She may pull through . . .

Yes! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't worry, the train has already run over me, or at least that's how I felt. Today brought somewhat of a return to normalcy, though I thought the first day back at work this week would never end. But I got through it, and now the shining light is the whole next week of bona-fide vacation!
No, not a go-somplace or do-something vacation. Just some time off work to do nothing in particular except whatever I might feel like doing, plus spend some time with my sweetie, maybe take in a movie. Plus he mentioned the other day (and I've felt the stirrings for about a week) that he thought the Polish genes were kicking in. Yes, they do every year about this time. It's pierogi season!
I refer to the Polish traditional Wigilia, the family-based Christmas Eve observance. It remains one of my dearest childhood memories. When all the aunts and uncles and cousins gathered for the evening meal, it was quite a crowd. All the aunts would prepare their part of the feast in advance -- one would bring the soup, another the fish, and so on -- and we'd come around the table and share the bread wafer sent from family ties in Poland.
Now my mom wasn't Polish, but she married into the tradition. And the "official" family pierogi-maker, Aunt Isabel, lived in Pennsylvania, three states away. Needless to say, Mom got pierogi lessons over a summer visit and proved a roaring success. Anyone who has made pierogi knows the work involved, so of course anyone who would make pierogi for that mob was bound to be popular. Curiously, none of the other aunts ever volunteered to make them, always protesting theirs weren't as good as hers (They were right!). So year after year, the pierogi would be made in our kitchen on Christmas Eve Day. I remember Dad and Mom working together all day on them, and the smells of onions frying in butter to slather on them as they were layered in the big roasting pans to be carried to the feast. As I grew older, I felt very important to become part of the process, and Dad readily surrendered his apron, but still hung out in the kitchen to make sure I was doing it right.
As years passed, the family expanded and the tradition went where so many of them do. We sort of kept the observance in our own immediate family units, and we'd send a pan of pierogi over to Aunt Nellie's and she'd send us soup and fish, and so on. But the cousins married and got involved in their new families. Many of us drifted miles and states away. I've never thought of myself as one who grieves over sentiments or memories of bygone days. They are just that -- gone -- not forgotten, but savored, not mourned. Times and circumstances change.
But let me indulge in a bit of seasonal nostalgia. Time to go make a shopping list. Let's see. . . potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, butter, onions, flour. . .
I wasn't sure where this posting would end up when I started out. I didn't expect this!

. . . and on and on and on and. . . .

Aw, yuck. I'd elaborate, but it'd just be a pity party. I am a pathetic case.
I'm tired of this.

Didn't go to work today. No desire to spread the germs they have obviously shared with me.
'Nuff said there.

Upside: some knitting has been accomplished. Not a lot -- I keep falling asleep in the middle of a row -- let's hear it for dextromethorphan. (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, but hey, I'm sick.)
and I'm about to megadose on Nyquil and hit the sack. DH couldn't find the Original Green stuff; this one's Cherry flavor. Sure tastes red! Looks like True Blood. Mmmmmwahahaha. . .

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

At midnight I felt fine. Kissed DH goodnite and sat up a while to peruse stuff online. By 1 a.m. I knew I something was wrong. Scratchy throat, coughing, yuck!! My voice was squeeeky. Crawled into bed and coughed the night away. I can manage a squeak or a husky croak, but talking in normal tones is pretty much out of the question. Megadoses of hot coffee helped some. Now I am switched over to tea and sucking on horehound drops. My head is not congested. My throat is sore from coughing. My upper chest aches when I breathe and hurts like hell when I cough. I feel mostly okay, but not like doing much of anything in terms of decorating the tree or anything fibery. Just sitting is pretty much it.
I had decided to head to Richmond for the bead show today, but canned that idea when I woke up. There were a few things I needed; shopping online may prevail. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel more energetic. Being able to talk would be good, too.
More tea! More horehound!
Dad used to give me equal parts of lemon juice, honey, and whiskey when I was a kid. He called it tea, but I don't think Mr. Lipton ever came near it. It was hot and good and I slept like a log. Mom claimed it was the Vicks Vap-O-Rub, but I don't know. . . .

It's the Economy, Stupid!

Or -- creativity, cash & self-esteem.

Another craft show is over. I knew it would not be good. It was better than I thought it might be in terms of sales. It was what sold that depresses me. No, it was what DIDN't sell.

Twice a year I participate in the Colonial Williamsburg Employees Arts & Crafts Show. I spend way too much time working on jewelry and accessories for the event. (We're talking months here -- actually most of my free time all year is devoted to the shows.) This year was no exception.
Given the state of the economy and the fact that my employer is in the throes of blood-letting that seem to have no end in sight, I approached the show with a cautious attitude. I tried to have a good supply of small items (under $20) to attract sales. Pins, collage necklaces, copper shawl pins, small purses. Nice things, but not the creative challenge I enjoy when making a unique piece of jewelry or the sense of accomplishment as I take a completed shawl off the loom.

Yes, I did sell a shawl -- my major single sale of the weekend -- and one "nice" necklace. A bracelet and a large pin went, too. The rest was the small stuff, including the cookies made by the house elf. I have to admit, we didn't make much on the cookies; most of the profits were passed out to friends or (gasp!) eaten by locals. Chocolate is a wonderful thing.

Now I suppose I should be happy that I've little stock to replace before the next show. In a way I am, but there's a tiny little voice inside suggesting that I need to make more; perhaps the jewelry I have wasn't good enough -- it didn't sell -- or perhaps not trendy enough, the wrong color, size, who knows???
Common sense tells me otherwise. I'm not the only one who had a less-than-stellar show. Though there was a fair amount of floor traffic, the lookers far surpassed the buyers. I've done the C.W. Employee shows for (about 10) years, and I'm proud to say I've developed a positive reputation with repeat business and referrals. Yet there were not many familiar faces there this time. I also have to consider that some of my colleagues no longer have jobs, much less the money to spend on other than necessities. Indeed, there is anxiety on my part that others of us are moving toward the same fate.

What remains to be seen is how I will respond. Right now I'm in a grungy funk. Depressed. Insecure. Additionally I'm in the creative slump that always (for me) comes after the weeks of preparation and the show itself. I don't want to see another bead or fiber. For at least three more days: there's a bead show in Richmond this weekend! Never mind I don't have any money to spend on beads. I probably won't go, but I am feeling the need to make something. Let's hear it for stash!

So yes, the muse is still there. The self-esteem is badly bruised, but has to admit that it tripped and fell over its own two feet, not someone else's. Depression -- this, too, shall pass.
These are hard times for all of us.

It's the economy, stupid!
41 days.

The Grand Canyon of the South. . .

We rode into Breaks Interstate Park where we had a room with a view! This is part of the panorama visible from our balcony.

The event we attended was another motorcycle-related affair, this one sponsored by a group of BMW R1200C Chromeheads. Emphasis was on the scenery (d'ya think??) and good riding. As first-timers at this particular rally, we met new friends and recognized a few faces from other events we've been to over the years.

I find myself once again taken by the incredible scenery. Here's the same view as above taken the next morning:

Now how can you not appreciate that?? A camera can only capture a bit of the moment, and my photos are an attempt to do that. Though far from professional, I think I don't do too badly. The moment is captured for me, and if sharing encourages just one person to look around and really see the true beauty of this earth, then I am happy. OK, enough of that rant.

Bunnies aside, we met this little fellow on the way to dinner, waiting patiently at the lodge dining room door:

Hmmmm. . . are those nose- and paw-prints and drooly smears on the glass? I think he might have been here before, huh?
And bold as brass. He let me get down right on his level and snap several pix: guess he thought he'd be compensated for his efforts. It didn't work. Later we heard that he was indeed a frequent visitor here and had a cache under the stairs. He takes food offered, runs down the stairs, stashes it and comes back for more. When no more treats are forthcoming he retreats to his treasures and stuffs himself. A clever creature. Cute, too.
The next night we were late getting in, and I decided to sit out on our balcony and watch the moon rise. Oh, my! How incredible.
Suddenly there was motion, rustling and foot-pattering. Startling, but obviously nothing large enough to pose an actual threat. I was highly amused to see a young racoon trundling along the balcony railing. Could have been the one in the picture, or a friend. He came up to where I was sitting, looked at me, turned around and headed back the way he had come. Do you think the scent of chocolate is attractive to raccoons, too?

Where Ya Been???

Whew! This Blogging stuff is hard work!

Seriously, my ADD self knew that when I started this blog, it'd be a challenge to keep up with on any kind of regular basis. I was right!

So many things to tell!

Actually I can't possibly remember them all, so it'll be hit and miss -- mostly miss, I"m afraid -- to catch up.

First, apologies to those who may have been following this blog. Many of you know me and that I am easily distracted, highly disorganized, try to do more things that I ought, take an awfully long time to do them, and . . . oh, well. I'm a bit of a lazy bitch at times, too. Oh, look! A bunny!

And so -- New Mexico was a memorable experience, hopefully to be revisited in the not-too-distant future. We'd like very much to retire there someday. Soon!

Where did the summer go? We got back from New Mexico, took a breather for a couple of weeks, then headed out on the bikes for another vacation. First to Buena Vista, VA for A Laid Back Affair, an annual gathering held by the NNMC. It's always a fun weekend, and this year with "Margaritaville" as its theme was no exception. Nice mountain riding, too!

We laid over for an extra day after the weekend, mostly to sober up and find/pack our stuff. Then off again to Cumberland Gap, TN to visit friends. Wonderful country there, and wonderful people too. The wildlife was a bit peculiar, though. Wild turkeys in particular.You'll have to turn sideways to view this properly (technically challenged tonite) and be sure your sound is turned on:

As I said, peculiar. We had a fabulous time, saw incredible mountain scenery, went to a yarn shop in Knoxville, ate yummy food and just had a fun time! Thanks, you two!

Time went by too quickly, and we were on the road again, this time to Breaks Interstate Park. Known as "The Grand Canyon of the South," this out-of-the-way little jewel sits on the VA/KY border. Did I say middle of nowhere?

Breaks will have to wait for another time, as it's getting very late and I have to (shudder!) work tomorrow.

And I now have an etsy shop! Ratbiker's Emporium at www.ratbiker.etsy.com

Have a look!

my new friend . . .

adopt your own virtual pet!