Patt with Two T's

    We finally made it to Kona--were given a big red SUV for the 2 of us as a rental, which came in handy Sat. night.  I heard from Jeff, oldest nephew who left pregnant wife Emily and 2-year old daughter Maddie home (color me so sad about that) that we were invited to a barbecue at the house  rented for himself and 2 sons plus 2 girlfriends. The younger men were playing golf in a wedding tournament all day and Brock and the 2 women were off hiking then shopping for food before moving into the house,   Matthew was hesitant to go at the time Jeff gave us in case no one was actually there at 5, so we waited and called. Sure enough Brock had just arrived, though maybe Jeff and Garret were there earlier. Their house was beautiful with a sunset view and nice pool, so it was fun to hang out there that evening.  We brought enough wine and  beer for a large party, not knowing how many and being told to prepare for anywhere from 9-15...

  We were to leave for the airport around 8 am Thurs, July 28, for my youngest nephew’s wedding in Kona. Hawaiian Air--10:15 am-- from SFO to Maui, then to Kona…all in one day, which would get us there by 2:30 their time. Plenty of time to get to the condo and relax before joining the family and the other attendees at 5:30 for the welcome reception.   Too bad I didn’t hear the text that came in at 4 am….especially since I didn’t sleep most of the night. The text said our flight was delayed until 7pm due to maintenance on the plane and they had us booked tentatively at 9am IF we contacted them to confirm. By the time I read that, it was too late, seeing as we live 35 min from the airport, had reservations to leave our car at the Hilton and get a shuttle, another 20 min or so, and commute traffic at that time could put us 45-60 min from the airport.   Matthew called the airline after I read the email stating the same—flight leaving at 7pm—to see if an...

  A follow-up to last month's post about working and creating in Sonora. I brought several of my mother's old silk scarves for Nuno felting...which means adding fiber to felt onto an existing piece of silk to enhance it. The first two pictures are the front where I put the fiber only in the center of the purple scarf (the blue towel underneath it detracts from the pic) and the third one shows the other side which covers most of the silk. Dried and finished pieces: July  I read about a technique that intrigued me, so I bought some new tools and tried it for this month's project in the warmth of Sonora. A frame is created with wire, then hammered. Then beads are added and wrapped along the sides. These are heavier than I personally wear, but they're not so heavy others wouldn't like them.    I'm back in the fog, but since these are another good "indoor sport," I've made two more frames to hammer and bead. I also wove a fiber and...

It's about time I blog a bit, I suppose. It's easier to do when traveling because I have things to remember everyday about where we are and what we see that's new and different from the usual.  I avoid ranting about politics, though sometimes it's hard to stop myself. I also know many people losing family members, beloved animals, and friends, so I think it's best to stay positive and not go there either. Everyone has something. We all cope in different ways. And it's doubly hard when the world seems to be on fire with hate, injustice, and violence.  So here's my disclaimer: I  know it's going on, but I am not going to write about it.  I have brought Fancy up to Habitat House for a 12-day girls' stay. I tried a new drug prescribed by the vet. Didn't change her constant conversation and sometimes yowl during the 3 hour car ride. She actually got quiet when we hit Longeway Rd.....which is my turn off the highway in Sonora. sigh.  But she's...

 After a 4-year drought, no one dares complain about rain and snow in California. We’re happy for the much-needed change in weather. We went up to Habitat, my home in Sonora, and were surprised by the snow flurries the greeted us. We’d been told it could snow a few days a year but not stick, but the temps had stayed so low for a week, we had lots of white on the ground including the back deck. By the time we left 4 days later, it had receded a few inches. It’s great having a house where we get actual seasons.  We had planned a trip to Zihuatanejo for January—-good planning during the 10-day rains in CA. Worldmark has a ‘new’ to them resort that is smaller than most and very quaint in the hills above the main town. We’re here for 10 days and left during a huge rain storm in SF to head for 90 degree weather.  It’s odd packing shorts and sleeveless clothes when it’s cold and wet outside, but well worth the challenge to find sun and warmth. Our friends Connie and Gre...

Sitting outside during dinner hearing a strange cry we think is some odd bird noise.  But after at least an hour, I went in and looked out the laundry room window and saw one of the twin fawns stuck inside the arena with his mom and sibling on the other side of the wire fence.  He was pacing, trying to find an opening and crying.  Then the doe and her fawn walked off leaving him.  We had opened the gate last time we were here to allow for animals to get in, but never dreaming it would trap a young one since the opening is on the opposite side from where he was.  I took off running with our friends Randy and Alisa and we marched through the tall brush to move him towards the open gate.  It worked!  However...we were now all covered in stickers from the dried bushes.      Normal response?  To brush them off, of course.  Apparently each sticker has a sharp little needle-like barbs that burrows into your skin s...

  I'm glad I have a new family to watch since my human one is spreading to all parts of the US.  Steven with fiance Elise has made his home in Hawaii and Jeff and family are moving to Michigan at the end of next month.  Today I woke to a family of deer--3 adults and 3 fawns-- in the backyard today.  I haven't been here in 5 weeks and I think they've moved in and I'm just a guest on the property.    You have to look closely at the photo because now that the grass has died, it's the same color as the deer.   I'm so happy--this is what I wanted a year ago when I bought 4 1/2 acres in Sonora....no view of people, visible wildlife, and no fog.  Oh, and the ability to eat meals outside, though we're so used to sitting inside because it's so cool in El Granada, that we forgot to sit outside last night.  It might have still been too warm, however.  When we arrived around 3, it was about 97 here and over 100 a few miles away.  Weather i...