This photo is of my friend and partner in Tucson adventures, Janet as she is outstanding in her field! Wish we lived closer but we will see each other at B&B in June for more on the road adventures.
On this sort of sunny day here in PT as I am preparing to head into the shop; I am thinking of how grateful I am for the little bird that sings outside my bedroom window every morning. I leave the window open at night to catch the evening breeze and there he or she is singing her heart out as early as 4 am. Even if it wakes me up briefly, I can still let him lull me to sleep. Spring is here even if snow is forecast in the rain showers for Sunday!

This handsome man ( ! ) on the left in the backwards ball cap is my son who will be 27 years old in 15 minutes, west coast time, which is where he was born so he is still 26 in this time zone. Honestly, gadzooks, how did he get to be 27!? It was yesterday that he was toddling down the hallway and telling me stories of his adventures on the beach. He ate hotdogs and sauerkraut with his dad every Saturday, loved to fish, walked hours with me on the beach, liked to comb my hair and pile jewelry on me, and other wonderful moments in his childhood. I also remember my great sadness and prayerful days as I waited to find out if he would even live after he was born. It was nearly 18 months later that I knew he would grow to adulthood. I spent so much time alone with him that in my journal I wrote that at 4 years old; he was my best friend. It has been such a pleasure, honor and challenge and journey that has not yet ended in being his mother. My most precious child, as I gush this all out for the world to see; I love you more each breath I take. May God bless you with a long and healthy life. Here's to all our children, may we grow with them and love them more every day.

This is me on the happy spring day that has finally shown up in Port Townsend! I am dancing and radiating from the sun! I managed to work part of the day in the shop and then I just HAD to go home to sit outside on the purple bench on the front porch and just enjoy the afternoon. Ah... the air was warm and there was sun!!! I tell you sun! And even for this die hard true pacific northwest soul; it felt great! Tonight I can hear the frogs outside singing their songs of love and longing and joy. Maybe boy frogs looking for girl frogs. The rites of spring, you know. Tomorrow, if I am lucky, a studio day! Happy spring to all and may you just stop, breathe deeply of the moment and enjoy!

Okay, so now I think I have a basic grasp of the photo booth function on my new lap top. What else do you do at 1:22 in the morning when you are not sleeping like you should be? I have so much I want to accomplish that sometimes it seems as if sleep gets in the way! I even talked to Andrea in Hawaii tonight through FB on this machine that is like a siren's call; keeping me up so late at night!

Finally a touch of spring arrived in Port Townsend today and I propped open the front door of the building to get at all the fresh air. The closed in-ness of winter was banished from even the darkest corners of this grand old place. The daffodils are blooming in the planter boxes and graveled tree wells. The mood of everyone I met or spoke to today seems lighter, happier, friendlier. We needed the sunshine here in PT. REALLY needed it and at last I can breathe a sigh of spring and rejoice.

Auction Time in PT

This necklace handcrafted by me, of course, is one that I donated to the Port Townsend Mainstreet Program for their on line auction. The auction will be raising funds to assist in the preservation of Mainstrreets in America and in specific Port Townsend's Mainstreet program which has had its budget virtually eliminated by the state. We need to protect our historical and victorian buildings and the way of life in small town, downtown America where giant corporate retailers have all but eliminated mom and pop stores and the places artists and craftspeople can market their work. If you can, make a bid! I won't disappoint you with this necklace and if you are the bid winner; I will throw in matching earrings and my sincerest gratitude. xo, Lois

The address is: ptmainstreet.org Click on Main Street Auction to place a bid.

Look! We bought matching shoes at REI. Aren't they great looking? They're comfy and were on sale! Now I just need to find some time to walk again. Where to fit it in in my overly busy days?!