From Tacoma, Washington

Here I am in Tacoma blogging from a strange hotel computer and hearing kids going slightly loud-crazy in the game room next door. I am also writing this or rather typing this on a Dell computer and not my ancient beloved Mac.

I am doing the Puget Sound Bead Festival here and since the show is pretty quiet ( sob! ) I am able to visit with friends and other vendors that I only get to see a few times a year. There is always a silver cloud to every storm.

I am still upset over Michael's last conversation with me but I am making myself a promise that I will try and take a look at his life and see if I can offer him any sage motherly advice on how things could be better. I know that financial troubles can just eat at your soul and muck up your life.

I wonder how amny germy, cruddy fingers have typed on this computer and what strange diseases you can get from grimed up keyboard surfaces? Hmmm... the mind does wander and wonder. Tomorrow I will be home and be able to post a picture or two. Until then, LOis

Oh No!

I can not believe it but my oldest son, Michael called me tonight from West Virgina to say that he thinks he needs to join the military to be able to have ends meet! I am beyond heartsick! What could he be thinking! The military now ... a nice healthy boy-man like him is a perfect candidate to send off to war! A war for what?! Oil! That war has not been worth one life we have spent there! What mother would rejoice at the thought of her child heading to war? Or be thinking of joining the military in a time of war?

Who said life would be easy? He and his girlfriend, three children between them are having a tough time. I honestly do not know anyone in my circle of friends and acquaintances that is not having a difficult time making ends meet and surviving this tough economy. ( Oh wait, I do have one friend who is not struggling but good for he/she. ) What do I say to him? How do I say it? I did not cry over his crib when he was born so sick to see him go off to a needless, lied to about war. God bless the soldiers there now and bring them home soon. Shame on Bush for getting us there and shame on all of us for allowing things to progress this far! I do not want to have this happen! What do I say to him? Yes, I know it is his life but I gave him that life and I can not bear to see him loose or waste it! What do I say and how do I feel from here?

In great angst tonight, Lois

People That I Adore

This is a photo of two people that began as my landlords and became friends. Coila owns the McCurdy building in town and I have an " office/artwork storage " space in her building. I have had this little funky space for probably 20 years?! Keith used to own the James & Hastings Building in town where my shops are located but he had this crazy idea to retire!! First to Costa Rica and then to Panama then to the island of Tobago where he lives in a marvelous home overlooking the water. He would like me to visit but he has big, I mean BIG spiders down there. I do NOT like spiders especially spiders in the same zip code as me! As much as I would like to visit Panama there are plenty of spiders here in my own backyard with out flying halfway down the globe. Just no Keith in the backyard. He has been an invaluable source of business advice for me over the many years I have known him.

We all had a great dinner at my place on Sunday night and Phil made a fabulous pot roast. Good old fashioned cooking! Keith brought ice cream for Jacob who is a bottomless freezer space designed to hold ice cream and Cila came with a special bottle of red wine.

What a great evening! Til next time, Lois

I love working with resins but I have got to say that I have come up with a lot of spectacular failures. The resin was too soft, didn't cure, turned yellow in the oven, whatever and I have beautiful pieces that can never be worn. Oh well, what doesn't discourage me - makes me create again and try over & over.This is a piece that DID work! Yippee! Until tomorrow - xxoo, Lois

Things that Are Pretty

I didn't do too much today; made a few earrings, had dinner with friends, talked a bit on the phone and of course, read the Sunday papers. Having a quiet day made me appreciate all the things about me that are pretty. The lavender in my yard, the soft gray of our cat Sally, the swallows flying outside the new bird house. Here is a found photo of pretty lavender. Lavender helps you sleep so good night all!

The weather outside my window this morning is the kind of day I just love - warm, gray, breezy with the threat of a shower! Wonderful! I think the sun is making an appearance later so that will make all the sun worshippers very happy. I am leaving you with this very brief post and a picture of the victorian building my shop is located in. It is the James and Hastings building built in 1889. We are the entire first floor. I love this building!
Have a terrific day!!!!! Lois

HAPPY JULY 4Th!!!

Here it is already the 4th of July. I love fireworks although I really only watch them from across Beaver Valley or on television. They can be beautiful and certainly I love the sparkles!

I may gripe and complain about our government but I still think the USA is a fine place to be and I remain amazed that the Declaration of Independence was written so long ago with such fortitude and forsight! Have a great time! G'night, Lois