July 6, 2009

  • It's SUMMER!

     Tom's hematologist appointment seems to have turned out as an anticlimax - the doctor said his combination of symptoms points to a serious problem in maybe 1% of cases, but those are so serious that it's best that it be checked out.  So more blood was drawn for more tests and Tom's to go back in 2 weeks for results.  Then, probably, he'll have appointments at 6 months intervals for a couple years, then at yearly intervals just to make sure nothing starts to change rapidly.  Sounds like he's got nothing to worry about - except having to remember to make doctor appointments at appropriate intervals.

    We went to Eau Claire WI to visit Andy and Bob over July 4th weekend.  A quiet but fun time was had by all as I got re-acquainted with pug Bogart and Siamese cat Brendon and Andy's garden while Tom also got to see their house addition for the first time.  We learned a couple of new games, had bratwurst and corn on the cob for the 4th, then went to see fireworks at 10PM.  Eau Claire is a lot further north than Pittsburgh - daytime is noticeably longer.

    Now "all" I have to do is get ready for my 3-day crafts show this weekend.  I'm still frantically producing 'inventory'.  Tried out some new (to me) bigger clocks - they'll be wall clocks if I ever get them finished.  Right now they just look like big plates with holes in the center.  They're based on a wooden plate form covered with clay.

    IMG_0002   IMG_0001

    And beside them are bookmarks, pillboxes, a bracelet holder and a zipper pull just out of the oven and untouched since then - they were done last Thursday and still need to be sanded and polished except for the bookmarks which just need a tassel added.  I save also the little round holes punched out of the bookmarks figuring some day I'll make a polka-dot clock or something.  Gotta figure out how to handle the seam where the 2 pieces of clay connect to become large enough to cover the clock-plate.

    So, anyway, I'm feeling a little frantic - so much to do and so little time.  Plus I've never done a 3-day show outdoors before.  Weather forecast looks good so far - rain possible only on Sunday.

    Enough for now - gotta get back to work!