Log Trucks Are Running Again

You know what I noticed so very much, the days after 9/11, when the planes were grounded? I noticed the LACK of planes in the air. I missed the business of it all, when a rainy day was approaching and the flight pattern changed over the house. It was noisy but it was predictable and busy. I missed, most of all, the funny little plane that flew over my home every evening, coming and going from the Concord airport at night, lights flashing about going to a particular Toyota dealership. I could lie in bed at night, hear him coming on a Summer evening and then read those familiar ad words. When that little plane started to do his runs out to the ballparks once again, I knew that life would somehow get back to normal. Normal...

We have been through a lot, as you well know and now that the bee-line of trucks coming up the driveway has come to an end, it is quiet around here. I do miss all of those trades people that we got to know on a first name basis. It is kind of unusual to be able to witness the whole process of a build, right outside of your winter windows and we got to know these wonderful people quite well. The thing going on at that time was that the business owners like the plumber and the electrician were beginning to have to strap on the old tool belt again, simply because they had to let so many people go, with this slump in the building trades business. I really began to worry when I heard these stories, knowing that we had gotten them through the winter and with a little more work, this framer or that electrician would pay the bills. I set to work envisioning more work for these wonderful people and it came. The work is now further "up the hill" in Tahoe and the carpenters are smiling again.

I mention the log trucks because while they annoyed the heck out of me last summer, I began to notice the quiet when they stopped driving Newtown Road. You see, in the winter this road ( a little further past our house) becomes notoriously slippery in the icy times and there is just no way that a log truck would chance it. Just about the time that the final sub-contractor said adios, I heard the red one and then the blue one and then and then and then. The mill in Camino is running again and there is still work for the loggers and the truckers and the mill workers. There is need for lumber again. The log trucks are like the planes...it will get better for my friends with pickup trucks, the friends who built this place.

 

I have begun planting a garden here, outside of the office window and I was rewarded on the second morning when a funny hummingbird landed on some deep red dahlias, wings out with his face buried in the flowers. I have never seen such a thing before.

Speaking of things that I have never seen before...the moth population up here in this clearing in the forest is spectacular. We have had visits from a couple of Biggies and these are the best shots that I could get of this one. I just say WOW and thank you for the visit.

I had to blow on him to get him to open his wings and so this shot is not as clear as the first. I simply wanted to show you his colors.

Speaking of color...I have been putting it on one of the new yarns and finally got a handful of them photographed for a group photo. This is my new worsted weight merino that is going to go by the name Queenstown, in honor of Shrek the Merino. It is incredibly yummy and now that I am finally getting a handle on the orders (thanks to my new space!) I can play with this yarn.

For those of you lucky enough to be heading to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, give my buddies, Sheila & MIchael Ernst a hug for me. They will be in the Tee Shirt building with their magnificent glass needles, crochet hooks and buttons. Oh yes, orifice hooks and Don't Drop Spindles, as well. That's all of the news fit to print.

There is a lot of handspun yarn over there in the house and so it will get photographed tomorrow when Rod is off to his friend's train layout for the day. I expect a beautiful day.

Comments

[Tom Clark]

Wow! Wow to everything, including you and the new & improved you too.

Moths & hummingbirds? Sounds like there's a new colorway in there somewhere, yes?

[Sarah]

Don't worry. I already took care of hugging Sheila. Oh, and buying 3 pairs of their needles. When I see her tomorrow I'll hug her and let her know its from you this time. The others were from me. :)

[Paula D.]

I loved the photo of the moth so much I had to search and find it. The closest I can come up with is a type of promethia moth.

I'm sure you'll get used to the quiet. If you need noise to help you create, crank up the music!

[Paula D.]

Back to the moth - it could also be a ceanothus silk moth. I love the reddish-brown and kind on golden edge. A new colorway is definitely in order!

[AlisonH]

When you're building or remodelling, those folks become part of the family--after all, they're in your house every day. I'm glad yours got more work. Good for you for looking out for them.

[Birdsong]

I was so touched by this post... I do know exactly what you mean, and try not to worry too much about whether life will ever be truly 'normal' as we learn new ways to live energy and economy wise. We are far more serious about our garden efforts than ever before, and bemoaning the fact that the frosts a few weeks ago took much of the fruit we look forward to having each summer. Any chance you have come up with a skein of yarn dyed to match that moth? One of my high-country favorites:)

[Sheila E]

Hey, thanks for all the hugs that came our way...via you!
It's great to be home...and to see what you have been up to.
The moths are incredible...to say the least!
I love the yarns at the bottom too. My guess is that they are already on their way to people who will love them too!
Happy Mother's Day My Dear Friend!

[AlisonH]

Happy Mother's Day, Lisa!

[Sheila E]

Hee Hee hee....I have memed you - see my blog for details!
Hot enough for yah?

[Lisa S]

Mrs. Moth laid lots and lots of rust colored eggs on the east wall of the cottage. She left, came back, left and came back to die. Her earthly remains are here with me in the office and I must say that the old girl taught Schnickle a lot before her body finally gave out from old age. I thank her for giving us this time with her when she was alive and the chance to touch her weightless body, now that she is gone.