As the Needle Points

I had a fond desire to sit on my back porch and read a book. Having been stopped in my tracks for a few days after minor surgery and reading 6 books, the desire lost a little of its luster. I did, however, realize that I have far too little time to spend just being lazy and enjoying the company of my husband. So, I have reworked my new fondest desire: I would love for someone to buy my shop. I would love to have more time to paint canvases for customers and to teach  more classes. I would love to continue working in the shop a day or two a week, but not have to go home and paint canvases until after the 11 o'clock news every day. If any of you would like to buy a going business, I will entertain any serious offer. The business could be moved anywhere.
Check out our upcoming classes on the link on the website. I will try to get the photos up today.
Doodles is going downhill, but we are staving off the worst. I found that if I take her in for a cortisone shop monthly, the pain in her hip goes away and she will eat. I can tell the day it wears off. Grooming has fallen off her list of "to-do" things, so we try help her with that. She doesn't tolerate it for very long.
As you may have noticed, we have a new member - Megan Doboze. ANG and EGA stitchers know her mother Deb to be one of the finest stitchers around. Megan is a full-time accountant elsewhere but is working here on Saturdays. She is not only an accomplished stitcher - she is learning to finish. Hooray!!! We may be able to get through Christmas without crisis of the proportion of last December.
Tasha is in college at College of Charleston. She has been in and out this summer but will be here for the sale. Linda is back now on Fridays - that helps tremendously - and Randi is here on Wednesdays. I am praying that they all stay healthy - I depend upon them a lot. We'll all be here working through the sale.
Thanks to all of you for your continued patronage and friendship. I really do love my customers and this business. I can't imagine doing anything else for a living. I have met the most wonderful people.
Just in case: Mom has surgery scheduled on Tuesday, July 3rd. K obviously have to be there  - a 92 year old can't go alone to the surgery center. I am not sure if anyone else can work that day. Call before coming just in case.
Have a great summer, stay cool, and keep stitching!
jane

Father's Day

I tried to take a picture today of one of my Father's needlepoints. Once he learned, he took off. It was to be expected. If there was ever a Renaissance man - it was Dad. He went to Med school and had to drop out during his internship because of incurable osteomyletis. He went to embalming school and took over as the 5th generation of Hardys in the funeral business. He was called from all over the country to reconstruct faces  and became President of the National Funeral Directors Association. Because of that, he was called to work on  the body of JFK and help conduct his funeral in D.C.  As president of that organization, he helped found Hospice. He was an interior decorator . He collected Oriental art. He loved Classical music and Jazz. He gave me all the love music and the arts to make me the person I am today. I thought he was perfect. Of course, he wasn't. He was temperamental and moody. My mother is a saint to have lived with him.  Without him, I would not be painting or singing.
So - here's to my Dad and also to the very best father I have ever known - my present husband. Two wonderful men. Will try for photo of Dad's  needlepoint another day.

Sunday

On the way to sing in the choir. Just had a few "non stitching" thoughts this morning. I had to sing yesterday for a man I sang in the choir with - a caring and giving person who died suddenly. Then we went out last night with our amazing group of friends to eat, listen to music at an outdoor concert and dance. Somehow, the night seemed more special because of the funeral. It takes something tragic to sometimes stop you in your tracks and get you to "smell the roses".

Now, for today's needlepoint - Julie Pischke's Conch House tote. Note the beaded palm leaves on the purple house side.