Te Henga Sandstone blankets

When I damaged my leg three weeks and five days ago I had only 65 cm to weave on this run of blankets.  I probably didn't do myself any favours but when I started to improve I slowly wove a few centimetres a day until they were finished.  I could then twiddle the tassels while I had my leg out of action.

 However, I was able to stand and wind warps and work at the dye pot and today we are slowly getting into business.  Less than 1 metre woven and I could feel muscles talking to me so I quit on this Rata warp.

Out of Left Field

Well that came out of left field and whammed my right leg!  No weaving for two and a half weeks and I'm here looking at the looms and thinking I should, no don't yet!  Doc said sciatica, have some pain killers.  They didn't work, just made my poor old brain turn to jelly.  So stopped taking them so I could at least think.  Pete drove me to Waihi for a scheduled mammogram (clear) and fluke would have it we parked outside the acupuncturist.  I said I'll go get my picture taken you make me an appointment.  Several appointments later no improvement so then tried a friend who does a muscle release technique and it seems to be slowly working.  In the meantime I did some asking of Doctor Google, which I do think can be a very dangerous practice without professional advice, and I think it is probably piriformis syndrome which also affects the sciatic nerve.  I do not like being incapacitated.  I don't.  It has ground me to a stand still.

As Laura Fry said in her blog post this morning

"One of the things about being self-employed is that...you, yourself, get to do the work.  No minions.  Just you.  If you don't do it, it doesn't get done."

So to all those waiting for blankets, wall art, scarves etc my apologies, I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Art Market

From time to time I have mentioned the Art Market at the Cargo Shed in Tauranga.  This was a group of 8 permanent stall holders and 50 sell on behalf artists.  A lot of politics has happened during the winter months and the Art Market is no longer.  Our group of 9 fibre artists took turns to man the stall so about once a week through the summer and cruise ship season and about once a month in the winter when we were open weekends only.  For me to get there it was nearly an hours drive each way on one of the most dangerous roads in NZ but I loved the company and meeting new people.  One of my original reasons for joining was to get my confidence in driving back which happened in spades on that road!

Fluffies

Last school holidays my 5 1/2 year old grandson came to stay with us for the first time on his own.  We drove to Meremere and his mum brought him there and after lunch and a play we transferred bike and helmet and swimming noodle and toothbrush to our car and headed home.  I think he had a wonderful time riding the bike around the local walking tracks and swimming in the Athenree hot pools.  He kept telling me stories about competitions where he won and races at school where he won.  One day he told me he and a friend had had a race at school and he won so to suggest there could be enjoyment in the run without the win, I said did you enjoy the feel of the wind on your face and the wind blowing your hair back.  Oh yes GranD, that's how I get wind to make my farts.

Just thought I'd share that as Meg sent me this picture this morning of a halloween costume.  I laughed so much I couldn't drink my coffee.

www.facebook.com/plumbmusic/photos/a.166959758536.113654.18586648536/10154485124633537/?type=3&theaterwww.facebook.com/plumbmusic/photos/a.166959758536.113654.18586648536/10154485124633537/?type=3&theater

That's enough nonsense for one day.