Work in progress on the window project, and a few more visitors to Kat's Corner

Do you remember, back in July when I introduced you to 

Beverly and David Joosten ?

They are the Owner / Artisans of

Beverly & David Joosten Glass Studio, and they are working on a project for us. My Sweet Husband stopped by their studio recently and took pictures of the progress.

 What is this?

 Beverly grinding the glass

Even small pieces have to be carefully ground.

 Cutting the next piece

Beverly and David are not only Artisans, they are both genuinely nice people and it is a pleasure to see where they work and visit with them.

 Work around the edges of the old stained glass

Some of the old lead will have to be replaced and the window has to be stabilized. Once they are done with it, it will be beautiful for the next 100 years (or more).

 Checking placement

This is a very exacting process. A small error could throw the whole thing off. Besides stabilizing the old glass, the framing will allow it to be installed in our lovely old antebellum house and it has to fit the existing opening.

 The big picture, Glass on the cartoon.

The original window in the center is attributed to Clayton & Bell, a firm that produced stained glass from 1855 to 1993.

The window is believed to have come from a church in Wales. We bought them from Tomkinson's Stained Glass on Portabello road in London and brought it back from Britain with our Household goods in 1992.

 Beverly hard at work.

I can't wait to see the finished project in place.

(There will be pictures here, I promise)

 Praying Mantis

One of the visitors I told you about. 

Just hanging around to see what's next.

 Turkey Vulture Conversation

"Nice of them to leave water here for us".

"Yup".

 Turkey Vultures Drinking

 Turkey Vulture Conversations Continued

"Hey!"

"Something moved in there!"

"Did you see it"

"Yup"

 "There are a bunch of them"

"Startled me, lets go drink somewhere else"

"OK"

Spontaneous the Cat

Spontaneous thinks they are silly, there have been tadpoles in that water every summer since before we moved in. 

(Isn't she looking lovely?)

Cheers from both of us

Kat 

& 

Spontaneous the Cat

Summertime Color

Our summer is particularly lovely this year. The temperatures have been milder than usual. This lovely old Antebellum Home was built before modern air conditioning was available so they built it to stay cool. It has high ceilings, covered porches, and has a long central hall. We installed new screen doors a while back, now we can leave the doors open for a good bit of the day and enjoy the breeze.

 A very wet evening

This post is all about summertime color, and well, you don't get pretty summer color without a little rain (no this does not look like a "little" rain). This is what it looked like when we turned off the paved road to head home.

 A welcome site

Our road sign. The distortion is caused by rain. It was really coming down. Somehow this scene still manages to be beautiful (and it means I am almost home).

 Sparklers!

Sorry, no pictures of the sparklers in action. I was to busy being a kid to grab the camera. Just so you know, they are still fun. I was surprised to see the notice on the box though, "This is not a toy and not suitable or recommended for children 12 years of age and under". Really? At 5 or 6 they are magic, at 13 they are "kid stuff"(at a slightly more advanced age, they become great fun again). Sparklers are one of the joys of childhood.

 Green Country Road

Who would not want to take a walk down this country road. I may be a little biased, but I think this road is lovely anytime of year. If you have been looking at this blog for long, you have seen it in all seasons, if not, feel free to explore the Blog archive links on the right hand side bar.

 Snake Skeleton

There is always something interesting to look at. This was on a side rode we don't usually walk on. I don't know how long it had been there. I am not going to pick the snakes up and play with them, but we do like having them around as they keep the rodent population under control. 

 Don Pablo's

My Sweet Husband took me out for dinner at Don Pablo's last time we were in Greenville SC. This is one of the most colorful restaurants I have seen. Just walking in and looking around is cheerful. 

 See what I mean?

Even the air ducts are painted lavender.

 Don Pablo's Interior

We had a booth near the fountain.

Don Pablo's Food

I will admit we did not go to the restaurant for the environment. We wanted to check out the food. Don Pablo's is next door to one of the Barnes and Noble Book Stores in Greenville. We have said we were going to try it out for years. Finally got around to it. We will be going back, the food was great and there was plenty of it. 

 Spontaneous Play

Spontaneous might not be a young kitty, but she still loves to chase that ribbon.

 Colorful Turtle

It could be a tortoise, I do not know the difference. My Sweet Husband rescued this one from the road. We keep napkins in the car for just such occasions. After we took his picture, Sweet Hubby released him on the side of the road he was heading towards. Off he went seemingly content.

 Bright Yellow Wildflowers

Breakfast is ready!

Got to go, homemade pizza awaits.

Hope your day is colorful and fun!

Cheers,

Kat

& 

Spontaneous

Guest blogger - Spontaneous the helpful kitty

Good morning everyone,

     Kat is still doing schoolwork. She has some huge project that she has to finish over the next few weeks so she says she has to stay chained to the computer. I did not see a chain, I would have played with it, I like sparkly things that dangle.

     This morning, while she is sleeping, I decided to do a blog post for her, since she did not do one yesterday. So, this post is about my favorite subject, me.

How I am helping with Kat's Practicum Project

 Spontaneous Exercising

     I let her take my picture while I was doing my floor exercises. She says exercising is a very good coping method because it helps get rid of all the nasty stuff that builds up in our bodies from stress.

Spontaneous Learning 

     I posed for her with a book, I am thinking about learning a programing language, if I could just figure out how to convince her to get me my own computer, she is always using hers. She says learning new things is another positive coping method for stress because it makes your mind work in new ways and makes you think of something besides your stress for awhile.

 Relax

     Kat says relaxation is necessary, even when we are not stressed. She says that according to her research (why didn't she find it the first time she searched? I rarely have to re-search for anything). When you balance your time between responsibility and leisure, you become more resilient to stress. Maybe that's why cats are usually such calm creatures. Our Moms teach us that when we are tiny. 

Negative Coping Methods

     Some of you may remember this picture. I promise I was framed! Kat says she can use this picture too, it shows what she calls a negative coping method and those are not healthy. She says it is OK to enjoy a drink, but not if it is a way to escape from your problems. 
     She is putting all these pictures and some others that are not as good because I am not in them, in a presentation about stress management and compassion fatigue. She has to write a bunch of stuff and turn everything in soon. She says by the middle of June she will be done with school. Cross your fingers for her, and wish her luck, if she did not know about stress management, she would probably be shedding hair all over the house. 

Purrs,
Spontaneous

Spontaneous Guest Blogger

Good morning, and Happy Easter

Kat is busy typing away at some big homework thing for school so I told her I would say hello to everyone today.

Hello Everyone!

I have been very helpful lately.

 This is me, helping with the laundry. It is a little blurry as I was very busy and did not have time to hold still for the picture.

This is me in my new position,

I have been promoted to supervising the laundry.

Hope you all have a Happy Easter, if you see the bunny, tell him to please bring me fish instead of eggs.

Cheers,

Spontaneous the Cat

Summer Dreams, Summer Memories, Camping

Long ago and far away, 

There was a young girl,

who loved the outdoors,

(OK, I still love the outdoors, and it wasn't really THAT long ago)

It is a rainy day today, I am inside cozy with a fire in the fireplace and My Sweet Husband keeping me company. We were talking, about Summer. You see, Summer is coming! I know it will be a while, but it is coming. 

 This is me in the Summer when I was about 19. 

This is how I see myself.

We were on a camping trip in Southern Utah. 

 That brings me to the topic of this post.

Camping!

Old Faithful Inn - Yellowstone 

There are many ways to camp. Some people would consider staying in Yellowstone National Park as camping out. Here you see My Sweet Husband looking down from the balcony inside Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn a few years ago.

Old Faithful Inn Interior

As you can see, he is really roughing it. 

He has taken me to Yellowstone twice, we did not actually camp out on either trip. The first time, we stayed at the Inn but you do not have to be a guest to enjoy the lobby. 

Yellowstone National Park 

Guest Cabins at Canyon

The second time we stayed in one of the cabins at Canyon. Inside they are modern hotel rooms with the usual amenities. Their excellent staff keeps them nice and clean. Still not really camping though.

(Yellowstone does have campgrounds, we just did not take advantage of them) 

 Camping early 1960's

The gentleman on the right is Ed Hile, His wife Frankie is next to him. They were my parents best friends (they introduced them). I believe the lovely lady on the left is my Aunt Bonnie. 

This is how my parents camped. 

Well, we did go for walks with me Dad and of course the adults cooked over the campfire or on the old Coleman Stove.  We slept in the camper (wish I had a picture of that!). It was one of those that went on the back of a pickup truck. The top hung over the cab and I believe the back stuck out past the tailgate too.  My parents also had a huge green tent with three rooms, I don't remember actually camping in it. 

Deer Hunting

Not sure who these guys are this was in with my parents slides. I know it was a deer hunting trip as they are wearing red jackets and red hats. When I was a kid the red was required. Later it went to bright orange. I do not know if that is still the rule in the Rockies, or not, but back then it was.  

 Camping in the pickup

This is another one from my parent's slides. I'm not sure who this is but she looks familiar (hey family, if you know who any of these are, let me know). Note how the tarp is tied over the pickup and the fire has a wire rack up on bricks. Camping with all the amenities.

Jump forward a few decades... 

1969 VW Camper Van with Pop Top up

That is My Sweet Husband standing next to it.  

This was his ride when we met, he picked me up for our first date in it. Here we are at a Rainbow Family Gathering in 1983. We think the conversion was by Westphalia. It was quite cozy. We went all over the country in this thing. Sink with running water, an ice box, two tables and a back seat that folded into a bed. 

1969 VW Camper with top up

Here it is from the side with the door open. We hung curtains for shade and if you look you can see the back door is open. Do you see the little white shelf? That folded up to give him a spot to put the Coleman stove.  

I think the technical term for this is Freak Bus.

That is me standing next to it. It looks like they could sit up on top if they wanted too. Some of these buses are very elaborate inside and some are simple.  

VW Ford Marriage

I have seen several versions of this. Some have VW bugs or other vehicles welded to the top to give then a second story. The drivers really have to know what they are doing. These festival sites are not always on smooth easy roads. 

Now, my heart looks at all the space and comfort, and I think Wow, we should have brought a Double Decker back from Britain. Then my mind takes back over. The drivers not only need to know how to maneuver these rigs, most know how to fix them as well. I wonder how far they have to go out of their way to avoid low bridges. 

Freak Bus!

This one has a great paint job. Looks like it used to be a school bus. Speaking of which, we met a family living in one just a couple of years ago The UnSchool Bus. It is nice to know some are still out there.  

Freak bus with stove

As you can see, this one has a stove pipe coming out the window. Some of their owners live in them year round.  

Bus

There are all sorts of modifications. Not enough head room? Raise the roof. Creativity is the key.  

They Eyes Have it

Hand made

This one is on wheels as well. We have a copy of a great book 

Rolling Homes: Handmade Houses on Wheels 

If you are looking for inspiration.

You can also go to google images and put in Camping vehicles

 Evening on the road

This is My Sweet Husband again, somewhere on this road that is our life together. This is one of my favorite pictures. Have I told you before that I am a very lucky girl. We are still traveling together.

Old VW Van

This one was parked at the grocery store not long ago. When something is on the road this long, it is because people love it. 

1985 Volkswagon Camper Van

This is a Westphalia conversion. As you can see it has a bigger pop top. It has the sink with running water, a refrigerator that runs off propane or electricity while you are driving, sink with running water, two burner propane stove and it sleeps 4 comfortably. This was ours for several years. When we finally let it go, it was to someone else who loves it.

It comes to visit once in a while. 

Digital VW Van 

Remember this? 

Modern VW Euro Van Camper

Not sure what year this is. It was parked in front of the Corolla up on the Blue Ridge. This is the last model. VW stopped making camper vans in 2003. I am sure they are comfortable, and the people who own them, love them. They just are not as cute!

Veggie Dogs on the fire

You don't have to wait for summer to eat camping food. Who says campfires have to be outdoors?

Tasty breakfast, am I spoiled or what?

Speaking of cute

Spontaneous the cat

Spontaneous is not really interested in camping. 

She just wants to make sure we don't forget to feed the cat.

Hope you enjoyed.

Cheers

Kat

& 

Spontaneous