Why have I been gone for 11 years?

Part of why I haven't blogged for so long is...somewhere along the way, I forgot I had this blog (or my other blog, for that matter...turns out I have two). Also, I had some troubles. My son became disabled. The interior of my house was destroyed by fire. My spouse became handicapped (but they figured out the problem: rare pituitary gland failure, walking much better now!). But, I'm back now. Moved back into my house. Figured out how to carve writing time (and me time!) into my caregiving schedule (helps that the spouse doesn't need caregiving anymore). Way back when, I wrote a book. But, my pile up of troubles meant I was unable to finesse it. The book was pretty good (Kirkus Reviews said good things about it: Quirky, paranormal adventure...inventive first novel...provocative thesis...Knott’s sharp comedic sense permeates her writing...imaginative tale peppered with adventurous escapades...), but the ending was thrown together hastily because of THE TROUBLES (TT) never really promoted it. I didn't think I'd have time to fix the book because of TT. But here it is just 11 years later, and I found the time. Worked on it full time, seven days a week, for three or four months (one loses track at the keyboard). This time around, I am going to attempt to publish traditionally. Probably won't happen (the odds are astronomically low). But, if it doesn't, I will publish it myself some time in 2027. (You may be better off if I publish it as a traditional publisher will probably take until 2030 and who wants to wait that long?) And the good news is, after tearing the book apart, adding a new ending (fully 25% more on the end now), and really refining it, the book is really good. You will love it. It is titled Catching Nothings. The picture on this post is part of my garden. It's an old pic from before TT. That magnificent blue delphinium was my favorite plant. It made a great show in my garden for years. Then one of those yellow flowers behind it strangled it and a couple others. It strangled them over the winter, so I didn't even know it was happening. The yellow flower is gone now...I tore it to shreds. I didn't realize I could be so vindictive. I haven't found another delphinium like the one I had. And I've been looking for years. If you see one, tell me!

ArtofGardening.org: New fence. Old fence.

ArtofGardening.org: New fence. Old fence.



Click the subhead for a great link. A friend of mine turned an old fence into the most fabulous walling (is that a word) for his potting shed using old paint and stains he already had. I might like walls like this in my rec room. Great recycling creating a new, not new design statement.

Refinishing the leather couch is taking longer than expedted

The old leather is sucking up the dye at an astounding rate, as are the many and deep creases where the couch is tufted. Fortunately, the weather is holding so I can open the windows and work on the couch a little each day. A filler material for some of the larger cracks is supposed to arrive on Friday. After I attend to those cracks, I'm hoping a second coat of dye goes on quickly (this time, with a sprayer). Hoping a second coat (and the sealer) are all it will need.

Done with round one of my second pair of loom knit socks.

I decided I wanted a pair of handknit socks for myself...I guess to prove I did it? Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be intimidated by the snooty ladies at the yarn shop and paid $18 for the damn skein. At least is is washable 100% wool and very pretty. I'm taking it a lot slower on this pair so the arthritis and carpal tunnel don't get too troublesome. I do enjoy the knitting process...it calms me.

My mosaic art puts broken pieces to good use.

Mosaic is a perfect match for a dedicated recycler. Especially since I've found a cheaper source for broken glass.

Damn. Missed the good used hardwood

I saw on Craigslist that 1,000 sq ft of used Brazilian cherry in excellent condition came and instantly went (for $2 a sq ft, of course it would) at our local ReUse. I guess I'll have to volunteer there or something if I want to get an exotic hardwood floor. I won't buy one new, but I will buy one used.

It has now, officially been an entire year of nothing new!

It started as a sort of whim/challenge and has ended as a lifestyle. I am solidly entrenched in repairing, repurposing and generally trying to always buy used rather than new. I may go back to shopping the clothing clearance racks, but only because I am so good at it that I feel I was getting better bargains new than used (and it's not like I buy that many clothes anyway). Plus, I think there are so many women shopping the thrift stores so effectively that you have to be a rather cut-throat early and frequent shopper to get the best stuff...and I am just not that into expending that kind of energy on clothes shopping. That said, two of my favorite clothing items were purchased used. But, consider that during these 365 days, my "cheating" on buying new clothes added up to a total of $75 for 2 pairs of pants, 5 tops and a dressy hoodie, I did pretty good value-wise. I'm still looking for a not-new engineered hardwood floor. I know I'll find one. Can't wait.