Casting On

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
August 13, 2020

The attic in the Georgia house was full...33 years worth of living.  Most everything was either trashed or taken to Goodwill.  We did find a few treasures...toys being at the top of the list.  We packed them up and sent them to Felix (our grandson who just turned 4).  I'm not sure who was most excited, Felix or his dad (our youngest son).

It’s still hot!  Cooking  inside isn’t a good idea this time of year in Moab so Joe has been busy at the grill... 

homemade fresh veggie pizza , fresh asparagus, sweet Olathe corn on the cob  (from Olathe, CO not too far from here), chicken, salmon and bacon burgers just to name a few of the things that have satisfied our taste buds.  We were especially thrilled to find a huge tub of Olathe corn at City Market...5 ears for $1.00. We have bought it on two different stops there.

Three of us have sparkly, clean chompers. Sally was mad at me and refused to look up and smile.

Joe and I also had our pearly whites cleaned.  I always dread teeth cleaning day.  I am always happy when it is done!


So yesterday while running errands, we stopped at Desert Thread. 

It was obvious that upon entering the small store, I wasn’t expecting what I saw.  The colors, the textures, and the hand-made sweaters, scarves, hats and bags were amazingly gorgeous. 

 Many of the yarns in the store are local. And what ever felting is, I really want to learn how.  It sure makes for some beautiful pieces.  










But, first things first...knitting!  My grandma crocheted, my mom knitted, and I enjoyed countless hours in years past doing counted cross stitch. I’ve had a hankering to learn how to knit for the past several months.  I had done some internet research and Kathy, the owner of Desert Thread, agreed with my findings.  She guided me on choices for needles and yarn.  She is so friendly, helpful and passionate about wanting folks like me to be successful.   It will take much practice to get a "rhythm" and "feel" for working the yarn and probably several more stops at Desert Thread for help.  

I spent yesterday afternoon casting on and this morning while Joe was in the dentist chair, I added a second row.
I'm telling myself this is progress !  I have size 8 birch needles and a light color wool blend yarn.  

Practice  makes perfect.  But then I read once that Vince Lombardi said, "Practice does not make perfect.  Only perfect practice makes perfect."  I might in trouble !


I'll close with the prettiest sunset photo of the week...

Until next time...

Photo taken January 2019 in LaJolla, CA

HAPPY TRAILS !

A New Chapter Begins

Gopher Flats

Moab, UT

August  4, 2020

All our hard work paid off...Nicole listed our home on June 24. We accepted a contract on the 27th.  

We closed on July 20th.  We packed and moved the RV to   R Shaefer Heard campground ( just 8 miles from our home) on the 21st. The movers came on the 22nd.  The 23rd was spent buying groceries and doing last minute errands and on the 24th we headed west.   

Our good friends Libby and Corky live in Hot Springs Village, AR so we routed our trip to include a two night stop over at The Village to see them. 

I had never been to Hot Springs so Libby and I masked up and enjoyed a walk on Bathhouse Row.  Corky took Joe to an off road park to play.

 It never ceases to amaze us how months turn into years since you have seen friends, but you always pick right up where you left off as if no time at all had passed.   Their home is beautiful with a stunning view of the mountains from the deck.  




I didn't get any pictures of the pups, but we met their newest addition to the family, a very playful and happy Gracie Mae, and enjoyed snuggles from Rebel.    

Somewhere on 84 N between Santa Fe and Durango...life is good !

We arrived in Moab on July 30th and are still settling in at Gopher Flats. 




 It is rather warm...OK, its hot as blue blazes ( a phrase I heard my grandma say many times) !  No worries though because we are here to chill out.  Having no agenda is the agenda !

It's nice early in the morning and near dusk...the perfect time to play, explore, or just sit in the cool grass and wait for grasshoppers.   

We got WileE out of the storage unit last Friday.  It cranked right up on the first try as if it had only been parked over night and not nine months.  The oil is changed (Joe has it done right before we leave and when we return.), tools packed, tires inspected, fluids checked, and early Monday morning we did a quick run on Steelbender with Dee.  

 And so a new chapter in our lives begins.  Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !