Stuff and Robbie

Today I had a lovely visit here in Damselfly’s Pond with an old crafty friend whom I have only seen a couple of times in the last few years. You remember the Angel-thing doll I got before Christmas? She made her. We’re unfortunately both bad at making time to get together. So I made her tea (lavender) and lunch (salmon salad) and we had a great time sharing what we had been up to. It’s a wonderful thing to have friends like her — even though we don’t see each other often or even know each other all that well, we’re still really compatible. Oh, and when I suggested that I’d like to add some beads to Angel-thing, she was very enthusiastic. The only stipulation is that I have to let her see the end result. I can do that! And I finally paid off my debt for that dolly-gift by letting her keep one of T-Man’s beads that she very much liked. I offered her more, but she was content with just the one. How civilized! If I didn’t already own them, I’d have taken half the box! Or maybe I’d be polite. Maybe I’d take 5. Or 6.

My jewel orchids (Ludisia discolor “Dawsonia”) are in full bloom and have been pretty much since Christmas. These are so easy to grow. At least they seem very happy in my bathroom window. So much so that they’ve outgrown the sill (and their pots) to the point where I’m going to have to do some serious pruning. I got the originals years ago as a couple of cuttings from a friend’s plant. They came home clutched in my hot little fist with their stems wrapped in wet kleenex and aluminum foil which didn’t seem to be an auspicious start but they rooted easily. I’ve returned the favour by giving away several more cuttings. Obviously it’s past time to do it again. The flowers are really very tiny little orchids, similar to the much bigger orchids but with a clockwise twist to the lower petal. Jewel orchids also have very lovely leaves which are actually nicer than their flowers. They’re like dark green velvet with neat red stripes on top and smooth burgundy underneath. Their stems are big juicy fleshy things that break off easily though (and the roots are similar). They outgrow their pots and hang down in loops that you can’t bend back or they snap. So they do look kind of messy as they get older especially when old leaves start to die back. The leaves turn completely red before shriveling up. They bloom all winter which is nice when it’s so drab outdoors. Jewel orchids like subdued light but not sun and a fair amount of water but not too much. Plus they get some warm humidity being in my bathroom. Pretty foolproof. I just need a bigger windowsill.

Today I’ve picked out the dyed fabric I’m going to use for a mermaid doll challenge on my Beaded Art Doll yahoogroup. Right now I’m kneading the polymer clay for her face. I’m going to use a mould because I’m lousy at sculpting. Most of my pc is pretty ancient so I’m hoping I can get it to soften up enough to work with. It’s hard on my hands! Which is one of the reasons I don't use it very often. I’ll show you the fabric and face and maybe even some of the beads I plan to use tomorrow.

But I have to get ready for the second beginner spinning class tonight. This is Plying night so I need to locate some singles to ply up for the demo. And print out some copies of the "suppliers and websites of interest" sheet that I like to give my students. Having dinner might be a nice idea too — T-Man is going to school right after work so I’m on my own.

Don’t forget to play some Scottish music — preferably bagpipes — and lift your glass — preferably good Scotch such as Drambuie, but I’m drinking the T-Man’s homemade wine — today on the birthday of Scotland’s Bard, Robbie Burns. Here’s one of my favourite verses from the song “Green Grow the Rashes” (That’s “rushes” not some weird disease!) I wish you could hear the tune; I’ve been singing it all day. Oh wait. Maybe you don’t want to hear me sing.

Auld Nature swears, the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes, O:
Her prentice han' she try'd on man,
An' then she made the lasses, O.

Whatta guy!