The Climb

Gosh, the past two months have vanished in a blink of an eye and here I am wondering just where time went to. We just received word that my Father will be back in Granville and in rehab very soon. Well, geez, you say.... where was he? He has been in the hospital since June 10th. It was a dash for me back and forth to the hospital any chance I could for 3 weeks. As a Caretaker for my Mom, you can imagine how difficult it can be to get away, but I was able to visit him between tests, surgery, biopsies and even more tests. Every June for the past twenty years I have visited the LARAC Arts and Crafts Festival any chance I could. I kept faith that if it was possible I would go. This year it was by glimpses driving by on my way back and forth to the hospital. The hospital transferred him to Mount Sinai, NYC so that his transplant team could check his liver. Right before he was scheduled to go, he fell and broke his hip very badly. He was not strong enough to go through a hip replacement but they were able to put a plate in and after he was stabilized, sent him downstate. He was scheduled to return about a week ago but suffered a heart attack. He now needs valve surgery but has to regain strength first and will be coming back here for that. He is, without a doubt the biggest fighter I know and my hero. On days that he has struggled and been so far away, we have all been cheering him on and telling him to keep the faith. This whole year has been an uphill climb for him and he has amazed all that know him with his fight and will to live.

It has been little steps for me in getting back into my Folk Art groove online. Behind the scenes though I have been fast at work filling patterns orders that come in nearly every day. I've finished some commercial contracts and awaiting final decisions on a magazine and illustration contract. There is more work available than there is me at the moment, but certainly no complaints, just very thankful to have such opportunities!

Above is one of my side profile witches. I've done a new one every year for four years now and love it. She's just "Goody" right now but by mid August, when I return to my online venues, her spirit will clearly show through and she will whisper her name to me. Somethings never change.

All Goode Things Come in Time

I have started back to work on my beloved friends this past week and loving it. I am still in transition and stalled with the move, but I am cocooned in the bliss that is creating and loving everything all over again. I am working ahead of the season, but as long as I can fit a pumpkin or witch in, I'm happy and don't mind the snowmen as much. There are still never enough hours to balance what everyone needs and work full time, but I will gladly take what time I can get with my wee friends! The phone has been ringing with customers and orders, it was as if nothing ever stopped for me. I know that this is still a very close family time, but it doesn't mean that this Good Wife is slowing down down or hanging it up... no, no way! This Good Wife has plenty of goode creating ahead!

Step by Step

The fourth was a working day for me, but we did get to make it a bit special. Ours has always been a family of Service. My Dad and brother served in the military over twenty years each and have fought to keep us free. My father went on to serve his community as a Sheriff for another twenty years. My Mom and I worked retail in our communities and spent many a holiday outside of the home and volunteered our time and hands to help earn money for our community. Phone calls keep us all connected these days, with so many miles between us. Both brothers have been able to visit over the past two months and that was certainly our time to enjoy family coming together. My Father is far away from us right now, but he is on the road to recovery. Slow, but progressive. Yesterday was nice and quiet with a little barbecue dinner for Tim, my Mom and I. We watched part of the John Adams series to set the mood.

Today shines bright and the cobalt sky is a treasure, after so many rainy days of late. There is a gentle breeze, nice and cool with no sticky humidity. The guide that I set forth for this Good Wife a couple weeks ago is certainly on it's course. Yesterday I received word that my work has been accepted by a company that was just a hopeful wisp weeks ago. Now, I will need commercial samples very soon. I have a list to go by and drawings today that will turn into sewing today or tomorrow. There are also store orders to complete along with pattern orders to fill. I am so blessed that in such delicate times, my little friends will continue to bring smiles near and far.