Dandelions and Yoga

Today two enterprising young entrepreneurs (aged four?) knocked on my door, selling lovely fresh bouquets of dandelions - for 5 Euro a pop. I did admire those lovely fresh flowers, which are coming up everywhere, but was too frugal to take the leap. I am not sure if I wonder more about their success, their price, or what they would have done with the money if I had bought the flowers.

The other day, I think it was Tuesday, I began to do yoga again. My legs have taken to feeling pins & needles too much of the time due to all the sitting I do. After spending the morning walking - with no improvement, I decided more drastic action was necessary to "stir things up" in my sluggish ageing sedentary system, so I unburied my yoga book and began. Gracious how STIFF I am! I remember being able to get into most of the yoga positions once upon a time many moons ago. Not any more. Not anywhere NEAR. No matter. I will give myself a year to limber up building slowly ... actually rebuilding. Now my morning routine includes some yoga. Already I am feeling the results: muscles waking up, mumbling sleepily "you wanted us again?" I am trying to coax them awake. The thing I really notice is that after doing the little that I do I really feel much more alive. Good thing too!

Smiles,
Susanne

colts foot, birthday, and horsetail

It has been too long since I last posted anything. I think of things while out with the dogs but never seem to have time to post them. A few weeks ago I saw my first spring flowers, small yellow coltsfoot -Tussilago for those who want the botanical name. Now they are popping up all over the place. Soon enough they will give way to the larger dandylions.

Among the things I've been dong is this very tiny drop spindle. made specifically for doing a very fine yarn of Merino - that's the back wool - so I can darn my store bought Merino wool socks. I put a few coins and AA size battaries next to the spindle to convince you that it is really small!



I also had another birthday - celbrated with the family over a pancake - actually waffle - breakfast. In the evening I visited friends. We had planned to watch the old Disney movie The Miracle of the White Stallions but we couldn't connect my American DVD player to their TV. So we watched Hairspray instead. We had a good homemade pizza and I made a cake. Very good evening!


On Saturday I saw the first horsetail - Equisetum arvense, so spring is sprung. And over a week ago I finally finished weaving the shawls that have been on my big Toika loom for almost two years! I suppose that requires a photo or two.



This is the folded shawl - one of two. and below is a closeup of the pattern:

I took the loom apart, cleaned thoroughly, and was desperate for something to weave, so I found a ready warp in the supplies I inherited with my loom. I am not sure if this is sisal or hemp but it is about 10 yards long and some of it will become the weft. As soon as I get some help the next project will be plain weave runner carpets! Carpets will be much appreciated by the mutts for good back scratching! I will have a dreaful time keeping the carpets clean because of the dog fur. Currently I don't have carpets at all and really don't miss the fuss and bother! So I do wonder why I am making them! Maybe I can keep them "for guests..."

The first picture below shows the warp in its chain - so you can enjoy the lovely colors - and the second shows the warp is actually on the back beam but not yet wound on.