A Change in Plans

This weekend was planned to be all about outside. Washing down the patio (yes that OCD thing again LOL) doing some trimming, maybe even buying some plants for the pots. The sky is sunny and bright although I haven't been out far enough to take a picture of it because this is what I saw first.

OOOps. Seems like a rather inside sort of day. And, so far, other than the usual Saturday morning tasks, I haven't quite figured out what that will entail.

I was sooooo tired when I posted last night. And Blogger was extremely slow. I was told by a non-techy person that Typepad is much nicer to dial up folks. Maybe I'll investigate that.
Maybe I'll get out that spindle and see if I can remember anything. Maybe I'll sew up the skirt that's been cut out for 2 weeks. Maybe I'll start a new sock. I just couldn't seem to get the ones I was working on to work. Probably user error because the pattern was simple and the yarn was exquisite. For whatever reason it just wouldn't happen. I want them to be different and special. Maybe my knitting fingers were tired. Maybe I should start a simple sock with inexpensive yarn.

Or maybe I should stay in my pjs and read. I have Susan's new book, a new copy of Spin Off. Or I could listen to a book on tape. At the bookstore I found Sense and Sensability on cassette for $10! Lots of listening there.

For those of you not familiar with my newest heroine Susan Wittig Albert, I'll give you a bit more info. I love reading her blog because it's about so many things. Knitting sometimes, gardening, animals, writing, and always about place. Busy person!

She, and her husband Bill, write 3 series. Well one is finished but the other two are still going on.

The first is the China Bayles series. I've been reading and loving these for a long time. China was an attorney who got tired of the rat race and chucked it in favor of operating a herb shop (and growing lots of herbs) in a small Texas town. And, solves mysteries with her friend Ruby who may be my other idol. Ruby is just too wild and cool. Lots of fun and you learn a lot about herbs in the process. And even dyeing and making paper *G* And lots of fun stuff if you follow the above link.

Second is the Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries. Obviously set in the Victorian era, they're made even more fun by having real people involved in the stories. From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Beatrix Potter, Rolls and Royce (who knew)...you get to get a new idea of who these folks were. Lots of research in these books.

And third, oh my word I love this series, are the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. I loved her little stories and pictures. I have to love Mrs. Tiggywinkle due to my propensity to iron a lot. But the lady herself was incredibly interesting. In a time when women were expected to do only certain things, she really stretched and succeeded. You won't find blood and guts in these books. But you will find lots of animals. Both those of Ms. Potter, but also of Susan's.

And there are non-fiction books as well. There is the Herbal Book of Days which is on my wish list. Well actually all of these are. So many books so much yarn...choices take time *G*. There is an anthology called Women Writing About the Southwest. There is a guided writing program called Writing from Life. (I wonder if there is a way to write an interesting chapter about cleaning the bathroom????). Work of Her Own which is about doing what your soul wants, I think.

If you go here, there are links to all the books in the sidebar and in the non-fiction area all open on their own page but the addy stays the same so I don't know how to link. It's magic, I tell ya!

Now to go have a soaky bath, pull some warmer clothes out of storage (sort of jumped the gun on that one) and see where this day leads. I hope your path today leads you to lots of contentment.

So Much Fun!

Jackie was totally surprised! She did notice someone carrying in a gift bag but as it was another coworkers birthday, she thought it was for them. We're so clever! She got a lot of nice gifts, from accessories and towels and some totally practical things like the mop I gave her. Actually she got two mop sort of things. Did you know that there's a mop thing out there especially for bathrooms??? Got a swivel head and a sort of triangular cleaning surface for going around tight corners. I shall have to see about this! LOL

I left work an hour early to head into the City. Actually I came home and took a somewhat abbreviated soaky bath. I'm glad I got to leave early because I think if I had had to type one more page of medical stuff I would have cried. Being busy makes the days go by faster and insures that I have a job but whew! The bath revived me and off I went. As I left the house, I almost picked up my sock bag so I'd have something to do if I was way too early, then laughed at myself and left it at home.

I was the first one to get to the book signing. Guess what she was doing. KNITTING A SOCK! Is that cool or what? I introduced myself as Susan aka Red Dirt Knitter since that is on my comment thingy. I got a great big hug and we started talking like we'd known each other a long time but just hadn't spoken recently. Rapidly we discussed knitting, dyeing, blogging, books, spinning, paper making, and on and on. I did, at one point, stop talking to take a breath. At least I think I did. Then as others arrived I tried to be polite but soon we were all talking books at once! I learned of two new authors I want to try. I mostly read female authors except for Tony Hillerman, but these guys sounded cool. Do I remember their names?? Nope. Well one was named McGarrity, I think. I'll google that. But the other one? Nada left of his name. I just know that he is from the west and that there is a good rapport between the main character and a Native American. Big clue, eh?? Sheesh.

Of course there was picture taking. Did I manage to get her books in the pic? Nope. Did I get her sock? Yep :-)

So now I have lots of new ideas to think about. But right now I'm going to go put on my flannel pjs (it got cold here!) and read Spanish Dagger. It's going to be even more fun now since I've met the author and know that in rl Susan Wittig Albert is just too cool! Thank you Susan!

Outside the bookstore there was this huge life sized buffalo all decorated in pearls. I could not get a good picture of the intricacy that I saw when I looked at her but I did also take a pic of one hip sort of up close so you can see.

Friday Fun!!

I'm just soooo excited about this day!

My dear friend and co-worker Jackie, and her hubby just bought their first home. It's a modest home that's been completely gutted and remodeled just for being sold. It's soooo cute! And so THEM! All of us at work feel like we've been a part of this, since she has shared all the stories about looking, and paperwork and packing and sorting. There has been a Pasta Toss luncheon in the planning for awhile, and unbeknownst to Jackie, it's also going to be a housewarming party! Now, Jackie and her hubby aren't kids. And it's not like they are just starting their married life. So it will be even more fun. How often do middle aged folks get to have new towels and new accessories and even a new mop all at once. AND we have managed to keep it a secret which is pretty amazing since Jackie always knows everything that's going on! She and her hubby are probably the truly nicest people I've ever known and I'm so excited about making this special for them. I'm so hoping that in the last hours before this happens we don't blow it. Last night another coworker called me and we giggled and giggled about how clever we all are *G*.

Then, this evening, I'm going to a book signing at Full Circle Books in the City. One of my favorite authors, Susan Wittig Albert, will be in town and this will be my first time to meet her although we've traded a few eMails back and forth. (which totally surprised me...a real author answers my comments?!?!?). She writes cozy mysteries, as well as lots about the Texas Hill Country. And has put together this great Story Circle Network which helps women learn to write of place and experience. And, she knits and spins and gosh...just a really cool person and I get to meet her!

Edited to add: She also writes a lot about herbs and flowers. She has a lot of knowledge in these areas and uses that in her books too. I've learned a lot about a lot of things from her, and all the while enjoying myself immensely

I am so jazzed about today! What a fun way to end the work week! Hope your Friday is even better!!!! See ya later