Good Friends

Justice and Liberty 

many years ago.

They are sleeping on the stair landing 

with their noses at the edge.

They were great friends.

When Libbey passed, we got

Eisenhower (Howie) and 

Justice tolerated him but never really 

loved him the way she did Libbey.

Perhaps she just couldn't bear the replacement.

People friends are like that also.

There are many folks we get along with

 and enjoy but if we're lucky we connect more deeply

with a few special friends.

If someone had told me 10 years ago

 I would have such deep blog friendships,

 I may have been skeptical.

I have several life long friends, 

a few multi-decades long friends,

and several gals I have never met but we've

been through the trenches together.

I was lucky to meet a blog friend Chania 

years ago and we spent a day together here in lala.

My pal Carole and I have spent weeks

 where we talked every single day, 

yet have never met face to face.

We know all "the good stuff" about each other.

(they both use IG now)

Friends, even good ones, can leave your world

for various reasons. Misunderstandings, betrayals,

distance, life changes can all disrupt. Since becoming ill

I've had a few just ghost out of my life, which hurt

but I guess I get it, well maybe I do?

Then and again a very kind soul

unexpectedly wanders in.

 In my case Colleen was not a stranger,

we've followed each other for years

 and exchanged comments and emails.

She had recently asked me a question and I said here's my

number just call me- it's faster.

We made a date for the call last week,

and three hours later I was sharing

my life with the dearest soul.

We took to each other like ducks to water.

I had no idea three hours had passed,

but then that's how it is when 

you make a heart to heart connection.

Shortly after the call 

Colleen showed me such a kindness

that I was weeping all over my keyboard.

I felt the world was a little kinder as

it's been beating me up lately.

I will do anything to help make 

her current dreams come true.

She is planning to do classes 

using her wool artistry up in Canada and 

perhaps in the US.

She was curious about my Gatherings 

where I used to teach and hope to do again someday.

Without a seconds hesitation,

I said use my house for a retreat!

My location and accommodations are perfect

for something like that since folks come here anyway.

Lord do they come here!!!!!

She is currently going to put out feelers

to see what kind of response she gets locally and 

in the states.

She lives up near Vancouver so that too is ideal.

If you love wool and want to learn some great

techniques and projects 

then lets do it.

Excellent teacher, great food, perfect location.

You can walk 2 blocks to PB, Williams Sonoma and 

Anthropologie and 12 restaurants from my front door. 

Well, and then, there is VEGAS.

So let me or Colleen know if 

you're interested in Vancouver or here, or 

maybe she could teach near you? 

CA would be nice? hehe. What wool 

projects would you enjoy?

I have one more favor.

As I was thinking about this post I remembered,

so many dozens of gals who did white wednesday, 

and other themed posting groups

and were here at blogspot near the beginning. 

Oh, how we used to comment and check in often.

I knew your kids names and your pets

and hopefully encouraged your dreams as you did for me. 

Now most gals do IG, or FB.

I get it, it's fast, but oh I miss hearing from you,

and following your days.

So here's the favor-

Please leave me a hello here, 

let me know you're still out there,

or let me know you, if you've never commented.

A simple "hey, it's me Mary", or a HI, 

and give me your IG, so I 

can find you again, or meet you.

If you don't blog, just email me.
My email is in my profile.

I hope to hear from you.

there are posts where thousands visit 

but 99% are invisible to me.

Please, please just say Hi.

I would be so grateful.

Z

oh lord the wrinkles!

Musings and Insanities

Hello!

The quiet periods seem to be stretching out longer and longer

but that's OK for me and for others doing the same thing.

So here is what has been happening around oldgreymare.

Spent some time working on a new class I'll be teaching

at a brand new store The Paper Bunny.

I met the darling owner Mary when she came to my last

sale and she bought loads of my creations,

some furniture, and then toured the house.

After seeing my paper works in some of the rooms, 

she asked if I would teach. 

Sure enough!

THE STORM

We had a big one here.

Trashed my yard front and back, 

left me piles of hail

that looked like snow drifts and 

scared the daylights out of Howie.

That's hail still on the ground hours later

My driveway and street

Speaking of the pooch..

Once again we were at the vets in an emergency.

This time it was 9 am 

but the fear was just as severe.

He had started bleeding profusely and well,

I feared the worst.

Turned out to be colitis, (they think)

and we did a regime of more pills, more tests, more$$$$.

Bleeding stopped, tests came back fine, and

now we wait.

That's Howie storm sniffing at the fireplace grate.

I never need weather alerts, I have Howie alerts.

Long before the sky darkens, Howie starts the sniffing.

The World

Some days I cannot even bear to watch or read the news.

Insanity reigns.

Hitler's clone is running for our presidency

Trump supporters need to pick up a copy of Mein Kampf . Bet they'll love it

"If you win, you need not have to explain...If you lose, you should not be there to explain!” 

"If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” 

"I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few.” 

"The victor will never be asked if he told the truth. ” 

"The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.” 

"Humanitarianism is the expression of stupidity and cowardice.” 

ALL ADOLF HITLER 

or did you think these were Trump's?

Brexit Regrexit

At least we are not alone in political

idiocy but I find no comfort in that.

Climate catastrophes all over the world.

Gun violence

Terrorism

Folks feeding the fear

I know the world has suffered many dark times,

but I cannot remember a time in my life

where it felt so universally doomed and damned.

I hibernate in the summer anyway

as you all know.

but this year is an extreme.

I was just telling DD 

that I filled the car up with gas on June 26th.

The last time I got gas before that

was April 23rd. 

Two months, one tank.

When you no longer "shop" for entertainment.

When you can walk to the market...

the savings add up.

I've cut my budget by one third in the last year.

I do feel good about that.

And of course I always feel good about the kids.

Dearest Son changed jobs with loads more

opportunity, responsibility, and $$$$ 

He's having a ball in the CA sunshine.

Darling Daughter is constantly working on films, 

often alongside boyfriend Blake. 

They are adorable and happy

and the three of them get together often,

doing crazy stuff like 

moonlight skating

and Mama is thrilled.

Hallelujah - gives me hope

Happy Summer to ya

Z

Message Block Class

Class is November 14

You choose your block size, font, colors

Blocks are 4 sided

Still a few spots left in Wreath Class

October 31

I used one of my sets ( I have three sizes)

to spell out B-day wishes to Annie

Just a few phrases you can make with your set:

and you can personalize with

additional family names

   HAPPY BIRTHDAY
   HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY EASTER

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY CHANUKAH

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

BE MY VALENTINE

TRICK OR TREAT

WELCOME HOME

I LOVE YOU

APRIL FOOLS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

LET IT SNOW

WINTER WISHES

JOY TO THE WORLD

PEACE ON EARTH

LUCK O THE IRISH

GIVE THANKS

BE THANKFUL

CONGRATULATIONS

CELEBRATE

TO THE MOON AND BACK

October Class

I love paper.

My father was in advertising 

and he received boxes full of

sample papers at work

which he brought home for me 

when they became outdated.

I adored the stacked sample cards 

of colors and textures

and happily created projects

for hours with just scissors and glue.

I still can cut and paste happily for hours,

so October's class is all about paper

with a few pretty beads thrown in.

Join me?

Still Here - Still Playing

Brown Paper Packages Class was last weekend

We went from these kits,

to this, in the blink of an eye.

I provide all the supplies needed,

but encourage students to bring special 

items to make their projects

more personal.

I didn't snap a pic of the two big racks of 

ephemera, papers, tapes, ribbons, tags,

tinsels, stamps, inks, etc they also use.

We were all in the living room,

since the late season heat wave

 prevented us using the new garage 

studio space.

Next class hopefully.

I had some samples left over so 

I painted and silver leafed

a branch from my 21 year old tree that

I just had removed, and then hung it above

my sink and draped

more tags and mementos from it.

I will add some teensy battery lights,

 as soon as I remember the

perfect spot where I put them, dang it.

I'm playing in the studio all week

making pumpkins

like these yummy chenilles.

also working on projects for two

 upcoming Gatherings,

and Christmas items for boutique.

I rearranged the studio about a week ago and

I am loving the new lighter, brighter area. 

I removed the curtain that kept the studio hidden.

Floor space remains the same,

 but visually much more open.

I also cleaned and purged 

every single cupboard and drawer!

I now have many empty ones which also 

makes me happy.

All the kids will be here  

quite soon, fitting in a visit,

 in between extremely

busy schedules.

WOOT!

On A Personal Note

DD, Hannah and BB, her beau Blake

At Del Mar for his birthday and their 4th Anniversary.

Two of my three favorite people.

Now that Dearest Son and Darling Daughter 

live five minutes apart,

they see each other often.

They like each other as friends,

as well as love each other as siblings.

Mama could not be happier.

They are even going on vacation

together this year.

The three kids are campaigning to 

get me to LA permanently and I have spent hours

researching any possibilities,

but location and financials are mind boggling.

Houses are unaffordable since I refuse to 

take on a mortgage, after not having one

for over a decade, and condos come

 with large HOA fees.

Both come with triple the property taxes 

I pay here.

The worst though is where?

What small town within 60 minutes

of Culver City would suit me?

Definitely not more than 90 minutes away.

My eyes cross after hours on Zillow

and Realtor.com.

Any CA girls out there I'll GLADLY take any advice, 

area recommendations, realtor names etc.

I'm just thrilled that they want me near.

Till then the 4 hour drive seems to

be getting easier for all of us.

We're averaging about every other month.

and if they ever would build the super train...

of course in 80 years they will live much closer as the

rising ocean will have pushed em back 1 hour my way...

BUT I'm sure I will be long gone by then.

I told them last week maybe they should hold 

onto this property as it is in the very south of town and 

will be beach front real estate some day in their retirement! 

Ha!

forever stuck in lala

*******

And yes Amy, since you asked, I would love to have

 folks travel in for a Gathering class.

3 blocks away is a lovely large casino hotel 

Green Valley Ranch

with spa, movie theaters,

and adjacent a wonderful mall called the District. 

Mall has Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma,

Anthropologie, West Elm, great dining and more.

by car

I am 2 hours from St George and 

4 hours to Culver City in LA.

if that helps...

There are still a few spots in Sept class,

and it will be cooler then.

Bring your hubby, leave him at the casino

and come play with some great gals for the day.

Hot August Days and Nights

Oh, those hot August days...

so much going on..

Had workmen here all day Sunday

 as they ripped out

and sawed down 21 year old

trees to make life easier.

My enormous African Sumac 

in the far corner had to come down,

as well as decrepit, way past their prime,

 bottle brush trees that lined the walkway.

Javier cut stump for me with foot rest

The Sumac was always too big for the area, 

invaded into neighbor yards and created 

so much debris that at least three times a year I 

had to pay for help in clean up.

I was dangling from tall ladders

cleaning out gutters,

making friends and kids frantic with worry.

(Ok I only fell once ...geez)

totally new updated sprinklers,

new plantings...

new dog run area..

pre-plans for vegetable gardens

Whew!

The yard looks foreign to me 

right now. Far less shade,

less cozy.

I'm working on it.

But as we age we have to come

 to terms with our capabilities.

I was astounded when my folks moved 

down to a wee space when we had always had

sprawling homes with lots of land.

I get it now.

made a fountain

Finished all the prep for the next Gathering class.

Kits ready and waiting, very early this time, because 

I am sooo excited for this one.

Marking items down at boutique

to make room for new holidays to come.

job interviews.. new directions

Proofing latest script for DD

Kids are thriving with

exciting projects, possibilities.

A surprise visit from my "surrogate son"

Ivan, made for wonderful long chats as the sun 

went down last week.

Making smoothies

has been the extent of my cooking 

this summer.

Cannot wait for cool weather

soups stews casseroles.

I am such a cold weather gal,

stuck in 

the wrong place for a long time....

Z

Halloween Advent Completed. Yay Sue!

Two years ago I spent the day with 

friends in a Gathering class here at my house.

Here is the link to that day

Halloween Gathering

The short haired blonde in the forefront is my friend Sue.

I joined in her garage sale last Saturday and no sooner had I 

unloaded my stuff when she said, "I finally finished my advent,

go in and see.."

WOW!

Didn't she do a fabulous job?

Now she had the majority done awhile ago

but kept tweaking it until it was 

just what she wanted, and sometimes

 our projects get delayed right?

Just in time for this Halloween.

This was the first complex canvas background she has done.

Again - she hit it out of the park...or the coven

To those new to Oldgreymare....

from time to time I teach 

Gatherings at my home. 

All day affairs that include all supplies and a sit down meal.

Sometimes it is one large project..

sometimes it can be as many as nine.

We have a blast.

I really need to do another soon.

anyone in? maybe a Christmas one?

One of my favorite things is to see a student,

stand back, look at their work,

get a big grin of satisfaction,

and think..

That's good, I love it!

Yay Sue

I have some leftover pumpkins

 from the 4 dozen I've made and sold this season...

took some to the garage sale Saturday also.

If anyone is interested

email me and I'll send pics, prices and 

quantities that remain.

Some are sold out

limited quantity of others..email me

Until You Pee A Little

samples for sale

please inquire

Paris theme design

Same papers used in both

Top - grey lightly sparkled letters

Below- petal pink lightly sparkled letters

width approximately 40"

Pennants approx 7"x 9"

Tulle will be removed if shipped,

but included for assembly.

$55.00 ea plus shipping

Bloom and Grow

Bloom is approx 22 " wide

Pennants are 4" x 5 1/2"

$45.00 plus shipping

Class was a blast

Greatest of Gals

Supportive, Encouraging

Smart and Funny

We share, we dish

Heartache and Laughter hold hands

Women of "a certain age" understand the phenomena.

With good friends...

You laugh

Until you pee a little.