Planning a Vacation is Difficult enough without a Twisted Family Tree

Is it just me?  Am I the only person that has a Family Tree so twisted that I can't begin to plan a Vacation to track it?  I have friends that have recently returned from "across the pond" where they were able to meet relatives and see where their ancestors left from before they came to America.  (Cue the "No Cats in America" music from Fievel Mousekowitz movie).  I can't help but be envious of those that know "where their roots are".  I've been working on it for years, and still can't prove anything definitive.  Every time I think I've made headway, another "weed" crops up in the field.  That birthdate that just cannot be physically possible (not to mention not "legal" by today's standards). 
A friend went to meet her fourth cousin in Italy last fall.  They own restaurants, in Italy and US.  Tiny little restaurants, nothing famous or grand.  But they were able to share recipes and swap stories.  How cool is that? 
One of our Church Families got to go to Switzerland and stay at a relatives Ski Resort and see where everyone came from. 
My older kids had to do school projects on their family heritage.  It was deemed "not politically correct or socially sensitive" by the time the younger ones got to be that age.  Anyway, they had to do their Dad's family heritage because he's the one that knew something about cultural heritage.  My family?  My Mother wasn't sure what her Grandmother's first name was.  No one knows where my Father's Grandfather lived before he met his Grandmother.  There's multiple generations of Women with no name recorded other than Mrs. His Name.  Really?  How did this happen?  So, that's what got me involved in Genealogy.  And don't even joke with me about "Witness Protection".  Not funny......

Fiber Law: Differences between England and Colonies

I've been looking into the laws that have influenced fiber production and consumption.  It's very interesting to me to find the wide disparity between the laws enforced in England itself as the "homeland" and in the Colonies in the Americas. 
If I'm understand this correctly, it seems that there were completely different rules, regulations, and taxes depending on where one lived.  I have to assume that this is part of what has led to such a difference in the importance in specific articles of clothing and uses of fibers.
So far, I have not found anything in the Americas similar to The Cappers Act of 1571.  I cannot imagine the "government" regulating a minimum number of hours a week that a person must wear a cap, much less what style and of what materials the cap should be made of. 
On the other hand, I'm sure there were Early Colonial regulations on Modesty that probably provided guidelines for Women's Wear and Headcoverings.  Totally different rules for totally different results with different application.

Sorting out my Favorites and finding a way to not loose them....

It's been a couple of weeks, and I've been keeping busy.
I started a new Blog, just for the pages, and then realized that I could just as easily post those pages on This Blog!  What was I thinking?
So, I'm collecting all the Favorites from my various browsers into the "pages" here.  I use several different computers, and can never remember which one has the Favorite that I'm looking for.  DH gets very flummoxed with me about it too.  I've given up using his computer for anything because I always seem to mess it up or change something on it that adds to his frustration level.  He's always thought of computers as "Black Magic" anyway, and has a bit of a paranoia thing about them being out to get him. 

The point is:  there's new "Pages" here with links to all the stuff that I don't want to loose.  Let me know if you know of websites I should add.....

Oh, and just in case you just want the links, and not all the narative:
http://alterknitting.blogspot.com/p/knitting-resources.html

And if you want to know why I've included each link:
http://alterknitting.blogspot.com/

Another Place to Visit: American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts

Another on my List of Places I want to Visit:  American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Their website:  not that great, compared to, say, Victoria and Albert, but maybe it'll improve.  Most of their stuff doesn't have photos that you can access.  And I swear I've seen a lot of the photos they do have representing items on eBay.  (So watch out what you're bidding on.)

LOCATION
491 Dutton Street
Lowell, MA 01854-4221
Tel: (978) 441-0400
Fax: (978) 441-1412
Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on holidays.
School and scout programs available by reservation Monday through Sunday.
For reservations phone 978-441-0400 ext. 250 or email reservations@athm.org.

Admission:
Free for Museum members and children under 6.
$8 for adults 17 and older.
$6 for seniors (65 and older), children 6 – 16, and college students with ID.
$6 per adult for groups of 10 or more.
$8 per adult or college student for group guided tours – prior reservation required.
$6 per student for grade school group programs and guided tours (10 person minimum or $80 minimum fee) - prior reservation required.
Teachers always admitted free of charge with school groups or individually with teacher identification.
Receive $2 off one full price $8 adult admission with this coupon.

Fiber Law: Cappers Act of 1571

There is a knitted and felted wool cap at the Victoria & Albert Museum probably made between 1500 and 1550.  It was found in London, England, and may have been made there also.

If I'm understanding this correctly, every person, except the Nobility, was required to wear a hat on Sundays and Holidays.  You might not be able to afford to feed your family, but you must buy a cap from an official capper tradesman.  In the interest of keeping those makers in business.  Even though they were no longer "fashionable".  Was this an early version of "financial stimulus"?

"Historical significance: In England, the manufacture of caps was of sufficient importance to merit control by Act of Parliament from 1488 onwards. The 'Cappers Act' of 1571 stated that every person above the age of six years (excepting 'Maids, ladies, gentlewomen, noble personages, and every Lord, knight and gentleman of twenty marks land') residing in any of the cities, towns, villages or hamlets of England, shall wear on Sundays and holidays (except when travelling), 'a cap of wool, thicked and dressed in England, made within this realm, and only dressed and finished by some of the trade of cappers, upon pain to forfeit for every day of not wearing 3s. 4d.'. This act was intended to keep domestic production alive, as caps were outmoded by this date and there was a danger that a fall in demand for them would have a detrimental effect on the makers. (From Statutes at Large, vol vi, p 288, quoted in Textile History, vol 1, 1971; article by S M Levey: Illustrations of the History of Knitting Selected from the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum)."

Colonial American Fiber Law information from Hands on History

OK, this particular site leaves out all but the English Viewpoint, but it has good information on that view.

According to Hands on History, Inc.org:
"....began with English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 and ended at the beginning of the Revolutionary War in 1775. Establishing permanent settlements in North America was a way for the British to obtain raw materials from the colonies then in turn, provide the colonists with manufactured goods."

My take on their report:  from the point of view of the early settlers (from Great Britain) still considered themselves subjects of The Crown.  Many of the British still in England were focussed on the colonies as a resource of raw materials and as a market for British goods.  The American Colonies were an investment. 

"To ensure continuation of trade with the colonies England tried to discourage colonial cloth manufacture, high tariffs were levied on looms and spinning wheels. The British also passed acts forbidding the export and the sale of cloth woven in the colonies. "



Maybe our National Flower should be the Linum Usitatissimum.



Keep in mind that the British and their Parliament had a long history of govenrmental control; as an example:  requiring the wearing of caps by the 'Cappers Act' of 1571.  They hadn't counted on the "strong spirit of independence among the colonists. As the desire for independence grew so did the price of imported European cloth. It soon became not only practical, but a sign of patriotism as well, to spin and weave one's own cloth. The first sound of revolution was the rhythmic "thwack" of the beater against the web of colonial looms."

As the ties were severed with Great Britain, the Colonists began manufacturing their own spinning wheels, looms and other textile tools, growing flax and raising sheep to provide fiber for spinning yarn. 

Fiber Law and Things I Wish I Could Do

Well, this one kind of covers Places I would like to visit and Fiber Law.  But, this doesn't seem to be a static place to visit.  It's a program where they will come into your school to do demonstrations or a Colonial American Fair.  "A Living History Day" how cool is that?!

Hands on History Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation for the purpose of research, development and presentation of experiential, living history programs.  This photo is from their website.  How cute is this?  It seems that the kids dress up in colonial gear for the day.
Contact information email:  mailto:LearningHistory@handsonhistoryinc.org

mail:  Alice Seeger
Executive Director
Hands On History Inc.
P.O. Box 776
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
phone:  914-475-0204

Oh, and Where Have I seen this Rhinebeck name before? 

Maybe that's what I need to research.

I would like to visit: Pioneer Village: Salem in 1630

I'm going to list a few of the places in the world that I want to visit someday.  When you arrive home after a trip, have you ever had the realization that you were just a short distance from a place that you've read about and wanted to go to?  Or you didn't realize that you were so close until it was too late?  Well, maybe if I post the list of places here, I'll be able to remember and access the information when I need it.
Now, remember, these may not actually be what YOU would call "tourist attractions". 

Pioneer Village: Salem in 1630  is only open from June 22 to October 31 for 2012 and only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and only from 12 noon to 4 pm.  It's not expensive once you get there.  At this time, it's $5 or $6 for the Self-Guided Tour option.  A Scheduled Guided Tour is $8/student (with a school group/field trip).  Tickets to Pioneer Village:  Salem in 1630  

I am wondering if there's an option for a Guided Tour if you're not part of a school group.  Timing would be the important thing here.  It's soooo disappointing to be at the place on the day that it's closed.  Cannot tell you how many times that has happened.

Their website points out that it's America's first living history museum and was built in 1930 for the Tercentennial of Massachusetts.  That's kind of hard to believe, that there was no living history museum in America before 1930, but, I guess they can claim it if they want too.  They also have a list of several buildings and attractions.  I'm a little concerned that "The village sits on three acres of land..."  THREE ACRES?  Really?  Ummm, my mowed yard is about 2 acres.  3 Acres doesn't even get you much of the area where I expect kids to play when they come to my house.  Maybe it's just me, but I think the local Walmart has more than 3 acres of parking....  I know everything's smaller back east.  Maybe it's a typo?  I just looked it up: the EPA Superfund website for reuse of land states that an Adult Soccer Field with supporting areas may need up to three acres of land.  Same with baseball or football.  And we're not talking about pro sports or parking.  Just a little local Parks & Rec field.  Anyway, I would like to visit:

Pioneer Village:Salem in 1630

Pioneer Village   Salem, MA

Pioneer Village is America's oldest living history museum and recreates life as it was for the Puritans in 1630. Visit thatched houses, dugouts, period gardens, a wigwam and the governor's house. Costumed interpreters give guided tours which explain what life was like for these early colonists. Pioneer Village is located in Forest River Park near Salem State University.

Online tickets purchased through Brown Paper Tickets may be redeemed anytime during regular hours before October 31. Normal hours may be found on our website: pioneervillagesalem.com

Kid Friendly: Yes! Non-Smoking: Yes!Pioneer Village: Salem in 1630

Fiber Law

You may all know this, but I've just got to find out:  Where can I find all these Laws about Fiber? 
I just came across a description of the Carding Comb at the Museum of London website.  And it says they

 were also used 'illegally' on woven cloth to raise the nap or surface. This process, known as 'rowing' or 'barbing', was ...

And, I found on another site a vague reference about the US Maritime Regions (I assume New England) that it was Illegal for Men to Knit during Fishing Season???  Then there's always the references in American History about specific pieces of fiber working equmpment being illegal to export or import at certain times.
Where can I find more of these "Laws".  Was it Elizabeth Zimmerman or Stephanie Pearl McPhee that said "There are no Knitting Police."?  Because it seems to me that there clearly used to be Fiber Police.
 
I've always been fascinated by the crafts demonstrators at the theme parks and Ren-Fest.  I wonder how many of the activities they are demonstrating would have actually been illegal in the time/place they are Re-enacting?  That leads to a fun "Sheriff" situation play:  "Sorry lady, we're gonna' have to take you in to the hoos-gow for usin' that teasel on those woven-goods."  Headlines reading "Shoot Out Over Socks".

This really bears more research......

I LOve my Mixer

I've got to brag a little on my DH and kids.  I know it's far after Christmas, but, It's never to late to say thank you, again.
Their Christmas gift to me was a KitchenAid Mixer.  If I can find a good photo of one, I'll post.  It's the beautiful RED Artisan Tilt-Head Stand type.  And we've been using it a lot.  A couple of weeks ago DD#2 had a Bake Sale to bake for.  In one morning, we made two batches of cupcakes, two double batches of Pan Cookies and another double batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Talk about the little mixer that can....
Anyway, the Sale day turned out to be a lot warmer than seasonal.  Just so you know, 90 degree heat on the Sunny West Side of the BigBoxMart is not the place to be trying to display iced cupcakes that have been packed in little zippy bags.  On the other hand, nothing slows down the sale of Chocolate Chip Cookies.  We even had a few customers opening them and eating them on the way to the car.  Got comments like "Wow!  They're warm and melty!  Are these right out of the oven?"  Uhhhh, yeah, they are, kinda...
And just so you know, I've tried to attach an add that shows this, but I keep getting an "Invalid Link" so if it shows up about a dozen times, just go with it.  OK?

Again, Techonology turns on me.........

I've spent the last few weeks fighting with technology, and IT is kickin' my britches. 

My ATM cards suddenly changed their PINs.  Both of them, on the same day, would not recognize the PINumbers that I've been using all along.  The same week that DH Lost his ATM card while staying in another town to paint a friend's house.

I can't seem to get any of the SD cards from my cameras to download to my computer.  Two different cameras, two different SD Micro Cards, three different adapters (1 a USB, the others SD adapter cards), and 4 different computers.  I finally got a few photos copied off one of the cards and tried to "move" the files to make the SD Micro "empty".  When I put the SDMicro back in the camera, it now gives me an error message that there isn't a memory card and I should insert one.  It's there!  I can see it!  I've checked and it won't go in backwards or upside down or wrong end first.  Replaced the batteries ( I know; totally different problem, but it couldn't hurt?)  Not sure what else to do, but I refuse to give up.

Technology is not always my friend.......

I'm having some issues here lately, and technology is NOT always my friend.  Quite a lot of the photos that were part of my blog posts have disappeared.  Vanished.  Cyber-invisible. 
Where did they go?
My DH got a really great song downloaded, but I can't listen to it because his i-dud has a glitch.
And, the internet bandwidth available seems to be shrinking as much as the waistband in my pants.  It seemed like we would have plenty of access when I upgraded from the "rocky-limestone" plan to the "pie-in-the-sky" plan that costs more each month than the car payment was on my first car.
Then, there's the Unlimited access phone plans that I've been shelling out for on 3 of the 5 cell phones based in my household.  Turns out that "lifetime guarantee" contract wasn't talking about My lifetime.
Like so many other things in life, they get you hooked and dependent on them, and then they go and change everything.
I remember an Auntie that didn't trust those utility companies to keep delivering the gas and electricity.  She kept her wood cook stove for a good 20 years after her kids tried to haul it off.  The wood was dependable.  Nobody could shut that off!
And there was a Granny-Aunt in the family that didn't trust those people that delivered milk to your door.  It just made too much sense to have it bein' produced in your own barn where you knew what was what.  And then they stopped delivering milk, and you had to drive clear in to town to get it.  And nobody had Real Cream anymore.... 
Hmmmm, maybe they were right???
I'm beginning to think that it is just possible that it is all a conspiracy.

Getting ready to clean VM-ish Fleece

There's a lot on the internet about how to card wool and spin wool; how to start with a commercially prepared Top or the myriad other forms available for purchase.  There are many discussions on how to diplomatically let your esty or eBay seller know that your are displeased with the amount of "the Barn" recieved along with the wool or alpaca fiber.

So, just for the sake of covering the topic: Let's say that I've sheared my very own sheep and it's got a lot of VM and other sheepishness in it. (Because we have, and it does.) Nobody to notify (or complain to) but myself. Can't bear to just throw it away...... Can't let DH know it's been a "worthless waste of time" to have a couple of sheep..........

How's this for a plan:

1. Shake out the fleece/blanket that is still all together. But, it's really more in clumps than a fleece.

2. Gently spray with a hose on Mist while the fleece clumps rest on a sheet of expanded aluminum lath like they use for stucco. Think of a large strainer - only flat; holes are big enough to put a pencil through, but not a finger.

3. Wash and rinse in plenty of very cool water with a tiny bit of detergent.  (Very worried about felting the wool that is "irreplaceable")

4. Let dry.

5. Comb out chunks with livestock combs used to prep show animals.

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 every time DH goes to work for as many repeats as necessary.

7. Get out the good hand carders.

8. Never, ever let on what a PITA this has been. When asked, smile and recite what a joy it is to work with REAL WOOL we raised our very selves.

9. Find out how on earth the real sheep raising people keep the little beasties clean.

My UFO in the Attic........

My DS1 recently read my UFO blog page (rubyintheroughufo.blogspot.com), and got a kick out of the "lurking in the attic fair" reference.  Actually, said DS1 has been living in the attic since we finished insulating part of it last year.
Which brings up the whole discussion:  is HE an Unfinished Object?  One of my many uncompleted projects?
Or is it one of those "God isn't finished with me yet" situations?
DS1 is, by the way, one of my best knitting victims and is willing to wear several of my hats out in public.  Just saying that so you knitters will know the kind of offspring I'm talking about here.

What are the statistics on adult children living with their parents?  Not the adult children that are caregivers for their frail parents, but the returning to the nest children (in the 18 to 30 age range) that are moving back in with Mom & Dad.

DS1 says that the reason young adults are willing to live at home, when those of my generation weren't, is that today's 20-somethings get along with their parents much better than the Baby Boomers did.  Looking back on the issues that encouraged children to move away from home as soon after High School graduation as possible, I do really see the difference in the generations.  And, I take it as a compliment that my children are willing to move home.  But, it isn't a condemnation of what my parents did.  The times changed, and parenting had to change too.  That Said.......
While there is something to that, I'm sure there are other factors at work here too. 

Examples:  Minimum Wage buying power, expected standard of living, expenses of education, technology required for communication, housing/building market crash, loan unavailability, insurance rates, transportation costs, the list goes on….

And I will too, as soon as I can get enough bandwidth to upload the file……