Yearning

It's dawned on me that I do not belong where I live. I'm like a stranger in a foreign land. It's not time to leave yet, but one day - when we do leave - I need to live near water.

As a kid, our parents used to take us different places for summer vacations - Jersey shore, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Each summer a different spot for a week. We would rent a little cabin and explore.

One of my favorite spots - ever - was Squam Lake in New Hampshire. I read about Squam Lake on other blogs, because the Squam Art Workshops are held there every year. One Day.....

If you ever saw the movie - On Golden Pond - it was filmed there.

I remember a family photo of myself - as a pensive 11 year old - sitting at the edge of a dock. I wonder where that picture is?

In the meantime, please enjoy these pics of Squam Lake -

by native vermont studio.

by nature photographer.

The Beach

Why do I live in the desert?

This is where my soul belongs...........

Pacific Ocean.....but I'd be happy at any ocean.

Snake Rescue

I was outside with my dogs early this morning - really the only time of day when it is nice outside. Before the air turns into an oven. I went to check on the pool, to make sure there were no desert toads in the water. Desert toads are enormous, and poisonous, and I've already taken many out of the water so far this summer.

But this morning, I had a different surprise. I called my hubby outside, and we rescued him. He had taken refuge on the floating thingy that holds the chlorine tabs.

Just a baby.

He was well and happy to be out of the water. A baby gopher snake - a good kind of snake. About 12 inchs long, and skinnier than your finger - I would say he is only a few weeks old.

I'm a little worried, because snakes hatch from eggs, and where there is one, there are more.

Just glad he wasn't a rattlesnake.

Horse Treats!

It's HOT here, over 100 degrees most days.

Our horses like an occasional sweet treat too!

Watermelon! They love it!

Tony Awards

I love music. My husband is a closet musician. I spent much of my mis-guided youth going to concerts. I am a Dead-Head, yes I am. Not as bad as my husband, but yes, it's true. No idea how many dead shows I've been to. A Lot. Just call me an aging hippie.

Now I'm old and gray and don't love concerts. Too many people. But I still love music. All kinds of music.

I've always loved Broadway musicals.

And Red Hot Chili Peppers.

And Iris Dement.

And the list goes on and on - very varied!

This was absolutely freaking amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ww1g92S0s

Green Day and the cast of American Idiot. INCREDIBLE.

Original

I have 2 shops on Etsy.com.

Woolies Knitted stuffed animals and toys

and

Buster and boo Typewriter key jewelry

I love to knit and sew and not that long ago taught myself how to make jewelry.

I want to talk about originality, for just a moment.

If you ever dare to meander into the forums on etsy, you may read about copycats. And more copycats. And she stole my design. And her stuff looks just like mine. And a lot of times, it does.

And if you wander into some shops, you may find declarations like - I am the first one to make this. The original, whatever. Who knows who came up with the idea first?

The truth is, in the world of arts and crafts, I think it's hard to design a true original. I also think that lots of times, you may think you have the 'first of it's kind'. And then one day you'll be surfing through etsy, and omigosh that looks just like mine! Because we influence each other. And we are inspired by each other. Of course, there is the random outright theft of an idea. Upsetting, yes. Copycat, yes. Wish we could all copyright our own designs. But that costs money. And when you put yourself out there, on the internet, you expose yourself to the rest of the world. Which can be great, and maybe, at times, not so great.

At Woolies, I use lots of patterns by other designers. I credit those designers. I have permission to use those designs in my shop. I thank those designers. And still I strive to make it my own. To change it up, some. Or to be inspired by their designs to make something similar, but still different. And occasionally, I make my own. I even offer 2 patterns of my own designs, for sale in my shop.

And occasionally, I come up with something that is really one-of-a-kind. I didn't write the pattern down for the bear, as I knitted him, just made him up as I went along. Can't imagine I'll ever be able to duplicate him. And I hope nobody else does either.

At Buster and boo, my shop has evolved into jewelry made from typewriter keys. There are other designers that make the same thing. They might even use similar settings, or bails, or necklaces. We compete with each other - this is OK with me. This is e-commerce. It's fine. It is not my original idea.

However,

I think....

at Buster and boo we offer one truly unique product.

Oftentimes, during my gathering of vintage typewriter keys, I find that some keys in a set are unusuable. The letter under the glass is faded, or cracked, or just too darn old to make look better. So, had an idea.

Replace the image with another.

Or,

Or,

Beautiful, vintage-y images, under the glass of a genuine vintage typewriter key.

Cool?

Now, I'd be willing to bet, that just because I've never seen this done before, doesn't mean it hasn't been. But I've never seen it done before. So maybe, just maybe, it's an original.

I Quit!!!

I quit. I did it. I never thought I could do it. But I did it. It's been about a month now. The first week was really hard. So far, no craving for anymore diet coke. Or any soda - I've had none. My tummy says thank you.

My new lunchtime beverage of choice - mineral water, with a splash of rasberry lemonade.

YUM!

GIGANTIC and little

Almost 2 feet tall. If you like sock monkeys, this is one for you.

Much smaller, delicate details - from her nose to her toes.

Cave Girl!

Available at Woolies!

Memorial Day Feast

I was able to snap a few pics of the feast - well, some of it. The burgers and dogs were still on the grill. Everything else was ready.........Hope you had a great holiday weekend!

Heirloom tomatoes, Vidalia Onions, Fresh greens.

The rolls are ready. So is the pita bread.

I love my Fiesta dinnerware - so bright and pretty.

Chicken salad - with walnuts, yum. And a huge fruit salad.

Next time I'll get pics of all the desserts.........yum!