Hello again - remember me?

Been contemplating starting up my blog again. I gave up on feeling guilty about not publishing anything months ago, and then a couple days ago I felt the desire and urge to share things I learn, either through research or experimentation. 

The topics don't fit nicely into any one category, since I focus on such an eclectic range of things. So, as always, this blog remains un-themed, unless you call "things that Karen learns or experiences" a category. 

A list of some that I can think of right now:

• harvesting walnuts and making walnut ink; 
• which is the best mandoline, can opener, or tv tuner; 
• recipes for homemade frosting, pumpkin cheesecake, and panna cotta; 
• observations about (and from) the dog; 
• what second degree burns are and how to treat them;
• my current favorite way to keep track of daily lists and happenings; 
• books I read and TV/movies I watch; 
• what happens to the tomatoes and giant squashes;
• online surveys and other non-traditional ways to earn money; 
• what happens when I cut the number of my clothes by at least a third. 

I spend time and thought on many different things and enjoy helping others benefit from my efforts (one of the reasons librarianship appeals to me). But even if no one else ends up reading or utilizing what I've found, I feel a lack of solid accomplishments these days. It's not that I'm unhappy with the way things are, it's just that I often don't have something concrete to show off. Documenting these things will also give me focus and clarity on the projects themselves.

But before I dive into these topics, let's fast forward through the past year and change, picking out the highlights. 

Sidenote: I checked my blog to see when the last post was, and I stumbled across the Stats section. Apparently at least one person a day visits my blog, and the most popular post? http://trailmaniac.blogspot.com/2010/02/drawing-hollow-circles-on-pictures.html Yes, about how to draw circles. Over 600 views! The second one is http://trailmaniac.blogspot.com/2011/01/spain-santiago-de-compostela.html which has over 150 views. 

I did quite a bit of crocheting for Christmas 2012 presents, including a little penguin to go with the donation gift for my reddit Secret Santa.

There was more than the usual holiday travel late last year. We spent Thanksgiving in Duluth, went to Houghton twice - once to see Laura's H.P. Lovecraft play and once for her graduation from Mich. Tech. - and then went directly to Charlevoix for Christmas before stopping in Duluth on the way home. Phew.

Went to SF for two weeks in January. Went to SF again for over two weeks in March plus a train ride from there to Chicago with Colin's parents. And then again for a week in May. Had great first Airbnb experiences at three different places.

I got a Macbook Air. And yes, it still runs with the original OS. For now.

Finally put the books on the shelves!

Decided to stay in the same apartment for another year.

Brought home a rescue dog named Hannah. Mutt with indications of pitbull, boxer, and terrier. Age is only estimated, roughly a year and a half now. We've declared the day we got her to be her birthday (June 5).

The only gardening I did was the usual "Hey, let's put this mystery plant that's growing in the compost in a pot and see what happens." But our landlord and his girlfriend planted a huge garden that they were willing to share (begged). So we reaped many of its benefits. Still are in fact - down to two boxes of ripening tomatoes and 3 jumbo squashes.

There were weddings: Whitney and Dave's in Traverse City, Tom and Keegan's in Muskegon, and Alex and Amanda's in Lisle.

There were days at the cabin up north. Then Rachel left for study abroad in Ecuador.

I got a second cortisone shot for my DeQuervain's tendosynovitis (on the wrist but quite different from carpal tunnel syndrome) and went through lots of physical therapy. It was quite a bit of trial and error, since it had been years living with on-and-off pain for an injury that cropped up ten years ago. In fact, the therapy is so slow I'm still doing the first few "easy" exercises months later, but it's already worlds better. I'm aiming at being able to crochet this winter, canoe next summer, and do Nanowrimo next November. Oh, and to be able to scribble and sketch to my heart's content.

The walnut trees dropped tons of nuts this year. So I've made ink, dried husk to make ink in the future, and have 360 curing walnuts.

We carved pumpkins at Jake's. Well, we started to and then realized we hadn't used just a dremel but the speedball (stamp cutting tool), so we waited until we had time a couple nights later to finish them. Colin did a mouth with teeth and a tongue sticking out (if you've never watched the annoying orange, here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD5UKQggXTc). I did a silhouette of Gru from Despicable Me surrounded by minions.

Colin got a really short haircut way back in June. Then he shaved all his facial hair off for Movember. And now he looks like a scruffy bear. Today I said he should get his hair cut again before we head to my family's for Thanksgiving.

Emily left for Wales. I don't have a picture of this occurring, but I do have one of her wanting to get a bumblebee costume for Hannah - and Colin said "No."