Tiny Beaded Purses

I made these little purse necklaces from the pattern in Beading Basics: Peyote Stitch (Bead and Button Special), "Secret Clutch".  Now I'm playing with adding designs (of course).  But I find them delightful to make. (They also open and can hold a small charm or bead.) One more random project to keep me busy.

The Dance

After several false starts, numerous re-evaluations and changes, I finally finished "The Dance", a new class basket.  It's not one for the faint of heart, however.  It is done in Japanese twill and lattice twining, but using two colors of single lashers for the design (not to be confused with ti-twining that uses two lashers at the same time).  It still needs a few more minor tweaks, but it is essentially ready for class proposals.

Slower & Simpler - Shoot Your Stuff

In my never ending search for hints on living a simpler life, I run across some gems.  I do take pictures of baskets that I sell or give away, but what a great idea to do the same for "stuff" that I'm keeping for sentimental reasons! (And note:  the photos are stored on your hard drive...not printed to become a storage problem all of their own.)

If you are holding onto something for any of the following reasons, I suggest you take me up on this shoot your stuff mini-mission.

1. I keep my _____________ because it brings back certain memories.
2. I can’t get rid of this because ___________ gave it to me, and I don’t want to hurt her/his feelings.
3. I’m not going to let go of ____________ because it might be worth something some day.

Here’s your mini-mission – Shoot your stuff. Every time you find something that seems hard to let go of, shoot it. Take a digital image and store it in a folder on your computer, or an external hard drive. Then, donate or sell the item. If you aren't quite ready to let it go, put all the items that you photographed together in a box and tape it shut. I’ll let you know what to next in an upcoming post. This idea will let you better appreciate the memories without the clutter.

http://bemorewithless.com/shoot-your-stuff/

Sophie's Big Day

Sophie has had quite the day.  Nestled in her kitty bed on the footstool in front of the front window, she has the perfect observation post.

 Of course there are all the little birds flitting around. 

Then the wild turkeys come to call.  THOSE certainly gain her attention.  One can only surmise what she thinks about birds that size. (She glares at me after I chase them off the deck - but really - they make such a mess.)

The deer then stroll by, stopping to munch on the tender new ferns just off the deck.  Sophie is entranced.

A hawk swoops over the deck, repeatedly, searching for a tasty morsel in the field across the lane.  It must be something innate, because that makes Sophie nervous.

The geese, honking noisily, fly into the neighbor's pond.

Then a neighbor walks by with a dog.  Sophie usually sits up straight at that point.

And then the entertainment starts all over again.

Oh, so much to supervise for one small kitty.  Her cat naps are well-earned.

Basket Day on Shaw Island

My husband and I went to Basket Day (part of San Juan County Textile Guild) on Shaw Island yesterday.  Unfortunately, he didn't get the thrill of walking onto the ferry and chatting with the ferry workers (always interested when we go basket weaving between islands).  But he did get to experience the twirl of the finger as they direct us to drive around the entire ferry to be facing the correct direction.

There is such a contentment, spending a day and weaving with like-minded folks.  Chatting, sharing, learning what is going on in the San Juans, and helping one another on projects.  My husband was working on a small Sally bag under my supervision.  I worked on a class basket - The Dance.  Others worked on kits, or their own projects. 

A beautiful sunny day, traveling by ferry, spending time with friends.  Lovely.

Bird Song

Not being an ornithologist, I really can't identify most birds by their call. I sat on the deck in the sunshine yesterday, simply listening. I could hear an eagle, seagulls, crows and geese.  Sort of like the drums and bass to the rest of the orchestra (not that the eagle has a deep call!)

The remainder of the symphony, even to my untrained ear, played out in at least 10 different songs.  Not in a cacophony, but in an enchanting changing melodies that blended together.  Listening, truly listening, to the sounds of their calls was amazing.  Some of them were really intricate.

I want to learn to recognize my feathered neighbors, but both sight and sound.  I'm not quite sure how to go about that.  But this also brings to mind a conversation I had with a friend not too long ago.  Previously in life, we have never been interested in studying birds.  Now, as we "mature", we are becoming intrigued with them.  What is that?  Slowing down to appreciate nature?  Or just a symptom of old age?  Attention to detail?

The "quiet" of Lopez Island is gone, now filled with bird song.  They do have my attention.

Island Roofing

It was a beautiful, sunny day to come to the island yesterday.  Upon arrival, we checked out the new roof, installed since my last visit.  The new skylight in the living room was so light and clear!  The skylight in the bathroom was even clearer....until we realized there was no glass there at all - just an open hole to the sky!

So we thought possibly the workmen had just been there and stopped for a lunch break.  We waited.  Finally I called them,  leaving a pleasant message just wondering about the status of completing the skylight....after all, it WAS a sunny day.

Their return call still makes me chuckle (and why, exactly, I find this so amusing is beyond me).  I asked when they were going to finish the skylight.  They said they were done.  I said there was no glass in it - we had an open hole.  There was a very, very long, pregnant pause on the other end of the phone.  Finally they said they would be right there.

The glass simply had slid off of the roof, before the glue had set.  Really??  (And fell to the ground, but amazingly didn't break.)  Needless to say, the workers were much chagrined.

So we have plastic covering the hole in the roof at the moment, and they will come this morning to reset the glass, after they have figured out how to get the silicon off of it.

My only thought:  what if we hadn't come up this week? It's supposed to rain by the weekend.  The potential mess, hassle, and damage is staggering.  And still - I can't help but smile when I think about that phone call.  My sense of humor truly must be warped.

Recommended Reading

My favorite genre in reading is historical fiction - if it is well-researched.

I just finished  The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman .  It is poignant and very well written.

In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there's an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11010251-the-lost-wife



Currently I'm listening to Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers, and recommend it as well.

In the year 70, Roman legions surrounded a Jewish settlement of 960 people who had taken refuge on a plateau on the edge of the Judean Desert. Driven from Jerusalem, the people of Masada had created a fortress they hoped would protect them from the Roman invaders. In the end, just two women and five children survived.
Alice Hoffman weaves fiction and fact in The Dovekeepers, a thrilling, passionate saga of four women who come together to tend the doves in Masada. Using the only written account of the siege, Hoffman salts her fictional tale with archaeological artifacts found at Masada — a swatch of tartan cloth; inscribed pottery shards; a pair of sandals — to imagine how the seven might have survived. And how the end came for others.
http://books.usatoday.com/book/alice-hoffman-the-dovekeepers/r551306

The Island Beckons

At last..... packing to return to Lopez tomorrow!!  It's still a challenge on crutches, but I've learned to understand that I can eventually get things done...they just take so much longer to accomplish.  (I well never, ever, take mobility for granted again!)

The packing list includes a new class basket, an oval "art" piece, doilies and crocheted pieces to block, crocheted baby blanket in-progress, and the yarn and yarn winder for the sally bag I am designing and will only permit myself to start if I get the class basket done.

Projects for Anadaré itself on this trip include an appointment with the exterminator to convince the sugar ants to find a new home, and check on the new roof that was just installed.  I'm sure the landscaping needs a bit of attention, but I'm not sure how much I can do on crutches.

The weather should be sunny- and even if I can't climb around on the beach, I can definitely appreciate the view.

We will, however, stick close to the cabin on Saturday - it's the Tour de Lopez, and driving with all of the bicyclists will be more of a challenge than we probably want!

Bike Tour of Lopez Island April 27, 2013. The Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 10th annual “Tour De Lopez”. This popular ride is a non-competitive rural road tour with marked short and long routes on public county roads through the scenic landscape of Lopez Island.

Slower & Simpler - Lessons from Crutches

What I've learned from using crutches that could apply to life in general:

1. Plan ahead.
2. Don't take more than you can easily carry.
3. Consolidate errands to limit trips.
4. It's really inconsiderate if someone parks in the handicapped slot if they don't have a permit.
5. Some small hills feel like mountains when you are struggling just to stay on your feet.
6. Accept help from others graciously.
7. Pockets are a great invention.

Crutches help one to simplify and figure out what is really essential in life.

More Artist Dates

Need some more ideas about artist dates as mentioned in The Artist's Way?  Some of my favorites are spending quality time in yarn stores (as I did yesterday), antique malls (and maybe buying some old buttons), fabric stores (delightful colors, patterns, textures), and taking my camera along on a walk to document patterns in unexpected places (such as ceilings, sidewalks, leaf veins, seaweed).

This blog has an excellent list to get you started!

Artist Date Ideas – A Master List

1. Be a tourist in your own town; visit the tourism board and see what’s local that you haven’t checked out before (bring a camera!)
2. Visit a toy store just to play and remember your old childhood favorites.
3. Visit a craft store to see what kinds of creative projects other people are doing, that you might enjoy too.
4. See what’s available at a local ethnic grocery store that you might not be familiar with (or that you love and don’t know how to make!)
5. Go to the library and take out a few CDs of artists you’ve never listened to, and listen to them while you cook/clean/do yoga/drink tea, etc.
6. Listen to some classical music and use crayons to draw what you hear (we used to do this in music class when I was a kid–kind of trippy, huh?)
7. Plan a fantasy vacation for yourself, complete with dream accommodations and itinerary. No need to actually go, just get some travel magazines and brochures, and fantasize.
8. Visit a music store and play around with some of the instruments available. If you have instruments at home, noodle around a bit and try to teach yourself a few notes or chords, or a new song.
9. Paint something in your home–a shelf, a closet, a wall, a room, or the house itself if you’re feeling up to it (and you’re not renting). A change of color can dramatically affect your disposition and give you and your inner artist a sense of freedom.
10. Bake or cook something you’ve never made before, especially if you’ve been afraid to try!
11. Write a letter to your favorite teacher from elementary, middle, or high school. Send it if you like or if you can.
12. Make a gratitude list, something that you can keep adding to over time. Write out the items lovingly, with a favorite pen or marker, on nice paper.
13. Make a “bucket list.”
14. Go through old magazines and clip out words and images that inspire and intrigue your inner artist. Create an inspiration board.
15. Go for a long walk, around your neighborhood, through a park, or some place new to you. Look around, really pay attention to what’s around you.
16. Take yourself on a date–dress up, go to dinner, have a glass of wine or a craft beer, and see a movie.
17. Visit a local art/history/science museum.
18. Do a garden walk, or visit a nearby botanical garden. If neither of those options are available, find the closest nursery and see what’s growing.
19. If your city has any architectural salvage yards, spend an hour perusing. There are so many treasures to be found in other people’s trash–that’s why these salvage yards exist!
20. Find a cool DIY project on Pinterest and actually do it.

http://madelineclairefranklin.com/artist-date-ideas/

Yarn Day - An Artist's Date

The not-so-good news:  I will need to stay on the crutches for another 3 - 4 weeks, per the doctor yesterday.

The good news:  a friend and I are visiting yarn stores in Seattle today to both enjoy and experience all the colors, textures, and variety of yarns, as well as find some linen cord (rug warp) and cotton yarns for making sally bags. (We want to use some finer materials to make more detailed patterns.) Of course, finding interesting yarns for other projects, colors that I just have to own for projects yet unknown, and exploring new fibers are simply added bonuses.

The could-be-interesting news:  it's raining.  While I love the rain, I'm coming to realize that using crutches in the rain can be an adventure all on its own.

Visiting yarn stores is right up at the top of the list for me as an "artist's date" as described in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.  The dates should be done alone, I realize, but with my ambulatory restrictions, I'm sure an exception or two is to be expected.

Every artist needs to nurture their inner artist child with some one-on-one time now and then. In Julia Cameron’s life-changing and ground-breaking creativity recovery program, The Artist’s Way, she encourages you to make time every week to take yourself and your inner artist on an “artist date,” a handful of hours where you are allowed to just play, listen, and re-fill your creative well.
http://madelineclairefranklin.com/artist-date-ideas/

Wasco Style Sally Bags

As I work on my salla bag (also called sally bags or wasco bags), of course I am led to doing a little research on the subject.  If reading the following article is a bit much for you, at least please peruse the pictures of Sally bags done by Pat Courtney Gold at http://www.patcourtneygold.com/samples_of_work.htm.

Wasco-Style Sally Bags

This Wasco Sally Bag, named “Sturgeon Greet the Babies,” was made by Pat Courtney Gold, a member of the Wasco Nation of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.  According to Gold: “There are two pregnant couples on the basket. The human images represent our Wasco ancestors. The babies are the next generation, thereby continuing our culture. The sturgeon between the couples represent strength and long life, which are gifts to the babies.” The basket was woven with jute warps and cotton wefts.

Pat Courtney Gold first studied traditional Wasco-style Sally bags, woven with a rare full-turn twining technique, in 1991. That year, Gold, her sister Bernyce Courtney, and Arlene Boileau studied with Mary Schlick through the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program of the Oregon Historical Society Folklife Program. Within a year, Gold left her career as a mathematician and computer specialist and established a business (Sally Sisters) with her sister in Scappoose, Oregon with the goal of revitalizing the traditional practice of weaving Wasco-style baskets. Since then, she has become internationally known for her exquisite, award-winning work. Gold explains, “When I weave a basket, it’s an emotional and rewarding experience, because I know it is not just for my personal development―it is for the generations that missed it, and it’s also for the generations that are coming after me. This is a spiritual and very beautiful experience for me.”

Sally bags, known as wapaas and aqw’alkt respectively among the Wasco and Wishxam people, are woven with a unique full-turn twining method long practiced by Native Americans of the mid-Columbia River region. The baskets were used primarily by women engaged in gathering roots and medicines during the digging season, but they were also used to gather nuts, seeds, and mushrooms. Traditional human figures and animal motifs, such as frogs, condors, dogs, salmon, and sturgeon adorned these highly valued baskets, making them easily distinguishable from other basketry styles. Prior to contact with Euro Americans in the early nineteenth century, the baskets were constructed primarily of dogbane (Apacynum cannabinum, also known as Indian hemp); after contact, they were often made with manufactured cotton, hemp, or jute twines.

Knowledge of the full-turn twining technique was nearly lost in 1971 with the death of Louise Van Pelt Sconawah Spino, then the only known basket maker using the traditional Wasco-style weaving method.  However, through the effort of tribal elders from the Yakama and Warm Springs reservations, Mary Schlick, and her apprentices, the artform has survived and been revitalized.  Today, artists like Gold and her sister are preserving the use of traditional figures and motifs in their baskets.  At the same time, they are infusing baskets with new images and social commentary—much like their ancestors before them had done.

Further Reading:
Schlick, Mary Dodds. Columbia River Basketry: Gift of the Ancestors, Gift of the Earth. Seattle, Wash., 1994.
Hunn, Eugene S. with James Selam and family. Nich’i Wána, “The Big River:” Mid-Columbia Indians and their Land. Seattle, Wash., 1991.
Written by Joshua Binus, © Oregon Historical Society, 2005.

Nana & Watercoloring

Looking forward to a delightful distraction today - will have my two grandson's for a few hours, so we will be watercoloring.  I printed off some pictures to color on heavy paper (even a mandala for me!) to get us started, then there is a pad of blank watercolor paper, and have some inexpensive watercolor sets for our first attempts.  The hardest part was clearing off a table in my studio for a work space! 

Isn't this what Nanas are for??  Introducing the young to various adventures and art techniques?  Since I'm still on not very ambulatory, this seemed perfect for today.

And if this isn't a simple pleasure, I don't know what is.

Thoughts on Mobility

Having restricted mobility for so long (in the 5th week) leads to philosophical thinking about any number of things, most of which, not surprisingly, center around mobility.

-  Plan ahead. 
      I only make well thought out trips, even to the next room.  Do I have everything I need for the journey?  Have I grouped all my tasks into one trip?  And most importantly, do I have the means to carry and/or accomplish my tasks once I get there?

-  Spread out tasks.
     Standing on one foot for any length of time is very tiring.  So if I want to take a shower, I need to not schedule another activity that requires standing immediately before or after my shower.

-  Prioritize
     Do I really, really need to go get that item - which more than likely is two floors down from where I am?  Could something else work in it's stead?  Better yet, do I need to do whatever it was in the first place?

-  Accept help
    This is a tough one for me.  I admit that I am rather independent, and having to rely on assistance for most things is difficult.

-  Control negative emotions
    No one wants to hear someone else complain, and I even don't like to complain to myself.  What a learning ground to temper the complaints and remember what my mom told me:  if you can't say anything nice (or pleasant), don't say anything at all.

-  Remain optimistic
     Usually this is easy for me, and I'd like to think that I'm doing pretty well.  But there are times, or days, that I have to do some self-talk.  And I remind myself that there are oh so many other folks that are so much worse off than myself.

-  Maintain perspective
     This is not a life-long sentence.  I will heal - eventually.

-  Be thankful
    I remind myself of all that I am thankful for - my general health, my family and friends so willing to help, and so many projects available to keep me busy.

All in all - not a bad list for just life in general, I'm thinking.

Projects from Retreat

Home from retreat, and feeling energized with new ideas, things I want to try, and some projects in several stages of completion. (Pictures to be posted as things get done.)

I have a new class basket, The Dance, in that stage where I now know what doesn't work, but am pretty sure of what WILL work.  One of members of my group loves the proto-type, so it will not be wasted.  We bartered one of her smaller quilted pieces for this version, once I get it rimmed.

A new art piece, Northwest Vines II,  was started (it took 3 hours to trim and place the 146 spokes out of 3 mm dyed reed).  I have about 20 hours into it, reflecting about 2 inches of weaving past the base.

The crocheted baby blanket for my goddaughter's baby is started in a variegated pastel yarn, making an alphabet design.  I love working on it, filling the fibers and design with love for them both.

Worked a bit on the salla bag for class - will have the sides done as required for our second class this next Saturday.

We had a class in silk painting, so I now have a window hanger of a dragonfly for the main bathroom at Lopez - I needed something to block the window, and this is perfect!  I still need to brush on a medium to protect it, but it's nice to have at least one thing completed.

It was a successful, productive, loving weekend filled with work, learning and laughter.

Slower & Simpler - Five Stages of Clutter

Timing is everything.  This article just came out on clutter, and I found it very helpful.  It made me take a second look at some of my self-talk about my belongings.....

http://bemorewithless.com/fivestages/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeMoreWithLess+%28Be+More+with+Less%29

For a little sampling....

Denial

Clutter is a problem before you ever recognize it. Often heard in this stage …

§ What clutter?

§ Let’s look through the sale flyers.

§ I’m saving that for my kids.

§ I need to get organized.

§ I’ll keep that just in case.

Landfill Harmonic

Some things are definitely worth sharing.  Please share this with your friends!

Landfill Harmonic- The world sends us garbage... We send back music.

vimeo.com

Help bring The Recycled Orchestra on a Worldwide Tour. For more info, visit: http://www.landfillharmonicmovie.com/ & Follow us on Facebook at: http://ow.ly/iHAor

Fiber 19 Spring Retreat - A Recipe

Recipe for a great retreat:

Take 10 fiber artists that studied together 4 years ago in the Fiber Arts Program at the University of Washington.

Place at Pilgrim Firs Conference Center in the woods by a lake.

Add excellent accommodations, including made to order breakfasts, tasty meals, and a salad bar for all lunches and dinners.

Blend in classes in a variety of techniques, colors, methods, tips.

Sprinkle in laughter, memories, stories, and continually growing friendships.

Top it off with breathtaking inspirations and awe at one another's art and ideas.


The Perfect Retreat

Ndebele Necklace

Another project finished - at least the necklace done in herringbone or Ndebele stitch, using the 11/0 Toho triangle beads in turquoise and copper that I found in Tucson.  Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to make to hang from it.  I thought I might have a turquoise donut that would work if I made a hanger out of turquoise and copper delicas in a peyote and herringbone loop, but of course nothing in my stash matches the turquoise.  Another option might be to use the delicas but have the focal piece be just copper.

Oh darn - does that mean that I have to make a trip to Shipwreck Beads?? Hate it when that happens!

Currents

Ah, this enforced rest and sedentary life, at least for another 10 days, does have a few benefits.  One of those is having the time to finish some projects that have been languishing for awhile.

I just finished "Currents" - coiled with waxed linen over 2 mm hook-up wire.  The wire is delightful and makes an extremely firm vessel.

The island is definitely starting to influence some of my work.

Sugar Cane Scarf

The trip back from the island yesterday wasn't a typical one, although a testament to island life.  Our ferry was cancelled, they brought in another one for us, and we left 1 1/2 hours late.  Because we were out of schedule by that time, we had to wait to dock in Anacortes.  Of course that put us in the middle of rush hour traffic, so we had further delays.  I got home after 6:30 p.m. - a 6 hour jaunt rather than the usual 3 hours. 

Finally finished the scarf in the pattern that I was teaching my friend.  (She now has the hang of it and is zooming right along!)  I made it out of sugar cane fiber - a lovely, soft and silky yarn that feels like a combination of bamboo, silk, and tencel.  Love the feel of it, although it does tend to want to split a bit.

Trivia

 Just some things that we probably don't really need to know:

Fast Facts
The average person:
    Drinks about 16,000 gallons of water in a lifetime
    Laughs about 15 times a day
    Loses an average of about 40 to 100 strands of hair a day
    Produces 25,000 quarts of spit in a lifetime - enough to fill two swimming pools
    and
    The average person's hair will grow approximately 590 inches (40 feet/15 meters) in a lifetime.

 

Who even asks these questions, let alone finds the answers???

Slower and Simpler - Awareness

Want to read a thought-provoking article on the simpler life?  Try Graham Hill’s New York Times Op-Ed piece Living with Less. 

It has had some interesting critiques written about it.  To peruse some of those, you might like to look at http://bemorewithless.com/minimalismforall/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeMoreWithLess+%28Be+More+with+Less%29.

I'm not ready to take quite such a dramatic leap, but some things are certainly worth thinking about. 

Awareness.  If nothing else, I'll start there.

Blue Skies

While the rest of our state is dealing with torrential rains, we're living the Camelot existence up here on the island with sun, blue skies, puffy white clouds, and rain only at night.  We truly do have a different belt of weather - something to do with the straits and mountains.  Whatever it is, it seems idyllic at times.  Oh, we've certainly had our storms and will definitely have more.  But right here, right now, we have a lovely sunrise and blue skies.

My friend and I have settled into a quiet, relaxing routine.  I did teach her to crochet yesterday - probably our biggest event, next to watching a movie.  It's so easy to lose track of the days!  Just all part of the island life. 

Salamander

Sometimes the littlest things will zing us back to our childhood.  Just driving to Anadaré down the winding dirt road will do that every single time I return.  The salty air, the peace and calm, the very black night with no street or house lights also still do it.

Yesterday, I found a salamander in the back yard.  That brought such a smile to my face.... I used to play with them as a child, and keep them as pets.  I thought this was normal.....until my friend expressed her complete aversion to them.  Really???  They are so cute!!

So we are comfortably ensconced, listening to the rain, crocheting, reading, watching Netflix, chatting, napping - and I'm pretty tempted to wander back outside to try and find that salamander.....

Island Bound!!

Oh my heavens - if feels like forever since I've been heading to Lopez.  We've been having gloriously sunny spring weather....until today, of course.  The forecast is for rain all weekend.  Since I can't get  down to the beach on my crutches anyway, I will simply enjoy my cozy retreat, chatting with my friend, and working on several projects.  I've definitely packed much lighter than usual. 

This will be the perfect solution to my growing cabin fever......going to our cabin!

Taken for Granted

Until my mobility was compromised, I didn't realize just how much I took for granted. The simplest tasks take on gargantuan proportions when dealing with crutches every moment of my day.  Moving from one room to another, I need pockets and/or a bag with handles just to carry things.

How DO you pack for a trip, even as simple as returning to the island, while hampered with these things?  And I can only imagine the gymnastics that will be involved tomorrow morning to get Sophie into her carrier.  Obviously, the packing will be minimal all the way around.

 Is this the universe giving me a real-life lesson in the need to simplify??

However, when I'm finally done with them, there may be some interesting uses for them:

Unfinished but Loving It

My plan has been to eventually show my finished work and projects here, but I'm loving my salla (or sally) bag so much from the class last Saturday, that I just have to share. 

And of course, Sophie is my constant companion and critic.  She is fond of this style of basket - the spokes are as much fun to watch and bat around as are the yarn weavers.  She is a great help.

Anticipation

I've been so careful for the last few weeks NOT to mention Lopez Island or my longing to return.  I really, really hate constant complaining, and that's about all I would have been able to do.  But finally, it looks like I may get up to the island later this week.  So my anticipation is palpable.  Okay, so I may not be able to scramble over the logs and rocks at the beach.  I can at least be there, breathe the salty air, and absorb the island magic.

My good friend will be joining me.  And I'm traveling very light - only a couple of projects to work on, and not bringing the harp.  Being on crutches certainly helps you to be more organized and prioritized.

Absence certainly does make the heart grow fonder in this case!!!