Sunday snippets

in which our plucky heroine sees something pretty...

... it moved too fast for a photograph, but might have been a Western Tanager? There was a bird on the japanese maple, and it looked a bit like a goldfinch with a reddish head. Not as bright as some I've seen in years past, but late April early May is the right time of year

※※※

~ a favorite motif ~

This is the cast iron door knocker here at Acorn Cottage. I found it years and years before ever moving here, and carried it around in my "hopeless chest" in addition to other less weighty bits of wishful thinking. Never expected it to have a door to grace, though it has now been here for over twenty years. Acorns and oak leaves, in various configurations, have been one of the oldest of my resonant decorative motifs, (along with the running horse reguardant), long before my SCA activities where they are now part of my personal heraldry.  

Being quite close to finishing the slow Sophie scarf, rather than my initial idea of finishing off the pointy tips with pom poms as a few folks have done, it occurred to me that small knitted acorns and oak leaves might be an even better embellishment. I've used those on prior knitted projects to decorate a hat, a tea cozy, and as brooches. I was hoping I'd copied out the "recipe" for them; there are two folks ahead of me in the library line for "100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet" which is the book that contains the directions.

While I only intermittently remember to add index data to my BuJo, after failing to find any helpful blog posts, and hoping not to have to wait weeks for the library book, it occurred to me to try and cross reference between when I made various projects, and the various years of journals on the shelf. Bingo! et voila!! surprisingly I had even made a specific notation in the rudimentary index. Directions for both acorns and oak leaves are both where I can access them.

※※※

Ten years ago I was deeply into carving blocks to print on fabric, and making clothing for my Blue Cedar House SCA pals; I miss those good times we had... still, might be a fun single crafternoon one of these days to print some trim for decorating next winters long janes.

※※※

Have been trying out two of the glucose hacks today. A spoonful of vinegar in a glass of water before meals isn't a treat, but isn't horrible either. Figuring out how to start each meal with something vegetable-ish is challenging, but possible, particularly breakfast. My usual morning museli is a bit odd following some steamed veggies! Although the protein/fiber/carb balance for my museli is pretty sane. (adding whey protein and flaxseed meal to 2T soaked rolled oats)   

※※※

My left foot is intermittently painful again. Not all the time.  Dr Google suggests it might have a broken small bone, and is not the most accurate of diagnosicians. But wouldn't that hurt all the time, and wouldn't that have some sort of injury as a cause? So hard to figure out what response is appropriate. If every intermittent ache or pain sent me to medical care, I'd be living in their waiting room. OTOH, I don't want to foolishly ignore something either.  

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	accordion pouch	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	bone acorn earrings	electric bill found	recycle bin
4	stripey pinafore	shirt sleeve length	recycle bin
5	-	tax papers	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- a dark almost black blood orange that was really fragrant
- helpful Past Me wrote down the directions for tiny knitted acorns and oak leaves in an earlier BuJo and indexed the pages
- phoned Poni about getting a lift to the show at the Linfield

Time of Isolation - Day 2117

Tuesday tidbits

in which our plucky heroine enjoys flowers...

The gradual shift in what is flowering made my first glance out the front door yesterday a real treat. Almost gone but not quite little grape hyacinths in dark purple, along with the ongoing paler purple faux bluebells, and the barely starting dwarf lilac. The further distant dwarf apple blossoms peeking through, and the front garden beds are full of dozens of pink violets. 

There seem to be a few more birds this year, at least there are some I don't recognise, aside from the local corvids and juncos. The grassy spaces in the front and back yard are horribly shaggy, but each time I get ready to try and attack it starts to rain.

※※※

~ apple blossoms ~

There is a random dwarf apple tree next to the driveway, and I have no idea what sort of apple it is, though it has been there for well over ten years. It was likely a giveaway, maybe leftover from some tree planting scenario. It is still not as tall as I am, and last year, for the first time, had one flower cluster but set no apples. This year there are four clusters of apple blossoms, and I will be curious to see if there is any fruit to follow. (there are plenty of bees this year)

※※※

Taking a break from my garment sewing shenanigans, and started transferring the rest of my shirt/blouse/pinafore pattern pieces to Costco cardboard before temporarily storing them away. Time to give my brain some time to mull over what I want to do next. Also, whilst perusing the fabric storage shelves, found some Spoonflower prints that Ariadne sent me when Kestrel was a baby, but never had their chance to become kiddo clothing. Will be taking photos of the various fabric designs so we can ask directly what would be the happiest options for future garments, as K has Definite Opinions. It will be fun to sew for them.

※※※

Good news is that the glucose test strips conundrum has been solved as of yesterday, as part of my quarterly medical visit (My PCP is still on indefinite medical leave alas, I hope she is doing okay) Bree, the PA, very kindly lent me a book about glucose and ten suggestions for ways to hack your metabolism, backed by legitimate scientific research, and not involving exotic and expensive chemical or supplemental interventions. Still reading through it, and there seem to be some changes that would be simple to implement

Alas and OUCH! While I felt just fine yesterday, today my left foot has developed a peculiar and intensely painful ache in the area of the long small bones. I have not fallen, or twisted my ankle or foot or done anything out of the ordinary, but the pain is "loud" enough to be distracting. There is no visible change from the usual appearance or difference from the other foot. Just making a note of it here as a way of tracking the issue, in case that turns out to be useful. Bodies are weird, and do things for reasons I don't always understand.

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	accordion pouch	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	bone acorn earrings	electric bill found	recycle bin
4	stripey pinafore	shirt sleeve length	-
5	-	tax papers	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- tax paperwork has all had fair copies made and is tidied away
- all the spring flowers in the front yard
- what appear to be 1 or 2 potential baby pears on the Bosc

Time of Isolation - Day 2112

somewhat less than ideal

in which our plucky heroine has eye trouble...

I woke up this morning with my right eye very swollen and painful, burning and gritty feeling, and have booked an express care medical visit. The first available appointment was at 8:40 am... And with my right eye so wonky/painful it means I can't do anything at all as sewing, knitting, embroidery, workshop tasks etc all require binocular vision (Last night it didn't feel quite right, so I used extra of my regular before bedtime eye drops).

There seems to be not only an eyelid infection, but it may be spreading to the eye socket, so the plan is for both antibiotic eye drops and daily pills (for the whole system) for a whole week. Yogurt will be a daily necessity, and my sleep wake will become very wonky indeed as every three hours I will be either medicating, or, alternately ingesting probiotic substances, as the pharmacist said to eat with medicines, but not dairy, and then to eat yogurt after a three hour window. Lather rinse repeat.  

※※※

~ was a sunny day ~

The westside esplanade, where the Willamette River bisects Portland, has a short season of springtime when the cherry trees bloom. Usually I only notice this when riding transit over one of our many bridges, but since today was both not-raining, and not-cold, and since I could do none of my usual preferred activites with only one fully functional eye... it seemed that a local "adventure" was a good plan. It turned out that what seemed like half the city also thought it was a good plan! There were dogs, and kiddos, and young families with babies on blankets, new lovers and old ones, folks on wheels: bicycles, and chairs, and skateboards, and rollerblades. There were buskers, and the venerable Saturday Market handcraft tents. It was far more crowded than our plucky heroine prefers to subject herself to, but in this world of trouble and turmoil, it was actually quite lovely and benign.

※※※

The last week has been a challenge in various ways. Never a good sign when I stop writing here, and stop contacting folks. The nightmares that in the Before Times could more often be left at sleeps door when they awakened me in the wee small hours are now far too similar to current events, and have several times made further sleep that night impossible. Fortunately being semi-retired/work from home means that while it isn't ideal, rearranging the daytime to allow for an afternoon nap is at least possible. Reminders from beloved if faraway friends that my being in their lives is helpful and a treat for them, helps my equilbrium. May the week ahead bring, if not fewer daytime horrors, at least some peaceful dreams.

※※※

Lastly, hand stitching ribbon facings to cover the (slightly wonky) steek edges inside the Icelandic cardigan really added a finished look. This was a technique I had seen in some vintage knitwear, but never tried. I found some chocolate brown 1" wide rayon petersham ribbon on Etsy, and the instructions shared by Hélène Magnússon on her blog made the process really clear. It turned out quite pleasingly tidy, and was not difficult. Should I make another steeked cardigan, this will be good to remember...

※※※

Last year a wee baby Victoria rhubarb came to live here, from the plant store at the end of the street. It survived in a pot on the porch next to the front door, where it was very visible, and hence watered often enough. After winter dormancy, it sent out some pencil thin stalks with leaves smaller than my palm, and surely it needed a bigger home. Earlier this week it moved to the raised bed in the backyard. That bed still needs quite a bit of topping up with good soil, but after shifting some all to one end, and adding a few shovels worth of compost, the rhubarb has a new home, where it will get good sunlight all day, and has good rich soil to send roots into. My hope is that if I can manage to care for it well, and feed it richly with compost and worm castings, in a few years I may have homegrown rhubarb. Fingers crossed and notes made on the calendar to keep it watered.

※※※

March SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	ruffle pillow shams	cardigan length	recycle bin
2	clothespin bag	cardigan button bands	-
3	-	cardigan ribbon facings	-
4	-	planted rhubarb	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- I walked five miles today
- cherry blossoms along the esplanade
- being able to get medical attention for my eye, and having the medicine needed be available
- zoom with Jen and a bit of Cathy
- baby rhubarb remains alive and well
- making it back from my doctor visit in time to have some Sewing Nomads zoom this morning

Time of Isolation - Day 2081

not just for pretty

in which our plucky heroine continues catching up...

Doing extra drawings, to make up for what I missed during the internet fast... finding assorted bits and bobs that need mended, including the leather sole of one of my felt house shoes, coming unstitched after six years of wear... basically diving into assorted projects that promise and deliver an abundance of dopamine in proportion to the effort required.

※※※

~ hydration station upgraded ~

Why, you may be wondering, did I head out to Ikea Saturday morning?... The original vision for the hydration station was a pretty blue pottery water dish, and this new iteration is much closer to my idea. Despite searching locally all last year, there weren't any just-right glazed flowerpot saucers, or thrift store platters, so using the big serving platter from my dishes set was the best option at the time. Said serving platter now is support for the new slightly smaller dinner plate purchased from Ikea.

It was worth the long Tri-Met trip out to Cascades Station and braving the crowds of Valentine's Day shoppers, as the variegated blue glaze with dark brown edges is lovely, and very close indeed to my first concept. Plus, unexpected free chocolate bar!!

※※※

Finished the teal linen pinafore; note to self - remember that the basic pinafore is an easy and fairly fast sew, taking about three days or less of spare project time. Preparing the bias strips (marking, cutting out, and sewing the lengths together) to bind the raw edges was Monday's task, and takes about as much time as cutting out the entire rest of the pattern. Not sure if I want to add a front bodice pocket, it is wearable without, but that extra pocket is handy, and a good spot for embellishment.

※※※

This project, long planned, was another of the "must needs feel like some sort of progress is happening"... The boards for the shelves, and then the shelf brackets and cleat lumber were acquired when friends were visiting in January. Once I'd marked and cut away the outer corner to a smooth curve, rasped and sanded down the edges, it only took moving all the various bags and boxes out of the corner of the room to make space to install them... 

This allowed for moving the handknits, the lightweight jackets, and the popover huipil tops into the garment zone next to the shirts, dresses and pinafores, and will free up the Ikea IVAR shelf to eventually move into the righthand side of the linen closet. All part of the grand plan to turn the linen closet, full of random "stuff" into Useful and Necessary pantry storage.

※※※

CW: this dance piece is beautiful, and political, and references the horrific murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti. It brought tears to my eyes.

“ResistDance” - a tribute and act of artistic dissent
※※※

February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	plaid flannel shirt	rice bags	greenwaste bin
2	23 postcards	INTERNET!!	recycle bin
3	teal linen pinafore	hydration station	greenwaste bin
4	bedroom shelves	grey felt slipper	-
5	-	-	-
6	-	x	-
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- found the long missing striped indigo fabric for Karen
- a lovely bit of ephemeral lunar new year collage and flame artwork
- the half size oil filled radiator that fits underneath the computer desk, that keeps my legs warm 
- the block printed tiger sample from last year is almost, but not quite the same color as the new teal pinafore... may become a decorated pocket.

Time of Isolation - Day 2050

a surprise and a treat

in which our plucky heroine gets more than she bargained for...

After lunch took a walk over to Sewlarium only to find out that they were closed so decided to check in at the Goodwill to look for buttons (ie mens shirts that might have enough, and of an acceptable color). Found some in a perfect dull teal blue, and thought, hmmm... 11 buttons for $6.99, not bad. When removing them from the shirt I realised that there were two smaller secret undercollar buttons as well (that will be perfect for the upper buttonhole on the tower placket). I had never seen hidden collar buttons before; rather than the usual buttonhole in the collar point, these had a wee twill tape button loop sewn into a seam in the undercollar.

※※※

~ further resipiei progress ~

Finished embroidering line 7: "Put in mor water." This has me not about a halfway done with the second page. The first page has just as much text and more illustrations, so I expect it will take longer. 

※※※

The flannel is a non-symmetrical woven plaid. Glad I noticed that while laying out the bias cut front bodice, and not after it was cut out.  Instead of cutting double layers, after cutting out a single layer piece for one side, it was flipped over and carefully matched with the correct plaid stripes to mirror the alignment on the other side.  Never too old a dog to put new tricks into use; I'd heard of doing this, but never before needed to put it into practice.

※※※

There is this annoying thing the body does, when for some reason it gets a nasty glitch in the sub-scapularis region. To the point of it being painful to breathe. It has done this on random occasions for at least the last fifty years. No obvious activity sets it off, and after making breakfast and been up for a while this morning, there it was. Bah! Getting dressed was a challenge. While I managed to do a few housey chores, eventually gave up and went back to bed, trying not to move. Very thankfully, whatever structural alignment was out of whack sorted itself while I was napping, as I woke up about an hour later able to take a deep breath again. 

※※※

December SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	2 pairs underwear	vegetable steamer legs	fridge science experiments
2	knitted shrew	shrew eyes	yard waste bin
3	1 pair undies	Gamma bucket lid	recycle bin
4	2 alphabeast  drawings	one page of the embroidery transfer	recycle bin
5	1 alphabeast  drawing	daypack mended	recycle bin
6	phone pouch	cleaned keyboard	x
7	transit pass case	undie waistband	x
8	x	Otterbox case	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- secret undercollar button surprise
- stupid body glitch only lasted half a day
- clever trick to mirror non-symmetrical plaid 

Time of Isolation - Day 2011

wishful Wednesday

in which our plucky heroine wants her left eye to be all better...

...but it isn't. Though there has been some improvement.  The steroid drops prescribed by the eye doctor seem to be making a difference, which is good, since my body has (not surprisingly, it has done this before) suddenly and with great vehemence, decided that taking NSAIDs is very much a not the happening thing. Pain level is decreased to sore gravel and blur as opposed to hot molten lava and eye too swollen to easily open earlier this week.

※※※

~ mini mushrooms ~

Pretty pleased with what can be done with a cotton swab, a small acorn cap, glue and craft paint... These little amanitas were partly finished before my eye escapade started, and today I managed to attach the string ties. {1" tall} These being done means I'm a quarter of the way there towards my goal of 62 additional Advent Swap trinkets before the 31st. Should still be feasible.

※※※

Tried doing a bit more today, but still pretty wiped out. Managed to get the laundry out on the clothesline, since that task doesn't need clear binocular vision and it was a sunny windy cold day. Fortunately my sunglasses are no longer lost, and do a good job of protecting my now light-sensitive eyes. Every small task managed is worthwhile. Much Most of the housey chores, work tasks, and joyful hobby activity all require accurate vision and a reasonably well rested plucky heroine, so there is still a fair amount of napping between med doses.

※※※

October SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	6 lunaria pod ornaments	wheelbarrow tire	greenwaste bin
2	5 more lunaria ornaments	cardigan cuffs	recycle bin
3	5 golden origami dragons	-	-
4	5 mini amanitas	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- extra strong stainless steel bent wire clothes pins from Acantha
- "Gathering Moss" by Robin Wall Kimmerer, the audiobook read by the author...
- made it out this morning for a walk before breakfast. Having to get up for medication at 5AM may help with this goal.

Time of Isolation - Day 1942

a horrible no good terrible day

in which our plucky heroine is having a terrible day...
Putting life on hold until my eye is healed. Woke up at 5AM with excruciating burning pain in left eye. On advice from consulting nurse, went to ER. Eventual diagnosis: large corneal abrasioin?!? (somehow acquired while asleep??) Pain is about 8+. Sadly, they cannot prescribe the wonderful numbing drops used when they examined my eye, because that med interferes with eye healing, sigh..... am grateful that we have an ER, that I was able to be seen and diagnosed. But this is truly extremely painful, and precludes my doing anything at all that requires clear sight I'll spare folks a description or photo of what the eye looks like right now, but it isn't pretty.

※※※

tragedy narrowly averted

in which our plucky heroine has tooth marks on her sandal straps...

Adrenaline is my least favorite drug. Today, while out on the way to get some errands done, riding my bike in the bike lane past a sidewalk cafe, an unleashed dog attacked me. First biting the front wheel, then immediately biting my foot. I started screaming. Some guy, presumably the dog's owner, came and pulled it away, but rather than asking if I was okay, left the scene (with the dog) as fast as possible. There were two other men also sitting eating lunch at the outdoor tables, one tried to follow dog boy, and the other helped me to sit down so I could remove my shoe and sock to check my bitten foot. Fortunately it is only bruised; had the skin been broken, I would need to get rabies shots, since no one managed to catch up with the dog or their person.

※※※

~ progress ~

Slow knitting is what I do and enjoy... by the time this cowl is completed, the weather will be cool enough that wearing it will be a welcome treat. 

※※※

I went out and walloped the hinges on one of the backyard gates, that had gone so awry as to make the gate hang crooked. Now that it is more correctly aligned, it is obvious that I need to do more re-contouring the surrounding area which has built up a layer of thatch and soil over the last howevermany years, which also impede the free motion of said gate. This latter task can wait, however, until the rains come again.

※※※

Still working on adapting the recipe for fruit crisp bars. My most recent iteration had more pleasing texture, substituting my home canned fruit sauce for chunks of fresh fruit worked okay, but finding the best size of baking pan for a half recipe still needs attention. The 5"x5" pan was a bit too big. Might need to increase the crumble part of the recipe a bit, as I needed more than half of that to cover the base of the pan

※※※

June SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	2 amanita softies	planted sprouty taters	yard waste bin
2	Laeriel enamel	dyed yarn brown	recycle bin
3	Laeriel setting	replace clothesline	danger bug
4	-	new smoke alarm battery	yard waste bin
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- the dog that bit me today did not break the skin on my foot, so I don't need rabies shots
- Ariadne sent me Kestrel's most excellent illustrated "resipei for straberie ice cubs". I shall have to acquire some strawberries and try it out!
- found a source for Very Small shipping boxes at Copy Pilot

Time of Isolation - Day 1793

wishful Wednesday

in which our plucky heroine is grateful for connection...

Hard to fathom that May is almost over! Hoping to get more accomplished tomorrow, as it will be cooler, and I have a long list of to-do items for the next few weeks. I wish the world was such that I could have in person time with the folks I love, but am grateful that we have electronic connection options. I miss the days when we could gather and work on projects and tasks together, or cook meals, or preserves for the pantry. 

※※※

~ columbine ~

Maybe I ought to do a tinybook of seasonal flowers, since I never tire of finding them to photograph... It'd be a pleasure to go back through the years of my photo archives and pick out possibilities

※※※

Haven't gotten as much work done in the last few days, but have spend a lot of time on the phone... I found out on Sunday (via a phone call from one of her aides) that my elderly auntie had a very bad fall on Friday and was in hospital with a broken right hip and a damaged right shoulder. According to the doctors, surgery is not a possibility, so she is being discharged to a rehab facility, I still don't know where.

Since all this is taking place thousands of miles away, there is nothing effective I can do other than wait for more information. So, in the interest of keeping as much of our small family circle informed, I then phoned my sister-in-law, and also my sister. We do our best to keep connected by phone, and sometimes video.

※※※

Ugh. Last night I had a horrible nightmare that started in analog Powells with seemingly innocuous shopping for charming trinkets, miniature animal figurines and containers for cooking spices, then couldn't find my friends and decided to take the bus back to where I'd come from, but I got on the bus and realised I'd forgotten my mask back at the bus stop and then the driver took forever to respond to my signal to stop so I could exit and try and get back to where my mask was, and let me off the bus somewhere sketchy and when I asked where to catch the bus back told me the routes didn't run that way, and I'd need to walk back... and it wasn't safe and there were sketchy boys in cars and dark woods and ravines and no residences or shops and it was nighttime and then I woke up. The transit route was part of the Dreamlands I'd not visited before (I've been to analog Powells before...) The tone of the dream was menace-impending rather than run-and-hide, and self-caused danger rather than external-imposed. The embedded outer layer of meaning is obvious to me, but I am not really up for currently teasing apart the inner layers. Indeed, when I took a nap later in the day, because 4am = not enough sleep, I woke up 20 minutes later after another nightmare.

※※※

I've been dropping in on one or two of the MakingZen 2025 free crafting video presentations this week, despite the annoyance of not being able to watch them on my laptop, but only on the phone?! I've downloaded instructions for a mushroom softie, for a sashiko "mindful mountain" biscornu, and taken notes on some additional techniques. There is a box construction video tomorrow I am hoping to see and download the instructions for. The interesting thing is being able to watch and learn from teachers in other countries, I'm grateful that they have a free (if limited access) option, as well as a spendy permanent access option, and enough folks seem to sign up for that one that they can (hopefully) compensate the teachers well...

※※※

May SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	heraldic fern painted	added pea trellis	greenwaste bin
2	XP2 sun protection	planted Seckel pear tree	recycle bin
3	heraldic plaque	Juliet tomato planted	recycle bin
4	spicy peanut sauce	marigolds planted	greenwaste bin
5	3 prs undies	pear branchlets weighted	-
6	pendant for Cricket	turtleneck to Eames top	x
7	2 more prs undies	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -

- my friend Jen Walker introduced me to the music of Richard Shindell
- managed to figure out how to watch the MakingZen videos (only possible on my mobile phone, not on laptop?!?)
- kombucha culture is working well, creating new scoby layers and converting tea syrup to probiotic drink over the course of several weeks
- a good long phone conversation with Mikki
- instructions for a sweet mushroom softie with pleated gills - looking forward to making at least one of those...
- My pal Ursel just got offered a job ♡

Time of Isolation - Day 1773

tired on Tuesday

in which our plucky heroine wishes for garden helpers...

Mostly there has been a fair amount of outdoor refurbishment in the last week or so: primarily but not exclusively of the mowing variety, as well as removing older debris, or relocating it for future use. It is time to somehow create a pea trellis, and get things transplanted or just plain planted. There are various "caches" of used bricks here and there, which will all be useful for anchoring the mulch/cardboard/sidewalk interface. This is all part of the plan to reduce the lawn and create mulched "pathways" around the front yard and more garden space in the back yard.

※※※

~ maidenhair fern transfer ~

Unsure at what young age the "rub pencil on the back of a drawing to transfer it" was learned, but that technique has stood me in good stead for decades. After carefully sketching the motif on tracing paper in a way that fits well in the rectangular space available, the sketch was first inked in with a fairly wide Micron pen, and then the now visible lines were well covered with soft pencil on the reverse, and finally taped in place before being re-outlined with a small stylus, yielding what appear as thin pencil lines on the painted substrate. Half of Kateline's heraldry is a maidenhair fern on a white background, and the only transfer paper on the shelf here is itself white, but fortunately there are plenty of pencils, and the design is now ready for painting. Tune in tomorrow!

※※※

My broken glasses have been delivered to *eyewear, and hopefully will be ready later this week. Fortunately, or dangerously, there is a art store right next door to the optical shop...

※※※

From the time of year in the spring when it warms up enough to start the grass growing, to when it becomes hot and dry enough in summer for it all to become dry and dormant, mowing the lawn is my nemesis. But if it doesn't get done, that is a bigger problem. I no longer have the stamina to do the whole thing in a day or two, so have divided the yard into six zones: the parking strip, the outer front yard, the south strip and porch areas, the backyard near the house, the plum thicket zone, and the south lumpy zone. All were starting to get almost too shaggy to cut, and the plum thicket area was almost knee high, so I've vowed to do one zone each day that it isn't raining, 'cos extension cords + rain are not a good idea! My guess is that by the time all six zones are done it will be time to start again, and just go round-y-round for the next umpteen weeks. By doing a smaller amount more frequently, it should be at least a bit easier on the shoulders, and may increase strength at least slightly.

※※※

Whilst cleaning up the back yard, realised that the funky partially broken plastic trash bin that had been intended for a compost bin really needed to just be discarded entirely. While it had several long cracks, it proved most recalcitrant to being cut apart. Not with a box knife, not with tin snips. Ended up using the folding pruning saw and elbow grease. Managed to somehow snag a fingertip on one of the almost razor sharp saw teeth right at the end, but NewSkin and some paper tape came to the rescue

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	blue skirt Opal	shipova planted	yard waste bin
2	2 pr undies toiles	smoothed half of side gate base	recycle bin
3	model for F.L.A.G	got TDaP vaccine	yard waste bin
4	painted Dean heraldry	persimmon mulched	recycle bin
5	-	pruned figs	2 arborvitae
6	x	2024 taxes	plastic trash bin
7	x	hip joints for tinyfolk	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- Past Me cleverly acquired some of the Xero shoes that actually fit my peculiar feets, (said shoes are no longer being made) and stashed them away, so I can put off for a while longer figuring out footwear...
- once in a while, fancy dinner is fun: steelhead in butter lemon caper sauce, roasted beet vinagrette with goat cheese and pecans, and asparagus
- managed a second day in a row running the string trimmer, and thereby made more progress in hacking away at the lawn. My intention is to do some modest amount every day until the lawn goes heat-dormant, thereby hopefully not wrecking my shoulders
- New Skin liquid bandage, combined with paper bandage tape works really well

Time of Isolation - Day 1744

it's been busy

in which our plucky heroine has ups and downs...

I finished my filling out all my taxes paperwork last night. Yay me! The receipt container I made in May of last year makes the self-employment paperwork much less fraught, and I will be adding some small folders to the compartments to make next year even easier. Today I made all the multiple copies needed, then went to the post office and got money orders for the various payments, and finally everything went in the post. A busy post office on the 15th of April seems to be a thing of the past; since many folks file online nowadays, but I am old school and find paper easier...

※※※

~ remembering when ~

Kenya encouraged me out of the house yesterday, when this lovely thing showed up in the Insta-feed from the Little Free Art Gallery on Glisan, and we were both so excited that it was still there when we made our way over there. The back of this 2" x 3" painting is signed by "LeeAnne H" and inscribed "in tribute to the original 1966 print by Lorraine Schneider" (I have memories of that print, from back in the day...) The painting will live here, as decoration in Kenya's attic garret room. I think she might need some additional period graphics.

※※※

Had a useful conversation with Karen and Beth re their visit here later in the week... we've decided to splurge: getting some takeaway Ethiopian food from Enat Kitchen for dinner on Friday. We are planning on an excursion to Leach Botanical Garden, and also some traveling round to check out some of the Sidewalk Joy sites that are further from Acorn Cottage. Karen is going to bring some useful pieces of wood for the Free Little Art Gallery project I am hoping to create! Including a suitable piece of pressure treated 4x4 to help create a gallery base (when mounted in a pot with concrete) It will be fun to try and come up with possible plans for the structure!!

※※※

Today in the Drama Llama diaries: I fell off my bike while I was crossing the street. I felt right foolish! Nothing is broken, but my elbow in particular is right cranky with me. I expect that tomorrow I will be more sore than I am now, as that is usually how my body processes injury, and after that I will gradually improve. That a number of random folks all stopped to see if I needed help, that helped me and my bike stand back up again, that a person from the burger shop came out and brought me a bag of ice for my elbow, all that kindness from strangers was a bright spot in the middle of a painful and mortifying experience.

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	blue skirt Opal	shipova planted	yard waste bin
2	-	smoothed half of side gate base	recycle bin
3	-	got TDaP vaccine	yard waste bin
4	-	persimmon mulched	recycle bin
5	-	pruned figs	-
6	x	2024 taxes	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. no broken bones and many helpful strangers
2. homemade meatloaf* and a big green salad
3. taxes done and mailed off in the middle of the day, post office uncrowded

Time of Isolation - Day 1730

* recipe makes at least two or three servings. I added a half teaspoon of plain gelatine for moisture, might up to 1 teaspoon next time.

pick up sticks

in which our plucky heroine plans (tiny) furbishment...

but before that can occur, must have body, mind, and creative spirit all in alignment, which is not currently the case. Because ugh! Woke up at around 2 am and could not get back to sleep despite my best efforts (and usually successful) sleep hacks, and today has been a challenge. Some of the regular Tuesday activity didn't happen, and some of what was intended for today has been put off to later in the week.

※※※

a different sort of handwork... I am always looking for projects that can be done while sitting, on the bus, or while waiting for an appointment, or in online meetings, as I find it soothing to let my hands be busy, and rewarding to have used interstitial time to be creative. Most often this is knitting, or embroidery, requiring the least amount of concomitant infrastructure, but this weekend I realised that the flooring of Caer Cardboard was also a thing that could be done while at the computer desk.

My current intention is to turn the building into a combination art gallery and garret studio for Kenya Ogidni, inspired by the recent acquisitions from the Spring Art Exchange. Some online research suggested heavy paper or cardstock as floor substrate, and some black Bristol board was the perfect solution. No idea where the bundle of coffee stir sticks came from, but they are just the right widths for a wood floor for the gallery.

.
Caer Cardboard has wooden floorboards being fitted
downstairs, and Kenya resting in the upstairs garret
※※※

Yesterday it took quite a bit of bike riding to find a free local newspaper box that still had papers inside. Torn shreds of  newsprint makes fine bedding for the worm bin in the kitchen, and it was time to add another layer.

※※※

Today I managed to make another batch of corn pancakes, most of which made it into the freezer (aside from the ones that were part of dinner) This time I decided to slightly decrease the amount of corn kernels to what was in one can (a bit more than a cup and a half) rather than open a second can for another half cup worth. The other change tried was using the "cookie scoop" tool to portion out the batter, which worked a treat. Yes, the pancakes were smaller, but they were mostly more uniform in size, and will be easier to package once they are frozen. Two or three of these smaller ones with some thin sliced cheddar cheese make a good meal, particularly with some sauerkraut to go with.

※※※

March SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	6 dozen cookies	grey pinafore	art exchange
2	lino block carved	pruned marjoram	many dead weeds
3	-	slipper soles	recycle bin
4	-	bicycle derailleur	yard waste bin
5	-	"a-y-a" replaced	-
6	x	worm bin bedding	-
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. headache mostly gone!
2. the white violets continue to expand their front yard territory, and the remaining ornamental plum has drifts of pink blossoms
3. There may be signs of fermentation in the new kombucha

Time of Isolation - Day 1697

Sunday snippets

in which our plucky heroine wants the headache gone...

but despite that, a whole assortment of things happened today.

※※※

~ repair ~

The wrongly carved letters were cut away (along with the "y" between them) all the way through the lino block. Then looked through my lino scraps for a piece that was perzactly the same thickness, and transferred that part of the design to the surface. Inked it very carefully before carving them, cutting the "a-y-a" out, and making sure everything fit together properly.

The last step tonight was cutting a backing of thin plywood, spreading wood glue over the surface, and aligning the lino/plywood sandwich with the repair in place before weighting it down to dry overnight... Tomorrow I will paint a few layers of acrylic paint over the plywood for water resistance, and then it will be ready to attempt printing proof number two!

※※※

Last night I had a dreadful headache, so made sure of abundant hydration and went to bed early. Woke up still with a headache but not as bad? WTF? (usually a headache means I've a fever, but my temp is normal) It seemed to be intermittent, but quite persistent, so I gave up by midafternoon and tracked down a bottle of aspirin.

※※※

"Botanically Unhinged Gardening" was the title of a pair of zoom meetings on Saturday. Sharon explained a new-to-me idea of stacking planting pots vertically to get more space; basically plant something in the upper pot, and cut away the bottom of that pot placing it into a lower one that is also filled with soil and compost - lots more root space without taking up more square footage. Brilliant!

※※※

Started on the flooring for Caer Cardboard Art Gallery - gluing coffee stirrer sticks to a piece of black bristol board cut to the size of the floor. It isn't at all fast to do, but will look very good when finished. The larger wire cutters are just right for cutting bits to length. This project is doable handwork while zooming.

※※※

March SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	6 dozen cookies	grey pinafore	art exchange
2	lino block carved	pruned marjoram	many dead weeds
3	-	slipper soles	recycle bin
4	-	bicycle derailleur	yard waste bin
5	-	"a-y-a" replaced	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. aspirin - which can be swallowed without being tasted. I gave up after a day and a half and took one. It toned down the headache quite a lot.
2. Neighborhood has a new manga cafe, and a beautiful new pottery studio. I rode past them both yesterday.
3. the bundle of coffee stir sticks is finally being used

Time of Isolation - Day 1695

not entirely woeful Wednesday

in which our plucky heroine is less than pleased...

Today my bike broke. Made a horrible sound and wheels stopped. The rear derailleur body was broken into two pieces and part of it was jammed into the rear wheel!I managed to get it apart from the wheel, otherwise I'd have had to just leave the bike there abandoned by the side of the road, as the rear wheel would not turn at all until I disentangled the metal chunks and chain from the wheel spokes. Instead I walked it home, slowly, as the rear wheel is also damaged. I was about two miles from home when this happened. Now tis necessary to find someone with a truck (or a large van) to get it and myself to the bike mechanic.

※※※

~ paint it red ~

further progress on the spun cotton hearts... Two layers of alizarin crimson gouache, and a coat of matte Mod Podge has made a big difference.

The caption brought to mind the advice given by Neva Hansen, my 2D design professor back in the 70's : "If you can't make it good, make it big; if you can't make it big, make it red..."

※※※

I think it would be fun to make tiny books with button covers... and the artist has a blog with good tutorials. I myself prefer to read and see photos or drawings rather than watch video, but some folks prefer visa versa...

※※※

Made some yamitsuki to have with dinner (meatloaf) again, this time without any garlic. I'd like to try some slow roasted garlic next, as that would probably give the garlic flavor without the bite. Need to try roasting garlic in parchement paper instead of foil...

※※※

February SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	"wing it" vest	more broach handles	recycle bin
2	tiny valentines	black keyboard covers	-
3	heart ornament	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	-
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. flannel pillowcases are a small constant wintertime comfort 2. the strand of origami butterflies that Ursel sent as part of Advent Swap hang in the south window, and make me smile every time I see them when I draw open the curtains
3. I was able to find some Soothing Touch lip balm locally, and while it wasn't my favorite "vanilla rose" variety, it was, at least the "unscented" one. (better no scent than a dreadful one)

Time of Isolation - Day 1672

throwback Thursday and other random thoughts

in which our plucky heroine has a somewhat better day...

While I didn't make it to the art museum today for Free First Thursday, I did make it over to Guardian Games instead. We are going to be playing Wanderhome at some point in the foreseeable future, and I decided to treat myself to the actual book as an almost birthday gift. (My other almost birthday gift being DVDs of Bluey seasons 1, 2, and 3; apparently the entirely reasonable theme for the upcoming year involves escaping to alternate gentler and more kindly worlds. Can't imagine why...

※※※

~ Day 5 ~

Today's treats were a dozen of these unusual small dragonfly?? shaped beads...

※※※

Managed to get the whole length of the front yard adjacent to the sidewalk covered with two layers of cardboard, which I had been intending to do for ages now... The neighbor from the house of the naughty dog asked me what the cardboard was for. It helps kill the grass, without adding additional plastic to the area. I wish I had more pieces of big cardboard boxes! My plan is to line the front edge with the big SWP boxes, and plant flowers in them, interspersed with pretty (and edible) things.

※※※

~ putting away Spooky Season ~

Masu boxes are not just for the advent swap, but are everso useful when keeping tinyfolk decorations all together. I will be wrapping up each of the fragile glass pieces in tissue before storing them away for next year...

※※※

Ugh, and ouch. It doesn't take very much being out in the cold with my hands unprotected before the skin on my fingers starts to crack... and it takes days for the cracks to heal up again. I've used a combination of several layers of (liquid bandage) new-skin, covered with several layers of criss-crossed micropore tape, to make a little "cap" for my poor sorry index finger. And I will have to go back to wearing gloves when washing dishes or preparing food...

※※※

throwback Thursday:  Fifteen years ago I was in the middle of the Dark Days Challenge (eating foodstuff from, as I recall, a 100 mile radius from where you live) and rediscovered how much I enjoy egg drop soup for breakfast in the winter. Might need to get back to that nowadays! Ten years ago I was doing an experiment dyeing wool yarn with pokeberry vinegar, and got some beautiful results...

※※※

December SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	rainbow cowl tassels	more clothesline	recycle bin
2	-	cardboard down	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. Wanderhome was actually in stock, in a shop here in PDX, in a location I could get to fairly easily, and I had dosh on hand
2. there was a bunny in my front yard today!
3. Arlys sent over a large box of misc craft supplies (that she was using for miniatures); I will sort it to see what I can use (if anything), and will donate the rest to SCRAP or Goodwill.
4. Had a pleasant video chat with Stef last night in lieu of gaming, since Mischa was under the weather.

Time of Isolation - Day 1604

tragedy narrowly averted

in which our plucky heroine took quick action...

I've been processing all the pounds of quinces, putting the peeled chunks into the freezer and simmering cores and skins for "quince juice" for jelly. Which I was in the middle of finishing up tonight. Somehow, after filling and capping three jars, and putting them into the waterbath to be processed, I managed to overturn the remaining Very Hot (219°F/104°C) pan full of jelly onto my hand.

Fortunately I ignored the gooey mess pouring down the front of the stove and across the floor, and instead immediately stuck my hand under the cold water tap, and simply stood there running Very Cold water all across it. Probably for about fifteen minutes, as my hand became cold, then completely numb. So instead of what could have been a very bad scenario indeed, my hand looks only slightly sunburned.

I learned this trick as a young person when after I accidentally touched the tip of a hot soldering iron, and by instinct, immediately used cold running water and avoided a bad blister and was left with only some whitish patches on the very surface of my skin. The cold water needs to be running, as it most effectively draws the heat right out of the burned area

※※※

~ November sunset ~

sometimes I am in the right place at the right time...

※※※

Well that is a fun little treat, a Sidewalk Joy PDX miniature book template. I'm looking forward to putting it together (following the instructions here) to add to the Tansu Terrace book collection. Plus I found out that I can get color copies made at the UPS store for 65¢.

※※※

~ "tragedy narrowly averted" ~

I was there that night, with Charlotte and Bob (it was, as I recall, a four hour drive each way)

※※※

November SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Halloween cushions	repot spider plants	recycle bin
2	applesauce	harvest persimmons	yard waste bin
3	cat head graphic	moar pruning	recycle bin
4	6 jars to ferment	grape pruning	yard waste bin
5	lime curd	mailed advent boxes	recycle bin
6	quince jelly	long jane hems	x
7	x	renew worm bin	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. I managed to get my hand under running cold water fast enough to ameliorate almost all the injury of Very Hot quince jelly - my hand looks very slightly sunburnt is all, and doesn't hurt.
2. I've been enjoying listening to fragments of the 10/31/80 Radio City Music Hall Grateful Dead concert. I remember the whole trip there and back again that night. It was a different world...
3. miniature Sidewalk Joy PDX book

Time of Isolation - Day 1596

weekend whatnots

in which our plucky heroine tries to look on the bright side...

Time change scrambled my brain, as it always does. I woke up at o'dark-thirty, and just could not get back to sleep. And then I had one of those "my body is generating some wierd pain" in my right bicep?!? that was actually very scary, until it stopped. Crafternoon consensus is that it was likely an out of place cramp from my getting dehydrated and needing electrolytes.

OTOH, the last week had more in person porch visits than I have had in a long time, and the promise of seeing my beloved Mud Bay pals soon, when they pass through Portland

※※※

~ maybe a mite late, but still good... ~

I first saw Steeleye Span decades ago, in a performance space upstairs in the Galleria (in Harvard Square), and I have been a fan of theirs for even longer than that...

※※※

I've finally finished repotting all the spider plants. which had direly needed attention.They already look more alive!

※※※

~ XP-1 ~

By the time I heard that Girl Charlee was closing, and selling off their stock at even greater discount, pretty much all of the cotton lycra in any sort of acceptable color/pattern was gone. So I bought yardage at $2/yd in some of the least dreadful of the options. (In addition to the eye-watering stripes above, I have some red/black, and red/black/yellow stripes, and some pastel pink and blue flowers)

Why, you may be wondering did I do so?  Because it has long been my intention to add undies to my list of things I can make myself, as they are pricey all out of proportion of how much material (and time) they require. In order to get the fit right, I need to use something that is close enough to the eventual desired fabric, so thrifted cotton jersey sheets, which work fine for less shaped garments, would not do...

My first attempt (XP-1), taught me two important things. First, that I needed to put additional effort into fitting, because second, I was changing from the elastic waist and leg bands of the originals to making bands from the cotton lycra itself. This is a known technique, and neatly adds greater comfort, and is much more convenient as one can simply use the same fabric. And at $2/yd, I need not feel stressed about making up one toile after another until I get it right.

※※※

I deconstructed one of the Free Little Art Gallery postcards to use the printed fabric"A Merry Hallowe-en" vintage graphics to create some miniature decorative sofa cushions, as tinyfolk holiday decorations. I'd ridden out to St Johns in hope of getting there soon enough to snag one of the little miniature ceramic jack-o-lantern flower vases, but alas they were already gone.   I did find some dancing skeletons in the woods, and the aforementioned collage card, and left in exchange some of my tiny linocuts...

※※※

November SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Halloween cushions	repot spider plants	recycle bin
2	-	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
1. the $2/yd cotton lycra is great for making undie toiles
2. the only four tomatoes that grew on the plant in the sideyard have been gradually ripening on the windowsill. Tomorrow I will eat the one that is now red. In November.
3. printed and painted miniature vintage cat head Halloween decorations, one to share with my prize winner and one to keep. I like them so much I may need to print out some more just to send to other friends

Time of Isolation - Day 1574