Don't talk to me, I'm reading.

No, not Book 7.

Book 1.

While my husband and oldest daughter are plowing through the latest, instead I've decided to forget everything I've ever gleaned about Harry Potter by simply not living under a rock for the last ten or so years and Actually Read the Books.

Journey back with me for a moment, won't you? The year is 1998. I've just started a job at a nifty little local publishing company that hasn't yet been purchased by several different larger corporations. I'm busily making copies alongside my new coworker friend who is yet to become Fluid Pudding, and I'm floating a little because I've just met the man I'll end up marrying.

And then, my goody-two-shoes cube mate (we'll call her Stephanie), pokes her chubby, annoying face around my cube wall and strikes up a conversation.

"Hey there! Have you read any of the Harry Potter books? They're really good!"

"No, haven't." I tell Stephanie, silently vowing that I would never read whatever books these were, lest I accidentally have something in common to discuss with this girl.

So Stephanie lost 50 pounds and moved to Florida where she's no doubt teaching poor children about Jesus, and frankly, I want my Harry Potter experience back.

If you tell me the Harry Potter books are really good and that I should read them, I'll probably say, "Oh really? Who writes them?" as I reach for a pencil to jot down the name.

Because I am blissfully immersed in chapter three of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

And yes. It IS really good.

Reality Bites like a honey mustard pretzel

I'm slowing coming face to face with a harsh realization on one of my projects: I am going to run out of yarn.

I don't know this for certain yet, so I keep holding out hope, row by row, that somehow two little tightly re-wound balls of cotton are going to make the right front of this shrug.



It could happen. It's not impossible. And I've probably got some more of this yarn knitted into a striped pullover I didn't really like. So I could probably pull a half a ball or so out of that.

I wonder at what point I'll have to rip it all out and kick myself for not thinking ahead.

An honest-to-goodness rainbow

Honest-to-goodness rainbow
Originally uploaded by squeakyweasels.

Gert spotted her first rainbow during a weird sunny/rainy day. We were in the car on the way to buy shorts, so we chased the rainbow down the highway and captured it as best we could in the parking lot with a camera phone. This doesn't really do it justice, but it was really cool!

Hey, little fellas! You're famous!

Pick up St. Louis Magazine this month if you're in the area! Weasel spotting on page 38!

They're so proud of themselves.





Since this article came out, nearly all of the weasels pictured here have found new homes and we've passed my original fundraising goal -- in fact, we're now several weasels past $300. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you nice people!