Oh, What a Week

Mr. Dickens said it better than I can:  it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Let's start with the best...

I had a fantastic time last week at the 2010 MESDA Textile Seminar, "'Trees of life bear fruits of love,' New Research in Southern Needlework and Textiles."  I learned so much, as this was a "scholarly" seminar...plus, I had fun.  Period.  It was the first seminar/workshop/class that I've attended in years, just for the fun of it. 

As I am more of a hand's-on learner, I would have to say my two favorite sessions were the MESDA Research Center Exploration on Wednesday, where we were given an assignment and got to play "treasure hunt" throughout the Research Center; and, the Coverlet Turning on Saturday, where we got to see (up close and personal) more than 25 coverlets and quilts from the MESDA collection...many that have never been exhibited before.  The photo on the right is of one of the quilts we saw on Saturday.  It is an applique, c. 1850, from Baltimore, credited to Alice Baynes, in pinks and greens (with the pink-est fabric being added at a later date as a replacement). Beautiful!

While at the seminar, I also got some information on my great grandmother Holland's coverlet, although not a definitive pattern name yet.  I did learn it is called an Overshot weave (as there is a float on the reverse, wool over cotton...learned about that, too...:), and I got some names of reference materials for more research.  I learned how to fold it for display (in 1/3's, over a clean, cotton sheet; refold it 2-3 times a year to keep from damaging the fibers by putting too much stress for too long).  And, I got other vital bits and pieces of information that may come in handy for another project...down the road.

Of course, it wasn't all serious.  I had to laugh when I approached the main entrance to MESDA...and was met by a family of guinea fowl.  They do their best to get inside the museum...and on occasion, they make it!  I had to snap this shot of a guinea hen greeter (left). 

Anyway, that was my best of times for the week past.



On to the worst of times...

Dear, sweet Elmo had almost a whole week, free of the pain of his primary glaucoma...following the surgical procedure to his right eye last Monday.  We were thrilled to learn that he still had some vision remaining in his left eye, and we continued with the eyedrop routine to protect what he had.  Supposedly, dogs with primary glaucoma who lose the sight in one eye can have 6 months to 3 years before the glaucoma will strike the other eye.  But, it was not meant to be.  Late in the week, he began to exhibit all the symptoms of a glaucoma "episode" in his left eye:  swelling, pain, etc.  We had an appointment for a re-check on Monday with Dr. Nasisse (dear, wonderful fellow), and we were prepared for what he had to tell us:  it was time to do the procedure to the left eye.  All went well with the injection, and we got to bring Elmo home yesterday afternoon, a bit groggy from the anesthetic, but alert and aware.  He's doing fine...learning to navigate around the furniture, walls, and doors...and to follow Gus's barks.  Best of all, he's still got his healthy appetite.  Give him a few weeks, and he'll be able to handle anything that comes along, I'm certain.

So, what's so bad, you might ask?  I'm not sure I can handle much more "that comes along"...on my present dwindling energy resources, that is. I was quite simply drained last night.  I can't help but tear up whenever I think of Elmo not being able to see ever again...so, I guess I wasn't completely "prepared" for it after all. Sigh.

But, a few days of quiet and calm...and hopefully no more immediate issues to deal with...and I'll be back in form.  We've got a party coming up in a couple of weeks...lots of family and friends coming to help celebrate Mom's 90th birthday...and I want to be ready for that.

Stay tuned...

Start of Something New

I really don't want to jinx anything ("You're not superstitious, are you Leon?"  "No, I'm just a little 'stitious."**), but has anyone else noticed a touch of Spring in the air?  I trimmed some branches off our one forsythia (side yard, under our bedroom window...:) and popped them into a vase of warm water...along with some King Alfred daffodils that had opened this weekend...all for the dining room table.  Of course, about an hour after I did that on Saturday, it started to HAIL (English pea-size).  Ah yes, the joys of Spring:  flowers, rebirth, and changeable weather.  It's always something new at this time of the year.

Last Friday brought another "something new" into my life.  I started my volunteer job with the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), a part of Old Salem in Winston-Salem.  It was raining and dreary outside (as you can see in that photo over there that I captured with my phone), but I fell in love with all the beautiful things...and the lovely people...that were inside.  I received such a warm welcome...I got the Grand Tour by two enthusiastic staff members...and I was shown all the "off-Tour areas," too. 

I love that part, don't you know?  When we lived in the Memphis area, I used to be a docent for the Mallory Neely house in Victorian Village (which is closed now, I'm sad to see), and my favorite part was to explore the off-Tour areas (although it was sometimes spooky).

Anyway, I'm excited about helping with the Textile Seminar that starts this week.  I'll also get to attend all of the workshops and sessions, so it's best of all worlds.  I have a coverlet that was woven by my great, great grandmother, Nancy Elizabeth Dudley Holland, who lived in middle Tennessee in the mid- to late- 1800's, and I'm hoping to get some more information on it from the instructor of the session called:  "From Home Looms and Store Shelves: New Considerations of Southern Backcountry Textiles".

An update on Elmo's eye...

He's doing remarkably well, thank goodness.  He keeps both of his eyes open now, even though he only has sight in the left eye.  That means that the pressure in both of his eyes is under control and not causing him pain just to open the lids.  He continues to "get lost" sometimes, walking behind an open door and bumping his nose on the wall.  He just adjusts his journey...sorta like a Roomba...and retraces his steps!  Still doing the drops daily (different kinds in each eye, three times a day.)  Amazingly, he looks "normal" when you look at him, as you can see in this photo of him enjoying the rest of Gus' breakfast.  One thing's for sure, he hasn't lost his appetite!

Have I told you about my new March Madness committment?  No, this has nothing to do with the NCAA Tournament, starting this week.  I doubt I'll even do a bracket since my own Memphis Tigers didn't make the cut...they'll be heading into the NIT, playing St. John's on Wednesday...sad to say.  Anyway, I joined other About.com knitters in making a commitment to resolving our UFO's this month...and not starting any new projects until April 1st. 

So, how's that going, Patricia?  It's killing me!!!  I've recently unpacked all of the boxes of yarn that we moved from MO (...whoa!...:), so I was keenly aware of just how many projects I had on the needles...and just how many were in the wings.  Seemed like an excellent idea at the time I read about it.  But, now, that I'm holding myself to it?  Painful. 

BTW, "resolving" means to either finish the thing...or frog it.  I've finished knitting N/M/E's Entwined Shawl (still have to weave in the ends), and an I-cord necklace with buttons (I'd done the I-cord/knitting...I just had to sew about 20 buttons on it for decoration).  I'm working diligently on a belt for Missy M (sock yarn on US 1's...going slowly).  I also have a baby blanket that I'd started crocheting a couple years ago that I've been working on.  Actually, I have two of these baby blankets started; but, in the spirit of things, I'm trying to finish one before I pick up the other one again.  I've yet to frog anything, as I'm putting the ripping out off until the last week of the month.

And, where are the pictures of these things, you ask?  Well, it appears I've misplaced my camera...yikes!  I wish I could ring it up like I do my cellphone when I "lose" it temporarily.  No such luck.  Soon as I can put my hands on it, I'll be back in business.  Until then...stay tuned.



**A great line from NCIS...Special Agent LeRoy Jethro Gibbs to Director Leon Vance, followed by his response.**