Mirror Image

I saw my grandmother this morning, There she was... in the mirror! I got ready for the day and slipped into a cardigan sweater... my favorite white, lightweight, cable knit; I gazed back at my own reflection, that's when I saw her. Among my most vivid memories of her was the fact she always wore a white, cable knit cardigan, regardless of the season. She carried it with her through the dog days of August, just in case there would be air-conditioning wherever she was going, she didn't like cold air blowing on her. I remember shaking my head and seriously wondering about her ability to adapt. Years later I recall playing musical chairs in restaurants with my mother-in-law for precisely the same reason; and, having a similar reaction. I'm not exactly sure when I became them, but, I have. I heard myself telling my husband this summer that if I lived alone I probably wouldn't use air conditioning, but would prefer to open the windows all summer long and acclimate myself to the outside temperature. I actually said that... out loud; and could scarcely believe it myself. Yes, I saw my grandmother this morning in the mirror, she was wearing my white, cable knit, cardigan... she'd even left a crumpled up tissue for me in the pocket. I smiled.

Life is Good!

How Hot Is It?

Really hot! We've broken 90 degrees for the last three days straight. I've moved my flower pots off the patio and under the shade trees to give the plants some needed relief. This heat wave just happens to coincide with an extremely hectic time here in the studio. I have a few quilts to finish and a pile of embroidery waiting too, how can one person ever be grateful enough for air conditioning? Mason was here for the weekend and that kept Nana and Papa hopping, he is very busy and active... all the time! I haven't had a chance to turn my attention back to my smocking but I hope to... soon! In the meantime, I'm making time for what needs to be done; and sipping strawberry lemonade!

You will never find time for anything.

If you want time, you must make it.

~Charles Buxton

Life is Good!

Happy Camper, Sick Camper

I'm back from camp, a little under the weather. The climate there was soggy and damp at times but I blame my throat and sinus malady on something else: mold. The adult volunteers at camp are privileged to stay in some pretty nice "digs", by camp standards. These rooms are air-conditioned. I've always believed this to be more psychological than physical air "conditioning", the fan runs in these rooms, but they're not all that effective. Personally, I don't like to run it, I'd be more than content to throw open the windows; but my daughter-roommate wanted the A/C, and I acquiesced... hey, it WAS her birthday! (My hesitancy to use the unit is based on my supposed lack of proper filter maintenance on camp... I feel the same way about airplanes and recycled air there, too.) It was rainy and it did make sense to at least attempt to dry out our room air where we slept. On Saturday morning I awakened to burning eyes and a raging sore throat. Coincidence? Maybe. Today it has seemingly settled into my sinuses and I am running on half-motor (or less). And yet, it was all worth it. Our time spent at camp, as witnesses to the very youngest campers, was worth every sneeze and sniffle that I've brought back as a souvenir; precious time spent with my adult daughter, too. I'd go back in a heartbeat; but next time I'm going to push a little harder for God's conditioned mountain air, albeit damp, coming through open windows... after all, I have a theory to prove.

Life is Good!