10-Nov-2020
...And just one more!
Another top-filled humidifier. Replaces a huge clunky monster. I'll keep the monster stored away but... hmm.
08-Nov-2020
Two great little solar chargers
And plenty of sunshine today!
The chargers go with my Flyhoom led lightbulbs, but I've discovered I can charge up other things, too. I've had solar chargers that never seemed to work, before, so it was great to find a brand that does.
06-Nov-2020
Completed this today
I finished the bonnet part, then by chance discovered I already had the neck section done and ready to add. That was nice. I'd forgotten about the random little scarf I'd crocheted a while ago, in the same yarn. Worked out perfectly.
The yarn is Lion Brand Mandala Tweed Stripes, in Cat's Eye. The hook I used is an Addi 4.5.
05-Nov-2020
Tree with shadows
Today I began a '7 days 7 black and white photos' challenge on Facebook. This is the color version of my first pic - which I had to edit to black and white since I can't actually shoot bw.
04-Nov-2020
Keeping warm
I like the hood I've invented, too! Makes a great liner for an over-sized coat hood, but it's great for sleeping in. I'm working on crochet patterns for a few hoods in various yarns.
Learned something. Pretty, hand-carved wooden shawl clasps are lovely but if you are going to have one under your nose almost 24/7, mind the subtle varnish smell it may have. I'm not sure that's what bothered me but maybe. So, that's why I'm trying the brass and plastic.
I will still wear the beautiful wooden pins I have, just not daily.
30-Oct-2020
A snowy fall afternoon
I wasn't expecting quite this much. Not yet!
30-Oct-2020
Where we a 'a-Biden'
We have this sign on our doors. We know a variety of people so this at least helps convey our policy here.
15-Oct-2020
Drum cover
My tangram cat is now the decoration on a drum cover I made for my daughter. And yes, I know the machine embroidery looks crazy... the cat got tangled in the string.
14-Oct-2020
A sunny fall morning
And the sunlight through the rising mist made a pretty picture.
13-Oct-2020
First morning the cat came in
He will not set foot inside, for anything, until he finally can't take the cold weather. Early this morning it was more rain than cold, but when I opened the door he zipped right in with a meow of woe. Was soaking wet! Now he's dried off, contented, and has plopped himself in the middle of my bed.
11-Oct-2020
My first try at using the STRAVA app
Doesn't show my stops to give the cat his 4 or 5 morning massages, but at least I knew to pause the app clock, then.
IN OTHER NEWS: National Grid came yesterday and put us all back together, new pole and all! We have power again.
09-Oct-2020
Still in the dark!
Not exactly fun, but... nice candles.
08-Oct-2020
This may be their last day
Sad to say. But tonight will be cold.
...And we still don't have power, wire still needs to be restored. So, we shall also be a little cold.
07-Oct-2020
So far, anyway!
And the cat is in there. There's an opening on both ends so he can escape from an intruder if necessary.
We had some kind of tornadic storm blast, tree came down and took down our power line. So we may be without power for a while. Roads are blocked. We can't drive out of here due to the downed line but hopefully we can get some help tomorrow.
06-Oct-2020
Store-bought pumpkin pie
Okay, done with this. I'll bake my own pies. Usually the local grocery stores have 'okay' pumpkin pie, but at least a few times, from either store, I've bought one that has a crust ruined from...what? Freezer? I'm not sure what they do to these pies but only the filling is edible. That makes me question that, too. I'm starting to think we'd be better off to just scoop up a plate of debris from the driveway. Done with store pies.
But "one man's trash is another raccoon's treasure!" I threw the remains of the pie into the trash barrel, and by the looks of the empty dish and all the debris left strewn around for me, it didn't go unnoticed.
02-Oct-2020
A scene from today's trail
And though the day held some rain showers, they did not join the afternoon walk.
01-Oct-2020
My desk is the next frontier!
I cleared some floor space today that had become almost impassable... found my desk. Now I just need to clear it. Quaint little thing, a very cute desk. So I guess the idea is that one sits at one's desk. Maybe I'll get to that.
30-Sep-2020
Wind and rain during the night
Brought down many leaves but left enough to still allow good foliage pics in a few days or so.
The poor cat wasn't too pleased with all the rain. I dried him off and we still did our walk, though.
29-Sep-2020
I think I witnessed a murder
...of crows!!! Ha ha...get it? (Please, do, lol.)
The were very rackety for a while. I believe they ran a hawk out of their trees.
26-Sep-2020
I made a shawl pin with an old button
Hand-drilled a hole in the side of the stick. Shank button, hammered the shank to flatten it slightly. Beads and thread involved.
edit/update: thread not a good idea, though... gotta be wire.
23-Sep-2020
Yay! This mask is definitely the best fog blocker so far
I got it just right this time!
This mask is thick, quilted, good for cold weather. I am having fun practicing my free-motion machine embroidery/quilting.
The fleece opening on the inside allows for a filter (no filter shown here) but also makes a 'nose pocket' along with the folded-down tabs. Easily kept my glasses from fogging up.
23-Sep-2020
May this day not go this way.
Hmm. I guess topstitching needles are not invincible, after all.
14-Sep-2020
Catsitting, and a cat is sitting
on top of my notebook and pen. His bro inspects the concertina case.
13-Sep-2020
Live bee went riding, there and back
Clung to the side of the van for the approximately 20-minute round trip, wind and chill and all. Good sticky stuff I guess.
10-Sep-2020
Mask with ledge to support eyeglasses
This construction helps block fog, is a rest for the glasses, and also catches the glasses if they start to slip off -- at least this is true for me. My glasses are fairly lightweight.
There's more info about this same mask given 3 entries back in this gallery (shown with heater).
09-Sep-2020
The Jewelweed is still going strong
It doesn't always last this long. Conditions have been right for it. Pretty!
07-Sep-2020
Flower in the rain
Haven't embroidered in a while. Don't want to forget how!
06-Sep-2020
The Little Heater Is In Place
Early mornings are getting cooler. That's fine by me, actually! But now I'm ready for short blasts of spot heating when necessary. (I'm sure we've got a few more hot days in store this year.)
I didn't intentionally set out to go with the retro blue theme for heater, microwave and also a little bluetooth speaker, but I like it!
The fabric mask is one I just finished sewing - need to add the elastic and fleece band. The green section shown goes against the face; the outside is the lighter color. There's a thin layer of batting in between. The light-colored tabs go over the nose and then adjust easily to help keep fog off glasses! The chin section curves in sufficiently, in my opinion, but I've quit trying to make it more severely closed because this type of mask is simply a basic shield that keeps me from 'spitting' on you. If it's too closed up, I've found, it usually seems to funnel-in and trap the air around me...second-hand smoke, etc.
Yes, that's true...at least twice now, while walking through the parking lot to go into a grocery store, my (more fitted, handmade) mask seemed to draw in the cigarette smoke some guy was blowing out, even 10 feet away from me, and it stuck with me. Yuck. So I redesigned my mask.
Bernat Blanket Yarn Is...
very soft and warm and makes a great crocheted shoulder wrap (and glasses holder). Nice way to show off a shawl pin, too.
02-Sep-2020
Milkweed
I used an online tool, ezgif dot com, to get this frame from my recent TikTok video of milkweed. There's some mint in the frame, too. The audio for the short little video has a lot of crickets. Taken 9/1.
01-Sep-2020
Getting Outside
I don't want to miss my chance to sit outside in the sunshine for a little while, on days like this when it's not too awfully hot or humid. Winter, once it's here again, will likely seem never-ending, again... though it will eventually end.
29-Aug-2020
Almost Fall
This spot of red caught my eye. I hope we do have a beautiful fall season this year.
27-Aug-2020
Okay I'm Ready For Autumn
I made this wear-your-blankie thing for those days and nights when it's still kind of warm but you need 'something.'
It's big and bold but does break up the monotony of the end of a kind of dull summer. It's comfy, too. Bernat blanket yarn.
25-Aug-2020
A Hoodie In Progress (I Think)
I'm putting baby crushed velvet yarn onto regular acrylic yarn. I hope I can achieve the desired outcome.
The hood section is already done. This is part of the main body.
24-Aug-2020
My Orzo Salad Was Tasty
Cooked orzo with mini tomatoes that were added to the pot in the last 4 minutes (of 10), a little sweet relish, grated garlic, and a little bit of lettuce.
23-Aug-2020
Talking to the outside birds
'Birdy Bird' enjoys the new location near the window. I moved the cage a few weeks ago after my dog died (peacefully). I am still getting used to Bubbles being gone so it helps to see something else in place in his old spot.
22-Aug-2020
We've Got Puddles
Refreshing rain today. Already humid again, though.
21-Aug-2020
Really great accordion straps. Crocheted!
So, cheap! And I prefer these to the traditional type. I can vouch for these, they are tried and tested. Though, I no longer play this big "monster" accordion, or any accordion...I do play the English concertina.
These straps are made with inexpensive regular yarn. There's stuffing -- regular craft-type fiberfill -- in every other section, the alternating similar wide sections being left empty and not sewn shut. I did find that it helped to use some short, strong dog collars at the top connection and connect my homemade straps to those.
This is a 180 bass accordion. A Pancordion Video. There's a spot for an audio pickup, but I removed the old pickup. This accordion is in....fair/good condition. I'll take no less than $500. for it, and I can always use the reeds anyway, for my foot bass...so it's good for parts. I won't ship it anywhere! Buyer has to pick it up.
There is a case, too, not sure what shape it's in.
19-Aug-2020
Jewelweed
It's looking better now that the extreme heat has let up. This plant usually doesn't last very long but I like seeing it. It's said to be effective against poison ivy, but I think that means in the ground, as something that keeps the ivy from taking over the area.
17-Aug-2020
My Laundry Cart Stash (So Far)
These days especially, I do a lot of laundry by hand. Whenever I complete a crocheted or sewn project, especially if it'll be stored away for a while, I hand-launder it. I really love the products sold by The Laundress.
One big perk of doing the wash by hand is the physical exercise! A nice upper-body workout and a bit of cardio.
16-Aug-2020
Lovely Old Typewriter
Better than those stupid printers.
16-Aug-2020
It's all a matter of point of view
Yesterday: "What am I going to do with this big old stupid typewriter?!"
Today (upon realizing both stupid printers are kaput): "Oh! I've got an old typewriter, just need some carbon paper!"
15-Aug-2020
Turkey Talk
This is a pic from 21-MAR-16, and one of my favorite turkey shots (the white bits on the feathers are snowflakes).
(It's got a TikTok stamp at Box.)
13-Aug-2020
Already!
Well, looks like we may have some red, this fall. Last fall was kind of bland and un-red.
10-Aug-2020
A workable storage solution
My house is quite the musty shed. I do not have a modern house. I'm fine with that but there are things I want to store yet keep them from rotting!
I bought scented shelf paper from The Laundress, which comes rolled up in tubes. I will still be able to use the paper when I want it, but I'm storing it in this wonderful deep bin (with a great lid), a Vittles Vault, and it will keep fresh whatever fabric, crocheted items, etc. that I also store there. Super great.
09-Aug-2020
Love Blooms Petunias
Aerogrow pod, started indoors in water (Aerogarden) and now doing very well transplanted to a dirtpot outdoors.
More compact, not as leggy as the Tidal Wave petunias...I like both.
Call it what you will - prayer, meditation
Crocheted Hood
I love this velvet hood I made with Bernat...velvet or crushed velvet. Oops, will have to check that. I have some of both types and the labels get lost*. I'd say this is the crushed velvet but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, I'm happy with the results. Needs a different shawl pin obviously, but the stick worked for the photo.
Velvet yarn is so nice to work with, especially if your hands are beat up from applying so much sanitizer.
*Found the wrapper. It's the crushed velvet. (Wash-by-hand recommended.)
