Proto-Ranger

Day 129: Back at the end of January, I began working on a new krokbragd design. My first draft had a fatal flaw, and I wound up cutting it off the loom after the first few inches showed that there was no hope of redeeming it. That said, the idea was sound, so I went back to the drawing board and did some revision. It does well to remind you at this point that designing krokbragd is the weaver's equivalent of drawing with a nine-pin printer. The difference is that I can make the characters taller, but no wider because I am limited to four throws, two of which must be identical, i.e., a sequence of 1-2-1-3. Most krokbragd patterns are geometric for a good reason! Once I'd worked out the pattern, it was time to experiment with colours. Since the bonker loom is occupied by sheep (the best ones yet, in my opinion), I had to weave my test piece on the inkle. I set up a little over two yards, confident that my design would work well enough to be usable. I completed the sample this morning and will be making one small adjustment to the design, and when I weave Version 2, I will use richer colours in some areas and a neutral background. The face will unfortunately have to be a brighter pink. The pale pink I used here is too close to white, but after purchasing four new cones of thread to find a better choice, I am out of options. We'll just have to assume Proto-Ranger forgot to put on sunscreen.

The Coming Year

Day 79: Come what may, a ranger must always present a smile to the public, be courteous even when there is need to be firm, be welcoming and warm. We are the face of the parks we represent, and it is our duty to be good hosts to those who visit us. We must try to maintain our public image even in our private lives.

2017 was a rough year, but I tried my best to bring you science in an easily digestible (or at least entertaining) way. I know I strayed from the path a few times, removing my metaphorical hat for a few minutes to become "just Crow," and I thank you for your indulgence of those moments. I hope to continue inspiring you intellectually, and to introduce you to facets of nature you might otherwise not have seen or noticed. If you follow me on Facebook or Flickr, it is my hope that you will leave a comment now and then if my writings have struck a chord with you, because without feedback, it is easy to think I'm talking to a blank wall.

Whatever 2018 holds for us, may the wonders of Nature inspire you and carry you through the dark times I fear are ahead. Let's all try to keep smiling.