#AtoZChallenge – Q is for Quadratic Equation

Quadratic Equation

This algebra function struck fear into the hearts of many a high school math student. I don’t recall having to solve quadratic equations below grade 9, but from that year through grade 12 there was always a segment in the math curriculum for the study of these.

quadratic equation
By Jennifer Ledwith [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Even though, once I got the knack and found quadratic equations easy to solve, I still hated them.

What memories of high school math set your teeth on edge?

#PostfromParis – Day 1 Montmartre

Let me backtrack a bit first. After we checked in at the airport and were waiting at the departure gate, our name was called “King, party of two” and we were asked to present ourselves to the airline representative at the check in line. We were… drum roll please… given a complimentary upgrade to Club Class – aka First Class! What treatment! Real china plates, stainless cutlery, stemless wine glasses. The champagne was offered while we were still waiting for the rest of the people to board… did I mention we got to board first, too?

As our meal was being served, there was a medical emergency (apparently in the seat directly behind me) and they called out over the PA system asking if there was a doctor on board and if so, would he make himself known to the cabin crew. Yikes! Scary moments but eventually, normalcy was restored and we got out meal.

Our airport to hotel shuttle never did show up and after a number of phone calls made by a wonderful man at the airport on our behalf, they sent a private mini van to collect us. This van wasn’t even one of the company’s that I hired’s fleet. In the end, we did get to the hotel, checked in (about 2 hours after our plane landed) but our room wouldn’t be ready until at 2:30.

Paparazzi Pair –

able caneAble Cane here with a breaking news story. Roxie Rebel and I have discovered world famous author, Melanie Robertson-King’s, whereabouts. She’s in the Montmartre area of Paris, but once again she gave us the slip. It’s amazing how fast she can move with her cane.

Roxie, did you manage to get any pictures?

Roxie RebelSorry, Able. She was too quick. I did get shots of places she’d been but by the time I was able to preview them on my computer, she wasn’t in the frame.

Well what did you manage to get then, girl?

See for yourself.

Montmartre
Montmartre Steps
Montmartre
Sacre Coeur
Montmartre
Gare du Nord

Excellent shots, Roxie, well if you don’t count the fact that Melanie isn’t in any of them.
But we don’t want our followers to be disappointed. We’ll track her down and maybe even she’ll agree to an interview.

This is Able Cane signing off for now…

 

#AtoZChallenge – P is for Paris

Paris

Paris
Looking out over Paris from Parc de Belleville taken on my first trip to the City of Lights in 2003

Known also as the City of Lights, Paris is the capital of France and the country’s largest city. And possibly most importantly, where my husband and I will be from today until 27th April! Woo hoo!

Places we’ll be visiting whilst on our trip (and in no particular order) include:

The Arc de Triomphe. When you climb to street level at the George V metro stop, the sight as this massive structure comes into view is truly breathtaking. This trip, I plan on going to the top since I didn’t get there on my only other trip. The views down the Champs Elysees should be spectacular.

Notre Dame Cathedral. I visited here in 2003 but didn’t get up to the gallery where the gargoyles that keep watch over the city reside. I think they are wonderous creatures and have to get at least one photo of me, and maybe even a selfie of hubby and me with a gargoyle and definitely one with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

And no trip to Paris would be complete without going to the Eiffel Tower. The views from the second and third levels are amazing and this time, we might even push the boat out and have a glass of champagne at the top.

And given my Scottish heritage, no trip would be complete without a trip to a Scottish Pub. My two favourites in Paris are The Highlander and The Auld Alliance.

Of course, there will be others but to find out what they are, you’ll have to come back to my blog each day as I plan to write posts from here every day.

 

Paparazzi Pair

The Paparazzi Pair are on the trail of a late-breaking story. Able Cane - Paparazzi PairAble Cane coming to you live from Pearson International Airport where world-famous author, Melanie Robertson-King and her husband, have just passed through security and are now working their way to their departure gate. I’ll see if I can catch up with them and get a word, or a hint as to their destination. Melanie isn’t moving too quickly – as you’ve heard she was injured in a mishap in her home about two weeks ago. I nudge my companion, Roxie Rebel, the photographic genius behind a number of the pictures you see in all the big tabloids.

Roxie Rebel - Paparazzi PairWe move swiftly to the check-point only to be thwarted by a burly security guard. Damn! I so wanted to get a word. Thankfully Roxie has her biggest telephoto lens on her camera and she starts shooting, holding the camera high in the air.

Oh dear, we have to run…

Let me catch my breath. *huff and puffing* That was too close. We’ll have to try a different approach to find out where Melanie is jetting off to. Never fear, the Paparazzi Pair will track her down wherever she is.

Tune in again…

Where do you think Melanie and her husband are going? Leave your guesses in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

#AtoZChallenge – O is for Oban

Oban

View Larger Map

Oban is a resort town in Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland. Until the Victorian era, it existed only as a fishing village, when it became a popular departure point for the Western Islands.

Atop one of the hills in the town, and visible from almost everywhere, stands McCaig’s Tower – better known as McCaig’s Folly.

Oban - McCaig's Tower from the harbour
McCaig’s Tower from the harbour

Unlike most distilleries, the Oban Distillery is located in the heart of the town.

During the summer months, the population swells to over 25,000. You can find out more about the town here.

#AtoZChallenge – M is for Manhattan

Manhattan

Not the city of the same name but the cocktail.

ManhattanHow to make a Manhattan:

2 ounces rye whiskey
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes (or into a cocktail shaker).
Stir well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with the cherry.

Variations on the classic version of the ‘manny’…

Dry Manhattan- Use a dash of dry vermouth and garnish with a lemon twist.
Perfect Manhattan- Equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Brandy Manhattan- Replace whiskey with brandy.
Scotch Manhattan- Replace whiskey with Scotch.
Southern Comfort Manhattan- Replace whiskey with Southern Comfort.

You can see more variations here.

So however you like your Manhattan, do enjoy.

 

#AtoZChallenge – L is for Libraries

Libraries

I remember the thrill of getting my first library card and being able to borrow books from my local library. Located near the main desk, stood the huge cabinet that housed the card index.

libraries - card files
By Librarian_at_the_card_files_at_a_senior_high_school_in_New_Ulm,_Minnesota.jpg: David Rees (1943—), Environmental Protection Agency derivative work: Andrzej 22 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Nowadays, the card system is on a computer but it’s still based on the Dewey Decimal System.

Even with the wealth of information available on-line, there’s nothing doing your research in libraries. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it on the shelves, and if your local doesn’t have it, then it can be brought in through inter-library loan.

You can borrow more than just books from libraries. Music CDs, audiobooks, DVDs and ebooks.

Newspapers and periodicals can’t be taken out, but are available to read there.

Do you use your local library? Do you borrow more than just books?

 

#AtoZChallenge – K is for KNoobies

KNoobies

KNoobiesKNoobie pattern

Materials

  • Any 3 or 4 ply knitting worsted yarn may be used for the outer piece
  • Cotton, silk or other natural fibre for the inner piece e.g. Bernat Handicrafter 100% Cotton
  • Note: 111yds/100m will make 2 KNoobies.
  • 1 set US #6/4mm double-point needles for outer
  • 1 set US #5/3.75 mm double-point needles  for inner
  •  Small split ring marker or very small elastic marker
  •  Sharp tapestry needle
  •  Decorative shank button for “nipple” (vintage buttons work well)(optional)
  •  Stuffing (cotton fleece or polyester fiberfill)
  •  Small weight, like a smooth stone (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Outer Piece

Nipple 1 – Using 4 mm needles, and whatever colour you like for the nipple, CO 3 sts. Knit 1.5 – 2 inches of I-Cord. This cord will be knotted when the boob is finished. It will look like a nipple through your bra.

Nipple 2 – Using 4 mm needles, and whatever colour you like for the nipple, CO 3 sts. Work 2 rows of I-Cord if you are going to use a button or bead. To finish sew on button/bead.

Nipple 3 – Using 4 mm needles, and whatever colour you like for the nipple, CO 4 sts. Work 3 rows of I-Cord.

Next row: knit 1, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 1, make 1 (6 sts.)

For all variations: Divide sts between 3 double-point needles, in preparation to begin working in the round. Place marker before first stitch.

Knit around without increases, holding the I-Cord up.

Next Round:  Knit 1, make 1, knit 1 on each needle.  3 sts increased.

Next and all following increase rounds: Knit to last 2 sts, knit 1, make 1, knit 1 on each needle

Continue increases in nipple colour to 8 stitches on each needle. Change to breast colour.

Repeat increase rounds to make a total of 60 (66, 72) sts. (20, 22, 24 sts on each needle).

Note: All breasts are different. There is no wrong in number of increases, only keep the stitches equal on the three needles. To make a fuller breast, increase stitches between the areole and the main body, mid-way on each needle. (An increase of 1 extra stitch per needle for 6 rows (18 stitches) will make a D cup.)

To make a longer breast body (for a full –figured woman) knit a few rows without increases once you have reached your base size.

Instructions continued

After your increases, knit one row.

Change to cotton yarn for inner and purl one row around.

Inner Piece

Change to smaller needles and knit one row.

Next and all following rows:  knit to last 3 sts on each needle, decrease by k2tog, knit 1. You are basically reversing all increases made on the front shaping.

Stop when you have 12 sts left (4 sts on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving a long tail to thread through the stitches and tie off.

Finishing

Tack the inner and outer together in the centre to make the back concave.

Stuff filling in through the opening, more or less depending on fullness desired. Sew or tie shut.

The stone is inserted into the fill to provide weight for breast sag. Optional.

To donate:

Kelly’s Mastectomy Boutique – Diane Hayes
1747A St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa, Ontario 
613-248-8989             
Donations are used for the Kelly Project:

http://kellysmastectomyboutique.com/

This pattern is adapted from Beryl Tsang’s pattern for ‘titbits’ found here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html

#AtoZChallenge – J is for Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles

Real or virtual, there’s nothing like spending a winter’s day with a good, challenging jigsaw puzzle.

Growing up there were always jigsaw puzzles in the house – square ones, rectangular ones, and even round ones! The cuts ranged from 500 pieces to 1000s. The method was always the same, find the outside pieces first then begin to fill in the centre.

We always had a piece of plywood to put the puzzles together on and when we stopped because it was time to get a meal on the table, the loose pieces would be put back in the box (well maybe not all of them) and the board would get slipped under the couch or bed or some other out of the way place until it was time to work on it again.

The beauty of virtual puzzles is, you don’t have to pack them up and put them away. They’re on your computer.

This puzzle of Edinburgh Castle from the Jigzone website, it shown at its default 48 piece cut, but you can go up to 247 piece triangles, if you feel up to the challenge.

Click to Mix and Solve

Jigzone allows you to embed jigsaw puzzles into your website or blog, but from what I’ve been able to determine, you can’t save your work-in-progress for another time.

That’s the advantage that thejigsawpuzzles.com has. Here you can save your puzzles, and expand the window to full-screen. This puzzle is cut into 250 pieces but if you don’t like the small window it’s in, you can click on the button on the bottom right and go full screen.

» More free online jigsaw puzzles at TheJigsawPuzzles.com

No matter which site you prefer to use, you’ll enjoy the selection of jigsaw puzzles, and the degrees of difficulty they provide.

My Scottish roots and writing by Melanie Robertson-King