GOOD THINGS

THE LIST:
1. Sweetie.
2. My Mercedes.
3. Sweetie fixing the transmission on my Mercedes.
4. Air conditioners.
5. Mimosa trees in bloom.
6. Being able to smell again.
7. Phone calls from little brother.
8. Emails from big brother.
9. The internet.
10. Free Blogger.
11. Digital cameras.
12. Losing weight.
13. Not drinking.
14. Bunnies that are well.
15. Angora and silk.
16. Riding lawn mowers.
17. Spinning.
18. Knitting.
19. Pharmaceuticals.
20. Friends.

ONE HORSE TOWN

That's what Lovely Laconia is and here is the picture that proves it. The hitching post is brand new. Must be the gas prices (2.89 regular, 2.98 premium) - no word on how many miles the horse gets to the bale. In the background is the Laconia General Store and the 4-way stop sign.

HEAVENS TO MURGATROYD, EVEN.

Little Murgatroyd got her first haircut last week; beautiful tawny wool with a great crimp. She was such an adorable fuzzball that I hated to clip her but it was hot and she was very fuzzballish. And because of her fuzzballishness, I was Shocked! Shocked, I say! at the extent of her mother's appetite. She's missing the toes and a bit more on her left front leg but she's missing her ENTIRE RIGHT PAW and then some! Her two front appendages sort of splay to the sides, especially on a smooth surface. The little baby looks rather like a seal, front part on the ground, butt sticking up, scoonching along but also with her front legs paddling back and forth ineffectually. Or maybe a water skimmer is a better description. Definitely not bunny-like. On grass or carpet, she still looks odd but hops all over the place - awkwardly and not real fast - but she is motivating over the hill. What is so endearing about all this is the fact that she has no clue. She is so unbelievably sweet natured and curious about everything and scared by nothing.

Last night, I decided that Murgatroyd will be a House Bunny from here on out. I've even been thinking about making her a little peg leg, if only to even her out since one leg is an inch shorter than the other. I obviously have too much time on my hands.

I found this link today for Deutchland Cats Uber Alles. Be warned that there are a lot of pictures and will take a while to load.

RANDY BOB STOPS BY

Today's blog is brought to you by the Laconia General Store in beautiful downtown Laconia. Russell Grubb says that if you have a hankering for a tasty summer treat then come on over to the snack bar. This week's special is Mayonnaise on Wonderbread and Pork &Bean Milk Shakes. Mmm, Mmm, Good!

Fuzzarelly had a visitor!

It was last weekend and it was Randy Bob. How can I describe Randy? When I met him, he was a newly divorced, bankrupt architect that rode a vintage Harley. He ended up selling the Harley and pretty much everything else that he owned and thus became a free spirit that lived in the old concession stand at the ball diamond behind the old school. He kept that place neater than a pin. Now, several years later, he's divorced again but with two little girls to show for his effort and a job as a truck driver. He even lives in a house.

Randy Bob had spent the evening tossing back a few cold beverages with our friend and neighbor, T, and as he was leaving he saw me on the porch knitting or some such. After a few pleasantries, he up and asked if I would leave Sweetie and run away with him.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. It ain't gonna happen."
"Well, I thought I'd ask."
And he shook my hand and drove home.

I saw him a couple of days ago and he asked me, "Did I ask you to marry me last week?"
"No, you asked me if I'd leave Sweetie and run away with you."
"Oh. (pause) I'm so sorry."
"Well, it never hurts to ask, now does it? Sweetie thought it was funny."
"You told him?? I mean, I'll take him on in a fist-fight but I don't want him hunting me down. He's not gonna shoot me, is he? "
"Most likely not."

"It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or the fourteenth."
  - George Burns

Don't worry - I am still sailing on Loch Nondrinkyness!

The fiesta yarn turned out SO COOL! I plyed it with a fine spun yellow/gold angora single which was a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. Here, look for yourself.

I have been dyeing up a storm. During the Great Studio Clean Up, I emptied two large plastic bins and I promptly filled one with all my angora seconds, i.e., wool less than two and a half inches long, matts, leg and belly wool, and dirty bits. When life gives you a plastic bin full of seconds, make first quality spinning fiber! I mean, that's what the fiesta yarn is. Why don't I use my prime stuff? I don't have any left, that's why. Traded all I had plus the next shearing to Jean for bunny cages . Won't have any prime for my own use until fall. I have always said, though, give me limitations and I'll do my best work.

I found out that there is such a thing as doggie dementia. (Thanks, Nancy.) There are four indications and Bonnie has every one. Change of character, inappropriate pooping, disorientation, and changed sleep habits. Sigh. There is no cure but I did get her some new food for senior dogs which is full of all the things she needs. Probably too little, too late.

I can't help but think what is in store for her. And us. She is already not the girl of six months ago. She is so affection hungry now, always wanting her muzzle and ears rubbed. Nuthin' says lovin' like a good muzzle rubbin'. Bonnie was always above that sort of behavior, being more of the "Don't touch me" sort. This has all happened so quickly and I have to wonder if the rest of the journey will go as fast.

Let me leave you with this thought: Approximately 1/10 of your life is spent in February. Make it count!

And also, here is a shot of Percival helping me spin.

Watermelon Grass

In spite of the 9000 degree heat, I mowed the lawn today. In spite of my allergies, I love the smell of cut grass (and in our case, also cut weeds.) It reminds me of the taste of watermelon rind. You know, when you are so intent on getting every last bit of red juicy and you get a bit of green juicy, too.

Made progress on the Studio of Shame and found the sewing machine! Hosannah! On which I hemmed a polar fleece blankie the Sweetie picked up over the winter. Sure, honey, I'll get that hemmed right away. I wonder if he's forgotten about it? I removed two bags of garbage and have several bags for Goodwill and vacuumed a year's worth of dog hair and dust. Still quite the mess, though.

AND I spun a Louet bobbin's worth of yarn. When I was selling my angora blends on eBay, I saved the leavings from the drumcarder. I found lots of little bags of dyed angora in a dozen or more colors and spun them in random order. I plan to ply it with black, maybe light blue sewing thread. Or yellow/gold. Festive!

Bunnies are all holding up in the heat so far. The babies are weaned and in their own cage now - I think Kelly Bob is glad to be shed of them.

LAMBS AND (INSERT SOMETHING CLEVER HERE)

From “Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene” by Thomas Sowell:
  “The beauty of doing nothing is that you can do it perfectly. Only, when you do something, is it almost impossible to do it without mistakes. Therefore people who are contributing nothing to society except their constant criticisms, can feel both intellectually and morally superior.” Discuss…

A hot day here in the Ohio Valley! Time for a road trip! Lynne and I attended the Barefoot Spinners meeting near Stamping Ground, Kentucky. The only picture I took was of the notorious Maryland Lambs, shown here with Kathy. One is a Harlequin, the other is a Finn and they are named Ellie May and Jethro.

I am tired. Was up until midnight working on Fuzzarelly's Fibers. I'm going to a little fiber gig on July 15 and need to get some product together.

And lastly, in order to get my ass in gear, I'm posting a picture of the Studio of Shame. My bricks and mortar store closed almost one year ago and IT IS TIME to get it behind me. I have made some progress but now I really believe that I have enough emotional distance to either give away, sell or throw away the detritus. Stay tuned for progress reports.