Walking To Somewhere

Several of us virtual friends have decided to go on a virtual hike together. We haven't decided where we're going yet, but we better get a move on. We start Feb. 1!

You can see how we're doing here.

Rendezvous weather--right here at home!

Usually we have several days to experience rendezvous weather. The hot, cold, wet, and dry don't usually happen all in one day, but that's what happened here yesterday. It was cloudy when we got up, but the sun came out mid-morning and heated things up nicely. We hit 65* by lunchtime--in late January--in the Midwest. Craziness.

It didn't last, of course. By 2:00 temperatures were falling. By 3:00 we had scary looking storm clouds blown in by strong wind. The rain started about 3:30, mostly fast showers with enough time between to dry the streets. By 4:30 it was changing to snow.

I had to take Vicky to an appointment at 5:00. It was snowing and blowing when we left, and as we drove down the interstate she said it was one of those days when she's glad she can't drive yet. When we got home about 6:30 it was 27* with wind chills in the teens. St. Louis had a wind chill of 1*, with a 50* drop in temperature in a matter of hours. Did I mention we were under a tornado watch yesterday?

Growing up in Michigan, we had strange weather. One Fourth of July we all put on jeans and heavy sweatshirts, and ventured outside long enough to burn some sparklers. I never saw anything like yesterday when I was a kid. In fact, weather was downright boring then. That'll teach me to leave home in search of excitement and adventure!

Beat the weather home!

I got back in last night, and today is dreary and windy. I'm glad the wind held off until today--it would have made flying in far more exciting than I could have managed.

It was a good rendezvous, but I underestimated the power of a certain vendor. While I was packing, I thought I'd probably buy some patterns and maybe some notions from my favorite fabric vendor. If they had linen on sale, I thought I might pick some up, but I bought a lot of fabric last year that I haven't worked with yet. This year they had lots of treasures in the remnant basket. Since my friend Linda was in camp this year, we talked about making summer dresses for the Midwest, so of course we had to get the patterns for that, too, and the fabric recommended. What it boils down to is I spent more money than I intended in 96 District Storehouse! I think Linda and I and one of the other gals probably paid the owners' expenses from South Carolina to central Florida! Of course I got some good stuff and probably have enough sewing to keep me off the streets until the Midwest in July.

The weather was decent--hot, cold, wet and dry, as usual for a rendezvous, and fairly windy a couple of days, which is par for the area. I got to catch up with some friends from last year and made a few new ones, and it was just good to get away. I did burn the crap out of my thumb cooking dinner Saturday night. The pot of egg noodles was about to boil over, and I when I reached for the handle to take if off the heat, my hot pad slipped. Our 'snake oil' remedy seems to have worked; one of Dad's friends swears by yellow mustard for burns. Yes, the kind you squirt on a hot dog. Cover the burn liberally with mustard and wrap in a wet paper towel. Refresh either or both as needed for several hours; Dad's friend says five, but I left it for about four. After I washed the mustard off, I put an herbal salve and a bandaid on it, and today it's not even blistered or tender. I did put more salve back on to try to speed the healing a little more; I have to go back to work Wednesday.

I have some pictures to post, but that will have to keep until I get unpacked.