Strands of a Tapestry

Good friends are always just around the corner. Always. Sometimes it is some one with whom you have just made an acquaintance. Other times it is an individual that you have known for years. All it is is that moment. That infinitesimal spec of time that they go from just friends to good friends, or even best friend. The time that the individual showed characteristics worthy of our trust and love. I have been blessed to call many people friends and several best friends, but I had the opportunity not long ago to add another to the ranks of good friends. This individual has shown trustworthiness not only to me, but someone who is dear to me; has offered friendship, not just as a mask, but genuine friendship; and also has been there and done that and is willing to share relevant information. Friendship is not something that is walked into blindly. Friendship is a two way street, you give and take, but mostly give. Friends.

Walking a Line

Those of you who know me know that I love sewing. No really, I LOVE sewing. I find excuses to sew things. Baby books, quilts, dresses, costumes. I just love it. Thankfully I have a very patient husband who puts up with it. This past week I had the excuse to make yet another costume. Instead of the civil war era (hoop skirts) that I have been making, it was from a little later, about 1900. The long skirts with the slight bustle, lovely blouses, and gaudy hats. Oh it was fun! It took about two days (probably about 7 hours start to finish) to put it completely together, and then off to play in it! I don't usually get to play in my costumes, but this time...FUN!! Went to a Steamers Convention with my sister: http://www.steam-con.com/ . It was a day to enjoy. The industry boom that was happening at that time in the country affected the minds of the day as well. Things were predicted and tried, only to fail from lack of technology. But the imaginations kept rolling! Time machines, wings to fly, zapping guns, and hypnotizing machines were but a few of the ideas that crashed at the time. It was still a time to celebrate, which is exactly what we were doing. The ideas were good, and many are in use today. Add the raw ideas and the dress of the time together and that is what we experienced. Oh my word! The costumes! I was having a blast just people watching. It was 1900's meets Goth. It was great! If you really want to see what it was like do a search for "Steam Punk" and it'll give you lots. The imaginary world and works of the time were clashing wonderfully with the period correct and making a wonderful cacophony of sights. One beautiful lady was in period correct attire from head to toe, and she was talking with another clad in fishnets, short leather skirt, gypsy blouse, corset, and top hat with feathers adorning it. The brocades and silks would make any one's eyes pop out of their heads. And if that didn't get the job done, the "futuristic" weaponry and mad-scientist gear would. There were boots, shoes, slippers, and sandals. Brocade, silk, fishnet, tulle, cotton, and stretch knit. The hats ranged from tiny top hats to the hard hats that were worn by those who wished to go exploring in the jungles. Top hats, broad brimmed covered in feathers, silk and lace confections, and felt hats. Oh, how wonderful and fun! The beauty and craziness. I can't wait to go next year...

A Different Take on Breast Cancer Awareness

So while my wonderful husband was shopping online, he found something of interest. There is a new Walther P22. Yes, it is a handgun. It looks like any other normal handgun. Like perhaps a police officer may carry. The only difference is that it is pink. Yes, PINK. So there you have it. The new breast cancer awareness gun. http://www.discountgunsales.com/walther-p-22-hope-edition-34-pr-4228.html

The Underground

While we were out and about we went on the underground tour that is in this small coastal community. We began by learning a short history of how the town came to be. It used to be half and half on the water and next to the water. So it flooded irregularly. Shop owners would place their wares up on counters and shelves higher than waist level because they didn't know whether or not their shop would be flooded in the night. To solve the problem they started by building up the streets. Leaving the 4 foot sidewalk in place they put boards anywhere from 4 to 12 feet high in the middle of the street depending on the street (the ones higher up the hill receiving the short ones). After all the braces were in place they poured concrete. Back in the day pouring concrete was bucket by bucket, hand mixed and hand poured, continually until the job was done. Once the concrete walls were in place they could bring in the dirt. Not by truck, by water. The hill behind the town was sluiced. By building a wooden pipeline and pumping water, they created mud that ran down the hill into the roadways that were ready. The dirt settled and the excess water drained out into the ocean. With the roads that needed a lot of fill (like 12 feet) it required six years for it to completely dry out. They still needed the roadways to be usable, so in came the lumber and they had boardwalk roads as well as sidewalks. The sidewalks were still on the original level, so at each corner there were stairs on each corner to climb, cross the street, and descend. Not much time passed and the store owners were either raising the buildings upon which their business rested, or converting the space below into basements and opening a new store front on level with the new street. Soon the sidewalks and streets were level, and the underground was still there, just not as needed as before. The staircases remained, and in some cases still used, but mostly doors and locks were put in place. The construction from start to finish, from building the concrete forms to a usable road, took six months. That's right; just six months. Half the town raised up to a flood-free level in half a year. Wow. Once finishing on the pictorial history, we moved on to walking the town. Many of the shops and buildings in use today were there when the town was formed. Many still have original decorations and boxes of antiques in their attics and in upstairs rooms. Walking up some stairs in one building we were regaled with stories about a questionable business that was there. Moving on to the next store there was shoes, shoes, and more shoes. The place had been a shoe store for the entire existence of the town. It was wonderful! The smell of old leather, the old safe that is used as a desk, and the original windows and floors really made the store very memorable. They also still had the original art on the walls to entertain the kids. A 10 foot long by 3 foot tall picture with moving parts. It was really cool, and still works! Ahhh, I wanted those shoes, but they weren't for sale. Ah well... A wonderful history and legacy that a tiny town has.

Trucks and Bugs

Had I known years ago that rubber boots came in so many shapes, sizes and styles I would have started a collection! Thankfully, I did not, so the savings account is safe Handsome. We had the luck to go into a store this past weekend that had a rubber boot section. Not just a half isle like most stores, oh no, a whole section of the store was devoted to rubber footwear, most of which were boots. Oh. My. Goodness! I could have looked for hours... Bugs several different kinds, trucks, cammo, spots, stripes, some animals, plaid, solid colors, and more. Wow! I love boots, but this was still a little much for me. Way way cool. Kids boots and adult boots. Boots. Boots. Boots. I was in boot heaven! Now I know where to go when mine finally wear out...

A Repeat of the Same Song

So I had my birthday. It was fabulous! We went over to the ocean for a couple days and just enjoyed small town life away from home. It was so nice. I had the greatest seafood I've ever had (no really, it was totally AWESOME), it was also the most expensive. But worth it...Oh so worth it. We played on the beach for a couple hours, got thoroughly wet and tired before going to dinner. We did change first... Peaches and Mr O did their normal "there's water so we can get wet" routine. They are so cute! Peaches would follow the water out, and then turn and run as the wave chased her back in. She did eventually get caught by a wave and got wet, but she was sure trying to stay dry. Mr O didn't try. Well, he did for about 2 minutes. He is so much like me that it is a little scary some days. I was sent home from school on a couple of occasions because I would stand under the rain spout and get wet, simply because I LOVE water. So does Mr O. In the course of about 10 minutes he was soaked up to his waist, and totally enjoying rushing the waves. Jumping, splashing, and in general having a blast. The walk back to the car was a little squishy though. Peaches found a beautiful shell. She is observant with things like that. Seeing the little things and dissolving tough situations with brother seem to be her forte right now. Although, she is a rebel in her own right. Playing in the water seemed to sooth everyone from our rough (and long) week. We had all taken turns being sick, and we were all tired. But the ocean has a way of soothing the soul. It was good. Very good. We'll go back soon.

Tigers

Fall flowers have a certain quality about them that summer flowers just never seem to have. The colors stand out more because the surrounding plants are wilting and getting brown from cold. They seem to have a stamina that summer flower just can't match. Wind, rain, hail, and cold tries to push these flowers into submission, but they will have none of it. Tall and proud they stand. Waving in the wind. Facing the rain and hiding from the hail. But once they get even the slightest hint of somewhat palatable weather, they are out in full force, defying the elements. Daring. These are the true athletes of the horticulture world. Until the frost touches them. Then they are like any other flowers, brown around the edges and wilting with the weather. Next year they will be back. They always come back.