The Hudson River in the Fall
October is here and that means it’s time for my annual pilgrimage to the fiber mecca of the Northeast: Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck, New York is the venue of the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. Some people might argue that Maryland Sheep and Wool (MDSW) is a competitor for this title, but I would argue that Rhinebeck is special. Continue reading
One of the alpacas at Little Lost Creek farm
We recently visited an alpaca farm in Salford, PA about five miles from our house. I met one of the owners, Alex Frazier, at a craft fair at Pennypacker Mills. He and his wife Sandy are the owners of the Little Lost Creek Alpaca Farm. He told us about their upcoming open house and we decided to take a look. By the way, it’s called Little Lost Creek because the creek so rarely has water in it that it gets “lost”. Continue reading
You may have noticed that I added another page called “Profiles”. What are Profiles, you may ask. This is where I will write about people I have met who have their own stories to tell. While I would like to think that I am unique in this journey I am not. I am joined by many others who have made interesting discoveries, worked to create and build new enterprises, and reached for things outside of themselves. As I try to figure what I am capable of on my search for that sweet spot where contentment and personal value meet, I will share their experiences — or “profiles”, with you.
Manning the table to tell people about Pennypacker Mills at their craft fair in September 2015.
This is Jack Jones. He spent a career as a logistics manager in the corporate world. Now he buys the useful bits of old Pennsylvania barns and houses and makes one of a kind birdhouses. We met him a few weeks ago and bought the birdhouse he is holding on the left in the picture above. It has a glass doorknob from a Victorian era home. Continue reading
I haven’t been blogging lately. A lot has been going on so I have some catch up to do. Two weeks ago I attended the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza that took place from Thursday to Sunday in Oaks, PA. Oaks is the home of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. My friend BJ is an expert quilter and she had two of her quilts accepted into this show. Since I lived so close I said I would go and scope it out, and take pictures of her quilts. By the way, one of them won a ribbon. Continue reading
The big dig begins.
Early last week the crew arrived with a drill and set up in my front yard to drill two big holes. You need 640 feet of hole in the ground for a geothermal system. This is one more step in our quest for energy neutrality. Despite having one of the largest houses on the block, we should soon have one of the smallest utility bills. Continue reading
Shiloh doing one of his favorite things . . . swimming.
I’m writing this late in the evening. Barkley and Shiloh are fast asleep, Barkley on his bed, and Shiloh on mine. We have had Shiloh for six years now, and every night we tell him to go to his bed, and every night he looks at us and goes back to sleep, and we have to either nudge him off the bed or carry him off. There are a lot of days in six years, and Continue reading
The big basket of tomatoes . . . yes it was full when I bought it — 30 lbs!
One thing you should know about me is that I like to eat. More than that, I like to eat good food. I think that if you like to eat good food you had better know how to cook unless you can afford to have your own personal chef. For me, good food means real food, that has not been processed or otherwise adulterated. Continue reading
Shiloh relaxing at home
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday. I’m not at work and the days follow each other with nothing to distinguish them. Which days are better? The ones in which I get a lot done or the ones in which I relax and do not. What does it mean to get something done? Does it matter what I do each day? The short answer is that is does matter to me. In some parallel universe is another me watching what I am doing with my time, or more importantly, judging me for what I am not doing. So, being busy becomes “good” and doing nothing is not. Continue reading
Lily pads in the pond
Today is Friday and I was thinking about peaceful places. Sitting at home with nowhere to go is peaceful. Being outside with a breeze through the trees is peaceful. Sitting down to dinner with a home cooked meal that is also healthy is peaceful. What about all those other annoying tasks you have to do that can impinge on your peace? How about paying bills or washing dishes or picking up dog poop. Ok, that’s kind of a gross image, but you know what I mean, if they do it you have to scoop it. We all find different things peaceful. For example, I find pulling weeds relaxing. Continue reading
Explorations In Place 