Good Days

Don's healing up and is getting less sore! I am making lots of glass for my little cluster of shops! The days are getting warmer and less windy! I got to ride two days in a row! Helga had her first swim of 2009! We are very thankful for having gotten "over the hump".

I got the seeds into trays for tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, broc, leeks and now await their little heads to come popping out. I got some bulbs for the patio pots and they have been soaking up moisture and I keep watching for any signs of life. It looks like spring really will happen.

I have had some interesting cat related dreams lately. Last night I dreamt the old Studio Works building was on fire (by bad people!) and I was gathering up my kitties and putting them in the "Big Red" van that I had years ago. Misha and Boris were first, then old Mr. Dusty, Sam, lots of calico kittens, Timber, and then Misha got in line and I rescued him to the van again! Trips back and forth to rescue their little souls--the most valuable things in the building! There were cats there that I had from YEARS AGO! It was great to "visit" with my dear friends (I do this with passed people a lot, too, but that's another tale). 

Misha (the kitty love of my adult life) was in my dreams a few nights ago and he was accompanied by his cohort Boris and many other youngster kitties. Evidently the cat magnet is working in my sleep, too. He was bringing me these cats--many of them. The same calico ones the same as in last night's dream. 

Maybe Paisley (yes, that is his new name) was sent here by Misha. After Misha and Boris I have been happily enjoying cats without health problems. Until Paisley. His vet visit tomorrow will be interesting and, as usual, expensive!

Spring Cleaning Days

We have had a couple nice days and I have been doing lots of little things that need doing. Don has continued to improve but needs lots of rest. He has had visitors every day and sometimes two times a day. Keeps us both hopping. 

It's also the time of year when you see the multitude of things to clean. The barn is a dusty disaster area. The hen house is in hysteria. The greenhouse is 95 degrees and full of winter straw. The people house--well, it needs more work, too! The yard--don't get me started. The last two day break from rain and wind allowed me to take 9 JD wagon loads of yard debris to the compost pile. I was beat after that one. We moved lawn chairs from the green shed to take a break--and, you guessed it, they need to be cleaned, too. 

The power washer is going to get a huge work out when it gets warmer.

Don's Superduper Birthday Bash

March 25th was Don's birthday and his gift was surgery! His previously scheduled appointment was purposefully chosen for this day and it was indeed a gift. Don has had a fatty tumor called a lipoma on his neck for over 15 years and it had grown to, as his surgeon said, an impressive size! Imagine having a growth on the back of ones neck for that length of time and it finally reaching baseball-size! There are some interesting pictures on google of lipomas (which I decided did not need to be included in this post!). 

Everything went fine thanks to the Oakleaf Surgical Hospital. (One stop shopping for all your elective surgical needs!) We'll never forget what day he had it removed, and he's recovering nicely. The six inch incision is steristripped until tomorrow when it can be unveiled.

His talented surgeon, Dr. Steven Immerman, is also an accomplished glass artist in the area of kiln-formed glass. You can see his amazing work at his website at clearwaterglass.com

It's Alive

The air, I mean. It's alive with birds at Catfish Corner! High above are migrating Tundra Swans and Canada geese. We have had some Trumpeter Swans overhead, too! Sandhill cranes are doing their odd cackle honk and are camped out somewhere down the slough.

Of the smaller variety, are lots of mallards, wood ducks, and a personal favorite, the Hooded Mergansers. They are performing their mating dances and skipping across the water like little bugs.

The blackbirds have returned, and we have had sightings of bluebirds and wrens. The robins have been here most of the winter but their songs are now about LOVE!

Fall Art Tour

I had the initial jury visit from the Art Tour committee and have received word that I will be accepted as a hosting site for the FRESH ART Fall Tour 2009!

Mark the calendar for the weekend of October 2, 3 and 4. The fall colors will be in bloom and there will be 15 or site artist sites open for visitors in all types of artistic mediums from glass (me!) to pottery, paintings and fine art, wood, metal and jewelry. 

I'm happy to be part of this tour and thankfully I have many months to PREPARE! 

An Old Lady.....

and a horse....it's a beautiful thing. The HORSE I mean!

Fran came over and got us up and riding after she took a few kinks out.

It's SO NICE OUT!!

What Were The Chances?

The recent trip to Eau Claire resulted in NO blue bandana fabric. I bought all that was available at Mill End when I originally picked out fabric for my rag quilt and there was none to be had when I went back.

Ditto for the lovely new JoAnn Fabric in EC, a only a glaringly different pattern was available at Hancock Fabric--a possibility if I can't find a match.

So what else could I do? Well--what I should have done in the first place. CHECK EBAY!

A quick search of "blue bandana fabric" resulted in about a dozen selections and MIRACLE! there was an exact match--and all they had left were two yards. So I took both and they were shipped quickly from Chandler, AZ! The project continues--