One week down in the Concord workshop and I am glad. I haven't had time to barely sleep much less post or visit my friends online. It has been a good time, but I am so tired.
We have seen:
Concord Museum
Old Manse
Brook Farm site
Fruitlands
Emerson House
Orchard House
Not to mention slipping away for a few minutes to visit Liz at Riverslea and picking up some roving. I have been hoping to catch up with Karyn and Suzanne, but life is busy and I understand that!
Spent some fabulous time at the Whittier homeplace yesterday. This is the third year I have traveled to the house and have fallen more and more in love with Whittier, "the Poet" as he is lovingly referred to by the fantastic staff there.
Hope to get back to my 'normal' life next Saturday... P.S. I miss you!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Only 40
Picked up my friend from the airport today and, for a treat, was going to take her to the Dip Dog for dinner. The light on the gas gauge had come on about eight miles from home, but I thought (and so did the Mister) we had enough to get to the nearest station on the way. After all, it was only 15 miles, so it should be fine. Right?
Nopers.
As we started up the last mountains, there was a sickening lurge, sputter, and then, stop. We coasted off the road, and the Mister said, "Do you think it will coast back to the store?" Our cell phones had No Signal, so this seemed a good idea.
Fortunately, we coasted down to Jerry's store where there is a pay phone. Unfortunately, no one answered at Shelly's house (they were the closest) and we had only $1 in change and didn't want to use it leaving a message that they might not get for a while. As we debated who to call next, two trucks stopped and some fellas were chatting. I walked over, smiling in my most charming manner, and asked one of the men if he would either give my husband a lift or bring us some gas.
He brought us gas. Really. And he had to pay for the gas can to do it! Of course we paid him more than what the gas, can, and his gas cost, and were very grateful to do it. He even stayed until the car started to be sure it would.
While we didn't get to Dip Dog, we did manage to find a Hardee's (bleh) that was open and had some dinner. Now, we have another trip planned, with lots of gas in the tank, to get that elusive Dip Dog,
Isn't the world a wonderful place? Oh, and we now know that the car will only go 40 miles when the light is on and another 2 on fumes...
Nopers.
As we started up the last mountains, there was a sickening lurge, sputter, and then, stop. We coasted off the road, and the Mister said, "Do you think it will coast back to the store?" Our cell phones had No Signal, so this seemed a good idea.
Fortunately, we coasted down to Jerry's store where there is a pay phone. Unfortunately, no one answered at Shelly's house (they were the closest) and we had only $1 in change and didn't want to use it leaving a message that they might not get for a while. As we debated who to call next, two trucks stopped and some fellas were chatting. I walked over, smiling in my most charming manner, and asked one of the men if he would either give my husband a lift or bring us some gas.
He brought us gas. Really. And he had to pay for the gas can to do it! Of course we paid him more than what the gas, can, and his gas cost, and were very grateful to do it. He even stayed until the car started to be sure it would.
While we didn't get to Dip Dog, we did manage to find a Hardee's (bleh) that was open and had some dinner. Now, we have another trip planned, with lots of gas in the tank, to get that elusive Dip Dog,
Isn't the world a wonderful place? Oh, and we now know that the car will only go 40 miles when the light is on and another 2 on fumes...
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Testing ... one... two... three...
The Mister wanted me to try something "artsy." This is my best effort at it...
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Remember when I painted the kitchen red and white? Well, here is how it looks now... I love love love it! The old labels came from New Orleans and the cherry sampler over the door I did a million years ago...
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Remember when I painted the kitchen red and white? Well, here is how it looks now... I love love love it! The old labels came from New Orleans and the cherry sampler over the door I did a million years ago...
This is the studio... It is on the front of the house and gets the morning sun. It is my favorite room in the house because of the light in the morning. The spinning wheel is from Saltville, VA, and came on a wagon from Ohio more than 150 years ago. It is in perfect order. My goal is to spin on it this winter!
The guest room... It is a sweet room, I think, and will be cozy for our friend. The bed is from the 1880s and the cedar chest was my Mother's hope chest. This room looks out over the pastures on the right side of the house and on the pear tree and maples in the side and back yards...
These are just part of my books... The shelves are solid maple and came from our college dumpster when the library was redone. The Mister saved them and brought home enough that we will never needs shelving again! I am glad because they are so sturdy; we have even left the shelf tags on them!
This is the upstairs landing where we can sit on the floor and watch the moon and stars. We have used the telescope for star gazing and watching eclipses. The missionary organ is an old pump organ a friend gave us. It had been in her family for quite a while and no one wanted it. We did! The books on the top are hymnals I found in this house when I bought it years ago. The quilt behind it is the only quilt I found in the house. It is not filled with cotton only. It also has milkweed for the batting as well. This tells me it was made in the 1930s or early 1940s when cotton was hard to get.
We decided to fill our stairwell with items from all the trips we took in our marriage. You can see there is quite a variety, including our wedding picture. There is an interesting blend of prints, cross stitch and posters. The only problem we have now is getting higher than we can reach...
So, there is a quick little tour of the Lazy Bee Farmhouse. I hope that my photography isn't too painful and you have enjoyed our time together. You know...I think I am going to be great friends with this little guy...
Hives
Thus far, I have gotten the battery charged and in the camera. I have set the time, date, and even year. Even more remarkable. I have Turned It On.
Now... let's see if point and shoot really works... pictures coming...
Guest Quarters
We have a house guest coming which has necessitated cleaning the upstairs and creating a "real" guest room. The Mister and I have so many interests that each room was overflowing with our interests and not guest ready. In short, it was a mess!
He collects radios and is a ham operator, thus, one room was just for those. I have two large looms, so one room was just for weaving. As a musician, he has everything except a bag pipe (read: five drum kits alone), so there we have a music room (which is moving to the recording studio in the fall, I hope!), and you can just imagine how very many books an English teacher has... to fill the last room which is a library.
But, one problem: no guest room.
So, yesterday was committed to moving and rearranging the entire space. Since the studio is on the project list, the music room was transitioned to a full loom and needlework studio. The back room is again a real guest room and the library is really a library. The landing is empty except for our telescope and the missionary organ. The studio is darling and full to the brim!
The guest room, though, is my favorite. It is the Airman's bedroom and has his 1880 sleigh bed, 19-teens pine chest, a spinning wheel (of course), bookshelf filled with children's books, 1920s wicker table, orphan chair, and my mother's 1940's Lane trunk. I love the space. It feels quaint, comfy, and peaceful.
As I cleaned, I thought about material possessions and the conversation my friend Sara and I had about it.
"If you think about it, we are blessed to have so many things," she suggested.
I thought a minute and responded, "I am not so sure it isn't from the Enemy, Sara. After all, we get so caught up in stuff that we forget other things that are far more important."
So, as we have cleaned, we have been selective and have opted to donate to charity what we don't really need. The result has been, well, invigorating. Less is more. Really. And, I think it is the start of trend in this house. Poor Mister. He will be like I was when I was ten and Mother got on a "tear." I hid my dolls and favorite stuffed animal at the neighbors until her fit passed.
What kind of redecorating are you doing these days??
He collects radios and is a ham operator, thus, one room was just for those. I have two large looms, so one room was just for weaving. As a musician, he has everything except a bag pipe (read: five drum kits alone), so there we have a music room (which is moving to the recording studio in the fall, I hope!), and you can just imagine how very many books an English teacher has... to fill the last room which is a library.
But, one problem: no guest room.
So, yesterday was committed to moving and rearranging the entire space. Since the studio is on the project list, the music room was transitioned to a full loom and needlework studio. The back room is again a real guest room and the library is really a library. The landing is empty except for our telescope and the missionary organ. The studio is darling and full to the brim!
The guest room, though, is my favorite. It is the Airman's bedroom and has his 1880 sleigh bed, 19-teens pine chest, a spinning wheel (of course), bookshelf filled with children's books, 1920s wicker table, orphan chair, and my mother's 1940's Lane trunk. I love the space. It feels quaint, comfy, and peaceful.
As I cleaned, I thought about material possessions and the conversation my friend Sara and I had about it.
"If you think about it, we are blessed to have so many things," she suggested.
I thought a minute and responded, "I am not so sure it isn't from the Enemy, Sara. After all, we get so caught up in stuff that we forget other things that are far more important."
So, as we have cleaned, we have been selective and have opted to donate to charity what we don't really need. The result has been, well, invigorating. Less is more. Really. And, I think it is the start of trend in this house. Poor Mister. He will be like I was when I was ten and Mother got on a "tear." I hid my dolls and favorite stuffed animal at the neighbors until her fit passed.
What kind of redecorating are you doing these days??
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July!
This says it all... and Neil Diamond is easy on the eyes, too!
Thank you to all our Armed Forces for their service to our Nation!
May God bless this nation, again, and soon!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Mind Your Own Beeswax... Literally!
Our Farmer's Market is terrific, but we have, as of late, gained a couple of really nosey folks. They are the kind who snoop around, looking to see who is doing what and if that what is legally done. And, if they decide it isn't they either 1) call the health department, or, 2) tell the Market Manager.
This actually happened to us today over our honey. We have it labeled properly, but another beekeeper, who has spent the last three weeks trying to see our honey, actually came down while I was unloading it, picked it up, read the label, and literally ran to the market manager to tattle tale. She is such a dear person and very level headed, so she came to talk with me. And, we agreed that we were okay and kept the honey on the table.
In the meantime, I nearly went down and told him what I thought of him and his tattling. But, the Mister wouldn't let me.
However, I felt okay about it after I watched this guy load up all his honey and leave early because we were selling and he wasn't. A good friend recently loaned me a book called "The Diamond Cutter" which is a combination of all the world's religions' concept of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The author postulates that if we help others be successful, we experience success as well. His theory is simple; if we are doing right and honorable toward others, somehow the Universe, God, or whatever higher power one believes in, keeps the world in balance and you will receive the same.
As a Christian, I have to state that I agree with this.
Three weeks ago I wasn't very helpful at the market. I was tired, felt bad, and just didn't want to be there. I didn't suggest other vendors and didn't help folks find things if I didn't have them. It was our worst week all season in sales. The next week, though, I was right back on it and our sales doubled.
Now, I am not saying that God always rewards us for being nice people. Rather, I am saying that by doing the right thing, we received it back in kind. There are days when I work hard to help others and I barely sell enough to buy gas home. But, it seems that the good days are far and away more frequent than the slow ones.
I felt kind of sorry for this guy when he left. Obviously he couldn't stand competition and seeing others be successful. I have to wonder what kind of pleasure one gets in life if it is all about them. Regardless, after I have stewed a little about this, I will move on. But, in the meantime, it is a good reminder to practice kindness, fairness, and understanding.... although I still want to shout: "Tattle Tale, tattle tale... hang your britches on a a nail..."
This actually happened to us today over our honey. We have it labeled properly, but another beekeeper, who has spent the last three weeks trying to see our honey, actually came down while I was unloading it, picked it up, read the label, and literally ran to the market manager to tattle tale. She is such a dear person and very level headed, so she came to talk with me. And, we agreed that we were okay and kept the honey on the table.
In the meantime, I nearly went down and told him what I thought of him and his tattling. But, the Mister wouldn't let me.
However, I felt okay about it after I watched this guy load up all his honey and leave early because we were selling and he wasn't. A good friend recently loaned me a book called "The Diamond Cutter" which is a combination of all the world's religions' concept of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The author postulates that if we help others be successful, we experience success as well. His theory is simple; if we are doing right and honorable toward others, somehow the Universe, God, or whatever higher power one believes in, keeps the world in balance and you will receive the same.
As a Christian, I have to state that I agree with this.
Three weeks ago I wasn't very helpful at the market. I was tired, felt bad, and just didn't want to be there. I didn't suggest other vendors and didn't help folks find things if I didn't have them. It was our worst week all season in sales. The next week, though, I was right back on it and our sales doubled.
Now, I am not saying that God always rewards us for being nice people. Rather, I am saying that by doing the right thing, we received it back in kind. There are days when I work hard to help others and I barely sell enough to buy gas home. But, it seems that the good days are far and away more frequent than the slow ones.
I felt kind of sorry for this guy when he left. Obviously he couldn't stand competition and seeing others be successful. I have to wonder what kind of pleasure one gets in life if it is all about them. Regardless, after I have stewed a little about this, I will move on. But, in the meantime, it is a good reminder to practice kindness, fairness, and understanding.... although I still want to shout: "Tattle Tale, tattle tale... hang your britches on a a nail..."
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