Midsummer is early this year

For fascinating reasons too complicated to explain, Midsummer in the Northern Hemisphere is a day early during leap years. Well, most leap years… Washington Post Article! I was awake briefly to salute the sunrise from my bed, then went promptly back to sleep. I will be up for the sunset, enjoying my patio and the plants that are coming into blossom. Stonehenge was vandalized – I hope the powder paint comes off the stones, but I fear for the lichens and other organisms that make up the delicate environment of the complex.

This spring presented a massive health challenge. I was in the hospital, the ICU specifically, for nine days in April. All this time later I am still recovering my strength in a very non-linear process. My partner and my family and all the members of the ongoing medical team have gotten me through and continue to support this recovery. It has been a big lesson in limitations and learning that “no” is not just a complete sentence, but is also a crucial element of survival.

When you go to Sequim this summer (of course you’re going to Sequim!) be sure to visit my favorite lavender farm, Fleurish Lavender . The farmers are charming and welcoming, the farm is gorgeous, and you can pick lavender and browse the farm shop for treasure ranging from farm-created soap and lotion to beautiful pottery evocative of the surrounding landscape. And you can visit The Girls – the three resident alpacas!

After a visit to Fleurish, my partner dropped me off for a weekend of Fiber Camp – a summer camp for spinners, knitters, crocheters, weavers, and dyers at Ramblewood outside of Sequim. It was restorative, inspiring and so much fun. Sponsored by Seattle Sky Dyeworks, the weekend was full of fun and friendship. Lots of photos below. And below those, Opal, a newly completed crochet project, and a pretty flower from the garden.