At Least A Week Behind

I'm not sure of the word I want...envious,
                                                                amazed,
                                                                            dumb founded?
I have been trying to get here for the last almost week! How is it so many of you blog everyday without fail and do such a wonderful job? I long to be able to blog like I used to, everyday a journal of my daily life. Either family or unexpected chores or situations keep me away, I can't think of what to say or I get on the computer and get distracted checking my emails and Facebook messages which usually takes me to places having sales, videos to watch, or other blogs to read. Before I know it my "screen time" is gone and I must get on with more responsible activities.
                                                  How do you all manage to keep such up-to-date, exciting, fun-to-read blogs? 
                                 
With that said, let's see how well I can do today....

For starters, let's go back to last weekend...gosh I can't believe it was a whole week ago! Last Saturday was the second annual

                                    Crafters for a Cause 

Crafters for a Cause is to raise money for our local women's shelter. There are vendors, demonstrations and if you're a crafter you can rent a table and craft the entire day away while talking and laughing with friends. I did that last year and had a wonderful day. I also went to many of the demonstrations and always have fun learning something new. Last year we had a full house with non-stop activities and a steady stream of people coming to see and try a craft.

This year we only had 2 vendors and 2 demonstrations and hardly anyone came. We do have a way of making lemonade out of lemons though and so those of us crafters that attended made sure to do the demos as well as spend a lot of money on crafters rummage sale items so we could have something to take home from the day. ;) I was asked to help a newbie get started in scrapbook craft but every time I planned to work with her she was off doing something else. We finally had a minutes to talk, come to find out she didn't know she was supposed to bring pictures. Oh well. I gave her my contact information and hopefully we can connect at one of our gatherings in the near future.

I made a couple of cards of the same design, one in blue and the other in purple. My friend designed them and taught the demo.

I tried zentangle for the first time...can't say that's something I'm going to start doing on a regular basis, but I can now say I tried it.

Last but not least I was privileged to have won the quilt raffle!! Isn't it nice? It seems the shelter gives these away to mother's with children when they check in. People make them for them and donate them and when they get too many they raffle off a few. I was thrilled to be able to take this home. It now lives on the back of the couch.

I haven't yet heard how much money we made but I know it's not anywhere near last year. Plans are already underway for next year, so let's hope we have a better turn out. Next year I'm going to have to make a point to take more pictures.

In other news our youngest daughter has a new special someone. They've been long distance dating since November and he's here for the weekend. I'm fairly certain I have met my new son-in-law.

Also I just got news today that my other daughter, our middle child is moving to

                                                                                                                  CALIFORNIA 

with her husband and furbabies. This is a dream they've had for several years and her company had an opening in the California office, she applied and got the job. Now comes all the preparations to move from Chicago. There is a bit of a time crunch as she has a trip to Chile scheduled with my other daughter this month and as soon as she gets home she leaves for Santa Monica while her husband finishes the preparations and follows her. CRAZY! I'm happy for them because I know this is what they want but it just seems SO FAR AWAY.

Well I think that's enough for one entry. It's getting late and once I start getting tired it seems more fatigue and brain fog quickly follows...more about that maybe next time.

Goodnight friends, 

Stains

 Isaiah 1:18 

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

The stain in the above photo is on my desk calendar. It's a tea stain; stained every page from February to December. I actually thought it was kind of interesting...looks a bit like a heart shape. I'll probably turn it into a background for one of my ATC cards because a fellow crafty friend of mine has repeatedly shown me how such things that we'd normally throw away can be turned into interesting pieces of art. 

Stains

They come in all shapes and sizes and colors...they're usually something most of us prefer to avoid...more often than not, they ruin something...and unless you're lucky or a talented household engineer with fantastic knowledge of just the right stain removing recipe, they often make the stained object worthless for anything except the trash bin. 

What happens when the stained object is something of great value? Something we just can't throw away? A beautiful dress, a family heirloom quilt, historic documents, the family Bible. What if the stain isn't that easy to remove? What about stains that can't be treated with a laundry recipe? What about stains to the heart? What about a stained life? What about two lives...or what about a stain on an entire family? How do you deal with those kinds of stains? Is it possible for something so horribly stained to become something of beauty?

                                         Those kinds of stains

                                                 are deep

                                               and painful

And in the middle of the night while trying to sleep on a tear stained pillow, we know those kinds of stains may fade over time but will forever have colored our lives and there is just no way to make it go away. 

The week isn't anywhere near over and yet it's been very long as we struggle to comprehend the incomprehensible...the unthinkable. If I could only go back in time...could I have done something...anything to make this story have a different ending? If I could, would I? Probably...is that the best thing? I don't know. Is that a slap in God's face...to basically say I would have done it differently, my life wouldn't have turned out this way if I was is charge. Do you really know what you're doing? Oh my, that wasn't my intention when I was thinking that, but that's where that kind of thinking goes. 

 In her book One Thousand Gifts Ann Voskamp writes,

 "Maybe you don't want to change the story, because you don't know what a different ending holds." There's a reason I am not writing the story and God is. he knows how it all works out, where it all leads, what it all means. 

                                    I don't."

"Maybe...I guess...it's accepting there are things we simply don't understand. But He does. And I see. At least a bit more. When we find ourselves groping along, famished for more, we can choose. When we are despairing, we can choose to live as Israelites, gathering manna. For forty long years, God's people daily eat manna--a substance whose name literally means 'What is it?' Hungry, they choose to gather up that which is baffling. They fill on that which has no meaning, More than 14,600 days they take their daily nourishment from that which they don't comprehend. They find soul-filling in the inexplicable. They eat the mystery. And the mystery, that which made no sense, is 'like wafers of honey' on the lips." 

I read the chapter containing this paragraph just days before the unthinkable, incomprehensible stain was made evident. Now I wonder...is it possible? Is it that this mystery, this stain, this loss might somehow be able to nourish me? My family? 

Ann continues..."I wonder too...if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world our own emptiness, might actually become places to see. 

                                          To see through to 

                                                   God. 

That which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond. To Him. To the God whom we endlessly crave. 

Maybe so.

But how? How do we choose to allow the holes to become seeing-through-to-God places? To more-God places? How do I give up resentment for gratitude, gnawing anger for spilling joy? Self-focus for God-communion. To fully live- to live full of grace and joy and all that is beauty eternal. 

It is possible, wildly."

Really??? Is it possible? To feel joy again? Happiness? Peace of mind and soul and heart? Is there anyway God can be glorified in this MESS? 

The pain, the guilt, the fear...it all gripped me like a vise. I wasn't able to pray...I could barely breathe in and out. 

And then today...I sighed a prayer...God, please heal this, please bring restoration, please be glorified, please fix this.

It was a simple prayer...

it's all I could dredge up from my shattered soul and suddenly it came. I've heard of people testify of peace coming over them, but I've never felt it in such a profound way in my own life...not like this. Suddenly... and I do mean suddenly, the three day old headache was gone, the what-ifs and whys stopped spinning around in my head at dizzying speeds and the guilt...that horrible guilt...it faded and I was able to think more clearly without choking on tears every few minutes. I was able to move through my day and actually function and do my job. God told me I had done the best I could with the knowledge and resources I had available to me at the time and it was not my fault...it was not my fault. We will deal with the pain together...He will be there...He is here. 

I know the pain will come again, the tears will flow again...this story is not over and the restoration process has not yet really even begun, but I believe God will put His loving arms around me again when the time comes and help me endure. I will continue to struggle to trust God to bring nourishment from this that I do not comprehend and I must trust Him that love will win out, that He promises to  be with us because...

                    Jesus paid it all, 

                     all to Him I owe; 

                         sin had left a crimson stain,

                               He washed it white as snow.

 

I'm So Blessed

Another Christmas has come and gone. The Little Turquoise House was busting at the seams as it welcomed and sheltered seven people and six dogs in it's 750 square feet of living space. As I look back over the last few days spent with family, I realize how truly blessed I am. I couldn't help but think of my mother and how she would love being with and enjoying her grandchildren this Christmas and how very proud she would be of each of them. We had our fun, preparing food, eating, playing games and watching movies and we had our frustrations as well but all in all it was a wonderful weekend and I am now left to ponder it all in what is how a very quiet house. 

I told you in my last post about my grandparents on my mother's side and how it was their 100th wedding anniversary on Christmas day. My cousin had the idea to toast them on that anniversary and I wanted to join her though she is in CO springs and we are here. I made it a very special occasion and had my family join me in the toast right before our dinner. Besides, it was a good excuse to get pictures from family members who often shy away from the camera. The only down side was that Hubby was holding the photo of gran and granddad and didn't get in the picture. One of my many projects this winter is finishing my heritage scrapbook and family story. 

Daughter number one and her Hubby left early because she came down with a flu bug and felt it was a waste of her Hubby's sacrifice of time for her to be laying around and not enjoying her time with family. Son and his wife left first thing this morning. 

One disappointment this weekend was finding out that one of my daughters borrowed a ring of mine...out of my jewelry box without asking. A ring that, right or wrong, I made an emotional attachment with. I usually let her borrow things because she always asks and is usually careful...except this time. I'm disappointed that she didn't ask in the first place, I'm disappointed that she was careless enough to lose it, but most of all I'm disappointed in myself for placing so much importance on a "thing". I am reminded of a story I once read of a young girl who accidentally broke her mother's treasured china and feared her wrath but was shown only love and compassion. Her mother told her that the china was just things and although she treasured them, she believed that those objects were taken from her instead of the life of a family member whom she treasured much more. Yes, I will miss my ring and what it meant to me, but more importantly I still have my daughter and all my beautiful family and I would never trade any one of them for that ring. My daughter is checking her apartment again and I will be careful to look for it as I clean this week but if it doesn't turn up I need to be at peace with that. What I know in my head my heart is still working on accepting but accept it I will. 

Tomorrow there is much to do; I want to get as much of the Turquoise House back in order as possible. I'll be taking another week off from teaching and hopefully laying out a detailed plan for the remainder of the winter. 

To a new beginning...

Summer Happenings

Well, once again, it's been a while since I've blogged. I'm here attempting to catch you up a bit on the goings-on in The Little Turquoise House. I actually had to go back to my last post to see what I wrote! 

Hubby's business has been doing fairly well with the new machine. We are just praying that it continues and is steady. 

All our kids were here for the 4th weekend. Daughter #1 and Hubby arrived from Chicago late Thursday night, 

Daughter #2 came in from her internship in Detroit Friday morning 

and Son and Fiance pulled in Saturday morning. Yes, you read that right...fiance! They are now officially engaged! I'm trying to give it all to the Lord. Her family is not very involved in her life and probably won't do much, if anything for the wedding, so since they are planning to get married here in town, I will be acting as both mother of the groom and mother of the bride. It is set for October 18th so we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. 

Our church gave a baby shower for a couple of sisters who are expecting their babies a week a part. My kids grew up with them so I felt strongly that I should go. I made a couple of cards: 

Did I tell you the scrapbook store is closing? I'm so sad about that. I can't remember if I shared with you all about the bookmarks I made. I'm planning to teach a class on how to make them before the store closes. If it actually happens, it will be a "last hurrah" for the store...probably the last class ever.

Hubby has been doing trail work, cutting wood for winter and gardening. He drove the tractor in the Pasty Parade a couple of weeks ago to advertise the trails and the Deer Chase. 

The garden is getting a slow start due to our cool weather and isn't doing very well, then to add insult to injury, a deer came through last night and ate some of our kale and beet greens! GRRRR!! 

One pleasant surprise: our roses bloomed! These are special because my mother-in-law moved this bush whenever they moved and then she gave us a start when we moved into The Little Turquoise House. Hubby says he only remembers it blooming twice in his lifetime. This makes three! It's called a Black Prince...why, I don't know. It is beautiful though and we are enjoying the lovely blooms and the scent is amazing! I've been having fun taking photos of it. I sure hope it blooms again next year. 

I had so many things I wanted to get accomplished by the 4th this year, I have completed about half of them. I did get my studio completely reorganized and I'm so thrilled about that! 

This week I have had to put the house back in order after everyone left...it's amazing what a disaster is left behind after 6 dogs and 7 people share a small space and only one bathroom!! 

Organ Recital plans are beginning to come together. I had a meeting with the other organists this week and they all "met" the new organ for the first time. It was neat to watch them enjoy the different sounds and have so much fun, especially considering they all play on pipe organs regularly and our is "only electronic". 

My mind jumps from recital plans to wedding plans and back again. 

Suki got a haircut right before her "cousins" arrived. She doesn't like sharing her home with so many...I really should have taken pictures while they were here. 

Because of something someone dear said to me this week, I leave you with this final thought as it is the highlight of my week: 

I will try to catch up with all of you in between students tomorrow. God bless you all. 

Remember Me???

I know, it's been way too long. Life seems to be speeding by at an ever increasing pace and there are never enough hours in the day to do all I want or need to do.  I've spent a considerable amount of time catching up on all of you this morning - forgive me if I didn't say much, there was just so much to read...my fault, I know. 

Despite what a couple of you believed the last time I posted, the snow had not yet left us. It wasn't until this weekend that our yard was finally free of it's white, wintry blanket. Even now, there is a patch of snow in the back yard and lots and lots of puddles! There are still walls of snow across the street where the plows had it pushed up - hopefully soon we'll be able to access everything, but not yet. 

Last week was so busy and yet as I look back I can't figure out why except that Daughter #2 finished out her semester (with straight A's!!) and came home to "crash" for a couple of days which meant a distraction for me...albeit a welcome one. Not much got accomplished on my new organ music I have begun studying, but I am enjoying having something specific to work on with my mentor again, and I truly believe it's been good for him as well - having a goal like this and something to actually "teach" again seems to have really perked him up - I truly believe he needed it as much as I did. 

I did get the bathroom cleaned..."spring cleaned", which meant getting on my hands and knees and climbing on a step ladder, but it felt good to have one room completed. Just as I finished this chore on Saturday, my son and girlfriend pulled up and surprised me with a visit for Mother's Day! The entire house including the bathroom needs a good going over again now that they're gone - but I'm so glad they came. My studio is the next on the list, though I'll have to be scientific about it as it has to stay accessible to students as I re-organize. HMMMM. 

Mother's Day came and went. Like I said, my son surprised me on Saturday and we spent the day shopping and visiting. Sunday was church of course and Daughter #2 planned a light lunch of finger foods as our dinner reservation wasn't until 5:00. Daughter #1 called and we chatted for a few minutes -

she sent flowers and a lovely tea cup and saucer from Crate and Barrel.

Daughter #2 planned the meals and gave me a flower...I don't know what it is.

Hubby bought me 3 red roses - one to represent each of my children. Son gave me a book I had been wanting about re-growing food from scraps and he and his girl dug up a lonely Crocus

they found on the trail and potted it for me, then they did some raking in the back yard while I fell asleep in the sun on the deck. I woke up with quite a sunburn!! Since Son's girlfriend was able to take a 3 day weekend, Monday was spent antiquing. We also had lunch out and stopped by the church where I practice to show Son's girl a real pipe organ. She has no musical experience or knowledge whatsoever, but has been curious about what I do on Sunday mornings. Mentor was there and was ever so gracious to give an impromptu introduction to the instrument. 

That brings us to today - I'm supposed to be doing my housecleaning and my work-out, but I'm so tired from the weekend and so behind on emails that here I sit. The afternoon will be full of students and the week will probably be as busy as the last. My online time has been limited as I have been focusing on some neglected projects and also due to the fact that my computer screen is broken on my laptop which makes reading and typing is next to impossible...it gets worse by the day. We are in the process of trying to locate a replacement but in the meantime, I'm using the desktop in the basement where it is ccccold! 

I hope to be able to check in with you all at least once a week. 

Happy Easter!

The dishes are done, leftovers put away, the kids have all headed home, the shedded dog fur now finds it's way into corners and swirls around furniture legs, Easter baskets sit empty on the table and only a few candied eggs remain in the bowl. Another Easter celebration draws to a close.

Church went well this morning, both the service and the breakfast beforehand were very well attended. Playing the new organ is still a learning experience. What I thought was going to be "big organ" for congregational singing actually got lost in the crowd. The building was so packed with people that the nearly "full organ" registration that I was trying out for the first time was barely enough. Next year, I'm pulling out the trumpets! I'm glad I spent the extra time in practice this week - it paid off as most things went smoothly. The oddest thing happened today...for the first time in all my years playing for that church I began to play my prelude and the people instantly got quiet. They usually spend the time talking through it, most of them don't even know I'm playing, I don't believe. But I began to play and everyone stopped talking...I swear I could have heard a pin drop! It was a bit unnerving at first because I didn't expect it - but it was nice they actually got to hear it. Our new grad student/organ student of sorts I have mentioned before came up to me after church and was so full of excitement about the music I played that he wanted to look at it. He kept going on about how wonderful it was and when I mentioned I would be happy to make him a copy (it's already a copy of a copy lol), his eyes got big and he just beamed. I love watching him experience the organ and I love it when he comes up and asks questions because he reminds me so much of myself when I first became acquainted with the instrument. I can't wait to be able to take him on an organ crawl.

After church we came home and immediately began cooking lunch and we ate about 3:00. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, tossed salad, green beans, fruit salad, and oatmeal pie with ice-cream. I feel so awful that I forgot to send home left-overs with my son!!

All in all it was a wonderful day. There are things on my mind and heart, but I'm letting them go today and just celebrating the day and revelling in God's love and His promises to us.

HE IS RISEN!

Whirlwind Weekend

Friday was very busy getting everything ready for my children's arrival. They started arriving around 9:00 p.m. Friday evening; they were delayed coming through the next town because of a downtown trick-or-treat that the businesses put on. 

Son brought his new girlfriend and she brought her dog. Simba is an energetic 2 year old Golden Retriever. He's beautiful, but he and Suki did not get along at all so she had to spend the weekend in confinement and it took a long time for him to settle in with Gilmore. I thought I was going to lose my mind with all the activity around here and the tension between the animals and the girlfriend. She is pleasant, pretty with dark hair, dark eyes, almost Mediterranean in appearance. She talked a lot...a lot...a lot. I don't know if that's the real her or if she was very nervous. 

The whole weekend is a bit of a blur. We all talked for a while Friday night until time to turn in. Daughter #1 and her Hubby rented a hotel room as she has not been feeling well or sleeping well and felt they would do better with the privacy. Daughter #2 had to work Saturday morning so she also did not stay over. 

Saturday morning we took our time over breakfast and later we went for a walk downtown and had lunch at a favorite spot. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying conversation. Son left around 7 Saturday night, daughter left Sunday morning. It all went so fast and I don't feel as though I got any time with anyone in particular, nor did I learn much about the new girl. 

After church today I cleaned the entire house again, there was so much dog hair rolling around the floor in big puffs...a nervous dog sheds a lot. 

The good news is the house is clean, shouldn't take much to keep up on this week so I can focus more on my projects. 

I didn't even take any pictures this weekend! 

Looks LIke A Busy Week Ahead

I had a lovely day at church yesterday; there were many questions of course regarding the organ. After church Hubby and Daughter took me out to dinner, one of her friends came along and then we went for a drive to see the last of the fall colors. The afternoon was spent in the basement working on bikes while I played on the computer a bit, then we watched Castle DVD's and had a scrumptious cheesecake baked by my daughter.

I volunteered for a new ministry yesterday at church. I'll be making my card creations to be sent to church folks who are ill, having a baby, in need of sympathy, etc. I guess I'll be busy this winter!

Yahoo seems to be withholding some of my group mails and Facebook won't let me update my status. I'm frustrated with technology this morning.

This week we hope to get the organ speaking at least temporarily to see if everything is functioning as it should and to decide on speaker placement. I have some house work to do and extra cooking as the rest of my family is coming for a visit this weekend - Son is bringing his new girl-friend for us to meet and I think everyone is a bit nervous about how that will go. All that said, I think it will be another week where I won't be around much.

Race to the Finish Weekend

Thursday:
Out of bed by 6 a.m., walk Suki, breakfast, light cleaning, on the road by 8, begin my shopping day by 10 a.m....that was the plan. Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, things did not go quite according to my plan. I didn't get up until 7, having not slept well the night before due to thunderstorms and other issues that kept me awake, I chose to try and get a bit more sleep so I wouldn't be groggy while driving...so I was on the road by 9ish. I had prayed for good weather since I am not a foul weather driver and they had predicted rain and thunderstorms for us. In answer to that prayer, most of the rain moved through the night before and I had a damp, cloudy morning for my trip which, was great since I was heading east so the clouds prevented the sun from being in my eyes the entire way. When was the last time you turned on the music and sang at the top of your lungs? Try it sometime...it's a great stress release!

My first stop was Michael's. It has been my dream for several years now to shop there without someone with me, hovering and commenting on my every purchase or even contemplated purchase. My dream finally came true and I enjoyed every minute! From there I headed to the mall spending most of my time in Kohl's and Fashion Bug...I came away with jewelry and one new top. I passed up the beautiful $100.00 bracelet marked down to $60.00, but oh how I wanted it! The items I did buy were on sale at greatly reduced prices...score! I also stopped at Bath and Body Works. Our store in town closed about 2 years ago and I haven't been in one since. I found a new scent I like, it's called Twilight Woods. I bought the $5.00 spray and lotion. Before I knew it, it was 5:00 and time to pick up my son. Together we had a wonderful dinner in a restaurant near the water. The appetizer, a Wisconsin Cheese Platter, was the best part of the meal! Although, the raspberry dessert we shared was very good as well. Before leaving town, he drove me through a park near the water...such a pretty spot!


Friday:
My son and I did household chores all day. We did several loads of laundry, he helped me harvest some veggies from the garden, he built a storage cart for me and we ran to the grocery store, did dishes and prepared a couple of meals ahead for the busy day to come. It was a full day and he was such a help, especially since he had put in a tough week at work and all he really wanted to do was relax. God bless him!

Saturday:
Race day! We were off and running by 8 a.m., running here and running there, doing whatever needed doing, and making sure others' were doing the jobs they had been given. In the car - out of the car - back to the house - back to the starting line - walk to the sports store - back to the starting line...this went on like this over the course of the day. Somewhere in between something...I can't remember what anymore, we stopped at a rummage sale and were surprised to find a rather odd item. I am now the proud owner of a single organ pipe!! My son and I turned and noticed it at the exact same time and I think our mouths feel open in unison as well. We stood staring at it for some time, deciding what to do when really in the back of both of our minds we knew somehow, if at all possible it had to go home with me. It's a 4' wooden flute pipe, missing it's stopper. When I asked the seller what he wanted for it he said, "so you want my whistle". I chuckled a bit and said "yes, I would like your whistle". He said, "I'll bet you have no idea what you're looking at" My son laughed and the man looked a bit confused. When I told him that it was a 4' organ pipe, probably a Bourdon flute, missing it's stopper, it was his turn to chuckle and say "well, you know even more than I do". He was asking $30.00, I talked him down to $20.00. It needs a good cleaning and I need to find a place for it to live. My mentor said, "let it tell you where to put it". At the same sale I spied a desk. Probably built in the 50's or early 60's, mid-century modern style. When we moved to the house I had to leave behind a huge oak desk I had used in the apartment and I have been using a folding table in the studio. A real desk with drawers would be so nice and this one was real hard wood, the style I love and clean and in excellent condition. I debated and left it behind, afraid it wouldn't fit, or I shouldn't spend the money. We took measurements and once at home, having a chance to think about it, I decided I wanted it after all. I spent more money than I should have this week, but with the coming of winter, I shouldn't be spending much for a while now.

Thanks to the long-winded seller at the sale, we missed everyone coming in at the finish line.

Later that afternoon was the awards ceremony for the race. Hubby and daughter got 1st place in the tandem division, her boyfriend got second place in his age division and  our associate pastor's two children both podiumed. Following that, it was out to the trails to pick up the signs and the flags. We got a good share of it done before dinner. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at one of the local restaurants that have been very supportive of the race and my Hubby's efforts. The plan was to go back to the trails after supper, but everyone was simply too tired.

Sunday:
Sunday after church we had a family dinner at home of leftovers, then I drove my son the 2 hours back to his place and another 2 hours home. It was tempting to stop at more stores on the way, but it was getting late and I figured it was best I just get myself home.
This week:
Hubby bought blueberries from a neighbor...they are huge and juicy! YUM!! He also ordered firewood and the guy has been delivering a pick-up truck load every evening. Hubby went with me to buy the desk I looked at on Saturday and helped me move it in. I love having a real desk now, it looks much neater and more professional than the folding table did. I'm also trying to catch up on things that were neglected last week like harvesting the garden and getting the studio up and running for fall. I've had a few calls, one of them actually scheduled a lesson time, the others are thinking about it. It looks like my harvesting will be postponed this afternoon, it's supposed to rain and I see the clouds approaching.

I know I have some catching up to do when it comes to reading your blogs - I hope to get to that soon.

If you've read this entire epistle, I applaud you and thank you for your interest.