Knitting

Click here to see more of Dolly’s projects on Ravelry where her ID is DollyBambas.

Dolly has been crafting for more years than she cares to admit, and has switched back and forth among crocheting, tatting, sewing, macramé and cross stitch to name a few of her favorites. Right now, she is revisiting knitting and enjoying every minute of time spent with her needles and yarn.

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For about a year, she focused on beaded lace shawls and is currently exploring the joy of socks. Lacey socks, cabled socks, socks with stranded colorwork: they all appeal to her. But Plane Jane socks she finds boring! Averaging a couple pair of socks a month, she usually has two or three pair on needles at a time, switching back and forth between them as the mood strikes.

Knitting is a skill that takes time and practice to learn. Over the years, many a project has been ripped out to start over or just totally abandoned and found its final resting place in the trash bin. It is all part of the learning process. The Internet allows her to explore new techniques easily. Looking for ways to expand her skills, Dolly is currently discovering different ways to turn a heel in socks. Amazingly enough, she has found more than 5 different methods! She is also improving her stranded knitting (designs knit with two or more colors at a time.)

Dolly belongs to a local knitting group where she enjoys companionship with other people who love making things with sticks and string. The group knits and crochets sweaters throughout the year and sends them to Knit for Kids (http://knitforkids.org) a charity that provides sweaters for children around the world. Dolly knits a sweater to donate about every 6 – 8 weeks. She is also a member of Ravelry, an online community for people who knit, crochet, weave and/or spin yarn.

Click here to see more of Dolly’s projects on Ravelry where her ID is dollyBambas.

Today at the Airport

The Experimental Aircraft Association  Chapter 1298 held a rally for Young Eagles.  The EAA Young Eagles program offers free airplane rides to children ages 7 through 17.   For many this is their first airplane ride, particularly in two to six seat General Aviation planes. In addition to the rides the kids receive a logbook signed by their pilot, and vouchers for an online private pilot course from Sporty’s Pilot Shop.

Dolly and I worked with other members who arrived early to be part of the ground crew. We are members of three EAA chapters, two in Florida and one in Michigan.

Waiting for the visitors at the Chapter Hangar
Lynn Postal and Piper Lance N146X
Paul Bryant and the Lightning he built
Don Whiting’s Piper Lance N222PP
James Chorvat’s retractable gear Cessna Cardinal 177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Bryant built his Lightning ten years ago.  N82PB is registered as an AB or Amateur Built Aircraft.  The Lightning cruises around 150 miles per hour.

I have no photo of Tom Longo’s aircraft.  He made several flights today in N137JM his Vans RV9A, another Amateur Built Aircraft.

Five pilot members had their planes ready on the ramp and taxiways outside the EAA hangar.  The pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel to give the youngsters their first small airplane ride.

Early morning pilot Briefing

An hour before the visitors arrive the pilots hold a briefing session where they agree on flight routes and review communications and other procedures necessary for safe operations.

Chapter 1298 Hangar

While they wait for their flight the visitors are invited to look around the EAA hangar and watch a video from EAA national.  The photo on the right shows the fuselage of a Vans RV10 that is being built by one of the chapter members.

Parents closely watching their children

Many parents bring cameras to Young Eagle events to record the children’s reactions following their flight.

The Ground Crew members register the children, escort them to the aircraft and introduce them to their pilot.  The pilots spend some time giving a preflight briefing and describing what to expect on the flight.

Pilots and Ground Crew