Two Rules

Number One:

When visiting the patriarchal uncle in lets say some place warm like the edge of the everglades in southern Florida,

Listen Intently.

His stories are the roots of a family he loves.

Watch his eyes light up when he speaks of his beloved wife now passed.

Or when he recounts the memories of a career he was so proud of. 

Listen some more.

Ask questions. Let him speak.

It will do all of us a world of good.

He is one of the last to know so much of the family lore.

Number Two:

Do not stop your car on the side of the road to get these kind of photos.

A guard rail is not much of a barrier.

Yes, Follow the Rules.

~Joan

How to Escape the Bitter Cold

Go here,

and find an umbrella drink.

Cheers!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

One repeat of Beekman Tavern

Crazy Zauberbal held double with Cascade sock yarn. It's making up a nice thick men's work sock.

***
Sharing with WIP Wednesday

Having cleared my calendar for the week because of a Jury Duty Summons, and not as yet had my number called to report, I have been spending these cold, cold days city side with a few favorite endeavors.

The start of a new knitting project,

the finishing of at least one of the WIPs,

Crazy Zauberball

a pot of tea and my favorite mug,

and a new read (thanks Sara for the suggestion!) that has me dreaming, wanting, planning and plotting to get a few fiber animals.

I have the land, the barns, the blog mentors, bits and pieces of stored knowledge from reading and workshops and sheep farm visits,
 the desire....

It's just the work days in the city thing getting in the way.

Drats.

 Double Drats.

I will figure it out.

I must.

A favorite line from Barbara Parry's Adventures in Yarn Farming- Four Seasons on a New England Fiber Farm:

At heart I have a passion for taking an awfully long and complicated way around most things, drawn by the curiosity of blind journeys, the intensity of challenge, and a desire to see things come full circle.

That would be me.

 ***

Happily sharing with Ginny's Yarn Along

WInter Farm Fun

Not a lot of snow, but oh so icy perfect for sledding.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank goodness for a stash of knitted hats and mittens.

 

With a personalized chair lift back to the top.

 

The Great-Grands got in on the fun too each in their own way.
Ma enjoying a favorite morning beverage,

While her Ray opted for more active approach.

 

 

Stay warm my friends,

~Joan

 

 

 

 



Still Here, Sort of

In ten days time I will have experienced the funeral of a friend's father, a son's surprise engagement, scary error messages and warnings from blogger, holiday parties and gatherings with friends new and old, unplanned work obligations, a massive nasty respiratory thingy, a Wedding, a Christening and a stuttering camera shutter leaving me with just a few questionable photos to document it all.

Oh, and Christmas happened somewhere in the middle of all of that too.
{No new babies (as far as I know!) to complete the spectrum.}
Whew.

Happiness, tears, hugs, fears, joy, pain, love, bewilderment, contentment, questions, appreciation, smiles, laughter and always thankfulness.

 The range of life's emotions not necessarily corresponding to the appropriate life offering which is what makes for interesting times and perhaps fun stories to tell later on.

As for today, I will try to catch up and ignore the scary error warnings until blogger ignores me and concentrate on figuring out a way to fix my camera and pictures.
The rest, I believe, will figure out a way to fix me!

 

My all grown up boys and their ladies.

 

 Take Care,
Joan

 



Service to others is what the season is all about.

I need not look too far to find a good example on how to live one's life for the betterment others.

 

A lady who knows how to live life to the fullest retired today (many years after the age norm) from the parochial school where she had worked for some time.

 The very same school that two of her children, eight of her grandchildren and one great-grandchild had attended.

{That alone is pretty special}

She was the schools honorary grandmother to all and prolific story teller to keep everyone entertained.

The entire school and parish community truly love her.

She was honored with  blessings from the Friars,

 the St. Francis of Assisi medal for Service from the Providence

 

kind words from her colleagues

and lots of hugs from the children.

 

 

My mother deserved it all.

Knowing her zest for anything fun, it's going to be quite interesting to see what comes next!