First Show in the Record Books

 So the first post-pandemic show is in the history book. The new canopy performed like the professional it was billed to be, even in some stiff breezes on Sunday. Of course, we had staked it down through the footpads and added an extra outrigger stake on each corner. There was some swaying but nothing to be alarmed about. Still, I have ordered some stabilizer bars for added security and in hopes they can function as additional display space and eliminate the need for the large, unwieldy black A-frame display I've been using for runners. Fingers crossed on that! I also think I have a solution for the drooping lap quilt display in the canopy - just need to go get the materials and have D. do a bit of woodworking to make it functional.

 The crowds were fairly well-behaved although at one point I had far too many people in my booth for my comfort. Fortunately they dispersed quickly. A few adults and children wearing masks but I knw there were unvaccinated children without, just by their ages. Sales were strong on Saturday -lots of hangings! Not so much on Sunday but that's the norm. Still, it was worth the trips. And I'm really looking forward to the Flaherty Show in about a month. I'm working on new hangings and will do more balsam trivets and pins and a few runners and placemats before. I'll have 2 solid days with no other responsibilities next week when D. is off to play golf in NH. 

 The hot weather that moved in over last weekend finally left on Thursday, leaving some destruction in Belgrade Lakes. Mostly trees down but apparently a real mess. It's been cool and rainy since but today is clear. Great sleeping weather and I've been playing catch up. 

 The SDNY finally yielded indictments to the Trump organization and its CFO this week. All relating to payroll tax fraud. These are not free perks, you jerks! They are taxable income and the fact that there is a second "smoking" spreadsheet only supports that. And having your leader claiming ignorance about the laws in a campaign-style rally over the weekend does not help the case.

 And the condo that partially collapsed in FL is now completely collapsed in a control demo last night. Makes it safer for the search and rescue forces and the neighborhood. There was some concern about pets who might have been left behind but they apparently scanned with thermal imaging and found nothing. Still over 120 missing souls. And another building evacuated as dangerous after inspection.

 Racing is marking time until the Saratoga and DelMar meets begin in a couple of weeks. Not surprised by the news that Charlatan, one of Baffert's poster horses, has been retired. And several of his have been transferred to other trainers and begun racing again. The CHRB did not do the sport any favors by timing their meetings and decisions to benefit him. 

 

 Just a month until my first show. Today is the day Maine has essentially dropped their mask mandate with a few exceptions. My grocery store did not initially go along but did announce this morning that they were no longer requiring masks. My trip there an hour ago showed about 50% masks v. no mask in both customers and employees. All good as far as I'm concerned.

 We're a week+ out from the final leg of the Triple Crown and there will be no tri-corner trophy awarded this year. The afore-mentioned Baffert won the Derby and a week later announced that the horse (Medina Spirit) had tested positive for betamethasone, which is not allowed in any amount in Kentucky. At first he completely denied knowing how this came to be, then the next day allowed that the vet had prescribed a cream that contained the substance for a skin rash on MS. Still playing the victim, he called it "Cancel Culture", said people hated him because he was successful, etc. Churchill Downs immediately suspended his privileges to enter races and NYRA (in charge of Belmont) has done the same, the ban extending to all NYRA tracks, including Saratoga. This is all while we await the results of the split sample test, which could take months apparently. Pimlico, on the other hand, came to some legal agreement with Baffert that allowed him to run in the Preakness, where MS ran 3rd behind Rombauer and Midnight Bourbon. Baffert's other horse, Concert Tour, ran 9th out of 10. So it will be an interesting but not compelling Belmont Stakes. I'm hoping Brooklyn Strong who had a horrible trip in the Derby and passed on the Preakness will relish "Big Sandy"!

 And this past weekend it was Old Guys Rule as Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship at 50. He's just a kid! Seriously, congratulations and it was just the story that golf needed as it returns to full out galleries. 

 In the meantime, my gardens are in need of rain and a good grooming. Perhaps later today for the grooming. 

 And, a bit of political ranting....I'm deeply offended that the les-than-sane members of the GOP in Congress seem to have taken a page from the orange man's playbook and are spouting all kinds of lies, thinking we'll believe them. As Joe says..."Come on, man!"

 Update on the quilting business and shows: I've received my first acceptance, for the Arts in the Park show in Belfast the last weekend in June. This is a great show, wonderful location. I did it 2 years ago but had to forego the second day when my canopy got trashed by a monster thunderstorm late Saturday afternoon. Needless to say, within 5 minutes of receiving my acceptance this year I was on the Internet ordering my new canopy. And this one will be tied down six ways from Sunday when i leave for the night on Saturday, even if there's no chance of a storm! 

 In the meantime, I've started ramping up production for this year. I had to break to create a special order for a good customer but that will be finished today and in the mail tomorrow. And I'm still gathering fabrics for a baby quilt for a friend's grandchild. But between the vaccine and just general good feelings, I'm hopeful for this year's show season. I added a show in Bangor, but the venue is still TBD as the Cross Center apparently booked another event for "our" weekend. (That's one of the difficulties when dealing with a large venue that has had their management outsourced...there's little carry-over or institutional memory to be found.) But I'm certain it will work out. And the Holiday show appears to be headed for a venue change as well since USM hasn't lifted their restrictions on outside groups' activities (and they have broken ground on their huge construction project that will eliminate pretty much all parking for the gym). But Linda has worked with the people at the Portland Expo and we think that will be a lovely replacement venue and the change might even become permanent.

 Second vaccine will be in my arm on Thursday morning. And 14 days later I will be fully vaccinated. I have to say that the experience for the first one was so very positive. MGMC really stepped up to the plate after their shaky start and the process could not have been easier. 45 minutes tops and that was only because for some reason they did not have all my information in their system. I anticipate it being even faster on Thursday.

 D. has had his job at the Arts Academy change yet again. He's back to driving only, 5 days a week, 2 runs each day to Lewiston. At least he gets to drive the van and not a bus and they let him bring it home so he can leave from here in a warm car each day. (It's a real trade off as he cleans it at least once a week.)  He's said this will be his last semester and I don't blame him. Leaving at 6 am each day and making that round trip 2 times a day is a grind. They will surely miss him when he's gone.

 While I've been so happy to see people flocking to Saddleback and all reports are that the crowds have continued to come, I also see some posts on FB that make me glad I won't be there as much. I think they have attracted some unfortunate attention that has resulted in some less than desirable behavior...i.e. someone hiked the uphill access trail and "postholed" it up pretty good last week. Reports of a fight at the top of the South Branch Quad yesterday. Lots of self-promoting posts of bad behavior in general. Maybe I'm just too old to live that life now but I just don't have the patience for those who don't respect the hard work and time and money that has gone into bringing that area back. I see lots of posts from first-timers whose ski history includes areas where some of that bad behavior has been excused. I hope that management takes a firm stand against the ones who decide the rules are not meant for them.

 Horse racing seems to have returned to their previous Triple Crown schedule so Derby preps are in full swing. Baffert is loaded like never before which is good because the attrition in his barn has already started with yesterday's announcement that Life Is Good is out with some sort of hind end injury. Other than that, the rest of the contenders are spread out over a wide variety of trainers. Neither Matz nor Motion have a horse in the hunt, but there are several Union Rags offspring to root for. I have to think Phyllis is up there smiling down at the success he's had as a sire. 

     Happy to report the quest for COVID vaccine has finally ended. I was notified by my health network on 2/4 and missed their call on the 8th. Back and forth I went, between Facebook and phone numbers and FINALLY today got a call back and got registered for first thing tomorrow morning for the first of 2 Moderna shots. And they have already scheduled my 2nd shot for next month. I can leave the house now and not worry about missing calls (because they never left a message!). I have to say, my network has not been especially forthcoming with information about what their procedure is for scheduling - what happens if you miss their call? Do you go to the end of the line? Do they call you every day? (Obviously not!) Do they always call from a number that Caller IDs as them or are they using cell phones? (I know one person in another state who received a call about his second appointment from a number that IDed as Spam Risk!!!!) 

    All good questions but ones I don't need the answer to now. 

    It appears as if maybe, just maybe, we might be able to participate in craft shows this year. The first 3 on my projected schedule are all outside. The first one has already reduced the number of booths to half their usual amount. Still waiting on that one to see if I make the cut. I will need a new canopy for that but have tucked away some stimulus $$$ for that expense. The next 2 are both United Maine Craftsmen shows so I have little chance of not getting a spot. Then comes the 2 indoor shows. I might add a third, depending on how it all goes. It would be in the Bangor area, a location I've had little exposure in, save the highly-touted UMaine Alumni show that was probably my least successful show ever. I am working slowly on creating new inventory. For someone who is retired, it seems I can find plenty to take me away from the sewing machine some days.

    This past weekend we went to Rangeley for a few days. We drove up Thursday afternoon, checked into the Country Club Inn, caught up with Margie, and had a lackluster dinner at the Red Onion as every other place had too long a wait. (Vacation week.) Went skiing on Friday - lovely day, not too cold. Saddleback was crowded but mostly everyone behaved themselves with masks and distancing. I realized quickly that I was not in condition to last the day, even in the South Branch area. A couple of runs, a rest, lunch and one more. Then I discovered that my right ski boot had developed a crack. Imagine that! My 20 year old ski boot was failing! Earlier in the Fall I had tried to get my 20 year old skis tuned and the bindings checked and was told they were obsolete. Hmm, I'm sensing a pattern here. With great sadness and regret, I announce I have given up downhill skiing. The boots will go in the trash or maybe I'll use them as planters in the spring. The skis I might turn into some sort of furniture. I don't know. For now they will reside in their place in the basement along with the replaced cross-country skis from the last decade. So, back to the weekend - We had dinner at the Inn on Friday - salmon for D. and shrimp for me. Steve is such a good chef! All wonderful! Saturday we drove over to Kingfield to check out the Beer Shed, which was a disappointment. It's just a beer store, not a tasting room. Had dinner at a new place in Oquossoc, the Portage Tap House. Pizza was good, D. chicken sandwich was nothing special. Place was loud and crowded with snowmobilers. Eat and run! Sunday was supposed to be another ski day but I opted out and so did D. when he saw the temp - 4 degrees! So we came home to a happy cat and our own beds. 

I'm happy I made good on my promise to ski Saddleback again if they came back and they are back in a big big way. It's good to see. I could see myself doing the nordic trails down the mountain while D. downhills. That would be a good day. But not until this COVID thing is gone. It's just too much work now. 

Almost....Christmas, 2021, a new administration in charge

 Oh, 2020 - You can be gone and the sooner the better. COVID-19 cases are soaring everywhere. Here in Maine we have hit new record highs several times in just the past 2 weeks - new cases, deaths, positivity rates. By comparison we are still far behind many many states but after months of being so far behind it appears we are doing our best to catch up in a hurry. I have reverted to behaviors last used in March and April - staying home except for grocery store trips and essential appointments. I'm highly aware of what I touch when out and about and gel up when I get back in the car. It's what I feel just might keep me from getting this virus, along with my ever-present mask.

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday here at home, small turkey dinner and will do the same for Christmas day. In truth, we have done this before by choice at times, not wanting to travel to spend the day with family or friends. We can spend the day in our jammies if we want, although I have not done that since the last time I was sick. 

No idea when we will be eligible to receive the vaccine. We are both "elderly" (a term I rail against!), and have at least one qualifying health risk, so we should be near the top of that list, but with the government pulling back on shipments of vaccine this week, who knows? (And just what is that about, huh, Operation Warp Speed?)

Looking forward to 2021 and hopefully being able to return to in person artisan shows. The online virtual show format does not work well for my creations. People really need to see and in some cases feel the fabrics and the quilting. And I love being able to talk to people about my craft. I did have one sale through my newly-created webstore this Fall so I will be leaving it up in case anyone happens upon it. 

2021 will also be the year I return to the ski slopes. I was less interested in skiing in the early 2010s because of the cost and the seeming hassle. Then in 2015 our "home" area, Saddleback, closed and went looking for a new owner. After a couple of false starts, an impact fund out of Boston put together a deal and closed early in January. Since then, it's been full speed ahead to catch up on deferred maintenance, to replace the aging lift that prompted the closure, to reinvent the lodge and to develop protocols for skiing in the age of COVID. We purchased test drive passes for 3 days anytime in the season. My skis are currently being tuned and checked. I'd like to put off my return until 2021 so that I can choose a day mid-week to avoid the weekend crowds.

As for politics, it was been such a bumpy ride since the election, as I suspected it would be. No one ever said Trump would go quietly, although he has limited his communication to his Twitter machine for the most part and let his surrogates do the talking. I'll be so happy when he is gone and the lying stops. And the drifting. I find it so hard to believe that all his 70+ million followers really don't care that he is playing them all for suckers, grifting them out of their hard-earned money so he can continue to live his lavish lifestyle. And today comes a report that his son-in-law, the equally unlikeable Jared, created a shell corporation to funnel campaign funds to family members and away from the campaign, all highly illegal. But, because he's the golden boy son-in-law he will receive a presidential pardon along with anyone else who is deemed loyal and they all will skate away scott free. And that really cranks me. There somehow has to be some accountability here. Otherwise we lose hope, and that's sad.

 Another entrant in the Sidney, Maine sign game:

My thanks to a friend who sent me this and allowed me to share. In my opinion, better poetry than the previous entrant.

In other news, I actually had to delete some items from my online store yesterday because a good friend came over to shop - we both wore masks and socially distanced - and she shopped like I was going out of business! Thanks to her for supporting this small business during these tough times. Now I guess I need to start making more things.

 A few weeks later and there has been one more sign incident - a series of 3 signs, all negative and bordering on slanderous of one party's nominees for the highest elected offices of our country. These signs always appear on Saturday and are gone by mid-day Monday which leads me to believe the people posting them know that the DOT will not be checking on the weekend and that the DOT are the ones removing them. (Thank you, Maine DOT!) 

We are just about 2 weeks out from election day - I've already voted and have no fear that anything will change my mind, especially any "surprises" pushed out by the incumbent's party. They did this in 2016 and again earlier this month. This year, no one fell for it! (The old "Fool me once..." thing.) I'm very encouraged by the early turnouts across the country and especially acknowledge the extreme sacrifices some have to make to vote - taking a day off from work, standing in lines for many hours. I'm sure there is some intimidation and harassment going on as well. You people rock! My own experience was fairly painless. I had requested an Absentee Ballot, which I received 2 days after it was mailed, I filled it out and returned it in person to my town office the next day. I had to wait maybe 10 minutes while the clerks finished with some early voters and while they checked off my name on the list and pulled my paperwork. It took no longer than voting in person and was much less crowded. And Maine's online system of tracking Absentee Ballots recorded that it had been accepted within a day. Now to just wait.

Well, of course, for entertainment, we'll have another debate, which likely means that we'll be treated to an hour + of one candidate talking over the other, because he's a rude boor of a person. I don't have much faith in the moderator - any moderator, for that matter - ever being able to rein him in. He is what he is. And that is why he did not get my vote...he would never have gotten my vote. He and his family of grifters have shown the rest of the world the ugliest part of our country and while there are some nations that see nothing wrong their behavior, this is NOT what we are about in the United States. 

I've seen a myriad of posts on Twitter lately from people who are reading Dan Rather's excellent book What Unites Us. I read it when it was first published in late 2017 and it provided a welcome relief from the negativity coming from the White House. I can understand why it might be more of a balm today and hope that everyone will read it. Throughout this wild ride on the Trump Train, Mr. Rather has provided rays of hope, sparks of humor, and much needed sanity. 

Personally, my latest accomplishment has been creating a website for my little craft quilting business. It's nothing fancy, as it's hosted for free by the concern that I have trusted to handle my financial transactions. But I hope it will provide some bit of a shopping experience.