Sunday, August 11, 2013

A Summer of Milestones

Well now, this has been a summer of milestones.

After many years of working in harness, we took the step to join those who enjoy camping in travel trailers. We did it mostly to have it to share with our kids and the grands; but also to help us re-learn to turn off our work ethic sometimes and get some badly needed rest. Stress is a terrible thing to give your life to! In our new owner reverie we proudly stuck a University of Kentucky sticker on the window and named her the 'Wild Blue Yonder' but with a few miles under our belts now a better description might be 'The Money Pit'. That's how hobbies go.

We've taken her out 4 times now, and the kids have had her out twice. It has taken us this long to get the hang of all the prep and setup that is involved before you can finally sit down, put your feet up, and exhale deeply. Our last site was a beautiful lakefront spot where the kids could fish and the rest of us kicked back to watch the sun go down and stars come out while we talked of all manner of things. It is such a good time to spend with family, nobody is rushing about or fooling with their cell phone (except Amanda!). 


It is also time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my high school class reunion. How quickly the time has passed! I am one of those people who moved away from the old home town and look forward to seeing those people who were my friends for so many growing up years. An interesting feature of this celebration is going to be a show at a local art gallery, spotlighting the creations of our classmates. We have some accomplished painters in the crowd, as well as potters and fiber artists. I am showing two of my early paintings (the others since have been sold, alas) and some of my current fiber work, along with my big spinning wheel.

Spinning, along with dyeing and carding the fiber, have been my biggest interest for the last couple of years. I have travelled a lot to learn different techniques and meet some of the most interesting people, it has been wonderful!

My drive to keep learning and doing new things is so strong. I am converting a bedroom into a studio and have found that it's already to small to hold the necessities of knitting, crochet, oil painting, beading and jewelry making, fiber collecting, carding, spinning, collecting fabric, sewing, quilting, and working embroidery. So many ideas, so little time.  :D

 And so, we will go to the 40th class reunion to remind us that friends are very precious, and remember the best of the good old times.

Be safe and thankful!