Precautions, and Textiles and Tea

This afternoon in the US, there will be a test alert of the emergency services, which will be transmitted via radio, TV and phones. It's particularly important to know this if anyone is, or knows anyone, who needs to keep a  secret cellphone because of living in a dangerous situation. 

This isn't melodramatic, it's a  fact for some women. It means that before 2.20 pm EST, the phone needs to be switched off and left off for at least half an hour,  so the loud alert (plus vibrate plus text) doesn't betray its presence. If there's widespread weather interference to the signal, it will be postponed to October 11.

While we're talking precautions, here's a handy chart of US numbers you or a friend might sometime need, to save for reference

And here's what just arrived, courtesy of the gummint, covid test kits. One package per household, your tax dollars at work. I also ordered a package for Handsome Son, since I have more time to attend to this sort of thing than he does.

On to cheerier, and less US-centric subjects, yesterday's Textiles and Tea featured Barbara J. Walker, (not the knitter Barbara G. Walker)  a weaver and braider who does exquisite work, making her own cords, braiding them, with all kinds of ply-splitting and splicing techniques, which she demonstrated in response to questions. 

You see her wearing a necklace she created. She uses silk and linen in weaving, but any fiber that gives the  color she wants when she makes cord.

These rain chains are a collaborative installation, with Lyn Christiansen, made to resemble the Japanese rain chains which replace gutters and downspouts, and are also beautiful.

 There's more on her website, don't miss it, it's a festival of color.

Happy day,  everyone, one more flower joins the posy, a brown eyed Susan. Eking out the fall flowers as they start to get tired and ready to rest.