100,000 hits!! HOOORAY!!

Just now getting to do a post, and the hundred grand mark has past already!
The mark was hit by Sherri! More about Sherri in a follow-up post.

For now, as small part of my appreciation for your visits, I'm issuing a free limited license to copy the above photo if you'd like. The picture is now my screen saver. I took the photo from just down the road from the driveway to the ranch on Deadman Crick a couple years ago after the first snow. It was early in the morning, about 10 degrees F out, and crystal clear. And the camera was working perfectly. Looks like you could walk right into the picture when that happens. Anyways, if you'd like, feel free to copy the picture for your personal use if you'd like. Its such a serene and calming scene that I wanted to share.

I've also been reflecting about how incredible this blog has been for me, and how grateful I still am for Kari and Elizabeth for making it. I was lucky to meet Kari and Elizabeth from Crochetville, way back 5 years ago or so. They liked my hooks and decided to help me out by putting this blog together as a surprise. They knew what a net dummy I was, and took the initiative to set all this up. It's been one of the nicest gifts I've ever had and I'll be forever grateful to them. I had NO idea of all the fantastic people I'd meet through this blog, nor how successful it would become.

It's been just a great time, and the hook auctions have been just incredible. By selling hooks here, we've been able to build a Front Porch on the cabin up on the crick, and we're working toward a roof, all built with hook auction funds! But so many more good things have happened.

Chophook sales and donations from so many kind and talented folks to our FARA auction have helped raise over $40,000 in research money to help find a treatment or cure for Friedreich's Ataxia. And the donations keep coming in! Due in HUGE part to this blog.

Jimbo hooks have made it into several publications, including "Belle Armoire", "Craft", "Make", our local newspaper, the Spokesman Review, and "Talking Crochet". Heck, I was even interviewed in a podcast!! Five years ago I'da thought a podcast was some kind of fishing move. And Jimbo Hooks got the coveted "Flamie" award from the notorious "Crochet Liberation Front" for Best Hooks by and Individual 2008. A HUGE honor.

International Crochet Day (Sept. 12) got it's start here, and is gaining popularity as a day to promote the gentle art of crochet all over the world.
Inspiration for Diplohookticus Jimbosei, the world's largest crochet hook came through this blog.

And all this began with my Sis, Sandy, and the old apple tree up on the Crick; the apple tree donating wood for crochet hooks carved for Sandy, and Sandy encouraging me to make more.

Oh we've had fun with April Fool's day, and you've tolerated my weird humor. It still amazes me about all the friendships that have been kindled here and that will stay with me the rest of my days! A hunnert and five followers!!!

Really, you guys are the greatest, and I hope you'll keep coming back, cause I sure will.. by the grace of the ever tolerant Karol lets me... and so long as these decrepit old fingers can whittle and type, I'll be here.

So thanks again everyone for your kindness and support!

More to follow!
Gratefully,
Jimbo