A Day With Monika


What normally would take me 20 min to get to Monika’s took me an hour and ½ . The first interstate I was going to take was closed due to an accident between two trucks. One was filled with hazardous waste so they had the interstate completely shut down. The accident happened at 4AM and the crew did not get it cleaned up till early afternoon. There was yet another accident on a different interstate that I took with a cement truck that had a flat and his cement truck turned over on the highway leaving cement everywhere. We learned from the 5:00PM news that the man in the cement truck died from the accident. How tragic for the loss of an innocent man, leaving his loving family behind.

I called Hubby with my dilemma from the first interstate where my problems began and he sent me to another interstate heading north and the next interstate heading west. When I arrived to the final interstate, the traffic was completely stopped or should I say it took 30 min for me to go ½ mile to the next exit. I called Hubby with my dilemma and he advised that I get off at the next exit. He kept asking every few min if I was there yet. I said, honey, I think I should call you when I get there as I think I’m going to be stuck here for quite some time. I called Hubby back when I was able to get off and he and the map on-line was able to guide me safely to Monika’s via the back roads and yet 1 more interstate.

When I finally arrived we said our hellos and Monika offered me a drink. We then went out on her back patio with drinks in hand to just sit chat enjoy the birds and beautiful scenery out back. That was very relaxing and took my mind off the crazy traffic of the early morning. She has the most beautiful flowerbeds with tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and loads of fresh herbs amongst her plants and bushes.

Monika fixed a fabulous lunch which consisted of fish vegetables and rice. We were able to enjoy our lunch out on the patio and do some more relaxing, chilling and chatting. The temperature was in the upper 60’s and just a beautiful day to be outside.

After our lunch settled we went on to learn a bit about knitting. I could see already that knitting would not be my “thing” and seemed far too complicated so she went on to teach me how to crochet. I like to crochet so much better as it’s something I can actually grasp.

So while I was learning my steps and getting consumed in what I was doing, Monika got all wrapped up in her knitting and we sat out on the patio crocheting and knitting till 5:00PM. It was a glorious day and the above picture is a little sample of what I learned yesterday. She let me bring it home to continue working, so I’ll see what happens. Who knows, maybe I’ll take up crochet in the evenings while Hubby and I are chilling.

Unpacking More Boxes

Hubby and I worked on the stack of boxes in our garage this weekend. Yes, it looks like we are moving in as the boxes are stacked so high and fat chance of us getting our cars in the garage. Hubby and I just finished bringing all the things we had in storage for the past year home to our garage.

We have quite a bit of my mother – in – laws things. Ma lives in a nursing home, it’s more like a hospital/nursing home. She’s had trouble with her knee for several years and had to have a knee replacement and the leg just gave her fits. A few years ago she had a fall in her home as her knee just gave out. Infection set in a couple years ago and she had to have that leg removed. She is such a character and calls that leg her stub.

She will be 80 years old in October and is as lively as some of the liveliest youngsters I know. She does not forget a birthday and as a matter of fact, she does not forget anything. I love being in her company and listening to her stories from years past. She is such a tease and will bring a smile to anyone who is in the room. I never got to meet Hubby’s father as he passed away the year before I met Hubby but from the stories I hear he was quite the character and a tease.

Hubby and his brother met in Arkansas after their mother had her surgery to take care of all of their mother’s belongings. When Hubby got home with a load of things, we realized we needed storage. After dealing with storage for a year, we realize we just need to go thru those things – mostly papers…box by box and get it cleaned out. This weekend was dedicated to getting some of the boxes cleaned out. Just one box at a time and we will eventually have a clean garage once again.

Pottery Hot Off The Press


It was so hard to sleep in knowing there was a load of pottery finished and ready for me to see. At 7:00 AM the kiln temp was 175 degrees, which is safe to open at that temp. I’m sharing a few of the pics hot off the press. Glazing is one of the hardest things for me at the moment. I’m mixing and basically just feeling my way through at the moment. I can’t wait to have my very favorite color palate, until then, I’ll keep trying to find it. I am very much so in love with pumpkin. Pumpkin is the brown color I have on the candle holder.