In Retrograde

 

It really does explain quite a bit.  If you are not familiar with it, retrograde is the apparent motion of a planet in a direction opposite to that of other bodies in its system.  In other words, it appears that a planet is moving backwards from our view here on earth.

Although retrograde is actually only an optical illusion, many believe the effects when it occurs are not unlike the behavioral changes caused by the changes in the gravitational pull during full moons.  

For example, some claim that, during periods of retrograde, it is easier to become unfocused and irritable, more likely to misunderstand or have conflicts, and even to cause anxiety and depression.  It has also been known to cause glitches in technology and communication.

Useless point of trivia: Between now and the end of September, 7 different planets will be in retrograde at the same time.  😳  In my book, that's like having 7 full moons in a month...but not nearly as enchanting.

Anyways, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

{Rudbeckia}

Since my last post, I have settled back into my hermitage.

Summer has slipped through my fingers like the white sand on a beach.

I heard on the weather today that today will be 2 minutes and 56 seconds shorter than yesterday, and tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 57 seconds shorter than today.  So, in two days, we will have essentially lost 6 minutes of daylight.

Rather than blather on about more useless info, I will share photos of what is left of summer here in Nod. 

{Morning Glories}

{Four of my five varieties of Hibiscus are blooming...still waiting on the reds as they are always the last.}

And while Summer revels in her last hurrah, Autumn is quietly slipping in.

The bittersweet berries are turning:

Critters are stockpiling and fattening up:

...and the trees are turning and losing their leaves.

 When has the onset of my favorite season become so bittersweet?

Must be the retrograde, eh?

133 E. Jefferson Street

There was a time when I traveled.

I once traveled across Europe for a year with the clothes on my back and an external frame expedition backpack.

I usually didn't know where I would be staying - or if I would be staying - from night to night.  Many nights were spent sleeping on the train to save hostel costs.

(My neck and back are now paying a price for that backpack and those trains.)

I would love to travel again, but circumstances are not permitting.

Becoming a hermit being just one of those circumstances.

Last week, however, I escaped my hermitage for a brief few days and drove to a little village town in the southwest of Wisconsin called Spring Green.

It is most well-known for Frank Lloyd-Wright's "House on the Rock," but I did not go there.

My destination was 133 E. Jefferson Street - the home of Country Sampler.

For those of you non-stitchers/quilters, it is a name that means nothing (and this post will be of absolutely no interest - my apologies), but for some of us, it is a destination unto itself.

I met up with my sister-in-law and 2 of her friends.  

We stayed in the rooms above the shop.  (See the windows in the upper story above the storefront in the photo above? Those are the windows to the main room and sitting area.)

{My bed}

{Window in my room}

{Deck off the back of our rooms}

Having a beautiful shop overflowing with quilt fabrics, linens, floss, patterns, and other beautiful decor items directly below your sleeping quarters for 3 days is a dangerous thing...not to mention financially reckless.

I thought I had taken more photos but, apparently, I was distracted every time I stepped inside.

{Pssst...see my angel?? I have had mine for years and was tickled to see her twin so beautifully displayed.}

It was, however, inspiring to see the models for some amazing designs perfectly finished/framed.  These are just a few:

{This almost came home with me...then I had a reality check regarding all the 1x1.}

{This - and some linen and floss for it -did come home with me...hoping for a post-Spooking-Season start.}

These (and a few other) things followed me home:

One night that we were there, two of the "keepers of the shop" who create much of the magic downstairs joined us for a night of stitching. It was so good to finally put faces to names.

....and while I was gone, Sister Moon shyly blossomed.

Oh...and did I stitch? Ummm, well, yeah? A little??