Why I like to Blog?

1. Meet like minded people from different parts of the universe.
2. Helps me keep a journal of my thoughts and projects.
3. Develops new approaches to problems like the 10 minute challenge.
4. Overcomes the isolation of living in a remote area.
5. Passes the time while at the day job.
6. Place to post pictures etc, much like a bulletin board.
7. I like to write down my ideas and ramblings.
8. It gives me a permanent record.
9. Forces me to ask questions and find answers.
10. Finally, because I like writing my blog because I like reading blogs.

There is a tangible sense of community and a realization that we are all the same in this life and yet, come from many backgrounds.

Learn to blog and blog to learn.

Little Bites

I think that April's ten minute challenge has opened up a new meaning for me and not just for rug hooking. Little bites!

Instead of seeing how much of the garden has to be weeded, last night, I concentrated on doing one tier of the rock garden. My ten minute sound bite! And I was able to complete the first tier and half of the second one. Then, a few minutes of my rug hooking until P arrived home after cod fishing.

Who would have thought?

Ten Minute Challenge!

I follow April's blog at Red Jack Rugs (see side bar) and yesterday, she introduced her 10 minute a day rug hooking challenge. I think it is a super suggestion and one that I can benefit using.

Anyway, I did at least 10 minutes of rug hooking last evening and even managed to trim sucker leaves off the tomatoes and a bit of weeding.

Even on Rainy Days,

the scenery in Newfoundland is spectacular. This is a picture of Woody Point and today, one of the largest cruise ships is parked in that harbour.

It rained buckets and buckets since yesterday and we even got thunder and lightening which rarely happens. I did only a couple of stitches last night on my dory and absolutely nothing else.

Through the night, the electricity was off for a second or two, enough to make everything blink. I got up around 4am, remembering to reset the automatic coffee maker for morning, only to discover, I hadn't even prepared the coffee as I usually do, last thing in the evening. So I started to fill the water, filter and the ground coffee...oops..no coffee left in the small container.

I had to laugh at myself as I went to the pantry, trying to be ever so quiet as not to awaken the house. Being on the healthier side of OCD, I was amazed at myself for forgetting the nightly routine!

Plan B

I was able to do a small bit of yard work Saturday morning before the heavens opened up. Our weather in the east hasn't been much better than the Mainland. Not quite as much rain but more than usual.

Having said that, I went into Plan B mode which included starting the next icon in my rug project, a fishing boat. It is supposed to be a rainy week, so I anticipate that my weeds will flourish and so will the rug hooking.

TGIF!

Ahhhh, the weekend approaches and I am thinking of hooking, weeding, vaccuming(well, maybe not), and more weeding.

I will need a rest on Monday!!

Flag of Newfoundland

I didn't forget to upload the pictures of my now completed second icon in my rug project. Actually, started the third one: a fishing boat tied up at a wharf. I think that the blue of the cloudless sky really brings out the beauty of our provincial flag.

I am not a NLer but have really come to appreciate the culture of my now, third province. Newfoundland has so many things that make it unique and distinct. The only province with a provincial anthem, its own dog and pony, a dictionary, an encyclopedia, most giving people (StatsCan), and I could go on.

I think that all Canadians should spend time in a province other than their place of birth as we would then come to appreciate the wonder of each province and forget the differences.

Gemini Musings

I was thinking this morning about my two unfinished attempts at writing; one a children's story and the other, a story about an outport NLer with a special gift. I pick at these from time to time when my muse whispers in my ear. I am a Gemini and according to the astrologists, our strength is our curiosity on a variety of interests.

Anyone living with a Gemini is well aware of this strength; but as in ying/yang, our greatest weakness is the same distraction that makes us so interesting. Pauline says that Geminis are the only sign that "lives" their signs. Is this true?

Anyway, I did finish the second icon last night and even took a picture but in true fashion was distracted and didn't download the picture.

Works by Day, hooks by night!

Anyone reading the title of today's ramblings would certainly do a double take. Did I read that correctly?

You really have to be so careful when you tell people you hook, they might take it the wrong way. I try to hook alittle every day, usually after supper and before bed. With the summer evenings. lots of sunlight until 9:30 in the evening. I listen to the splash of the fountain and the twittering of the birds and the strum of my hook.

Thoughts coming and going; of future projects, weeds not pulled and other chores left undone. As Anne said in her blog today, how can anyone be bored?

Routines

Many summers ago when I was working in Toronto, there was a summer of endless rains and I remember the saying that was posted on Wendi's blogsite this morning. What comes after two days of rain? Monday!!

She reminded me of that summer and also of that joke. Irrespective of rain or grey skies, a weekend is a weekend and is to be enjoyed. Abit of this and a bit of that, and before I could say Deanne Fitzpatrick, my three day weekend was over.

But I did do alittle bit of hooking, almost finishing the flag icon. I thought of routines this morning. All the things we do to make us(me) feel the comfort level. Checking the blogsites and seeing how my internet friends are doing and enjoying their sharing with me.

Healing by Arts

I was surfing the other day and stumbled upon an interesting site. As a member of the nursing community and a fibre artist, I have always been aware of medical professionals who had interests completely outside of what they do in their Day Jobs.

There is certainly a connection between the healing quality of arts and the benefits of the self care process within people who have difficult jobs. Imagine, a top notched surgeon who quilts, radiologists that knit, and nurses who cross stitch to relieve the pressures of their professions.

Have you ever wondered what your family physician does to relax?

Peak Time of Summer

As I was sitting on the deck this morning with my coffee, I looked out at the garden. Lilies about to burst forth, containers full with annuals for a splash of colour and realized that within a few days, peak summer glory will be reached.

The garden and all gardens for that matter will look their best at their peak and then, it is downhill from there. I have learned alot from gardening. To look forward to its glory, to accept its decline, to plan changes as needed and to dream of its future.

It makes me think of Vita Sackville-West who was primarily a poet and writer but came to love gardening. She believed in three simple prinicipals. The first was ruthlessness. If some thing was displeasing, then change it. Second was not to be too tidy in a garden, let self-seeded plants grow where they naturally fall, wild flowers mixing with cultivated plants in a garden was not a disaster. Thirdly, have an architectural plan, a colour plan and a seasonal plan.

Of all things, peace and tranquility.

Last 20 Feet

While our garden is beautiful, there is an unfinished portion...the last 20 feet. The one thing about posting pictures on our blogs, is that we can set up everything so beautifully and ignore the parts that still need work.

This is ours but we are striving to complete it THIS year despite injuries and aging. We have been able to scrounge some manufactured block from a local cement plant and are shaping what will be the hosta garden right at the entrance to our property.

Outdoor Fire Pit

You would think that after a long, cold winter of stoking the home fire, that we would be sick of fires. Not so!

This is a view of our outdoor fire pit and chiminea. On Saturday evening, just as the sun was setting around 10 pm, we were at the fire pit. The stars were brilliant and the lights across the bay were glittering on the water. Tiny boats making their way back to safe harbour.

Good conversation, cold drinks and thoughts of present company and absent family members made for a nice evening.

Newfoundland Icons

Well, I continued on the current rug hooking project this weekend and finished the first of the Newfoundland Icons, and started the next one.

I must say, I am pleased with the results.

It isn't the Destination that Counts,

In yesterday's question of the day on the Welcome Mat, the question was what part of rug hooking a pattern do you like best?

There were lots of different kinds of answers but it struck me that as in everything in life, it isn't the destination that counts, it's the glory of the ride! Reading the blogs that I follow, I have discovered that we are all really the same under it all. We have gardens to weed, jobs to go to, families to dote on or worry about and weather to talk about good or bad.

I will be enjoying the weekend and taking some time to work on my rug. Almost finished the first square and will post pictures of it.

Nothing Sacred.

While driving into the Day Job this morning and for absolutely no reason at all, the thought struck me, that there is nothing sacred anymore in life. It seems that everything that we once held in high esteem has been tarnished and demoted to archic thinking.

For example, parents, police,Church, God,elders, neighbours, and I could go on and on. My thought today is to keep somethings in your life sacred and of value, no matter what it is for each of us.

Greet the morning with joy and take nothing for granted.

Lost Things

Well, it is still on the cool side but at least, now sunny. We have been hot tubbing every evening and surviving, so can't be that bad!

Back at the Day Job and have been abit busy catching up for that one day off. How can you not leave a room and still misplace a document. I am sure it will turn up in some obscure place but right now, I am wondering were do lost things go?

Hot Tub

Hot tub was set up in the screen house but weather is abit too cool. Getting into the hot tub isn't the problem, it's the getting out...brrrrrrrrrr

Long Weekend for me!

I still enjoyed the time off but the weather has certainly not cooperated. We even put the fire on for a few minutes to take the chill out of the basement. Lots of hooking and attention to things in the house which have been neglected.

Now, Introducing....

This morning, I would like to introduce my blog followers to a very talented rug hooker from the small fishing community of Lord's Cove, Anne Kirby. I first noticed Anne's original rug hooking designs on Rug Hooking Daily and immediately spotted talent.

I requested a pattern from Anne and as you know, I have transferred onto Scottish Burlap and started it last week. Anne has had a recent showing of two of her mats in St. John's and these will be on display until August. I really believe that Anne's designs are unique to the Newfoundland culture and history.

If you have a chance, please look in on Anne's new blog at my sidebar or if you are a member of Rug Hooking Daily to see her portifolio of designs. I am sure that we will be hearing more of this very talented artist.

Dream Home

This weekend is a long weekend for me and I am looking forward to the extra time. As the weather has been so lovely and warm, thoughts are moving towards the hot tub. We have a portable, Spa2go unit and will be setting it up in the screenhouse to be enjoyed while looking over the beautiful Bay of Islands in the evening.

I haven't taken any pictures of the other side of the homestead. We have a fully screened 13 x 13 gazebo and a nice firepit area; both with unobstructed views of the bay. Every foot of the lot is well appointed considering there is also a house and double car garage.

People talk about their dream home and I must say, I am living in mine!

Happy Canada Day!

It may be Canada's birthday today but I had to go to the day job. Not so bad as I have an extended weekend coming up!

It is Canada's 142th birthday and I complain about my age! But it makes me think this morning of Canada's 100th birthday. I was 15 years old and in Montreal at the time. This was the city to be in as of course, Expo'67 was being celebrated and there was happiness and abundence everywhere. Pride in ourselves, pride in our country, and pride in showcasing the best exposition in history.

I spent almost everyday at the Expo as my mother worked for the lodging division and had a pass which I used. There was so much to see and it was as if the world was open to be viewed and savoured.

We still have our pride in our nation but so much has changed since those hay days. The world is open to us without even leaving our homes through the internet, but I do miss the excitement the Expo'67 gave us as a unified nation.