Friday, May 20, 2011

A Week in May

This has been a crazy weather week here at Willow's Cottage.  Rain?  In Southern Calfornia?  In May?  Finally, the sky is clear of rain clouds although the wind has still been whipping things around.  Wild weather or mild, I find things to be thankful for every week.

1. Can I ever say too much about my local farmers market?  I don't think so!  The Professor and I shop there every Saturday morning we are in town.  Each week, the vendors greet us, ask us if we want 'the usual' (usually we do), and then as they hand us the produce, they thank us and drop an extra little something in, a cucumber or apple or carrot.  Nothing tastes better than organic, fresh, in season, locally grown produce!

2. Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival was great! On Sunday, I attended with The Professor.  Actually, I spent the entire day NOT listening to bluegrass music.  My spinners/weavers guild volunteered to demonstrate--spinning and weaving--so I took my spinning wheel and--spun--fiber while he wandered around and enjoyed some truly fun music. I spun and spun all day while groups and herds and gaggles of people strolled past, stopped and watched and said, "That's so cool!" (or other words to that effect).  Watching demonstrations of a 'lost art' evidently fascinates people. The muscial atmosphere was joyful.  There's something about bango and fiddle music which makes everyone want to dance.


3. Sometimes, spectators spy an item in my basket of handspun samples that they particularly like.  Sometimes, they ask if it's for sale.  Sometimes, it is.  Sometimes, I am willing to sell it.  Always, I assure them that all profits will be sent to a non-profit organization. I will be sending a check to Generate Hope this weekend.

4. The school year is winding down to a close.  Yesterday was the last day for two writing groups.  Who was more sad, the teacher or the students?  I'm not sure.  We've had a fantastic year.  Evidently, my students have other talents besides writing.


5. Spending hours in my garden is theraputic for me.  Even when the time is invested in pulling weeds, I find my mind relaxing and resting.  Birds sing. Lizards bask.  Ants race.  My body finds its rhythm in reaching, grabbing and pulling.

Have you experienced any favorite activities or received sweet gifts and notes this week?  You can share your Fave Five at Susanne's blog.

16 comments:

Barbara H. said...

That festival sounds fun. My husband has worked in textiles most of his adult life, and at one event he talked a long time with a woman spinning yarn, comparing their work. :-)

Sharon Lynne said...

Our town FINALLY started a farmer's market...and when I heard about it, I was so excited. Then they put it on SUNDAY MORNING from 8 to 12.

I should write them a letter.

nikkipolani said...

Yes! Rain. In So Cal. In MAY! Wasn't it a treat? Your local farmer's market sounds super. My favorite was the one near the place I used to work that was only open one weekday morning. Hard not to come home with more produce than I could eat....

ellen b. said...

We finally got 3 sunshine days in a row. The rain is threatening again but we are basking in the sun until then. That's very cool that you have a great group of students that enjoy learning. How nice that the vendors at the Farmer's Market recognize you and what you like. The Mexican restaurant we go to regularly puts extra liquor in our margaritas when we show up...

Karyn said...

The music festival sounds like an awesome way to spend the weekend.

I am a reluctant gardener but somehow, your description of gardening makes it sound fun - even to me. Too bad the reality will hit me as soon as I get dirt under my nails. LOL

Were those necklaces made for you? Your students must love you.

Love Bears All Things said...

The festival sounds like fun...it is fun to see heritage skills being done...I strongly believe that we should be passing those on to the next generation...
Blessings,
Mama Bear

susan said...

that is awesome that you support generation hope. what a needed ministry!

a good friend of mine spins, weaves, and dyes her own yarn. it does look so interesting. i am glad there are people like you two who keep these ancient crafts alive.

i hope you have a great summer off from teaching. what will you miss the most, willow?

Willow said...

Susan, What will I miss the most? Listening to my students read their compositions!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

The festival sounds like so much fun! Enjoy your summer!!

Catherine said...

I grew up on an Orchard and Farm, and I still love fresh produce so much! I can't eat anything fro ma can! Frozen will do in a pinch, but.. meh.
I'm glad you enjoyed the music and some time in the garden, and what a nice gift. I love the color of the beads!
~Catherine

snoopydogknits said...

What a great way to spend a weekend! Your spinning looks wonderful. I yearn to have a spinning wheel, but know I wouldn't have time, at present, to learn how to use it ptoperly. Maybe once the school summer holidays begin, I will buy one. Have a fun week!

Knitting Linguist said...

So many good things! I am with you on the farmer's market - we love ours, and they know us (especially my husband and kids, who go nearly every week and are quite recognizable). There's something about cooking with and eating fresh in-season food grown by people I know that just makes meals better.

The spinning sounds like fun, too! I've been playing with my spindles every day lately and loving it.

Marg said...

Gardening is the best therapy for me also, except that we had so much rain.
Your words of advice..about blogger were exceptionally helpful.
I'm back on board and feeling somewhat relieved.
I love farmer's markets, especially the local ones.

Heather said...

That local market sounds like heaven :) The local level of service always outshines even the best Target. I love Target, but supporting local merchants makes my heart sing.

Hugs!

Bethany said...

You are so lucky to have such nice people at the Farmer's Market! Maybe they realize what a generous spirit you have and they reciprocate! I'm glad you had a good time spinning... wondering what you're going to do THIS weekend?! ;)

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