Olds Fibre Fest

I've been enjoying the fibre fest here in Olds, crazy enjoying it really. The wool show was amazing this year, with 92 entries! I have 'won' in the silent auction 6 wonderful fleece. I got the reserve grand champion coloured fleece, and 3 which won in their category.

When the van came to pick us up... they didn't have enough room for all my wooly luggage!  They sent another SUV just to carry two of us.

Concussion Recovery

I am so very glad that spring is here in the Yukon. There are numerous new birds, old friends from other years, whom I'm so happy to have to watch. Yellow rumped warblers, junkos and what we call 'Xmen birds' for the black X on the back of their heads.

Cleaning, preparing and planting our gardens has been so very satisfying, and doesn't seem to hurt my damaged head.

I can now do a little time on computers, but I'm still off the caffeine and liqour. My GP is very pleased about that, thinking I'll be a whole new person! I did mix myself an Old Fashioned cocktail this past Friday, and while it was delicious, I think it may have contributed to my less than productive Saturday.

What is really strange is how difficult it is to type. Ever since my father recommended that I take an evening typing course offered by the local high school (with a shocking amount of foresight on his part may I add) I've merrily typed along at a rapid speed. Now my fingers are halting, not tripping over the keyboard. I've also lost that easy athleticism I took for granted prior to banging up my brain. I can now walk the flat 5k trail around our neighbourhood and river, at a moderate speed and only some symptoms, but that is a far cry from what i was able to do even the day before my concussion. I am reassured that this will all come with time, but it is hell on the ego when you pants don't fit anymore.

Morning Hill Walks... Topher and Isla

They sure are beautiful this time of year.

Crocus and Construction

This weekend I hoped to see some of the Yukon's beautiful purple crocuses, the first sign of spring truly being here. They are already out in force on the south facing hillsides. They like dry feet apparently. We had a lovely, if windy walk on the lookout for more of the beautiful purple flowers.

I also had in my mind that I'd like to try building a willow bench.  Many years ago now, I took a class and learned how to make a particular design of willow chair and with Christopher's help made a couple more of them. We used them as our household furniture for years before we bought what we think of as 'grown up ' furniture. Now they are yard chairs, and I decided it would be nice to have a companion bench to go with them. Aldo, I did look at the cost of garden furniture and was astounded at the price. I'm not going to pay a thousand dollars for plastic! Not when we have the tools, skills and readily available raw materials to make something. I'm pretty impressed with where we got to - the main frame of the bench all ready to glue together. We decided to sleep on it in case we decided to add another cross brace before we glue it together. Christopher did the vast majority of the construction. My work with be putting on the seat pieces and making the cushions. I have to admit that I'm tempted to use sheep skins and furs....

Oh! And there was some fantastic sourdough action this weekend. A friend gifted me with some lovely sourdough starter and it makes everything really good that I've tried to far. We have Miche Genest's Boreal Gourmet which has a whole chapter on sourdough that I've been working my way through. The pizza dough, the pancakes and the english muffins have all been good. There's a few minor improvements I'd make next time, but over all, delicious. Yesterday It was the pancakes followed by sourdough english muffins... mmmmmmm.

Measuring Time By The Metre

If the grammar gets gummed up its because the author (Sarah) isn't typing this message looking at the screen... because she still isn't allowed to look at screens.

It is amazing how strenuous a concussion recovery is. Things that seemed so simple not that long ago are now out of the question. The one thing that kept me sane over the last month was spinning yarn. For me it is a meditation when I spin at my wheel. I lose myself to the feel of the wool sliding through my hands and my feet going up and down.  It was the only fun thing I could do. I've produced prodigious amounts of yarn, delved into some deep dark stash and spent a lot of time with my powered carder making art batts and just simple plain rovings from the wool fleece in I've been hoarding. Once I'm a bit more recovered I'll start taking inventory and share with you all how many meters are in a month....

Concussion Great News

Today I got to see my regular GP who was highly amused by my circumstance and had some very sensible advice. Start doing regular life again, slowly, paying attention to how you feel. So I can go for walks, read a little, listen to the radio a little, and go on the internet a little! YAY! Today I kept it simple and just enjoyed the sunshine with the fire pit. Some friends dropped by for company and I spun some yarn. They filled me in on the news, surprisingly I've missed nothing. All in all, a day well lived.

This little fellow lives in our wood pile. He's quite sociable and enjoys having his photo taken. I spun wool reminiscent of Yukon river ice...

Enjoy the Nordicity! Use furs, mitts, hats and fire and enjoy the Canadian spring.

Rattled Brains

Sarah has done herself in with a concussion from exercise class trying to jump on a too high box because they only have one short one.  She fell far and hit her head hard.  The CT scan was good, but she is off a minimum of two weeks to try to rest her brain.  No TV... No radio... no computer... no IPod... no exercise... no reading.  Think this is a challenge for her?  YEP.

Looking for ways to relax the brain and not watch TV? Cavegirl TV!!!

Are you stoned... maybe?!?

Get Well Soon from Sarah's workmates... the Vase is an elephant teapot.  An elephant never forgets...