winter?

this week was weird.

weather in the 60's

snow ALL GONE

sunny skies

rain

lightning and one very wild storm.

not your normal february.

preparing to be away from home

for almost a month is a long process

 i have lists and lists

and fortunately i've done it before

so i have some memory of the strange bits:

trip mouse traps, for example

(one reality of an old farmhouse is mouse traps)

walks were lovely this week

in between storms 

hopeful sunshine

and prep.

australia beckons and i am very excited.

at the grampians texture

i'll be teaching a 6 day master class:

papermaking, mostly.

what could be better than making paper,

kami-ito and books in the mountains?

our site often has blue fairy wrens

amongst other critters.

this year my students are old and new friends.

i've already given out assignments

mostly equipment to bring.

after australia

i have a few days to un-jet-lag

and prep for the book arts bazaar in portland maine on april 9

 i will have printed papers, handmade papers 

book arts stuff for sale

(including a book press, if i can carry the thing)

 then more events,

but as we deepen into spring here

we're planning garden

and hoop house

and papermill at the new place.

there is nothing as delicious

as your own fresh greens.