A Wonderful Weekend

Today, I was looking out my south window. It is humid and green, with a lot of branches on the ground. Tuesday’s wind was terrible. They said the gust were up in the 45 mph range. I will have to disagree. I think the sustained winds were at least that and the gust up in the 60. But it doesn’t really matter what the speed of the wind was, only that it did some damage again. The wind from the south is the one that hits us the hardest, and the poor trees take the brunt of it. So today I will have to go out and pick up branches AGAIN. And later, we will have to go through the grove and see if any trees got broken or blown over. But I still love it here.

While mentally cursing the wind I was also remembering this wonderful weekend. It was one filled with meeting new people and reconnecting with others. All that, and wonderful weather too. What’s not to like?

Saturday was the monthly meeting of Stitches in Time. My sister Connie, friend Jody and I started a group to try to bring together natural fiber crafters, with the emphasize on heirloom crafts. It’s a gathering of crafters who would share their talents and teach others. Between Connie, Jody and I, we can spin, weave, knit, crochet, embroider, tat, and do various other old time crafts. We now have a lady that does hardanger, a couple of women who do net darning, a woman that does Swedish or huck weaving and some who come to learn. Others bring their projects and just come to socialize. This was a great Saturday; nine women, including my daughter, who came to knit and relax.


Making New Friends: Jody and daughter Brook.



Tatting Lesson: Katie, Connie and LeAnn.

Then on Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, Connie and I headed to South Dakota. We meet our mother at the farm of her cousins. Actually they are children of her cousin, and we had never met them. Jerry and Ruth, brother and sister, are some of the nicest people I have met in a long time. We were greeted very warmly and welcomed into their home. Sunday was spent looking around the 4th generation farm and learning the history of their segment of our family. The house is built overlooking the north fork of the Yellowstone River in NE South Dakota. Ruth is an avid gardener and the flower gardens are beautiful. I would like someday to go back and see the rest of her flowers in bloom. Jerry takes care of all of the bird feeders, the chickens, and the guinea fowl. Monday we were taken on a tour of the towns that our grandfather knew. We saw the house of one of our great aunts; a house I remember visiting when I was young. I have always remembered that trip, because Cousin Ester had a cement pond in the yard and I helped her bring out the water lilies from her basement. I always wanted a garden pond after that. And yes, I have one now. That will be another day, another story.



Looking from Jerry and Ruth’s deck to the river.



One of Ruth’s gardens.

One of the best discoveries was that Ruth has Great Aunt Millie’s spinning wheel. We didn’t even know she was a spinner. I guess it might be in the blood after all. Ruth gave Connie a box of wool that Great Aunt Millie had been spinning from. Now Millie was born in 1878 and died in 1963 so that’s some old wool. It is a beautiful wheel that the family has taken wonderful care of. Both Connie and I were drooling. Then we met Ruth’s son, who farms the place and raises Rambouillet/Targhee sheep. We missed the shearing this year, but I hope that next year Mark will let us get a couple of fleece to try out. And his wife may start spinning, so the wheel will be used again.


Great Aunt Millie’s Spinning Wheel.


Tom Turkey across the River.

I saw two things this weekend that I have never seen in the wild; a beaver and a loon. Along with that were the many birds, the turkey across the river and deer. Their place is truly a haven. It was a lovely short trip, and I am so glad I went. Thank you Ruth and Jerry, take care until I see you again.