Lita and Dahti, pictured here, had some Henna so we decided to meet in my studio and tattoo each other. Or rather, I tattooed them and did not even give them a choice as to who would do the drawing on each of us! I loved doing it, all free hand and from my illustrated mind. What fun! I can hardly wait until we do it again!

All of this served to distract me from my neurologist appointment tomorrow and helped me not feel the stress I know is building because I HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR in SEATTLE! Gulp!






This is Lita with her new Henna tattoo. She was laughing so hard in the studio, that it was hard to catch her in a still moment.

Flowers from Sam, Sue and Lisa! sam picked them out and thought they would match my house. Nice and bright and they do match. I love flowers and think these are spectacular. Fuschia is such a rich, deep color.




Before our journey into Seattle began this bug in all its black and white splendor was found on a tire at a friend's local farm.It was quite large, slow moving and the head appeared top heavy with those big long antenna! I found out that it is an alder borer beetle
found on the west coast from California to Alaska. Funny, I have not really seen them before. Maybe they are noticeable because it has been so dry around here. Pretty though.


How did I miss Friday? I went to the gem show in Seattle ( awful selection - no vendors really ! ),walked around had a sweet lunch at Racha Thai and then headed for the ferry home. The boat was running 25 minutes late and by the time we were settled on it; I had to take a little snooze! I was just beat! Tonight, I am heading into the shop to actually work WITH THE PUBLIC for two hours. It will be my first time back in the shop dealing with customers, which I do love, for over 2 weeks! We'll see how it goes but I am kind of excited at the prospect.

My latest knitting project, one that has traveled with me to shows since it is such simple knitting. The colors in Noro worsted weight just sing in their exuberance! No one does color like Noro yarns!



Just when I think that Jacob is nearly grown up and is entering his challenging teenage years; he drags out all his Bionicle Legos and spends a couple of days building figures. Changing them around. Looking at them and creating stories for them. This makes me smile and give a sigh of relief that he is still my little boy. ( He would melt of embarrassment if he knew I was posting this. )

Don't these flowers, a gift from Mark & Marie & Rachael look beautiful against my kitchen counter? What a treat!



Ah, today was sweet! I almost felt 100% normal or rather whatever normal is for me! I had energy and my brain felt well, normal! Maybe I am coming back,conquering the fear and beginning the process of not remembering or thinking about " it ". The first medical bills arrived today and as expected, they were applied to my deductible. Now, to try not to feel anxiety over Tuesday's appointment.

Late summer reminds me of the hot romances I had when I was young and still in high school and college. How you would meet someone, share the summer and end it by the time school started in the fall. What better to go with a summer fling than a cool car? I saw this car on the way to Portland in the parking lot of the Denny's in Chehalis. The colors were so bright that they leapt from the surface of the car even on this misty day. I could ride in that car, baby!



Already it is Monday and August is half over. I think this is my least favorite month. No holidays, the weather is often hot and dry, dry, dry and town is taken over by visitors. I usually look for all the familiar signs that summer is ending and what the winter will bring. I make these great and often memorable predictions.A prediction that is still formulating in my head for winter 09.

I worked in my shop tonight after it was closed. Phil went with me as I am still hesitant to drive or be alone for too long. I worked for nearly two and a half hours and it felt great! My shop is my favorite place to be, a friend that is my constant if needy companion. I put new things out, made lists of what needs to be done, cleaned, tidied and just played. I have certainly missed being there! I am maybe more tired than usual and my leg aches but I am so glad I had the chance to be there!

I wanted to open this blog with something quiet and thoughtful. Something from my observations of daily life. Then I remembered this picture I took last Wednesday morning of the swallows gathering in the mist for their annual migration south for the winter. Such a pretty voice they made! It is a few weeks early Greg said. They have been gathering over the years on the power lines outside his barn and now they are fat, fluffed and ready for their long journey back.



Lita has come and gone and for the first time since my TIA ( what a sweet name for a stroke ); I am alone. I am not afraid anymore of walking although I am a bit unsteady and wobbly. I am rapidly getting tired of being at home, of feeling fragile of questioning every ache and pain and twinge that I have. I am appreciative I am still me. I do not want to change although I will be more careful in my diet and take the pills that the neurologist says I must. I think that I am fine and then I read in today's local paper of a woman just 45 who has died of a stroke! Oh my gosh! I feel lucky! To be here, to be loved by family and friends, to feel so blessed in doing what I love, to trust the people who work with and for me .... may I never forget this wonderful feeling!

A special treat are these glass " needlepoint " buttons from the Czech Republic. Very pretty and nicely detailed. Really you should visit Phil and friends at the PT bead show this weekend. The teeney but treasured bead market! Poor man has to run it without me!


Just because I do not feel quite like my usual self; does not mean that I could not go shopping for button for my yarn shop. The button man came to my house to present all his treasures and I managed to go over my budget but get great pieces! I am really in love with the giant african abalone shell buttons which Phil has at the PT bead show today. There are glass, vintage, wood, rhinestone, akoya and clam shell buttons! Yummy!