Finished the whole of the bag last night, and began the I-cord. It will actually go faster than I anticipated, I think.

Then it's time for - as another knitblogger who I can't remember now said - the Magic Kenmore Ride. (I like that. Magic Kenmore Ride. Heh.)

And, here's just an open letter to someone who lives in my neighborhood (I don't know who it is, or I'd send the letter direct to them):

Dear neighbor,

I'd like you to imagine something for me. I'd like you to imagine that I have a toddler. You know, a not-quite-potty-trained but still very mobile child. Furthermore, I'd like you to imagine me deciding it's too hot out for the little darling to wear diapers, and that I don't want to be bothered with changing diapers. Now, imagine that the little tyke has wandered over to your yard and - ooops! Nature just called! And it's #2!

How would you feel if my hypothetical toddler pooped in your yard? Angry? Disgusted? Want to send me to jail for it?

Now think about your dog. Dogs don't wear diapers. Dogs are far more mobile even than toddlers.

Can you see where this is heading?

Your dog has been using my front yard as its toilet. It's nasty, disgusting, and horrible to clean up. (I don't know what you feed the beast but I think you should cut back on the fiber you're giving him). I should not have to clean up your dog's leavings. Please, be polite. If I had a toddler, I wouldn't let her poop in your yard. Heck, if I had a dog, I'd scoop, or I'd confine it to my yard. I don't own a dog, so I am not in the practice of looking out for canine land mines in my yard. Perhaps you heard me cursing last Saturday morning after my mower wheel rolled over a hidden pile.

It's rude, it's nasty, and it's not fair to the neighbors to let your dog "go" anywhere it wants. Yes, I suppose you probably just open the door and shoo the animal out to do its business, and so you would argue that you have no control. Are you aware how busy the street we live on is? How would you feel if your dog got hit by a car? I don't even own a pet, as I said, but I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I hear a car's tires screech out on the road.

And finally, just another gentle request: if you have a cat or a dog, please spay or neuter them. I'd even be willing to put up with the occasional bad surprise on my lawn if I knew all the animals in the neighborhood were fixed.

all the best,

Erica