Roy says hey.

Another long, long day.   I think I need a break.
I dyed more fabric, we sorted more loopers, and I started weaving another order, while Lois worked on Walking on Sunshine rugs.

You asked for more 'Roy', so here it is.
Sweet boy, Roy.

This is his chair, left to him by Ed.

 We are smitten with him, and he seems very happy to be with us.

He loves nothing better than to sit in your lap.  He is a love bunny.

I love his ears.

He is all muscle, this boy.

He is also quite compact.

Even princely at times.

 Nosy, too.

And after our walk, exhausted.

I wish I was more philosophical lately, but I am in work mode.  I don't have much time to think about life, I am too busy living it.  I think I should be more reflective, but I am concentrating so much on what I need to be doing, I am selectively inattentive.  My husband says that I am like a pit bull sometimes, when I get something in my head, I won't let it go.
I'm not complaining.
I'm never happier than when I have a purpose on my mind.
Sometimes when someone tells me that I work too hard, or that I shouldn't work so hard, my first thought is..........'huh?'
I'm having fun here folks.  Call it crazy, call it weird, but work makes my motor run.
It's that simple.
And when you work HARD, down time is all that much more precious.
Now I just have to get me some.

Next.

Today was a day of heat, and sunshine, and loopers galore.
We organized, we mixed up colors, and made 10 lb bags of them.  I didn't take any photos of this fiasco, I was too busy wiping the sweat out of my eyes.  Although, I found that three or four loopers make a great sweat band.
Lois declined.

And guess what????
The most recent stray cat, who Lois named "Next", went nicely into our Havaheart trap today, and then made a trip to the vet's.

Even though he sat at the window, and listened for a long time while I talked to him, he is not that friendly.
Miss Puss does not scare him either, no matter how loud she growls.
He is very thin.  I hope he sticks around for a while, so we can fatten him up.  After he has been neutered, he might not be so driven to travel around the countryside.

When another stray comes along, his name will be 'Also'.
Works for me.
The SPCA can stop calling me for money anytime,  we got our own thing going on here.
There never seems to be an end of these cats without homes.


One of my oldest and dearest friends was at a DAR conference in Washington, DC last week.
She has multiple health problems, but she gets around pretty well.
She and two other ladies were in the back of a cab, going from the Conference to the hotel.  They pulled up at the door, and my friend asked the cabby if she could get out the left door, being as a lot of cabs don't allow you to use that door.  The cabby said, "You can use any door you want to , lady."
So her two companions got out the right side, and she started to get out the left side.  Just as she was half way out the door, the cabby gunned the car.
My friend's leg  was pulled under the cab, and twisted, and he dragged her quite a ways, before her screaming got his attention.
Yes, she has a broken leg.
So now she is in a wheel chair for 12 weeks.
Just in case you think you had problems.

I am always grateful for being upright, and mobile.  My total knee replacement, disappointment that it was, and still is, made me painfully aware of how easy it is to lose that ease of movement and independence that we all take for granted, every day.
Now, I am happy to be walking, at any speed, with any amount of pain.
Everything is relative.

Which brings me to walking.   I had gotten ridiculously lazy about it in recent months.  And Eddie was old, and couldn't go far like he used to, and that was as good an excuse as any.
But then we lost him, and it was unthinkable.
Now here's Roy.  Sweet, sweet Roy.  And he is in the prime of his life, and he loves his walks.  When I come in the door from the studio, he meets me, and his tail doesn't stop wagging.  I swear he is smiling.
He is patient, through dinner, but he follows me around, just in case I go near his leash, or the door.
So we walk.  Every night.  He inspires me to keep going.  My foot is better since the cortisone, for the most part.  The knee makes the same old noise it always makes, but my heart is singing.
How come it is that there is nothing as sweet as walking your dog on a hot summer night???

Ta da.

Finally, the rug is done.  Whew.

We laid fabric out on the porch, so we could put it down for a photo shoot.

I think it is quite stunning, and perfect for a boys' room.
Do you like it??

I think Lois and I did a fantastic job.  I am very pleased with the results.  Tied the fringe, packed it up, and sent it on its way to Lake Michigan.
On to the next order.
But first, we have to dive into the loopers in the barn.  It is quite the mess out there, and we need some organization.  We also need to pack up some 5 and 10 lb bags.  We plan on hitting it first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot.  It is hard to give up weaving to do the drudge work, but it has to be done.
And most times, L and I can do it better and faster than anyone I can hire.  Sad, but true.

I need to spend a day working outside, and it's coming up soon.

Real soon.

Workin' for a Livin'

I watched the fireworks from the comfort of my couch, with Roy snoring next to me, tired after our walk.
To the backdrop of James Taylor, and other celebrities singing, fireworks were shot out over the Hudson River.   From the air it was spectacular, I can only guess what it looked like from the ground.

At the same time, I could hear the fireworks over at Crandall Park, every one that they shot off, quite loud.
Now the fireworks here in town lasted what seemed like a long time, but was probably only about 15 minutes.  The Macy's Fireworks started first and went on much, much longer.

I know we are celebrating the freedom  of our country.  I am well aware of the multitude of feelings that this holiday engenders in all of us.
But the reported cost of Macy's Fireworks is $500,000.
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Seriously, folks????
Something in the back of my brain protests, no matter how stunning they are, no matter how popular they are.
$500,000.
This could be another Stump Your Way Across America theme, so I will leave it with you.  I already know what I think.

Speaking of Stumping.......on Facebook, there are two pages where you can register your dismay, if you have dismay.  One is No Way Subway, and the other is Boycott Nike for Signing Michael Vick.  There are email addresses and phone numbers for your comments and complaints.

Today was one of the busiest days yet.  Lois and I worked all day on a 5'x12' cotton rug on the Toika.
You know the Toika, it is the loom I am always threatening to get rid of, cause it takes up so much room.

This is the room that the rug is going in.  I have  the picture clipped to the loom, so I can keep the bedspread colors in front of me, while we are weaving.

It's going to be a spectacular rug.  We came close to finishing it, but the phone kept ringing.
You don't hear me complaining here.   The phone calls were all orders.  We packed up and sent out 36 Hip to Be Square Looper Looms, and 16 loopers refills.
Wow.
That's all I can say.
So consequently, I only snapped a few photos of what we were doing.  We barely took a lunch break.

We will finish the rug tomorrow, and then we need to make up more loom kits.
We have a list, but it seems to keep growing.

Lord, have mercy.  My father told me there was no rest for the wicked.  I just never realized how wicked  I really was.
I know I will sleep well tonight.

Don't let me kid you.
I love every minute of it.
It's what I was born to do.

Too much.

I opted out of more July 4th celebrating.  Already had two get togethers in two days, and we are expecting company tomorrow.  So it was a good day to decline.

Besides I had work to do, needed to round up 50 lbs of fabric for an order.


I am not a crowd kind of girl anyway.

Quiet does a body good, in my opinion.

I had rugs hanging off the buckboard, but it kept raining on and off, so I brought them in.

But I still had a customer, and she took bought FOUR rugs.

Too many things to do this week, too much going on.  Makes my head spin.  The news unnerves me, politics makes my skin crawl, I find myself worrying about things that are none of my concern.

Is the world moving too fast, or is it me???

I'd like to fly away.

Just for awhile.

Minutiae

July 4th weekend.  Parties, barbeques, fireworks.

I did manage to get four hours in at the studio this  morning.  I finished warping the Toika for a big rug.
It was blissfully quiet.  The newest stray was eating on the porch, then jumped up on the table right outside the window.
Miss Puss whined, then hissed, then swatted the glass.
The wind chimes swung gently in the breeze, one of the cats crunched the food in their dish, I could hear the clock in the kitchen ticking.
Loveliness.

I sewed a whole bunch of sock strips so Lois can get back to work making Walking on Sunshine rugs.

Later, I supervised, (loosely) Tammy, while she organized the pantry, and the loft.
It's the least I can do.   She is saving money for her wedding dress.
I asked her how come, a beautiful, white, long, wedding dress, when they are getting married in Las Vegas.
Why spend the money if you will only have the dress on for 10 minutes?
Her answer was perfect.
She said," I am not taking that *!@*^% off until I go to bed that night."
Ha!
Love it.  I just want a picture of her waltzing down the strip in her wedding dress.  I have no doubt that she will do that.
That's my girl.

I am still lobbying for Tammy and my youngest daughter Morgan, to go into a business of their own.
They would be so perfect.
They both have this knack, for coming into a place, organizing and cleaning until you don't even recognize it.  And they're good.  They're really good.
The Morganizer and the Tamminator.
Don't you just love it???
Too bad they don't.

On the way home to get ready for yet another picnic, I stopped to buy a friend a birthday card.  Her birthday was two weeks ago, but since my life was pretty hectic, and sad, right about then, I forgot.
But I refuse to buy "Belated" birthday cards.  That seems so silly.  She KNOWS when her birthday is, and it is OBVIOUS that my card is woefully late.  So what is the sense in getting a card that says that.
Just one of my quirks, I know, but I won't do it.
She got a regular card, just like she would have on her actual birthday, with a nice Visa gift card, that will make her forget already, just how late I am.

So now after a huge storm, the sun is out.
Roy says it's time for a walk.  I think he may be right.

Talented friends.

Sometimes it is amazing how people come together and form friendships.  I feel that I have connected with so many of you through this blog.  Who knew such a thing could happen??
Years ago, I met and became friends with a lady named Liz.  We were both desperate for what Al Anon had to offer at the time, and we both found what we needed.  Over the years, even though we live an hour apart, we have kept in touch.
What's funny to me, is that I have become good friends with Caren, a potter  that Liz introduced me to, someone I actually see more often than Liz.
Just how things turn out, I guess.
Do you ever wonder what has happened to all those old friends and acquaintances that have come and gone throughout your life???

Anyway,  Caren has a great studio, called Pizzazz Pottery

She is extraordinary.  The work she does is off the scale.  I don't say this just because I like her either.   I am blown away by her talent.
She stopped by to talk about "wholesale" accounts, not that I am an expert or anything, but I do have my opinions.  You knew that, right?
She had some great stuff in her car she wanted to show me, and now I want to show them to you.

 Tell me this stuff is just not incredible.

You might notice in the picture below, that there is a huge crack on the left side of this.  It cracked while it was being fired, something that she says never happens.  But it did.  The piece is still awesome, and seems sturdy enough, but it is flawed.
Lifelife, eh?

Caren also makes pottery for daily use, in addition to these gallery pieces.  Go on over and check out her work.  She is just over the Vermont line,  a stone's throw from here.
I think we are planning a photo shoot.....my wovens, and her pottery.  Won't that be fun????
Now if only I could get Kate over at Country Girl up here with her camera!!!!

Just a question

First, a rant.
Sorry, but I have to do it.
Nike just re-endorsed Michael Vick.  I find that very disturbing.
And I find the fact that they say he has changed now, because he is doing 'public service',
also disturbing.
It may be my 20 years working in a maximum security prison, but folks, EVERY SINGLE PERSON  who is CAUGHT, is sorry.
Sorry for what???  Ah, there's the rub.
Anyway, I just want to say here, that I will NEVER buy a Nike product again.  Nada.

OK, moving on, cause I could stump my way across America on this one.

27 more followers for 300!!  And then a giveaway.  It will be a good one, I promise.  You can even make suggestions if you like.


Does this bag scream summer, or what, with a burlap strap.

And a smaller,  bright bag, with a funky braided strap.

And how about a purple table runner??

Lois finished this one yesterday, a soft, cushy sock rug in blue, pink and turquoise.  Looks like a baby's room to me.

Here it is, July already.   In the Adirondacks, and especially in the Lake George region, the influx of tourists changes everything.
I tend to keep a low profile, as I think a lot of locals do.  It is crowded everywhere.
We are having a family picnic, and hopefully avoiding all the crowds.

And here is a wall hanging that I made some time ago.   I think I will be making more of them.  I really like them, and they are wicked fun.
And hey, isn't that what it's about, wicked fun???

Roy is settled in.  He is the sweetest dog ever.  He doesn't bark at all.  He loves his daily walk.  He is the most affectionate  little guy.  He loves everybody.   

Last night, when DH and I went out to dinner, and he stood at the door watching us leave, and five minutes later he dragged his leash in to my mother, dropped it on the floor and stood there looking at her.

Oh, yes, I think of Eddie.   It takes nothing to bring me to tears.  DH is the same.  I would bring Eddie back in a nano second, if I could, and if he was WELL.  But I know that is a pipe dream, and as I said,  life goes on.
And this puppy is here, full of life, loving and trusting.  He needs us, and we need him.
Loving Roy is a tribute to Ed.  Every day.

He sleeps curled up next to me.  I am one of those strange individuals that loves the smell of a dog.  He has a sweet, puppy smell.  I love the sound of his sigh, and when he wakes up in the morning, he throws his paw over my arm, as if to say, you're mine now.
Ha!  Who got who here???

I told you, I'm a fool for color, and TEXTURE.
Is this crazy??? or what???

Makes me shiver.

What makes you shiver?????  Keep it clean, now.  But seriously, what makes your heart beat faster?

Makes you smile.?

Go ahead, finish this sentence.......

"Nothing makes me more content than.........."