The Duck Report - the holiday happenings
So, Christmas happened, and it was a doozy...
Duck Report 1 January 14th 2022
Well, we made it through 2021, into another year of COVID and general mayhem.
We had a lovely Christmas, the first in many years with Blythe, MB and LOB all in attendance, and also the first with any visitors for the last 3 years.
Unfortunately, LOB (blythe note: LOB is my brother, and, no, I am NOT speaking to him after this Christmas clusterfuck) tested positive on Tuesday the 29th so we all came down with COVID except Michael, who had no symptoms whatsoever. We were all fully vaccinated so the symptoms were only a moderate cold with fever, aches and pains and some fatigue. (blythe note: our symptoms changed day-to-day. I had several days that were very worrying, and the stretch of illness lasted 3 weeks for me and MB. Mum did better, and I'm certain it's because she received her booster shot 3 weeks before she got infected.) I am now 100% and walking the dogs every day, for which they are very thankful.
I collected my repaired sewing machine before Christmas and made fleece beds for both of the dogs' cages. Harley accepted this with good grace, but Roxie Rocket Ship decided she had to investigate eating a hole in one corner and pulling out the fleece. Not happy with this, she decided she should climb inside the whole thing. Her bed was made like a pillow with a pillow case, so she managed to get inside the pillow case and snuggle down there. (blythe note: WEIRDO)
Our winter so far has been exceptional in that we are halfway through January and have still not had to plow the driveway. (blythe note: *narrator intones ominously, "it did not remain this way for long..."*) Usually by now we have had at least 2 plows. We also have less than 2” of snow, which does not bode well for next year’s crops. Perhaps February will bring snow to make up for the lack of same so far.
I am spinning now every day using the wool I sent to Elora. At the moment I am spinning Freddy blended with Erica’s dog hair. It is a very good combination which makes lovely medium weight two ply good for my tapestry. The tapestry is stretched on Erica’s fixed heddle loom and I have two of the seat cushions already drawn and ready to start sewing. I plan to bring it into the living room this week and start work. As soon as I have a number of hanks spun I shall start dying from the supply of dye in the freezer. Blythe and I tried the indigo dye over Christmas with no success, the wool disintegrated, so we will have to try a better recipe. (blythe note: it was DISGUSTING)
Duck Report 2 January 20th 2022
I spoke too soon and on Sunday we got dumped on in no uncertain terms. I think we had about 2 feet of snow, but it drifted well and so is hard to tell. The dogs and I are reduced to walking up the driveway and back as the snow is just too deep for Harley and me.
I started the tapestry and discovered just what I cannot do, but this also left me knowing what I can do. I also started cutting out pieces for a quilt. None of the fabric I have is really quilt fabric but I will use what I have and see how it works. I am hoping to quilt enough fabric to make a winter coat, but we will see how I get on. With this many projects under way some are bound to be left behind. (blythe note: even I don't know where she finds the energy to do all these things)
My bird feeders are in full use with lots of little birds, Juncos, Chick-a-dees, a variety of Sparrows, and larger birds like Doves, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatch and Cardinals. These seem to be our winter birds with very little variety until the spring migration starts.
I had another go at the tapestry and undid the pieces I had started. I hope not to have to do that again as it was not easy, and now I am continuing with stitches I know will work.
Michael got the car out today the first time since the snow came and amazingly it started, albeit reluctantly.
Duck Report 1 January 14th 2022
Well, we made it through 2021, into another year of COVID and general mayhem.
We had a lovely Christmas, the first in many years with Blythe, MB and LOB all in attendance, and also the first with any visitors for the last 3 years.
Unfortunately, LOB (blythe note: LOB is my brother, and, no, I am NOT speaking to him after this Christmas clusterfuck) tested positive on Tuesday the 29th so we all came down with COVID except Michael, who had no symptoms whatsoever. We were all fully vaccinated so the symptoms were only a moderate cold with fever, aches and pains and some fatigue. (blythe note: our symptoms changed day-to-day. I had several days that were very worrying, and the stretch of illness lasted 3 weeks for me and MB. Mum did better, and I'm certain it's because she received her booster shot 3 weeks before she got infected.) I am now 100% and walking the dogs every day, for which they are very thankful.
I collected my repaired sewing machine before Christmas and made fleece beds for both of the dogs' cages. Harley accepted this with good grace, but Roxie Rocket Ship decided she had to investigate eating a hole in one corner and pulling out the fleece. Not happy with this, she decided she should climb inside the whole thing. Her bed was made like a pillow with a pillow case, so she managed to get inside the pillow case and snuggle down there. (blythe note: WEIRDO)
Our winter so far has been exceptional in that we are halfway through January and have still not had to plow the driveway. (blythe note: *narrator intones ominously, "it did not remain this way for long..."*) Usually by now we have had at least 2 plows. We also have less than 2” of snow, which does not bode well for next year’s crops. Perhaps February will bring snow to make up for the lack of same so far.
I am spinning now every day using the wool I sent to Elora. At the moment I am spinning Freddy blended with Erica’s dog hair. It is a very good combination which makes lovely medium weight two ply good for my tapestry. The tapestry is stretched on Erica’s fixed heddle loom and I have two of the seat cushions already drawn and ready to start sewing. I plan to bring it into the living room this week and start work. As soon as I have a number of hanks spun I shall start dying from the supply of dye in the freezer. Blythe and I tried the indigo dye over Christmas with no success, the wool disintegrated, so we will have to try a better recipe. (blythe note: it was DISGUSTING)
Duck Report 2 January 20th 2022
I spoke too soon and on Sunday we got dumped on in no uncertain terms. I think we had about 2 feet of snow, but it drifted well and so is hard to tell. The dogs and I are reduced to walking up the driveway and back as the snow is just too deep for Harley and me.
I started the tapestry and discovered just what I cannot do, but this also left me knowing what I can do. I also started cutting out pieces for a quilt. None of the fabric I have is really quilt fabric but I will use what I have and see how it works. I am hoping to quilt enough fabric to make a winter coat, but we will see how I get on. With this many projects under way some are bound to be left behind. (blythe note: even I don't know where she finds the energy to do all these things)
My bird feeders are in full use with lots of little birds, Juncos, Chick-a-dees, a variety of Sparrows, and larger birds like Doves, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatch and Cardinals. These seem to be our winter birds with very little variety until the spring migration starts.
I had another go at the tapestry and undid the pieces I had started. I hope not to have to do that again as it was not easy, and now I am continuing with stitches I know will work.
Michael got the car out today the first time since the snow came and amazingly it started, albeit reluctantly.