Merry Christmas and goodbye 2017!

Happy happenings

The last two months have brought a return of health to the Hestand-Webster household, finally. After colonoscopies for both of us (What?! No two-for-one discount?!) we were declared free of possible problems and ready for the holidays. This was terrific news.

In The Great Bathroom Remodelling Saga I’m pleased to tell you it’s (almost) finished. In fact, it’s at the point where I can show you a couple of pictures – a before (way before, like in 2006 when we moved in!) and an after.

Jim did a magnificent job picking out cabinets, lights, bowls, faucets and paint colors without me. I helped choose the mirrors and toilet. With this project completed it’s time for Jim to relax in his studio. More on that below.

Grass fire aftermath at the Webster Ranch

Meanwhile, back at the ranch….. The day after Maui experienced major flooding, hours-long power outages and an amazing electrical storm, the Webster Ranch in Southern Alberta was threatened by a huge grass fire. Tremendous winds knocked a tree over a power line, starting the fire which headed directly at our property. A neighbor arrived within minutes and started up the hoses, soaking the lawns and buildings; the fire department sucked up water from our lake and dropped it on all the roofs. Between them, no structure was lost. Tony and Debbie’s Chimney Rock Bed & Breakfast was saved, as was Mom’s house where Jim and I live when we're there. No animals died and no people were injured. The fire did burn a lot of grass and a few poplars on the lower levels, but it didn’t get into the forests on the ridges; the huge stands of pines, firs and spruce were spared. Whew. In this photo you can see Tony and Debbie’s house in the middle right, and Mom's house to the right of theirs.

Art department

As I mentioned, Jim is back to work in his studio. His latest, shown here still on the easel, is “Mechanical Advantage” and is 24”x30”. Cool, huh?

Joy of Recycling

Hawaiian print Hostess Helper

I try to spend a few hours in my own studio every day, designing and creating bags and accessories, including the very popular Hostess Helpers – can’t keep enough in stock.

The latest one is shown here, made of upcycled upholstery sample fabric, handmade handles, and including a built-in, usable cutting board.

This year, I’m offering gift certificates in any amount. They have no expiration date and can be used for any item in my inventory including sale items and specials. If you have someone on your gift list who is tough to buy for, a Bag of Joy gift certificate is ideal. And if they’re not on Maui they can go to my Etsy store or Facebook page and select from all the products shown (provided they haven’t sold already, of course). Every item is one-of-a-kind so if you see something you like, let me know asap.

Note to Maui friends: I’m holding a quick sale at Makawao Union Church this Sunday from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the preservation of this lovely old church and hall. Hope to see you there.

Back by popular demand: Bags in Books! This little contest is for all my book-loving, book-reading friends out there. If you are the first to tell me what book this quote came from you will win a Bag of Joy gift. And to get it going, I’ll give you a hint: You probably need to be Canadian to know this book and this author:

“The singing diminishes and finally dies away – an echo lost in the silent hills – as, one by one, the choristers drop off to sleep, pillowing their heads on dunnage bags or sweaters or on the inflated sides of the rubber boats.”

Maui SCRAP

Supplies for Creative Recycled Art Projects! It's time for my annual Boxing Day giveaway that lasts all month long. Every December I hold a giveaway in the Maui community, offering bags and boxes of “stuff” that would otherwise go to the landfill: lots of fabrics, craft supplies, odd things like blinds and tubes. I list these things on my MauiSCRAP page on Facebook and the first person who asks for it, gets it, as long as they come pick it up in a day or so. The giveaway starts today, so check it out at MauiSCRAP.

That’s it for this year, folks. It has been a rough year for many friends and family members, so let’s keep the faith and plan on a much happier, healthier and peaceful 2018.

Calendar of special December days

7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

12 – Hanukkah begins

25 – Christmas

26 – Boxing Day and Kwanzaa begins

31 – New Year’s Eve

Here's to Health, Happiness and Hawaii!

Monday, October 2, 2017

Gee, I don't know. See any difference?
And this is October 2, folks!

As I write this, the view from our dining room window is of palm trees and bougainvillea swaying gently in the trade winds. As you read this - if you're in Alberta - your view is of... snow. In fact a blizzard blew in this morning with oodles of snow, blasts of wind and closed roads. And people ask me if I still enjoy living on Maui after 42 years. Hah! Silly question.

Health Report
I know you've been waiting with bated breath to hear the result of weeks of tests after my operation in Canada. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and read the previous blog.) Well, here it is: my diverticuLOSIS turned into diverticuLITIS by the simple addition of a poisoned appendix and a gallon or so of toxic waste when the appendix burst. It may take some more time to heal my innards but I'm pleased to tell you I don't need more tests, drugs or treatments. Whew.

Jim is doing just fine. He's back to running twice a week and painting in his studio and enjoying life immensely. After all, we ARE on Maui.

We (almost) have a new bathroom
One reason Jim wasn't with me in Alberta this summer is that he was working on the remodel of our master bathroom. Well, it's within a flush or two of being finished. Our worker is in there right now, grouting and gluing. Photos to come.

Work... as we know it

The sugar mill - sold!

Jim and I do make an effort to give the appearance of gainful employment occasionally - he in his art studio, creating artwork that continues to be of interest to residents and tourists. With the sugar plantation and mill shut down, paintings of the mill are extremely popular and this one sold earlier this year. He is also a fabulous flora artist, as you can see in this large painting of coconuts.

Coconuts - still available

Jim doesn't show his work in galleries, nor does he have a website or Facebook presence. In fact, if it wasn't for his network of friends and associates developed during the past 45 years he would be one of many "unknown" artists. Thankfully, he has several collectors who seek him out when they have an empty space on their wall. If you'd like to communicate with Jim, comment on his work or if you have room for another painting, email him at architec@mauigateway.com.





Joy of Recycling

2-piece Evening Bag

While Jim is in his studio I'm in my own studio, creating numerous products using nothing but recycled, upcycled, repurposed and found items including upholstery and drapery fabrics, reclaimed findings, and reimagined materials. You can see some of my items on my Bag of Joy page on Facebook or in my Etsy shop.

Busy Blanket

My business is Joy of Recycling, encompassing the many products I come up with: Bag of Joy bags of all kinds, aprons, fabric journals, wrist wraps/cuffs, ReTies, media covers (laptop bags), casserole carriers, Busy Blankets for Alzheimer and dementia patients, and fabric beads. Everything is one-of-a-kind so if you see something you want, let me know. Email me at joyofrecycling@gmail.com. By the way, when you purchase anything in my Etsy shop, shipping to anywhere in the U.S. is Three or Free - maximum $3 per item and many items ship FREE.

October Calendar

5 - Full Moon

9 - Columbus Day (US) and Thanksgiving (Canada)

12 - Day of the Race (Mexico)

16 - National Bosses Day (US)

24 - United Nations Day

31 - Hallowe'en

Have a wonderful October, enjoy the coming of Winter if you're in the North and Summer if you're in the South... and the gorgeous normal weather if you're in Hawaii! See you in November.

Wow! What happened to Summer '17?

It’s the first day…. of the rest of the year!

Smoke from forest fires filled the skies
and covered the sun.

The funny thing is, Labor Day has always been my favorite holiday. Nothing to do with workers or unions, though. Since I was very young, Labor Day has meant the end of summer (fishing’s not great by then anyway), the beginning of school (I loved school!) and the last-chance to make good. Think about it. There are still four months of the year left, enough time to fulfill all those New Year’s resolutions and self-promises even if you say you don’t make any. Enough time to quit smoking, lose weight, get into an exercise program, read a bunch of books, clean the garage. Four months! Heck, the Alaska Highway was built in about six months – your goals aren’t quite as extensive. So here it is, the day after Labor Day. Let’s get started.

What I did on my summer vacation

The first 39 days were wonderful. If you read my previous blog you already know about the writing, the reading and the Canada Day bear.

My home on the range; actually Mom's home which she
lends to me every summer.

If you read my non-blog email in July you know I was struck down by a ruptured appendix while in Alberta. It was quite the ordeal: two hospitals, CT scan, tests and more tests and, of course, the operation itself. Thankfully I was housed in High River at Cousin Shane and Peter’s home, had nursemaid Robin to tend to my every need, and recuperated enough to fly home to Maui on August 13. So here I am, still recovering from the surgery and dealing with another health concern that popped up during the appendix episode. No one is sure what the problem is so I'm undergoing more tests (MRI tomorrow) and have various "-oscopies" scheduled. I should have answers by the time I write my next blog.

My sweet, lovable, funny, kind, adorable Mom.
May I be just like her at 95.

Of course, the main reason I was even in Alberta this summer was to spend time with my amazing Mom. She is doing so well, enjoying her days in the Pink Palace, walking the hallways and visiting with friends and family who stop by regularly. Cousin Shane is there every Thursday and we're now Skyping so I get to see Mom live and in color. Tony and Debbie visit regularly as well and always make sure she has fresh flowers in her room. I just wish I could be there for her 95th birthday in two weeks.

Meantime, back on Maui

Jim had his share of health problems as well this summer (see my non-blog email) but I'm happy to tell you he has recovered, is as snarky as ever and is working on the bathroom remodel as I write this. Yes, I know, I know... I told him I wasn't coming home until the bathroom was completed. Circumstances forced my hand.

His mom is doing just as well as my mom, still trucking along in her little cottage at the grand age of 97. Friends drop by, share coffee and laughs, and her attitude is inspirational.

Bag of Joy

All recycled - always

Bags at the ranch

My creations will be for sale
in my Etsy store starting in October.

Once my novel was written I plugged in the sewing machine and got to work, making a dozen bags while enjoying the view of the East Ridge, cattle, horses and the resident deer. And then the smoke rolled in, filling the valley, covering the mountains, obliterating the scenery completely. The rains stopped, the grass turned quickly from lush green to crunchy brown. By now the creek is almost dry in some places and the beavers are being thanked for building huge dams early in the summer, holding back reservoirs of water that keep the cattle going. Quite a turnaround in just a couple of months.

Bags on Maui

Now that I've given an honest effort at a website, a Facebook store, craft sales and community fairs (none of which were really successful) I'm concentrating on home sales and my Etsy presence. If you're on Maui and looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts or personal accessories, give me a call; we'll set up a time for you to come by and take a look at the Bag of Joy array. I'll be posting photos of my items on my Bag of Joy page on FB and listing them in my Etsy store beginning October 1, so if you aren't lucky enough to be on-island you can still purchase any time using PayPal. 

And finally..... 

My email address is changing. The sjoy@flex.com will not be active by the end of the month. Please change my contact information to: joyofrecycling@gmail.com

My "almost" perfect summer

South down the valley

A whole month has passed (well, almost) since I arrived in my home country and I must say it has been an almost perfect month. The weather has been grand - a little heat, a little rain, a little thunder on the plain. Lots of wonderful cloud formations like the one shown here, a view south down the valley at sunset. However, because there has been so little rain my favorite fishing stream is low and warm; no point catching 'em if I ain't going to eat 'em, right?

So, if I'm not fishing, just what the heck have I been doing for 24 days? Well, the main reason I'm here is to be near my dear ol' Mom who will be 95 in September, so on Mondays and Thursdays I jump in the Jeep and drive for an hour, from the ranch to Claresholm and visit with her for a couple of hours at Willow Creek Continuing Care Center (a.k.a. "The Pink Palace" per my dad), do my laundry, food shopping, wifi work if the library's open, and then head back to the hills.

Shane, Peter and Myrna

A wild turkey showed up in the yard

I finished a lengthy writing project last week, something that has been on my desk and in my mind for years. That completed, I set up the sewing machine and the bags are just about making themselves. Add to that some marathon reading - The Old Curiosity Shop, McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, and Brideshead Revisited are some of the books I've gobbled up so far. I've spent several years working my way through Grandpa's and Dad's collections of fabulous old books that I inherited and I figure I have a couple hundred to go. So many books and time to read them. Sounds like heaven, doesn't it?

This is the Canada Day weekend - she is 150 years old. To celebrate, my cousins Peter, Shane and Myrna took me on a grand tour of the grandest part of the Rockies - the Kananakis Provincial Park from Longview on Highway 22, up over the Highwood Pass, to the lakes and on to the TransCanada Highway; then back onto 22 through Bragg Creek, south to Turner Valley and home to High River.

He and his brother were going our way

The thrill of the trip was seeing two large grizzlies at the side of the road; one posed for me as you can see. We also saw mountain sheep and a scruffy coyote. The scenery is magnificent. The damage from the 2013 floods is almost completely repaired although the world-class golf course is yet to reopen. We picnicked in total solitude by a lake; just the four of us and several million mosquitoes!

In between my Mom Trips, popping in to High River, and enjoying the peace and quiet of my parents' old house, there have been wonderful times with my brother and sis-in-law. Tony and Debbie own and operate Chimney Rock Bed 'n' Breakfast; they live right across the creek from me and I get to see them often, usually every day for coffee, a visit or an ATV trip somewhere on the ranch. Thanks to them I have watched a roundup and mini cattle drive; a minor bullfight

Daphne and Rick

between two of the resident bulls; looked at photos and video from a permanent "bear cam" installed up on the ridge (yes, bears and cubs, cougars and more); had evening campfire dinners and celebrated Tony's 70th birthday. Friends from B.C. stopped by for a couple of nights camped in their trailer. Rick and Daphne are two of our favorite people to share the outdoors and wilderness adventures with so it's always good to see them. I hope more people drop by in July.

So with all this visiting, socializing, R&R, reading, writing and doing pretty much what I darn well want to do - what's the "almost" in my "almost perfect" summer? Well, the love of my life isn't here with me. Jim stayed on Maui this year to finish a big remodeling project in our house and to keep his dear 97-year-old mom company. She's a trooper, lives alone in our cottage and handles things well but this year it seemed maybe she'd enjoy having her son around for the summer. I sure miss having him in his attic studio while I'm at my sewing machine. Oh well. There's always next year.