And the Torch continues on it’s way

I didn’t realize that the Olmpic Torch relay ran the torch out of town the next morning after an event such as the one we had yesterday.  I only found out about it at the end of the evening as we were sitting around waiting for those who’d been tearing down the site to eat etc.  So I set my alarm for 5:30 am(!) since I was told the flame would be leaving from the Police Station between 6:30-6:45 am.  I managed to get up, get down there and get situated to take some photos of  part of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Royal Bank "trailer" all lit up with RBC employees huddled at the back getting their instructions

The sponsor vehicles lit up the dark area up the block from the police station.

All of this goes BEFORE the Torch Bearer

It was interesting watching all the preparation prior to having the torch lit.  Many of these torch relay folks were up probably until 11 pm or later the night before and here they were all ready to go again so early in the morning!  And they’ve been doing it for weeks or even longer!

The first torch bearer and his family must be local since lots of folks seemed to know him.  Many of my night shots didn’t turn out great.  I’m hoping to find a way to improve them in Photoshop at some point.

Torch starts its journey out of town

Each torch bearer carries the torch for a prescribed distance, lighting the next torch bearer’s torch from their flame.  The first torch bearer must have only gone as far as our City Hall before lighting the next torch since this is not the same torch bearer.  This looks like a woman and she really seems to be enjoying her time with the torch. 

2nd torch bearer enjoying her turn carrying the Olympic Flame

As soon as the torch went by me with the first 2 torch bearers, I got in my car and drove ahead of the torch since they were headed out on Hwy 4 north of the city.  I actually went too far following the first vehicles in the convoy once I got ahead of the torch convoy itself, realized it when they didn’t stop at the edge of town and turned back.  I got back to the stopping location just before the torch did and was  in the left turn lane facing the torch coming up the other side of the street…….it was a perfect location to take pics!

I didn’t realize it until I zoomed in on one of my photos, but I got a photo of the container carrying the actual Olympic Flame from Greece I believe.  They were doing something by taking the flame from the lit torch and returning it to the container (I think) .  See photo below.

The person on the (R) appears to be holding the container with the Olympic Flame from Greece in it

end of the Olympic Torch Relay in Swift Current

And here we are, the last Torch relay participant’s torch is out….the flame is back in it’s container and ready to head to the next locale.

I actually followed the torch relay convoy out of town for a bit trying to get a photo of the police cruiser lights and all the other lights lit up, but was not very successful.  On my way back to the city, I noticed the sun starting to come up.  I decided to get some sunrise photos for inspiration for painting my landscape fabrics and possibly for my notecards.  I took quite a few, both coming into the city and going out to the countryside east of the city.  I consider the incredible sunrise my reward for getting up so early this morning. 

wonderful winter prairie sunrise!

 Again, this is a major reason I live here – the wide open vistas give incredible sunrises and sunsets!!

My Olympic Torch Relay moment

Before Christmas, I was asked if I wanted to work (volunteer) when the Olympic Torch Relay came to Swift Current.  I agreed and it was decided I would work in the volunteer and performer hospitality area (green room).  I got my volunteer package and found out I would be working from 12:30 – 8:30 pm (for the 4 hr event).  I didn’t care how long I worked as long as I actually got to see the torch arrive and take some pictures!  When I arrived, I found that I was going to be working on the check-in desk for volunteers and performers.  It was a very well-organized event.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen the detailed organization that went into planning this event.  Anyway, myself and the other person (Sam)at the check- in desk got to check off the volunteer’s names, tell them where to go and who to report to and keep the hospitality tables tidied up.  It was interesting to see how the event came together and excitement built throughout the afternoon.  I don’t know who ordered the weather, but we had above normal temps (even above freezing) which made things a lot easier all around for everyone. 

Stage area being set up

Coke Display area being set up (Torch Relay sponsor)

Once we got our duties sorted out and things settled down, we took turns going to see what was going on with the activities for the public next door.  I wanted to see Annette Compagne (http://annettemusic.ca) perform.  She is a bilingual folk/roots singer from Willow Bunch, SK who also happens to be Connie Kaldor’s sister in law. (Connie is one of my favourite singer/songwriters).  There was a number of local acts performing as well on the indoor stage.  Many of them plus other acts performed on the outdoor stage for the “official” events starting at 6pm.  

Annette Campagne performing

 In the meantime, we got to a variety of folks arrive and get ready for their participation in the days events.  It was exciting to see the 1st Torch Relay participants and their families arrive in the distinctive torch relay windsuits.  Their meeting took place upstairs so we just directed them them.  After the meeting they spent some time mingling outdoors before boarding the Torch Relay bus that would take them to their particular starting point on the Relay.  Each participant had their own torch to carry (that they could purchase if they wanted). 

Torch Relay torch bearers waiting to board the relay bus

At one point, the Coordinator came up to the table and just handed me one of the the torches………….of course I had my picture taken with it! 

My Olympic torch moment!

We also got to see some of the Olympic Mascots and their handlers as they prepared to go and mingle with the folks outside.   They really do need the handlers to help them move around and not trip over people and things.

Quatchi the Saskquatch and Miga the Sea Bear - Olympic Mascots with their handlers

Grounds set up and ready for the public who are starting to arrive

Volunteer workers taking a break

Aboriginal dancers preparing for the opening ceremony

 My apologies for any blurred or strobing in the next photos……with all the lights and reflective strips on clothing etc.  It was very difficult to get good pictures of the entry of the torch in the dark! 

Crowd watching performers while waiting for the Torch to arrive

the lit torch passing by me

Katie lighting the Caldron with the Olympic flame

Katie, the final torch bearer inside after lighting the caldron

Volunteer workers who worked 4 hours or more were entitled to a meal.  Of course it was Beef on a Bun (we live in cattle country). Once all the volunteers were served, we used the remaining food and hot beverages to feed those who were involved in tearing down the site – including volunteers, Coke team workers and VanOC (vancouver Olympic Committee) workers travelling with the torch relay.  They were more than willing to dig in and eat. Some of them have been travelling with the Torch Relay since it started so I imagine a great homesytle meal was more than appreciated.  They’d also been working outside for about 8-10 hrs.  It was amazing to just watch the food disappear.  Not too many leftovers when they were done!

Hungry workers after tearing down the event site

All in all it was a wonderful way to see and take part in the Olympic Torch event, not something you get to do every day.  I went home tired but happy at the end of it all.

It’s Been A Day!

Today has been a long day in more than one way.  It’s Saturday and I’m at the studio but there is a home-based business trade show going on in the gym outside the door.  I hoped to take advantage of the passing customers to come in and see the studio.  These are all “name” brand home party type businesses such as Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Avon, etc etc.  It’s amazing to see (and smell) how many of them have scented candles (that they feel compelled to light for the duration of the show) and just the scented products in general.  Since I am extremely sensitive to scented products this is not an ideal situation for me by any means.  I tried to stay in my studio as much as possible, but my new marketing strategy is to have my door open with my business sign plus the open sign plus the “come on in and see what I’m working on sign” showing.  It wasn’t long before the scents started wafting in to my studio area.  I opened ALL my windows to try and keep fresh air near me…..then opened them all the way.  Given that the high today was just above freezing and the wind was up, it meant there was lots of fresh air, but it was cool as well.  I even resorted to trying to use my air circulating fan, in the doorway pointing out, to keep the scented air from coming in, but to little success.  I finally put on my organic vapour mask while working in order to keep from being totally scented out and incapacitated.   I finally got the rest of my quilts hung to my satisfaction and took my “open studio” pics (the clean and tidy ones ggggg).  It was a relief when the show was over at 4 pm and the folks put out their candles and packed up and left.  I shut the studio door but put the open and come on in signs on the outside of the door in case there were any more interested shoppers.  

Here are the “open studio” pics that didn’t get taken until today.

my "retail" area for cards and photo products

 The scarf area looks a little worse. for wear since it was checked out by numerous folks today.

scarf display and trying out

painted FQ display plus sink area

This curved office divider is the right size to cover the sink area of the studio for quick “cleanups’ when ppl drop in!

display of gelatin prints done at the 1st Montana Art Quilt Retreat

 This display has an assortment of things on it – some new, some old, some that might be for classes.

refreshed bulletin board display visible from the doorway

 These quilts were guild or other challenge quilts plus some class samples I made in the past.  As I have newer work completed they will be replaced and/or retired, if I can think what to do with them.  This was their chance to get out of storage for awhile and let ppl here see where I’ve come from. (Most are traditional quilters in this area).  I think it’s good to spend some time with my old work as I keep moving on to new……….see what comes with me and what stays behind.

challenge pieces and class samples from my "traditional" days

 The two big quilts have travelled for over 2 yrs together in the Celebrate! Millenium Quilt exhibit from May 2000 until July 2002, then individually were  shown and/or juried into a number of other shows.  I don’t have space to properly hang them at home so it is nice to have them here where I can see them every day.   Both are landmarks in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. 

display wall with my most juried and travelled quilts

 My slanted magazine storage cabinets not only hold lots and lots of stuff, but let me display a variety of items I can change from time to time.

In my personal sewing area the cabinets hold my fabric stash(es).

 

my personal sewing and stash area

Across from my work table they hold my paints, dyes and other assorted paraphanalia.  I put new books, books that I am working with, and books that inspire me there as well as my current magazine subscriptions. 

inspiration and paint and dye storage

 A bonus for today was that one of the vendors in the tradeshow outside the studio door wandered in and fell in  love with my ColorHue dyed scarves.  She has a clothing store in a small town about 2 hrs from here and took  scarves with her on consignment, cutting my smaller scarf stock in half.  She is interested in my cards, etc in the spring once the tourists start coming again.  I think the darkish green one is going to be the shop owner’s – she tried it on and preferred it over others.  I know someone in town who may be sorry they didn’t buy it when they had the chance.

ColorHue dyed scarves heading out to be sold on consignment

It’s been a long day at the studio, even longer since I decided I was going to finish this blog post before heading home.  Even though I didn’t have a lot of cash sales, I did send 8 scarves away on consignment and I know one of  them is sold for sure.  I had a lot of  folks who indicated they would likely be back another time.  I even had a couple of ppl inquiring aobut future workshops – so it was a well spent day.   I also had an inquiry from someone wondering how my particular talents might be used to publicize their product/service.  You never know who will walk in your door when you leave it open.

I hope to catch up with missed posts over the past few weeks in the next week or so.  I know I’ve been taking pics so I could! 

Stanza will be thinking I have left her alone overnight again, so I best be headed out.  See you next time!

Another Studio Saturday

I consider Saturday to be one of my workdays.  If I am not teaching that day, it gives me a time and place to catch up on things, plan/work  ahead for the the upcoming week.  I find that if I get up and get going at my usual weekday time, things happen. If I don’t treat it like that, I can get distracted by other tasks and ideas.  Today was an early day at the studio.  I had a couple of things that didn’t get done yesterday to catch up on – and they got done much quicker than if  I’d done them last nite. 

I spent some time working on a flyer for a vendor to use at the sale next week using her pics and text.  She was away at a Volleyball tournament elsewhere in SW Saskatchewan for the day so we talked on the phone, I made a few changes and emailed it to her.  I also tidied up in stages as a break from other activities.  There was a training event going on in this area of the building and when their lunch came, the smell of the soup made me realize I was hungry so I stopped for my own lunch.    While I was eating, I looked out the window and saw the “deer” friends again!

my lunchtime companion in mid-bite

After awhile I heard a horn, so I looked out

two deer grazing outside studio window

and my lunchtime companion had a friend

with her.

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch I had to make a quick trip to the dollar stores to get some plastic tongs and some eye droppers to use while dyeing .  Then I mixed up the colors to start dyeing.

Color Hue dyes mixed and ready to use

 Using these dyes is entirely too much fun!!  They are protein dyes.  You add the dye concentrate ( I used between 25 and 40 drops for darker colours) per half cup of water.  You add the dye mixture to wet silk in a variety of ways and it is IMMEDIATELY soaked up by the fabric.  I was using the clear plastic top of a cake or platter container.  No batching, no waiting, NADA.  in fact when you squeeze the silk out……..the water is clear or very close to it….all the dye is in the fabric.

my low tech dyeing surface

I did find the dyes to be brighter and more pastel than I would like, even though I mixed them up as “dark” colours according to the directions on the CD I bought with the sampler package.  Since I was learning how the dyes worked, I did a few with the colors as mixed up. Once I had a sense of how they worked using several of the suggested techniques, I started mixing colours.  I found adding 3 drops or so of black or brown to a color toned it down considerably to more like the palette I wanted.  I also mixed a few colors to see what would happen and was pleased with those results as well.  

overdyeing a "too bright" scarf

Here are the scarves grouped together as I’m writing the blog…….most are already dry.  The hangar is one I picked up at Ikea in Edmonton last Sunday - bought to display scarves or fqs. 

results of today's dyeing session

 A close up of some of the scarves, showing overdyeing in the pink/blue ones  and the green ones.  I used the same color mixture for the green scarf on the bottom but added about 3 – 5 drops of black to it to darken the green.  The blueish colored scarf next to the one on the bottom left is the same colour family but overdyed with a electric blue with black added.

Close up view showing some of the overdyed scarves next to original colors

 All in all it was fun to use these dyes and would certainly make a wonderful make and take workshop.  I will probably have another session of scarf dyeing before my Open Studio so I can have more available.  I dyed a variety of weights and styles of scarves today, trying out the blanks I have in stock.  I do know I liked the cranberry scarf that Elizabeth did in our previous play day dyeing session with the MX dyes.  It was more the type of hue I want to do for many of these scarves.

My dear deer friends are back!

I’ve been wondering where the deer had gone since I hadn’t seen any for about 2-3 weeks.  Mind you, I was out of the studio for 5 days last week dealing with a “bug” (no not THAT one).

This evening when I came back to the studio, they were back!  More than usual at once!   I switched lenses (to the telephoto) and headed out the back door to the side of the building where my windows are located

view thru the tree outside studio window

 

. 

I stopped just short of the corner when I saw this doe watching me.  I stood quite still (but I was wearing a red jacket!).  She kept checking me out every few seconds when she was nibbling fallen berries under the Mountain Ash tree.  I had to be very careful not to move since she would immediately whip her head around to check me out.  It was almost comical how she kept looking at me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

doe watching me watching her

 

an impatient driver beeped their horn & sent deer across street

 

 

 

 

An impatient driver beeped his horn, sending the deer all across the street to the cemetary so no more closeups today. 

 

 

 

 

       all the deer congregated across the street

 

There were a number of does and what looked like this year’s fawns as well. I wondered where the buck was and finally spotted him.  It was the buck with one antler that I’ve seen several times this summer.

 buck with one antler 

 I am not sure if these are white tail or mule deer.  I must check that out.  I do know these deer are not as large as I expected them to be the first time I saw them. 

 

It was nice to see that they are still around.  My daughter said that when she lives in Banff, the elk would move into to town to calve and during hunting season, so she had to know different ways to get places to avoid them.  These ones are fairly skittish but still used to humans due to coming into the city.   

Intro to Fibre Art after school workshop series wraps up

My 4 week after school workshop series – Intro to Fibre Art- for grades 4-6 - wrapped up today.  I’ve taken my  camera every week but have been so involved in the class I didn’t take pictures,  so today I was determined to get photos of the girls’ projects!  These participants have taken a series of art classes through the Gallery over the past number of years  so they are definitely interested in  the processes used.

The first week we “created” our fabrics  using Caran d’Arche watercolour crayons and Setacolor Transparent Fabric paints on Kona PFD fabric.  Next I had the girls look at their fabrics to see if the fabrics they created wanted to be made into a certain object.  Since they were hand sewing these projects they had to be fairly simple, so pillows and totes were chosen by each girl.  I had the girls use a worksheet to plan their projects so they could make it again another time if they wished.  They then spent their time hand sewing their projects. 

L- Lauryn's work and R - Nadine's work

Lauryn and Nadine were able to finish their main project (a pillow made from their hand painted fabrics).  They also used some of their other fabric to make a small piece (5″x7″) of fibre art.  The larger pillow on the right is made from 2 different pieces of fabric (half of a fat quarter) while the one on the left is made from one piece folded in half.

Mackenzie's pillow

I loved the effects the girls got on their painted fabrics.  This would have been the last piece Mackenzie painted as it has salt effects showing.  The other side of the this pillow is a different piece of fabric she created.  

Tote bag made by Hayley

Hayley decided she wanted to make a tote bag instead of a pillow.  I love the secondary grid effect on her fabric.  We use a print rack to dry fabrics at the gallery for classes and this gives this secondary effect to SOME fabrics dried on it.  All are on butcher paper but it transfers through to some and not others. We haven’t figured out why yet.  I suspect it has something to do with how wet the fabrics may be that are drying since they would be heavier due to the water in them. Or it could be the paper used…….we had a couple of different kinds for awhile.

Ordinarily I teach process classes and not a finished item class so this was a bit of a challenge to make sure each girl got her project(s) finished to take home. I did bring my sewing machine to sew Hayley’s tote handles but other than that all stitching was done by hand.

At least half of the girls have signed up to take the  4 week November afters school series – Put Your Stamp On It! where we will make stamps from household and hardware items, create our own fabrics and make a journal or fibre art from those fabrics. (They like to have finished projects for these classes).

Fusible Fibre Art Postcard Workshop for Kids

Today’s workshop for children was Fusible Fibre Art Postcards.  No sewing involved.  I spent Fri evening pre-fusing a variety of fabrics so they would have a fun variety to pick from.  There were supposed to be 3 participants, but only 2 sisters showed up in class.  I already have a variety of peltex “blanks” pre-cut in various sizes.  I also pre-stamped a series of pre-fused postcard backs with a stamp I purchased a few years ago.   I decided they could do up to 3 pieces in the 2 hrs.

As I was standing outside the library with my supplies, waiting for it to open, I noticed that the shrub next to the sidewalk had pretty sad looking leaves do to our early bout with winter weather.  I’m sure glad we did the leaf workshop LAST Saturday.

When I showed the girls the samples of postcards I’d brought to give them ideas, they were quite entranced with them, especially since I participated in a number of postcard exchanges a few years ago and have them from all over the world……

some of the postcards I’ve received in exchanges

They spent some time looking at cards and fabrics to get some ideas and then we started.   Once they got into it, we were all having a good time making them. 

8 yr old hard at work making her cards

her 10yr old sister working on her cards

The girls decided they wanted to have a Christmas coloured card to send to friends (they moved here recently) and also made a 5×7 piece.  They colored the white edges of the peltex with Setaskrib+ fabric paint markers.

The pic below shows their finished cards and my work in progress………I’m trying to decide whether to stitch on it or try to do it all fusible as a sample for future fusible art classes.

The girls finished cards and my WIP

What we learned was that if you fuse mistyfuse and tulle over individual jewels it will hold them in place rather then let them slide all over.  We also tried some of Aleene’s Jewel-it glue to hold individual jewels in palce on a couple of pieces.

It was interesting to watch each of the girls work.  Both have obviously done crafts before.  Neither had ironed so that was new.  One of the girls was much more deliberate and careful in choosing and cutting her fabrics for her piece.  The other was very spontaneous in her fabric and colour choices.  It was interesting to watch them both work. 

Next week we are making layered fabrics and turning them into wrist cuffs or fabric art (their choice).   There are already enough registered so I know the workshop is a go.  Not sure if there are any adults registered for the afternoon class offered.

More “deer” friends

Smaller doe literally lying just outside my studio window

Mama deer resting outside my studio window

 

Today I saw several different deer hanging around the building my studio is in or across the street in the cemetary.  I call them my deer friends (grin).  They love to feed on the mountain ash and crabapple trees right outside my studio windows.  Or lie in the shade of the evergreens planted along the edge of the building. 

Last week my studio neighbor, June, told me about one deer looking in her centre window while her dog (a lab) was virtually quivering while standing there looking right back at the deer.  Not barking, the two of them nose to nose.  If I had not been working over in another section of the building for my day job, she would have had me come and take a few pics.  I was sorry I missed it.

Time to be a Bag Lady

I let myself  sleep in a bit today just to make sure I got my sleep.  Only problem is that I wake up with the daylight so it’s not too long unless I’m exhausted.  By the time I was ready to head for the studio, the credit union was open so I could check out why my personal debit card PAC was no longer working.  Starting to wonder about all this……..  Got that sorted out but didn’t get to the studio till about 10 am.

It’s been on my list all week to make at least one tote bag for the local Grandmothers to Grandmothers group’s art auction to raise funds.  http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/grandmothers.htm  for more information about them.  When I read the local weekly paper last night, I discovered that the auction was TOMORROW and next Saturday so……… today is bag making day!

First, though I had to open MORE parcels!!  I had orders from 2 different places in Vancouver arrive today (ordered on Monday) so I was impressed about the customer service.  Most of it was supplies for my upcoming classes, but I did get something I didn’t know existed before I ordered it.  BLACK lutradur yardage!  That’s right, lutradur comes in black too…… I have it in both 70 g and 100 g weights.  So now I have FOUR types of  lutradur to “play” with, and Leslie Riley’s book on lutradur as well.  Can we say  Lutradur “PLAY DAY” coming up???  I was very good thought, I only fondled the new “stuff” for a bit, then checked it off the list and put it away.  I know, I can’t believe I did it either but I needed to get the totebags done.

I was given 2 green garbage bags almost full of upholstery samples last  year by a local furniture (after I asked).  I make some bags for the local library to give to families for their library books but I also want to start making some for sale.  I sorted them as to fabric type and size last year so I just had to decide which would work the best for my totes.  I decided to use the Simplicity 0765 View A  bag pattern  http://simplicity.com/p-1610-its-so-easy-bags.aspx  to make it (less thinking involved).  I chose a few samples and got some input from other folks here as to which they would likely bid on for the auction.  I decided to make a prototype to work out the kinks before using the favourite fabrics.

I discovered that I had to cut out the 2 main pieces separately but that it JUST fit on the  fabric with enough left over for the bottom plus scraps for other creations.    Since I was hoping to make more than one, I traced the pattern piece onto a peltex to make a template.

peltex template on fabric sample showing other piece cut out

  When I used the peltex template, I used my chalk wheel to mark the shape on the fabric.  I also decided to use my 18 mm rotarty cutter and large mat to cut out the pieces to save pinning, etc.  This pattern also calls for fusible interfacing on the fabric pieces to give the bag more body.   I wasn’t sure I would need it, but ended up on a “run” to Walmart to get some as well as some funky cotton fabric to line it with.  I was successful on both counts. 

I used time-saving on the fusing part as well.  I laid my fabric pieces wrong side up on the ironing board and the interfacing fusible side down across them.  Then I fused them.  Once they were cool, I cut the piece out of the interfacing. I tried to be as economical as possible in fitting the shapes to make the best use of the interfacing.

bag sections ready for fusing (corner turned back to show section)

Once the sections were backed, it was time to start sewing.   I followed the pattern directions for the mos&Ut part in the construction.  I really didn’t like how the bottom of the bag was put in and finished.  Lets just say that bias tape edges around curves and I do not play well together.  I am going to have to work on that!.  I gamely tried to use the bias tape but I was not pleased with the quality of the result.  So my next option was to use the Pfaff Serger (given to me at least 5 yrs ago and hardly used) since my trusty White serger was at home where I plan to do my clothes sewing.    I got everything set up to my satisfaction but, again, I was not happy with how the curved edges were looking so I set it aside.    At that point i decided a break was in order and headed home to get some leftover pizza and Stanza to return to the studio.

After some snoozing and exploring, Stanza decided she should be helping:

Stanza checking to see if I've done it right

I started making a few more bags – the first stages anyway.  This time when I got to putting the lining in for the bottom, I wondered if fusing might work, so I tried fusing the lining fabric to peltex (instead of cardboard) and tried to fuse that to the bag bottom with the seams…….that was not working to my satisfaction either.

problem area - next step to attach bag lining bottom

What I finally ended up doing was to fuse the fabric lining bottom to the peltex then HAND SEW the bottom in around the seam line.  This gave me a nice finished look but is certainly NOT an option for bags I would want to sell since it took longer than would be cost effective for the price point of the bag.  Anyway, here is some photos of the finished bags before they went to the auction.

my “protoype” bag

I used both patterned sections in the prototype bag.  What I discovered with reversing the sections to get both out of same fabric was that the “rows” of circles did not line up.  So, I decided to use one patterned and one plain side for interest and esthetics.

this was the favourite fabric sample

plain side of bag

 I attached a business card with hand printed care instructions on the reverse to the bag with some ribbon.  It is interesting tat the interfacing (medium weight fusible Pellon) and the the peltex give the bag enough body that it can pretty much stand on it’s own, but still fold up.

It was very late by the time I got both finished to my standards due to the handsewing of the lining bottom into the bag.  Stanza kept interrupting me to “tell” me it was time to go.

Sometimes a drive is what you need

Tonight when I left the studio,  I decided to eat at the Co-op Thursday buffet so I didn’t have to cook.  By the time I came out of there, the sky was clearing and I was starting to feel a bit perkier.  I decided to go for a drive to see how the crops were coming along so I could get some pics and get some “space”.   Remember, one of the reasons I live here is the 360 degree horizons.

looks like the grain is ready to harvest

swathed field

I love the visual texture of the ripened grain

There are always some different or unusual things to see when out driving as well.  This caught my eye a while back but I didn’t take a picture until today.    You are just driving on the fairly unoccupied grid road, and there it is.  It took me a couple of looks to figure out what it was.

a creative use for those huge satellite dishes

I still remember my reaction the first time I went by this corner and saw this sight:

an assortment of work and other boots on fence posts stretching in both directions

It’s always interesting to note contrasts between old and new as well and how farming practices have changed over time.  It’s more apparent when you live in a predominantly farming/ranching/rural area.

older granaries - looking unused

modern grain company grain terminal

I was gone about an hour driving a ‘loop” down the higway, cross country and back to town.  It was a lovely drive and, as usual, I felt I filled up on all the wide open spaces.  It was lovely and I felt much better when I got home.