Podcasts about Redwood Curtain

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Tony winner Debra Monk, who won for Broadway's "Redwood Curtain" 30 years ago tomorrow on June 6, 1993. They spoke in 2017 when she starred in “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing” at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia. They also discuss her Emmy win for "NYPD Blue" and her film roles from "The Devil's Advocate" to "The Bridges of Madison County." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Tony winner Debra Monk, who won for Broadway's "Redwood Curtain" 30 years ago tomorrow on June 6, 1993. They spoke in 2017 when she starred in “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing” at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia. They also discuss her Emmy win for "NYPD Blue" and her film roles from "The Devil's Advocate" to "The Bridges of Madison County." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brainy: 20:20 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 31:09   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is enjoying progress on her Stephen West's Twists and Turns shawl knitalong https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022 and is trying out some fun dyeing techniques for fabric. Margaret reports on mosaic crochet, gnome knitting, and some of her favorite projects from the past. Clearly Helena blog. http://www.clearlyhelena.com/how-to-mosaic-crochet/ Make Gnome Mistake https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/make-gnome-mistake Sarah Schira. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-schira The pattern I used was I*heart*FATW5. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/iheartfatw5 rosina crochet.  Rosina Plane. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rosina-plane Brainy Thing: Catherine points out the value of making a plan in case of unexpected events and Margaret talks about how to develop a Joyous Amygdala. She also mentions some of her favorite Brainy segments from the past https://www.webmd.com/brain/amygdala-what-to-know   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine and Margaret report on highlights from the past from Behind the Redwood Curtain and Catherine advocates for independent podcasts . Catherine promotes the podcast Chronicles from Behind the Redwood Curtain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjuhpiHo-E     This podcast's future For now, this "Ma and Ma" podcast will stop regular production. We thank all our listeners for their support over the years.                                       Welcome to Episode 145 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we share information about planing for unexpected events and how to grow a joyful amygdala. We talk about knitting shawls, dyeing fabric, trying mosaic crochet and finishing a knitted gnome. We also mention highlights from past Behind the Redwood Curtain segments and Catherine promotes another Humboldt podcast. Finally we   report on the future of this podcast.

Brainy:  1o:12   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  20:47   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is continuing her knitting odyssey with Stephen West's Twists and Turns Shawl, http://knittedtoybox.blogspot.com/   Brainy Thing: New words that describe the comfort we lack and long for.  hygge: coziness Solastalgia:   distress of environmental change Here are some links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDDjXhcWB1g https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36459133/#&gid=article-figures&pid=fig-1-uid-0   Behind the Redwood Curtain At the end of 2022, the courts approved a plan to remove four dams on the Klamath River which are destructive to fish species and cause toxic blue green algae.    https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-11-17/regulators-approve-demolition-of-four-klamath-river-dams?utm_id=76610&sfmc_id=4456079   https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/Largest-dam-removal-project-in-U-S-history-gets-17592091.php?sid=62c3aa67475d9718370d9a07&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_morningfix live condor feed: https://www.yuroktribe.org/yurok-condor-live-feed     Announcement: We announce that after our next episode (145), we will be discontinuing the podcast in its current form.   Welcome to episode 144 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit while we report on Hygge and Solastalgia--comfort and longing for comfort; Catherine updates us on her Twists and Turns adventure and celebrates completing a gnome and a snitch while Margaret reports on teaching her bones to knit and finally talks about the victory on the Klamath River for the fish, the quality of the river, and the environment with four dam removals.

Joy snacks, Insects, Shawls and Knit Blocks, plus Benbow Inn.   Brainy Thing: 19:26 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:40   What We're learning from our knitting and crochet: Margaret is working on some amigurumi Garden insects https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-insectsby Marica Coridon for a present for her grandson. Catherine is taking a little break from knitting Stephen Wests' Twists and Turns https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022to knock out some knitted blocks for Hats and More for Refugees World wide. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/hats-and-more-for-refugees-worldwide. She's using the beginning of the Melanie's Mandala Baby Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket for the blocks. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-insects   Brainy Thing: Margaret shares quick practices that increase happiness in her report on Joy Snacks. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/11/17/feel-happier-joy-flourishing/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F386153a%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5%2F596c929a9bbc0f2086603b6d%2F12%2F51%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5&wp_cu=bab067e80720f9dc4ad7b181c2d7c0c3%7CC0D7373013494969E0430100007FF0C5   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine reports on the historic Benbow Inn south of Garberville https://benbowinn.com/   Welcome to episode 143 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we present Joy Snack or quick things we can do to bring us happiness; We talk about our crochet (making amigurumi insects) and Knitting, (shawl and knitted blocks) plus we report on the historic Benbow Inn

Brainy: 16:30 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:11   What We're Learning from our Knitting Catherine is deep into textures and colors with her Stephen West Knit-along Twists and Turns (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022). She is eyeing a sweater by Andrea Mowry (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/andrea-mowry). that also is very textural. In addition, Catherine shares the dishcloth she received from the Dishcloth exchange (https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap). Margaret continues to delight in the variety of patterns that creates pumpkins and leaves. She knits Mimi Pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-mini-pumpkin) as well as Oakleaf from Fall Garland (https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=469668145054284). by Jen Lucas and also Leaf from Susan B. Anderson's Fall Harvest Charm   Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on the impact of light on the brain, particularly early morning light: https://bestlifeonline.com/daylight-saving-time-benefits/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is located in Arcata and focuses on supporting grassroots initiatives for Indigenous people around the world. https://7genfund.org/     Welcome to Episode 142 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we explore the relationship between early morning light and our brains. Catherine is deep within textures and colors with her knitting and Margaret enjoys different designs for little pumpkins and leaves. Finally we spotlight The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People located here in Arcata.

This week's guest is Krist Shaw! She is a native Mainer in the hometown of Saco, Maine, on the Maine Cannabis Industry Association board, and a member of the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine. Kristi has spent twenty-and-change years growin' the green and is a mum of two with her husband, Jody. Discussed this week: Nana's Church Van, behind the Redwood Curtain, dabbling in herbalism, tea, peanut butter spoons, Cannafam, shoulder shelves, cannabis story hour, incubating ideas, the Women's Cannabis Symposium, college experimentation, caregiving, Facebook marketplace outhouses, 100 acres in the Penobscot woods, and more! @wickedgoodfire on Instagram --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/potluckypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/potluckypodcast/support

Brainy Thing: 15:45. Behind the Redwood Curtain. 25:45   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret fulfills her multi-year goal of knitting some decorative mini-pumpkins, using Susan B. Anderson's Fall Harvest Charm Set https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-harvest-charm-set. Catherine completed her dishcloths for her Dishcloth exchange. She used the classic Ballband Dishcloth by Kay Gariner and Ann Shayne. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth And despite her efforts to resist, Catherine is starting the Westknits MKAL 2022: Twists & Turns shawl.   Brainy Thing: The book Behave: The biology of Humans at our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky is five years old now but is chock full of information about human behavior and told is Sapolsky's witty style. Margaret reviews it.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine tells of her visit to the new Redwood Skywalk in Eureka's Sequoia Park, suspended 100 feet above the ground. https://www.redwoodskywalk.com/   Welcome to Episode 141 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we review highlights from the book Behave by Robert Saplosky, discuss learning from knitting pumpkins, dishcloths and a mystery shawl, and report on the new Skywalk among the Redwoods at Eureka's Sequoia Park.    

Brainy: 17:34 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 29:52   What We're Learning from our Knitting and Crochet: Catherine finished up her Melanie's Mandala Baby Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket.  by Melanie Grobler at M and M Crochet Designs and she has started knitting up ballband washcloths for washcloth exchange https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth Margaret Knit up another small amigurumi project that taught her a lot: The Splendid Snail by Tatyana Grigoryan. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/splendid-snail   Brainy Thing: Although experts debate its existence, many people believe Nature Deficit Disorder is a read condition that needs to be addressed. Richard Louv came up with the term in his book "Last Child in the Woods" . https://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/. Other names and terms Catherine describes in this report are green exercise, eco psychologists, Wilderness therapy professionals Frederick Law  Olmstread (American Landscape Architecture), John Muir and Louise Chala, Colorado University professor   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Those beautiful iconic Cliffs of California are eroding away. Margaret reports on a recent study about them. https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/new-high-resolution-study-california-coastal-cliff-erosion-released California Coastal Cliff Erosion Viewer:  https://siocpg.ucsd.edu/data-products/ca-cliff-viewer/ https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/California-s-cliffs-are-falling-into-the-sea-17362397.php     Today, in Episode 140 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, Catherine presents information about Nature Deficit Disorder and the importance of being outside in nature; She also talks about her knitting AND crochet: she finished her crochet mandala Baby Blanket and started knitting washcloths for the washcloth exchange. Margaret shares her experience knitting a snail and then reports on the latest information on the eroding cliffs of California  

Brainy thing: 15:26 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 24:14   What We're Learning from our Knitting and Crochet: Margaret knitted a small amigurmi beet, part of Susan B. Anderson's Summer Veggie Charm set. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set. This is her fourth charm but she always learns something new from Susan. This time Susan designed a two color saw tooth pattern to create a transition between the white bottom of the beet and the top (In Margaret's case, a beet red left over called cinnabar by Hazel Knits Yarns.). Margaret also appreciated the wavy beet leaves. Catherine continues to crochet her Mandala Baby Blanket by Melanie Grobler at M and M Crochet Designs https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket. She's been using the yarn in the Karon rainbow color but without warning the big box store Michael's is out of it and she's been trying to find additional skeins.   Brainy Thing: Margaret reports on Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, a book and theory about how we use two systems for thinking: one fast and instinctive and one slower and more reasoned. But both systems are prone to erros.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Arcata like many cities is trying to get fewer people to drive and more people to use bicycles but it is encountering some growing pains in this switch.   Welcome to Episode 139 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we present the theory of Thinking Fast and Slow, talk about knitting an amigurimi beet and crocheting a mandala baby blanket and discuss trying to make Arcata and other cities less reliant or cars and opening up options for bicycles. I ask for a little more indulgence than usual for the sound quality today because not only are we dealing with the zoom problems in a community that does not have good wifi options, but also, Catherine is sitting outside in the rare but wonderful days around here that offer sunshine, a little warmth and not too much wind -- but as a result you'll hear some background noise of her neighbors.    

Brainy thing: 19:22 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:36   What We're Learning from our Knitting (and Crochet) Catherine was struck with Mandala Madness and is now crocheting Melanie's Mandala https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket Melanie operates M and M Crochet Designs on Ravelry. Catherine is using Caron Yarnspirations in Skinny Cake in color gradient Rainbow. She also shared information on taking care of our crafting hands -- she's taking a Tai Chi for Arthritis class and also recommends Carson Demers https://www.ravelry.com/people/ergoiknit https://www.ergoiknit.com/. book Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting and that he was featured on Fruity Knitting video cast Ep 102 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfWEi57a-4U.   Margaret talks about her reluctance to start the Harmonia's Ring Cowl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harmonias-rings-cowl by Sivia Harding despite having been given beautiful yarn Shibui Knits Vine in the Majesty Colorway. It begins with a mobieus cast on that Cat Bordhi made famous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4. But she's started now -- at least a few rows.   Brainy Thing: Volunteerism not only helps others, it helps you as well. Catherine reports on it.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167487012001456?via%3Dihub   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret talks about Sneaker Waves and Rogue waves: both big waves but different. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/mathematicians-may-soon-be-able-to-predict-enormous-rogue-waves https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/mathematicians-may-soon-be-able-to-predict-enormous-rogue-waves https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/the-importance-of-swell-period/1555   Welcome to Episode 138 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit. Today we talk about a Mandala Baby Blanket and a Moebius Cast on for the Harmonia's Ring Cowl. Catherine shares how volunteering can be good for you as well as the recipients and Margaret offers information on Sneaker Waves and Rogue Waves.    

Brainy thing:20:20  Behind the Redwood Curtain:32:18   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret makes new discoveries about the granny square and Catherine notes that there's a resurgence in popularity of granny squares. Giant Granny Square Afghan by Crochet Me Lovely https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giant-granny-square-afghan Catherine also talks about second-baby-sock-syndrome with her Kate Atherley Baby Socks https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23 and knitting blocks with patterns from Barbara Walker Treasury of Knitting Patterns 4 volumes published by Schoolhouse Press https://www.schoolhousepress.com/. She also mentions the silent knitting group on zoom as the heritage and remembrance of Cat Bordhi, the late, great knitting teacher and encourager. https://new.catbordhi.com/silent-knitting/   Brainy Section This episode we focus on Highly Sensitive People, a group that has been widely researched. There seems to be both a nature (genetic, brain chemistry) and nurture aspect in the background of HSPs. Quiz -- Are you an HSP? https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/. https://hsperson.com/ https://www.verywellmind.com/highly-sensitive-persons-traits-that-create-more-stress-4126393 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/highly-sensitive-person https://sunkissedhealth.com/modern-mystic-hsp-empath-tools/ brain. https://highlysensitive.eu/en/the-highly-sensitive-brain/#:~:text=Highly%20sensitive%20people%20activate%20brain,especially%20those%20close%20to%20them. https://www.drelaynedaniels.com/4-things-most-people-dont-know-about-being-a-highly-sensitive-person/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086365/ https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-person-brain/ https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-person-signs/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Potawot health village is much more than a clinic for American Indians. It is an environment including land use and cultural events that promotes wellness and healing. https://backcountrypress.com/2018/09/potawot-health-village/ http://www.sonic.net/~water4/main_pages/PHVP.html   Welcome to Episode 137 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we investigate the life and brains of Highly Sensitive People. We mention crocheting granny squares, baby socks, knitting blocks for charity and silent knitting meetups. Finally we share information on Potawot Health Village, a local health facility that creates a wellness environment including clinics, gardens, and cultural events.      

DAVID MORSE received Emmy® nominations for his roles on “House” and HBO's “John Adams,” and has appeared in numerous television series, including Emmy-nominated “Escape at Dannemora," “The Chair,” “The Morning Show," “The Deuce," "The Good Lord Bird,” “Hack,” “Treme,” “True Detective,” “Outsiders,” and “St. Elsewhere." Morse's film credits include The Green Mile (1999), 16 Blocks (2006), The Hurt Locker (2009), World War Z (2013) and Concussion (2015). A stage veteran, Morse is currently on Broadway in Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize winning show How I Learned to Drive, reprising the role he originated opposite Mary-Louise Parker Off-Broadway in 1997. He previously starred on Broadway in the 2018 revival of The Iceman Cometh, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. His other notable stage performances include the 1984 Los Angeles production of Of Mice and Men; Lanford Wilson's Redwood Curtain, in which he originated the role of Lyman; Heather MacDonald's An Almost Holy Picture; the Broadway production of The Seafarer; the Off-Broadway production of The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin; and the original Off-Broadway production of How I Learned to Drive, for which he won a Lucille Lortel Award, a Drama Desk Award and an Obie Award®. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brainy Thing: 17:34 Behind the Redwood Curtain 26:50   What we're learning from our knitting: Catherine is delighting in quickly-knitted and fun baby items -- a hat and socks from various designers: Kate Atherley https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks---worsted-dk-version; also https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23 Bianca Boonstra: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks. Knitty Gritty: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-peasy-newborn-sock-hat Margaret mixed and match gnome parts from Sarah Schira: All Work, Gnome Play. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-work-gnome-play Leave Gnome Stone Unturned. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leave-gnome-stone-unturned   Brainy Thing: Who suffered more from covid isolation? Maybe you'll be surprised. https://greaterdivide.com/2020/04/30/the-resilience-of-extroverts-in-a-time-of-lock-downs/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The ongoing drought and naturally dry areas like deserts require a different type of landscaping. Margaret introduces xeriscaping. https://frontsteps.com/blog/7-principles-of-xeriscaping/ https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/xeriscaping/ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/   Welcome to Episode 136 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we ask the question "Who suffered more from covid Isolation -- introverts or extroverts. The answer might surprise you. Catherine talks about the pleasure of knitting quick, colorful baby items -- a hat and socks and Margaret shares her experience mixing and matching gnome parts. Then we look at xeriscaping -- a way to landscape for dry and drought-ridden areas.

Career Conversations with Jeff Daniels. Moderated by BroadwayWorld.com's Richard Ridge of "Backstage with Richard Ridge!" Actor, musician, and playwright Jeff Daniels is known for his roles in such films as Terms of Endearment, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Arachnophobia, Dumb & Dumber, The Hours, The Squid and the Whale, and Good Night and Good Luck, as well as his Emmy Award-winning performance on HBO's The Newsroom. Daniels can currently be seen on his return to Broadway in 2016's Blackbird, alongside Michelle Williams. His most recent projects include part 1 of The Divergent Series: Allegiant, alongside Shailene Woodley and Theo James, 20th Century-Fox's The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, and Universal's Steve Jobs, directed by Danny Boyle. Daniels has received many prestigious nominations over the course of his long career, including four Golden Globes, four SAG Awards, and two Emmys. Alongside screen work, Daniels has many stage credits to his name and is the founder of The Purple Rose Theater Company in Chelsea, Michigan. On Broadway, he has appeared in Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage for which his performance earned a 2009 Tony Award nomination for Best Actor, A. R. Gurney's The Golden Age, Lanford Wilson's Redwood Curtain, and Wilson's Fifth of July. He has appeared off Broadway in productions of Wilson's Lemon Sky and Bradley Rand Smith's adaptation of Johnny Got His Gun. Daniels is also a musician and songwriter, and has recorded six full length albums.

Episode 135  Hedonic Adaptation; freeform crochet and replacement knitting;  The Craftsman TV series.   Brainy Thing:  18:10  Behind the Redwood Curtain 25:42   What we've learned from our Knitting and Crochet Margaret flirted with freeform crochet in response to a prompt of "Deep Listening." She wasn't happy with the product or the process. Catherine continues her obsession with the mitre square blanket and she shares about taking her knitting out into the world. In one case, it was fun -- lots of love for the Agata (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata) Cardigan by Leah Chapman (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/leah-chapman). ; in another, she lost a beloved Stephen West https://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-westShawl, Metalouse. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse   Brainy Thing Margaret reports on Hedonic Adaptation also called the Hedonic Treadmill which is the human emotional set-point that is partly genetic and partly attitudinal. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/hedonic-treadmill/. https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast/being-well-podcast-guest-experts/ https://www.healthline.com/health/hedonic-treadmill#what-is-it   Behind the Redwood Curtain Catherine's been watching the new Craftsman television series on Magnolia network which features the Blue Ox Millworks in Eureka. In addition to celebrating handcrafting, the series features beautiful shots of Old Town Eureka and the Humboldt Coast. https://magnolia.com/watch/show/62a3faac-8006-5a79-b673-8c0217e75fbc/the-craftsman/, https://www.distractify.com/p/eric-hollenbeck-the-craftsman.   Myra Wood (Designer) 0.55 Agata 10:10 Leah Chapman: 10:10 Metalouse 15:18 Stephen West 15:18 The Ribbed Faraway Baby Socks 17:20 Amber 17:20 Mittknitter. 17:20 Blue Ox Millworks Today in Episode 135 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we learn about Hedonic Adaptation, our internal thermostat for emotional happiness;  Margaret experiments with freeform crochet while Catherine continues her blanket obsession;  And Catherine reports on a new TV series, the Craftsman which feature the Blue Ox Millworks in Eureka and a celebration of handwork.  As always please forgive and ignore the audio distortions introduced by zoom and unstable networks. 

Brainy Thing: 17:35 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:50   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is continuing on with her mitered square blanket. Margaret hasn't completed anything but continue with a little stockinette knitting here and a little crochet there. She does have a report about Fast Fashion ripping off Crochet Designers https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/crochet-trend-fast-fashion-copy-designs, a recommendation for new video tutorials from Nimble Needles https://nimble-needles.com/category/tutorials/page/4/ , and a major tip for long tail cast ons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcvzB_9o8qc.    Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on Perfectionism and its positive and negative sides. She's wondering if she suffers from a little bit of perfectionism that is stopping her from starting the colorwork sweater Ghost Horses https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ghost-horses. by Caitlin Hunter. https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/striving-perfection-can-completely-exhaust-brain/2030504 Jody Deluca, Ph.D. https://www.eriecoloradocounseling.com/publications   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The university where Catherine and Margaret worked is changing its orientation and name. It's now Cal Poly Humboldt and is focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. https://www.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/polytechnicreport_hsuhighlights.pdf https://pmc.humboldt.edu/portal/climate-action-plan-20 https://facilitymgmt.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/hsu_stars_path_to_platinum_2020-2022_final.pdf pcci.humboldt.edu.     Welcome to Episode 134 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we talk about Perfectionism, both its positive and negative effects. Catherine and Margaret have been working on blankets and other projects but not finishing things. And Margaret reports on the changes from Humboldt State University to Cal Poly Humboldt.          

Brainy Thing:  18:28. Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:52   What we've learned from our knitting: Margaret finished a new project and resurrected an old one.  As she was ripping out the yarn from She used the Keanna Chunky Messy bun Hat  pattern by Jocelyn Jones for the general measurements but knit the whole hat in two by two ribbing.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/keannas-chunky-messy-bun-hat.   Then, as she was ripping out the Big Marl Blanket by Beata Jezek, she began playing around with the yarn making a big Granny Square.  She turned to Jeanne Steinhilber's Marled Modern Granny Afghan https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marled-modern-granny-afghan for a pattern and she finished her lap-ghan that she'll donate to charity.  Catherine made the first step toward her new sock project -- she wound the skein of yarn into a ball and then inspired by her research on finishing projects, she went back to her mitered Square Blanket and found a tutorial for squaring off the sides to make the edges straight instead of sawtoothed.  Ladybug Laboratory offers a You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gZfqdZ57k   Brainy Thing: We've talked a lot about meditation on the podcast but an amazing amount of research suggests that Loving Kindness Meditation has many, many benefits.  And Oops.  Margaret talked about Sharon Saltzman as the Queen of Loving Kindness but it is Sharon Salzberg.  Sorry, Sharon.  https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/how-loving-kindness-meditation-transforms-your-brain https://kripalu.org/resources/evidence-based-benefits-loving-kindness-meditation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695992/.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ING1BKvjyv8  https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/metta-hour-podcast/.    Behind the Redwood Curtain What could be more fun than a horse drawn buggy ride through downtown Eureka?  Probably not much.  Check it out here:  https://www.oldtowncarriageco.com/     Today in episode 133 of Teaching your Brain to Knit, we report on the many benefits of one particular meditation techniques -- Loving Kindness Meditation.   We talk about work on old projects -- blankets, in this case, and we present new projects -- a messy bun hat and socks.   Then we report on the delightful carriage rides of downtown Eureka.   Welcome.     

Brainy thing: 20:30 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 35:40 Harry Wells: 16:30   What We're Learning from our Knitting Catherine discusses planning knitting while keeping in mind the things she loves to do. She's looking forward to picking up sock knitting again and is eyeing Sivia Hardings Victoriana which is a toe up sock with bobbles, beads and picots. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/victoriana-socks-2.   Margaret returned to some old favorites -- Arne's and Carlos' birds https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. which she decorated with hats. She also took a class with Harry Wells learning to do the hex stitch and other knit one below stitches plus a new stretch cast on and several new stretch bindoffs.   Brainy Thing: Catherine continues to explore why it's sometimes difficult to finish things and dips into theories of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as motivation   Behind the Redwood Curtain Margaret shares basic information about El Niño and La Niña and looks for an explanation of why Southern California had floods and snow during a year that should be dry.   Welcome to Episode 132 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where Catherine is deep into planning future projects and Margaret reports on knitting old patterns and learning new stitches. During the Brainy Thing Catherine continues to seek understanding about why it's sometimes hard to finish things focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as motivation. And Margaret talks about El Niño and La Niña and why Southern California got a lot of rain and snow during a year when that shouldn't happen.        

Brainy Thing:   15.55   Behind the Redwood Curtain:   22:47   What we Learned from our Knitting Welts and tiny mittens were the notable learning for Gnorwen the Gnome in Sarah Schira's All Work, Gnome Play Mystery Knit Along.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-work-gnome-play She added a red beard, eliminated the flower decorations and included a miniature set of skis for what will be her grandson's gnome.      Catherine coaxed herself on with the help of Marcie Bell's beautiful darning needles to finish sewing up her Agata sweater by Leah Chapman. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata  She also knit up a few scrubbies and a couple of mitered squares.   Brainy Thing: Researchers say we are biased toward believing each other -- which makes us vulnerable to liars. Starting with Aja Raden's book The Truth about Lies: The Illusion of Honesty and the Evolution of Deceit and then other research, Margaret reports on the Cognitive Bias, The Truth Bias, other biases and the Truth-Default Theory. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201306/truth-bias https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Lies-Illusion-Evolution-ebook/dp/B08BYCS1SG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OYUJLJXS4KNA&keywords=the+truth+about+lies&qid=1640643756&s=books&sprefix=the+truth+about+lies%2Cstripbooks%2C1059&sr=1-1   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Although first skeptical, Catherine now sees the benefits of the Arcata Gateway project for our town and other small towns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUsFlnX2xoE          

Brainy Thing:  16:11  Behind the Redwood Curtain:  27:01   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Catherine is in the "piecing together" part of her Agata Sweater by Leah Chapman. Sewing up is not her favorite part of project making. She's using https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata using Lion Brand Mandala in the Chimera Colorway. She also reports on on the resurrected Welcome Blanket project for new immigrants to this country.   welcomeblanket.org. She has some knitted squares she's done in the past that she's going to sew together for a blanket. Blankets are exhibited in museums and then given to our new neighbors. Margaret didn't accomplish a lot or learned a lot with her project but had a lot of fun: Halloween Eyeball Coasters by Fay Lyth https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/halloween-eyeball-coaster with the iris color matched to her grandchildren's eyes.   Brainy Thing: 16:11 Inspired by her reluctance to sew up her sweater, Catherine discovers an explanation, The Construal Level Theory (CLT) or the Near Mode and Distant Mode of projects and she's using the theory to help her power through. https://medium.com/@Jude.M/read-this-if-you-struggle-with-finishing-things-you-start-a0fdaa83aa6a   Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:01 Humboldt County is ground zero for sea level rise on the west coast of the United States. Margaret explains why, what's at risks, and things to do to mitigate against it. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/jan/15/causeway-over-bay-between-arcata-and-eureka-caltra/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/arcata-under-pressure/Content?oid=20284166 https://california.surfrider.org/shrinking-beaches-rising-seas/ https://theconversation.com/high-tide-flood-risk-is-accelerating-putting-coastal-economies-at-risk-164481?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20newsletter%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2015%202021%20-%202003819676&utm_content=Daily%20newsletter%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2015%202021%20-%202003819676+CID_e71761137d4bdeaef846224ec8b5f2ca&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=High-tide%20flood%20risk%20is%20accelerating%20putting%20coastal%20economies%20at%20risk     Welcome to Episode 130 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit. Today Catherine talks about on her progress in the sewing up part of her Agata Sweater. Margaret shares her small but fun project making eyeball coasters for her grandchildren for Thanksgiving. Catherine reports on the The Construal Level Theory or the near and distant phenomenon and why that sometimes makes finishing projects difficult. And Margaret tells about sea level rise risks in Humboldt county. Thanks for listening.

Brainy Thing: 19:25 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 27:60   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret reports on her learning from Little Things including creating a coaster from her Windmill Dishcloth pattern by Patricia Jared. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windmill-dishcloth-2 She also finished an amigurumi corn on the cob from Susan B. Anderson's Summer Veggie Charm Set https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set. and a Spring Tulip by Jen Lucas. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-tulip-4. which was a free pattern and a class from Craftsy's Live Stream (Still available on the website.). She learns a lot from these free classes even if she can execute the pattern because the instructor shares tips as she demonstrates. The Knitting Circle also has free classes with patterns. Most recently Craftsy sponsored the Craft-o-ween series that included cooking, woodwork and quilting. Catherine is nearing the finish of her Agata Sweater by Leah Chapman https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata using Lion Brand Mandala.   Brainy thing: Wool and Sleep Studies report that wool bedding improves sleep and REM sleep in particular, thereby increasing all the good benefits of sleep like protein production, improved mental health and memory.   Behind the Redwood Curtain Patrick's Point State Park in Humboldt County has been renamed Sue-Meg State Park, the original Yurok place name. Patrick Beegan was a notorious and ruthless white settler who claimed the area where the Park now stands.     Welcome to Episode 129 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we share research studies that show that wool can help improve your sleep. Margaret talks about learning from the Little Things she's knitted like a tulip, a corn on the cob, and a coaster and the free online knitting classes where she gets tip. Catherine nears completion of her sweater and talks about the breaking news that a State Park in Humboldt has changed its name to the original Yurok name.

Brainy Thing:  16:51   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  32:11   What We're Learning from Our Knitting: Catherine may have missed the deadline for the Imagined Landscape Cardi KAL but she's nearly finished her Agata https://www.ravelry.com/groups/imagined-landscapes?s=tab. It's a Knitty's free pattern https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata. by Leah Chapman with an unusual construction. She is using Lion Brand Mandala yarn in the Chimera colorway --with a lot of autumnal colors plus a few bright ones. Margaret had a lot of failures but still learned a lot. The first one was The Big Marl by Beata Jezek https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-big-marl where despite multiple mistakes, she learned an icord edging that was knitted as she went along. Then she had fun on a big search for a pattern she discovered on the net without a name. She was intrigued by the shape and couldn't figure out the construction. The answer was short rows. Here's some of the variations: Windmill Dishcloth by Dione Read: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-windmill-dishcloth The Almost Lost Washcloth by Julie Tarsha. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-almost-lost-washcloth Round Dishcloth by Amy Carpenter. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/round-dishcloth Sunburst Dishcloth by Sara Balkwin. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunburst-dishcloth The Windmill Dishcloth by Patricia Jared. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windmill-dishcloth-2   Brainy Thing: Grounding Anticipating travel in the future, Catherine talks about how to overcome jet lag (and enjoy other health benefits) with the ancient but not widely know practice of Grounding, or walking on the sand, grass or earth barefooted . https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-overcome-jet-lag https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#:~:text=Grounding%2C%20also%20called%20earthing%2C%20is,positive%20effects%20on%20your%20body.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The Grange Margaret discusses some of the controversies involved in local California Granges wanting to pull away from the National Organization. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/aug/14/grange/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/the-state-of-the-grange/Content?oid=3498448 https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/aug/14/grange/   Welcome to episode 128 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we follow Catherine's progress on the Agata Cardigan, we share Margaret's many failures but much learning on her projects, Catherine gives us a tip about countering jet lag with Grounding, and we report on the local and not so local controversies surrounding the Grange. Thanks for listening to our podcast.

Brainy Thing: 16:41 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:41   What We're Learning from Our Knitting: Margaret finished a Sampler Sock using both crochet and knitting and a number of sock making techniques she never tried before. The sock started with leg from Beaux Jestes by Tracy Pipinich a crochet pattern where one leg used small granny square and the other ripples. She then went for a garter stitch modification of Lara Neel's Arithmophobia sock,https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arithmophobia-socks-top-down moved onto a stripped foot then finished up with Lara Neel's Fork in the Road design https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fork-in-the-road-socks toe. She used left over finger weight yarn in yellows, golds and greens.   Catherine is taking on the challenge of Imagined Landscapes Fall Cardi KAL https://www.ravelry.com/groups/imagined-landscapes?s=tab. She chose Knitty's free pattern Agata https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata. by Leah Chapman and is using Lion Brand Mandala yarn.   Brainy Thing: Tips for Helping Your Brain on Zoom Zoom is tough on the brain. Basically it's harder for our brains to process our interactions but fortunately there are a number of tips that might help. Try one or more of them. https://christinamarienoel.com/2020/04/01/5-tips-to-creating-better-virtual-connections-using-zoom/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2020/05/29/your-guide-to-feeling-a-human-connection-with-the-group-in-zoom-meetings/?sh=b4d837f29ec4 https://www.scienceofpeople.com/zoom-fatigue/ https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/21/this-is-your-brain-on-zoom/ https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/ https://www.discovery.com/science/Body-Tired-When-Your-Brain-Is-Fried   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The National Christmas Tree This year, the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC will come from nearby Six Rivers National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD933469 Catherine is making one of the quilted panels for the tree skirt and featuring an image of Founders Hall of Humboldt State University.   Welcome to Teaching your Brain to Knit, episode 127. Today we are featuring tips to make Zoom easier for our brains to process. Margaret shares her adventures with her sampler socks and Catherine reports on her progress with the Agata Sweater. We also talk about the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC this year coming from the nearby Six Rivers National Forest and we announce that Catherine will be making a panel for the tree skirt.

Brainy Thing:  19:00  Behind the Redwood Curtain 28:00   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret got practice in cables on Sarah Schira's Gnot Just Another Gnome https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnot-just-another-gnome. She used leftovers plus mini skeins in Leading Men Fiber Arts Showstopper in Envy and Christmas at Green Gables.   knitting reverse stockinette inside out: https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+knit+reverse+stockinette+stitch+in+the+round&oq=how+to+knit+reverse+stockinette+stitch+in+the+round&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30j0i390l3.9109j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_jM8FYea8KczF-gSfsqToBw59  speedweve    darning loom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhPUjTxQgHA    Scrubbing Stripes dishcloth by yarnspirations https://www.yarnspirations.com/lily-sugarn-cream-scrubbing-stripes-knit-dishcloth/SCK0512-013829M.html Lily Sugar'n Cream Scrub off yarn:  http://www.sugarncream.com/   Brainy Thing: Brains of introverts and extroverts https://www.quietrev.com/why-introverts-and-extroverts-are-different-the-science/ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/apparently-there-are-4-kinds-of-introversion.html https://www.lifehack.org/412467/why-introverts-are-introverts-because-their-brains-are-different#:~:text=A%20study%20published%20in%20the,matter%20in%20the%20same%20area. https://www.quietrev.com/6-illustrations-that-show-what-its-like-in-an-introverts-head/.  Drawings of differences https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-be-an-introvert-and-what-everyone-gets-wrong-2018-5#:~:text=Introverts%20have%20different%20brain%20chemistry,called%20the%20Long%20Acetylcholine%20Pathway.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: We catch up on past Redwood Curtain topics including the Art Otter project, Last Pass Grade, and Forest Breathing, this time in mini urban forests     Today in episode 126 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we present research on the differences in brains of introverts and extroverts;  we discuss gnome making, dishcloths, sweaters and shawls and we update some former Behind the Redwood Curtain segments including art otters, and urban mini forests.   

Brainy: 14:50    Behind the Redwood Curtain: 26:21   What We're Learning from our Knitting Catherine is inches away from finishing her Metalouse shawl by Stephen West https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse. She used Woolemeise and Canon Dyeworks yarns. She is looking for a pattern for a sweater as her next project. Margaret didn't experience much learning but enjoyed a lot of satisfaction knitting her basic top down, heel flap socks using Online sock yarn in a multiple of colors: blue, grey, orange, yellow and pink. Although she has her own modifications, she basically follows Ann Budd's 6 stitches per inch sock. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/6-stitches-per-inch-sock. Margaret also applied several patches in old socks that were wearing thing.   Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on studies that show the link with biodiversity in nature with human happiness. Diversity in birds are particularly important. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201204110246.htm https://theconversation.com/biodiversity-how-our-health-and-happiness-depend-on-a-thriving-planet-157261   Behind the Redwood Curtain Margaret talks about a creek in Arcata, the Jolly Giant Creek, and a new art project to honor it. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/may/11/jolly-giant-creek-art/ https://www.arcataplayhouse.org/events/art-and-the-environment-keeping-the-giant-jolly/ arcata parks:  https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=7d73767b6cbd47a1a9ce460f750d03cb   Welcome to Episode 125 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, where we talk about the link between biodiversity in nature and human happiness; Catherine updates her work on the Metalouse and Margaret shares about her basic sock knitting; she also reports on a recent outdoor art project in honor of the Jolly Giant Creek. Thanks for listening to our podcast.    

Brainy Thing: 20:13 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 34:00   What We're Learning from our Knitting Margaret knitted two double stranded hats. The first was the Double-Quick Marled Beanie from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-quick-marled-beanie using Rowan Kid Classic from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas in a subtle cream and pale grey color. She modified this slightly using HandMaiden Casbah https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/search#sort=best&query=handmaiden%20fine%20yarns and Casbah Silk Fine. Catherine still needs to assemble her gnome but has started Stephen West's Metalouse from Knitty. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse. Stephen West. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-west   Brainy Thing We hear a lot about making positive changes for our mental and physical health but changing habits is difficult. Margaret reports on a video from Dr. Kelly McGonigal on Willpower. She's also written a book on it as well as a book on movement. https://www.bestyear.life/kellymcgonigal https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtc1iWm_KCI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_McGonigal   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine shares information on Fernbridge, the 110 year old structure bridging Highway 101 with the town of Ferndale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernbridge_(bridge)   In Episode 124 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we explore some of the elements of willpower than could help us make positive change. In Our knitting, we talk about two double stranded hats and a new heavily textured shawl. And we consider a classic landmark of the Northcoast -- Fernbridge. Thanks for listening to our podcast and you can subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts.    

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Brainy thing: 24:14. Behind the Redwood Curtain:  34:50                     What we are learning from our knitting: Catherine arranged her house to tackle the space requirements for blocking large shawls -- Heaven Scent by Boo Knits https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heaven-scentand Bright Sunny Day by Sivia Harding https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day. She is happy to start Stephen Wests' Metalouse shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse. Margaret tackled some knitting in black -- a sphere ornament called RBG Ball by Lexie Bryan commemorating Ruth Bader Ginsberg https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rbg-balland a large and thick potholder called Baker's Twine by Ducathi https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bakers-twine     Revenge bedtime procrastination Postponing bedtime -- even to the point of being unhealthy -- seems to be one way some people are trying to take control of their lives during the pandemic. It's called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/revenge-bedtime-procrastination:   Honor tax There is a movement in our community called the honor tax -- a voluntary payment to the local Wiyot tribal nation for recognition of the traditional land that we are using. http://www.honortax.org/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/cost-of-occupation/Content?oid=2130244 https://madriverunion.com/indigenous-peoples-day-sees-honor-tax-appeal/     Welcome to Episode 123 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we focus on the increasingly familiar phenomenon called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination; We share our recent knitting progress including a blocking party for shawls and knitting in black -- including an rbg ornament and a potholder. We also introduce the concept of an honor tax -- a voluntary, self-determined payment to local native tribes. Show notes and links are in the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Group in Ravelry, in Libsyn, and often in the app you use to play your podcasts. We hope that you'll tell others about our podcast and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Thank you for listening.    

Brainy Thing:   16:14       Behind the Redwood Curtain:   24:21   What We're Learning from our Knitting:  Margaret finished her first poncho -- well, actually a shoulder cosy:  Wave Shoulder Cozy by Eline Oftedal https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wave-shoulder-cosy with beads and starring Dragonfly Fibers yarns from Laura Nelkin's Ducenti Shawl kit.   She also played around with raffia yarn from Churchmouse yarns and teas making their pattern for stars. Catherine finished her second Socky Slouchy Hat of late  in fingering weight yarn:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat. by Lauren Sanchez: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-sanchez.   She's frustrated finding a scrubbie pattern she likes and continues working on her gnome.   Brainy Thing: Margaret continues to report on resilience, this time sharing information from Rick Hanson, a psychologist, neuroscientists, and Buddhist. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_hardwire_resilience_into_your_brain https://www.rickhanson.net/teaching/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson/ https://www.rickhanson.net/ https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: There's a little section of roadway on Highway 101 about 60 miles north of Arcata that is prone to rock slides. Catherine reports on Last Chance Grade: https://lastchancegrade.com/#:~:text=The%20Last%20Chance%20Grade%20Project,miles%20south%20of%20Crescent%20City.  

Brainy thing:   23:21     Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:43   What We're Learning from Our Knitting. Catherine is giving away hats at the dog park. Socky Slouchy Hat: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat. by Lauren Sanchez: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-sanchez Margaret finished her ADVENTure Gnome: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adventure-gnome by Sarah Schira: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-schira and offers a list of points for finding an instructional knitting video for best learning.   Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on The Brain Booth at Humboldt State University which could be a model for any school, institution or business. https://libguides.humboldt.edu/brainbooth   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret talks about oyster farming in Humboldt Bay and the currently virtual yearly Oyster Festival in Arcata the 3rd week of June. Aqua Rodeo. https://aqua-rodeofarms.com/ Hog Island Oyster. https://hogislandoysters.com/oysters/farming. Coast Seafood https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/coast-seafoods-co/Location?oid=2182300 Peg House: http://thepeghouse.com/ Oyster Festival: https://arcatamainstreet.com/oyster-festival       Welcome to Episode 121 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where Catherine reports on the Brain Booth at Humboldt State University that offers a wealth of different strategies to support brain growth and decrease stress. It could be a model for any school, institution or business; Catherine and Margaret talk about their knitting: hats and gnomes and Margaret shares some guidelines on instructional videos, particularly for knitting that best help learning. And Margaret dips into oyster farming in Humboldt Bay. Your can subscribe to Teaching Your Brain to Knit anywhere you listen to podcasts and our shownotes are on Libsyn, Ravelry and on some podcast servers when you listen.                                          

Brainy Thing:  13:52            Behind the Redwood Curtain. 21:23     What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret investigates the construction of Pom Poms she used in her knitting and the one trick that will make your pom poms neat and tidy.  Stitch and Sheep: https://sheepandstitch.com/library/how-to-make-a-pom-pom/ Purl Soho: https://www.purlsoho.com/shop?q=pom%20pom. Arne and Carlos Bird: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. Catherine is that pause between finishing one project and starting the next, exploring patterns and yarns. Sivia Harding Bright Shiny Day. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day. https://www.ravelry.com/people/sivia     Brainy Thing:  Resilience In the first of multiple reports, Margaret shares basic definitions and strategies in developing resilience -- the ability to bounce back from adversity. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elements-resilience#:~:text=Resilience%20is%20defined%20as%20the,bounce%20back%20from%20adverse%20events. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifespan-perspectives/202003/seven-skills-resilience https://www.bouncebackproject.org/     Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Public Art in Eureka Ocean Love (or Mother Love) bench along Eureka Waterfront Trail. https://www.google.com/search?q=Ocean+love+public+park+bench+eureka&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=iWSI8R6maQ93PM%252CfKl-MnwYLTBSsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSKDo1-FX2oiNI1weMq4JSm_Dyqkg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgisK15MbtAhWQjp4KHRmXDPIQ9QF6BAgMEAE#imgrc=C1kHCj0oX8BvuM   https://www.google.com/search?q=Ocean+love+public+park+bench+eureka&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=iWSI8R6maQ93PM%252CfKl-MnwYLTBSsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSKDo1-FX2oiNI1weMq4JSm_Dyqkg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgisK15MbtAhWQjp4KHRmXDPIQ9QF6BAgMEAE#imgrc=iWSI8R6maQ93PM       Today on Episode 120 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we begin our examination of resilience -- our ability to bounce back from adversity.  Catherine is enjoying a slight pause between finishing a big knitting project and starting a new one with the fun of selecting patterns and yarn.  Margaret shares her latest projects and her discovery of the many ways to make pom poms, including a tip that makes them neat and tidy.  And Catherine takes us to Eureka along the Waterfront Trail and the public art/bench piece called Ocean Love but nicknamed mother love for the mother and child sea lions sculpted.          

Brainy 16:20. Behind the Redwood Curtain. 25:00   What We're Learning from Our Knitting We're appreciating the community spirit behind swaps and knit-a-longs as Catherine participates in the annual Dishcloth Swap and Sivia Hardings Bright Sunny Day knit-a-long Annual Dishcloth Swap. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap Bright Sunny Day shawl. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Julia Farwell-Clay. Bodhi Leaf. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bodhi-leaf-washcloth Basic Bird. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. Arne and Carlos   video re gut condition. podcast. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day   Brainy Thing: The Brain Gut connection goes both ways and food can positively effect your moods. video re Brain gut condition. podcast. https://www.uclahealth.org/SitePages/video-player.html?v=Yb5v-6dUjqA&t=youtube. from UCLA Kirsten Tillisch , MD   Behind the Redwood Curtain We report on the special delights of Fall and Winter Gardening: lettuce, spinach, sprouting broccoli, Chinese cabbage, bok choi among other treats.   And don't forget the role of the vagus nerve ( check out Episode 110.)   Behind the Redwood Curtain: We report on the special delights of Fall and Winter Gardening: lettuce, spinach, sprouting broccoli, Chinese cabbage, bok choi among other treats.   Today on Episode 119 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we discuss the latest research on the brain/gut connection and how it can affect our moods; we report on the community spirit of swaps, in particular Catherine's dish cloth swap and her continuing progress on Sivia Hardings Knit-a-long; Margaret talks more about bird knitting and in addition, leaf knitting; and we share experiences of fall and winter gardening on the North Coast of California. We hope you can tell we are making progress with our distant sound quality but we're still hoping for great improvement. Thanks for listening.

It’s awfully quiet around here these days. Despite our remoteness and relatively low population, Humboldt has historically overachieved with regards to the number of quality touring musical acts we’ve been able to seduce behind the Redwood Curtain. Maybe it’s due to our being a halfway point between Portland and the Bay Area. Maybe it’s our reputation as a whimsical artist’s escape. Maybe it’s our famous music-enhancing products. Either way, over the years we’ve been spoiled by a high-caliber soundtrack. Of course, our ample concert supplies were wiped out in March when COVID-19 silenced sound systems countywide. And few people have had to wrestle with that reality as much as Laurel Weston. For over a decade, Weston booked shows for Humboldt Brews in Arcata, inarguably one of the county’s most coveted stages. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO speaks with Weston about losing the community role she’d built for herself to a global pandemic and also asks her what the odds are of rekindling our musical mojo. (Spoiler: It’s complicated.)

Brainy thing:     17:09   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  24:36   What We’ve Learned from our Knitting: Margaret finished Sarah Schirra’s Mystery Knit-along named Nice to Gnome you.   Knitting with two strands of yarn was challenging — especially with the nose and the center double decrease but she enjoyed watching how the various doubled yarns of different colors worked together.    https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nice-to-gnome-you https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/double-vision/?mc_cid=c289c548d9&mc_eid=f7638ac441    She used a combination of colors from Leading Men Fibers. https://www.leadingmenfiberarts.com/ Afterwards, she knit Susan B. Anderson’s Peas in a Pod, a tiny amigurumi project where she made small balls with ease.   Finally, she discovered and knit an Izzy Doll, to be donated to charity https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set    sethttps://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&inline=&query=izzy  https://cmea-agmc.ca/story-izzy-dolls#:~:text=During%20his%20first%20peace%2Dkeeping,dolls%20and%20Mark%20distributed%20them. Catherine is steadily knitting and enjoying Bright Summer Day, a shawl designed by Sivia Harding as a Mystery Knit along. Catherine is using Canon Hand Dye by Amy Lee in colors of yellow and maroon.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day   Brainy Thing: One of the most under-appreciated senses, smell not only is key in our sense of taste but also helps us form emotional links with others. https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/smell/2015/making-sense-of-scents-smell-and-the-brain https://www.dana.org/article/the-senses-smell-and-taste/ https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/psychology-and-smell/ https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders#1 https://hms.harvard.edu/news/how-covid-19-causes-loss-smell#:~:text=Analyses%20of%20electronic%20health%20records,to%20patients%20without%20COVID%2D19 https://n.neurology.org/content/smell-brain.     Behind the Redwood Curtain:   Catherine discovers that a small local creek has a big history and has landed right in the middle of the Cancel Culture debate.     Today in Episode 118 of Teaching your Brain to Knit, we explore the sense of smell and how it connects us to others; We report on knitting projects — the Bright Sunny Day shawl, a mystery gnome, peas in a pod, and Izzy, the charity doll, and we discuss the small neighborhood Janes Creek which is now embroiled in local politics.  As has been the case with the last few podcasts, we’ve recorded this on zoom which suffers from occasional sound distortions.  We are continuing to search for solutions which will work with our antiquated digital equipment.  Thanks for your patience and thanks for listening to Teaching Your Brain to Knit.    

Brainy thing: 19:33    Behind the Redwood Curtain (and beyond):  34:15   What We’re Learning from our Knitting: Catherine finished hosting 2020 Potholder exchange which she said was successful.   She has been doing some dyeing with procion dyes which she says was  fun but messy and recommends kool aid dyes (acid)  for beginners.   Her current project that she’s making for the Dishcloth Exchange is Log Cabin Dishcloth by Mary Anne Dinsmore  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/log-cabin-dishcloth.   She also working on the Bright Sunny Day Mystery Knit Along by Sivia Harding Using Canon Hand Dyes by the Other Amy Lee but going slower than the clues are coming out.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Margaret finished the third Potholder for the exchange using Chicken Potholder  by Erangi Udeshika https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chicken-potholder-6 .  She also finished two projects in Laura Nelkins Kit Knit along.  First was a very pleasurable two color Stranded hat call Proto Lola https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/proto-lola  in green and white, Berroco Catena and Istez Lettlopi.   She’s was challenged by the combination of yarn (JaggerSpun Zephyr wool/silk laceweight yarn and small sharp needles.   The pattern is Cassio Collar  and the beads and findings are lovely.   In fact the whole thing is lovely now that it’s done.   I have an extra kit that I’m happy to send to a listener who is the first one on this thread (Episode 117) on our Ravelry Group  Teaching Your Brain to Knit.     Brainy Thing: Catherine discusses the difference between Empathy, Compassion and Pity and the role genetics and the brain plays on compassion. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/study-finds-that-genes-play-a-role-in-empathy  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/the-neuroscience-empathy#:~:text=This%20specific%20part%20of%20your,the%20the%20right%20supramarginal%20gyrus.&text=This%20area%20of%20the%20brain,responsible%20for%20empathy%20and%20compassion.She also shares some compassion quizzes and recommends George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100171h.html  and Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin.    Max Planck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Planck      https://mpfi.org/ Greater Good quiz  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/empathy   Behind the Redwood Curtain The local Natural Fiber Fair is going virtual this year http://www.naturalfiberfair.com/  so all can attend free this year.   Watch out for other local fiber events that may be going online.  Stitches has had virtual events https://stitches.events/  and Vogue Knitting will be putting on Virtual Knitting Live by Vogue Knitting on September 10-13 and October 8 through 11 https://www.vogueknittinglive.com/portal   Marketplace:   https://www.handspunhope.org/events?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwf3OmdbV6wIVxcDACh0OzQ0cEAAYASAAEgI2p_D_BwE.     Welcome to Teaching Your Brain to Knit, episode 117 where we explore the genetic and brain links to Compassion, report on Catherine’s progress on Potholders and Sivia Harding’s Mystery Knit along and Margaret’s completion of two of Laura Nelkin’s kits.  We share that our local Natural Fiber Fair is going virtual and encourage everyone to check out their own local fiber events as well as national fiber shows that are happening online.    

Brainy Thing: 25:48       Behind the Redwood Curtain:  36:28   What We’re Learning From Our Knitting: Margaret got caught up in casting on projects but not finishing them.   She did complete three Chicken Potholders  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chicken-potholder-6  by Erangi Udeshika using Knit Picks Dishy and Dishy Twist in silver and orange and Naturatura organic yarn in pale yellow.   She hopes to finish some of those projects she started.    Catherine also finished potholders,  named “Potholder for my Mother”  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/potholder-for-my-mother by Ellinor Wideen.  She also used Knit Picks Dishy Twist and a number of leftover  cottons in a variety of colors from  her stash. Both are anticipating Myster Knit a longs.   Brainy Thing: We’re familiar with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but some scientists are studying Post Traumatic Growth that we can experience after we process the discomforts of the trauma.   https://sites.uncc.edu/ptgi/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2013/01/PTG-Conceptual-Foundtns.pdf https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=BHEABAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=post+traumatic+growth&ots=o4EMAfbxGo&sig=W9vdXDzR7tBiVbyncM_kkt3ct_I#v=onepage&q=post%20traumatic%20growth&f=false  https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=cs2QAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=post+traumatic+growth&ots=ndjgS0-wEK&sig=Fyrz1cEjWkLGF3WkO8po-O4eETE#v=one

Brainy: 16:00    Behind the Redwood Curtain: 25:42   What we’re learning from our Knitting and crochet: Catherine’s comfort knitting is the Socky Slouchy Hat  by Lauren Sanchez.   She’s using a Canon Hand dye sock yarn in a deep black and periwinkle.  Lauren Sanchez  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat.  And she continues her search for the best gauge to use for a potholder with the Knit Picks Dishie Twist. Margaret is also searching for comfort and returned to Arne and Carlos for their basic bird.   https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird.  And she picked up the black bird project she tried from Nikki Figikoska’s book:   Knitted Birds.  She started it a couple of years ago but put it aside when she stuffed it and it looked more like a rat than a bird.   She was prepared to rip the whole thing out but as she began to take the stuffing out she noticed it began to look more like a bird so with a little shifting around she has a beautiful bird in a bright aqua and stellina scrap yarn.   She also discovered a list of collective nouns on the wiktionary collective https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary_of_collective_nouns_by_subject       Brainy Thing:  Even just planning a vacation helps our brains     Destination healthy aging https://globalcoalitiononaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/destination-healthy-aging-fact-sheet_final-1.pdf  and Paul Nussbaum How to stiumulate the brain  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhWJGgkPFhsvideo Applied research and quality of life 2010   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret discovered the many benefits of yhe sweet smelling intensely blue ceanothus   https://www.laspilitas.com/groups/ceanothus/california_ceanothus.html   Today in episode 115 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we learn how to get the brain benefits of traveling, without traveling;  Margaret and Catherine report on their comfort knitting , and Margaret discovers the many benefits of the native shrub, ceanothus.   Recorded on zoom with all the vicissitudes that platform presents.   Deadline for the 2020 Potholder Swap is August 1

Brainy thing:  17:42      Behind the Redwood Curtain:  28:36   What We’re Learning from Our Knitting: Margaret gains an even greater appreciation for well written directions.  Two great patterns, in particular  that she’s worked on lately is Wooly Sheep by  Lucy of Attic 24 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/woolly-sheep-2.  She used scrap yarn.    She added a touch of embroidery on the sweater/blanket for the sheep.  Also, she’s working on the Baker’s Twine potholder out of  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baker-s-twine  two strands of dk cotton, one black and one white.  The designer is Catherina Duden.   Her company is Ducathi.   Catherine is working away at her Socky Slouchy Hat by Loren Sanchez  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat.    She’s also trying to find a gauge she likes for a potholder for her potholder exchange:  the 2020 Potholder Exchange:  https://www.ravelry.com/groups/2020-potholder-swap   Brainy Thing:  Countering the Stress of the  Pandemic Experiencing sheltering-in-place and isolation creates stress for most of us.  Margaret shares many strategies for helping to ease your way through the crisis. https://www.businessinsider.com/what-coronavirus-covid19-pandemic-stress-is-doing-to-your-brain-2020-5 https://www.wired.com/story/what-does-covid-19-do-to-your-brain/    cytokines   April 30  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/demystifying-psychiatry/202004/effects-covid-19-the-brain   https://www.sciencealert.com/some-covid-19-patients-are-also-reporting-neurological-symptoms   blood brain barrier   https://theconversation.com/lethargic-global-response-to-covid-19-how-the-human-brains-failure-to-assess-abstract-threats-cost-us-dearly-137119   slow response   research necessary mental health   https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/15/health/covid-19-mental-health-pandemic-wellness-intl-scli-gbr/index.html   upper and lower brain   https://www.forbes.com/sites/rahulrazdan/2020/04/26/sustainability-covid-19-elon-musk-and-a-tale-of-the-upper-and-lower-brain-/#547f277273ba   what we don’t know   https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/what-we-dont-know-about-covid-19   poly vagal  https://acepblog.org/2020/05/05/the-pandemic-zoom-and-polyvagal-theory/ https://www.registerguard.com/news/20200601/prevention-dont-hold-in-anxiety-get-relief-by-talking-about-it https://today.uconn.edu/2020/06/americans-coping-covid-19-stress/ https://www.newswise.com/coronavirus/the-potential-of-covid-19-to-infect-the-brain/?article_id=731490   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The Humboldt Open Studios allows visitors and patrons to see artists where they work.  This year’s event is cancelled but we hope it continues in the future.     Welcome to Episode 114 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit.   Today we shares many strategies for helping you ease your way through the isolation and separation of the Pandemic.  Margaret gains a new appreciation for well written directions and mentions two projects with excellent directions that she’s been working on.   Catherine continues working on her Socky Sloucy Hat and struggles to find a perfect gauge for her potholder.   And she also reports on an annual event in Humboldt, the artists’ Open Studios which sadly has been canceled this year but that we hope you can catch in the future.   Many thanks to KnittyBarb of the Two Knit Lit Chicks Podcast who shared her tips on recording remotely with me.   Unfortunately, both Catherine and I have very old devices and so the sound quality here continues to be less than ideal.   But we’re working on it.     Thanks for listening to our podcast.  We’re going to increase the frequency of our podcasts to a bit more than once a month.   If you subscribe — we’re on most podcast apps and aggregators — you’ll be sure not to miss our episodes.     

Brainy: 21:26  Mind/Body Depression, Pain and the Brain Behind the Redwood Curtain:      28:04   What We’re Learning from Our Knitting Both Catherine and Margaret (without consultation with each other) made hats for themselves.  Catherine knit the Socky Slouchy Hat by Lauren Sanchez https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat Margaret’s was the Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Boyfriend Watch Cap https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boyfriend-watch-capMargaret also tried out the famous and infamous ball band washcloth pattern but she extended the length into a towel.   She used Knit Pick’s new twisted Dishie in Black and White with the contrasting yarn in matching solid black.   https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth  It was a fun pattern to do.  And Catherine is taking up the gauntlet and hosting the 2020 Potholder exchange.  https://www.ravelry.com/groups/2020-potholder-swap.   Brainy Thing: Catherine leads us into a deep dig into the Mind-Body phenomena, specifically the relationship between pain and the brain.     Behind the Redwood Curtain. In our little town and probably yours, dozens of businesses are joining the campaign to protect our communities.   Here are some we mentioned: Holly Yashi https://www.hollyyashi.com/ Kokotat  https://kokatat.com/ Bubbles  https://www.bubbles-arcata.com/?ccUser= North Coast Dance  http://www.atlpublishing.com/NCD/Mobile.html North Coast Repertory https://ncrt.net/   Today in Episode 113 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we dive deeply into the mind/body phenomena specifically  Pain and Depression and how you might improve both;  We discuss our new knitting:  Hats and a dishtowel plus Catherine takes up the challenge to host the Potholder swap.  And in Behind the Redwood Curtain, we celebrate the local business who are making masks, face guards, and sanitizers to help protect our community.   We’re sure there are businesses in your community that are doing the same thing.     And before we begin, I just want to note that I’m not happy with the sound quality in this episode.  We spent a lot of time and some money trying to figure out a way to record remotely with our older computers but this was the best we could do this time.   Rest assured that we will continue to experiment and hopefully have a better quality next time.   Until then, stay well.        

Brainy Thing:  21:11    Behind the Redwood Curtain  29:33    What we’re learning from our knitting: Margaret participated in Sara Schira’s MKAL3 for a new Gnome "Gnome is Where you Hang Your Hat" https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnome-is-where-you-hang-your-hat.  This one features stranded colorwork.   Margaret also got caught up in other cute projects including Henry’s Bunny https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/henrys-bunny by Sara Elizabeth Kellner and Susan B. Anderson’s Spring Charm set https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-charm-set.   Despite the cuteness of these projects, they have been good skill builders.   Catherine points us toward the March 2020 edition of Better Homes and Gardens which features beautiful visible mending https://www.bhg.com/better-homes-and-garden-magazine/.   She also completed an embellished Jellyfish bath scrubby https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jellyfish-bath-scrubbies by Julie Tarsha.     Brainy Thing: Margaret discovers how “cute” things impact our brains and stimulates dopamine and how an overdose of these neurochemicals can cause aggression.   https://bigthink.com/aeon-ideas/how-the-cute-pikachu-is-a-chocolate-milkshake-for-the-brain https://www.brainson.org/shows/2016/12/06/what-makes-cute-things-cute https://theconversation.com/how-cute-things-hijack-our-brains-and-drive-behaviour-61942 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/31/679832549/when-too-cute-is-too-much-the-brain-can-get-aggressive   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine shares with us the features of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove a superb old growth trail spot.    https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/lady-bird-johnson-grove/517/ http://www.redwoodhikes.com/RNP/LBJ.html.       Today in Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we discover how cute things trigger happy brain chemicals and how too much cute can cause aggression.   We explore how cute projects can also build skills and then share one of the most popular hiking trails in our area:  The Lady Bird Johnson Grove.  

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Brainy Thing:  23:31     Behind the Redwood Curtain:  34:16   What We Learned from Our Knitting Catherine has found the perfect combination of yarn, needles and pattern in the Baker’s Street Scarf https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baker-street-scarf  by Joan of Dark  and on Knitty http://knitty.com/ISSUEff15/index.php.   She used Brittany birchwood needles and Blue Moon Fiber Company’s yarn in the Evermore colorway.     Margaret is proclaiming Sarah Schira the Queen of the gnomes after  investigation into gnome-dom.    https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=sarah%20schira&sort=best&view=captioned_thumbs&page=1  Margaret knit two of them for gifts and is joining Sarah’s newest mystery knit-a-long for Gnemo:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnome-is-where-you-hang-your-hat.   There are scores, maybe hundred of other gnome options.  Margaret mentions the Jolly Wee Elf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jolly-wee-elf    She also knit one of the five designs in Holiday Trees pattern by Yellow Cosmo. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holiday-trees-2  She bought the kit on Bluprint and used its Cloudborn Superwash in dark green and white.    Brainy Thing: Chocolate just doesn’t taste good, it has a host of natural chemicals that are good for our bodies and minds and she’ll reveal the secret of why it is a particularly good choice for Valentine Days Gifts.     Behind the Redwood Curtain: We visit a boutique craft chocolate company in Humboldt, Dick Taylor,  that ships all over the world. (We got to sample all of their products.)    If you want to join Sara Schira’s gnome-a-long  that starts February 12, check this out:   https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnome-is-where-you-hang-your-hat.    

Brainy thing:  23:46   Behind the Redwood Curtain:   37:07 What we’re learning from our knitting:   Margaret’s knitting this time focused on small items.    She was amazed at the design originality of Rebecca Langford’s Little rustic pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-rustic-pumpkin that she started in in Kelbourne Woolens, Germantown, Gold but sadly didn’t have enough to complete. Just to be able to complete something she took up the crocheted Fall Leaves Pattern https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-leaves-3 by Michelle @ the Painted Hinge.  She completed the  Caps for Kids Swirled Ski Hat https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirled-ski-cap by Caps for Kids from the organization but also included in Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen.  Finally, her favorite, most fun, quick, quick project this time was the Pint Sized Pines by Julie Tarsha  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pint-sized-pines made from scraps of Mission Falls 1824 cotton. Catherine worked on crocheted cotton Rainbow Flower Scrubby Dishcloth https://www.mooglyblog.com/rainbow-flower-scrubby-dishcloth-free-crochet-pattern/ https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-flower-scrubby-dishcloth by Tamara Kelly but sadly her new puppy loves them and took a bite out of one.  She has fallen love with some yarn that she will work up as a scarf. http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/   Brainy Thing:  The Vagus Nerve Labeled the “queen of nerves” the Vagus Nerve plays a major role in connection between the trunk of the body and the brain and seems able to affect a host of conditions from inflammation to depression.  Margaret outlines the remarkable connections the Vagus Nerve makes and how to stimulate it for good health.   https://www.mentalfloss.com ›    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › https://www.thecut.com    Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Utility Boxes As Art Who would have thought of using outdoor Utility Boxes as a canvas for art?   The City of Eureka did and the results are fun and engaging.  https://www.ci.eureka.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=12986   https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2018/may/4/eurekas-first-utility-box-art-installation-finishe/   https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2018/may/17/outraged-business-owner-convinces-city-cover-cat-p/   Today in Episode 110 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we outline the many ways the Vagus Nerve connects the brain with the body and the many ways you can stimulate it that will improve your health.  Margaret shares the small  but satisfying projects she worked on, Catherine talks about crocheting scrubbies and her excitement about new yarn , and she reports how the city of Eureka used its Utility Boxes as canvases for outdoor art. 

Brainy:  15:22                      Behind the Redwood Curtain:  29:45   What We’re Learning from our Knitting: Catherine has found the same peace with English Paper Quilting that she gets with knitting but she’s not abandoning knitting and has plans for new projects.   Margaret revisited the   Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh, making one for her. Ravelry   https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jewish-hearts-for-pittsburgh hearts https://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/love-hearts/ 6 pointed stars https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginners-flower--6-point-star https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/suzies-6-point-star-embellishment She also discovers an interesting book on an historical look at using crafts for dissent. Crafting Dissent by Hinda Mandell   https://www.amazon.com/Crafting-Dissent-Handicraft-Revolution-Association/dp/1538118394/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=crafting+dissent&qid=1575327532&s=books&sr=1-1 And of course, she found another  Laura Nelkin pattern to knit up — a felted hot pad: Another Contexta  by Laura Nelkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/another-contexta using Germantown wool   Brainy Thing: On her way to check out Theta Waves Catherine discovers binaural beats that in one study successfully relieved pre-surgery anxiety.  There are also wild claims about this phenomenon but research is showing that some of those claims may be proven out.   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04287.x Also, she offers a tip on a show that illustrates the amazing-ness of the human brain: NOVA   4619  Looks Who’s Driving  https://video.aptv.org/video/nova-4619-grmkax/ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20190920pbs30/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret reports on a must-see North Coast phenomen — Fern Canyon.   https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/fern-canyon-in-prairie-creek-redwoods-sp/464/     Today, in Episode 109 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we touch on English Paper Quilting, we follow up on Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh, and look at another Laura Nelkin kit — a felted hot pad called Another Contexta.    Although there are some wild claims for binaural beats, some studies are showing useful applications.  We talk about them.   And then we report on the famous, magical Fern Canyon in Behind the Redwood Curtain.     Thank you for listening to our podcast.   You can find the show notes on ravelry and inside some podcast apps.   You can find us on Facebook and rarely instagram.   We hope you subscribe and continue to listen to us.  

Brainy Thing:  16:15    Behind the Redwood Curtain:  27:41   Margaret finished the Laura Nelkin Kairos wristlet https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kairos-2.   She particularly liked the randomness of the bead placement.  This was a kit and Laura offers 5 different colorways on her etsy store.     Catherine hasn’t done much knitting but she’s working on a pair of Baby Socks https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23  and has reaped the rewards of her dishcloth exchange.    https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap: Some of the patterns she received are Blossom (crochet),   The Almost Lost Washcloth https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-almost-lost-washcloth;   in swimming pool colorway, The Sail Away Dishcloth—  (joann’s )  and  Poppy.       Brainy Thing:  Brain Changes in Animal-Human Interactions Why does it feel so good to pet your animal (or even watch colorful fish?)   There’s a whole world of research out there and recent studies show chemical and structural changes in both animal and human brains when they interact.  And those changes make both  feel good.   Book mentioned :  How Dogs Love Us:  A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain   by Gregory Berns     Other research links:   https://www.google.com/search?q=prolactine&oq=prolactine&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.12407j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4625213/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-love----its-better-you-think/#.XYve7GRKgUQ https://www.cnet.com/news/my-week-with-aibo-what-its-like-to-live-with-sonys-robot-dog/ http://sciencenetlinks.com/science-news/science-updates/robotic-dog/y.   Welcome to episode 108 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, a bit delayed because of power outages and other events.   Today, we will explore how the brain changes in animal and human interactions;  we’ll talk about a cute little beaded wristlet;  report on the Annual Washcloth exchange,  and discuss a Northcoast landmark — the Samoa Cookhouse.     Thank you for listening to our podcast.  You can subscribe to us on most podcasting platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Shownotes are on Ravelry and on many podcast platforms, embedded in the show.  We’re behind posting on our Webpage but we’ll catch up someday.       Behind the Redwood Curtain:  The Samoa Cookhouse   samoa cookhouse winter hours  https://www.samoacookhouse.net/menu    

Brainy:    13:05           Behind the Redwood Curtain 27:30  What We’re Learning from our Knitting:   It’s socks, socks, socks in our knitting this episode.  Catherine shares the sad tale of her puppy getting to a washcloths she had finished for her Washcloth exchange.   Now she gets to keep the slightly chewed Vortex 5 by Rebecca Hudson  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vortex-5-dishcloth but needs to make another one.  She decided on the perfect traveling project:  Baby socks.   Some patterns she likes are  ribbed far away baby socks   originally from Afghan for afghans made in worsted weight https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-far-away-baby-socks.  She also like another free baby socks pattern:  jelly bean baby sock spud and chloe  Susan B Anderson  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jelly-bean-baby-socks   Margaret also is working on socks — this time the nugget peds by Laura Nelkin  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&inline=&query=Nugget%20peds.  She also offers some of her favorite sock tips:   kate Atherly heel trick  http://kateatherley.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-questions-on-sock-fit.html lucy neatby heel The slippurl and alternative heel stitch  https://www.lucyneatby.com/extras/newsletters/SY19.html   Finchley graft video by Roxanne Richardson:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3sD_RU720c  (watch out! The opening ad is loud)   Lorilee Beltman how to  remember the kitchner stitch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkW3kP7RZdk    Brainy Thing:   Analysis Paralysis  overanalysis squelches creativity 1959 Barry Swartz  The paradox of choice The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Podcast recommended:   Happier (also by Gretchen Rubin)   Ambition and balance  blog by Doist Links:       https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/don-t-overthink-it-less-is-more-when-it-comes-to-creativity/   http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bschwar1/maximizing.pdf   https://gretchenrubin.com/2011/12/dont-fall-into-decision-quicksand/   https://doist.com/blog/category/productivity/   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Fancy Website:  Visit Humboldt https://www.visithumboldt.com/ More basic website:  Humboldt california redwood coast https://www.visitredwoods.com/   Today on Episode 107 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we discuss a beaded cuff sock, Nugget Peds by laura Nelkin plus a few sock tips and tricks to spice it up;   We find baby socks the perfect travel knitting and offer some patterns.  Analysis Paralysis is a real thing and we not share the brain science behind it but offer some tips to kicking it; and we present an overview of tourism on the Northcoast from attractions to wholistic groceries.     Today we have another give away — this time a book from my library — a gently owned book named “Slow Knitting a journey from sheep to skein to stitch”   by Hannah Thiessen.  It chronicles her journey from the “getting it done quickly” attitude with her knitting to slowing down and deep her understanding of all the processes of her practice.  The book is a mixture of patterns, essays from a variety of professionals in the industry and beautiful photographs.  Companies include Green Mountain Spinner and O-Wool.  The patterns include lots of sweaters but also shawls and cowls and hats and mittens.  Hannah divides her book with the themes of “source carefully”  produce thoughtfully   think environmenta  lly experiment fearlessly and explore Openly.  This is a book you slow down with and come back too.       

Brainy thing:  18:37       Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:19 What We’re Learning From Our Knitting Margaret finished a pair of summer socks:  Top down, 1x1 twist rib cuff, afterthought heel with gusset,  (check out Ariana Hipsagh    gussets in afterthought heel  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUyJM2FBH_o Reena Meijer Dress  Knit better Socks blog  http://knitbettersocks.blogspot.com/) The yarn is  Canon Hand Dyed 80 Merino, 10 Cashmere and 10 nylon.by The Amy Lee Show and the colorway is “I will believe that there are unicorns” a part of her January Shakespeare Club and a quote from the Tempest.   She learned a lot from making the first step from Laura Nelkin’s Ducenti Shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ducenti-mkal— a beaded i-cord. Made from in two different but closely coordinated colors, the two skeins of yarn came in Laura Nelkin’s Ducenti Shawl kit,  originally a mystery kit.They are a wonderfully soft single ply Dragonfly Fibers, Pixie yarn in 100 % merino in a mossy green and a variegated dark putty, with hints of a brassy brown and green. But she’s not making the the full shawl as designed by Laura.    She’s using it as the bottom of Eline Oftedal’s Waves Shoulder Cosy https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wave-shoulder-cosy   Catherine shares a free app from Home Depot for matching up colors.   She finds the matches are a tad on the dark side but still thinks it’s a nifty tool.   She found some yarn she’s long been looking for from  Lion Brand gradient stripe in pink for a dog sweater for a dog who looks fierce but isn’t.   She is working on her Dishcloth exchange using cotton she had on hand plus a  ball of lily’s sugar and cream  in white, lime, teal green, and  lavendar.  The pattern is  Vortex 5  by Rebecca Hudson  (Meditative is her Rav name.)      Brainy Thing Margaret reports on recent research on the Placebo effect  — Among the findings are that it works even if people know they are taking a placebo, it works in animals, and it changes an enzyme in the  brain. https://connect.uclahealth.org/2019/03/14/placebo-effect-sugar-pills-as-medicine/   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513296/ https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2019/03/the-mysterious-and-maddening-placebo-effect-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-it/ http://programinplacebostudies.org/   Arcata Fairy Festival A new kid-friendly event in Arcata is the Fairy Festival, celebrating its second year and planning for the next. https://www.arcatamainstreet.com/fairy-festival   Give Away Another fun giveaway.  Be the first to request it on the Ravelry thread.     In this episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we discuss summer socks, beaded i-cord, the dishcloth exchange anda pink striped yarn for a dog.   We share the latest on the Placebo Effect and report on a new area event, The Arcata Fairy Festival.    

Brainy Thing: 15:16               Behind the Redwood Curtain:  27:41   In episode 105 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we share our knitting stories with buffalo wool, the log cabin mitts, blankets and blanket squares.  We report on research about the effect of diet on depression and the reintroduction of the condor in the Northcoast.   What we’re learning from our Knitting: Catherine plays "too little/too much" with her Caron Big Cake (https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/caron-big-cakes) a 100% acrylic yarn. But she’ll end up with a smaller baby sized blanket and blanket squares for a charity blanket.  Margaret tries out Buffalo Wool Company Prairie (bison and silk)  https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/stunning-string-studio-prairie on a pair of log cabin mitts https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/log-cabin-mitts by Karen Templer.   Great yarn and a fun pattern.   Brainy Thing:   Is there a relationship between diet and depression?   Catherine reports on recent research designed to show the impact of a healthy, modified Mediterranean and depression.  (It helped.)https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325240.php   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret discovers the history of the condor along the North Coast and exciting news that they will be reintroduced.   A Little Podcast Business:   We miss podcasting as much and plan to increase the number of podcasts we’re putting out PLUS we have a yarn give away.   A little Podcast Busines     After a few months on a less frequent schedule for our podcast, Catherine and I have missed it and plan now to put out a podcast about once a month.  It may vary a bit — 3 weeks or 5 weeks but somewhere around one podcast a month.  For the time being, we’ll stick to the same format.   And, as a special treat today, we have a giveaway from the stash — a beautiful handspun, thick and thin, sken of 100% BFL or blue face leister totally 100 gram and containing 106 meters.  It has a marled look with green, a medium dark purple, tan and a offwhite.  It is from Friday Studios.  The first one to request this yarn in the 105 episode thread will receive it.   Until next time.        

If all you know about Humboldt County, California, is Firesign Theatre and, uh, "agriculture," then it's time you got to know the Redwood Jazz Alliance. Located behind the "Redwood Curtain," the RJA is successfully bringing in major jazz artists to a community that wouldn't otherwise have access to them. In this interview, three board members -- Dan Aldag, Michael Eldridge and Eric Neel -- talk about the origins of the Alliance; its early success in attracting top-flight talent; and how the local community has taken up the cause. Learn more at www.redwoodjazzalliance.org. NOTE:This interview was recorded in the summer of 2009, so please check the RJA site for a current list of events.