Busy Week Ahead

Good Morning! The fog is beginning to burn off and the sun is streaming behind the trees in the lower pasture. It's beautiful but I have to be vigilant about branches falling off and leaves wilting. I believe the leaves make a form of prussic acid which can kill livestock. The trees are allowed to live because of the shade they provide as well as the back scratching material -smile-.
Let me apologize...for some reason my posts were underlined, very annoying, but I couldn't figure out what I did to cause this. Now, some sentences aren't underlined but there's is No Way I'm going to re-do this post. I know this is annoying to you; it's annoying to me but I can live with it. When you finish reading this entry, you'll understand why. Simply too much to do in the daylight I've got today; so what's new, eh? -smile-

If you know why my post was underlined and, more importantly, how to prevent it next time, please don't keep it a secret! Tell all, tell all...
See these little fawn triplets alongside the road? This worries me; where is their mother? I dare not consider...

As we passed, they bounded into the underbrush but I caught a glimpse of this little one as s/he left the side of the road. I always make a lot of noise to, hopefully, frighten them away from the road. People think of me as a crazy woman...honking the horn, yelling, waving stuff out the window...but if it helps these little ones grow to adulthood, it's well worth being thought of as crazy.

It's a busy week at Thistle Cove Farm. I'm in the studio this week, getting ready to demonstrate the fiber and textile arts at The Highlands Festival in Abingdon. Thursday will be a Very Long Day and, for the first time in a long time, I'll have to pack a lunch and water as I'll be glued to my spinning chair all day. I'm not a fan of festival food as it doesn't like me much either. I'll take my spinning wheel, rag rug loom, roving to spin and roving to sell, some fleeces and yarn. Hopefully, my small antique fan will keep the faith and work all day long. My pioneer dress gets a bit warm so a fan will be helpful.

So, does this picture look better with, or without, Sadie Lady? Not bad either way, eh? -smile-This morning Sadie Lady sat as I wandered around the studio, taking photos. She's looking at kittens and cat, wondering if she dare, DARE, chase them? NO, Sadie Lady, the answer is NO! At four months old, her body is beginning to look like a dog but her mind is still Pure Puppy!

****************** Miss Emma says, "Why should a DOG get attention? I wanted to add my own special touch so I walked across the keyboard and put in stars..." Thank you, Miss Emma. Now the blog looks SO much better!

I've joined our local YMCA, newly opened, and am taking Zumba and yoga classes. Sometimes, I take water aerobics but enjoy Zumba and yoga a tad better. I don't enjoy the Zumba music though, it's a bit vulgar for my tastes but then, I don't listen to pop music. I prefer Celtic, jazz, blues if I'm going to listen to secular music and this pop music is, in a word, Awful. No wonder people's minds are full of nonsense. Oh, the music is great for jumping around and getting the heart rate going but it does make me blush! Some of it, I'm ot even sure what they mean and I'm not sure I want to know. I do know my blood pressure was 118/80 when I got home yesterday; that was after two hours of exercise. I find when I stretch before and after exercising and then when I get up in the morning my body responds in a positive fashion. I feel much better, my posture is much better and my attitude is better. Generally, I have a good attitude anyway and those increased endorphens just add to the joy.

Now, as I'm typing this, Miss Emma is draped across my shoulders, supported also by the back of the sofa and she's playing in my hair. She and the other kittens received their vaccinations on Friday and not a moment too soon! Miss Emma has a cold and is on meds; she seems to be a bit better ...at least if her antics this morning are any indication. I just wish her nasty little cough would heal.

Are you among those who are C. S. Lewis fans? Are you also aware he was a member of the Inklings? There were a small group of thinkers and writers who, IMO, re-defined Christian writing. Dorothy Sayers and J.R.R. Tolkien were both members although I've read Sayers was an unofficial member due to her gender, and it's due to a challenge from Tolkien that Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia. Tolkien's most famous books is the Lord of the Rings series and my favorite of Sayers are the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. Hugh Laurie, the actor who plays Dr. House, is the actor who played Lord Peter Wimsey whom I enjoyed far more than the House character.

By the way, Voyage of the Dawn Trader is in production. I love the Narnia books and movies and think the Potter series pales in comparison. Oh, don't get me wrong...Potter is good but Narnia is GREAT! Potter engages the eyes and Narnia engages the mind but then, I've always been a person for whom the mind being engaged was far superior to the eyes being engaged. Isn't imagination a wonderful thing? When children, or adults, don't have an active positive imagination, they just aren't living full lives, don't you think? A person with an active imagination is never bored because the pictures and story are being played out in the mind. If you disagree on the Narnia Potter discussion, that's okay too and I'd like to hear why you prefer Potter to Narnia. -smile-

As to Dorothy L. Sayers...she's an interesting person. She, as Lewis and Tolkien, was associated with Oxford and advocated a classical education, as do I even though my "classical education" was on the waning moon. She wrote a compelling argument for same entitled The Lost Tools of Learning. She also wrote a definitive translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. In this, her last work, she looks deeply at The Seven Deadly Sins and the medieval concept of those sins.

All this, the above post, is because of Sunday's Sabbath Keeping quotes of C. S. Lewis. Every so often, I re-read Lewis and others of his time and enjoy them all over again. Just like the Bible...King James Version, ta very much!...there's always something new to fix upon, to ponder and reflect upon. Dave has begun downloading some of my favorite authors onto my MP3 player so I now have audio books no matter where I go...studio, automobile, home...it doesn't matter where because I have headphones or speakers that will play the MP3. So much FUN to listen to authors who amuse me, entertain me, make me think and, hopefully, make me a better writer. There's a certain turn of phrase that's sorely lacking in today's writings. A lot of books today are so vulgar...there's that word again...tawdry, unimaginative, boring, even. I find myself returning, again and again, to the familiar, the safe, the cozy that still manage to stretch me in various ways.

What about you; what books do you enjoy listening to or reading?

The studio in the morning light with Sam intently studying the cat and kittens. "No, Sam", do Not Even Think of chasing them!

The west side of the studio with bird feeders and flowers in window box.

I think my little bird door knocker is so sweet and it looks like the Christmas cactus is getting ready to bloom!St. Francis watches over the flowers and has either water or bird seed in his container. I love the sweet look on his face. Do you remember the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon. I loved that movie, wish I could find it for $5 at Wal-Mart -smile- and think it was one of Director Franco Zeffirelli's best, certainly one of my favorites. I'm sure if I saw it today, it might not be as great as my memory says but I'm sure I'd still like it.

The Chinese symbol for harmony with the pencil cactus hanging beside.I enjoy picking wild flowers and then putting them into this old blue enamel coffee pot. The lid long gone, the pot is still wonderful as a flower container and looks so nice sitting upon the little green table. That little table used to be white but white was too brash and stood out when I wanted it to blend. Uh Oh. Christian lesson there, I'd wager to say!

The studio is getting some serious time this week as well as for the remainder of the month. I've several quilts to finish, some textile post cards to make and scarves/shawls to sew. I enjoy finding beautiful material and making shawls/scarves. A couple of spinning wheels are out there so I can always take a whirl when my fingers are weary of sewing on my antique sewing machines. When I'm caught up, I'll take you into the studio for a visit and will also post my bread recipes.

Banana walnut bread is in the oven, coffee and tea pots are full and hot, dogs asleep at my feet, Miss Emma in a sunbeam...Ahhhh...this is the Moment!

Blessings ~ a good read ~ a good listen ~ great authors ~ ability to download ~ exercise ~ good health ~ festivals ~ banana walnut bread ~ puppies, kittens, dogs and cats ~ always thankful to God for giving me little ways to keep me humble! ~ YOU~

Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival

On the way to Whitetop Mountain two friends taking in the afternoon sun while another friend, below, watches peacefully.
Spring means growing things, things that my grand's ate to stave off winter's chill, to bolster their immune system and also just because they tasted so dang good! Branch lettuce, also called cress, dandelion greens, burdock greens, polk salad to name a few and, one of my favorites - ramps.

Ramps are a member of the onion, leek, garlic family only taste stronger and smell a lot louder. There's no in-between, a body either likes 'em or hates 'em. I loves 'em! Especially when friend with potatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. HEY! There's got to be some additional healthful benefits, eh? They are best eaten when they have just first pushed their little heads out of the earth, best when spring is still new and the heat of summer isn't threatening.

All over the southern Appalachia's there are Ramp Festivals; one of my favorites is the Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival on the Rooftop of Virginia. It's only 108 miles away, at the top of Whitetop Mountain the third highest mountain in VA at 5520 feet but it takes me close to two and a half hours to get there. For more than half the distance, the roads are two lane with more twists, turns, curves, S curves, switchbacks and the like to give a snake motion sickness. Sometimes there are guardrails. A large part of the drive travels along the stream that's tumbling down the mountain and, while it's beeeyouutifulll, my mind thinks 'snakes'. No, I can't say I'm afraid of snakes but I do like to give them a wiiiiddddeeee berth, especially the copperheads and the rattlers. I tend to let the garden snakes and black snakes live in peace, as long as they do likewise by me, but I don't hold with poisonous snakes. I figure they crawl on their belly for a reason and who am I to question God?

While I'm on the topic of the Appalachia's there's a question that's been bothering me for years. Probably all my life, really. Where are the Appalachia's? I've always thought they were those mountains that were not the Blue Ridge but in researching, I find I'm, somewhat, right. Apparently, there's a geological distinction. Virginia Places says the Blue Ridge are older, far older, than the Appalachian Plateau. The Blue Ridge core rocks are billion year old igneous rocks and the Plateau is far younger. Well, maybe or maybe not, but I do know God has made the simple things to counfound the wise and the beauty is there for all of us.

Gaynelle and Jeanne were my company yesterday and I only hope they had as good a time as I. Jeanne is a city gal but has lived in a small town for a number of years, she's also a musician as are her menfolk. I knew she'd enjoy the music. Gaynelle is a country gal and mountain people are her people so I knew she'd be okay. And, me? I'm happy with all of it. These are my people, these old worn down smooth mountains are my mountains and I'm never happier than when I'm home in the hills. Give me some knitting or other handwork and I can sit and listen to folks tell tales for hours! To sit and watch mountain people play music and dance...God's in His heaven and all's right with my world. It's a sermon just to be in attendance, a prayer to simply watch and rejoice.

The Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival is a benefit for the volunteer rescue squad and fire department and the day's activities include eating, mountain music and clogging. They were selling a half chicken -breast, wing, leg- and potatoes fried with ramps, green beans that tasted like they came from some Grandma's pantry, a roll and ice tea for $6. At the day's end they sold the chickens for $2 so folks could take supper home with them.

According to Southern Food, the ramp may also be called a wild leek although I've never heard it called that. It is native to North America and the name is supposed to come from "ramson" or "rams", from an Elizabethan dialect. John Mariani, author of The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink" says the word was first in English print in 1530 but was used earlier by southern Appalachian folks.

I do know the Elizabethan dialect is still in existence in the southern Appalachia's. Dave and I have been to funerals, back in the hills and hollows, where it took three verses of Amazing Grace being sung before I recognized the song! The group of five men were singing acapella and it was beautiful but I'm far enough removed from the dialect that it took me a while to recognize the tune.

The youngsters started the ramp eating contest; first prize was $35 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash, second prize was $25 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash and third prize was $15 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash. Come to think of it, a large bottle of Scope mouthwash might have been too small! -smile-This AAAdorable lad was shoveling ramps down as fast as he could; ramp in one hand, water bottle in the other. They only had to eat the white part and could lay aside the green top. For this small gift, let us now give thanks.Volunteers make the world go 'round and this darling girl was dishing up ice cream. Yep, it was COLD but it's never too cold for ice cream! At least this year, we didn't have rain or snow.

This dear woman was, easily, the oldest person clogging. While I didn't get her name, someone told me she has more than 90 years under her feet and seemed plenty able to keep up with National Heritage Award recipient Wayne Henderson. He's a well known name in bluegrass music for not only playing but making instruments. He does a lot to promote mountain music, he has a music festival and this year is giving away $15,000 in prize money as well as one of his hand crafted guitars.


Some high stepping going on!
The word clog comes from a Gaelic word meaning time and this type of dancing has been done in the southern Appalachia's since the early 1700's. Or earlier, who really knows?

Here, a fine group of cloggers takes to the stage; please note the men have on their best bibs with pressed white shirt while the women look fine in their dark skirts and white blouses. All footwear have metal tapes to enhance the sound of the dancer's feet as they strike the stage.

There were several bands and a fine group of cloggers but my hearing isn't what it used to be nor did I write down what I thought I heard so you'll have to take my word for it all.

Ages ranged from young to youngish; clogging keeps the body limber, the blood pumping and smiles on everyone's faces! It's a combination of jigs from the Irish and Scots, English clogging, African high steps and a stomp attributed to native Americans. It's fun, lively, energetic and keeps the weight off and is a bit more structured than flatfooting. Whatever you call it, it's still mountain dancing but for more information, go to Bill Richardson and read his great article about clogging, flatfooting, 2-step and other mountain dances.

The cloggers line up to take a bow and then, still dancing, they exit the stage. The little gal on the far left is also an accomplished singer and guitar picker; I've heard she plays fiddle as well.
As we left Whitetop Mountain, I took this photo and it shows a portion of the Appalachian Plateau. Between the green and the clouds the Plateau stretches as far as the eye can see, as much as the heart can hold.

Blessings ~ mountain people ~ mountain music ~ mountain food ~ the Appalachia's ~ the Blue Ridge ~ cloggers ~ volunteers ~ ramps! ~

Sabbath Keeping

Yesterday, April 4, was Sheep Shearing Day.

Clinton Bell, is shearing one of my Shetland sheep while, in the background, the crowd watches in terror. My sheep are tame, pets all but still aren't crazy about being tipped on their rears in public. They would actually rather lead quiet lives where they only have to see me, preferably with treats of corn or alfalfa. Clinton also de-worms them, gives them their rabies vaccination and, if necessary trims feet. He usually only has to trim feet on a couple of sheep. Clinton says the less stress a sheep has, the less their feet need trimming. One thing my sheep are NOT is stressed! Except on Sheep Shearing Day and then they stand around, stomping their little feet at everyone. Sheep have no defenses except flight and, with pounds and pounds of wool, they aren't all that fast so they stomp their little feet. It's kinda cute to see them angry.
I wonder if that's what it's like with God when He sees us get angry. We stomp our little feet, throw our little tantrums and, basically, can't do much about anything. Except we don't know that or have yet to come to grips with it. About the only thing we're in control of is ourselves and, sometimes, spill the milk with our attitudes.

Anyway, until each sheep was sheared, they would stand around, stomping their little feet and snorting. Poor little dears. They were sheared anyway and felt all the better for it but just wouldn't think it so beforehand.

Daniel Miller, our catcher, is a soft spoken man with a wry sense of humor. He told me earlier today, he slept on the floor last night and woke up stiff as a board today. Shearing and catching is Very Hard Work and I'm indebted to both men for the great job they did. Daniel wears gloves because his hands get very sore when he's catching sheep all day. It's better than being at a rodeo because there's generally no injury in shearing but there's still a lot of 'rassling, tugging and struggling on the part of the men. Some of the sheep weigh more than, a lot more actually, two hundred pounds and Daniel simply has to manhandle them to get them to the shearing floor; they don't go willing, no not one.

Some person, perhaps in desperate circumstances or that's what I want to think, dropped these two beautiful dogs up the road. Friday afternoon, I picked them up, brought them home and fed them. They spent the night in the farm office bathroom, with water and heat, and Saturday spent the morning charming all who saw them. The little black and white smooth coated dog was shivering so I let her borrow one of Abigail's sweaters. Apparently, she loved the sweater and both dogs curled up on the straw bale, close to where they could smell ham biscuits.

At day's end, they went home to live with Fran and she'll spoil them just like they should be spoiled. Happy, happy dogs.

Today is, in a word, beautiful! The temps are in the high 60's, a gentle breeze and the sun to
warm old bones. The sheep are nekkid and happy. My sweet Zacheous is having himself a fine
time and a Big Day. He's not carrying around a weighty fleece, his nails are trimmed, he's had his
rabies shot and de-wormer and all's right with his little world. He's traveled far today, all the
way to the far end of the hillside pasture and is right pleased with himself. It's been a long, long while since he was able to travel so far. Most of the winter he's been kept in the barn with his mates, Buster Brown and Thomas, both of whom are now gone to the Great Shepherd. Zach has surprised me with how well he's done. Yesterday, he wasn't all that pleased with being sheared; he's terribly arthritic and it hurt his old bones to be turned on his arse. After he was sheared, he stumbled around, fell a few times, struggled to his feet but, finally and fortunately, made his way upright and then stayed there. I fed him some cracked corn and that gave him some strength to carry on. Today, his little world was turned upside down when he ventured to parts not seen in months and months.

HURRAH Zacheous! You're doing just dandy!


Blogland has brought many wonderful people into my life; this is June and, with her daughter, came from North Carolina. She's a talented woman and weaves, knits, quilts, long arm quilts and loves Traditional Japanese music. She's the only person I've ever known who loves this music; she also loves Celtic and classical but that's not nearly so esoteric as Traditional Japanese. Thanks for coming, June; loved meeting you, and Kathleen, in person!

Lura is also from NC and a friend of many years. She's a talented woman whose latest interest is making looms. She's doing a great job and soon I'll photo her two of her looms and post here.

Mary gives one of the Suffolk lambs his last bottle of the afternoon. The lambs were a huge hit and loved the attention...especially the bottles of lamb milk.



















Leslie Shelor, Fiber Friend of long standing. We've known each other many years and it was fiber, fleece, and all things textile that brought us together. My life has been greatly enriched by her friendship and I'm blessed by her friendship. Having said all that, this is the first time we've ever had our photo taken together! I suppose we're always too buy "doing" that we don't stop to think "photo". That's now been remedied and I'll enjoy this memory for a very long time.

Leslie always wears dresses or skirts, never pants and I "usually" wear dresses or skirts. Come Sheep Shearing Day though, I wear pants as I'm not partial to showing J. Q. Public the color of my undies. Trust me, the way I twist and turn to pick up fleeces, something is going to show so I want it well covered with pants on this day. I wear aprons a lot as they are So Handy. All those pockets plus keep my clothes clean. Grandmother Bennett was on to a good thing when she wore aprons all her life. Just wish she hadn't worn them out so I could have a bit of Apron Memory.















Gaynell D., Quilt Maker Friend, was caught unawares. She, like most of us, hates having her photo taken but I wanted to show her with her beautiful quilts.















Dr. Anne, our vet, is talking with Bud, Blacksmith Farrier Ironworker. Bud is a Showman Extraordinaire! He tells stories as he's pounding his anvil, making iron courtn' candles, fireplace equipment and other useful tools.















Mary M., yes the same Mary feeding the lamb, is Shearing Day Resident Basket Maker and her work is excellent. You can see her work more closely at Lost Arts Guild and I'm hoping, apparently against hope -smile-, she'll soon start her own blog!


Other LAG folks here were Linda Wright, Sue Shelor and Charlie Butcher who makes lap dulcimers and other Fine musical instruments.











Birds of the air make their nests all over the world but here, at Thistle Cove Farm, they use wool to line their nests. The cow skull is a good place to stick some fleece for the birds to gather. It amuses me to see the skull even useful in death. Bluebirds are nesting a hundred feet, or so, from this skull. Perhaps they will use some of this wool? I hope so!

Blessings ~ another safe, happy, wonderful Sheep Shearing Day come and gone! ~ friends ~ lambs ~ fleece ~

Pickens, WV Pancake Breakfast

For most of the past twenty-five years, Aunt Esther and I have been going to the Pickens, WV Pancake Breakfast which is also the WV Maple Syrup Festival. Time has lost the beginnings of our tradition and that's okay, what matters is we made it another year! Aunt Esther turned 91 in January and is still spritely, spry and full of vim and vinegar. There's another word that is, sometimes, used for the "vim" word but it's not suitable for a family rated blog -smile-.

As I travel through Webster County, I arrive at a small community called Bergoo. It's an old coal mining town and has gone through its share of boom times. This bridge cross the Elk River right at Carol's store, and the road continues up river where a few people live year round and a load of other people have camps.

This road is further up river and leads out of Webster County into Randolph County. It's an interesting drive, especially when one meets traffic coming the other direction. I've had to back down this road, Very Carefully, many times...especially when I'm going UP river and have the river on my right hand side. It's not, quite, so frightening when the river is on the left hand side but it can still be frightening. Long ago, I've given up driving this road after dark, unless it's an Extreme Emergency!














Whittaker Falls is on the county line of Webster and Randolph Counties. Folks are trout fishing and the weather was cold, just about freezing. I told Aunt Esther those guys had to be freezing and she said, "Yes, and if their wives asked them to bring in a bucket of coal, they would complain it was too cold!"

She's right, you know.



















This is the American Legion Hall where the breakfast is held and yes, it is heated by a pot bellied stove. The way you can tell is by the feller backed up with his hiney close to the heat -smile-.





This photo is of the entire room and it's as fine as elderberry wine. Hot buckwheat and plain flour pancakes, *heated* fresh, local maple syrup, one sausage patty and all the coffee and milk you can drink...all for $8.00. What a deal!



















Every year, after the Pancake Breakfast and Bean Super, there's a Square Dance; only $5 to dance, look or do both...what a great bargain. I've never been, mainly because it's such a long drive from dance to bed, across several mountains, terribly difficult roads and in the dark!

















Every year the Pickens folk raffle off a quilt; this year it's especially beautiful. Aunt Esther and I each bought six chances for five dollars. We decided if either of us win, one will keep it six months a year and the other will keep it six months a year.
















The Belle of Randolph County, WV! She said her dress was older than she so they are both a beautiful original.



















The Pickens Post Office which was open all day long.





These folks were making corn meal and buckwheat flour right while we watched. I just love buying meal and flour right when it's freshly made. This corn meal has a bit of tooth, meaning when used to make corn bread, the corn bread will have a bit of bite to it, some heft that translates into chewy goodness and flavor...yummylicious! I make some of the BEST cornbread you'll ever sink your teeth into and nope, it's not bragging if it's true -smile-.


Someone asked me if I wanted to buy this John Deere A. I told him, "I've already got one, thanks!" And, that was, sort of, true...'cept mine has a steering wheel and seat so I guess I know which where to turn -smile-.



But Absolutely Nothing is as beautiful to my tired ole eyes as Thistle Cove Farm, home of my heart! What an incredible blessing and gift God has given our grateful hearts.

Blessings ~ pancakes ~ belles ~ quilts ~ heritage ~ rivers ~ festivals ~ Aunt Esther! ~ home ~

Catching up

It's been a hot summer and autumn; no sign of relief in sight and we're still in a drought situation. We did have a bit of rain last week but could use a week of steady, constant rain. Pray God it will soon happen.

I went to the Field Day of the Past Festival and had a rollicking good time. They were lots of visitors but sales were unfortunate; the only thing selling was cold drinks and ice cream. It's always difficult for folks to consider woollens when the temps say nekkid. This was the first event I've used my 10x10 canopy and it provided welcome shade. Never again will I do a festival without shelter.I took time out to ride around the 50 acre grounds and sightsee. A gentleman sitting nearby asked, "do you ever have your photograph taken or are you always working?" I smiled and answered, "always working." He then asked for my camera and took this photo of me. I look quite the period, don't I, and my Grandmother's cameo pin adds an authentic touch.

Funny how people, men especially, would compliment me on my "costume". They seemed to think by-gone days means better days but hardly anyone realizes the main cause of female death was first by fire and secondly by childbirth. Women's dresses would burn when women got to close to the fire when cooking and, as dresses were, usually, cotton or linen, they would ignite and flame in mere moments.

Dave asked me one time, "when are you going to start making all our clothing?" My response, "just as soon as you start killing all our food."

Yep, we both laughed...let me tell you...the good old days are NOW! I seriously enjoy dressing up and playing "pioneer woman" but wouldn't trade even. I'm living the good life now and thank God every day. I met one dear, older woman who spent UNTOLD hours making this very beautiful queen sized Garden Path quilt. She's eighty-four and would like to sell this quilt; if anyone is interested, please let me know and I'll put you in touch.



Kat, my quilting guild friend, made the gorgeous Double Wedding Ring queen size quilt show below. She's selling this quilt which represents, perhaps, a thousand hours of work, maybe more. People see the price of quilts and think, "too much!" but how many people would work for $1 an hour? At least in the good ole USA.

This Turning Twenty quilt pattern in a double bed size, is for sale as well. Katherine and Donna worked together to make this quilt and it's made in a pleasing design of blues and yellows.

This coming weekend I'm headed to the National Folk Festival in Richmond, VA. I'm there as a guest of the Folklife Apprenticeship Program through the VA Humanities Foundation and will demonstrate spinning, knitting and the fiber arts. The Folk Festival is always a Very Fine Time and this is the third and final year in Richmond. Next year it will move somewhere else but, I understand, folks in Richmond have plans to host their own folk festival so it will continue.

Jon Lohman, Director of the Folklife Apprenticeship Program, has written In Good Keeping: Virginia's Folklife Apprenticeships with free lance photographer Morgan Miller. This coffee table sized book, published by the UVA Press showcases the first five years of the program and is resplendent with marvelous photographs of the various Masters and Apprentices.

On the home front...even though we've yet to see much cooler weather, the Canada Geese know it's time to move on. There are great flocks of them, wheeling across the sky, honking to each other and to those of us land bound below. Winter is coming and with it, hopefully, some moisture. I'm preparing to hunker down, as Daddy likes to say, and complete my preparations for winter. My winter projects are quilting, both for warmth and for art; working in my studio on a great new project I'm developing; making lots of comfort foods in the form of soups, stews and breads; finish reading the Bible. I try to read the Bible through every year and every year I learn something new and find it always a joy. Well, okay. Maybe those Old Testament geneology parts aren't a *total* joy but they are still interesting...sort of.
Blessings ~ family, always family ~ crisp Autumn days ~ festivals & the Folklife Apprenticeship Program & Jon ~ quilting ~ the good old days of NOW~ the strength to do the work He has set before us ~