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