Roving Art

This past April Taos Sunflower offered their roving art selection. This was a three month project that would send each month for three months 4 0z. of fiber that would be dyed using colors from paintings. What a great idea! A chance to add fiber to the stash and learn about artists and their work. How could anyone pass up this? Taos Sunflower was only offering this to the first 20 people who signed up. Immediately the hands typed in the web address and checked off fiber selection of blue face leicester sheep.

(The Bluefaced Leicester is of the English Longwool type and originated near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England during the early 1900's. The breed was originally developed to use in the production of high quality crossbred ewes which were pastures in the neighboring hills of the region. They originated from individuals selected for the blue face (white hairs on black skin) and finer fleeces. They are found primarily in Northern England, Scotland and Wales. )http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/bluefacedleicester/index.htm

Upon our arrival at Colorado summer home, there were two packages waiting from Taos Sunflower: one for April and one for May. What anticipation! Get the car unpacked and get to those packages to see what lovely fiber was sent.

Let's open April first.Mother and Child (1908) by Mary Cassatt, born in Pittsburgh in 1844; attended art school before arriving in Paris in 1866. This painting was done during artist's 64th year. http://www.marycassatt.org/

What wonderful colors and so representative of the painting!

Taking several moments to relish the April Roving Art painting and fiber, it was onto the May package

Orchids #64 by Martin Johnson Heade, born in 1819 in Pennsylvania. He was a student of folk artist Edward Hicks. His earliest works were potraits but later years he began painting still life. http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/heade.html

There are subtle colors in the painting but some artistic license was taken by the dyer to deepen the dyes so the pastels would not spin out. Lovely colors and lovely fiber!

When can this fiber be spun? Or as my dear friend in Baton Rouge says "fiber needs to age"--is it necessary for these goregous fibers to wait in the wings while 'older' rovings are spun? No indeed--it's off to sit up the spinning wheel and begin. But, what should be spun first--April or May? Soon June's Roving Art fiber will be arriving and then there will be real decisions to be made.

Happy treadling to all you spinners!!

Destination Ahoy!

Time to check this golf course off the list of ones to play. Did he have a pleasant experience? Not to hear him speak of his five hours roaming through the canyons of southern Colorado. Why not a glowing report? The company he kept or should we say the partners assigned to him. A complainer, whiner, curser, rude, obnoxious--why go on with the descriptions? But, lunch was a pleasant experience sitting on the back patio overlooking canyons once haunted by cougars. There is said to be cougars still living in the smaller canyons; alas, their homeland is being invaded by humans.

Not such a wonderful photo; forgot to take the camera so this is shot from magazine ad.

Finally, we made our destination--our summer home. And much to our satisfaction, the weather is superb! Just a little wind along with cloudy conditions kept the temperatures in mid 70's. A few drops of rain fell during the late evening as we unpacked the car. It took some time to unwind from the drive up from Trinidad. AHHHH, sleeping in one's own bed is the greatest!

Are We There Yet?

We are on a road trip, heading north to cooler temperatures. We are looking for snow capped mountains, babbling brooks with clear winter runoff, rainbow trout, wandering elk herds, and greener pastures! We are doing the tourist thing at some sites. Taking the back roads brings us through several small towns with empty main streets and deteriorating buildings. The way of life that used to be is now gone forever! Every town that hosts a county seat will have a mighty courthouse like the one in Hillsboro, TX.We found a small non chain restaurant across from the lonely courthouse--Frenkie's Italian. We are known as soon as we walk through the door--out of towners--but a warm welcome and comforting smile accompanied our menus.

Passing by fields of milo, sorghum, feed corn and hay we have come across true cattle country. Storage areas are left to the wide open spaces, most are covered with large white tarps and weighed down with used tires. But, when we came upon this one, we just have to stop and take a photo--it was artistic in its recycling.
On ward and upward along the black lined roads, heading to the panhandle of Texas and we do the real tourist thing-- we stop for lunch Everyone who has tranversed these by-ways know The Big Texan--home of the 72 oz. steak. Dare you to eat it all, along with all the fixings within one hour, the price is free! No takers on this day though! The most interesting site in the Panhandle is Cadillac Ranch! The wonderful folk art is located west of Armarillo and a must see again and again! Eight vintage Cadillacs are buried hood down in the dirt as their elegant tailfins signal the daylight.

New rest stops dot the landscape in the most remote areas along the highways. And true to the Texas legend, there is always a posting of warning:

Even if the days are long and hot the roadsides are sporting lovely wildflowers. Nature brings us a show of wonder.

No, we aren't 'there' yet! We have not reached our final destination. An overnight in Trinidad, CO where DH can play a round of golf at Cougar Canyon Course--high on his list of courses to play as we travel.

Managed CHAOS

Some say the way you arrange your supplies in your studio is a sure give away as to your lifestyle. Well, let's say there is some 'managed' chaos in my studio. Everything is in it's proper place and location on any given day so hands can easily reach out and touch. Until, the day 'somebody' moved a piece of fabric, pattern or yarn! That dreaded Somebody! How did they get in the studio to do their dastardly deed? Could it be little gremlins that come out only at night or when the studio door is closed? Now, where is that redwork pattern? And where is that lovely cone of yarn? And once you begin to hunt--it takes precious time away from the loom, sewing machine or spinning wheel. Whatever you are working with that day.'Somebody' thinks there is no rhyme or reason to this 'managed' chaos but it works! There are results in the proof!

When that 'somebody' tells you that you can not do something! You just laugh at 'somebody' and just go on your merry way! Besides, it's your 'managed' Chaos!

WATCH OUT WORLD--HERE THEY COME!

Y'ALL COME ON IN, SIT A SPELL AND

ENJOY A BITE OF TEXAS FLAVOR

Our mid day begun with fine bar-b-que lunch at the famous or is it the infamous? Swingin' Door--a favorite location for all locals and guests to head where one can chow down on the best smoked meats around (brisket, pork ribs with meat that falls off the bones, turkey, chicken, sausage). That served along with sides of the old standard faire (cowboy beans, slaw, potato salad) will get you the best eatin' around. Sorry there is no photo of the food--it was goobled up too quickly to satisfy hungry appetites. Y'all just need to get you some!

It was graduation weekend in our area with different ceremonies for each of the seven high schools. Seniors were handed their diplomas and sent out into the world. Some will carry on with their education to attend colleges, universities, or technical schools while others will enter military service and some will jump right into the business world. Are we ready for this new generation of young people who have their own 'bright' ideas of how the world should run?

This was the event for our senior granddaugter and her fellow graduates. There were so many empty chairs on the floor of the convention center; waiting, just waiting to embrace those anxious bodies--close to 600 bodies would soon be waiting for that moment when their name would be called to receive that piece of paper that certifies they have accomplished 12 years of learning. Time to move on and out the door.

The chairs begun to fill slowly to the beat of all time 'Pomp and Circumstance' as high school seniors took their place to the hoots and hollers from family and friends, who had crowded the lower and upper stands to view this highlight moment. Never would there be this time again--lost forever but saved in memories and photos.

WATCH OUT WORLD--HERE THEY ARE!

Happenin' Saturday

Saddle Up!



It's one of those busy Saturdays! As we took our early morning walk along the green belt to our breakfast spot, a beautiful blue/green parakeet with long blue tail feathers landed right in front of us on the sidewalk--what a pleasant surprise! Whether he was wild or just an escaped caged bird--who could tell. He just paused for a short moment and then took wing to the nearest tree. Lap swimmers were already taking their exercise at the neighborhood pool before the heat of the day evaporated the coolness from the water.

Breakfast place was packed. Text appears on phone--GD's cheer team is having car wash today, which will be added to our morning agenda. Break our fast, fill coffee cups to the brim, head to the car and out to the ranch--a leisure drive of 15 minutes.

GS is showing off his horse to Louisiana family members who are in town for the GD graduation. The official greeter on the ranch grounds is EllyMae, who pokes her head into the downed car window. She is burro extraordinary and nonchalantly will walk across the gravel road in front of your slowly advancing car.

EllyMae

Meet Scout: four year old half American quarter horse and half Morgan. A gelding that stands at 14.2 hands high; a gentle horse, who lost the sight in his left eye three weeks after GS had purchased him. It was a freak accident that took his sight and even though they rushed him to the large animal clinic at Texas A&M, there was no way they could save the sight but the eye socket was saved. Scout and GS have bonded and GS feels very confident in teaching Scout new tricks.
Scout and Grandson show their latest and greatest trick. Scout will place all four legs on the box, but today he just wasn't in the mood!

We give high fives to all and head south for the GD's car wash venture. The line is only four cars long and there are several girls plying their car washing skills. GD isn't even wet as she is in charge of hose. We empty our billfords for donation to receive a clean car. The car feels grand.

Pulling up just a few feet and what do we spy? This crawfish sign! Whoa! Boiled crawfish, spicy and juicy--quick! anyone else have money? We find the right price and fork over $14 for 3 lbs of mudbugs!

Now, off we go and it is only noon! Back to the house to bake cookies and brownies; prepare a watermeleon basket for evening cook-out!

ROUTINE--NOTHING IS EVER ROUTINE!

She Likes It! GD loves the purple yarn! What a relief! Now, it's not necessary to produce more purple stuff--hurrah!! Now, to work on the beret--wonder what pattern will suit the color best? Maybe Emily's Pointy Beret (http://www.mlqknits.com/USERIMAGES/emilys_beret.pdf) Nah, she wouldn't like that one. How about http://www.popknits.com/index.php/patterns/page/days_eye_hat/? Now, that one is much better suited to her face and hair! Okay, pick up those pointy sticks and that PURPLE yarn--knit away! Anytime there is a need for a knitting pattern, just check in with http://knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php no better place to find the perfect pattern of your choice and it is free!

Early morning walk was like tackling an obstacle course--dodging sprinklers, lawn maintenance guys, bikes, other walkers and runners--but, it's all worth it. There was a "cool" front that passed through two days ago; temperatures dropped slightly. At least for one day temps remained in 80's but 90 degree days are forecast for the weekend.

Last evening we took in not one but two free outdoor concerts. Our evening meal was accompanied by CNC Band, country/rock band. This group has myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/thecncbandrocks ). The lead singer and guitar player is nephew to Clint Black. The guys did a good show for the crowd. The fun came when their 'dancer' Eli was called to the front of the stage to do his little dance! What a hoot! This town center has much to offer in food ranges (Italian, Greek, Mexican, Japanese, Irish, good old American sports bar and to satisfy that sweet tooth--gelato and South American pastries ).

We sat around the fountain to enjoy the full impact.

We traveled just a short two miles away to the another town center where we sipped from a plastic glass of red wine and enjoyed the sounds of Scenic Route, a jazz trio, a collective of professional jazz musicians from the greater Houston area. Members perform with local and regional bands, as well as with national touring acts.

The area was alive with parents visiting with friends as their small children romped around the shooting fountains. A perfect way to cool off from a hot summer day's activities. The music was lively and energetic. There was even a slow tune or two that we could dance to, even though we wore our flip-flops! By now the sun had set and night skies were twinkling with stars and an almost full moon. Schools out and summer has officially begun!