tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41848524202543034792024-03-19T11:32:24.521-07:00My Animals and WeavingThis blog is re-dedicated to my friends, wherever they are. May our friendships only grow deeper.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-72797899302860885132012-07-17T10:39:00.000-07:002012-07-17T10:44:01.886-07:00Name Change<br />
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Well, I have decided to change the name of my blog. The old name (reluctant traveller) seemed too negative. And I have the wild, unfounded hope that the name change will fix the glitch that has people finding a blank white page when they use the old name. We'll see what happens.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-83801230061494093582012-07-01T08:23:00.000-07:002012-07-03T07:58:15.449-07:00TapestryIt has been 9 months since I have written a new entry here. The main excuse was that we had such slow internet access that it was too frustrating to post photographs. And, for me, a post without photos is not worth doing. Well, we have good, high speed internet now, so no excuses!<br />
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My most recent weaving adventure was taking a Tapestry class in San Jose (an hour's drive when the traffic is reasonable; up to 2.5 hours during rush hour). I would have been driving during rush hours both morning and evening, so decided to stay at a hotel near the site.<br />
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The class was being given in conjunction with an exhibit of tapestries by Mark Adams. You can see a few of his works at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles website: <a href="http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/exhibitions.html">http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/exhibitions.html</a>. That is also where the class was held. Mr. Adams' quilts (Actually, he did the designs, called cartoons, and others did the actual weaving. This is a long-standing tradition in tapestry.)<br />
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This was my favorite by far. It was about 4 feet by 2 feet. The center of those petals just glows!<br />
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This one was unusual because of its simplicity. I did not take other photos because I was not sure we were allowed to, and my cell battery was low.<br />
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Now, about the workshop itself. The teacher was Tricia Goldberg, who lives and teaches in Berkeley, across the bay from San Francisco. Berkeley is about 100 miles from Salinas.<br />
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This is Tricia with one of her tapestries. She is a lovely woman and a very patient and kind teacher.<br />
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Each of us had one of these looms made of copper tubing. They are easy to warp. You can see the horizontal bar that holds the heddles. The other shed was made by inserting a ruler above the heddle bar.<br />
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And here is my little tapestry completed on the third day. Of course I am not satisfied with it. I see all the things I would/will do differently next time. But it allowed me to learn some of the techniques and have something to take home. It may need a bit of explanation: It is from a photo of the bird bath outside my kitchen window in Cobble Hill, BC.<br />
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I enjoyed the class very much. I would like to do more tapestry weaving. One of the students spins and dyes her yarn for weaving. That may be a sensible way to go as the warp is cotton, and rather thick (sett at 8 - 10 epi). But the weft is wool, quite a fine 2 ply. You use 4 strands of the wool at one time (wrapped on one bobbin, or in a butterfly). This allows you to use more than one color in the weft at one time.<br />
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Think of the stash you might need in order to have the right color at any time. One company sells 252 colors!Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-56980988619063606772011-09-28T10:08:00.000-07:002011-09-28T10:08:04.826-07:00Qigong Instructors Course - Shropshire, EnglandI am sorry that it has been so long since I posted something new. Here, finally, are some pictures from my wonderful experience with the Tse Qigong Centre at the instructors course. One must have been studying Qigong for at least 3 years and be recommended by her/his instructor to be invited to the instructors course.<br />
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While I was living on Vancouver Island, I was lucky enough to discover Lee Masters, a superb teacher of Qigong and Chun Yuen. Here is a link to her website: <a href="http://wildgooseqigongcentre.com/">http://wildgooseqigongcentre.com/</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoleyuvox3IEAD7HJ8btkLtCMlZPzpCK8kmzugm00uOBOyHnLyEIuUrDVi9jMsmRzF4cBEI5XFB1Wvz_enLQnO9aPrqGp8GfMdgQQz_Sl4x0GeEEjl1V55nLAkxg8zUMiaI57nl3jOLF5I/s1600/Sifu+and+Dawn+head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoleyuvox3IEAD7HJ8btkLtCMlZPzpCK8kmzugm00uOBOyHnLyEIuUrDVi9jMsmRzF4cBEI5XFB1Wvz_enLQnO9aPrqGp8GfMdgQQz_Sl4x0GeEEjl1V55nLAkxg8zUMiaI57nl3jOLF5I/s320/Sifu+and+Dawn+head+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is me and my wonderful Sifu (teacher) Lee. Sifu is on the left.<br />
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The instructors course was held at an agricultural college in Shropshire. Below are a few photos of the group practicing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwc6EGbhVfgG7aeUZyN_xSgnvg5wNKDoBxv2MEwYkShWXrvArIiCQ4d-jYoLP1gMjQolvABOMrbNT3JbYqIDY28eRtL2rOr1EE3gs-WsUSg5MWvwy_Rhl7qpW9MJ8iDgeEahr0_8pNwSe/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwc6EGbhVfgG7aeUZyN_xSgnvg5wNKDoBxv2MEwYkShWXrvArIiCQ4d-jYoLP1gMjQolvABOMrbNT3JbYqIDY28eRtL2rOr1EE3gs-WsUSg5MWvwy_Rhl7qpW9MJ8iDgeEahr0_8pNwSe/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Darryl teaching, with my Sifu carrying the red bag.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXqbBUxT8JEES5zk1LLvWwUWlDmTZXHMU-rDcjGwimbSLFXLtpVNgHlWVWt_NQDVUwi3_DXVb8nt9jwoCBrjURh23DMe0Qal8BkdFJ32eLNcHzcWuyQtgg2F2uSjz1o0mC4zFc_atxVJB/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXqbBUxT8JEES5zk1LLvWwUWlDmTZXHMU-rDcjGwimbSLFXLtpVNgHlWVWt_NQDVUwi3_DXVb8nt9jwoCBrjURh23DMe0Qal8BkdFJ32eLNcHzcWuyQtgg2F2uSjz1o0mC4zFc_atxVJB/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A group practicing Chun Yuen, a martial art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJFJfp2tSRIWn3_eXJGyURsuuKOJwDEA03zIqjk6ckgbrmbeYLdBj2btffMqT8Fe_uZNZnJhClu-D0dznPjJwIa1MfZk09rizyarITWh4MSHaDSi2C0Q-hKWlDqLZZIM5TrrA8xbU2oX-/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJFJfp2tSRIWn3_eXJGyURsuuKOJwDEA03zIqjk6ckgbrmbeYLdBj2btffMqT8Fe_uZNZnJhClu-D0dznPjJwIa1MfZk09rizyarITWh4MSHaDSi2C0Q-hKWlDqLZZIM5TrrA8xbU2oX-/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was successful in passing the first few forms, as shown on my certificate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I remember why I have not posted more frequently. We have very slow internet access here at the new house. So uploading the photos for this blog is painfully slow... I am going to have breakfast. Maybe I will post more later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-53225268516500391332011-08-06T09:11:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:11:36.386-07:00Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, EnglandWell, I have just checked into my room here at the agricultural college in rural Shropshire. Beautiful green countryside. My taxi driver who drove me from Stafford (about 16 miles) was very pleasant. We discussed the problems of national health insurance, the worldwide economy, and racism. Lovely man.<br />
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So far I have met many friendly members of the world-wide Tse Qigong Centre. Apparently one of the "games" Michael Tse (our leader) likes to play is to have students try to name everyone there. I am notorious for my inability to learn names. So I have concentrated on the first few people I met. Maybe those will stick. If I try to remember them all, I will forget them all.<br />
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For some reason, the temperature seems warmer here. 16 degrees C today, but it seems quite warm to me. Perhaps it is the humidity as it is cloudy and threatening rain. If it was threatening rain at this temperature in Salinas, I would be cold, but not here.<br />
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We will meet soon for dinner at a Chinese restaurant called Tin-Tin's. I am told that we will go there several times over the next week.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-20144378556555109292011-08-05T02:00:00.000-07:002011-08-05T02:00:01.669-07:00From Stafford EnglandToday is my first whole day in England. I am here for 10 days. Most of them will be full of learning and testing at an instructors course for Qigong. But I came early for a couple of days of gentle exploration and recovery from jet lag.<br />
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It was a long trip from California. Getting up at 4am to catch a 6am shuttle to the San Jose Airport, followed by a short hop to Portland, OR. From Portland we travelled a northern route, passing over northern Canada from west to east, then over Greenland and on to Amsterdam. The trip took about 9 hours, but it is hard to determine how long it is because the time change from California to Holland is + 9 hours. So when we arrived in Amsterdam, it was the next morning!<br />
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I paid for an upgrade to what they called an Economy Comfort seat, which did have some advantages. There was more legroom, there were only two seats together. The seats were advertized as reclining more than the regular seats. Perhaps they did, but the difference was small.<br />
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Pluses included a very pleasant seat mate, a gentleman who was a teacher of music, especially piano. He was about my age (actually a bit older) and what with a shared experience as college teachers in the arts, we had lots to talk about.<br />
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Minuses included parents and two small children in the seats in front of us. I was irritable because of lack of sleep and the discomfort of sitting for so long, but the children were much more upset, understandably. Their upset did not allow for much sleep.<br />
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However I am feeling much better today and will go out exploring the little town of Stafford. I will take my camera so that I can share a bit of it with you when I get back to home and can download the photos. Meanwhile, my entries will be words only - sorry!<br />
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I will go to the back garden and do my Qigong practice now, followed by a nice walk.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-89027600202701908612011-07-25T21:11:00.000-07:002011-07-25T21:16:38.204-07:00Success!The baby blanket is complete. I am really pleased with it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc9jbbNAXlz-0_y17OmZe7mUDQdECGFUih8jeKNO-BLE6N_M9Fqb5vSVy71OIWRTPwvq8n7Mts9lMcG2v6HNIVG9JKjVyJhIC1aqXYurZoo4R7V03sE7zg-7iVwqqMZqFwFR6sIxFcp7u/s1600/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc9jbbNAXlz-0_y17OmZe7mUDQdECGFUih8jeKNO-BLE6N_M9Fqb5vSVy71OIWRTPwvq8n7Mts9lMcG2v6HNIVG9JKjVyJhIC1aqXYurZoo4R7V03sE7zg-7iVwqqMZqFwFR6sIxFcp7u/s320/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here it is right off the loom. It measured 43.5" long (plus hem allowance) and 32" wide before washing. Notice the dog chew at the bottom left? As soon as I put it on the floor to measure and photograph, Becca ran on it with her chew. I kicked her off twice and finally had to shut her out of the room in order to get this picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVramqxybj-L0HU6lODiRiRG_w0kJA3O-946-qA5qAoUiSNJNAZ7m36onfsfg_Ba310GY2M8IAutk0GoF4G4SLRcAfeM5-xDKuxtI7Nr_jiWaAz2OIKxSlis1Vo4pApEPS4yJfTs5LhJJ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVramqxybj-L0HU6lODiRiRG_w0kJA3O-946-qA5qAoUiSNJNAZ7m36onfsfg_Ba310GY2M8IAutk0GoF4G4SLRcAfeM5-xDKuxtI7Nr_jiWaAz2OIKxSlis1Vo4pApEPS4yJfTs5LhJJ/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Click on this one to see the "hole" made by the dog claw in the center left (yellow section). I didn't worry too much because it was going to be washed, and it was no problem. This is also before washing. You can already see the huck lace/ basketweave pattern with the natural weft. It is pretty subtle on the gold warp, but very clear on the turquoise and brick red.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fFzAyPklAGnWb9b5r1Uo5ImKtJojvcUYu8af1ZefP7QLhTj9OeSk0tOSmi-OsrT2SkLnDA8Wvif5dVAFsvK4Nxnm0I2_EaMgWMOfF54u5eyq8TpWwfLeLKYbsttyGrXQ7ogUpzUTuNVd/s1600/DSC_0006+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fFzAyPklAGnWb9b5r1Uo5ImKtJojvcUYu8af1ZefP7QLhTj9OeSk0tOSmi-OsrT2SkLnDA8Wvif5dVAFsvK4Nxnm0I2_EaMgWMOfF54u5eyq8TpWwfLeLKYbsttyGrXQ7ogUpzUTuNVd/s320/DSC_0006+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This picture was taken later in the afternoon, when the light was warmer. It shows the colours differently. The blanket has been hemmed and washed and ironed with a steam iron.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdhlnrGwLlAbhdNFckTKQZf2_pV7raOJEVAOPgr9jIW3G5CkhRApbJBk1gGf8bo_dVTrBpOd01_g9qp_uZUENMP4pzkbQDCyxOvFmhlMnyrinijp99mBH-S1CCSnFX0qnEYlz-an5PLoe/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdhlnrGwLlAbhdNFckTKQZf2_pV7raOJEVAOPgr9jIW3G5CkhRApbJBk1gGf8bo_dVTrBpOd01_g9qp_uZUENMP4pzkbQDCyxOvFmhlMnyrinijp99mBH-S1CCSnFX0qnEYlz-an5PLoe/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>Here it is draped over my warping mill. I can't share its softness with you, but that 2/8 cotton is pretty soft after only two washes. The second time I took it right from the front-load washer (which got it pretty dry) to the ironing board. It now measures 40" long (loss of 3.5") and 30 inches wide (loss of 2").<br />
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The light in the living room at night is not great, but I needed to include something of Becca. Since I was not happy with the idea of doggie claws in the threads, this is as close as I let her get.<br />
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I hope the mom and the baby both like the colours. They are not traditional baby colours, at all, but I thought they looked good together. I tried using a navy weft for a few rows at the end; it looked much more sophisticated, and the warp colours really popped. I would like to use this colour combination again.<br />
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Next, I will make some 12 shaft tea towels with 2/10 mercerized cotton. Any suggestions for pattern? There will be black in them, as a friend here just got new black countertops in her kitchen. Of course it never entered my mind to order black when I did either of my two last orders of the above cotton. Oh, well; guess I will just have to buy some more! Too bad.<br />
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I would like to get the warp wound before I leave. I am going to England for the Tse Qigong Centre's instructor training seminar. Getting pretty excited as it is only a bit more than a week away. Surely I will have a couple of blogs worth of tales and photos from my 10 days there.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-20640797271789701762011-07-16T17:10:00.000-07:002011-07-16T17:10:18.373-07:00Finally weaving!Well, the first warp that I wound to try and make this baby blanket was so bad (had so many mistakes in it) that I threw it out. Never done that before!<br />
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Now the second warp is on the loom and I have started to actually WEAVE on my new Louet Spring. I decided on wide stripes with navy in between. Fifteen threads makes one repeat of the basketweave/lace pattern, so the navy stripes are fifteen threads wide. I did not make the selvedge wider, even though I know it will draw in more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKe84I1XC4WqzTe5kuNX279lJMl1ARUn6VNS0uAtOuB8DLhH-MM-1FzVgah-9wb9fZzUF-PuMmFo15Vz3ts_D3Y-wORrD2uLsrcRtNI9mfoTHT-7nq_GGWBW3swBQxVx0hiXQPLWcnGrX/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKe84I1XC4WqzTe5kuNX279lJMl1ARUn6VNS0uAtOuB8DLhH-MM-1FzVgah-9wb9fZzUF-PuMmFo15Vz3ts_D3Y-wORrD2uLsrcRtNI9mfoTHT-7nq_GGWBW3swBQxVx0hiXQPLWcnGrX/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here is the warp ready to wind on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It is as wide as the loom will allow, 35 inches. I know I should have woven something narrower for my first project, but this was the item I wanted to make.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I3isked_J50GVGs_44oYBp2il1wn-beig1R5G9FAYKORznZE3h2sOd7J9YWH-vZe7GuiU4R5tFGhuy5sSTcOWV8S66gktjVBigOjSQG17SX2Znjg1nzZT_D1EaBSvtFH1_hGEhyphenhyphensriA5/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I3isked_J50GVGs_44oYBp2il1wn-beig1R5G9FAYKORznZE3h2sOd7J9YWH-vZe7GuiU4R5tFGhuy5sSTcOWV8S66gktjVBigOjSQG17SX2Znjg1nzZT_D1EaBSvtFH1_hGEhyphenhyphensriA5/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is Jones, enjoying the sunshine as he hopes for some stray threads to come his way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiob6Ozvrjph6u0nb9nzfOQWkgBwmOounYqLYeD8eK3rkaSWbmNYJ4wPaqrVH97_xFmvD5GiWdaq4w-Bra2uIv-N_YRpj69HmuHxgPzZkkvFl5lh9OQrcTlCy21VJGFHUTlvkXfJ0QHCAnv/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiob6Ozvrjph6u0nb9nzfOQWkgBwmOounYqLYeD8eK3rkaSWbmNYJ4wPaqrVH97_xFmvD5GiWdaq4w-Bra2uIv-N_YRpj69HmuHxgPzZkkvFl5lh9OQrcTlCy21VJGFHUTlvkXfJ0QHCAnv/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here the warp is lashed on to the loom. I found that I had wound one too few threads in a couple of the colours, so I now have several things dangling off the back beam. I already had two for the floating selvedges, and then the warp seemed looser at the selvedge edges, so I weighted all 15 threads at each end. Jones loves those dangly things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTo0FgNSO0qUpd_zcMyiWdMvBWRQ3VvKtJgmvbQuEl3e_MoUPey7BuQ9F9bmsBomSagdAviXFMqQ-FKwFQxyTacKmCRCMf5t_1tPswufAEHL6gJ63bU8q1pLYg8Ox0qIZoh2HCpJBm-VX/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTo0FgNSO0qUpd_zcMyiWdMvBWRQ3VvKtJgmvbQuEl3e_MoUPey7BuQ9F9bmsBomSagdAviXFMqQ-FKwFQxyTacKmCRCMf5t_1tPswufAEHL6gJ63bU8q1pLYg8Ox0qIZoh2HCpJBm-VX/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here it is with the hem woven with cotton sewing thread and three repeats of the pattern. I am using cream weft to soften the effect a bit. It is a baby blanket, after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jones and Becca are telling me that it is dinner time, so I had better go. Wish me luck with the weaving!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-43882552928753388422011-07-16T16:50:00.000-07:002011-07-16T16:50:52.317-07:00Becca with good news!Hi, you remember me from the last post? Well, the nice people I have been stayin' with have decided to keep me! I knew they would because I am a nice doggie. I try really hard to do the right things, but I get it wrong sometimes.<br />
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Do you want to know why I was sure they would keep me? Even when I made a mistake, they didn' get mad at me. They are both very nice about lettin' me know what I should do. They even praise me when I get something right. And the lady gives me yummy treats when I do things right. I think I will take them up on their offer and stay.<br />
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I am also gettin' better about not barking at people as much - better with other dogs too. But they don't understan' how much I think I should protect us all from strangers. I had some not so good things happen with strangers in my life. But we sure are meeting lots of nice people an' dogs. Life is pretty good. :)<br />
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She took this picture of me while I was sleepin' in the "cat bed". (That's what they call it, even though I am a dog.) It was dark, cuz I was sleepin', so the picture isn' the best quality. For some reason, the lady thinks it is cute.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP7fhfeQ3N5iJ1I53My5UyPCRyqZG6hIRTwpxIGISln-DVRIAntT5IH6quP4PRfRu63oapY_i1_aT0tqyyGD681gKll-ELlz3p0psRSHuE0-d6sZXMOERQ4wHOwqaUwKByK91ri1nQgkh/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP7fhfeQ3N5iJ1I53My5UyPCRyqZG6hIRTwpxIGISln-DVRIAntT5IH6quP4PRfRu63oapY_i1_aT0tqyyGD681gKll-ELlz3p0psRSHuE0-d6sZXMOERQ4wHOwqaUwKByK91ri1nQgkh/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember, you can click on it for a better view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luv,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Becca</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-31697321536223496902011-06-15T17:45:00.000-07:002011-06-15T17:45:10.396-07:00Something is interfering with my weaving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ3tl83WWMrC7jJOFq-1tCcfPFZqZMPzsKCXSF3H1FWdptmxcq-jhVIWz9-cRVkos8ji9F_Hpv9QXgqVZlLGX9YzivDKNZgdUcOSI91X9LKZ0VIGNJwT3qjKz_5wEgrFCwnwG6ZkyT08G/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ3tl83WWMrC7jJOFq-1tCcfPFZqZMPzsKCXSF3H1FWdptmxcq-jhVIWz9-cRVkos8ji9F_Hpv9QXgqVZlLGX9YzivDKNZgdUcOSI91X9LKZ0VIGNJwT3qjKz_5wEgrFCwnwG6ZkyT08G/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi there! I'm Rebecca, but most call me Becca for short (and I am pretty short). You can see the legs of my person's loom behind me, I don't think it is right that she is blaming me for keepin her from weaving. I know how to sit right under her weaving bench.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_7BYECbtUDdclxczsFQ5xQMQe0l1vitqmEQMyQlWUMZ6kgHJMnX36ECXfaq6mDZS0-mNaFLC1PICckqusi3xdiqLUysRF3PxbCGgbd7sbbZTe69DU_kjB4dGcXPXcsuvtH2ARG1vtWmw/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_7BYECbtUDdclxczsFQ5xQMQe0l1vitqmEQMyQlWUMZ6kgHJMnX36ECXfaq6mDZS0-mNaFLC1PICckqusi3xdiqLUysRF3PxbCGgbd7sbbZTe69DU_kjB4dGcXPXcsuvtH2ARG1vtWmw/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No problem for me! I like being under things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like being on the furniture too, but the living room furniture seems to be off limits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, to make up for that, my person got a new cover for the futon that matches me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyelps_Ik1UuEFK61fXWgGueeqqhHZAtuy0tB_SBvVihQoAr3WBkFvA5c-YicVNa7lS5cqERGIHFBGNKvz7Tt6iAcXxnKJFGsomlppA2NVe6_sed_LTbB7mMh_YN6UtbEo_pL9i4YqFhSK/s1600/DSC_0008+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyelps_Ik1UuEFK61fXWgGueeqqhHZAtuy0tB_SBvVihQoAr3WBkFvA5c-YicVNa7lS5cqERGIHFBGNKvz7Tt6iAcXxnKJFGsomlppA2NVe6_sed_LTbB7mMh_YN6UtbEo_pL9i4YqFhSK/s320/DSC_0008+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't we look good?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGBUAAOufEaa_d6d2pUNXwDGDbTT71B6eHaBOTj-OuBU3pdfTH4Y0I1BsL45DOOwWiIGQvMAq5MUVH0W4_qCuIYHy4X4upvP-AWopE0dW71Pxu-LCwQPGQiosV0VTE98MCpxASj3cD4Ca/s1600/DSC_0006+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGBUAAOufEaa_d6d2pUNXwDGDbTT71B6eHaBOTj-OuBU3pdfTH4Y0I1BsL45DOOwWiIGQvMAq5MUVH0W4_qCuIYHy4X4upvP-AWopE0dW71Pxu-LCwQPGQiosV0VTE98MCpxASj3cD4Ca/s320/DSC_0006+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I found another soft spot. I have lived in several houses, but I had never seen a soft spot like this before. It is in the bathtub!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>OK, I, Dawn, should probably explain: We had to shut the cats in their bathroom when we had some deliveries right after moving to this house. I wanted them to feel comfortable, so put an old comforter in the tub for them. Now I don't know what to do with it, so it has stayed in the tub.<br />
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Rebecca is staying with us right now. She may stay with us for a long time. It depends on the cats. We are fostering Becca to adopt from Animal Friends Rescue Project, which is located in Pacific Grove, Calif. If the cats accept Becca (and I can teach her not to bark at strange people and dogs), she will become our new doggie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqSmTBospFQyGyGecLWM2bSbC2cr36Q0Q3fVYIGdE54iVMf6FNj_4K_IsSr9ShoqbI_Qs9_QCXbMCoSZ7kGPMk1poNHIFUJ9otnUDIa-WO2ln4KFZUvL5Qm1t11twJfZ4gjVBKjcBSR27/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqSmTBospFQyGyGecLWM2bSbC2cr36Q0Q3fVYIGdE54iVMf6FNj_4K_IsSr9ShoqbI_Qs9_QCXbMCoSZ7kGPMk1poNHIFUJ9otnUDIa-WO2ln4KFZUvL5Qm1t11twJfZ4gjVBKjcBSR27/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The siamese (Jones) is doing great with Becca. He doesn't seem worried at all, though he is even more vocal than usual. Chloe, however, is taking her time. She hides under the covers (a common hiding place for both of them) all day long, not even coming out when Becca is gone. So, we shall see...Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-10255169458363666022011-06-05T14:37:00.000-07:002011-06-05T14:38:55.237-07:00My New Spring LoomWednesday,June 1st, my new Louet Loom arrived. The very pleasant delivery man put it on a dolly and brought it up the driveway (only moderately sloped) and put it just inside the first bay of the garage, behind the black Z. <em>My husband is a car buff; one must not even breathe deeply when you are near any of his cars. </em><br />
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<em>Here is how it looked:</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvBeQUv8gQ9X3mwFFyTTYNwk008k2pBiSrG3BR2ljonoHq2gnoJ6fvU0trIOIHGNT30XRJTxo3h5Lb9sqip3jCAwyjXwHFY80yGpIAfCOyXcsLS0khH08Xam5JyCL6uw0uOAHyVyw7r_A/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvBeQUv8gQ9X3mwFFyTTYNwk008k2pBiSrG3BR2ljonoHq2gnoJ6fvU0trIOIHGNT30XRJTxo3h5Lb9sqip3jCAwyjXwHFY80yGpIAfCOyXcsLS0khH08Xam5JyCL6uw0uOAHyVyw7r_A/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSSOkHIKECUXr29zlt1nhTVJMdkQEN917ADZoWzernmAehDDnFZRB3PZ2m6eTRelkmKIPev5zGxIAwAE1LIH2RDr6IsYIs1xg4oFZ4Rc9quqp2a8ljWNo08r_JDJzmXwjRzdWHqtu3cZM/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSSOkHIKECUXr29zlt1nhTVJMdkQEN917ADZoWzernmAehDDnFZRB3PZ2m6eTRelkmKIPev5zGxIAwAE1LIH2RDr6IsYIs1xg4oFZ4Rc9quqp2a8ljWNo08r_JDJzmXwjRzdWHqtu3cZM/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If it weren't for the photo of a loom on the box (upper picture), you would never guess that a loom, or at least its guts, could be hidden within. However, if you stand on tip toes, you can just see a suggestion of the Texsolv cords that are part of the countermarch system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidglGnwykk43CTK7BJcoo0vuRoAmM5qkDihPJQugMosFc5jJykxJkUOA8ELXXrduN6pRx_S3EmxXlQ-QoLg2v7-lJ0TD97FbSC2fs3xL24zhVOLPeX80r750OyTcinayAfw8bm_NeeMXbh/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidglGnwykk43CTK7BJcoo0vuRoAmM5qkDihPJQugMosFc5jJykxJkUOA8ELXXrduN6pRx_S3EmxXlQ-QoLg2v7-lJ0TD97FbSC2fs3xL24zhVOLPeX80r750OyTcinayAfw8bm_NeeMXbh/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile, I have cleared some of the left-over boxes out of my room <em>I know, I know; all the boxes should be emptied by now. Here are my excuses: </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<li>My desk has not been delivered yet. We are being kind to the furniture store, located in Pacific Grove, and agreeing to have all the pieces we ordered delivered at once. So, while my desk is in PG waiting for me, I also wait for it and its companion rolling file cabinet to match.</li><br />
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<li>Some of the contents are things I am just not sure about. Do I need the Texaco cap with the signatures of Bobby Rahal and Bryan Herta (open wheel race car drivers)? And decorated with 2 pins from races at Laguna Seca (the local raceway set in the hills)? I don't very often win things, and I won this hat - actually heard my name being called over the loudspeaker when I was outside the tent. The very large tent was set up on the lawn at Laguna Seca for a fundraising dinner/silent auction put on by the raceway volunteers. Big social event, with many of the drivers and owners attending.</li><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDk_-1WZ_FvG1nEoLbFPf3sXC6DHfZhyk9Ih5Q8hd2pZbwVSKZCDoMvkuvB2FYMm35YG1DRphjD1UZl_jgfwDZidDLbPI8OQGrV78-9WlgI-Avmxk3xHjm88SLqdUoy10GMyJINg-pcvA/s1600/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDk_-1WZ_FvG1nEoLbFPf3sXC6DHfZhyk9Ih5Q8hd2pZbwVSKZCDoMvkuvB2FYMm35YG1DRphjD1UZl_jgfwDZidDLbPI8OQGrV78-9WlgI-Avmxk3xHjm88SLqdUoy10GMyJINg-pcvA/s320/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some will go on the shelves that I want built beside my desk, like my little inkle loom (made by Tony Irwin from Vancouver Island) and baskets with yarn or fluff in them.</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So those are my main excuses. I am sure I could find more if needed. Nevertheless, here is the space I made for the loom:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmCnoc5KslkysKnrny4g7I_RKwQLie-C1RZiwUu9Hyvor5x_pWi102xaiXqi6VpHKo2ICrPzh7TXWMMx1ZoRyrpbRFYL4pk5gVN7OtTGWyMiTWF_9Rf92VM7TOGNJOW3Oi3C_mJs2l3F8/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmCnoc5KslkysKnrny4g7I_RKwQLie-C1RZiwUu9Hyvor5x_pWi102xaiXqi6VpHKo2ICrPzh7TXWMMx1ZoRyrpbRFYL4pk5gVN7OtTGWyMiTWF_9Rf92VM7TOGNJOW3Oi3C_mJs2l3F8/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can just see some of the boxes in the upper right-hand corner. The window faces south west, so I will put my right shoulder toward the window so the afternoon sun comes over my shoulder. If need be, I can pull down the blinds that are hidden at the top of the window.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I decided (against my husband's advice) to assemble the loom in place. I am very glad I did. Here is the piece unpacked from the large box pictured above:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4vFk6a7aR19WEOIgw0269kMI36NAOitPVUVkh7oTlWPIIVdrMzKTo7zqTIRMBBzDEccuvoJcIva9-3KxTTvhCD9KBmBXSbSYP0nj2QvO1VgpCaI8CUOzcEaL4gCfoNftlhVzPssjfna1/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4vFk6a7aR19WEOIgw0269kMI36NAOitPVUVkh7oTlWPIIVdrMzKTo7zqTIRMBBzDEccuvoJcIva9-3KxTTvhCD9KBmBXSbSYP0nj2QvO1VgpCaI8CUOzcEaL4gCfoNftlhVzPssjfna1/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see, it was well packed. The reeds and the footboard plus other parts are packed into the spaces in the loom body.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was sure that I took a picture of all the parts and tools and five bags of hardware, but it is nowhere to be found. I will say that laid out on the carpet, the various parts took up about 8 square feet. I carefully labelled everything that was named and pictured in the Assembly Instructions with little hot pink sticky notes. I began at the beginning and followed the instructions. I made a couple of mistakes, and I fixed them. Gradually it began to come together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am glad that I had already used a Louet countermarch loom. I pretty much understood what everything was for and that helped a lot. Of course, there were not enough heddles to suit me, so I took my time determining the shuttle count per shaft for the first project I have planned. I ended up putting 175 heddles on shafts 1 and 5, 125 on shafts 4 and 8. The other four shafts got 100 heddles each. That works fine for the basketweave and huck baby blanket I have planned for a certain new Canadian (shh...).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here she is - assembled though, as yet, unnamed:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwiusVw6uRU2yt-xjWMWaJ76ize-syCoPiae7kBeOcPv1DDIpuUV0bwqYjVCUT3FU2cMLJYu-6UklDsPFeTgeMp3tqIce_3yx13km1GkpHS6wypUAcBeV1UXHlSqCaHJyidOKcNxie22k/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwiusVw6uRU2yt-xjWMWaJ76ize-syCoPiae7kBeOcPv1DDIpuUV0bwqYjVCUT3FU2cMLJYu-6UklDsPFeTgeMp3tqIce_3yx13km1GkpHS6wypUAcBeV1UXHlSqCaHJyidOKcNxie22k/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she pretty?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am going out later to do errands. One will be to get two "milk crates" or the like so I can elevate the loom in order to sit in a more reasonable position while I tie up the treadles with the fist-fulls of Texsolve cords included. They are all cut to size, thank goodness! It took me more than an hour <em>And, yes, I am slow. </em>to cut all the loops on the heddles before putting them on the shafts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>It is nice to be communicating/writing again. More when I get that first warp on the loom...</em></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-16728084487731236102011-06-04T19:21:00.000-07:002011-06-04T19:21:32.295-07:00Multnomah Falls, OregonI said that I would share pictures of our visit to Multnomah Falls, along the Columbia River Gorge. I didn't realize that it would be so long before I would post again.<br />
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But, finally, here are the pictures. This falls is right next to the Columbia Gorge Highway on the south side of the Columbia River. They have made a very large parking area and a walkway under the road for easy access to the falls. My guess that they were forced to do this because of all the people who just stopped by the side of the road to look at this very tall waterfall - 611 feet tall.<br />
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Only 30 minutes or so from Portland Oregon, this is a falls worth the time. This is how you first see it from the road:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTW9Zh4tmsPQRularUJIzkLdSxMo8Ze3MDIyUv7hYEd-I6LzNGx5Y3b95zq-gteDxL2D6FjezrZVSsPZad07D_G-mK3yjxooe7fQTaCcJxP4LYfZzlVcKu159oH-iRadQAezEyvgp0Skf/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTW9Zh4tmsPQRularUJIzkLdSxMo8Ze3MDIyUv7hYEd-I6LzNGx5Y3b95zq-gteDxL2D6FjezrZVSsPZad07D_G-mK3yjxooe7fQTaCcJxP4LYfZzlVcKu159oH-iRadQAezEyvgp0Skf/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not until you get closer do you see the bridge across the falls part way up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I4foB5op8NDBKBQNSjHvcNohZi9w08iwzd8shn5eRtYZdgSIt0tbTE2NTHOTZ3f319XKa8xJ8SA4jD9Lxdha3xOePE2wc09H5heo0A6BuN_cKfmdGyH1Cc3jIv5_HDpYT0eIZ88qquVS/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I4foB5op8NDBKBQNSjHvcNohZi9w08iwzd8shn5eRtYZdgSIt0tbTE2NTHOTZ3f319XKa8xJ8SA4jD9Lxdha3xOePE2wc09H5heo0A6BuN_cKfmdGyH1Cc3jIv5_HDpYT0eIZ88qquVS/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is fairly easy to walk up to that bridge. The paths use switchbacks, so it is not very steep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnzZyqetxcHMlL0C1TQO9pP03C00NN0RFbBLtXuwu4ueT32RPPsQ3xQiPg5D1YQ10HTpe6s1mokMPaWlGoMAfzJsxyZLT7brsQXMyuuI-f5_9VBxBRlJ-iPf4DVf2fSDkYN0ZrPBSma7d/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnzZyqetxcHMlL0C1TQO9pP03C00NN0RFbBLtXuwu4ueT32RPPsQ3xQiPg5D1YQ10HTpe6s1mokMPaWlGoMAfzJsxyZLT7brsQXMyuuI-f5_9VBxBRlJ-iPf4DVf2fSDkYN0ZrPBSma7d/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is only when you get there that you realize that it is possible to continue walking up to another viewpoint right at the top (just to the left at the top of the falls). We weren't sure how much farther we had to drive that day, and it appeared that you would get pretty wet crossing the bridge to continue up, so we did not go. Now I am sorry I didn't try to go all the way up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was amazingly wet everywhere around the falls. So much that not just moss grew on the tree trunks. Ferns grew as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgV_Oldsw2PiRcG1-KFr4QyFnM5vP9EwTcG5pJ3QkoTqu6rHB7Y0ZVIxQi88WhGAc7P063Nq9f3sWnW5EQr9qN_U2WPDdqTTeYovvTFtMxlcGlSx7jIW0yRVS1abNMCnznz7eA9BrnLMr/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgV_Oldsw2PiRcG1-KFr4QyFnM5vP9EwTcG5pJ3QkoTqu6rHB7Y0ZVIxQi88WhGAc7P063Nq9f3sWnW5EQr9qN_U2WPDdqTTeYovvTFtMxlcGlSx7jIW0yRVS1abNMCnznz7eA9BrnLMr/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a beautiful sight; I am very glad we stopped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-20197845966212491412011-04-24T19:52:00.000-07:002011-04-24T19:56:31.847-07:00The Trip To CaliforniaFinally, I am able to share some of the pictures I took while driving from Vancouver Island to the Monterey Peninsula.<br />
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My friend and I drove as far as Vancouver, WA and stayed the night. The next morning, we met a young woman friend of mine at Lewis & Clark College. After she took us on a tour of the beautiful campus, we drove to the Portland Japanese Garden, known as one of the best outside of Japan. We had considered visiting the Rhododendron Gardens in Portland, but the blooms had not even begun by early April, so the Japanese Garden was a better choice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKmXLTi2ZzYBudDmU7I9eBAfTiRe1SeIM1DVMAu9s4m49HwGOz_gx3518ZW-qD7nj5bE0EayjGI8veEsu-pa3S1xT_MjRVJgNaVcN16tRIYoNK9oc8aA-ZLzFnIgCRxilv5b0gKIUqj6Q/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKmXLTi2ZzYBudDmU7I9eBAfTiRe1SeIM1DVMAu9s4m49HwGOz_gx3518ZW-qD7nj5bE0EayjGI8veEsu-pa3S1xT_MjRVJgNaVcN16tRIYoNK9oc8aA-ZLzFnIgCRxilv5b0gKIUqj6Q/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was our first view upon entering the garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a tour going to the right, so we chose to go left.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1uKu5LGzrMZxUsQbKNQsoBekqJb0obVlVSW4x6QqX7NXsJrCZoeGmQTCqourWNlLvtWqVBWC7KYfmMnfwEq1zj3QuMMLKE0YiNuWivDjxuc6vhyGGNWVGRxwnuGjBZEb7mVZuQ1fWRv/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1uKu5LGzrMZxUsQbKNQsoBekqJb0obVlVSW4x6QqX7NXsJrCZoeGmQTCqourWNlLvtWqVBWC7KYfmMnfwEq1zj3QuMMLKE0YiNuWivDjxuc6vhyGGNWVGRxwnuGjBZEb7mVZuQ1fWRv/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TUdtuYBixTkE8VnumD5xcybPZ1ZtCMXEHmdZ1YJqy3x7cY2b-6rmPMo90TMt3pd0w8tyeQll6cSz7WZUnLfoWE94XMkML6_dysjPTzE6AHqO70cU0FfT1zqY47pgnB-mitUxsuskdVT8/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TUdtuYBixTkE8VnumD5xcybPZ1ZtCMXEHmdZ1YJqy3x7cY2b-6rmPMo90TMt3pd0w8tyeQll6cSz7WZUnLfoWE94XMkML6_dysjPTzE6AHqO70cU0FfT1zqY47pgnB-mitUxsuskdVT8/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The moss was gorgous, everywhere. Those rainy days in Portland are good for something!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can click on any of these pictures to see an enlarged view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click your browser back button to return here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnD1l3hYBPAoatMXnMj8-y7OoGZOXq4XpPEa8CEX5XhxhMeB8lugYwQZ49FIxzqaR5ZJqa_zIOg-1NG30MJtmzG_E14tuhQnkCw6Wd497PJ-91lpT1UJijhUOt535PQ8ZvkNGCQRgw0X3/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnD1l3hYBPAoatMXnMj8-y7OoGZOXq4XpPEa8CEX5XhxhMeB8lugYwQZ49FIxzqaR5ZJqa_zIOg-1NG30MJtmzG_E14tuhQnkCw6Wd497PJ-91lpT1UJijhUOt535PQ8ZvkNGCQRgw0X3/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This cherry tree was just beginning to bloom:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWMYlCboMZS0TGOtZ600X-4IN6s7csFShQ6PfYuzWmp5xPyTlrD5RWcCBkXAfj3eURI7w-HvFrT8I96yGN6sjNPf0NJuHnO0LenJyg-sr2hTsG1iNfCL7YLfQXW4kHOcD7eZecfK3ah0T/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWMYlCboMZS0TGOtZ600X-4IN6s7csFShQ6PfYuzWmp5xPyTlrD5RWcCBkXAfj3eURI7w-HvFrT8I96yGN6sjNPf0NJuHnO0LenJyg-sr2hTsG1iNfCL7YLfQXW4kHOcD7eZecfK3ah0T/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is proof:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielx-apVBPx1gu_9x0KfsNY9Msm-6CtlONfjp-b_5dlm49DkNTsUKSvqX2jr1M1QYpuxmJAx_eCRgxmIqyADWbXNYezMP1ZIZsI7dEaCpnd_f3pq8BgN0Ktg32Rr0_SfFzbuk-TmypoNqu/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielx-apVBPx1gu_9x0KfsNY9Msm-6CtlONfjp-b_5dlm49DkNTsUKSvqX2jr1M1QYpuxmJAx_eCRgxmIqyADWbXNYezMP1ZIZsI7dEaCpnd_f3pq8BgN0Ktg32Rr0_SfFzbuk-TmypoNqu/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the tea house, there was a display of Japanese flower arranging;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0tYeow7n61-hHlNk8FFRoRWknIYjqb_AZSycHF80rswgewHGtJ8hgKPcwNWyFB_UzA2lvzkQKX4z6uS3t_ZsFO5YC-QiJX9FjP88IFU13q3UxoI2rywnCA8pU0g5O9IIpST0OtpVaDvK/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0tYeow7n61-hHlNk8FFRoRWknIYjqb_AZSycHF80rswgewHGtJ8hgKPcwNWyFB_UzA2lvzkQKX4z6uS3t_ZsFO5YC-QiJX9FjP88IFU13q3UxoI2rywnCA8pU0g5O9IIpST0OtpVaDvK/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would like to study this form, which allows the use of non-native (to Japan) materials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrusym_OgrDU-IXoFrSudoI8m0YMDu23WK25uvsw6JjzaqKmpjKlEjs1foNu1eYbcMVyg4T37CRsk4tbVIG4Svt6xXUPCvYUxjyh1ge5ppibJ0sY764E8199ec3MAXgF4vFvwoG6_sKpNZ/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrusym_OgrDU-IXoFrSudoI8m0YMDu23WK25uvsw6JjzaqKmpjKlEjs1foNu1eYbcMVyg4T37CRsk4tbVIG4Svt6xXUPCvYUxjyh1ge5ppibJ0sY764E8199ec3MAXgF4vFvwoG6_sKpNZ/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just outside the entrance to the garden was another cherry tree (I think) in full bloom, reasuring us that spring was really coming.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xLIZLzg8JnftZDbuf9lDMO7XKEbw6YYzG4xq3VTT0Lx2hOhf3uFmpeBp5pwKihYT-cIcGIu6SHHm4DkcYHNVCM57I8BhOQZrXYLat-vkynA_llJk5DE-ehUxVGiqPdsThoQC3X62tCg5/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xLIZLzg8JnftZDbuf9lDMO7XKEbw6YYzG4xq3VTT0Lx2hOhf3uFmpeBp5pwKihYT-cIcGIu6SHHm4DkcYHNVCM57I8BhOQZrXYLat-vkynA_llJk5DE-ehUxVGiqPdsThoQC3X62tCg5/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And, under this tree, way on the other side, a little drama was unfolding. I was concerned, so walked over to observe (and intervene if necessary).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgo1zbkQSdoax-CpcfpVx1PPLLhHG7wMCqjFhzFz_T8jDmvW14VdXxTpyCdePCwgP4Vf9S93hEedDt1cl6y-zKZ2zCX6bMAudAm2KvZBWAUasHgwFnyjBYaBVVLkj3_O8UVMXpj6ZgEo0/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgo1zbkQSdoax-CpcfpVx1PPLLhHG7wMCqjFhzFz_T8jDmvW14VdXxTpyCdePCwgP4Vf9S93hEedDt1cl6y-zKZ2zCX6bMAudAm2KvZBWAUasHgwFnyjBYaBVVLkj3_O8UVMXpj6ZgEo0/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div align="center">The little boy and girl were taken with this lovely, patient black lab. And their parents were not paying attention. But I was! One never knows how much even a patient black lab can tolerate.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjrCt69TDiWJgErMO2xdLYnIXnILQrcJT5adW-eJYrJWs9RJ8ZB6SZb21Y-wRINH4u7aS-H1KDUNyPLMzRT60C7YqAFoejFw-85AlBsEDWBNSkB_32IImt7n441SRwG22GI4irm14jWFh/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjrCt69TDiWJgErMO2xdLYnIXnILQrcJT5adW-eJYrJWs9RJ8ZB6SZb21Y-wRINH4u7aS-H1KDUNyPLMzRT60C7YqAFoejFw-85AlBsEDWBNSkB_32IImt7n441SRwG22GI4irm14jWFh/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div align="center">Just as I was about to intervene, the parents called these two away and the lab settled back down to wait for his/her owner. Just look at that face! "Help me, someone!"</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">All in all a lovely visit to Portland. From there, we drove about 60 miles along the Columbia River Gorge. But that is for next time.</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-43500626226354887552011-04-19T07:20:00.000-07:002011-04-19T07:20:16.457-07:00Connected!This is the first day I am able to access the internet from our new home. Seemed like it took forever.<br />
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Now all I have to do is find where the two cables are that connect my phone and camera to the computer and I will be able to show you some pictures...<br />
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Meanwhile, I have work to do to finish grading my online class. Oh, I haven't told you that I teach a class online for the college I worked for before retiring six years ago. I do love teaching. And being able to do it from home, whenever I want, is just great!<br />
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The class is a lecture class about fitness and wellness and includes 15 Behavior Change Workbook Activities which are designed to help one to make a behavior change (anything that is reasonable to be accomplished in the eight weeks of the class, and some things that will take much longer). Examples include finding ways to meet new people, quitting smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, anger management, stress management, time management, etc.<br />
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Sharing the skills needed in order to make life changes is really rewarding. And I had better get to it!Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-22414897687914327022011-04-07T09:29:00.000-07:002011-04-07T09:29:10.765-07:00FriendsJust a short note to let you know that I am now in California. The last month has been difficult, but with the help of numerous people, I have made it through. Friends are vital to our survival. And we don't really know how important they are until things get rough.<br />
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I now have good friends in two places in the world. I am sure some of you have learned how to keep friends even at long distances. Share those experiences with me, will you? These friends are keepers, for sure!<br />
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We will take possession of our new house tomorrow. Nesting should help me to feel a sense of connection that is lacking right now. We expect the moving van to arrive about the middle of the month and then the unpacking will begin in earnest.<br />
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As I sit at my computer (or rather a somewhat random collection of cast-off peripherals connected to my computer), my little black kitty Chloe is curled up in my lap purring. I do think she missed me! I sure missed her.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-72049929275231617672011-03-02T07:49:00.000-08:002011-03-02T07:49:32.128-08:00It's been a bad time latelyRight before the day I needed to leave for Canada, I got a flu bug. Driving three days north, just me and my dog, was all I could do. By the time I arrived on Vancouver Island I was in pretty bad shape.<br />
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I have had really good control over my chronic anxiety/depression for about 20 years with some of these new drugs that help control the levels of seritonin in the bloodstream/brain. But this flu totally overwhelmed my body chemistry as well as my energy level.<br />
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Today I start a new drug. Wish me luck! For any individual it is a matter of trial and error to find the right prescription. I sure hope to feel better in a few days though the doctors tell us that the new drug can take up to 2 weeks to take effect.<br />
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So, for the few of you who read this blog, I am still here, hanging on by my claws like the kitty in the "Hang In There" poster. I hope you are doing much more than hanging in; go out and bring joy to someone who may need your help.<br />
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More soon (I hope).Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-67170159673037385372011-02-06T09:12:00.000-08:002011-02-06T09:12:04.258-08:00A Beautiful Day in Pacific GroveEver since I first moved from the LA area to Pacific Grove (next door to the more well-known Carmel, Calif), I have said that, on a beautiful day there is no place prettier than Pacific Grove.<br />
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Yesterday was one of those days. The temperature was about 72 degrees F. It was a Saturday in February and the hiking/biking trail was peopled with tourists and hometowners out for a walk/ride. The PG portion of the trail was built on the old Southern Pacific Rail right of way, with construction beginning in 1986. See more about the trail <a href="http://www.seemonterey.com/recreation-trail">here</a>.<br />
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I had been walking my dog in this area since moving to PG in the late 1970's. I lived a block and a half from the coast. The little town of PG was so quiet that I rarely had to wait for a car to cross the street on my way to the beach. At that time, I usually shared the walk only with an occasional gentleman with his liquid refreshment in a paper bag. <br />
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I still have mixed feelings about this addition to the larger Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. The trail begins in Castroville, 18 miles to the north. The PG section was one of the last to be developed. Now that area that I had mostly to myself is busy most of the time and there are <u>rules</u> (pick up poop, keep dog on leash, walk to the right, don't walk on the paved bike trail - this one is the most problemmatic as the paved part is also much better for baby buggies).<br />
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Local dog walkers (including me) had to protest at City Council meetings because as soon as they had "improved" the trail by levelling it and taking out the railroad tracks, they put up "No Dogs" signs! That was the most politically active I have ever been. We got rules, but at least we still have the right to walk out dogs there...<br />
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Anyway, here are a few pictures I took with my Droid.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoeAjRSwJ0WITypemjiaQGxXTfhAIR5h4o83qksvR_t8vCkhvkM_-0qnuxymLjjv65z81_TkjOxDy_oYisHoMqDkuMGp08SOWYVUlxB3t8722sMFu9MK5dFS6WyIeFUgUcJEZW-rY7vx3/s1600/IMG_20110205_114206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoeAjRSwJ0WITypemjiaQGxXTfhAIR5h4o83qksvR_t8vCkhvkM_-0qnuxymLjjv65z81_TkjOxDy_oYisHoMqDkuMGp08SOWYVUlxB3t8722sMFu9MK5dFS6WyIeFUgUcJEZW-rY7vx3/s320/IMG_20110205_114206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpRnxyuJ6yrqI1d0L_Jus_BKqGcKxNYD4PTLr2vlvB5RbXD3t6efKKLBhbnuwRXkYZwEmqF1LkVCVKbjaEDkVZFD8xcQLw7M0Fyfberlu8Erpd_tnDLvRCJYVOjHNAz7UMk-d29vT7PtV/s1600/IMG_20110205_114220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpRnxyuJ6yrqI1d0L_Jus_BKqGcKxNYD4PTLr2vlvB5RbXD3t6efKKLBhbnuwRXkYZwEmqF1LkVCVKbjaEDkVZFD8xcQLw7M0Fyfberlu8Erpd_tnDLvRCJYVOjHNAz7UMk-d29vT7PtV/s320/IMG_20110205_114220.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">The tide was in. There are narrow beaches along here when the tide is out.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10xt3E4Ax-Lov4oGj_Df2I46vpTcB1b0xx0iq0Nt4FDHjTRWO6usUwJuF2JNXLFUnBouPvKopqFXHibp17_9zs-wEzVN-3dCBCBS-WhtdVR9NFS0p0L3infNirfgOeJNVLZac8XFOKmGZ/s1600/IMG_20110205_114517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10xt3E4Ax-Lov4oGj_Df2I46vpTcB1b0xx0iq0Nt4FDHjTRWO6usUwJuF2JNXLFUnBouPvKopqFXHibp17_9zs-wEzVN-3dCBCBS-WhtdVR9NFS0p0L3infNirfgOeJNVLZac8XFOKmGZ/s320/IMG_20110205_114517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Lovers Point Beach. Please excuse the finger in the upper left. Notice that there is at least one brave person in the water. At two points along the coast, at more secluded beaches, scuba divers were suiting up by their trucks, preparing for a dive. Lovers Point Park is the only place along this trail that is off-limits to dogs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-EfMqCk_QWVUElREt2CmidE7o_OmgdbOf6vhMXGrlkgRAzoSXRrtS9HiGHGBPSObVr9hjgvpBRy1L70IdUB6cBddNisH_AgIVxmR_ymln9jn2VA8EbWv33K-h2R4WZkaYCjFlPU534An/s1600/my+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-EfMqCk_QWVUElREt2CmidE7o_OmgdbOf6vhMXGrlkgRAzoSXRrtS9HiGHGBPSObVr9hjgvpBRy1L70IdUB6cBddNisH_AgIVxmR_ymln9jn2VA8EbWv33K-h2R4WZkaYCjFlPU534An/s320/my+house.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>This was my home in PG for more than 20 years. It was built in 1913 and added on to several times. I added the second story. The property consists of three 30'X60' tent lots. This is a really big lot for PG, which is filled with lovely little (and some big) Victorian homes.<br />
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The town was originally a Methodist Retreat where people came in the summer and stayed in tents. PG has a wonderfully rich history. I have been searching websites, but many links are broken or the photos don't show. I will continue to look for a good website to link to. The Pacific Grove Heritage Society has a nice site, but lots of the links and photos aren't working so it is frustrating to view. <a href="http://www.pacificgroveheritage.org/ahfiles/ah_2.html">Here</a> is one picture of these tent homes.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-68705231015167327592011-02-03T08:40:00.000-08:002011-02-03T08:40:08.050-08:00SPCA Dogs<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thought I would show you some of the great dogs I have walked lately. Most of the photos are less than perfect as the dogs were interested in smells, sights and sounds instead of posing prettily.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Iv780F4FI4Fbb4HhuRL-Wdj6O8JCCnrdeKXG9C1hucjFCYWzfcx6anpGhG49dMG3m7nRBIG8mBRV5y_EInZqsCwezlmEkJl6D57ubVE54LJubpWwLsO2dxHEIT_6Z6_XJzMYroeEHaSQ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Iv780F4FI4Fbb4HhuRL-Wdj6O8JCCnrdeKXG9C1hucjFCYWzfcx6anpGhG49dMG3m7nRBIG8mBRV5y_EInZqsCwezlmEkJl6D57ubVE54LJubpWwLsO2dxHEIT_6Z6_XJzMYroeEHaSQ/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Jill, the first dog I walked at the Monterey SPCA.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Xyvwk2yku3D5kkvaSZQZMKQc8Co7uzeu4Tn-bIl7DfovRhh6WSBCvXxljvrrs_wWAgMGr_go64Lfi3eR1ebzyFkE34Vn3tH4pPKzDjtQ4EllvvvkmVJa1pckJ4OGXnnnxcEKQbKXbzU/s1600/IMG_20110120_113558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Xyvwk2yku3D5kkvaSZQZMKQc8Co7uzeu4Tn-bIl7DfovRhh6WSBCvXxljvrrs_wWAgMGr_go64Lfi3eR1ebzyFkE34Vn3tH4pPKzDjtQ4EllvvvkmVJa1pckJ4OGXnnnxcEKQbKXbzU/s320/IMG_20110120_113558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A few weeks ago we received a slew of Great Danes. The breeder decided she couldn't manage them any more. This was the mom who came in with a litter. I didn't get to see the puppies. :(</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLReL_sX4kt8bJvZUqWgp2fqt45cXEwSCpUndAvnu7n3FB7BXoXvE2owTdWHukyk7liJyZnfef8o9IhicuLIHtCnU1va04YXJ4fL3gKSrQ2WQxaKt4lQzk9EQMT5WV7Zm5bBPwjudUvE2/s1600/IMG_20110106_120933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLReL_sX4kt8bJvZUqWgp2fqt45cXEwSCpUndAvnu7n3FB7BXoXvE2owTdWHukyk7liJyZnfef8o9IhicuLIHtCnU1va04YXJ4fL3gKSrQ2WQxaKt4lQzk9EQMT5WV7Zm5bBPwjudUvE2/s320/IMG_20110106_120933.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Continuing with the B&W theme is this lovely guy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJAKXbHldnv9nhpS6rt9kNMhgRbzeSNG8Uenmo4zUPc7wvPtr2Rf2CP8Pf_S_J2PlJDkAXERFmR9scxnoMhaqQu3IZMBiYZGlXbiDm_TtTBQ5gaFc75lp9KhbNWMNVi89yUkwQRFMUSqz/s1600/IMG_20110106_120949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJAKXbHldnv9nhpS6rt9kNMhgRbzeSNG8Uenmo4zUPc7wvPtr2Rf2CP8Pf_S_J2PlJDkAXERFmR9scxnoMhaqQu3IZMBiYZGlXbiDm_TtTBQ5gaFc75lp9KhbNWMNVi89yUkwQRFMUSqz/s320/IMG_20110106_120949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's his face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3gtXgUgtM4ycxCTW8ET9ZKSr1nGucvgUYQlRz0S8p8gxfC4sFrEk0Eqro9KxpEXRZuOCkjetTanao0HAuxMahyphenhyphenOEkyBqiaXQToFfrnyeqRz_7U718m65TJZoTNHj_YsDAORkUfoHuYuk/s1600/IMG_20110120_121839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3gtXgUgtM4ycxCTW8ET9ZKSr1nGucvgUYQlRz0S8p8gxfC4sFrEk0Eqro9KxpEXRZuOCkjetTanao0HAuxMahyphenhyphenOEkyBqiaXQToFfrnyeqRz_7U718m65TJZoTNHj_YsDAORkUfoHuYuk/s320/IMG_20110120_121839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is one of the daughters of the Great Dane mom above. Also very sweet. Danes are so easy to walk, at least that was my experience with these girls.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvaLaSY_gdQIN-AHVTOgX4fB6NWkEI37csOnszY9OeCQ1N6gAHbsjp-n-od6nMaHCQn3CI0cJPPo8SeojXAvY2LbOH24nJLLslF65bj2DG9d2qa1mbvYFVktGpHgXsuxxq5q6VI3l1Hfi/s1600/IMG_20110120_125324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvaLaSY_gdQIN-AHVTOgX4fB6NWkEI37csOnszY9OeCQ1N6gAHbsjp-n-od6nMaHCQn3CI0cJPPo8SeojXAvY2LbOH24nJLLslF65bj2DG9d2qa1mbvYFVktGpHgXsuxxq5q6VI3l1Hfi/s320/IMG_20110120_125324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This lovely brindle Pittie was interested in each sound and sight. A very sweet boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHwsbJ9mcm-h0FBoruVPlhkAQyiOLePoW7DBK7mAKAAE8_hOCzQGyDRm_gKDRFHsIwjmEaVyAPQzsfqPO9gTw_LWfETOYFqKDYD_Vqc4GvWgQ7rgiKaeD9r1OgwJG3GFqdc5Ox1dxXFqA/s1600/IMG_20110127_132224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHwsbJ9mcm-h0FBoruVPlhkAQyiOLePoW7DBK7mAKAAE8_hOCzQGyDRm_gKDRFHsIwjmEaVyAPQzsfqPO9gTw_LWfETOYFqKDYD_Vqc4GvWgQ7rgiKaeD9r1OgwJG3GFqdc5Ox1dxXFqA/s320/IMG_20110127_132224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she a little sweetie? She is a Wire Haired Fox Terrier.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When she walks, she looks like she floats above the ground - just beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There have been so many more. But my job is to walk them, not to take their pictures. The little ones (there are so many) are even harder to photograph. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a little boy named Lucky (there are quite a few "Luckys" on any day). He is a mix of Chihuahua and something black and tan. He has those dots of light brown above his eyes that I associate with Rotties - but surely not! He has a deformed front leg and paw that you don't notice for quite a while because he is so friendly and cute. I guess it is why he is still with us.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It is interesting to me how my attitude has changed about the animals at the SPCA or other rescue organization. There was a time that I couldn't even consider going to see the animals because I would feel so sorry for them. Now I know that these are the lucky ones. They will get a loving home, and while they are here, they are surrounded by people who want the best for them. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Living in a kennel with lots of other unknown dogs is not the best life, but in most cases it will lead to a forever home with a good, caring family. Meanwhile they will be comfortable. They are well - fed and any physical problems will be addressed. If they have psychological scars, these will be addressed too, by the animal behaviorist and other caring staff and volunteers.</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-6959466136696084152011-01-28T22:31:00.000-08:002011-01-28T22:31:52.447-08:00After all this time, it happens all in one day!Today, Friday, <span style="color: #cc0000;">January 28</span>, was a red-letter day for me and my little family. <br />
<br />
1. We officially sold the house in Canada (a bittersweet event).<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
2. We had our offer accepted on a lovely home here in Monterey County.<br />
<br />
After 3 years, both things happened on the same day. Ain't life strange? And wonderful?Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-91821158453153428332011-01-21T16:10:00.000-08:002011-01-21T16:13:40.663-08:00Growing your vegetables and Roadside art continuedHere are a few images of the newly sown crops in the fields just outside our subdivision:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiFz7-e8uJpj1jilobBan6RFoMYTaOU1TBTVk48ugrBLLt0o4LpkVQiYVvACx4b2o1XxGmnXl_G74iPHTplOXuWXLNiw2zgtnqzwKlqR47hJxZk-jQ9qJ7SEYMEQZfYJ4hHTGn7n7FIfL/s1600/IMG_20110112_094821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiFz7-e8uJpj1jilobBan6RFoMYTaOU1TBTVk48ugrBLLt0o4LpkVQiYVvACx4b2o1XxGmnXl_G74iPHTplOXuWXLNiw2zgtnqzwKlqR47hJxZk-jQ9qJ7SEYMEQZfYJ4hHTGn7n7FIfL/s320/IMG_20110112_094821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think these guys were working on the irrigation pump.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUedwaoXNc8D5x0WrlalwmxWXPrCxPfamfr6jSO3Ttw6SFcYeWziofoVokykQFMZD9nT8l1E6LSao12IQUgiMOLETw2o8oAsd-Z2auAF1-t2-0bwTJcTGox25Vr9ukdODHMDjC24gXO71K/s1600/IMG_20110115_104631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUedwaoXNc8D5x0WrlalwmxWXPrCxPfamfr6jSO3Ttw6SFcYeWziofoVokykQFMZD9nT8l1E6LSao12IQUgiMOLETw2o8oAsd-Z2auAF1-t2-0bwTJcTGox25Vr9ukdODHMDjC24gXO71K/s320/IMG_20110115_104631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Just sprouting.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1kls0oQ6RLvQSfcN985svwXzi_TfDjdqjy-aLhBQYpt49JLK-0-kSuXbDKlCopXcYtk5bcTq-mN_lj_wLaHUxFjyPi9c9eOtXOPzY1mOdTm58UsulvE076Z441SBiWB867khebeZIWs0/s320/IMG_20110121_100709.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't tell what they are yet, but there sure are a lot of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBeNn3iawIn9KJfTmCCM6OZ-xO9elS-AMXOer6KqZOgfqrCLj2N1XJ_Ft2Lz4Td95ATVHUBXzHbbGaY5Wv0LfjjgXyXdSBWAdV_elZDoHQjj_MK_jKAlKh9Xi_qZpJandi8nykw6ppsq6/s1600/IMG_20110121_095836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBeNn3iawIn9KJfTmCCM6OZ-xO9elS-AMXOer6KqZOgfqrCLj2N1XJ_Ft2Lz4Td95ATVHUBXzHbbGaY5Wv0LfjjgXyXdSBWAdV_elZDoHQjj_MK_jKAlKh9Xi_qZpJandi8nykw6ppsq6/s320/IMG_20110121_095836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one is six rows wide between the rows where water will flow. Maybe a different crop?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Roadside Art Continued</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, I have been trying to get some good pictures of the only examples of female field workers painted by John Cerney. I showed you other photos <a href="http://wwwreluctanttraveller.blogspot.com/2011/01/roadside-art.html">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These ladies are working in the field near Highway 68 along with several of the men. But they are in a really difficult area to photograph. These will have to do:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJa9OLNekZHg5TEfMRHgXpkgUo6a2vnvyYBBNozRwqy1TQzepFNtMnrImTBnt2tWo8xhpUyaqREUlbKYLUI_WPUuQz-YD_7kKKiJWYFIx7r6Vipn41byLmlGMhGcK_FlrGpZof68wkw5g/s1600/IMG_20110119_132221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJa9OLNekZHg5TEfMRHgXpkgUo6a2vnvyYBBNozRwqy1TQzepFNtMnrImTBnt2tWo8xhpUyaqREUlbKYLUI_WPUuQz-YD_7kKKiJWYFIx7r6Vipn41byLmlGMhGcK_FlrGpZof68wkw5g/s320/IMG_20110119_132221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the tilted horizon; no earthquakes were occurring at the time of this photo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW_jzjZx1Dm469JyT47plixR9fhJTf0G2BW9WphxeKNnXc0hXjG-ibXrtAssfUnUZFvnzDEaFJhKtRSL2m-C9Of674UyerTU1ihmupD8pOz24UhNVc1MXw-3MXzXOr3DsxsQ8CfKj8_w6/s1600/IMG_20110119_132338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW_jzjZx1Dm469JyT47plixR9fhJTf0G2BW9WphxeKNnXc0hXjG-ibXrtAssfUnUZFvnzDEaFJhKtRSL2m-C9Of674UyerTU1ihmupD8pOz24UhNVc1MXw-3MXzXOr3DsxsQ8CfKj8_w6/s320/IMG_20110119_132338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you click on this one to enlarge it, you will see that she has FFA printed on her <br />
jacket - Future Farmers of America.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-79205592805922892612011-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:002011-01-18T17:28:15.714-08:00Two-ply handspun cottonYesterday I spun up two spindles of the natural brown cotton on the charkha and plied them on my Ashford Joy spinning wheel. I made a lazy kate from another plastic food storage container to hold the two spindles. I did not bring a niddy noddy with me, so used the back of a chair to make my skein.<br />
<br />
After plying, I simmered the yarn for 1/2 hour to darken the colour. At first, after taking the yarn out of the water, I thought it was really dark. But, of course, it was wet. When I looked in the morning, the difference was not so great. And, most yarn looks a bit darker than the roving from which it was spun.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here is the two-ply yarn and the roving. What you can't tell from the photo is how <u>soft</u> the yarn is!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91hxHsE_TiQ-FhHIA_twQOsxjW-PnihKVNziVUx3cUKRvsl5dcUe_h8eYoZ2asrH4Ai8McE9tPwnwm_muQqDzeYn9P9CwL7kHOLW9-VDKEiZ8kqNM8e_KMK8nMrptk9WJ00F17oAxBQ7E/s1600/2ply+brown+cotton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91hxHsE_TiQ-FhHIA_twQOsxjW-PnihKVNziVUx3cUKRvsl5dcUe_h8eYoZ2asrH4Ai8McE9tPwnwm_muQqDzeYn9P9CwL7kHOLW9-VDKEiZ8kqNM8e_KMK8nMrptk9WJ00F17oAxBQ7E/s320/2ply+brown+cotton.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This photo was taken in natural light for the best colour rendering I could get. Of course your monitor will have an effect as well.<br />
<br />
When I got the balls of natural coloured cotton roving/sliver, I thought I had a lot. But as you can see, the brown cotton is going fast. Since I want to use this colour for the handspun portion of the weft for the Hippari coat, I will have to order more. I will get it from <a href="http://www.cottonclouds.com/index.asp">Cotton Clouds</a>. They have some lovely brown from Sally Fox, the woman who has made naturally coloured cotton available to us spinners.<br />
<br />
I am still sampling on the loom to find just the right pattern and sett. I have done a sample of plain weave. Now I will re-sley the reed at a closer sett for a twill sample. I will have it for you soon.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-31901221005644637802011-01-15T09:07:00.000-08:002011-01-15T09:07:45.589-08:00Dogs across the borderMy friend Susan asked if I could describe the process of taking a dog from/into/between the US and Canada. She and her husband lost their lovely old boy, Connor, recently. They are going to get a new puppy from a breeder in the US.<br />
<br />
I rescued Daphne from a shelter in Washington State when she was about a year old. After the woman in charge of the shelter checked me out thoroughly - references and everything - we arranged for me to pick up Daphne. Because they are a small shelter in a small town in eastern Washington, they sometimes have volunteers take dogs over to Seattle where the dogs are more likely to get adopted. So they arranged to have Daphne brought to Seattle for me.<br />
<br />
I was told to meet the driver in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen outside of Seattle. Daphne would have all of her health and vaccination records with her. So, when a grey pickup drove into the parking lot, I went over to see if they had my dog. She was in a crate in the back. They gave me her papers, we opened the crate. I put a leash on her and said "Hi Daphne; let's go for a walk!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDitQLVzysA-r01CvH_-fXRnH_tC8d-s67LXqEh0h90x3ilq6DAnrnaNEjTCWv7koSDg6PopG-nBFJODOb9rTgsIaJeA4XyIPpLgyNbvouBp6XChK5fFDiAv9SmxJ3AwbaIX32PNQrar-n/s1600/Daphne+in+crate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDitQLVzysA-r01CvH_-fXRnH_tC8d-s67LXqEh0h90x3ilq6DAnrnaNEjTCWv7koSDg6PopG-nBFJODOb9rTgsIaJeA4XyIPpLgyNbvouBp6XChK5fFDiAv9SmxJ3AwbaIX32PNQrar-n/s320/Daphne+in+crate.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And that's how I met my dog.<br />
<br />
Every time I take Daphne across the border, I bring her vet records to prove that her shots are up to date and that she is healthy. That is a requirement, I am told. But no officer at the border has ever asked to see them. Still, I would be sure to have them.<br />
<br />
Susan, as you are getting your dog from a reputable breeder, I am sure they will give you copies of your puppy's records and anything else that you might need at the border. And you can begin your adventures with your new puppy! Connor can watch you from doggie heaven and be glad that you are happy.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-72807362535374544762011-01-15T07:56:00.000-08:002011-01-15T07:56:29.534-08:00Clarification/Correction/ApologyYesterday B suggested that I call the police about the fireworks as there were more of the loud bangs, putting Daphne back into high anxiety.<br />
<br />
Apparently what we are hearing is not fireworks. It is the field workers using some kind of pop gun (or blanks - I didn't get details) to scare away the birds from the newly planted fields just outside the subdivision.<br />
<br />
That's the clarification/correction. Now for the apology. I woke up this morning hearing what I had written about a certain group of people and fireworks. I apologize for any offence I might have caused. I doubt that I offended many people, because there are probably less than 10 people who read this blog. Nevertheless, I feel better now that I have omitted the offending statement from the previous blog. My bad!Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-4573995116610907112011-01-15T07:48:00.000-08:002011-01-15T07:48:19.602-08:00"How did she get out?"Well, Bruce and I were gone for a good part of the day, from about 10:30 until I got home about 3pm. I drove Bruce to pick up his car from the shop. But our story starts before I actually arrive in our driveway. As I am approaching the road to our house, my phone rings - in my purse in the back seat. Bruce was in the passenger seat earlier, so I had put my purse in the back.<br />
<br />
So I pull over and get my phone. I click to call back the last number, assuming it is Bruce. But it is a young man who says "Is this Daphne?" I say "You must have the wrong number." He says "I have this dog here..." I say "You have my dog? Where are you?"<br />
<br />
When we left the house, Daphne was inside. How could she now be with someone else?<br />
<br />
The young man guides me toward where he is, about 5 blocks from the house. I drive around the corner and there he is, holding Daphne by the collar. She is wet (it has been sprinkling) and her legs are muddy. As I get out and open the door for Daph to get in, I am still repeating to myself "How did she get out of the house?"<br />
<br />
As we park on the street in front of our house, I see my neighbors on both sides out and talking to each other. The gentleman who lives to the left, the grandfather of the little dog who barks at us, tries to explain what had happened, but I can't understand him. I ask the woman who lives on the right. She say that he saw Daphne out and tried to put her back in the yard, but she just got out again. She then says something that clears up a lot for me "Some boys were throwing firecrackers."<br />
<br />
We have had trouble with Daphne's fear of unusual noises ever since I arrived here. In Canada, she was terrified of thunder and lightning, but fireworks were rare. <br />
We got her a Thundershirt (learn more <a href="http://www.thundershirt.com/">here</a>) which does help to calm her. I have had to put the shirt on many nights (it usually happens at night, maybe because the house is so quiet) because of the alarm system going off or sounds from the outside, sometimes something I can't even hear. Once the shirt is on, Daphne will calm down and sleep if I sleep on the couch near her.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP525aTexTbwrItLEoKXdp-VGNpz3aHepVYHcDp9o7eXkuge14oD-BGp39awh9Jcal_R5nfn9W7S25Ig8spqQciM7KSg5Db81_ox5lbSqBA_DUKrHUrcZNOveaETtDAkUjzrG6zriz6nJn/s1600/DSC_0001+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP525aTexTbwrItLEoKXdp-VGNpz3aHepVYHcDp9o7eXkuge14oD-BGp39awh9Jcal_R5nfn9W7S25Ig8spqQciM7KSg5Db81_ox5lbSqBA_DUKrHUrcZNOveaETtDAkUjzrG6zriz6nJn/s320/DSC_0001+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daphne in her Thundershirt, very tired after all the excitement.</div><br />
OK, now I go inside to answer that question: "How did she get out?" We have a folding screen just inside the front door because there is no real entry. That is on the floor. The old, brittle venetian blinds in the spare room and Bruce's office are mangled and twisted.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pkinZQcXl-tXznFB7_l9mWPXB3AhfCZgFZ_U2rOnkEFmS_PwBXWqzAuh-E_lvhArGgYjDEKgIL5q2urw3HR2DRZx-O1jIXvBTZlwpS8b9Rnju7lRN7m6cwkx63xPEXXy4cffNcPKqTCR/s1600/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pkinZQcXl-tXznFB7_l9mWPXB3AhfCZgFZ_U2rOnkEFmS_PwBXWqzAuh-E_lvhArGgYjDEKgIL5q2urw3HR2DRZx-O1jIXvBTZlwpS8b9Rnju7lRN7m6cwkx63xPEXXy4cffNcPKqTCR/s320/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The one in the guest room is on the floor. While it doesn't appear that any computers have been damaged, the cactus plant is knocked over and some small stuff is on the floor.<br />
<br />
I still haven't answered the question. I go back into the living room and notice that the little cat opening in the window there is wide open now. (Bruce made a little cat enclosure outside that the cats access through the window.) OK, so she got into the "catio"; then what?<br />
<br />
She tore her way through the door into the "catio". That is how she got into the back yard. After checking to see if both cats are still in the house: "Thank God!" I close the window and walk around to the other side yard and see where she dug at the gate until it came unlatched.<br />
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So, she pushed away the board closing off most of the window opening, climbed up and out the window, jumping down about 5 feet. Then she frantically clawed at the wood frame of the door and the chicken wire covering the door until the wood broke and she could push her way out. She ran around the house and began clawing and jumping up on the gate until she got it unlatched.<br />
<br />
But things were probably no better when she got out. Don't know if she was close to the boys with the firecrackers. I sure hope they didn't throw any <u>at her</u>!<br />
<br />
The good news: <br />
1) The cats are home and fine.<br />
2) Daphne is home and more calm now that she has her Thundershirt on. She is not injured - amazing!<br />
3) None of Bruce's computers are damaged. One of the little legs on my keyboard is broken - that's ok.<br />
4) My camera is fine (as you can see from the pictures above) even though it was knocked from the table to the floor and the lens cap came off.<br />
<br />
The bad news:<br />
1) This experience can only have made Daphne's fears worse.<br />
2) Husband is put out - feels that there is something very wrong with such a dog. This is a shame as they had been bonding so well...<br />
<br />
Outcome(s):<br />
1) I have made an appointment with Dr Kocher, my favorite vet from when I lived here before, for the day after tomorrow to consult with him about options (doggie valium?, doggie antidepressants?, crate her? or what?)<br />
<br />
Other possible outcomes - we shall see. I wouldn't be surprised if I spent another night on the couch...Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-45226143481652176562011-01-12T16:38:00.000-08:002011-01-12T16:38:21.601-08:00The Placemats are Finally Finished!I got very disappointed in the stitch quality of the Canadian Singer machine I brought with me. It clearly needs a full tune-up. So I didn't do any more quilting on the placemats I started earlier until I got my lovely little Singer Featherweight.<br />
<br />
So now I can show you the results:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcsdk5m_bEG4ouwDLqUDEYIM9YxDBQyPj4EigfWiYOpVfUJXUVMmZyv405UwuhnloKpW3Vu0shp6kfEac5O2IIsl8OGFzTrCX0jiGSmGX8KDBtKPTr_l0hvWBsMntqVXPJ1X747NB7fyb/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcsdk5m_bEG4ouwDLqUDEYIM9YxDBQyPj4EigfWiYOpVfUJXUVMmZyv405UwuhnloKpW3Vu0shp6kfEac5O2IIsl8OGFzTrCX0jiGSmGX8KDBtKPTr_l0hvWBsMntqVXPJ1X747NB7fyb/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Each of the sewing machines has strong points. The Canadian Singer has the ablity to drop the feed dogs so you can do free motion quilting. However, as I mentioned, the stitch regulator is not working well on that machine.<br />
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The Featherweight is, as the name implies, much lighter and more portable. But it does not have the capacity to drop the feed dogs. The generic walking foot and free motion foot that I bought fit both machines. Hooray! One can do free motion by putting a piece of plastic over the feed dogs, but I have never done that. And my free motion experience is limited and rusty from lack of practice.<br />
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So I decided, for this project, to stick to the walking foot and straight lines. Here are some close ups of different stitching patterns. In some you may be able to see some awful stitching in the ditch with varying stitch lengths (mostly very tiny) that happened when I tried to use the Canadian machine - no slight against that machine - it just needs a tune up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xv6a4Fe49hKxTrKJ1wJfgB9QjdK-O3H_9v7rFRDuJBFuXlpTR7elydC4ec34MMj4x36D0QqbbOB2zDOBhHL4-f6hFnVlJ3tv-EV4upO_7gCKu4Ei_bRSB8W4LFQQb8pu4NI26jPpkP2F/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xv6a4Fe49hKxTrKJ1wJfgB9QjdK-O3H_9v7rFRDuJBFuXlpTR7elydC4ec34MMj4x36D0QqbbOB2zDOBhHL4-f6hFnVlJ3tv-EV4upO_7gCKu4Ei_bRSB8W4LFQQb8pu4NI26jPpkP2F/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Stitching around the star. Even my stitch-in-the-ditch needs lots of work!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL41p5vYJ8mFyWY83EHcBqgzySidaWoBhXmNg11xFsEAZOkbUFpb4NXxFHf5h3QqZEs0nM_-71ipPoQ-zOV6CwLACNBilNiMBPNPq9cE_mCjywpuBzCo5W-5yc6mM9Fn7hda4f-1wnXjK/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL41p5vYJ8mFyWY83EHcBqgzySidaWoBhXmNg11xFsEAZOkbUFpb4NXxFHf5h3QqZEs0nM_-71ipPoQ-zOV6CwLACNBilNiMBPNPq9cE_mCjywpuBzCo5W-5yc6mM9Fn7hda4f-1wnXjK/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Just a thread-stitched star.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQSUHB5SgNgb-FTd1eBhaFhpLucdl7ixJwiMUEcOV4xMwzjoYqvTSE7XWBbJc1gcvVBqu7LHjVUusBU-4NgkdAD9JQ30afWQqJ99OjjucPXJQzd_VyKrcWxMKwVY3KGtLlITslUKJ3FLe/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQSUHB5SgNgb-FTd1eBhaFhpLucdl7ixJwiMUEcOV4xMwzjoYqvTSE7XWBbJc1gcvVBqu7LHjVUusBU-4NgkdAD9JQ30afWQqJ99OjjucPXJQzd_VyKrcWxMKwVY3KGtLlITslUKJ3FLe/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I like this one and it was very easy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, I am glad I made them. But now I think I have put too much work into them to use as placemats! I definitely want to do more with this idea of liberated quilting. It definitely fits my style. And I need to do lots of practice with free motion quilting, maybe on my more modern machine. I am still lusting after a new Bernina, but that will have to wait until we are in just one house, with just one mortgage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I need to get lots of practice with free motion to see if I really want to spend almost $1,000 on the Bernina stitch regulator feature!</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184852420254303479.post-31353743648206905012011-01-07T11:01:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:01:24.387-08:00Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NouZ81TGZQ53SS6d-xeIYFY7zQlWlUIVt1YOFAl6Vqv5eM55-JSEMTSpu3hrI3I_5nYCdXZl97q8qWafQ20FLQjlaXUyImGxyug9436nKm88V_kr-zo4gFJyLE5UMjmRvBQLWoTnBgDB/s1600/yellow+cat.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NouZ81TGZQ53SS6d-xeIYFY7zQlWlUIVt1YOFAl6Vqv5eM55-JSEMTSpu3hrI3I_5nYCdXZl97q8qWafQ20FLQjlaXUyImGxyug9436nKm88V_kr-zo4gFJyLE5UMjmRvBQLWoTnBgDB/s1600/yellow+cat.bmp" /></a></div>Boy do I wish I had a real action photo to go with this post! But it all happened too fast. (Never fear; all is well.)<br />
<br />
Since we have been here, Daphne has been giving in to the urge to chase cats. I have had to wrestle her away from yards with a cat in them. I will have to do the same "proofing" with her that I did for the rabbits in Cobble Hill. She is always on leash when we walk through neighborhoods, so the cats always get away. Then I have to get Daphne calmed down again so we can continue our walk.<br />
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Well, we went walking in a new (to us) neighborhood here in Gonzales this morning. She did see two cats in a yard before I did, but as usual, the cats ran away hissing and puffed up.<br />
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Later in the walk, Daph did what she so often does and stuck her nose in a bush (with no indication that this was any different than any other bush). Suddenly she backed out with a yellow cat stuck to her face! At first I thought she was biting the cat. Quite the contrary, the cat was wrapped around her muzzle and holding on for dear life.<br />
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In the blink of an eye the cat was gone and I was giving Daph a real scolding - still reacting to the attack that I thought she had made on the cat. She had no injuries, not even a tiny scratch. I believe that the cat was unharmed as well. I don't know whether this will teach her any kind of lesson: <br />
<br />
<em>I shouldn't chase cats; they cling like velcro to my face.</em><br />
or<br />
<em>Boy! Chasing cats is more fun than ever.</em><br />
or<br />
<em>Bushes just got a lot more dangerous! This is a really strange neighborhood.</em><br />
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She is now sleeping on the futon like nothing out of the ordinary happened.Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922605415055868988noreply@blogger.com0