Hard Times and Good Times

I'm working hard on my Depression inspired mattress ticking stripe repp weave. During the Great Depression, those with any thing to hang onto often hid it under the mattress, so this seems like the time to make humble things in ticking stripes. The actual warping of the little project has not been going well, is taking so much more time than I'd anticipated, and may not work at all in the end. I'm feeling a queasiness about spending so much time on it, and yet, something draws me on...

Meanwhile, I forgot my cares and visited my daughter, Sofie. We had a lovely afternoon on a bitter cold day. She made for me a plate with seedy toasted bread, spread with mild goat cheese and honey. Fresh pressed coffee, then, and sliced bosc pears.

October, 5pm

We had our first, hard frost last night, and today the milkweed pod burst open. I don't know if these events are related. The breeze then began its work of emptying out the little fluffy parachutes. Milkweed is my new favorite color. My winter wool rugs are following the rich, subtle color I see in them. Which is not to say I'm immune to the brilliance I see elsewhere.

Town

This morning I drove in to Troll town to ship a rug. Happily, I found these images along the back street. The chamber of commerce wouldn't love to see themselves represented this way, I suppose. On the other hand, these places are likely to disappear at any time, with bulldozers covering over the places where the old warehouses stood.

Early Fall

I rode my bike downtown (Avalanche, pop. 20 + or - ) this morning because the breeze was cool, and the sun soft. School has begun again, but I don't have any little children to put on the bus. It may rain this afternoon. Life here has never been perfect, but it has always felt right, and it's another good day to weave.