I'm with you! No mice in the bed! I was pulled over for speeding one time because I had a mouse in the truck with me. I know where it came from. I had tossed a tarp into the backseat without unfolding it after I pulled it from the barn, so it was my own fault. He was a tiny thing, too -- a cotton mouse. The officer kindly said he would help me find it and within 10 minutes I was pulled into a driveway, surrounded by patrol cars with 5 officers and flashlights, all 4 of my truck doors open and all the stuff that lives in my truck pulled out on the pavement. No doubt passersby thought it was a major drug bust. The officer DID actually SEE the mouse, so I didn't get a speeding ticket. I saw it twice more over the next 2 days before it finally let itself out the driver's side front window. All's well that ends well!
This is the best story! Every time I read it, it makes me smile--including the delight that you didn't get in an accident when you saw the mouse, but rather ended up with new police officer friends, even though it took two days for the mouse to exit...
Oh, Sarah, I do have a mouse phobia and although I too have had to deal with them in my life, it is getting worse in old age. I probably would have died! You poor thing! Glad you are safely home with fiber!
My aversion seems to get stronger as I get older too. Usually I assume it is because Dan took care of the odd mouse who found ki's way into the house for 33 years so I could fully give in to my squeamishness. But alas, no more--at least at home. At other people's houses I am happy to let them cope! Which Alan, happily did.
Oh yeah, I hear you. Great piece. Big fibre twizzling hugs from someone also desperate not to be travelling any more this week, but apparently I have to go to my own book launch.
And fiber hugs back to you--hoping the book launch is/ was filled with kindred and enthusiastic souls, and filled with delight at news of your writing, thinking, rock grinding and fiber twizzling idea-rich, new book August.
Well, sooner you than me! But I'm glad it all smoothed over and you got to cordage.
I agree, there's pressure to "travel" and I,
back when I had to, for work, found it disturbing, couldn't wait to get back, couldn't settle to make when I had a bit of spare time. And life without making is, well, it's not life!
My travel these days is in my head, wonderful forays into ideas and making. I get to let ideas mull and mill about and bump each other. I wish that for everyone who needs it!
Travel in your head -- yes indeed! So many places we can go (frog ponds and beyond). I love that you knew this even when you had to travel for work. I'm relishing your words too: "let ideas mull and mill about and bump into each other." Perfectly put.
No matter how wonderful the trip, it's always good to be home. Having Beryl with you, a loyal and wonderfully adaptable companion, must make traveling more enjoyable.
Boy, I sure understand wanting to stay home! We moved to the Kalispell area of Montana 2 years ago and now with a big garden and 2 grandkids here, there's no reason to ever travel away. If you get an itch to drive somewhere we have a cool daylight basement with guest accommodations. Not fancy but you'll have linen sheets and no mice 🙂. I haven't been in touch but you have often been fondly on my mind. ❤️
Gosh, how wonderful that you're in Kalispell! Your instagram is beautifully rich with your clearly amazing garden and those glorious grandchildren (the knitted garments are inspiring for this new granny). Who would move an inch? I think of you too, and am so happy to think of you like this --making yarn and veggies and all. Home body that I am, it is tempting to check out your daylight basement -- it's not THAT far....
The garden is more this year but I haven't posted anything. I learned a lot last year which was my first year gardening. So fun to learn new things! I have actually been picking celery! This morning Janet Szabo came for coffee and we did some tomato and cucumber tasting. You would be more than welcome for a visit. 😍
I was fortunate to move into Janet's area and it has been great getting to know her. She's doing well. Teaching serger sewing classes along with quilting and gardening and.....
Love to travel and love to be back home. My own Dan is out of state for a few weeks, so I’m remembering what it’s like to set my own schedule before the fall blitz comes back around. We’ve been having a wet summer in Colorado as well - it is abnormally green.
When talk abounds about trips - trips taken and trips planned and trips dreamed of - I sit mutely in the crowd and wonder how to explain I’m quite happy to stay home. Thanks for the validation!
Exactly! I have a dear friend who sometimes forgets that I greatly enjoy not traveling and she'll invite me to go here or there with her. My response is generally, "have we met?", said with sweet sarcasm. She laughs, I laugh. She goes, I don't. :-D
HA! I'm with you both, though alas I'm rotten at sitting silent so end up saying, "Oh, how interesting," which often leads people to believe I'm saying it'd be interesting for me, when in fact I'm just glad that they are interested in whatever they are doing (all while wondering what is so compelling). You are models of reticence.
As a Sagittarius, I have always enjoyed traveling - the thrill and adventure of it, the excitement and beauty of new landscapes and people - and have traveled many places all through my life. But since moving to Minnesota 2 years ago, I find that I really just want to stay home...even though I think of all the lovely places I wish to explore in this new state of mine. I have undergone a major shift within myself in this next chapter - one that truly surprises me. And yet, it feels so right, so comfortable. I'm be-coming a "home-body" and I think I wear it well.
As to mice, well, I'd rather not find them in bed with me. Had an interesting experience with one the morning after I moved into my home here in MN and have learned much from mice since then. Their "sacred medicine" (i.e. the lesson they can teach us) is to pay close attention to details and much more. Once I made peace with mice they stopped coming in. Still thinking of getting a cat, though, just in case...
Well I'll give that a try Bonnie --relaxing into being at peace with the two or three a year that find their way into my basement. So much a gal can't control after all. Except, perhaps, to tidy up said basement a bit?
I,too, welcome staying home now: sitting quietly while others take space to talk of trips to come and trips just had. I feel welcome in this community of contentment at home and what we create here. My world is full and I'm filled with gratitude.
That is so lovely to hear --and again, great support for me to relax into letting others talk about their trips and let go of the old voices urging me to follow suit. Because oh, the contentment (and also thrill) of being home making space for whatever might arise.
So glad you liked the video. Thanks. And doesn't she move like a dream? that little trot, trot, trot... Irresistible I keep trying to take one of her zooming around the yard at dusk when it finally cools off, leaping and cavorting with an abandon I want to emulate. No luck yet as I don't usually have my phone with me when we're out at dusk, but one of these days I'll try to remember.
So happy to read of others for whom home is the destination. I was astounded when in my last corporate position, colleagues requested extension of carryover days vacation policies because they "couldn't take vacation because they couldn't travel." I thought -- these are not my people!! Plus staying home contributes to a minimal carbon footprint.
HA! that's perfect. Years ago, shortly before my husband Dan retired, some weaver friends looked at me and said, "what are you going to do when Dan retires?" "What I've always done, I hope " I replied. "But what about travel?" said they. "Dan dislikes travel even more than I do," I said. The looks of uncomprehending incredulity on their faces was priceless. Because apparently ALL retired academics want to travel and they simply could not fathom any alternatives -- even thought perhaps I was holding him back from his true dreams.... Sigh.
I think one of the hardest things for me to learn was that it was OK not to have someone else's dreams. My mother was an amazing vegetable gardener who could get almost anything to grow and was into organic gardening long before it was a thing. It took me years to be OK with the fact that I have a black thumb and that I enjoy gardening only for short periods of time when the temps and humidity are low enough. I have learned to accept that I am not a hiker or a party/concert person. While I like traveling, I am an anxious traveler. Mice and chipmunks are cute outside, not on my pillow!
You are SO right. Letting go of other peoples dreams is huge, as is the step before that, of sorting through one's own to even notice which are "real" and which inherited. I"m having the same issue with my garden, for where my mother was also devoted, I am a laissez faire gardener at best, though I do love standing there and eating snow peas off the vine, or stuffing my face with lettuce. So maybe next year, just those? Thanks for the encouragement and wise words.
Always good to push oneself a little and also good t know when to stop. It’s tricky isn’t it between how much to go adventure and how much to enjoy staying put. As my years add up I change my mind about that balance. Always love your posts!
Isn't that true! I definitely pushed myself to go to Montana -- in part to see how it felt. And I did learn a lot. And had some lovely lovely moments. And am also thrilled to limit myself to the odd grand-baby visit from time to time while relishing home.
I'm sorry for the discomfort of your adventures, and happy that you share them so entertainingly. Your posts always make my day. ❤️
I'm with you on the points that home is best and fiber (and music, and writing, and other arty things) is (are) the best thing for settling & uplifting disquiet hearts, minds & souls.
And what beautiful pictures!
I love that one of you lit up in front of the dark cloud & sky! You positively shine. 🌟
I'm with you! No mice in the bed! I was pulled over for speeding one time because I had a mouse in the truck with me. I know where it came from. I had tossed a tarp into the backseat without unfolding it after I pulled it from the barn, so it was my own fault. He was a tiny thing, too -- a cotton mouse. The officer kindly said he would help me find it and within 10 minutes I was pulled into a driveway, surrounded by patrol cars with 5 officers and flashlights, all 4 of my truck doors open and all the stuff that lives in my truck pulled out on the pavement. No doubt passersby thought it was a major drug bust. The officer DID actually SEE the mouse, so I didn't get a speeding ticket. I saw it twice more over the next 2 days before it finally let itself out the driver's side front window. All's well that ends well!
What a great story! Not exactly fun at the time I’m sure, but in retrospect it was fun to laugh with you.
Same!
This is the best story! Every time I read it, it makes me smile--including the delight that you didn't get in an accident when you saw the mouse, but rather ended up with new police officer friends, even though it took two days for the mouse to exit...
What a wonderful wander!
Oh, Sarah, I do have a mouse phobia and although I too have had to deal with them in my life, it is getting worse in old age. I probably would have died! You poor thing! Glad you are safely home with fiber!
My aversion seems to get stronger as I get older too. Usually I assume it is because Dan took care of the odd mouse who found ki's way into the house for 33 years so I could fully give in to my squeamishness. But alas, no more--at least at home. At other people's houses I am happy to let them cope! Which Alan, happily did.
Oh yeah, I hear you. Great piece. Big fibre twizzling hugs from someone also desperate not to be travelling any more this week, but apparently I have to go to my own book launch.
And fiber hugs back to you--hoping the book launch is/ was filled with kindred and enthusiastic souls, and filled with delight at news of your writing, thinking, rock grinding and fiber twizzling idea-rich, new book August.
Well, sooner you than me! But I'm glad it all smoothed over and you got to cordage.
I agree, there's pressure to "travel" and I,
back when I had to, for work, found it disturbing, couldn't wait to get back, couldn't settle to make when I had a bit of spare time. And life without making is, well, it's not life!
My travel these days is in my head, wonderful forays into ideas and making. I get to let ideas mull and mill about and bump each other. I wish that for everyone who needs it!
Travel in your head -- yes indeed! So many places we can go (frog ponds and beyond). I love that you knew this even when you had to travel for work. I'm relishing your words too: "let ideas mull and mill about and bump into each other." Perfectly put.
No matter how wonderful the trip, it's always good to be home. Having Beryl with you, a loyal and wonderfully adaptable companion, must make traveling more enjoyable.
That's it exactly!
Boy, I sure understand wanting to stay home! We moved to the Kalispell area of Montana 2 years ago and now with a big garden and 2 grandkids here, there's no reason to ever travel away. If you get an itch to drive somewhere we have a cool daylight basement with guest accommodations. Not fancy but you'll have linen sheets and no mice 🙂. I haven't been in touch but you have often been fondly on my mind. ❤️
Gosh, how wonderful that you're in Kalispell! Your instagram is beautifully rich with your clearly amazing garden and those glorious grandchildren (the knitted garments are inspiring for this new granny). Who would move an inch? I think of you too, and am so happy to think of you like this --making yarn and veggies and all. Home body that I am, it is tempting to check out your daylight basement -- it's not THAT far....
The garden is more this year but I haven't posted anything. I learned a lot last year which was my first year gardening. So fun to learn new things! I have actually been picking celery! This morning Janet Szabo came for coffee and we did some tomato and cucumber tasting. You would be more than welcome for a visit. 😍
Say hi to Janet. We used to chat a lot on the old KnittingDesigners (or something like that) yahoogroup but I haven't thought of her in years
I was fortunate to move into Janet's area and it has been great getting to know her. She's doing well. Teaching serger sewing classes along with quilting and gardening and.....
What a wonderful thing for you both!
I've been thinking about how wonderful it that you're a Grandma now. Doesn't it seem like your heart grows a lot bigger all of the sudden?
Love to travel and love to be back home. My own Dan is out of state for a few weeks, so I’m remembering what it’s like to set my own schedule before the fall blitz comes back around. We’ve been having a wet summer in Colorado as well - it is abnormally green.
Gosh, isn't it lovely to notice and enjoy the happy open weirdly green days... Love to hear about them.
When talk abounds about trips - trips taken and trips planned and trips dreamed of - I sit mutely in the crowd and wonder how to explain I’m quite happy to stay home. Thanks for the validation!
Exactly! I have a dear friend who sometimes forgets that I greatly enjoy not traveling and she'll invite me to go here or there with her. My response is generally, "have we met?", said with sweet sarcasm. She laughs, I laugh. She goes, I don't. :-D
HA! I'm with you both, though alas I'm rotten at sitting silent so end up saying, "Oh, how interesting," which often leads people to believe I'm saying it'd be interesting for me, when in fact I'm just glad that they are interested in whatever they are doing (all while wondering what is so compelling). You are models of reticence.
As a Sagittarius, I have always enjoyed traveling - the thrill and adventure of it, the excitement and beauty of new landscapes and people - and have traveled many places all through my life. But since moving to Minnesota 2 years ago, I find that I really just want to stay home...even though I think of all the lovely places I wish to explore in this new state of mine. I have undergone a major shift within myself in this next chapter - one that truly surprises me. And yet, it feels so right, so comfortable. I'm be-coming a "home-body" and I think I wear it well.
As to mice, well, I'd rather not find them in bed with me. Had an interesting experience with one the morning after I moved into my home here in MN and have learned much from mice since then. Their "sacred medicine" (i.e. the lesson they can teach us) is to pay close attention to details and much more. Once I made peace with mice they stopped coming in. Still thinking of getting a cat, though, just in case...
Well I'll give that a try Bonnie --relaxing into being at peace with the two or three a year that find their way into my basement. So much a gal can't control after all. Except, perhaps, to tidy up said basement a bit?
I,too, welcome staying home now: sitting quietly while others take space to talk of trips to come and trips just had. I feel welcome in this community of contentment at home and what we create here. My world is full and I'm filled with gratitude.
That is so lovely to hear --and again, great support for me to relax into letting others talk about their trips and let go of the old voices urging me to follow suit. Because oh, the contentment (and also thrill) of being home making space for whatever might arise.
Mice would have been bearable almost anywhere in such a place, but not in the bed with you. That is just too much! I empathise completely.
And thank you for the video, not only of that glorious view, but a little bit of Beryl just trotting along, sniffing the sniffs and feeling the air.
So glad you liked the video. Thanks. And doesn't she move like a dream? that little trot, trot, trot... Irresistible I keep trying to take one of her zooming around the yard at dusk when it finally cools off, leaping and cavorting with an abandon I want to emulate. No luck yet as I don't usually have my phone with me when we're out at dusk, but one of these days I'll try to remember.
So happy to read of others for whom home is the destination. I was astounded when in my last corporate position, colleagues requested extension of carryover days vacation policies because they "couldn't take vacation because they couldn't travel." I thought -- these are not my people!! Plus staying home contributes to a minimal carbon footprint.
HA! that's perfect. Years ago, shortly before my husband Dan retired, some weaver friends looked at me and said, "what are you going to do when Dan retires?" "What I've always done, I hope " I replied. "But what about travel?" said they. "Dan dislikes travel even more than I do," I said. The looks of uncomprehending incredulity on their faces was priceless. Because apparently ALL retired academics want to travel and they simply could not fathom any alternatives -- even thought perhaps I was holding him back from his true dreams.... Sigh.
I think one of the hardest things for me to learn was that it was OK not to have someone else's dreams. My mother was an amazing vegetable gardener who could get almost anything to grow and was into organic gardening long before it was a thing. It took me years to be OK with the fact that I have a black thumb and that I enjoy gardening only for short periods of time when the temps and humidity are low enough. I have learned to accept that I am not a hiker or a party/concert person. While I like traveling, I am an anxious traveler. Mice and chipmunks are cute outside, not on my pillow!
You are SO right. Letting go of other peoples dreams is huge, as is the step before that, of sorting through one's own to even notice which are "real" and which inherited. I"m having the same issue with my garden, for where my mother was also devoted, I am a laissez faire gardener at best, though I do love standing there and eating snow peas off the vine, or stuffing my face with lettuce. So maybe next year, just those? Thanks for the encouragement and wise words.
Always good to push oneself a little and also good t know when to stop. It’s tricky isn’t it between how much to go adventure and how much to enjoy staying put. As my years add up I change my mind about that balance. Always love your posts!
Isn't that true! I definitely pushed myself to go to Montana -- in part to see how it felt. And I did learn a lot. And had some lovely lovely moments. And am also thrilled to limit myself to the odd grand-baby visit from time to time while relishing home.
I'm sorry for the discomfort of your adventures, and happy that you share them so entertainingly. Your posts always make my day. ❤️
I'm with you on the points that home is best and fiber (and music, and writing, and other arty things) is (are) the best thing for settling & uplifting disquiet hearts, minds & souls.
And what beautiful pictures!
I love that one of you lit up in front of the dark cloud & sky! You positively shine. 🌟
Gosh thank you. The light really was amazing at that moment.
So happy to hear your pleasure in home and fiber and music and writing and making. So rewarding to all know we're doing just that.