Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Ocean Bound

I am Ocean bound. in a few hours I will be packed up and on my way. My flight leaves tomorrow but I fly out of Salt Lake so I will be heading down there today. I just realized I have something I really need to add to the list today so there is no time to blog. I will be back on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Rejuvenation

I just love how a change in thoughts can change ones life. Last night after an incredible episode of Heroes I tried to weave after advancing the warp I lost the shed again. I really do not know what is going on with this loom. I had planned on weaving all day but have not even tackled it at all.

I have been dealing with this acid reflux thing. I definetly have seen a decline in all the burping but my stomach hurts most of the time. Recommendations were to eat small meals, to stay away from spicy foods. I think I need to go really low fat too. Also my feet are swelling up, I am not drinking enough water since I am too sick to my stomach to want to eat or drink. Its sort of a vicious cycle. I leave for this trip tomorrow and I don't even want to get out of bed. Well that was last night, this morning when I woke up things were the same if not worse and thats when despondancy seems to set in for me. I felt so crappy I just want to crawl in a hole and never come out again.

It is at this point that I get on the computer and I see a note by LisaFroggy and oh that changed everything. Thanks Lisa for posting about the commentary on the Secret Video. I went to watch it right away, at first I could not find it, but it is in the settings section. It was a conversation with Rhonda Byrne and another producer. Its like one long interview. It took me back and made me realize what I have been doing to myself. If I don't start seeing myself as healthy I never will be. I don't know why I need to be constantly reminded of this but I do. I only listened to about half of the commentary and everything changed for me. I now know for certain that the trip is really going to be one of healing for me on several levels. I know when I get back I will discover whats wrong with the loom and be able to finish the project on time. I have let go of all those expectations and now I can enjoy the day, get ready for my trip and go and have a fantastic time. Isn't it wonderful!

Workshop News

Now the good news, you know I was disappointed at not getting into the Writers Spa and then there were a couple other offerings I was interested in but I couldn't make up my mind. I remember saying to myself why can't there be a workshop closer. I had decided to just wait and see. Well one did come to my attention but it has nothing to do with writing, but it does have a lot to do with Art. I really want to go to this one. Its held in Utah which is really close for me, just a 4 hour drive. Its an art retreat called the Artnest. Its held in June and the following artists will each teach a one day class. Misty Mawn teaches Spontaneous Art. Sally Jean Alexander teaches a Gothic pendant and Kristin Steiner teaches I am a woman who(a fabric book). To say that I am just a little excited about meeting and taking a class from Misty Mawn would be an understatement. Then I looked at her class list and thought, oh wow this is going to be serious I wonder if I am up to this challenge. Then I thought you have to jump out of the box and explore, this is what you want. So feel the fear and do it anyways. So yes I am planning on going. As soon as they send a registration form my check will be in the mail.


Quote of the Day:"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." -Oprah Winfrey

Monday, April 23, 2007

Heroes is back

For all of us fanatics Heroes is back on tonight. Last night I took a peak at the videos over at the Heroes website. Ohh I can't wait till tonight. I already have a few questions answered so its going to be great.


















This is a picture of the shawl my sister sent me. The color did not come out well in the picture. The lighter shade is a pale teal and lavender and the dark is a very deep teal. It is very warm and cozy. What a wonderful sister I have.

Its one of those Spring rainy days today. I'll stay in and weave most of the day, but I do have to venture out for my workout at 11:00. Maybe it will let up by then.

Finding Donations

Yesterday I went through 3 plastic totes of fabric looking for what I could donate to my friend Barbara in Salt Lake. She is a girl scout leader and it taking her girls back to Costa Rica this summer. Th fabrics are for a program that helps teen girls. Here is a little of what she told me.

Renacer (“rebirth”) is a residential program for teen girls caught up in the street culture of San Jose. Most have been involved in prostitution, many with drugs, and some with unwanted pregnancies and other consequences of the street. They are all in the program voluntarily (though sometimes with law enforcement “encouragement”) and participate in a variety of educational and counseling programs. In addition to the academic programs, Renacer has a variety of occupational options, including sewing classes. They also can use yarn for crochet and knitting.

When we visited the facility in 2005, my Girl Scouts had a really wonderful experience --- sharing feelings, food, and fun with peers. My girls provided role models as well as international understanding, and the Renacer girls provided insights into teens struggling (and succeeding) to become teens again. This seemed like such a worthy cause.

When I am going to let go of things I like seeing them go to a good cause. I have 2 of those white garbage bags full of fabric along with some yarn and knitting needles to donate. A lot of what I have left are scraps. I should find someway to use them or pass them on to someone else. I can see a future date of going through these tubs again and organizing it all.



Quote of the Day: "I think of life itself, now, as a wonderful play that I've written for myself. ... And so my purpose is to have the most fun playing my part." - Shirley MacLaine

Sunday, April 22, 2007

New things















After a trip to town to a million places on Saturday I came home with this bird bath for my garden. I really like it. I hope the birds will.














This is the yarn I just finished. Its a 3 ply yarn made from a Blue Faced Leicester roving I died. I was aiming for a finer yarn than I have been able to do. This is a first step. I think the next time I can even do better.















Here is the blanket on the loom. My friend Ginger came over and got hhe loom working for me so I should be able to get it finished now.
I started painting the spare room. The walls are very textured so its going to take at least 2 coats to get thing covered. So it looks like its going to take a lot longer than I expected. I was hoping to get it painted before I leave on Wednesday but that might not happen now; oh well such is life.


Finding Water


I have not checked in for 2 weeks now. I have been doing the work just not managed to record anything about it all here. I have it all recorded in my notebook but just haven't felt inclined to report it here for some reason. I guess that I am getting bored with the process. I don't think that the text has been very inspiring.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Some Answers

This morning when I woke up I decided it was time for some answers, I was tired of feeling miserable. I called and made a Dr. appointment. I have really been feeling lousy all week and to be honest for some time. Turns out I have acid reflux disease, so I have meds to try for that. In addition no more eating on the couch. I need to eat sitting up, stay away from spicy foods and not eat 2 hours before bed. I am also allergic to something so the coughing and post nasal drip at night are from that. I got some kind of spray to help out there. It was suggested that my feet are swelling due to a lack of water so I will try to increase my water intake. All these problems that have nothing to do with my back. I feel like a wreck. At least now I have something to work with. So I feel good about that.

Right now I am sitting at my desk eating a Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie. Ahh comfort food is the best.

In the mail today I got the soldering tool I ordered and a package from my sister. Its a handwoven shawl. I will take some pics of it and show it tomorrow. What a delightful surprise that was. I have a friend who is giving me some microscope slides to play with. Once I get those and some time I will start playing with the solder. I'll post result here for sure.

I still can't figure out what is wrong with the loom. Oh I know what doesn't work I just don't know how to fix it. I may have to get the engineer husband working on it. Meanwhile no weaving can be accomplished so that is very frustrating.

There is a drum circle for Earth Day at Church tonight and I do plan to go. It should be a fun time. I really like drumming and should really do it more often, so I do like to take the opportunity to do so. The last few months I have been out of town on the dates it is done.

Good news... Sarah got an apartment for next year. She signed up late and hadn't made a dorm reservation as a back up. We really didn't want her ending up in the Party dorm, way on the other side of campus. These are University owned apartments, so she will still get her housing scholarship. If she moved into other housing she would lose 1000.00 and thats a lot for a kid to make up. She has to pay for the apartment year round but it should be cheaper that the dorm was. She'll be on to another adventure.

Quote for the Day: "Art becomes a spiritual process depending upon the degree of commitment that you bring to it. Every experience becomes direct food for your art. Then your art teaches you about life. - Nick Bantock

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Gifts from Charleston

I got this wonderful piece of art from my friend Pam, celebrating her town Charleston. Its her birthday today so send Pam a greeting.



















This is the front of the card.

















Here is the inside. The back had a printed history of Charleston on it and she also included a recipe for Huguenot torte and a map of Charleston too. What fun,

Weaving Update:

The loom fix I thought I had made fell apart so now I have to do a whole slew of things to it before I can weave again. It is annoying to no end but hopefully things will be right after this.

I am fixing up the bedroom downstairs, my idea is for a cottage look. I have bought paint called Spring Waterfall, its a lovely shade of light blue. I bought a white headboard for the bed and will get a white nightstand. So things will definetly be blue and white. I have some blue and white striped seersucker that I might make curtains out of. I would like to add sea motif's or a painting or two on the theme later. Or maybe I will take the leap and paint something myself. I think it will be great when its finished.

Next week I go to Maryland for a weekend at the beach with 2 internet friends, Nancy and Julie whom I have not met. I will drive up to Salt Lake City on Wednesday and spend the night and then take a plane early Thursday morning. I have never gone anywhere for a weekend like this before so it shall be a fun adventure. It will be fantastic to see the Ocean again.

Quote of the Day: "I'm not old enough to play baseball or football. I'm not eight yet. My mom told me when you start baseball, you aren't going to be able to run that fast because you had an operation. I told Mom I wouldn't need to run that fast. When I play baseball, I'll just hit them out of the park. Then I'll be able to walk. "

~Edward J. McGrath, Jr., "An Exceptional View of Life," quoted in Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen, 1993

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Just turn off CNN

I started the day by watching CNN but it made me cry too much. I had to turn it off. The stories remind me so much of 9/11. So much heartache and nothing anyone can do about it. I can't help but think it could have been my daughter.

I was so saddened I had to do some Art, nothing I can share since its a secret project but it felt good to be working on something. Art truly does heal.

I went and tackled the loom, last night I must have adjusted something because all of a sudden I had no shed. I was about ready to put it in a pile for kindling. It was pretty upsetting. This morning I called my friend Amy to come over and help me. I'd get behind and under the loom while I made adjustment to the tie up she would check the shed. We would get one side to work and then the other would disappear. It was a frustrating time. We finally decided we needed to go look at my friend Gingers loom. So we drove to her office got her keys, went to her house and checked out her loom. It turns out that mine is set up differently than hers so there is something major wrong. We came back to my house and fiddled with it enough so I can weave my project. After its done, I will have to do a major overhaul. I don't think the loom was put together right when I bought it. At least the mystery is solved now.













My friend Gari gave me this piece of jewelry for a late birthday present. It looks really pretty on. She also gave me a copy of The Secret in book form, which of course I already have but I am sure the universe will provide the correct person for me to give it to.

Quote of the Day:"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Anonymous

Monday, April 16, 2007

Sadness in Virginia

I was working out when I saw the totals on CNN keep going up and watched in horror. What an awful thing to have happened today. All I could think of was the Mothers, the worry, the grieving and how life will never be the same. I talked to Sarah twice today. I had to hear her voice, know she was OK, even though she in nowhere near Virgina, she is still on a college campus. When I heard that the college in Virgina sent emails out to warn, I thought I wonder if Sarah checks her email before class. I found out she does but not her University email. She says she would have found out in other ways. Its still scary though.

Please hold all the grieving in Virginia and elsewhere in your hearts tonight and in the coming days.

Spring is back

The sun is out again and Spring is back, yippee and my computer is working again. Last week I made these earrings. Some are gifts and some will become gifts at a later date. I had fun making them. I am trying to use up some of the beads I have.

As to my decision on workshops at this point I decided to make no decision at all. I will just wait and see what happens.

Today I have been on the health mission. I need to start eating better so it was off to stock up on fruits and vegetables and to start thinking about what new things I can eat or make. Its a lifestyle change of sorts, you know where you choose to eat an apple instead of ice cream. Hard to do but worth it in the long run.

Yesterday we went to Market Lake to check on the Owl, still no sign of the Branchlings which is what baby Great Horned Owls are called. Great Horned Owls do not make their own nests. They steal an old one, in this case its a Magpie nest. You also need to be careful too, you don't want to disturb her or she will abandon the nest. I am hoping we'll get to see the babies soon.



















On the way back home we stopped in Roberts, it is this little dinky town and I have always been enthralled by this.















I can just picture bandits on horseback pulling up to this bank to rob it. All was quiet this day though so I decided to take a picture.


Quote of the day:"Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best." ~Henry Van Dyke

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Internet Issues

I have been having Internet Problems along with computer problems. I hope that they will be fixed sometime today.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Disappointed

I am disappointed as soon as I finally make that decision to go to that writers spa in Taos this July, I can't go. I discussed it with Dave, I got the money to do it, I have collected some writing to submit and then the thing is filled. I was probably more mad at myself than anything. If I hadn't vacillated on going or not I could have gone. This is one of those times when you wonder. Is this a lesson to act when you get the inclination or is it a case of I am not supposed to go and something else will appear. Its hard to decide which camp to stay in.

I am starting to get used to the idea that my plans for the summer have changed. I did come across another offer that I might pursue. There is a writing coach out there who is having a special rate of 3 sessions for 200.00. Now that is a deal so maybe I will just try working with a coach. The thing is I really don't know much about this person. They write a lovely blog but what kind of coach are they. I guess I need to do a little more research before I go this route. Or maybe its time to look and see what other opportunities are out there that I might pursue. I know that when one door closes another will open. Its just hard to decide which direction to go in.

I am back from all my Dr. appointments to finish this and now I find out that SARK is doing a writers workshop, in June and there are openings. It is in Sonoma. I am not sure I can do that but now I have enough choices to explore, so maybe other doors are opening now. At least I hope so. Now I need to decide just what is it I am hoping to gain from any of these encounters. So a little soul-searching is in order. I think I need the answer to that in order to decide what to do.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

The Schedule Continues

My schedule worked pretty good and no I did not manage to be in the art room for only an hour, just what was I thinking! I managed to do a little of everything on the list. So that really felt good.

Today Schedule:

7:00 - woke early to a sore neck, trying to wake up
7:30-8:00 Write Morning Pages
8:00- 9:00 email, blog etc
9:00-9:30 get dressed, eat
9:30-12:30 go to Spinning group at Celestes
12:30-1:30 lunch
1:30-3:30 DO SOME ART
3:30-4:00 Check mail
4:00-6:00 dinner and misc
6:00-8:00 weave
8:00-10:00 read, work on revision

Thats a start, we'll see how I do on this one.

I made 3 birthday cards yesterday and was quite pleased with myself. Those who don't have birthdays in April can look here. That means Anna, Pam and Angela, I am sorry but you'll will have to wait. I got a start on the items I am going to put in the cards. I needed more supplies so I made a stop at Roberts when I was in town. They tempted me with a 50% off coupon so I got a new jewelry tool while I was there. These are for wire work, I can't remember what they are called but I have never seen them before. One arm of the pliers has 3 different sizes to make loops or spirals with. I have all the basic tools but am now adding to my collection some more specialized pieces. I saw a tool thats a jump ring maker, it had 3 sizes that you could make with it. I guess I will put that on my list. Then there was a pair of bent nosed pliers I am not sure what you use them for but I think they might come in handy to hold pieces while you are trying to work on them.

I got started weaving on the blanket, I hope to have a picture tomorrow as there is not much to see yet. I couldn't believe that I could weave 3" and not see a mistake. I had a 2 threading errors but it was easy to fix, it was the weaving of the seven thread back in the cloth that was not fun. I am glad I got started on this. Sometimes for me the challenge is just to get started.

Quote of the Day: "Keep your heart open to dreams.
For as long as there's a dream, there is hope,
and as long as there is hope, there is joy in living." - anonymous

Monday, April 09, 2007

New Schedule

Its cool and dreary this morning. I hope the sun appears sometime this morning.

I decided to try some advice from Barbara Sher's book Refuse To Choose. I am going to try a school like schedule to try and do all the things I like to do in a day.

Todays schedule:
8:00-8:30 write morning pages
8:30-9:00 breakfast
9:00-10:00 internet time
10-11:00 work on art projects
11:00-1:00 weaving
1-2:30 slack time,like lunch and to do some of the above when I am off schedule.
2:30 - 4:30 drive to town, exercise and come back
4:30- make dinner etc, work on taxes, check email
6:30 -10:00 go to women meeting


We'll see how this works, I may need 2 hours for art today. or something. I am going to make a different schedule for every day this week and see how it works. Since its past 10:00 I need to be in the art room. Have a Creative Day!


Quote of the Day: "Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along." ~Hugh Allen

Sunday, April 08, 2007

The New me vs the Old me

Happy Easter

Its almost 4 pm and the sun is finally coming out. We had a lousy morning the weather was overcast, threatening rain and extremely windy but things look lovely now.

I just spent an hour talking on the phone to my sister Peggy and that was so much fun. Being far away is hard sometimes, but this call was great. It was almost like we were in the room together. She has this new concept that I want to share. I call it the new me and the old me. Her analogy was this, she'd be out to dinner and what she would normally order is the open faced roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy, now today she thought what would the new me order and she had salmon and a
salad. She is trying to make changes and its easier when she thinks of it this way

I just saw this parallel in my life. One of my weaknesses is ice cream. I can eat a half a gallon in a couple days easily. One of the additions to the Fiesta Ware I bought recently is the fruit bowl. Its this tiny little bowl, that Dave likes cause he can have a snack in it and he hasn't eaten too much. First we just had 2 of them but now we have 8 and I have started using them too. Instead of the regular bowl for ice cream I now use these little fruit bowls, now I don't eat as much and I get the same satisfaction. Another thing is that the ice cream lasts a lot longer in my house. It reminded me of the old new me idea. The old me would fill the other bowl and chow down on a lot of ice cream but the new me chooses the smaller bowl and is just as happy. I think I am going to transfer this to other parts of my life. It seems like a simple way to start to make changes that you want to but never seem to.















Look at the size difference in these bowls.

I spent last night working on my taxes. I use Turbo tax so its not too bad. I am concerned since my refund is turning out to be twice as much as last year so I may have done something wrong. I will have to go through it again and see what mistake I could have been made.

Quote of the Day: "If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." - Mary Engelbreit

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Finding Water week 7














It was it the high 60's really warm here today. Isn't he a beauty! He is one of the horses I see on my drive into town every day. Here is his partner in the field. I think these horses are just beautiful.
















Its time for Finding Water's check in for week 7. I was annoyed with Cameron this week. She goes on and on about being an alcoholic and being in a mood and not selling her art. I just wanted to tell her to just shut up and get over it. Geez she can be depressing at times.

I managed my morning pages all days but didn't take a formal artist date. I think I had times where I can say oh that was an artist date but not really. I did spend time perusing gardening books for inspiration and that might qualify but I will just let that slide. I really did not do the exercises either. I guess this week was a bust. On to next week with more enthusiasm.

We went to see Wild Hogs yesterday and oh was it funny. Sure the jokes were predictable but I still enjoyed it. I would love to see a womens movie like this. The glitter sisters ride again and we could just sprinkle glitter all over the bad guys.

Quote of the Day:"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Dr. Leo Buscaglia


Happy Easter Everyone!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Meet Jack














This here is Mr. Union T. Jack who arrived on my doorstop yesterday. He came from Cowes on the Isle of Wight The lovely miss Kai sent him as a birthday gift. Isn't he the cutest thing. I decided Jack will be my travel bear, he get s to go on all my trips from here on,














Kai also sent me a piece of Cornwall, a rock and some shells, they'll be going on my altar with other treasures. Kai, you are the best.











We went to see if we could see the Owl babies but they were too hidden. You don't want to get too close and disturb the mother so we are very cautious about that. I did see these though. They are a pair of Sandhill Cranes, quite a majestic bird.

Thanks for all your wonderful wishes I am feeling so much better now. You know I have been getting birthday greetings for over a month now and its pretty awesome. In addition to getting the presents from my sister and Kai, I got my Kitchen Aid mixer this week too. Plus we had ordered new silverware and it arrived. You know I could get used to getting gifts all the time. I have been able to manifest quite a few things that I have been wanting to have.

Now I am thinking of the garden and manifesting a beautiful space. I was going to get some teenagers who need to do a service project done to get the rocks out of the space but then Dave said he'd do it. Sometimes he surprises me. Now I want to measure it again (I misplaced the info from the last time) and do a diagram and decide what plants will actually work in the space. It has a large shade area so I am not sure what will grow in there. I thought I would put a bench there and maybe a small table but still want some plants too. I am looking at it from the end as the secret suggests. I am seeing myself sitting in this awesome space just enjoying the beauty.

Quote of the Day: "In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful." - Abram L. Urban

Thursday, April 05, 2007

The British Homecoming

I haven't blogged lately cause I have been in a deep depression. I know what you think about expands and I certainly did not want it expanding all over the net. I woke up this morning and turned on CNN to see if anything major in the world happened and I saw smiling British faces being reunited with their families. What a beautiful site that was to see. I had no idea that they had been released. What a wonderful thing, to have such a peaceful outcome to a scary situation. When it happened all I could think of, was when Americans were captured in Iran years ago. We know how long that conflict lasted and I am so happy that this one was resolved so quickly. It gives me hope that there are peaceful solutions to the worlds problems.

Then I looked out the back door and saw a woodpecker, I think it was a Pileated Woodpecker. Anyways it was on one of my trees, another sign of spring. He took off so I have no pictures to share.

I went to knitting group and we were talking about Arthritis and tendinitis and problems with hands. I have heard that wearing magnetic bracelets helps. My sweet friend Suzanne pulled one off her wrist to show. I tried it on and it looked great. When I went to give it back she said keep it. Wasn't that the nicest thing to do. I am so blessed with wonderful friends. I liked it so much that I am gong to make one for my other hand.

It's Ginger's birthday today so we are going out to lunch. To one of my favorite places Jakers. They have the best potato soup. That'll be fun. I made her a card yesterday and I decided today I would make her some earrings for a gift. Simple but well appreciated.

This quote is long but I just love it!

Quote of the Day: "Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination. " ~Robert Fulghum

Monday, April 02, 2007

No Strawberries

For weeks now there have been strawberries in the store. Tonight I am hosting my womens group and I thought oh I will pick up some things for strawberry shortcake. There is not a strawberry to be found. I hate when that happens. I really don't have time to make anything. So it will be chips, salsa. guacamole, cheese and crackers. It will have to do. My friend Ginger will bring the wine. We'll still have fun.

The package came from my sisters, my birthday presents. Peggy made me a felted bag, it has beads all over it and charms too.














Marianne sent this little bag, I think my Medicine cards will fit in there nicely.
She also sent me a deck to make my own tarot. They are really nice cards trimmed in gold.




































I have no idea when I will get around to that but at least I have the cards to begin.


Quote of the Day: I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.
-Diane Ackerman

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Sunday Morning

Its early Sunday Morning, Dave and Sarah left so here I am already missing her. I wonder if you ever get used to that. I should have just gone back to bed but I got on the computer instead. The only sounds are the whirl of the washing machine and the dishwasher and the tapping of the keys. I have plenty to do today.

Yesterday we bought an extra bed for the spare bedroom downstairs. Dave's snoring has gotten so bad I really need extra bed that is comfortable for those nights that are bad. This is self care for me as I have trouble sleeping to begin with. We ended up moving beds in to Sarah's room, throwing a mattress away and storing one in the garage. I need to go out and buy sheets today so then the bed will be ready to use when needed. We bought a full size bed so now when a couple comes to stay we will at least have a bed for them.

We attended the local museum exhibit Ink and Blood and it was more interesting than I thought it would be. They had a replica of the Gutenberg Press, gave us a history lesson and we got to see a page printed. We learned where the phrase "mind your p's and q's came from and why small letters are called lower case and capital letters are called upper case. First this was movable type so after a printing the type had to be cleaned and put back in its individual box. The letters are made in reverse, so the apprentice who put the type away was told to mind his p's and q's as they were easy to mistake for each other. All the small letters were in a case on a lower shelf and all the capital letters were in a case on the upper shelf. So that is where upper and lower case come from. Interesting huh!

Sarah actually got to run the press. She pushed the frame that had the paper on it into the press and then moved the big arm which pressed the paper into the ink plate. It was pretty fascinating.

They had all these different bibles on display including the ones with mistakes. A favorite being the Wicked Bible which states Thou Shalt Commit Adultery. There are also the He she ones where the wrong pronoun was used. They had fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls which were so small I could not even see the writing on them. Some bibles were illuminated and you could see where gold had been added to the illustrations. It was pretty cool to see. Of course no pictures were allowed so I have nothing to show on that end. I just remembered that I did a little drawing. It is really rough, I am not that good at drawing perspective so its a little flat and of course I did it in three minutes. It gives you a general idea of what the press looked like. It was originally used for wine.














I have been working on my charms. I am teaching myself to do wire wrapping and of course some come out good and others have to be redone. I should be able to finish them today. Then it will be back to weaving again.

I bought some of those Daniel Smith watercolors. I have been on their email list for some time. Every once in awhile they put out a sampler that is really economical. Its usually 3 colors on some theme. I kept telling myself that is how to get some of their paint to try. 3 tubes for 15.95 shipping included is a deal. This one was a Tuscany group that had a Cobalt Blue, Verona Gold Ochre, and Italian Venetian Red. I played with the colors a little on some scrap watercolor paper and they are beautiful. I am looking forward to finding some time to really play with them.

Quote for the Day: "The thing is to become a master and in your old age to acquire the courage to do what children did when they knew nothing." - Henry Miller