I'm Gobsmacked!

The reports that Jewish students at Cornell University have been so threatened and harrassed that they no longer gather in their designated spaces have deeply saddened me. I grew up in Ithaca, New York in a time when it took me until my junior high school years to become aware of the Jewish faith and the Holocaust. I remember a Jewish classmate of mine wondering at the fact that she had a budding relationship with a male student of German heritage. I'm not sure the relationship survived past junior high but it was my awakening to the history of one group hating another one so much that they feel they have to obliterate them from the face of the earth. This was a concept I found hard to understand then and stiil find it abhorent today. And certainly, growing up in Ithaca with its large concentration of foreign students and families associated with Cornell, I came to think that the world was more complete with the entire spectrum of humanity included. That concept has been shattered around the world and in the United States in the past decade. We have a Congress that cannot even agree on enough issues to get the peoples' work done to prevent a government shutdown without last minute histrionics. Those in charge have abdicated their responsibility to keep the citizens safe and free from worry. Theu do not seem to understand that the more drama they create in Washington, the more everyday people fear for their lives and freedoms and want to strike back at anything that appears to be a threat. This feeling came out of the shadows with the election of Trump, who normalized and even authorized crazy behavior and conspiracy theories. Without his bloviating on everything he misunderstood (which is about 99% of everything he claimed to be an expert on!) we would have felt more secure and safe. Instead we have a large group of citizens who have armed themselves - sometimes heavily - so they are ready for the perceived threats. And that is how Maine landed in the national news this past week for all the wrong reasons. Someone who who claimed to have heard voices, had access to high-powered guns and went to settle a score, then took the coward's way out. He will never have to own up to the chaos and heartache he created, but his family will. I relize it's early in the investigation still, but I hope the reporters keep asking how he was not separated from his guns. All the signs were there - when the police were warned and searched but could not find him. Now we find out he was involved in a series of confrontations over the past weeks - no one wanted to call the authorities? No one wanted to step in? I find that hard to believe but it's a symptom of our society now. No one wants to confront anyone because we cannot determine who is packing a firearm or other weapon and will lash out. And I admit, if faced with a similar encounter, I might not step in but I sure as hell would make sure someone with the ability to disarm would.

What a Week!

So here I was, just minding my own business Wednesday evening, watching Jeopardy and happily stitching away on the binding of a placemat and there came the BREAKING NEWS graphic and the report of a mass shooting in Lewiston, a town ~40 miles from us. Over the next 2 days I spent probably far too much time watching news coverage, both from my local stations and CNN, who sent some very high visibility persons North. Heartbreaking stories emerged over this time, the last coming last night with confirmation that the suspect had been found dead, killed by his own hand. Yet another story of heartbreak, perpetrated by someone who would have benefited from mental health services that for some reason were not utilized. Over the course of the 2 days 4 towns were essentially put on lock down, businesses and schools and other entities closed, countless events canceled, including my UMC Harvest show this weekend. So, instead of putting the final touches on my booth in Portland at this time this morning, I'm sitting in my chair writing. (I have to admit that my heart was just not in this show even before the cancellation. I did not feel ready mentally to be there, although I certainly was ready with inventory.) So my next show will ease me into the Holiday season - it's a one day Sunday show right up the road in Waterville. Then 2 - 2 day shows (Augusta and Topsham) then 2 weeks off and the final 2 day in Portland. I'm thankful for the excellent show I had in Brunswick in August as it has taken the pressure off trying to meet my projected sales for the year. Before all Hell broke loose here, the House managed to elect a Speaker, but not without more controversy. Three candidates went down in flames (including chief flame thrower Jordan!) before they elected a relative newcomer who was acceptable to the conference because he shares everyone's Christian convservative (some would say ChristoFascist) views. Anti-abortion, anti-LBGTQ+, anti-gun legislation - his response to the shootings here was evil - calling it all mental. He espouses a view that we would be better off going back in time. Not a progressive thought in his brain and seemingly no compassion. And that is my biggest complaint about the GOP - their policies all seem to target any compassionate response to any crisis or situation. While the Democrats work to make life better for people, the GOP seems to be all about the Benjamins and fake morality. Which is how we ended up with a man in the White House who should neveer have been there. And members of Congress who are more concerned with how many social media followers they have instead of how many constituents they can help. It will take time for the residents of the city of Lewiston to heal and the families and friends of those lost may never heal. I just urge everyone to take the time they need - sit quietly with your thoughts. No need to share it all on social media. If you can't help it, please, I ask that you type something and let it sit, come back to it and see if what you have written will help anyone. I think you will find you may be hitting the "Delete" key. I know I have.

Gearing Up for the Holiday Slog

I've been working steadily to build up my inventory of holiday-themed runners and placemats. I'm about 3/4 of the way there with completed goods and have 2 more sets of placemats ready to be trimmed and bound tomorrow. Fortunately I haven't had too many distrations this week so have made great progress. And I plan to have things ready to hand finish for the first show or 2 of the season. Not sure I'll have any holiday items at the Harvest show in a week as I really want to whittle down the fall on genereal inventory.

I did take yesterday off and we trekked up Route 17 through Readfield, Fayette, Jay, Dixfield, Mexico et al to Oquossoc and eventually Rangeley. The colors were muted but there were bright spots which I suspect will be long gone after this weekend's rain/wind. We cruised by the Country Club Inn which still awaits rehab by the new owners. We found out that they have rented it out to Saddleback employees the past 2 winters and will do the same this coming winter as Saddleback's employee housing will still not be ready for inhabitants this year. That information came from Margie when we caught up with her at the new Jamison outpost, the Corner Bar in Downtown Rangeley. Wonderful cozy place, good small plate food, creative cocktails and an acceptable beer list. Margie also shared her expeerience of stopping by the Inn several months after they sold in in the fall of 2021 and bemoaning the condition of the floors and the just general lack of housekeeping by the residents. Sad but she seems to have moved on, which is about all she should do. It was great to see her and enjoy Steve's culiary skills again and see Krista behind the bar. (It's a family affair!) Due to the seeming lack of interest, I suspect that this will be the last year in existence for the United Maine Craftsmen group. Which means that my move of joining SSMC this year was a good one. Hopefully I'll be able to get into more of their shows next year. And I'll definitely do Brunswick again. And the spring show at Snow Pond - hoping for more publicity with Christa's involvement. And, of course, I've been following the developments inthe Middle East which has blown up once again. And the feakin' GOP faction in the House ditched their Speaker 2 weeks ago and the front runner right now is a MAGA monster who has done nothing in Congress, inflames every meeting he is a part of with his shirt-sleeve rhetoric and has denied that he ignored sexual assault allegations whe he was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State. The clown car that is the GOP in the House keeps going off the rails and is searching for a new driver.

Sadness, Working Hard, Lee (the hurricane that wasn't)

After the surprise cancer diagnosis early last week, my nephew passed away over the weekend. I received word on Thursday that my brother, sister-in-law and niece had travelled to Pittsburgh overnight (by car, my brother is not one to fly anywhere, likely a result of having spent too many years in the air in the Navy) as they had been notified that there was little time left. And Sunday morning I received word from John's brother that he had passed. (Marvelling here at how information is relayed these days - both of these updates came via Facebook Messenger.) The family is back home here in Maine now and are awaiting the body so they can plan a funeral. In the meantime, I have been working on new inventory and realized this week that it is time to shift to holiday mode as I have 4 shows in a row in Oct.-Nov. and will have little time then to create. So today I'll straighten up in the studio, put away the fall fabrics and pull out the Christmas. It will be a fun, fast and furious time for the next few weeks. We experienced little to no damage from this past weekend's brush with Lee - a couple of dead branches on the ground, lots of leaves on the ground and deck, but little rain and just a momentary blip in the power supply. Others in our town lost power for a few hours, and communities on the coast and especially Downeast had serious damage. All in all, we dodged a bullet here.

Catching up ...

Saratoga finished their meet last Monday without further drama. Not so quiet on the West Coast - 4 racetrack veterinarians have been suspended for prescribing medication without a physical exam. The four includes the vet who prescribed the Otamax (Betamethasone) cream that knocked Medina Spirit out of the winner's circle after the Derby. No one knows (or will never know) what else he prescribed for which of Baffert's horses and what the effects on those horses were. To those horses,I apologoze that your owners saw fit to entrust your care to such uncaring, greedy people. We lost Jummy Buffet last week. While I was not a Parrothead, I did appreciate his talents. Loved his wit and life philosophy. I can easily picture him up there, sailing the skies with Dan Fogelberg. And when they tire of the salt spray, they can head for the mountains and take a few runs! Slowly working on new inventory. Some things finished and a few tops done. Hard to find an uniterrupted block of time to create these days. My work for UMC continues to suck away my time and I have to work on a series of Facebook posts. But I press on when I can. Got word today that my nephew has been diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer that has taken over his brain, lungs and liver. Sad, as apparently he has just celebrated one year of sobriety. Brother and sister-in-law are devastated - you are not supposed to outlive your children. And Cookie has been dealing with her sister's dementia, the result of years of alcoholism. It's a sad world sometimes. We're in another rainy perioid this week, after some brutal heat and humidity. Looking forward to some easier more restful nights. And especially in a few days when my Nectar matress and base arrive! (Thank you RMD!)

Horse Racing on the Cusp

 On Saratoga's biggest day of racing (Travers Day), another 2 horses were lost - Nobel in the 5th, dropped on the gallop out after finishing and was euthanized on the backstretch of the turf course. New York Thunder dropped at the sixteenth pole of the dirt track and was euthanized behind the screen in front of the grandstand. (Having been to Saratoga, I cannot imagine that those in the upper rows of the grandstand had their view blocked by the screen.) I did not watch any races that day - have barely watched since we lost Maple Leaf Mel in the test - but did watch the replay of the Travers after reading that everyone was home safe and Archangelo had won. another feel good moment for Jena and her crew. She has not pushed this horse - he had not raced since his Belmont win - and she had taken some heat for that. But kudos to her for listening to her horse and having the backing of her owner. (Shades of Michael Matz and Barbaro in 2006 - he took heat for the 5 weeks between the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby.) 

 The emotional public outcry to cancel the remaining week of the Saratoga meet is understandable. Horse racing has a perception problem. But as my friend teresa pointed out in her writing yesterday, the numbers tell a different story. On track deaths have declined over the years. Will we ever be able to have 0 deaths? Likely not, because we are dealing with living, breathing beings. I am heartened by the action I have seen from the HISA group - trainers suspended (and not just the little guys at the low-level tracks). More technology-based initiatives. We can and must do better. (I also find it interesting that while people are writing their hands about Saratoga, one of the most scrutinized trainers on the west coast has skated by relatively unheralded with the deaths of 2 of his horses.) 

    On the creative front, I have 10 placemats and 2 runners ready to be layered and quilted. Slowly working through the pile of fabric I pulled to replace inventory sold in Brunswick. I have time but it always runs out before I feel I'm ready for the next show.

    

Historic Moments...?

 So the 45th President of the United States last night was processed in the Fulton County, Georgia jail on his 4th set of charges this year. I DO NOT (and will never!) understand how and why so many people still believe this man 1) is innocent of any and all of these charges; 2) actually won the 2020 election; and 3) deserves to run again or become President again. For those of you in the back (Yes, you who think he will save you from your miserable lives!) HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU!!! HE ONLY CARES ABOUT HIMSELF!!! Witness - he is fundraising, asking for and, sadly, receiving your hard earned money for his legal defense fund in exchange for a likely cheaply and foreign made tee shirt with is mug shot on it. How many hours did he practice that scowl so he could appear "powerful"? He is too concerned with his owns life to govern effectively. A second term would be a revenge term, at the expense of any meaningful legislation. Nothing to make anyone's life better, save his own. And so many people who worked in his administration have basically denounced him that I shudder to think who would be in those places in a 2nd administration. It has taken Biden almost 3 years to replace all the under-qualified office holders Trump appointed. I will; renew my Facebook posts about paying attention, doing research and making an informed choice. Because we cannot survive if we go back.

 And it seems as if this past Wednesday was RunARedLightWednesday in Maine. In the short time I was out on the roads, I saw 3 instances, all resulting in evasive maneuvers but no accidents. I know we are all distracted and should not be while driving. Please, please, please pay attention to the road and noting else. I promise to do the same. Oh, and while we're on the subject of driving, please slow the f___down!

 Another rainy Friday here in Maine - the 10th or so in a row. Good, now I don't have to feel guilty for playing in the studio today!