Work Rain

Where was all this rain when we needed it? Tuesday handed us a big freeze. I covered my celery, basil, eggplant and peppers but haven't peeked yet since it just isn't warming up. I should have just let them all go. What am I thinking when it won't be higher than 50's?

I worked Monday and Tuesday and now Bob wants me to work tomorrow too. So much for the carriage show. You know, I don't really care. It sorta' made up my mind for me. If I wasn't working I'd go. There is a whole thing going on with my friend. She's going, my other friend knew about it several weeks before but no one bothered to tell me until last Saturday. I am just a bit put out that I am always the last to know and last to be invited by these two who I thought were better friends than this. But whatever. I suppose I should be glad they let me know at all. I need to learn to let go of the nonsense. I have felt like a third wheel for many years, get over it.

My postmaster is freaking out all my paperbackswap.com recipients. He is sticking notes in the books stating the parcel had been inspected by USPS and these people are emailing me saying this has never happened before. LOL. My PM insists that I leave all book parcels open so he can be sure they are books (insert rolling eyes here). First off, the addresses are printed with a barcode from paperbackswap.com with its logo all over it etc. Why would I mail out anything but books from that site? Yah yah, I know, people try and get away with all kinds of stuff. I know. But that is like shooting my own job in the foot. But whatever. Let him feel important. I have another book to mail out today so I am sure I'll be hearing about it via PM.

Today the 4H is putting together a fall display in town. I painted the pumpkin with faces and am to bring the hay bales. My eldest took my hay hauler to work which doesn't make any sense. Why he doesn't ride with husband is beyond me. They leave at the same time, go to the same place, return home at the same time, why is this kid driving seperate? But whatever. I'll need someone to haul the bales in a truck since I absolutely refuse to put hay bales in my new car. That is what they expect me to do but I put my foot down on this one.

Update Again

Tomorrow I get my new to me car. I need it as yesterday I had a good scare with eldest son's car. Turned out it just blew the water pump hose but 60 miles from home is not a nice place for it to happen. Flashbacks of my old white car overheating and dying flashed through my brain and if I wreck this one I'll never hear the end of it. So time to go pick up the new to us one.

My mare foaled early and we have another filly. This stud of mine has produced 5 fillies and one colt so far. Filly is doing real well, is darker than her sister with a blazed face. No name yet. I had a dream with a name and darnit if I can remember what it was. I want to give her a good German name. Her mother is Heike, sister is Petra. Heike is named after my German penpal so I would like to keep the German thing going.

Saturday youngest son and I went to Oktoberfest. It is small but fun. We made papercuttings, paper stars, spaetzle and potato dumplings. We also got free gingerbread cookies with anything we wanted written on them so I had my penpals name put on and then took a picture of it for her, LOL.

eBay is not being good to me. No bids for the nibblefest now...yet. Some have 13 bids and it has only been going 2 days. Sheesh. It is to the point that if they get bid on at .99 I may as well just pull them. It is early yet I know but it is disappointing. Especially since my pony one was chosen as one to be voted on in People's Choice so someone likes them.

Also I have been contacted by a guild in southern WI. They want to carry my cow t-shirts. I told them I'd certainly consider it. I need to make an order and get them dyed to ship down.

New Wheels

My mom called to tell me she has a new car so I can come and get her's. I am excited to have a new to me car but it is also bittersweet as I love my old ones. I love older cars and now I am almost in the 2k series of them. The one I am driving, a 1991, is great. Looks like heck but runs good and "Bing" and I get along wonderfully. It is my eldest son's car (100 dollar bomber) but that is what I am used to. I'll cry when my two old ponies (cars) are hauled out of here to scrap. We have had a lot of good years and it is like saying goodbye to a dear friend.

But it will also be nice to have a car where I can just go w/o worry. I'll surly be spoiled with this one. Too bad it will be used and abused as a mail car. Wish I had a separate car for route.

I am debating on whether to get it next weekend as then I can swing by the Holistic Horse Fair in Brooklyn, WI. It is further south from where my folks live. I could spend a few hours there and then make the four hour drive home. Or maybe go see my sister if she'd have me. She lives in Madison which is I guess only like 15 miles north.

I can get some sticks then! She just had a big hatch of Indian Walking Sticks and usually I get a few from her but not in the past two years.

Eh, we'll see...

Trippy Focals

OMG, when I saw these I had to have them. Aren't they awesome? Can't wait to see them in person and then make me some necklaces. I am not much of a jewelry person but I will wear these, LOL.

They are like magical little worlds caught in glass.

4 Pints

I got up 4 pints of Wild Plum jam today. Whoop de do, I know but come winter I am surely going to enjoy it. Yummy! I would have taken a picture but it is too dark now.

Next are the apples.

We are having summer now. Go figure. Could use some rain though.

Wild Plum Jam...To Be

This is what six cups of Wild Plum looks like. Tomorrow? Jam! I need to sterilize jars etc. and it is getting too close to the men coming home which then creates a fiasco in the kitchen.

I went to the farmer's market but no lettuce or greens. I got a cherry pie from the Amish lady. They are the best pies I have ever had. I have had a lot of Amish and Mennonite pies but none compare to this woman's. Matter of fact most are quite a disappointment (surprised?) so finding this woman is a huge plus.

I also picked apples. I read somewhere one can make applesauce in a crockpot so that is what I am looking into and maybe will do tonight if it can be on that long.

Youngest drove himself to the lake to meet up with some friends. He is on the mend.

On a lark I added my chipmunk drawing to the "Rodent Show" on EBSQ which is a self representing artist site I joined this month. Probably won't win but eh, it is free and just fun to enter. Along with it we are to add a good description as to why we created what we created and I just added this...

Chipmunks seem to be some sort of totem animal for me. As a kid I was mortified when the neighborhood cat caught one and ate it.

In our first home my neighbors fed the birds by the 50# bag and the chipmunk population exploded and they destroyed our retaining wall and I had to shut the windows as their incessant "chip chip" drown out the television. If the patio door was open they would come in the house. Once after I took clothing off the line and got dressed to go to work I felt something moving in my pant leg and about died as I tore them off as fast as I could. Yup, a chipmunk!

Now we live in the northwoods in a farming community and chipmunks are a rare visitor. I recently heard one and now have caught glimpse of it running from the blackberry bushes to the pine trees. Because there is only one, or maybe two they are cute again.

So that is why I drew this little fellow hiding behind the leaves snacking on some little tidbit he came across.

We are allowed to enter up to 5 but I don't know if I will get that far. I have until the end of the month.

In the meantime I would like to work on stuff for October's Breast Cancer Awareness month. I should do something for colon cancer too since my Dad has it.