...finally got the tent and it was HUGE dissapointment. The "canvas" is plastic. It looks like
the stuff I use to line my garbage compactor. V and I have a long discussion on the feasability
of returning, via mail, a 150 pound tent. We, VERY reluctantly, decide to use it for the time
being. At least, at 10 x 20 , it should be big enough for our two faimilies.
I am totally addicted to calligraphy now. I've done my first scroll, but it looks terrible! I am
supposed to show it to Rat tomorrow, but it's so goofy looking! It is so zen for me to do
calligraphy that I am going to keep plugging away, no matter how bad I am at it!
Plus, the shire meeting this month was quite raucus! There were probably 16 people crowded
in Iosef's family room, talking and laughing. Three toddler boys played with Lizbeth (Iosef's
perfect-in-every-way Daughter) and her hamster while we all got to know each other. I met
Tish, which was really great for me! I went to her web site after trying to find an Italian gown
pattern... which sparked a flurry of emails... which sparked my groveling for her to come to
our shire meeting... which sparked her consent...and so on!
I also met some of the lovely Ladies in Rat's household. (The "rat" thing? r.a.t. are his initials. I
can't imagine a less rat-like creature, but according to Chinese philosophy, the year of the rat
is certainly not bad!) It was so good to see so many young women, of the "mothering" years.
Everyone else has three year old boys too! Except Kathy, who has a four year old girl (I have
seen her photo on Rat's fridge, and I have the feeling she will rule the roost in about 10
years). Of course, we immeadiately began the furious emails to set up sewing practice and a
joint effort on a spring event.