Let's start at what's been read and what is waiting to be read. I'm not going to do links for the books. I am sure all of you know how to get to Amazon or B&N and search for titles.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. I usually avoid post apocalyptic type reads but I made an exception for this one and am glad I did. It was an excellent read. A bit more hopeful than a Cormac McCarthy book, but not much, so don't go thinking you are going to leave this one feeling good. You're going to close it feeling like you've been chewed up and spit out, but maybe not so doomed. This is one I will come back to for another read.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean. Before starting The Dog Stars I wanted something light, fun and well written. This was suggested by friend Sandi and oh my what a enjoyable read it was. I loved this book. Yes, it is a young adult title, but then again, so was Harry Potter, so don't turn up your noses at books aimed at teen readers. THANK GOD they are reading and some fine writing is going on there. Just because I'm older doesn't mean I should miss out on a good book and neither should you!
The Pass by Thomas Savage. A beautiful book about the west (set in Montana) in the early 20th century. The writing and characters first rate. Again I must reference Cormac McCarthy for his Border Trilogy and Anne Proulx because surely she was influenced by Savage. This book was first published in 1944 and thankfully has been reissued along with others long out of print until recently.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet. I can't describe this one except to say, put it on your reading list and have some fun with it! Heck, when another dog arrives into the household some day, he or she may just get a name from this book. That's how much I enjoyed it.
Now, on my short list of books waiting to be read are these:
Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux ( finally his writings are on Kindle)
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage
Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson
Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor ( sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
I am always eager for additional suggestions to my reading list, so please suggest away in the comment section!
Leaving the reading nook, I promised to tell you about a baseball cap. Here goes. My Dad found this creative ceramic at a local store Art FX and couldn't resist bringing it home for a house gift. So dang clever isn't it?
I rarely go into this store simply because I don't often buy jewelry, but if you do, Chuck Troutman is a master jeweler and has some beautiful pieces. Anyway, this wall vase must have been cast from an actual baseball cap. I can see stitch lines and the twill weave in the fabric.
It has got a wonderful spot on a wall between kitchen and dining area. Thank you Dad!
Now, we're going to pop over to the studio, because it is crammed full of loomy goodness. I just couldn't leave Murphy out in the cold back room and who wants to weave in 30-40 temps anyway? Not me!
But there is always room for one more and with a little shifting around, we have a workable solution for three 40 something inch looms.
I might add we are weaving prayer flags again and using a new threading.
I love this one. Basket weave and herringbone out of A Handweaver's Pattern Book, pg 49. I'm thinking this has a future as a table runner or dresser scarves for another warp.
Only a blouse has been completed up in the sewing room.
I had some fun with a small piece of my favorite Stella & Robin fabric (you might remember the red color way of it), and used it on the inside collar stand
and inside cuffs.
I'm reorganizing up there, bringing knits and wools to the forefront for winter sewing. Some fun things coming up and some real challenges but all that is for a later post.
5 comments:
Love the cat seat and secret fabric facings on your shirt! Your custom details just make the garments so special! A book suggestion for Oregon history buffs but romantic as well: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008G5CO2S/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title
Your loom room is to die for!!!! And with a wall of books...WOW!
What a great weaving space! One can never have too many looms ;-) I thought for sure that vase was really a hat. What a neat design.
Enjoy your weaving,
Judy
The baseball hat wall vase is "so Dad" (anyone's Dad!) What a nice gift.
Now for some "book poker":
I see your booklist (thank you for the recommendations) and will raise you a few:
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern...contains magic,fantasy, and love in just the right measure. The opening line: "The circus arrives without warning,....." (IMO, this one could really be a YA novel, which I have no problem with.)
Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell is a fictionalized account of Doc Holliday, before the shoot out at the OK Corral. I loved this book. The opening line: "He began to die when he was twenty-one, but tuberculosis is slow and sly and subtle."
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is full of metaphor, being set on a lighthouse island at the point where the Indian Oceans and the Souther Ocean meets. Set in the years immediately after WWI, the male protagonist is an Australian veteran of that war. Opening line: "On the day of the miracle, Isabel was kneeling at the cliff's edge, tending the small, newly made driftwood cross."
Oh, heaven! More books to add to my neverending list. Thank you to Theresa and all others who contribute. Here is one of my favorites: "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner. A look at Grass Valley, CA in the 1800s, a marriage, and the Bay Area in the 60s. Another strong contender from my western lit list is "Sometimes a Great Notion" by Ken Kesey.
A ceramic baseball cap, how clever! Can't add to your reading list cuz I rarely seem to have time to read. Takes me several months to get through even one book, LOL
The shot of your studio is inspiring! And (no surprise here), I adore the Stella and Rogin fabric.
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