Honky-tonk'n

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. at Otto's Shrunken Head with the camera set on "manual".
Very entertaining...assuming you like twangy music and tiki-drinks, which I do.

You Are a Good Daughter and a Good Wife

My most frequent crafting time is on the subway. I've learned to knit standing up—not an easy task when it's crowded and speeding (or not!)—through the tunnel. Sewing is not so easy. I got a seat after the first stop, so I was able to do the last little sewing bits on this bag. The Chinese gentleman in the seat next to me was fascinated by the fact that I was sewing (or perhaps just grateful that I replaced the loud-ipod-toting teen who had been in the seat next to him?)
Anyway, he asked me if I sewed it. Yes. Then, "who taught you?" Well, my mother did. As I progressed and he saw the embroidered side he asked again "you made all of this?" and just kept smiling.
He seemed very pleased—I'm not really sure why. Then he announced that "You are a good daughter and a good wife" (he was to my left so the ring was in effect).
At Canal Street he said " Well, I must go. Good-bye." So I said good-bye, too.
Very sweet.
It sure put me in a good mood.
Plus, the bag has solved the problem of me not being able to find my wallet and keys in my bag.

You're Not in New York Anymore

So this is the chaos that I saw on the eve of Christmas Eve.


But by Christmas Day, my view was of this:


Not exactly my home, but home to my (dad's) people. It's hard to feel anything but calm when I look at these.
I think it helps to be a "grown-up" to appreciate the beauty. It was a little scary (too empty) when I was a little kid and a little dull (again, too empty) as a teenager.




Now I absolutely love the color of wintery Kansas, with or without snow.
(And those are sunrise photos, courtesty of Curt. I hadn't quite gotten up yet.)