What a week!

Technorati Tags: crochet,storms,one of a kind,handmade,koi

 

Now technically, I live in the South. Normally I have no problems with this. I actually grew up here and have spent the majority of my life here.

Where I do have a problem though is when the weather gets stupid.

Growing up, we always had afternoon thunderstorms. My cousins and I used to play in the rain and it was great fun!

These days, those thunderstorms seem to be a lot worse.

Take Tuesday night for example. We had a line of storm come through, like always in the spring and summer. But this time it was something otherwordly. There are 4 ways into our neighbourhood. Of those 4, three were completely blocked by fallen trees. Not small trees mind you, these were anywhere from 4 to 5 feet around, completely covering the road.

Then, when I get home, my dogs are freaked out (which in all honesty, was to be expected). I let them outside and discover that about half of the oak tree in our back yard is now laying in the yard, less than 10 feet away from our house.

The next day, I discover that the electrical system on the koi pond was hit by lightning.

As of today, the koi pond is back up and running and all the fish survived and have been fed, so they’re happy  I’m sure.

And now that everything is almost back to normal, the tree is still laying in the yard, I can get back to work!

Here are the pics of the damage:

Spring is here, sort of!

 

Things here have been insane! Just as I get over one thing, another pops up. It’s been almost like a death of a thousand cuts, to be honest.

But I’m back, and I’m working on stuff for the shop. New designs, new colours, new kinds of things. Lately  I’ve been working on some bigger projects, baby blankets and such, plus teaching my adopted sister, Samantha, how to crochet. I tried teaching my other sister, Stacey, but she has absolutely no patience and on top of that, she has carpal tunnel, so that was a no-go.

Sam, on the other hand, took to it like a duck takes to water and she already completed two projects while visiting me for my birthday week! I even showed her the super secret recipe for my signature Uglee Elf Hats and she whipped one up for her hubby Daniel.

And I have to say, it was so nice to have someone to chill with and work through skeins of yarn and just chat.

I think that with all the connectivity and speed and desire to be bigger, better and badder than everyone else, people have forgotten the simple things. And that makes me sad on so many levels.

I know that I get tired of running all over creation, trying to keep up with the Joneses. I really don’t care what the neighbours have or say about me. If they want to have a house full of flat screen TVs and computers so they don’t have a chance to connect on a more human, simpler level, that’s their choice. I personally can’t stand that choice anymore.

Yes, I have a cell phone, yes, I have a laptop and a desktop and two flat screens. But at the moment, all the TVs do is give me background noise, I don’t really pay attention to them, especially when my own hubby is on tour. The sound of  another human voice can be soothing to an extent. I wish I could turn off the cell phones and not be connected all the time, but like many of you may know, I have fibromyalgia and a weakened immune system and when Danny is on tour, he likes to be able to get in touch with me when he has a down moment, and since we never know for sure when that is, it’s impossible for me to completely disconnect the cell phones, unless I’m actually physically asleep.

And I use the computers for my business, but I try to not stay on them all day, and I really don’t have a set in stone schedule for updating the webstore or this blog. I tend to run out of things to write about, so when I have something to say, that’s when I blog or update.

But none of things are absolutely necessary for my survival. They are nice to have, they can make life easier. But I’ve lived longer without them than I have with them. And I think that makes me uniquely qualified to enjoy simple things like glasses of ice water and teaching my sister a new craft while we catch up with each other’s lives. And when I get to enjoy those small things, I end up missing them more when they are gone, and I can hardly wait until they come back.

Sometimes I just want to tell everyone to slow the hell down, literally smell the roses (my Almost Blacks have bloomed into these huge fragrant blooms that are breathtaking) or the coffee or whatever it is that makes you smile and then sit down with a friend or a sibling. With Sam, we can sit and work on our projects and not even say a word, and still be close. And there is nothing wrong with that. I think that’s the mark of a true friendship, being able to say everything without saying anything.

So, if I am asked about the key to true happiness, I’d have say, being surrounded by nature and having friends who understand what you’re saying when you’re saying nothing at all. And not thinking that you’re so important that everyone and everything else in the world needs to revolve around you. It’s a lot of stress and bother, being the center of the Universe. Sucking all that light and sound out of the lives of others can really wear you down, you know? 

Personally, I’m happy being out here in the Universal sticks, on my own spiral arm,  having coffee with my dogs and playing in my yarn stash. A lot less stress, believe me!

And now I’m done with this rant. Why don’t you grab something cool and refreshing to drink and go sit on the porch, rub the ears of a cat or dog or bunny, and enjoy the sun and the silence. Then let me know how you feel while doing it!

MWAH!

Michele