May 25, 2018

Miss Sniff, The Cat

My cousin Mary Reaban asked about my childhood calico cat, Miss Sniff.   The cat came from the Reaban dairy farm, Southwest of Saint Louis.  My Father swore that every time she had kittens, we'd move.  Cousin Mary told me about a late 40's children's book and  asked if this might be where the name came from.  I don't know for sure, but I do remember the book.
At some point in the last 45 years, my Mother had given me Miss Sniff's tags. 

So I am sitting here thinking some things have come full circle as I've just adopted another calico cat.  I briefly thought about changing her name, but at 12 years old, Sophie is used to her own name.

She is training me to wake up at 5:30 AM and feed her by 6AM . . . very hard on an old confirmed night owl like myself.

April 15, 2018

Immortal Amaryllis

 I've had this orange amaryllis for about 6 years now and by all rights it should not have survived at all. While I was Snowbirding, running back and forth from AZ to NH at the end of the winter I would put the pot out in the dry garden and leave it at the AZ house for 6months.  I fully expected it to shrivel up and die during the 100+ degree summer temps. Much to my surprise, in November I'd look at it and see the small edge of a green leaf at the top of the big bulb.  So I watered it and brought it in from the freezing cold.  It would reward me with six large curved leaves - just 6, no more, no less.

Last year just before my move, I transplanted it to a larger pot and brought it to Tucson with me.  It actually put out 3 new pups (bulblets) and went dormant for the winter.

10 days ago I noticed a bloom stalk amongst the leaves and then a second one.  I couldn't believe that it was going to bloom for the first time in 6 years.  I brought it in the house and am enjoying it.  Now if I could just figure out what I did to make it flower again.


There are other things in bud in my postage stamp yard and around me, however I love the Saguaro blossoms and the Palo Verde trees the most.

The Saguaros put out a crown of blooms all the way at the top.  You can see them on my cactus, just barely.

The Palo Verde trees out do themselves with small yellow flowers.  I'm glad this one is across the street and I can see it, but don't have to clean up underneath it.


I'm still settling into my Tucson quarters, trying to rearrange things to fit.  Some time in the next couple of months I'm going to have to do a large bead room clean out.  If I don't, then I'll have to buy a couple more Plano storage boxes - which means having another wall cabinet made and an addition put on my studio! I just downsized and am not ready to add onto the house & studio at this point. 

some things that need a new home.


If you want or need something, drop me a line and I'll see if I have it and want to get rid of it.

December 31, 2017

Change - good & bad

When life hands you lemons (big lemons) make lots of lemonade. I hope 2018 is a stable, happy year and that 2017 is done with. It's been a year of radical changes for me.

Have you ever seen lemons this big? This tree is in my new Tucson yard.


In short, I became a widow for the second time in my life. I bought a small mobile home in a Tucson 55+ community, got rid of better than half of my physical "stuff" and moved myself to Tucson, Arizona.  

Part of the reason for the move was to be closer to decent medical facilities.  In Tombstone it took 1/2 hr for an ambulance to arrive at the house and then a helicopter ride to a Tucson hospital for my companion.  My COPD also needs better medical professionals.  Getting old certainly is not for wimps! 

So off to Tucson I've gone and am trying to fit 73 years of life possessions into a 700 sq. ft. home I bought up in the land of the saguaro cactus.






Yes, I kept and moved every last one of my beads which I'm trying to organize into the new studio.  

It's been 18 months since I've put needle and thread to a bead.  

However, the beading doldrums didn't shut down the buying of beads.  Hopefully 2018 will turn some of the old and new beads into beadwork.






Daggers and orange crystals - unbeatable combination


I'm not sure when all the boxes will finally get unpacked.  I've made plans to enjoy the Tucson Gem Shows in early Feb.  Then there are still some house remodeling to finish up.  Can you believe someone painted a tub with house paint?






I thought my life had a plan for growing old gracefully.  Then WHAM, everything zigged and zagged. It's going to be an interesting ride now that 2017 is over and done with.

Happy New Year 
and may 2018 treat all of you well.





June 10, 2016

Bead Society of New Hampshire

March 2001 in Antrim NH


We called it a "Bead Cave", it was held at my house, organized by Marney.......but it was also the seed from which the Bead Society was born.

Today I received this communique from Gail Devoid, the current President,
"The Bead Society of New Hampshire has made you an honorary life member for all your contributions. Congratulations!"


I feel very honoured as the Society has always been close to my heart in many ways over the past 15 years.  I sorely miss the meetings and interactions with all the old friends amongst the membership.  
Arizona treats my health quite well, even with 112 degree summer days, but New Hampshire will always be home.
   Beads Rule!