Smatterings

  • somewhere is better than nowhere at all

    13 weeks.  That's how long it has been since I could get out and really take a walk.  All the bending, and moving around doing displays last week gave my foot a workout.  It was sore and tired but it started to bend, and my balance improved.  This afternoon the  weather was perfect to try for a walk.  Sunny and cold, snappy at 20F.  Yesterday's wind was gone and there was still a dusting of snow.  Heaven.

    I needed to be able to go a mile and a half for the destination I had in mind. 

    P1050691

    I took a deep breathe and slowly exhaled.  It was a coming home, of sorts.  The woods was dressed for the occasion. 

    P1050695

    P1050696

    17 responses to “somewhere is better than nowhere at all”

    1. grumperina

      The stone in the top photo is smiling 🙂

    2. Liz

      and even the large boulder was smiling . . perhaps at the dusting of snow still on its back, or maybe at the sun and the pretty frozen leaves, and of course, you being able to walk!

    3. Barbara-Kay

      I am so pleased that you got your outing! Congratulations!

    4. cyndy

      13 weeks is a long time to not take in the pleasures of the wood. Glad to hear that foot is finally behaving itself.
      Thanks for taking us along for the visit!

    5. Carole

      Hooray! I hope you aren’t sore today.

    6. Donna

      How great did that feel! Hope your foot is feeling OK today.

    7. Laurie Shapiro

      I can hear the crunch. I can feel the crisp. I’m so glad your foot is finally cooperating.

    8. gayle

      That is a great rock! (I’m a big fan of rocks. My husband thinks I’m nuts…)
      Glad you enjoyed your walk.

    9. Lynn

      Lovely! And I’m so pleased your foot is well on the mend.

    10. Pat K

      That rock is pretty neat. I bet you really missed your walks; I know that I would.

    11. elizabeth

      Hooray! I can just hear that ice cracking underfoot!

    12. Ruth

      Mmmmm, lovely. I am drawn to the power and mystery of rocks like that.

    13. Valerie

      Yay!! It’s one thing to be cooped up by the weather. Another thing entirely to be cooped up by your body. Here’s to complete healing and a healthy ’09!

    14. Diane T

      I’m so glad you’re on the mend and could finally go for a walk.

    15. claudia

      That is excellent news.

    16. Cathy

      I know why the boulder smiles – glad to see you, too. 😉

    17. Cheryl

      Sounds like a nice walk.
      Are the bottom two pictures photographs? They look like paintings. They’re sooo amazing and beautiful!

  • when you think merino, do you think Vermont?

    Did you know that the first merino sheep imported to America, were brought to Vermont?  I didn't.

    In 1811, William Jarvis brought 3500 merino sheep to Weathersfield, VT.  By 1837 their numbers had soared to more than one million.  This boom became known as  "merino mania".

    Shpcrd merino sheep

    As is still the case today, the high cost of farming in the northeast and a glutted market, soon put Vermont farmers into financial jeopardy.  There is a short and interesting article about this at the Vermont Historical Society site.

    7 responses to “when you think merino, do you think Vermont?”

    1. Theresa

      I do – my sister called me last week to complain that she only has 4 pairs of handknit socks and did I want to make her more? (Of course.) Her favorite pair is made from your sock yarn (in blueberry) – she doesn’t believe me that it’s wool because she thinks it’s too soft. I’ll be back when I’m ready to start her next pair . . .

    2. –Deb

      I reread the Little House books a couple months ago and was intrigued to learn that Almanzo’s father raised Merino sheep! In upstate New York. Because, yes, I was surprised, too.

    3. Manise

      No, I don’t. What a fascinating article. I never knew merinos had cleft lips. Great post!

    4. Laurie

      Looks more like one of those wrinkly dogs.

    5. Carole

      I did not know that.

    6. cyndy

      Great article–I liked the part that said they washed them before shearing 😉
      My neighbor raises Finnlandrace..and tells me there are less than 242 registered in the US this year. Interesting to think about what a shepherd has to face in terms of the economy. Suppy and Demand…

    7. Lynn

      Back in the mid-1800s, Massachusetts was 80% open land, primarily because of sheep. Nowadays, it’s 80% forested.

  • a good day

    Three hours spinning with friends.  That's a fine Saturday afternoon.  When I got home, there at the back door sat a six pack of this:

    Black bear porter

    A friend, knowing my affinity for very dark beer, bought the last case at a local store and gifted one six pack to me.  Still under the Sunday River name. 

    In the mailbox, from Netflix, was the new X-Files movie.  Let's see if Mulder still has his twinkle.  My feet will be up by the time this posts.  I can't wait.

    4 responses to “a good day”

    1. Barbara-Kay

      ’tis a fine ambition for a Saturday evening. Enjoy!

    2. Carole

      Hope you had a fun night!

    3. Laurie

      Lovely day! I liked the picture of you with your feet up that fast.

    4. cyndy

      …life is good 😉

“Our lives are dyed the colors of our imagination.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

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