Things have been a bit slower and duller around the old Slate Range Camp this summer, what with fires, smoke, heat waves and respiratory problems pinning me close to home... still, there has been a bit of excitement to share with you. You'll see it doesn't take much to qualify around here...
1. Getting a new phone
After an enormous struggle using our slow dial-up to order three phones (out of the five attached to my 'family' account) last Wednesday night, we were amazed to have them arrive Friday morning.... I spent a LOT of time Monday loading software on my computer and transferring music onto my new phone, which also is now my Personal Assistant. The touch screen was a little sensitive at first, but now my left handedness is finally collaborating with a right-handed design adequately, and I am sooo happy to be able to enter appointments easily as well as the address book function the phone was already serving... I had ordered extra memory for those songs, but forgot to get ear buds... oh well, I will have something new to be excited about soon.
2. Starting our first batch of beer
DH used to make a lot of homebrew, and he and I made both beer and fruit wines back about a decade ago, before we got caught up buying the Camp property, renovating the house, acquiring donkeys, etc.... the brewing equipment got packed up in the major move out of the house we sold, and scattered into various kitchens and outbuildings. I gathered together the necessary equipment, decided last week to seek out Sierra Moonshine, the local brewing store, and bought a kit to make Russian Imperial Ale, and eldest son and I managed to get it into the fermenting jug without much incident Sunday night... now, to wait several days and see how we did!
3. Freebies
I find free stuff entertaining, and was particularly delighted that Downieville Grocery owner Ingrid is offering these very nice, specially imprinted Chico Bags to customers who spent a lot... I got mine when I went to pick up my special order from the natural foods distributor yesterday... I love how the 'biner attaches it to my purse so I will always have a bag with me. Did I tell y'all I'm easily amused?
4. Finding out I only have bone spurs
After working hard at the LYS to get ready for the big sale next Saturday (the annual downtown Grass Valley Sidewalk Sale, though we are offering LOTS of yarn, indoors in air-conditioned comfort, for 40% off if you pay with cash or check), I discovered that my right knee was swollen and stiff. In fact, so stiff that rising back up to a standing position after bending over yarn bins and organizing fibers was difficult. DH was alarmed. DD was alarmed. I was only mildly alarmed, since I already know I have mild osteoarthritis... though I had the lyrics of that song 'I'm much too young to feel this d**med old' stuck in my head. An x-ray this afternoon revealed that I *only* have some bone spurs in the back of my joint, which get aggravated with me when I do jolting things to them. I will be trying to make friends with my bone spurs by losing 15 pounds over the next few months and increasing my time on the exercycle, a form of exercize they appear to approve of... could be much worse, so I'm mildly excited about only having bone spurs.
5. Finishing another wash cloth
This just isn't as exciting as it used to be. As I wait beside the computer while I load photos on to Typepad, I knit here and there on random washcloths and finished another tonight...
I love this Patagonia organic cotton...
6. Discovering Jenny Kerr
I managed to slip away from my exciting life here at Camp long enough Sunday afternoon to go up the road a few miles to the Willow Creek Campground, where the new owner, Don, was hosting a Good Neighbors Picnic... I took a great, easy potluck dish consisting of a tray of strawberries, a cup with thick, Greek-style yogurt to dip them in and a small plate of brown sugar to roll the dipped berries into before consuming heartily. I was delighted that Don had invited one of his favorite bands, Jenny Kerr and Co. of San Francisco, so that we could all enjoy her rousing country-rock original tunes... even dance a bit, all alongside a lovely mountain stream that meanders through the campground.
Jenny has a great voice and belts out some lusty, rocking, bluesy numbers. She will be returning for another local event in September.
On the far left, you can see Wooly Daisy's hubby's head, bending over his plate I think... I was happy to see her family and other neighbors turn out for the fun.
The most exciting thing, though, is that DH is coming home for a bit... after being away at fire camps since June 24th! The fires are gradually getting under control in our region, and even though he has been nearby, not close enough to come home except for twice; Thursday and Friday he needs to be at his home office for training - in... fire recertification! He will also get a few days off, and hopefully can stay home for a bit. If we do anything exciting, you'll be the first to know.
