Intentions: Is failure an option?

In blogging class at the Nackey Loeb School of Communication, Stacy and Tom suggested that I split topics into two posts : one expressing the intention, and a follow-up reporting on how (or if) it worked out. Part of me is loathe to do this. Why? Because I've "failed" enough. My intentions are meant for action and success.

Last week I made an appointment for a free keyboard lesson. Additional lessons beyond the initial one would cost $25 per half hour, which is financially above my income bracket. I looked forward to at least experiencing what a piano lesson is like. Though playing music by ear comes naturally to me, taking formal lessons is something I have thought about since I was a teenager. And thought. Pondered. Considered. Pondered some more.

In the end, events and busyness of the day conspired to take me in a different direction, and I did not appear for the lesson at the appointed hour. Instead I started learning how to make a slipcase with which to house my zines from recycled materials.

I am still unschooled in the ways of the keyboard. But listening for the music of the spheres.

Experiment: Become a Weekend Capitalist

It's invasion weekend! Oh - I meant Warner Fall Foliage Festival. I'm on month four of unemployment so we desperately need an infusion of cash to help our budget. NanSea and Judy have been knitting, baking, and making all sorts of creative goodies to sell to the hoards of festival-goers that sashay past our house. We've lived here for over two decades and this will be our first real yard sale ever. Preparations are reaching a feverish pitch. Can we pull this off?

Update: Adventures in Capitalism

Mother nature wasn't cooperating with our adventure in capitalism on Saturday. Low clouds hung above Warner, stagnant as Congress. The tables were set & the wares were ready: glass holders in hand-shaped wire, knitted shawls, hand warmers and neck cowls, fennel raisin bread, pumpkin butter, handmade jewelry. Despite drizzling, overcast skies we sat like stalwart Yankees chatting with foliage festival pilgrims as they tramped past our front yard. We offered folks who stopped by cups of hot mulled cider, and everyone seemed grateful for a respite from the chill.

Sunshine peeked in & out of the clouds on Sunday and the clouds lightened slightly. Traffic past our house increased exponentially from Saturday. Ironically, people bought more of our goods on Saturday than they did on Sunday! We made significantly less cash than I anticipated. I am not deterred. Plans are already afoot for next year's crafty projects!

Fred's Bread

My mother's birth name was Clara Ellen Baker. I decided it is time to live up to that surname.

I've managed to survive these past 53 years with one basic cooking skill: I can burn water. This week I set out a recipe book and a plastic container on the kitchen table, some flour, yeast, and water. I mixed them per instructions and let the dough rise overnight. In the morning I cranked up the oven, added fennel seed and golden raisins, shaped the mixture, placed it in the oven for 35 minutes, and prayed.

The bread turned out perfect, and delicious.