Rollercoaster day, mildly

Yesterday did not start out promisingly. First thing as I was dressing, half awake, a text from next door to say my rear car window was open. I hadn't opened it. 

This has happened a couple of times, some electronic quirk, but I've caught it before. This time it had been open throughout a huge rainstorm and now snow. Neighbor came to collect my fob and close the window for me. Today I need to dry it out somehow, now the snow's stopped.

Then a text from Handsome Son to say dental appointment was fine, no work needed, but there was another problem, see following text.

Turns out his house key jammed in the lock, locking him out. Much confusion followed, as neighbor Gary I called for advice said he wasn't home yet but would go by there and see if he could unjam the key. 

Then son says well I'm not there either! On the road from the dentist, having left the condo with the key jammed, not to lose a long standing appointment. Safe enough, since nobody could get in anyway!

Anyway, they did meet, neighbor used WD 40 and a high tech de icer, got the door open. But the key was now turning uselessly along with the barrel of the lock. New lock required. My heart sank, locksmith,$$$$, etc 

But this is where things started looking up. Son came to visit and eat tea loaf with tea, mentioned that Gary suggested they could replace the lock themselves. Or son could get replacement, and call for help as needed. Gary stopped in to confirm all the above.

The tea loaf

went down well, several pieces finding their way next door. Handsome Son polished off a couple more. And I'm having a slice, buttered, for breakfast.

Later son texted: done! No need for help. He bought and installed new lock and knob, would deliver keys to me ASAP. Yay! He really stepped up, not being a handyman usually.

In more good news, the feds opened the portal to order free home Covid test kits early. I jumped on it, ordered for son and me, one package per household allowed, no problem at all. Already got acknowledgement. 

I had decided it wasn't wise after all, to go in symptom free, feeling well, to the local free test site to be possibly exposed to people there because they feel ill with Covid symptoms. So this will do fine.

Yet more good news, this book, Opulent Textiles, arrived, second hand, ex library copy, excellent condition. Today I plan to enjoy this.

See, even the flyleaf is lovely.

And last bit of good news, all this happened, and son had departed, in time for me to catch Textiles and Tea, which I had thought wouldn't happen this week.

I was particularly interested in this one, since the guest is a bead weaver as well as a loom weaver, incorporating both in her art works.

Her work is spectacular. I have woven beads and worked with freeform beads and wire (she prefers thread) and can attest from a humble standpoint to the stunning skills of her range. I also have a great urge now to do a bit of beading..

But here's some of her wonderful work. She overdyes her weaving threads, too.

She works full-time at Home Depot, and loves it. She says not only does her day job support her, working with window and door installation  with customers gives her ideas for her own artwork, which she attends to evenings and weekend, and feels very balanced.

She makes the point that she can develop her art much better without having to depend on it, and on pleasing buyers, to make a living. That pressure is off.  She can choose whether ir not to teach, same reason, and often chooses not to, but to use her time in the studio on original art. And you can see her results. 

She's a good busineswoman, bought her own domain name years ago, and makes videos to demo. She doesn't like making them, but it's inevitable that she needs to, just to stay visible. 

When she teaches, it's at major events such as HGA Convergence next year, or other groups where the group and location, nowadays Zoom, are organized by the inviters, and she gets to teach. 

I totally endorse this approach, being the way I've always done workshops. It's the best for the teacher to put time and energy into creating the workshop content and materials, without being concerned about pr and registration and site care. 

I'd say she has designed a terrific life for herself. She works many hours and loves it. But oh dear, now I need to bead..