Comments on: The Life of the NYT Bestseller http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/ More than you ever wanted to hear from Bestselling Author Jenny Crusie. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:49:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: AgTigress http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142240 AgTigress Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:36:56 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142240 "You should get a poodle, Ag. Mona is amazing. They’re such sturdy little things." :-) My family had a poodle when I was a teenager and in my early 20s. He was a black miniature poodle, and his name was Niki. He was quite startlingly intelligent, a bit neurotic, and a completely memorable canine personality. I often think of him still, though he died back in 1964, when I was living abroad. He is the reason why I get cross with people who think that poodles are frou-frou dogs. He was succeeded by Theo (1964-1976), who was half dachsie, half Pembroke corgi (a very handsome mixture), and entirely wonderful. Although he was my parents' dog, he spent a lot of time with me, and I adored him. He was completely different from little Niki, but they were both special. Associating with dogs and cats undoubtedly means doing more laundry and vacuum-cleaning, as well as needing to have a handy mopping-up-of-nasty-messes kit stored under the kitchen sink, but it makes us better and happier people. “You should get a poodle, Ag. Mona is amazing. They’re such sturdy little things.”

:-) My family had a poodle when I was a teenager and in my early 20s. He was a black miniature poodle, and his name was Niki. He was quite startlingly intelligent, a bit neurotic, and a completely memorable canine personality. I often think of him still, though he died back in 1964, when I was living abroad. He is the reason why I get cross with people who think that poodles are frou-frou dogs.
He was succeeded by Theo (1964-1976), who was half dachsie, half Pembroke corgi (a very handsome mixture), and entirely wonderful. Although he was my parents’ dog, he spent a lot of time with me, and I adored him. He was completely different from little Niki, but they were both special.
Associating with dogs and cats undoubtedly means doing more laundry and vacuum-cleaning, as well as needing to have a handy mopping-up-of-nasty-messes kit stored under the kitchen sink, but it makes us better and happier people.

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142238 Jenny Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:46:06 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142238 In Mona's defense, it was Veronica who tossed her cookies on my comforter. I have half a dozen comforters and quilts I keep in constant rotation. You lie down with dogs, you're going to do a lot of laundry. In Mona’s defense, it was Veronica who tossed her cookies on my comforter.
I have half a dozen comforters and quilts I keep in constant rotation. You lie down with dogs, you’re going to do a lot of laundry.

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142236 Jenny Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:44:56 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142236 I should read ALL the comments before I ask questions. I should read ALL the comments before I ask questions.

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142235 Jenny Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:44:02 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142235 You should get a poodle, Ag. Mona is amazing. They're such sturdy little things. Don't you wonder, though, if you wouldn't smell like a wet dog if you got caught in a rainstorm? You should get a poodle, Ag. Mona is amazing. They’re such sturdy little things.

Don’t you wonder, though, if you wouldn’t smell like a wet dog if you got caught in a rainstorm?

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142234 Jenny Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:42:09 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142234 No, no, it's a BIG boat. It's just the Titanic. No, no, it’s a BIG boat.
It’s just the Titanic.

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]]> By: London Mabel http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142229 London Mabel Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:47:24 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142229 You should put this Character List in a sidebar. Very helpful! What a beautiful crew of doggios. Next can we get a pic of the cats? :-) You should put this Character List in a sidebar. Very helpful!

What a beautiful crew of doggios. Next can we get a pic of the cats? :-)

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]]> By: Lora http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142137 Lora Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:49:18 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142137 Love the dog pictures so cute. I have a miniature poodle, black curly hair and a tyrannical attitude. He's thrown up on the bed too. lol Love the dog pictures so cute. I have a miniature poodle, black curly hair and a tyrannical attitude. He’s thrown up on the bed too. lol

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]]> By: AgTigress http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142114 AgTigress Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:12:33 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142114 Sharon, what a great story! According to the book I cited, it is a good idea to use a little dog shampoo in the initial cleansing of the dog wool/hair before spinning, as it contains ingredients specifically formulated to combat the doggy smell. :-) But in any case, even garments knitted from good-quality commercial 100% woollen yarn, from sheep, will smell slightly sheepy when damp -- it's just that most of us think of that quite pleasing odour as a 'wool' smell rather than 'sheep'. ;-) And pure silk has an incredibly distinctive and noticeable smell even when dry. Our human noses are sometimes better than we think, but we often pay too little attention to scents. Sharon, what a great story! According to the book I cited, it is a good idea to use a little dog shampoo in the initial cleansing of the dog wool/hair before spinning, as it contains ingredients specifically formulated to combat the doggy smell. :-) But in any case, even garments knitted from good-quality commercial 100% woollen yarn, from sheep, will smell slightly sheepy when damp — it’s just that most of us think of that quite pleasing odour as a ‘wool’ smell rather than ‘sheep’. ;-)
And pure silk has an incredibly distinctive and noticeable smell even when dry. Our human noses are sometimes better than we think, but we often pay too little attention to scents.

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]]> By: Sharon http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142111 Sharon Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:36:45 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142111 My friend and neighbor is a member of a spinning group. They meet once a month, swap ideas and show their latest knitted projects. Most have flocks of sheep but others have angora rabbits, llamas or goats. One meeting was memorable to my friend-it was a rainy day and everyone could smell a dog even tho the hostess had no dog! One member finally realized it was her hat and cape every one smelled-she had knitted some of her dogs hair into the garments! My friend says the items were beautiful and very soft. My friend and neighbor is a member of a spinning group. They meet once a month, swap ideas and show their latest knitted projects. Most have flocks of sheep but others have angora rabbits, llamas or goats. One meeting was memorable to my friend-it was a rainy day and everyone could smell a dog even tho the hostess had no dog! One member finally realized it was her hat and cape every one smelled-she had knitted some of her dogs hair into the garments! My friend says the items were beautiful and very soft.

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]]> By: Sure thing http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142109 Sure thing Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:15:30 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142109 LOL! "the bitch, not my ma" LOL! “the bitch, not my ma”

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]]> By: Sure thing http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142108 Sure thing Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:06:04 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142108 I second Kate - we are all trying to get on. I second Kate – we are all trying to get on.

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]]> By: AgTigress http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142106 AgTigress Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:05:46 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142106 The book is 'Knitting with Dog Hair', by Kendall Crolius and Anne Black Mongomery, originally published in the USA in 1988: http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Dog-Hair-Better-Sweater/dp/0312152906/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263487209&sr=1-3 It's very informative and a fun, entertaining read as well. I'm glad to see it's still in print. Some short-haired breeds with single coats and no fluffy under-layer are non-starters, of course; you couldn't make a garment from a beagle. The best 'wool' providers are naturally the woolly coats, like those of poodles and Old English Sheepdogs. It seems one can also spin the hair of long-haired cats. The authors explain the processes of 'harvesting' the hair and of actually spinning it, though if I were to do it (can't at the moment -- no dog) I would try to find a helpful hand-spinner to do it for me for a fee. The authors give some patterns, many for small projects like hats, scarves and mittens, but all are for knitting rather than crochet. Still, it would be easy enough to use a standard crochet pattern for something like a woolly hat. Dog-hair can be blended with other fibres too (like sheep's wool!). And there is a very full list of dog-breeds with comments on the potential of their coats for spinning. They say that the long-haired Dachs coat is good for blending with other fibres -- presumably not enough 'fluff' factor to make it work too well on its own. From the photos in the book, it appears that dog yarn tends to have a distinct fuzzy 'halo', a bit like angora or mohair yarn, which would make it very attractive for some garments. When combing my mother's crossbred sheepdog, who has a fair proportion of Old English in her ancestry (the bitch, not my ma), I have often finger-spun clumps of detached fur quite successfully into short lengths of knittable fibre. If I had a poodle, instead of next-door's cat (who is short-haired anyway), I would certainly give it a go myself. :-) The book is ‘Knitting with Dog Hair’, by Kendall Crolius and Anne Black Mongomery, originally published in the USA in 1988:
http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Dog-Hair-Better-Sweater/dp/0312152906/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263487209&sr=1-3
It’s very informative and a fun, entertaining read as well. I’m glad to see it’s still in print. Some short-haired breeds with single coats and no fluffy under-layer are non-starters, of course; you couldn’t make a garment from a beagle. The best ‘wool’ providers are naturally the woolly coats, like those of poodles and Old English Sheepdogs. It seems one can also spin the hair of long-haired cats.
The authors explain the processes of ‘harvesting’ the hair and of actually spinning it, though if I were to do it (can’t at the moment — no dog) I would try to find a helpful hand-spinner to do it for me for a fee. The authors give some patterns, many for small projects like hats, scarves and mittens, but all are for knitting rather than crochet. Still, it would be easy enough to use a standard crochet pattern for something like a woolly hat.
Dog-hair can be blended with other fibres too (like sheep’s wool!). And there is a very full list of dog-breeds with comments on the potential of their coats for spinning. They say that the long-haired Dachs coat is good for blending with other fibres — presumably not enough ‘fluff’ factor to make it work too well on its own. From the photos in the book, it appears that dog yarn tends to have a distinct fuzzy ‘halo’, a bit like angora or mohair yarn, which would make it very attractive for some garments.
When combing my mother’s crossbred sheepdog, who has a fair proportion of Old English in her ancestry (the bitch, not my ma), I have often finger-spun clumps of detached fur quite successfully into short lengths of knittable fibre.
If I had a poodle, instead of next-door’s cat (who is short-haired anyway), I would certainly give it a go myself.
:-)

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]]> By: Kate George http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142104 Kate George Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:11:51 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142104 That's because so many of us are trying to climb in the boat! That’s because so many of us are trying to climb in the boat!

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142103 Jenny Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:59:07 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142103 Really, dog hair is good? I saved Veronica's for awhile after brushing because it was so beautiful. A Veronica and Mona sweater. Definitely something to think about. Really, dog hair is good? I saved Veronica’s for awhile after brushing because it was so beautiful. A Veronica and Mona sweater. Definitely something to think about.

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]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142102 Jenny Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:56:04 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142102 Some nights, it's just Lani and I. You can get three dachshunds on your lap, but it makes drinking tea harder. Some nights, it’s just Lani and I. You can get three dachshunds on your lap, but it makes drinking tea harder.

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]]> By: marly http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142100 marly Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:17:24 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142100 That's a lot of good things in the future. And maybe Bob picked up some pointers on "the stuff Jenny writes". That’s a lot of good things in the future. And maybe Bob picked up some pointers on “the stuff Jenny writes”.

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]]> By: Strop http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142098 Strop Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:12:09 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142098 Have to add, I was more or less oblivious to this. Apart from the language differences ("bussing? What are they on about?") I was extremely focussed on the glorious french onion soup which was calling me from its sourdough bread bowl. I'd been travelling or delayed in travelling for too long, and real food was desperately needed. Have to add, I was more or less oblivious to this. Apart from the language differences (“bussing? What are they on about?”) I was extremely focussed on the glorious french onion soup which was calling me from its sourdough bread bowl. I’d been travelling or delayed in travelling for too long, and real food was desperately needed.

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]]> By: AgTigress http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142093 AgTigress Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:24:46 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142093 Lovely dog picture, Jenny. Lyle looks as though he is planning something wicked even as he poses for the camera. Veronica obviously still sees herself as a glamorous woman (or bitch) of mystery, while Wolfie has opted out of this sentimental family-photo business by turning away. Milton; I don't know -- he looks as though he is trying to remember where he put something. And little fluffball Mona just looks poodleish, which is a charming way to look. Even if she has tripled in weight since you adopted her, 10 lbs is still a very small dog: Next-door's cat, who lives mostly with us, probably weighs more than that. Have you crocheted any garments for Mona yet? You know that poodle-hair, unlike Dachshund hair, can be spun into a good, workable yarn, don't you? (There's a super book about knitting with dog-hair. Apparently yarn made from dog-hair is exceptionally wind- and waterproof and therefore good for winter hats and scarves). Of course, a bigger poodle would be a better source of knitting/crochet wool. All the same, if you save all Mona's fur from grooming, you'll eventually have enough to spin and crochet another poodle. Lovely dog picture, Jenny.
Lyle looks as though he is planning something wicked even as he poses for the camera. Veronica obviously still sees herself as a glamorous woman (or bitch) of mystery, while Wolfie has opted out of this sentimental family-photo business by turning away. Milton; I don’t know — he looks as though he is trying to remember where he put something. And little fluffball Mona just looks poodleish, which is a charming way to look. Even if she has tripled in weight since you adopted her, 10 lbs is still a very small dog: Next-door’s cat, who lives mostly with us, probably weighs more than that.
Have you crocheted any garments for Mona yet? You know that poodle-hair, unlike Dachshund hair, can be spun into a good, workable yarn, don’t you? (There’s a super book about knitting with dog-hair. Apparently yarn made from dog-hair is exceptionally wind- and waterproof and therefore good for winter hats and scarves). Of course, a bigger poodle would be a better source of knitting/crochet wool. All the same, if you save all Mona’s fur from grooming, you’ll eventually have enough to spin and crochet another poodle.

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]]> By: ruthie http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142092 ruthie Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:43:10 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142092 And here are instructions for making your own USB drive with them: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini_Rubber_Duck_USB/" rel="nofollow">http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini_Rubber_Duck_USB/</a> And here are instructions for making your own USB drive with them:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini_Rubber_Duck_USB/

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]]> By: ruthie http://www.arghink.com/2010/01/12/the-life-of-the-nyt-bestseller/#comment-142091 ruthie Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:41:48 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=2248#comment-142091 Okay, Miss Crafty Jenny, here are some duckies: <a href="http://store.twistedgrins.com/StoreFrontProfiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?Devil%20Ducks&sfid=105990&c=21707&gclid=CJ_GhOrVo58CFSBJagodNTf-Tg" rel="nofollow">http://store.twistedgrins.com/StoreFrontProfiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?Devil%20Ducks&sfid=105990&c=21707&gclid=CJ_GhOrVo58CFSBJagodNTf-Tg</a> Okay, Miss Crafty Jenny, here are some duckies:
http://store.twistedgrins.com/StoreFrontProfiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?Devil%20Ducks&sfid=105990&c=21707&gclid=CJ_GhOrVo58CFSBJagodNTf-Tg

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