EARTH BLESSINGS

VIEW FROM ROUTE 30, CORNWALL, VERMONT, 9/27/16

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I have indeed been absent from writing for a long while.

It's nothing bad, nor have I abandoned my blog.  Instead, life has been overly-full with good things, including two major projects.  I'll write about one of them today.

I just returned from a less-than-24 hour trip to Cornwall, VT, where I stayed overnight at the Oxford Rug Hooking School and completed the requirements to become a Certified Teacher Punch Needle Rug Hooking.  (!! Hurrah !!)

And as if that weren't wonderful enough, just look at the weather and views I had while I was there (even though I hardly had time to be outside).

There was earthy eye candy everywhere. 

Here are some samples, a photo journey for your enjoyment:

FRONT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING, EARLY AUTUMN 2016

NEWLY HARVESTED CORNFIELD, EARLY AUTUMN 2016

OLD SHED IN AUTUMN FIELD

BARN WALL, TREE

ROADSIDE ASTERS...A SURE SIGN OF THE SEASON

MILKWEED PODS, GETTING READY FOR THE MONARCH MIGRATION

FALL FLORAL. GROWING UP AGAINST THE BARN.

MY CERTIFICATION RUG, TACKED TO THE BARN DOOR

FRESH CROP OF HEIDI'S HAND-DYED YARNS DRYING IN FALL COLORS

BARN VIEW FROM THE TRACK

THE VIEW FROM ROUTE 30 AGAIN, LATER IN THE DAY: magic light!

EARLY EVENING SKY

TAKEN TODAY ON THE ROAD HOME, GOING OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS. THIS IS THE BREADLOAF CONFERENCE CENTER (ONE OF MANY BUILDINGS)

ANOTHER BREADLOAF BUILDING

Amy Oxford's school is a bit of heaven on earth, one of my favorite places to go and well worth the four-hour drive for me.  (Although TWO four-hour drives in 24 hours just about did me in.) 

And then there is Amy herself, one of the kindest and most generous people I know. A fabulous artist, teacher and businesswoman.  And there is also Heidi the dye wizard, working her magic on both creative and administrative aspects of the school--and just as nice.  (Heidi also can repair absolutely anything.)

It is sheer pleasure to be in residence there.

I am ready to collapse for the evening and try to take in the fact that I'm now certified...a fact which just makes me think, "But I have so much more to learn!"

My one regret is that I couldn't stay longer.  Anyone who has been to the school and is reading this will know exactly what I mean.

As for the other project I'm involved in:  that one is bigger, longer-term, and more disruptive, and may prevent me from writing much for a while. 

It's all good.  But it's also all-consuming.

To quote the old Beatles' move, Help:  "I can say no more."