I have been eyes-on the dog child, Sophie, 24/7 so have been getting a little sewing done, whipping up some products for autumn at About Face. Loving this new oilcloth:

Ok, so Sophie. She came through the surgery just fine. Is still a little dopey and her leg is swollen from the IV but otherwise is eating and drinking and wagging. Now the waiting game begins. It could be a week before I get the biopsy results.

all hepped up on goofballs

On to other news:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE!!!

Sue, me and Florence

Fingers and paws crossed for my beloved Sophie this morning. She is going under the knife for a biopsy on a mass in her mouth.

October

Here is the affirmation for October from Louise Hay:

I awaken each morning feeling prosperous and abundantly blessed. I have great relationships. I enjoy my work. I express creativity I did not know I had. It is easy for me to learn new things. I share my good, and Life brings me even more good to share.

All is well in my world; how about yours?

Ages ago I signed up for an adult ed outing titled Winery Tour and Vinfest. So yesterday, another gray rainy day, off I went to Wiscasset to catch the little shuttle.

Our first stop was The Fat Friar's Mead, practically in my backyard. The guy basically has a basement business and he and his wife are very ernest about growing their business. They use local honey and fruits and their own well water. Same ingredients that have been used for eons. Not really my cup of tea but I appreciated the tradition of it and the labels were cute . . . 

The Fat Friar himself

In stark contrast, The Cellar Door Winery was putting on Vinfest. Check out this tent they had out in the field. Wow. Chandeliers. They had a barbeque, cooking classes, tastings of course, and wine and food pairings.

tasting bar

We did a Viognier with a bit of lobster ceviche, a Cayuga wine with the mini reuben (yum - and I don't know why "Cayuga" because isn't that in New York State someplace?) and a Riesling with a little chocolate cookie thingy. I have to say, my own personal opinion is that their wine sucks but it is a lovely place and the people are uber friendly and I could have eaten about a pound of that lobster ceviche. They also had grape stomping which I have always wanted to do but there was no way I was taking off boots and socks in the 45 degree weather, Maybe next time.

wine and food pairing 

Fall colors - beauteous!

I don't know what this car is, a Model T maybe? But these gents picked me up on my trek from the tent down in the fields back up to the winery. Sweet!

The next visit was to Savage Oaks, and we didn't even get out of the shuttle because there was a big bus tour there from Boston. Too bad because I heard they were harvesting yesterday. But we said no thanks. Last was Sweetgrass Winery, a fave of mine. In addition to wines, they do spirits and this is their still. How cool is that! They make a world famous Back River Gin. 

So, it was a good day and I met some nice people and sampled some ok wine and did my part for the Maine wine growers. Sue, you have some birthday wine coming your way from Maine and who knows, you might even like it!

I am all excited because I have a new porch (doesn't take much.) I wanted a little more space so I can have a chair to sit on in the morning sun, and my little grill, and a wood rack so I don't have to go so far for firewood when it's cold. It went from 8x4 to 10x8 and I think Chris did a great job. Still a few more finishing touches, including an awning. woohoo!

before

during

after - well, almost done . . . 

And, here is a little bit of wisdom for a rainy day:

I intend to!

Chris's divorce is final today. He told me yesterday and I thought about it half the night. I was thinking that the reason they have Single and Divorced on the forms you fill out -- you know, the ones where you check marital status: M S D -- anyway, the reason is that even though technically you are single again, you are not the same as you were before the divorce. You have been changed by the divorce and can never be single again really. Getting a divorce is like having a hysterectomy. When it's over, you know it's been done to you for the rest of your life.