Another wonderful post by one of my favorite bloggers.
There are times of the year and in certain locations that there is very little you can do to protect your flock of chickens other than sit on your deck with a shotgun. The other half of last year’s flock was killed today while in what we thought was a secure coop – closed in. Cement foundation, wired windows, new door. Once the carnage is cleaned up the forensics will begin, maybe. Having to deal with your hens being killed by something two years in a row is too much really. Makes you never want to raise a chicken again.
This week in weaving class I continued to work on my huck towels. I finished the requisite 33″ on the first draft discussed last week – not without an issue that was causing me no small amount of aggravation. Occasionally my shed would not open properly and I would miss threads on a pick. Ugh. The worst part was when I didn’t notice it until I had woven and inch more. Un- weaving is not something I enjoy I have to say. I want it perfect the first time.
I had a lot of trouble getting into the groove of things with the last pattern. I never really did and had difficulty seeing where I was in the draft as I wove. If I lost count or my place I couldn’t figure out where I was. This happens normally in the beginning of the project but not usually to the end. I was very happy to see that towel finished.
This pattern is huck squares and it’s very obvious where you are at any moment in the weave. Whew! The shed problem seemed to correct itself and I was really moving along with this one. I’m pleased with how even the weaving is and my edges look good so this is turning into a pretty exciting adventure. It’s not so complicated that I can’t get into my zen mode yet looks amazing when it’s woven. Just look at this structure, wow.
Once the tension is taken off of the weaving the towels will pucker – each in their own way. So it’s another project that amazes me while I’m weaving it and will thrill me once again when I take it off of the loom. What more can you ask of any craft?
There is a lot going on in the house at Fort Pelham Farm. We decided to turn the old bathroom into a pantry for now and the library will become a bedroom for my Dad who will be moving home in about 6 weeks. Yes, you guessed right, I will be in Rowe full-time starting in May. Not exactly the circumstances I had always envisioned but right now it is what it is.
This is the lovely bathroom that we used for years and years. It was time for it to go and boy was Bill excited about this project (not).
He pointed out that this is the glory part of home improvement – removing the toilet. Chester is making sure he is doing it properly.
Okay, I primed everything – don’t judge, we still have a ways to go.
Initial painting is done – the shelving I will be building this week. Another coat of paint still on tap but the project is moving along.
Did I tell you that I have dozens and dozens of jars of canned goods sitting on the floor in the living room right now with no home? Yeah, nice decor. That’s because they were stored in the library. All of that shelving had to come down to make room for Dad on the first floor.
Hello old friends – haven’t seen you in quite some time.
Before. These shelves were built in 1985 to replace the shelving that was there when we moved in. I’m assuming that was done because the room had lathe and plaster and it was what was the back of the bookshelves. Originally the shelves were on two walls in the room with a window seat under the north window. 
It took Mike and Bill all of about an hour to get this out of there. You will notice that Chester is always in the middle of things. I personally think he just likes having his picture taken.
Another work in progress. Mike will be repairing the walls and fixing the ceiling. The floor will have to wait, it’s too big a job for our time constraints.
I have to say that I’m not fond of renovation projects with a specific time deadline. Things are not done the way they should be, they are done in the quickest way possible. The pantry started out as a project for me. A temporary fix in a space that was not being used. The eventual plan with that room is for the walls to come down and have it be part of a more open kitchen – that’s down the road a bit. Kitchen remodeling is not for the faint of heart.
The other fact pushing this project along is we know spring will get here at some point and when it does we will not want to be spending any time indoors. While the weather is still wintry we can at least feel like we are getting something done.
What if our religion was each other
If our practice was our life
If prayer, our words.
What if the temple was the earth
If forests were our church
If holy water – the rivers, lakes, and oceans
What if meditation was our relationships
If the Teacher was life
If wisdom was self-knowledge
If love was the center of our being
~ Ganga White
Read this, it’s beautiful and timely.
March – In like a lion, out like a lamb. I take solace in the fact that it hasn’t reached the 15th of the month yet, there’s still time for the lamb part.
It was 7 degrees this morning with the wind whipping through the field creating snow devils everywhere. It looked way too cold to venture outdoors for anything. The feeders are very busy this morning. It was particularly fun to watch because it seemed to be quite the party. Many different birds all on the feeders at the same time.
We are working on a number of renovation projects in the house at the moment so this weather gives me reason to stay indoors and work on them. There is nothing worse than knowing you have to paint when the weather is beautiful outside. I will get it done before that happens.
Right now I think I will make myself another cup of coffee, think about the chores at hand and watch the party of birds on the feeders.
There are no words . . . yet there is so much to say.
Teacher, mentor, friend . . . to so many. We lost Paul Turnbull this afternoon at 2:00. He was surrounded by friends and family when he passed.
Paul fundamentally changed me as a person. He taught me to see, capture it and share with others. He showed me the importance of maintaining your friendships. He was a man who took wild risks at an age when most people are very settled. He saw exquisite beauty in common things and shared it with all of us. He gave of himself over and over again in many different ways. He was a crazy, quirky, loving man.
Photography is something I love sharing and there was no higher praise (or more worthy criticism) than what came from him. His vision was exquisite and his printing was magnificent. Recently he had begun sharing his images on Facebook much to the collective joy of those of us who knew him. His New England postcards were always something I looked forward to and aspired to.
I am going to miss seeing through his eyes.
I am going to miss him challenging me – in both photography and in life.
I am going to miss how much he loved us all.
Beautifully written post about life and life as a nurse in the ED.
As I sit and reflect on my life, I find myself humbled. Humbled by the business that takes place all around me, the real fight for life and struggle against death, the palpable emotions of situations I often find myself in, and the incredible strength of those whom I work alongside. It’s the stuff movies are made of and it is truly amazing to watch.
Working in an Emergency Department creates such an interesting outlook on life. One that knows and understands all to well the fragility of every single breath and the vital importance of embracing all aspects of living, even the scary ones. We are the truest definition of realism. Would I like to wrap my kids in bubble wrap and never let them out? Yes. Do I? No. Instead they can be found jumping on the bed, because let’s face it, it’s awesome. Riding their bikes outside…
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Fort Pelham Farm 