Back from camping and it was COLD up there!!! But perfect.

As you can see, the lake is way down…I don’t know how many feet but the banks are at least 15-20 feet exposed. You can see the tree line in the first picture (the one with Richie in the foreground) where the lake level should be.

I’m feeling renewed and excited about the things we are planning on doing to the house to get it ready to sell. Yes, the market is horrible right now…we are going to do all we can to make someone want to buy this place.

I’m thinking about my business plans for Iowa and a business plan. It has something to do with herbs, growing things and having a greenhouse.

Blessings!

Gett’n ready for the weekend

We are going camping to Carter’s Lake this weekend. It is supposed to be in the high 60’s and sunny during the day but cool at night, only low 50’s - 40’s! Mattie (my beloved dog) is coming too…because I am worried about black bears. Yes, there are up there…and come to think of it, the weather will be a little cooler up there as it is a higher altitude and a little north. This is the last weekend of camping for the park for this year and with the temps so low I am thinking that there won’t be that many people there. The water is very low because of the drought. There is still water but not easy to get to without going down the bank which is steep in some places. The spot we found that we liked (last weekend when we went to scout it out) is a walk in tent site. So far they still allow campfires!

A package was at the door when I got home this afternoon containing this clump of baubles. These are all the pieces of recycled jewelry I sent off the Quarry Books last winter for their up and coming book titled “1000 Jewelry Inspirations” by Sandra Salamony. It will be published in 2008! And I have all 7 pieces included in the book! Excitement….yay!!

Bib overall day

I’m home early today and working on the second scarf. The weather is cool, fall like and RAINY! Praise the Lord! haha

The past few days I’ve been recovering from a stomach bug of some sort. And finally now am getting an appetite back. This is the time for apple pies, Pumpkin bread and homemade pizzas all homemade of course!

I’m reading a couple of books right now. Having received an Amazon order recently I am a reading fool!!
In progress:

1. The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Alice B. Toklas/Gertrude Stein.
2. Oxygen and Aging by Majid Ali, M.D.
3. The Yoga of Discipline by Swami Chidvilasananda

The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas is a 1st edition printed in 1933 byHarcourt, Brace and Company, Inc. I looked it up on Google to see what the value might be. If it included the original dust jacket it would be worth up to $2000.00! It came without the jacket….but was bought at a used book store in northern Illinois for only $4.95! Without the jacket it is worth about $60.00.

Making things

The embroidery work on the chair cover is finished! I even stained and sealed the wood on the chair, keeping it original by not sanding.

I love this scarf! It is all recycled materials.Also after shrinking down 3 old woolen sweaters I cut them up into squares and circles and made this scarf! I have enough pieces to make 3 more of different colors.

For the fringe I used the ribbing from the sweater and jut cut it into strips.

Now I have a final batch of blueberry muffins in the oven. It is a great day for baking…nice and cool.

We have house guests until Tuesday.

Listening to Pearl Jam “Daughter”.

Cheers!

Do I hear thunder?

Yay! I don’t have to decide on mowing the lawn or doing something better! I hear thunder and we desperately need the rain. Oh a rainy day is such a welcome relief!

Today is the final day of my diet…results are a no-go! My energy level was way too low. My appetite was lessened though…I never felt hungry after the 3rd day. But it make little or no difference on my allergies. Still sneezing, itchy eyes and congestion. However I am committed to continue with the vegan way of eating…with limited amounts of gluten and natural sugars.

I am listening to a podcast of a reading of Leo Tolstoy.

Here is a great website for podcasts.

A pot of tea, bring up some art supplies and continue this day.

Cheers,
Allgood.

Goethe

The one book I have that I have read and reread is “Conversations of Goethe” with Johann Peter Eckermann. It is in this book that I find so many wonderful words of inspiration, hope, creativity, lessons and increased learning. This quote, “All talent is wasted if the subject is unsuitable. It is because modern artists have no worthy subjects, that people are so hampered in all the art of Modern times.” has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing art. This particular quote had been previously underlined by me months ago. It never REALLY dawned on me that subject matter was so important to art. My thoughts were that craft, skill and technique were more important. Now I can expand my views and spend more concern over the subject matter of a painting. Usually I have just let ideas come to me.

I can do both…

Off to work for just a little bit and then home to mow the lawn or…..something more fun? I’m afraid something more fun will win out…haha…beadwork or painting!

This has been such a long Hot and Dry summer and not much fun. Sorry to be a downer..that is how it has been.

I love doing experiments…Rich will be gone for a few days so I’m trying something different with my diet. For the most part I am vegan, about 90% I’d say. But I can’t get rid of my sinus congestion! It is a case of constant sinitus. For years I’ve been to numerous DR.s only to be given antibiotics which don’t work. So I have been experimenting with diet. Food allergies, sensitivities etc…Dairy is a real culprit for me as far as mucus formation…(yes, gross!). Meat doesn’t settle well and plus I have developed an aversion to eating a dead carcass! I don’t eat lots of flour/gluten as it is so that will be the next item I am going to eliminate to see if it helps. Because along with the sinus troubles comes fatigue and brain fog….

OK, enough of that shit…

Creativity always uplifts me and I haven’t made time to create anything. Either too tired, no motivation, or too much computer or TV. So while Rich is gone I will go TV less and limit time spent on the computer. Music, that is Loud music will be my muse. So this is my 7 day experiment. Along with exercise…because my fifties are going to be my fitness fifties!!!

Work is calling and I have to get going…been listening to Ray LaMontagne.

Cheers and allgood.