Field and Fen

Since the cleaners were here this morning, I wasn't. I went to one library to return Season Eight of Suits, about which read on, and then to the local library to  see the current group show, and a very strong one it is. I wrote a suitably excited comment in the visitor's book.

as usual the bouncing reflections are a picture taking  issue, and I tried to include the artists' names and statements. I have some real favorites here but I refrained from only picturing them and included all the work I thought was very good.

What a range of concepts, materials and approaches! If you're anywhere near, before the end of the month, stop in, enjoy, comment in the guestbook.

While I was there, now that the table is cleared because the wall hanging is advancing, I stopped to check out my first puzzle in ages. There was some discussion in David Gascoigne's blog about a new book of research and observation of fish, so I guess I was in the mood for this

And Rose, look at this, obviously very popular as a public puzzle, I saw someone being hauled away while I was there, not wanting to stop puzzling,

I think this is one of our donations, yes? If so, thank you, you're making puzzlers happy.

About Suits, I'm up to the last, ninth,  season now, and at this point, with some technical legal assistance, I could probably write it! I love the stage business, how the elevator plays a part, someone triumphantly, dramatically, glaring out as the doors close, leaving the other person all down and discombobulated. 

Likewise the walking out of the two person confrontation/meeting, juuust almost not quite brushing the other person's shoulder. Leaving the other person dismayed, bothered, bewildered.

And, best of all, slapping down a thin folder,on the opponent's desk and totally winning the day. I'd love to have situations where that's all it takes!

And how does a person get to come to work empty handed? Not more than a messenger bag, some not even that. 

I have never managed to have a job where I could move around with fewer than two paper-stuffed bags, usually because of multiple  simultaneous projects in the days before handheld devices. And that's not even counting my art and teaching and public broadcasting life,  all of which which required in addition a car load of equipment.

I will have to see what can follow Suits, it's been like a part time job.

Speaking of which, yet another doctor verdict, from the  skin lady: it's fine, no problems, go away till next year, wheeee!!

Happy day everyone, puzzle on!

 Yesterday, after the storms, blessedly cooler, I got my mojo back and headed to the kitchen.

But first I went to the library, to pick up two suits, seasons of, that is. And there was a book sale on, oh well. With DVDs.  I scored two seasons of Father Dowling, about whom I know nothing, Chicago priest detective, still in the shrink wrap, and the Reese Witherspoon Vanity Fair, which I've seen and loved. For $1.50. 

 I gave the library lady $2 and declined to take change, to her surprise. I explained I already get my money's worth, it wouldn't be right to fuss about 50c.  It's a point of principle not to take change from the library.

There's my entertainment for the foreseeable future

Anyway, once home, the food factory, I mean kitchen, became the focus of operations.

First, granola, which I haven't had in decades, why not, it's great. All organic. Oats, almonds, cinnamon ( the real Ceylon kind, not the supermarket cousin of it), lemon zest, dried cranberries, avocado oil, honey, seasalt. *Baked at 350°f for 25 minutes, edited because of a question in the comments, thank you Mary.

At this point I'm pretty much ready for anything! All food groups and entertainment catered to.

One thing missing from yesterday's whirlwind is any kind of stitching. That's because the incoming storm, rain and winds, brought on a lot of the allergens that I deal with. 

The result was swollen, itching, tearing eyes, despite all my doctor supplied eye drops, nose drops, allergy pills,  etc etc. I couldn't see accurately enough to stitch. So that will happen when it calms down. 

On the bright side,  sounds like that annoying Chinese story about the man and his barn, it gave my stabby neck a rest. The story in question is about a man whose barn, with all his harvest in it, was blown down in a storm. 

Whereupon this man exclaims that's lovely! Now I can see the moon! The story, clearly invented by a person writing in a snug study, with a pot of tea made by someone else, at his side, does not record the man's wife's comments.

There was also a wonderful presentation by the Textile Museum of Southern California, along with other groups, of  Indian and other Asian textiles and how  trading caused sharing of designs and motifs across cultures. I had to do  a lot of editing to bring that to you, and it needs its own post.  Tomorrow.

Meanwhile, on the list of suggested reading, they presented like a complete lecture, notes, labeled slides, the lot,  was this book, on my own shelf and treasured. 

It's the catalog raisonne, add your own acute accent, of a wonderful textile exhibit at the NY Met. Museum a few years ago. The cover is a printed fabric, and I must get into this again today. It's a while since I browsed in it. 

It was a landmark exhibit, probably the first major US acknowledgment of textiles as a  serious art form, and I believe the first big event of the newly hired director, Thomas P. Campbell, an authority on fiberarts. Showed that the Met board who hired him knew their onions, too.

And before I go, yesterday's US Open tennis win by Coco Gauff, brought it home yet again for Black Girl Magic! A big yay for the first black teen since Serena, to win the women's title. And here's a  tribute to all the black women who've won it since 2000.

Happy day, everyone, be like Coco, when people try to douse your little fire with water, and I suspect a lot of readers have had this experience, treat it like gasoline! Blaze!

Photo AC

 This is the Rug's Progress

I don't know about abs of steel, I think steel shoulders are needed! But it grows fast.

And at the other end of the spectrum, stitching is happening

And here's the latest from Josie George, a writer  I follow on social media and via her substack newsletters

She's well worth your attention.

As is Suits. I may need a long break after the two seasons I have in DVD from the library. It's intense. 

Speaking of which, suddenly late last night, my wall began to vibrate and emit a loud noise, including a slomo dinging noise. It also felt warm. Enter Gary, at an urgent call from me, after I established it wasn't smoke alarm, water, appliances.

One look and he said it's a short in the doorbell. Took off the wall-mounted  cover and disconnected a couple of wires. The noise and vibration stopped and he's going to do the next step today.

I'm guessing I need a new doorbell, gah.

Happy day everyone, free of things that go bzzzz in the night

 I was out this morning,redraping the morning glory foliage, now climbing all over after I removed it from the Japanese maple

Between watching Ash on YouTube recreate a leaf dress, large leaf shapes hanging from a tunic, jury's out, and  today's MDK newsletter talking about the upcoming Alabama Chanin hand stitched appliqued clothing workshop, often using natural leaf forms, I was ready for this.

So I used the herb garden as a design source, all the leaves so different and purposeful.

This is the spice bush next to the herbs

and zinnia leaves.

You never know when ideas will get around and meet each other and result in cool new ideas. Baby ideas! Some of these new ideas may come to rest on that embroidered robe, with all sorts of embroidery already in place, reviving it, remember that?

So that's what happens when I'm starting one project I'm unsure about, another,  further along,  comes up. I'll finish threading the heddle for the rug, then get into weaving, which might be a fairly quick project.

I haven't been at my knitting group for a while, between hot weather and fridges, and find these days my tolerance for people has decreased. A few minutes is fine, but I get impatient with hearing the same things. 

I abandoned the discussion group at the other library once I realized people simply repeated the same points no matter where the topic started. And that some believed all sorts of unlikely things about politics. I felt disturbed, and thought I'd better preserve my peace of mind, rather than get enmeshed.

Maybe I'll return in September to the knitting folks, no rush. Meanwhile I am occupied. Handsome Son is visiting next Saturday for his birthday, finally. I did caution him that it's tea and dessert, my energy not being equal to more cooking in this weather, which seems fine by him.

Jane Parr, alternating with A Glass of Blessings, by Barbara Pym, is an odd reading program but it's working. I've read the Pym many times, never fails.

I'm st the end of season two of Suits, and wondering if I'm up for more seasons of conflict and high tension. I may need a hiatus!

Happy day, or hiatus, everyone.