Cute clutch

On this beautiful Maine day, I must be looking ahead to Florida . . . I whipped up  this little oilcloth clutch this morning.

Back on the grid!

I woke up to the glorious sound of my ceiling fan turning. Power back on! Made a cup of coffee. Took a hot shower. Turned on the news. Connected to the internet. Plugged in my phone. It's the little things, you know? And, a feeling of such gratitude for these "little" things we take for granted as I listen to a story about Somalia where these would be very big things indeed.

Greetings from lovely downtown Damariscotta, where they have POWER, something I haven't had since yesterday at 1pm. Still no power or water at my cottage this morning. I spent about an hour clearing the driveway of branches, nothing serious. Now, I've got to take all the coverings off the windows. oy vey it'll take all day.

The rain started at about 4am and it continues. No wind yet but something big fell on my roof already. What the ... ?  I got up with a sore back and hands like claws and how is that for an attractive visual?

Plan for today?  Sew sew sew!

Done

Here is the end result.

And, how crazy is this? My view from the living room (and a window is even open.)

And from the bedroom, like living in a bubble.

So happy to finish in daylight, came in and poured myself a self-congratulatory glass of wine and promptly fell asleep before I even tasted it. It feels good to know that I've done everything I can think of to protect my little cottage. Also have batteries for my lanterns and my radio so good to go.
This is what sunset looks like tonight. Wow.

I am woman, here me roar!

Well, as Hurricane Irene slogs her way up the East Coast, I'm getting busy. I was supposed to have some help last night but it didn't materialize so I've been on the go  this morning. I bought plastic sheeting yesterday and after consulting with my (genius) mom, off I went to the lumber mill this morning where I bought what are called lathes (I think. I told them I wanted some thin slats to screw the plastic on to my windows.) Then to the hardware store, where hey look at that, perennials are 30% off. Woohoo!! Momentarily diverted, I bought two astilbes and look at this fab hydrangea. Does anyone know what kind it is? No tag.

Here is one of the astilbes. Love the color. It's called amethyst.

Ok, so of course I had to plant the astilbe when I got home but then got right back on task . . .Oh, btw, here is my end of summer front garden. Pretty, no?

Well, I got out the ladders, and because I have no fear of heights or anything else anymore (except snakes but never mind about that) up I went with my trusty staple gun. Not as easy as I thought. Legs are shaking but not out of fear, just a little unsteady or something. Put in the first few staples and stood back to admire my work.

Sheesh, this is going to take longer than I thought. So, here is one completely done:

See how I screwed on the wood to keep the plastic down (fingers crossed?)

Here are two with the plastic stapled on, next I'll screw in the lathes, or whatever they are. Splintery is what they are, actually. So, with luck the water will stay out of my house. 

What I am a little anxious about is the wind. I mean, look at my little cottage among these behemoth trees! 

I'm not going to talk about how I was crying tears of frustration before I came in to take a break. Or how I never ever thought I would find myself in a situation like this or the narcissistic sociopath who created this situation, who on days like this is really really really really hard not to hate.  

Instead, I will just ask you to think positive thoughts to send Irene on her merry way, out to sea.

Waiting for Irene

Here is the view from my cottage this morning. Sure doesn't look like a hurricane is on the way.

And, thank you everyone for your concern for Little Lu. She is feeling much better on the antibiotics. (Mummy! Get that flash out of my face!)

My little household had a rough night last night. Lucy came down with a raging urinary tract infection that made itself known at 1:30am and we spent the rest of the night outside in the pouring rain trying to pee (well, she did - I just kept her company, poor baby, and Sophie went back and forth from her bed to the yard, demanding to be dried off every time. oy)
Of course, by 6:00 this morning, I had it pegged as bladder cancer with a poor prognosis. I called the vet as soon as she opened and was instructed to get a urine sample (!) and I was glad no one could see me in my PJs, creeping about my front yard behind Lucy, shoving a pan lid under her hind end whenever she started to squat. She would immediately hop up when she sensed me there and throw me a look that said, get away from me you perv.
So, sure enough, it's a UTI and she's on antibiotics for two weeks and fingers and paws crossed tonight will be a little quieter. They've been sacked out all day so we shall see. . .
Here's the little patient.

Now, this is a dog who takes her job seriously!

Well, Susan, I'm glad you asked!

My friend Sue and I are at the 9th Annual World Quilt Show in Manchester, New Hampshire. And, what a fabulous show it is. I am blown away by the creativity. Going to a show like this inspires you to reach further as an artist but is also way humbling, as in I could never come close to this perfection. This quilt, titled Dawn Prayers on the Ganges, won first place in the world. It is simply amazing and inspiring. The detail is incredible.

Here is a close-up of the right hand corner. The dripping water is beaded crystals. Fantastic.

This quilt was one of my absolute faves. It is about hope and rebirth after the terrible tsunami last year. It won Best of Country for Japan.

Ok, and here are just a few more of these wonderful quilts. I can't help it. I have to share . . . Look at the appliqued shadows on this one. Very clever.

Did not even realize until I downloaded this picture, that it is meant to look like a photo in an old photo album. Nice touch!

 The story behind this quilt was the depression and misery and subsequent suicide of the friend of this quilter's son. The wings are wonderful spreading to the edges. You wonder how she knew when to stop.

 This was a photo transfer, blown up and "painted" with thread. Wonderful.

This one was titled something like, Old Woman in Minnesota Cornfield in Winter. (The stuff of nightmares, if you ask me!)

 This was another remembrance of the tsumani. There were several quilts with this theme, and no wonder.

And lastly, no this is not a quilt. It is simply an Old Codger working the show.

Technicolor dreams tonight for sure.

Guess where I am?

So, a few days ago in Belfast Harbor, I spotted a Maine Cat coming in to the dock. That is the boat my husband and I spent so much time on. This one even had a yellow sail cover like ours did. I just lost it. Burst into tears. Just when I'm thinking I'm done with the histrionics, here we go again. My BFF was there and totally sympatico but I felt so mad at myself after. And, so sad. My friend//therapist, Stacy, said it is all a part of grief and loss and is normal, even after all this time. Sometimes I feel like I'll never recover.

So, enough about poor pitiful me, My friends, Stacy and Pat, and their kids and grandkids are at the Lake for a week. We made a stop at Beth's for fresh produce. Here she is and check out the drying garlic. How cool is that?

Pat and the little ones did some serious fishing off my dock.