my own home now, but I miss my time spent walking around the lake area. Fortunately I am not too far away to visit, and I will again soon.

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