Like the thoughts in my head of late, this post is just a random tangle of things.
My streak of bad luck seems to be continuing...and I'm not willing to believe it' this charming fellow's fault.
I'm still trying to get things back to working order from the lightning that struck the end of September.... The wells, pool system, backup generator, and septic pump have been repaired or replaced and I'm (slowly) adjusting to the new pc. I'm having problems getting the lighting on garage working though. The contractor has been here three times but was successful in getting only one of the lights working.
For every issue resolved, however, it seems a new one (or two) presents itself. The concrete sink in the master bath cracked and now leaks...and, on Thursday, the huge vanity mirror glass in my bathroom disconnected itself from the frame and started slipping down the wall.
I seriously think I'm beyond sage and Palo Santo...I need an exorcist.
I've not accomplished much in the handwork department.
I put my needle down for a bit and picked up my hook but don't have enough progress to properly share. (OK...actually, I'm too lazy to take it off the frame to photograph.)
I am trying to focus on getting some things fully finished (ha!) and did get Lucy Nowlen (a Pineberry Lane design) framed.
I initially thought I would go with a very simple, stark, frame...but changed my mind wholly and completely.
What can I say?
While I am NOT an early Christmas decorator (I still have remnants of Halloween up), I transformed some old peach crates into Santa crates and I am (for the most part) happy with them.
(I intended to do only one but the first one, below, I did upside down on the crate, so had to do another.)
I'm not certain what I will do with them but, hopefully, something will come to me.
I am not fond of the wind...it makes me uneasy and make me edgy (edgier??)
Some of the sunsets, though, have been spectacular.
And since I haven't done one in a while, an episode of what I've been reading:
When you've read as much material as I have regarding the Salem Witch Trials, you can be more than a bit skeptical about yet another telling. But this...this was a welcome surprise.
As many of you know, Rebecca was my great aunt (7x removed) and her sister, Mary Easty (also hanged as a witch), my grandmother (7x removed).
The book is based on Mr. Gagnon's primary source research (love me a book with footnotes) and while it addresses the myriads of events and circumstances leading to the perfect storm culminating in the trials that other researchers have brought to light, it is one of the few I've encountered that traces the history and biography of the Towne and Nurse families so thoroughly.
Obviously, this is not for everyone...but for anyone with an interest in this historical tragedy, or in legal history, law, and religion, this book is a definite must-read.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
That's all I've got....
Have a great new week ahead!
{Oh...just a blogger note: Like everyone else, every single commenter on my posts is now coming up as being from a "no-reply commenter" even though the commenter has their settings configured to allow replies. This means that I can no longer reply to comments personally/privately (when and if they miraculously find their way to my email). I prefer individual/personal replies (rather than using the reply feature that appears on the actual comment list). If I have your email, I have attempted replying that way but if I don't, I can't. If you would care to receive a reply to your comments, please share with me your email and I will do my best to do so. (You can just click the "email me" link on my sidebar and I will keep a list for future reference so you do't have to repeatedly make it publicly available.)
I have received so many wonderful comments and I feel very neglectful when I cannot reply.}
21 comments:
I cannot even put into words what I am feeling right now with all that you have been through lately...especially with the upcoming death anniversary of your husband. Just know that I am thinking about you. The crate is pretty cool if you ask me. I see pinecones in it, or even a Santa himself. Take care my friend. Janice
I like your Santa crates - they have an Olde Worlde look about them.
The book looks most interesting. Having a familial link to it must make it doubly valuable. It is no less horrifying for being historical fact.
Your black kitty is adorable. And your Santa crates, wonderful! I, too, read a lot regarding the Salem Trials, so I've put that one on my list. Btw, when I visited the Nurse Homestead, I bought a little book entitled, "Rebecca Nurse, Saint But Witch Victim," by Charles Sutherland Tapley. It is quite good. You may have to call the homestead to order it.
P.S. I love its cover illustration...
Don't believe it is that sweet black cat causing the problems. But would start to scare me what other forces might be at work. What a horrible time in history with the Salem Witch trials.
The crates are sweet.
Gonna be very windy here today and rain in a day or two...maybe.
Maybe Mr or Ms Black Kitty is warding off more than it's causing?
I'm beginning to wonder if the blogger change causing the no-reply crap is on the blog side or if it's on the commenters' side. Or both? I hope a fix is found soon. It's certainly causing a lot of frustration for the blog writers.
Sorry about the continuing lightning strike woes. I wonder if the strike went through the pipes or sent a vibration through the house that cracked the sink and loosened the mirror and it took this long for the results to show up?
Lucy Nowlen is a nice change from what samplers usually are, and that frame - perfect. The crates are very pretty.
I may have mentioned that my husband's maternal line descends from Mary Towne Easty/Esty through her son, Isaac. I've read everything I can find online including Mary's petition to the judges to plead that the trials come to an end. Kathleen Kent has researched her own ancestor, Martha Carrier ['The Traitor's Wife'; 'The Heretic's Daughter'] More recently I've read Bill O'Reilly's 'Killing The Witches.' He traces the Salem mindset as it impacted the framers of the Constitution, among other themes. We'd like to think that such ignorance and religious discrimination is a think of the past, but is it? [sewhithurst@msn.com]
I see that my email address is incorrect--I blame the kitten helping me type. Should be: sewhitehurst@msn.com
Love your crates ! Sorry to hear you are still dealing with so many repair problems , thank goodness the mirror didn't break !
Thanks so much Nancy! I will definitely be on the hunt for the Tapley book as that is a new title for me. And, yes, the illustration on the book cover is great - it's actually a photo of pins which are now in the Essex County Superior Court law library and which were allegedly used by the accusers to claim they were being stabbed with by the accused.
I just can't believe how it goes on and on for you. I am so sorry you need a good saging in all the corners of your house.
Your crates are wonderful I see lots of greens or use it to stand your tree in.
I love how you framed that piece.
We have been windy and warm but it all is going to change.
We need rain badly
cathy
Robin, did you paint those gorgeous Santa on these old peach crates? I had to go back and feast my eyes on them. You said that you transformed them so I'm really impressed with your talent. I love them...
I like your your cross stitch and the frame is very fitting.
I'm sorry about all the difficulties and losses you have been plagued with this passed year but you are getting things done little by little. That black cat reminds me of my black Kitty girl who was an amazing cat. The stories I could tell about her...
Take care, hugs.
Julia
Your cross stitch is amazing and the frame is a stunner!
How did you do the crates? They look amazing. I am not an early Christmas decorator either, but since T'giving falls so late I just may start early. I still want to stitch, hook and applique gifts. Now how is that going to happen???
Hopefully you will get all your issues resolved soon. Not fun at all.
Blogger sure isn't making any friends, is he? Is he purposely trying to cause its demise??? Pi**ing me off.
Good morning Sweet Crow, hope this day finds you well.. I cannot believe all your woes, when will it stop. Think of you often and that all will be ok with you….. love the black kitty peeking out of the grass, no way bad luck….. stunning frame you picked for your wonderful cross stitch, so very pretty together….. .. The Santa boxes are beautiful, look so old world, your amazing….. I have not put out anything yet but thinking of doing as I love the holiday so much, the spirit part not the commercialism.. … well I rambled on to much I guess but love my visits with you, take care, love and hugs Francine.
I hope we both can get off the "bad luck" train...
I think the kitty may be there to rescue you. I'm in the same sinking boat and bailing as fast as I can. But really I'm in denial.
May the spell/curse soon be broken. Love your crates!! Not sure how you did them. Are you a painter too? Gosh they are lovely. Bettymo@cox.net
I agree - why is it that it always seems to be “something” going wrong? I find that so frustrating and often find myself shaking my head asking why. Why me, why again? I know we’re here to be tested and tried, but often it’s a heavy weight to carry. Sending you good thoughts from across the miles - hoping there’s a happy turn of events soon. The crates are lovely - what talent! And as a lover of history I’m intrigued by the book - and your family link makes it all the more fascinating. A good read for the winter evenings ahead!
I haven't been checking blogs for a long while. Today, unable to even see clearly, I check Lauren and you. Glad I did. Miss Mia is a delight, you look smashing in that fabulous dress, bride and groom are blessed , what a touching gift you received ..... and then .... holy crap a lot has happened with you. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up and offering sympathy and support for it all. Not that I could have changed anything, lowered the anxiety, made repairs, helped with health issues .... I'm sort of useless. But knowing friends are thinking of you may offer a little comfort.
I hope your house woes end soon, I know the feeling. When we got our house, it was one thing after the other, but it finally got settled. Now it has been years and I know some major things like the septic system will have to be replaced. Your sampler is wonderful and really unique and I love your Santa boxes, beautiful work.
My dear girl, I think it would be a good idea to call in some ‘sisters’ to help you remove whatever it is clinging to your home and causing this awful run. I love your crates , very charming, did you hand paint them or are they decoupaged?
The comment above was from me, no idea why it says anonymous.
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