Two Confirmed Non-Axe-Murderers Meet Up In Montpelier, Where Worldwide Knit In Public Day Was Totally Upstaged by World Naked Bike Ride Day

Diane H. was in Vermont for hooker school (doesn't that sound delicious and dangerous?) but ohyawn, I mean rug-hooking school. So before she left home for the wilds of Vermont for her school, she got in touch and we set up a meeting for yesterday at the Knitting Studio in Montpelier, followed by dinner.  I was aware that this was Worldwide Knit In Public Day, but of course I did not knit a stitch.  I'm just very counterculture that way.  I did, however, buy a pattern for a (nonlace) wrap, a shawl pin, and order some yarn for the pattern. 

But damn, I got there too late to see the naked bikers. 

It's really quite amazing that I continue to meet up with strangers who...imagine this... turn out not to be axe murderers!  It's not to say that all meetups are created equal, and that there are not, indeed, some weirdos out there.  I've met one or two of those, too.  But Diane's compatriots at the hooking school were not sure she should be running off so rashly to meet someone she'd never met.  What if I weren't really a woman!  And what if ... well, who knows.  But here I am to certify that this blog about my knitting and my garden and my work and my grandpuppy is not just an elaborate ruse to lure in unsuspecting knitters so I can have my way with them.  I have a different blog for that.

We had a great time, first at the yarn shop, where we each bought a few little souvenirs (as I mentioned above) and had fun conversation with the women there, and then at Montpelier's wonderful Royal Orchid Thai restaurant where we had Thai white wine*, and then shared pork skewers that were truly scrumptious, potstickers, and awesomely delicious garlic shrimp served on a bed of spinach, followed by black sticky rice with Thai custard for dessert.  *Ordinarily I don't even like white wine, but this stuff was really great, and as I'm writing this, I'm still remembering fondly all the flavors of the meal.

We had spirited conversation (maybe too spirited?), regaling each other with bed-and-breakfast stories of Rhinebecks past (remember our early bed-and-breakfast days, my friends?) and then we continued our conversation on the street and got some outdoor diners to take a couple photos of us.  Sadly, neither of the photos on my camera was very flattering to either of us, so I had some fun with one of them in my new Photoscape program.  I present to you two non-axe-murderers, out for a good time in Montpelier, in black and white.  I kind of like this modified version.

Comments

[Kristen]

Dunno, that photo looks pretty sketchy to me. (Get it, "sketchy"? Har, har! I kill me.)

[Carole]

The part about meeting one or two weirdos? You mean Dale and I, don't you?

[marianne]

Heh. I do on occasion yammer on about my (not so) imaginary friends and how I've met up, in person, with one for a whole day. I still get 'those' looks and I just don't care. I like the photo!

[LeslieEileen]

So where's the link for the *different* blog?

[Amy]

World Naked Bike Ride Day?

...ouch!

[sandy]

Oh....Maggie and Lu! I bet they still talk about us! hahaha. Fricking knitters! :)
Glad you had a good time! The Thai sounds amazing. It's on my list for next time!
You both look a bit pale. Perhaps too much fun. HA.
LX

[Tracy J.]

Thank you so much for the link to the naked cyclists. That was a lovely thing to see right before I head off to bed.

[lisa]

Where there naked bike riders in Montpelier? Gasp!
My SIL is a "dirty hooker", she leaves her ends out until the end and then tidies them up. She's pretty straight laced, so it's a funny thing to call her.

[Jennifer]

I'm so glad neither of you are axe murderers. I am very sorry that you missed the bike ride. Goodness knows that would have made for one of your more interesting posts (and they're all interesting as it is) if you had been able to post pictures of the ride. Sounds like you had a good time. Fun - fun!

[Cheryl S.]

I think it's all a matter of perspective. I know of some horsetail that would definitely call you an axe murderer. Not to mention the asparagus.

[Sunnyknitter]

Sounds like an almost perfect day! Mine ended with beer and laughter with a reporter friend, soooo much better than how it started!

[Cookie]

Wait...

You're not a sexy man trying to seduce me with spindles and lace weight?

I am devastated.

[kmkat]

Thanks for the link to the naked bike ride thing. Oh, not for me, but I sent it to Younger Son, who is a dedicated biker.

[sandy]

You know, back when I *used* to ride a bike, with clothing may I add, chafing was an issue. Can you imagine sans clothes?
The world is a crazy place.

[DianeH]

Norma -
Thanks for saving our dignity with the Photoscape program! An excellent summary of our meetup... It was a great time, except for the fact that we missed the naked bike ride. The hookers have had their faith in humanity restored... all thanks to you. Now, don't be luring any gardeners with your "other blog".

[elizabeth a airhart]

oh and what other blog are we talking about
i am to sleepy to be lured do you serve drinks
i might stay up and read it
behind the door with norma i would sighn up

good night

[thea]

The naked bike ride is hilarious -- am wondering about all kinds of bike seat issues with comfort and cleanliness that just in general, make me kind of CLENCH. Hmmm.

In SF, I used to run in a race called the Bay to Breakers where people ran naked - flopping around - and they had to get creative with their numbers and how to fasten em. (more comfort issues?) but it was pretty hilarious. And very unattractive. I find the attractive naked people tend to keep things under wraps - also true looking at the pics of the bike race.

Anyways, glad you had fun with a virtual "friend"! We met one down here a few days back and went to WEBS. Everyone there wearing clothes except the woman who tried on a sample sweater in the back corner and took off her shirt to do so. (It was a little weird...)

[(formerly) no-blog-rachel]

So do you consider me one of the non-axe-murdering strangers you've met or have you placed me in another category? :)