Now we have “noise-cancelling earphones” to add to the many ways we can try to shut out others.  We still need to be aware of our surroundings and be a little ear-responsible.

Ear Responsible Ways of Staying Healthy

Please make sure that you aren’t doing damage to your hearing. Also be aware of your surroundings.

We were out bicycling yesterday.  We were on a standard bike and walking/running path…the Delaware River Canal towpath.

When we first got our bicycles, Thaddeus insisted we buy bells for them.

Hear what the bell sounds like above!

Honestly, I think these bells make our ride safer than the helmets we debated wearing.  The bells are inexpensive, small and easy to use.  The bells are clear and piercing without being too jarring or startling.  We notify people on the path ahead of our bicycles that we’re approaching by ringing the bell.  We continue to ring the bell until there is some acknowledgement that our presence is known. If there is no acknowledgement, we’ll verbally announce our intentions to pass.

Usually it works very well for us.

Yesterday, we approached someone wearing a hoodie and earbuds (we only noticed the earbuds as we passed).  We rang our bells.  No response. We rang again and the walker clearly didn’t know we were approaching as the person walked more toward the center of the path.  We announced that we were approaching and looking to pass on their left.  No response.  We slowly started to pass him on his left (with just enough room that we wouldn’t clip him with our bicycles) and the person finally moved over after being startled by our presence.  We also heard the music playing through their earbuds (loudly).

I understand that earbuds and smartphones are a great way of avoiding interactions with others.  And perhaps avoiding damage to your psyche is more important the physical damage to your body.  Or damage to your hearing.

But I beseech people to lower the volume and exercise some ear-responsibility.

Current Knitting

I finished (almost) the strong-colored Knitted Cross Stitch Scarf.

There are some ends to weave in, but I have to say, I think this pattern can magically combine yarns in ways that are very appealing.  The scarf ended up being 5.5″ wide and 62″ long.

I’m not sure if anyone will buy this scarf. It may be too garish. But I have to admit I rather love it.  Sparkles and all!

I also did some work on the  Chantal Silk Old Shale Wrap.

While I’ve only done about 4 or 5 inches so far, I’m quite pleased with this design so far.  I thought the variegated colors would get muddy when knit up.  They clearly didn’t.  In fact, the colors are awesome in this stitch pattern.