Ep. 110 The Vagus Nerve and Your Brain and Health; Knitting Small Things; Crocheting Scrubbies and getting new yarn; Utility boxes as canvases for public art

Brainy thing:  23:46   Behind the Redwood Curtain:   37:07

What we’re learning from our knitting:  

Margaret’s knitting this time focused on small items.    She was amazed at the design originality of Rebecca Langford’s Little rustic pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-rustic-pumpkin that she started in

in Kelbourne Woolens, Germantown, Gold but sadly didn’t have enough to complete. Just to be able to complete something she took up the crocheted Fall Leaves Pattern https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-leaves-3 by Michelle @ the Painted Hinge.  She completed the  Caps for Kids Swirled Ski Hat

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirled-ski-cap by Caps for Kids from the organization but also included in Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen.  Finally, her favorite, most fun, quick, quick project this time was the Pint Sized Pines by Julie Tarsha  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pint-sized-pines made from scraps of Mission Falls 1824 cotton.

Catherine worked on crocheted cotton Rainbow Flower Scrubby Dishcloth

https://www.mooglyblog.com/rainbow-flower-scrubby-dishcloth-free-crochet-pattern/

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-flower-scrubby-dishcloth by Tamara Kelly but sadly her new puppy loves them and took a bite out of one.  She has fallen love with some yarn that she will work up as a scarf.

http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/

 

Brainy Thing:  The Vagus Nerve

Labeled the “queen of nerves” the Vagus Nerve plays a major role in connection between the trunk of the body and the brain and seems able to affect a host of conditions from inflammation to depression.  Margaret outlines the remarkable connections the Vagus Nerve makes and how to stimulate it for good health.  

https://www.mentalfloss.com › 

1.  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ›

https://www.thecut.com 

 

Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Utility Boxes As Art

Who would have thought of using outdoor Utility Boxes as a canvas for art?   The City of Eureka did and the results are fun and engaging. 

https://www.ci.eureka.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=12986

 

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2018/may/4/eurekas-first-utility-box-art-installation-finishe/

 

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2018/may/17/outraged-business-owner-convinces-city-cover-cat-p/

 

Today in Episode 110 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we outline the many ways the Vagus Nerve connects the brain with the body and the many ways you can stimulate it that will improve your health.  Margaret shares the small  but satisfying projects she worked on, Catherine talks about crocheting scrubbies and her excitement about new yarn , and she reports how the city of Eureka used its Utility Boxes as canvases for outdoor art.