Meanderings of a Mermaid

 One of Bo's favourite things is to run and growl at large sticks. He will wade into the lake to pull out driftwood. 

Porching is a great term coined by friend B. G. Although we live very far apart, I can imagine the familia enjoying the cool shade of their wraparound porch. Breezes and views abound, I am sure. Here's to porching in style!  Well, here is our version of porching. We built a small deck by the water, perched up into the end of an old road bed. A huge balsam fir provides shade and a little privacy .  In the mid morning we may sit there, enjoying our final coffee of the day. Decaf Nespresso.  Then in the late afternoon we might reconvene there for an adult beverage. It is also a nice spot if one or two come to visit.  We used to have a better sun umbrella there, but last summer it died after three decades of service. So there is a little cheesy one there now, but honestly, we rarely need it. (Although in my glamourous dreams I see a pergola there). Here are two videos that give a sense of the place. Too bad you can't smell the coffee and the forest. In t...

I want to start off by saying that the two week quarantine we are in is a very good idea. Having spent the winter and early spring in  Texas, there came a time I had to return to Canada.  I knew that the federal regulations imposed a two week quarantine for anyone returning home. I also knew we would not be allowed to stop anywhere between the border and our home. So a couple of weeks prior to leaving our vacation home, I started to buy food to bring north. We have a new dog, and he would be taking up precious space in our mid-sized truck. His toys, extra collars and leashes, dogfood.....it all took up space. And we knew we would want to tack an extra day onto the drive, so the pup would get lots of time for walks and fresh air. Therefore I could not expect fresh produce to survive the transport. Nor did we have room for a cooler. I concentrated on steel cans and food that comes in foil-lined pouches. It's a part of the grocery store I am not that familiar with. Oh sure,...

The time has come to protect oneself and those around me even more. The pandemic procedures are quite routine now. But as the infection rate grows and the instances nearby start to appear, it is time to step up the procedures.  I have no access to the virus catching n95 type mask. It seems they are impossible to get before May or June. So all I can do for now is sew my own masks and wear them whenever I go out.  My only modification to the pattern was that I inserted one layer of a non woven interfacing in between the two cotton pieces.  I hope everyone wears a mask, any mask. Protect yourself and those around you. And if you have the sewing skills, and the medical personnel in your area need them, consider making masks for them.  Pattern from: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/ With thanks.

With all the comings and goings in my two studios, I thought it was time to list out the Current State of the Union. Here are some of the larger items. Home South: Wheels - Electric Eel Wheel 5.1 with upgrades ( this wheel travels back and forth); Ashford Country Spinner 2; Lendrum upright. Looms - Harrisville Collingwood rug loom; Leclerc Tissart tapestry loom; Oxaback Ulla Cyrus loom; Ashford rigid heddle loom, Harrisville Belt Loom, Northwest Looms inkle. Home North: Wheels - antique East European flax upright; Lendrum upright; S. Laurence Canadian Production wheel; Kromski Minstrel. Looms - Leclerc Weavebird; Leclerc Colonial; Rio Grande Kit walking loom; Glimakra band loom; unknown maker rigid heddle. And here are some projects being worked on or completed. I've gone a bit crazy weaving potholders. Here is just one pair of many. Most have gone out as little hostess gifts.  the Muskox. He is my morning buddy. He really needs his mug of hot chocolat...

When this loom was offered to me FREE , and just for the cost of shipping, I jumped at this opportunity. The initial shipping estimate was 75 USD. Cool. I can do this. The loom is a 1970s era Tissart tapestry loom, made by Leclerc. It is a high warp loom, meaning it is a vertical warp loom. It has two shafts controlled by two treadles. The action is a counterbalance action.  This is the first time I had a loom shipped. The seller made a very sturdy plywood box to protect the loom. I will re-purpose this "coffin" with hinges and a latch and use it with my trailer when I haul things back and forth. The shipping (and crating) wound up being over four times more expensive than I expected, but I think it was a fair price.  Here is the Tissart in my home and waiting assembly. It is in the dining room, because all other suitable spaces are already taken. I have a very understanding partner. That window faces south and the loom was set up just to the right of...