Ravelry

I received my invitation to join this group. Oh My Goodness! What am I doing wasting time making a washcloth?

Christmas Present

Every year for Christmas, my Father gets both my sister and I a ticket to the symphony with the promise of dinner beforehand. This year was the first time we all went together. Dinner was exceptional, as it always is at The Chameleon Cafe. Our conversation was animated and continuous as it always is. I watched a handsome couple walk in, and immediately recognized them. It was a girl I had cycled with over 14 years ago and her husband. I walked over and it was a minute before she recognized me but then we fell right into conversation. It had been about 10 years since I had seen her. My father was the one who introduced us 14 or 15 years ago, the two of them having met representing two different colleges at a high school open house. We finished our dinner and went to hear Bethoven's 9th Symphony. Incredible music. I love to hear choir and symphonies together. They send chills down my spine. A wonderful, exhausting, special night.

The Best Laid Plans

have gone out the window. This is what came in the mail today.

What do you get

when you pair an old favorite falling apart sweater with some pink fabric, and a pillow form? Emma wanted me to fix this sweater but I could not so she wanted a pillow instead. I did not sew the bottom closed just in case she should want to wash it, the ribbing holds it closed.

Robins Garden

I've been spending more and more time with a neighbor. We are now carpooling to the Y 3 days a week for Pilates and cycling. As usual I am coveting something of my neighbor's. It's her garden, a little bit of heaven on earth. Today, she worked on my hair, while we sat in the yard and watched the birds. Lovely.



She and her husband make these birdhouses together. They are all over the yard with various designs. I've seen one in progess with the pieces of pinecones painstakingly glued onto the roof as shingles.

Okay, they even make their own sea glass with a rock tumber. Shhh, don't tell her I told you.




I've got plans for two porches this summer, which includes sand and sea glass. We are getting together again this weekend to make some windchimes from computer parts, beads, and whatever else we fiind.

This week I've been trying to find my own rhythym, but as usual, people have come and gone from this home base. I've sorted through my studio, sorted through my kitchen, sorted through my bathroom. I am trying to do some major purging this week. I've managed to make a dent, albeit a small one. I am teaching more classes, making up for lost time and time I will be losing. The handsome one is away on playing soldier, the youngest is away with friends and hasn't texted me in two days(!), and oldest was lonely so came home to hang with her Mom (not really, she's going out tonight and tomorrow night). The constant around here are me and the dogs. Tonight I have a date with either Gill Grisham, who is my constant, or Rocky Balboa, a one night stand, some spicey roasted red pepper soup with black beans, corn and shrimp along with a curry chicken salad wrap, my knitting needles, some sugar and creme twist yarn and a washcloth pattern. How great is that?

Latest Find

Woodsongs
Tonight I listened and watched the entire episode 486 with Anders Osborne and the Hillbilliey Gypsies. I plan on becoming a partner and receiving two free tickets. I know I'll travel to Kentucky for great music. Check out their archives and listen/watch some great music. Next for me is Abigail Washburn, John McCuetchen, Be Good Tanyas. I know I'll find more. But go ahead and take a glance, listen to Anders and his wonderful music of New Orleans, Katrina, and a wife he loves deeply. Listen to the Hillbillie gypsies, bluegrass on caffeine, great stuff. Great for a night alone.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Or at least, one week of summer vacation

• laying on the beach with my daughters talking about our separate camp experiences in this same little town



• walking 3 dogs, walking 3 dogs, walking 3 dogs, walking 3 dogs, walking 3 dogs, walking 3 dogs, do you get the picture?



• picking strawberries in extreme heat, the only other people out there were 3 migrant workers



• a knock on the door at dusk, my friend Annette, in her suit, towel wrapped around her, carrying a bottle of wine. We sat and swam in the pool, drinking our wine, absolutely wonderful



• setting up my little studio away from studio



• listening to music, cleaning my kitchen, readying to make jam, talking to my sister



• not brushing my hair all week, the dreads are starting, I've got about 8



• finishing my rug



• going to the beach late every afternoon for an hour



• lounging in the pool



• making house



• getting my Mexican on at La Quetzelteca, mmmmm



• Endless hours of CSI and I can not wait until this Sunday with the Father's Day Marathon of CSI

I am at home now. Feeling a bit lonely. My Mom, sensing my lonliness has invited me over several times, but I feel I must be alone in my lonliness, or at least for the next day or two, to get used to it. I'll be ok. I start back to work tomorrow, unpacking to do, purging of this household, Dr's appts. to make and an MRI to schedule (damn accident) and of course numerous projects.

Great News

I almost forgot! Audrey got her learner's permit and I made the Dean's list. My Handsome Prince finally got a new car, and Emma got good grades, probably making the Dean's List too.

Things to do While on Vacation

Walk 1 mile everyday, pick strawberries if I'm not too late, read a book, visit my daughter in the bookstore where she works to get another good book, sew some clothes, eat at La Quetzelteca, finish my rug, go to Bead Therapy, go shoppy shop in Lewes, maybe hit the outlets, maybe not, hang out at the beach, of course, happy hour at Mango Mikes, hang out at my pool, do some yard work, watch endless hours of CSI reruns, make a few dreads to accompany the one lone dread I made last night, eat some ice cream, make friends, drink some cold beer, coffee on my deck, start my bottle tree, explore, make some contacts, maybe more maybe less. This is a much anticipated vacation. It was a spur of the moment decision, as I have no classes next week. I got someone to cover my hours in the gym and decided to go away to my home away from home. We will all be coming and going. My Handsome Prince and Audrey will remain home as Audrey is still in school. It will be a different vacation but oh, so wonderful.