Hard work is a grift.

The Problem With NFTs

Tara's Morning Breakfast Sandwich Whatnot

Ok, I just threw this together, and it ain't too bad.

It should feed 1 hella hungry person, or 2 not-so-hungry people.

You will need:

6 King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

4 eggs

A good squoze of maple syrup

Cheese of choice (I used about 3 slices of Sargento's Aged White Cheddar)

Lotsa butter or cooking spray

A pan that can go on the stove and in the oven

Pre-heat oven to 325, and set a burner to medium.

Scramble the eggs.

Add the maple syrup and scramble some more.

Either butter or spray your pan, and pour in your egg n syrup mixture.

Cook until almost done. Like, 95%.

Top with cheese. 

Put in oven for 5-7 minutes.

Cut each King's Hawaiian Roll in half.

Now, you can use whatever method you want, but I transferred the Breakfast Whatnot to a plate, and then cut it into 6 pieces.

Assemble your sandwiches.

Eat your sandwiches.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Bloodywood - Yaad [Indian Folk Metal]

Tara's Granny Beanie

This is a variation on my Brimmed Granny Hat, for people who don't like brims.

This utilizes the Granny Circle from Crochet with Raymond. I made some adaptations for my own pattern, of course.

I used light worsted weight yarn, with J and H hooks.

Stitch Abbreviations

St - stitch

Ch - chain

Sl st - slip stitch

Sc - single crochet

Dc - double crochet
* x * - the stitches inside the stars are to be repeated

Special Stitches

Altdc - Make a sc without a turning ch, insert hook into sc just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (For more extensive instructions, including photos, see Crocheted Simplicity.)

Dc2tog - Yarn over, insert hook, pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook, pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 3 loops. (See the Crochet with Raymond link above for more detailed instructions.)

Rsc - Reverse Single Crochet - Work sc in the opposite direction from which you normally work (right for right-handers, left for left-handers).

Pattern

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch to make a circle.

1. Into the circle, make 1 altdc, 1dc, ch 1, *2dc, ch 1* 5 times, sl st to altdc to join.

2. Sl st into ch 1 space and ch 2, 1dc, ch 1, IN SAME SPACE, dc2tog, ch 1. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do dc2tog, ch 1, dc2tog, ch 1. Sl st to 1st dc to join.

3 - 4. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ch 1, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do 3dc, ch 1. Sl st to altdc to join.

5. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ch1, 3dc, ch 1, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do 3dc, ch 1, 3dc, ch 1. Sl st to altdc to join.

6 - 11. Repeat 3 and 4.

12. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces, do 3dc. Sl st to altdc to join.

13. Change to smaller hook. Ch 1, sc in altdc and each dc around. Sl st to 1st sc to join.

14. Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to 1st sc to join.

15. Ch 1. *Sc, skip 2 sc, 5dc in next sc, skip 2 sc* around. Sl st to 1st sc to join.

16. Ch 1, rsc in each stitch around. Sl st to 1st rsc to join.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Tara's Brimmed Granny Hat

This is the first crochet pattern I've created! Much excite!

I learned how to make a Granny Circle from Crochet with Raymond. I made some adaptations for my own pattern, of course.

I made this hat with a combination of Lily Sugar n Cream yarn and Peaches n Cream yarn. Both are worsted weight cotton. I also used both H and G hooks.

Stitch Abbreviations

St - stitch

Ch - chain

Sl st - slip stitch

Sc - single crochet

Dc - double crochet
* x * - the stitches inside the stars are to be repeated

Special Stitches

Altdc - Make a sc without a turning ch, insert hook into sc just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (For more extensive instructions, including photos, see Crocheted Simplicity.)

Dc2tog - Yarn over, insert hook, pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook, pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 3 loops. (See the Crochet with Raymond link above for more detailed instructions.)

Sc2tog - Insert hook into st, pull through a loop, insert hook into next st, pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

Rsc - Reverse Single Crochet - Work sc in the opposite direction from which you normally work (right for right-handers, left for left-handers).

Pattern

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch to make a circle.

1. Into the circle, make 1 altdc, 1dc, ch 1, *2dc, ch 1* 5 times, sl st to altdc to join.

2. Sl st into ch 1 space and ch 2, 1dc, ch 1, IN SAME SPACE, dc2tog, ch 1. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do dc2tog, ch 1, dc2tog, ch 1. Sl st to 1st dc to join.

3 - 4. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ch 1, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do 3dc, ch 1. Sl st to altdc to join.

5. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ch1, 3dc, ch 1, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces do 3dc, ch 1, 3dc, ch 1. Sl st to altdc to join.

6 - 11. Repeat 3 and 4.

12. Sl st into ch 1 space, altdc, 2dc, ALL IN SAME SPACE. In the rest of the ch 1 spaces, do 3dc. Sl st to altdc to join.

13. Change to smaller hook. Ch 1, sc in altdc and each dc around. Sl st to 1st sc to join.

14 - 17. Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to 1st sc to join.

18. Now we do the brim. Ch 1, 2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 8 sc. *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next 8 sc* twice. 2sc in next sc, 1sc in next 2 sc.

19 - 20. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc from the previous row.

21 - 24. Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each sc until the last 2 sc, sc2tog.

25. Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each sc until the last 2 sc, sc2tog. Sc down the side of the brim until the brim meets the band, sc2tog. Sc in each sc along the band until the band meets the brim, sc2tog. Sc up the side of the brim, sl st in 1st sc2tog to join.

26. Ch 1. Turn work, if necessary, until right side is facing you. Rsc in each stitch around. Sl st to 1st rsc to join.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Black Panther #1

Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Artist: Brian Stelfreeze
Color Artist: Laura Martin

We start with a brief prologue. Wakanda's had some problems, T'Challa's been away, his sister Shuri died . . .

The first page is a splash illustrating various ways T'Challa's been rejected. He calls himself the Orphan-King. As we move through the issue, we see that he is in conflict with his own people. A routine speaking engagement turns into a riot.

Cut to the credits, where we see that this storyline is called A Nation Under Our Feet Part 1.

In the next scene, a member of the Dora Milaje pleads for the life of another member, who acted extralegally to deal with a child molester. The Queen Mother refuses her plea.

The Dora Milaje leave, and T'Challa enters. He and the Queen Mother discuss the strife in Wakanda.

Cut to a whole new scene. We find out that the riot was incited by a young woman with emotion-influencing powers. She is part of a revolutionary movement.

Next, a prison break! Ayo (the Dora Milaje who was pleading for the other's life) is breaking out Aneka (the one whose life she was pleading for). Turns out they're in love. And she stole some super-suits. They're gonna kick some ass.

We end with T'Challa ruminating on the division between himself and his people while he tries, and fails, to revive Shuri.

This is a busy issue, but the artist is up to the task. Let's dive in!

The first thing I noticed was an Arthurian theme. Both the king and the land are in conflict; the opposition is a woman with powers.

The second is just a hint, but here it is: Should a modern country really be ruled by a monarchy? We may sympathize with T'Challa, but he seems like he's in over his head. And should a head of state really be running off to play with the Avengers as often as he does?

I'm seeing deep waters. Do they indicate the Lady of the Lake, or just a pool to drown in?

Reviewing Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A while back, Marvel pulled on a big pair of brass balls and hired Ta-Nehisi Coats to write Black Panther.

About a week ago, a very good friend sent me that run in the mail.

This is my mission statement: I'm going to do a blog per issue. Impressions, feelings, critiques if necessary.

Why am I doing this? Well,  the same friend suggested I do so.

So why not? Feel free to pick up the storyline, on comixology, or in book form if it's out. I welcome discussion. Lemme know if you need links to where to go to get it.

Excelsior!