Welcome, Lorenzo!

We're happy to welcome a new addition to our home ~ Lorenzo.

 

I thought I wasn't ready to fill the void left by our beloved Arthur, but this handsome guy needed a home. A friend who volunteers at the local animal shelter told me about this feisty fella (apparently he was a bit of a handful there). He seems to be fitting right in at our place, though our dog Cooper is very selfish for our attention. He'll get over it. 

RIP Arthur

Today we had to let our kitty go. Arthur was a wonderful cat. So much personality, and loyal to the end. May he rest in peace.  

The loss of a pet ~ a tribute to Cassidy

I found our quirky boy Cassidy lying in the yard this morning. It only took an instant to know he had passed away. He was lying on his side, like he'd decided to lie in the sun - though it wasn't one of usual lounging spots - peacefully, but not breathing. He was still warm, and today is chilly. I'd like to think he had sudden cardiac death or other quick way of dying. There was no sign of trauma, no sign of struggle. And while I am sad, I am grateful he went suddenly. I wish I had been there to hold him and let him know he was loved.

2009

 

He was a fat and somewhat neurotic cat, but he *loved* me as much as cats can love people. He was a mommy's boy. He loved to be brushed on his left side, but hated to have his right side groomed. Like really, really hated it. He preferred to lie on his right side, so naturally this was the side that needed the most attention.

 

He got along well with the dogs and our other cat (Arthur). He knew who belonged in our pack, and who didn't.

2011

 

Cassidy came to us via our neighbor Dick, who adopted him as a stray, mature cat. He gave him to us when he was moving away to live on his boat. So he's quite old, though I don't have any idea how old. He wanted so much to be an inside cat, but his need to mark his territory wasn't popular. So he had a little house outside, on the deck, just outside the kitchen door.

 

We buried him in the back yard, under the cedar tree.

Front Yard Friends

These three were amazingly unafraid as I quietly approached to take the photo. Beautiful creatures, they leisurely wandered throughout the neighborhood.



My cats seemed a bit irritated and territorial. I've seen them chase off other animals, but thankfully they left these guys alone.

The Tough Decisions...

Sometimes we have to make the really tough decision to let something (someone) go. So we said our goodbyes to our beloved Misty just a short time ago.

The last few months have been increasingly difficult for her to get up on her own ~ we've had to pick up her hindquarters because her hips were so bad. She did ok once up, for the most part. But as she appeared to be having more and more discomfort recently (despite the pain medications), the decision became more urgent. And more humane.

Which doesn't mean I'm not sitting here crying my eyes out over one of the best dogs we've ever had. We were blessed to have her in our family for as long as we did.

Long Time Gone

May. Gone like it was never here, and I don't really have that much to show for it. Only a few weeks left before we leave for Chicago and the annual UFDC Convention/ODACA Day - and I don't have very much "product" for the big sale.

This week, in between work, babysitting, and painting the living room, I've been working on a "Primitive Americana Patriotic Challenge" doll, hosted by Cloth Doll Artistry's Prim group. Participants are using the same pattern, designed by Sherrie Nordgren. No alterations can be made to the pattern, but paperclay, etc., can be added, which is what I've been doing. http://clothdolls.ning.com/

I plan is to make a little boy doll, with some sort of patriotic or red/white/blue clothing. I used paperclay to sculpt his face, then covered it in knit fabric to make it more durable. I'm so used to making girl dolls, it will be a bit of a challenge to make a face that's all boy. One coat of gesso has been applied, and I'll apply a second before painting the skin tone.

While waiting for it the gesso to dry, I glanced out my window and saw a deer in the yard across the street. He'd been hiding in the tall grass (the house is empty and the yard is over-due for a mowing). I was able to get quite close.

On Cats, Boundaries, and Paperclay

Why is it that cats seem to have no boundaries? I swear, leave a door open, and they make themselves right at home. I went to the spare bedroom to grab a pattern, and this is what I found. Small boxes, big cats. I think they even gave me a look that said 'how dare you interrupt our nap?'

I've been stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of adding paperclay to my Izannah doll, then sanding it back off again. Headed back out to sand some more...

Now I'm back and have added more clay. *sigh*  I think I'll add some ears when this new clay has dried.


This Izannah-inspired doll is being created in Dixie Redmond's Izannah Workshop. Visit the blog for the details HERE.

Christmas Projects

I spent the day sewing, not dolls, but polarfleece socks for Christmas gifts. Cassidy wasn't much help. When he wasn't on my lap at the sewing machine, he was on the bin of fabric. He was particularly needy today.

"Arctic Blast"

Sunday: Lots of snow. Roads closed. Making the best of it, and enjoying the company of family.

Dad, who's really a child at heart, has rigged a make-shift sled to be pulled by four-wheeler. The "sled" is one of those plastic pads that go under desk chairs. Very slick. Lots of fun, with (thankfully) no injuries.

Brad's on the quad, Kyle's on the sled (above). The other photo shows Misty and Grandma. Misty didn't enjoy the snow as much as she did last year. She's older, and has some difficulty getting around now. She looks happy in this photo, though. Misty is half Great Pyrenees and half Australian Shepherd.

We'll try heading home to Astoria tomorrow, with the hope that road conditions improve. The news channels state chains are required. I don't own any chains, because I've always gotten around with studded tires. Hmmm.

Remembering Rosie

Today I lost something precious to me, my long-time, constant companion, Rosie.

We got Rosie in 1991, from the local animal shelter. She had an easy-going personality, and loved to "help" me in the sewing room. I'd always have to remember to shut the door, or I'd find yarn, seam rippers, and other notions all over the house (she gave up on living critters long ago, and hunted inanimate objects, instead).

She was a chatterbox; really vocal and expressive. I'll miss her 5:30 a.m. requests for breakfast, and her loud "mama" cries when she conquered a ball of yarn.

She will be missed.

The Benefits of Walking

I set a goal for myself to walk to and from work at least through the summer. I made this pledge in early May, and so far have stuck with it (with the exception of a couple extra early shifts or exceptionally rainy days). It's about 4 1/2 miles round trip, up and over the hills of Astoria. I feel better, my blood pressure is great, and the walk home allows some time to unwind after each potentially stressful shift.

Of course my recent ankle injury has slowed me down a little. I'm still walking, but allow about 5 more minutes in the morning. Running a portion of the way of Friday worsened things a bit, however. Back to walking, at least for awhile.

My husband and I were delighted to see deer on the way home the other day. These must be the neighborhood mascots, because they didn't seem that wary of our presence. Such lean and graceful creatures.

In Remembrance

Today it's been one year since we lost our pal, Sonny. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year, and he's often on my mind. It seems the best pets are the ones given to you. We were fortunate to have him for the years we did.

We miss you.

A Visitor Comes Calling

Now what do you suppose he's up to? Looking for the cat food? Surely not - he knows exactly where the cat food is. Raccoons are so darned cute, but such pests around here. Bold as brass. I spied him from my studio window, while working on Verity's arms today. To make her hands, I traced around my own, then reduced it to 30%. Here's a photo of my progress so far. Her shoes have been painted, and I added paperclay heels. The laces are painted. She has a flat bottom so she'll be able to sit. Her knees have buried bead joints.

Preparing for Viola Ruth Class

I've spent the day getting ready for my "Viola Ruth" class (I'm teaching this weekend in Auburn, Washington). I hope to have a couple sample torso/heads in various stages of completion, in addition to three completed dolls. I'm afraid I'm going to forget something crucial.

We had snow this past weekend en route to Hillsboro to celebrate Christmas with the family. We rarely have snow the coast. Misty loved it, as you can see. There were quite a few cars off the road on the way home.