Kasha's stuff

Art show count-down

2010-04-01T18:04:00.002-05:00

First show of the season. On the fast track pulling stuff together for an art show on April 10th. Trying out lots of new stuff: cute, cool, funky. The gang over here decided to take mostly moderately priced items to this show. We're thinking if folks can spend just a few bucks on an item, they'll be inclined to buy. Top end stuff will be going along, too.

Soon as the show is over, the retail area moves to the front porch. So lucky to have a place right on Main Street. The little a-frame sign can go out on the curb and voila! open for business. Will be showing items from other artisans and encouraging loitering so we can get to know one another. Bring your coffee or tea and your lawn chair.

I just want my camera

2010-03-29T17:14:00.005-05:00

March 29, 2010

Mr. S. Robson Walton, CEO

Walmart

702 South West Eighth Street

Bentonville, Arkansas

fax: 501 273.4053

Order # xxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Walton,

I am writing to call your attention to a problem with placing an order from your website walmart.com. I live in a small rural community that does not provide USPS (postal service) for home delivery. We are required to have a P O Box for postal delivery. In fact, the USPS data base does not even recognize our home address as an address. This makes it impossible for us to have mail “forwarded” from the home address to the P O Box.

This address anomaly creates problems when ordering on your website because your system will not allow both a street address and a P O Box number to be entered. Your system does not indicate how an item is shipped. Without this information, I do not know which address is needed.

On Sunday, March 28, I placed an order and used my home address. I immediately began an email correspondence with your customer service department and received a call back from lovely ladies in your customer service department. I think, however, they were not totally comprehending what I was telling them. Actually most folks are quite amazed that we don’t have USPS home delivery here, so don’t be too hard on them. They did a wonderful and pleasant job of presenting your canned options.

Mr. Walton, telling me that they would be happy to refund my money and then I could just go to the store and buy the desired item does not help – it’s over a 50 mile drive one way to the nearest Walmart. And no I don’t want a refund and then have to reorder with the “other address.” And no, I cannot just go to the post office and tell them that I’m expecting a delivery to my house and they should just put it in my P O Box. Why not? Because that piece of mail is sorted in a larger post office several hundred miles from here and it won’t even come here because my home address does not exist in their data base. So, the order will be returned as “undeliverable”.

Do you see my dilemma? Can you help me out here? Can you fix that glich in your website? Can you get me my camera?

Really, the Bottom line for me: I JUST WANT MY CAMERA BY APRIL 6^TH

Best regards,

Maria

Junk

2010-03-27T20:33:00.002-05:00

I detest junk mail for lots of reasons. It wastes resources and my time. I need to dispose of it. Tossing recyclables into the garbage gives me great deals of angst, great deals of it. There's not much for recycling around here. Basically, it's the dump or the garbage can.

Discovered in today's mail was a HUGE packet of those postcard size "ads" for stuff I'd 99.99% never even consider purchasing. I was momentarily peeved until I realized they'd make the perfect insert for a broach series I'm sewing up. So there, junk mail, take that.

Junk to jewelry.

Small town fun on a Tuesday night

2010-03-23T21:37:00.010-05:00

Donkey ball game at the local school. Oh my...hilarious fun!

Dairlyland Donkey Ball all the way from Chip--wah Falls, WI. Mispronounced by the announcer as Chip-eh-wah Falls. Didn't want him to look foolish, so I shouted the correct pronunciation across the gymnasium...Chip-wah, Jan, Chip-wah. Ref grinned, "you from there?" Me: "close enough to know how to say it."

In the end the girls team beat out the community, school staff, and even the b.o.y.s team. The ref had a little fun with that last one there.

And then there was the matter of the superintendent winning the donkey kissing contest. Now we understand why no video is allowed. I'm checking You Tube...just in case...

107 years ago...

2010-03-21T12:36:00.005-05:00

My grandma was born 107 years ago today, amidst a spring snow storm that stranded a laboring great-grandma at home alone whilst great-grandpa went to fetch the midwife. Grandma was born before great-grandpa returned with the midwife. Actually, great-grandma was not alone. She had a 2 year-old and a 3 year-old with her.

I remember both of those grandmas as incredibly strong women, hard workers who could stand their ground, argue their cause, and make the best food around. All while managing a house full of children, relatives, guests, and on top of running a farm. My mentors...

The Pied Piper, Missoula Children's Theater

2010-03-20T21:42:00.001-05:00

What a high energy show those kids put on tonight--The Pied Piper, a production of the Missoula Children's Theater. This is not the first time this production has been in town. The last time it was here the older children in tonight's play were the little rat characters who are played by first and second graders. There is talent in this town -- that's for sure.

Studio Work

2010-03-20T15:45:00.004-05:00

Soozi came over today and we hit the studio and made earrings and pins and pendants. Well, actually Soozi made the item and I just finished it off. They are all lined up now waiting to be priced so they can go to a new home. We are all smiles thinking about that possibility.

Closing the studio for the rest of the evening and heading over to the school to attend the matinee performance of The Missoula Children's Theater's The Pied Piper. A fund-raiser BBQ dinner will be served between the matinee and evening performance. Much looking forward to all of this.

It's been a while....

2010-03-19T22:14:00.001-05:00

It has, indeed been a while. I've landed in the most wonderful town of 800 folks in central South Dakota. I love it here. Everything's within walking distance. We have a grocery, hardware store, post office, bank, several restaurants, wood work shop, ice cream stand, popcorn ball factory, and a family who raises chickens and eggs. Did I mention I love it here? New friends are everywhere. I tie quilts, write, sing, do my art thing, take classes and do community stuff.

Moving...

2009-06-23T08:47:00.001-05:00

Moving to a new place to call home...stay tuned for updates. We are in transit for the next few weeks. And, yes, I'm happy.

Good Friends

2009-03-25T06:19:00.009-05:00

You know how it feels when you get together with really good friends and have a good time. Well, I had that feeling this weekend. I celebrated and cut the rug with some really good Hmong friends - danced way more than I have since this time last year.

Absolutely love how the Hmong celebrate and appreciate their friends. Good food, good company, and good dancing. But it was hard on my old knees. Here's a shot of some of us doing lamvong, a Lao dance adopted by Hmong. It's such a soothing dance, very slow and graceful.

And then there's the version that's done double time with 6 steps forward and 3 back - and it's a hip and knee killer. And then there's the Hmong version of the electric slide, remember that dance? And then there was the twist. Yes the twist, done to music similar to that played for lamvong - only double time. Oh boy, my sides are still recovering from that one.

Surf's Up

2009-02-24T17:14:00.003-06:00

I was thinking . . . if this were August, and it was 90 degrees out there, we'd be surfing. But it's February and like 12 degrees with a 15 mph wind, so . . . we're not surfing - not just yet.

She found one....

2009-02-22T04:15:00.007-06:00

I now am the proud owner of my own Learn How Book (copyright 1941) thanks to Kim. What a lovely treat it was to walk into her shop and have her tell me she found one for me. Grannie gave me my first copy of this book in the 1950's in an attempt to keep me busy and out of her hair. I taught myself to knit, and crochet and do other stuff with this book. And no, it didn't keep me out of Grannie's hair.

I've collected other printings over the years, but this one is my favorite because of it's lovely sock pattern. So needless to say, I'm thrilled - and knitting a pair of socks.

Thank you Kim!

For David........

2009-02-22T04:13:00.007-06:00

Actually, I did have my camera with me...and here's the two shots I managed to take. These pictures don't do justice to the splendor . . .

Main Altar

Pipe Organ

Travels, beauty and wonder

2009-02-15T17:05:00.004-06:00

My two friends P and J took me to meet Sr. Gerri who runs the absolutely coolest give-away shop I've ever seen. What's a give-away shop? Well, it's a resale or thrift shop that gives it stuff away, unless of course you want or have some $$ you can give the shop. And Sr. Gerri is the coolest nun I've every met. On Saturday she was clothed in a deep red pencil skirt, matching vest and white blouse, two-inch black pumps and a cobbler apron. What a sight. I've never seen a nun dressed in red!

Lots of folks came in asking for different stuff, which Sr. G gladly gave them. She had fresh fruit, veggies, bread, furniture, dishes, pots, pans, books, clothing, rugs, bedding and lots more. What an angel she is. Sr. G and me, well we had a really nice chat. Then P, J, and I went to see the chapel at the neighboring Motherhouse. Whoa, boy -- the beauty of it took my breath away - literally!

So happy to have such good friends who introduce me to such wonders - the give-away and the incredible beauty of the chapel. Too much for words to adequately express.

I need another visit and I'm taking S and J to introduce them to Sr. G.

Same answer

2009-02-12T07:49:00.001-06:00

Apparently the formula has changed, same answer though:

howling, window rattling wind + rain = Spring time

Signs

2009-02-10T19:11:00.000-06:00

Chirping birds + a roaring lake = Spring time

What a difference a day makes - we're looking at grass where last week we were looking at 2 ft. of snow! I'm ready for it, are you?

50 degree party

2009-02-07T18:18:00.005-06:00

It reached 50 degrees today.

Wonder if the home town university students held a 50 degree party. Met a friend at the local coffee shop today and he asked if I was throwing such a party. Haha. Said friend knows about such parties as he is a former attendee at a few.

Actually, such a party was not "held", it happened. The first spring day the tempurature hit 50, the university vacated - students as well as some faculty - and headed to a local park where we celebrated the arrival of spring. Some years in a drizzle, some years while standing on soggy grass and some years while standing atop snow banks.

There were snow banks the year I decided to do what my mother warned me against - jumping off the bridge because someone else did. All I can say is water is darned cold when ice chunks are floating in it - but what the heck, I was young and looking for an adventure. And I got one - mighty cold walk home with all those wet clothes on - didn't think that through very well.

I'd like to think I'm smarter these days.

Good food, good friends, good times

2009-02-06T22:27:00.007-06:00

Pizza with good friends, music with good friends and good times with good friends. And then there's that guy at Stumpjack.

You know the one - the one who's yammering about he'd like a massage during a sweet voiced song by the lovely Kelly Underwood. Hey.....David.........

And the one who'll stick his hand into the frame while you trying to get a cool shot of the fish on the wall.

And, then there's the lovely wife, always supportive, always smiling - and definitely going straight to HEAVEN!

Oh, we can't forget Ethan Keller and his fantastic looper thingy - great music there.

Thanks for a great time .....

Eating Local at the Teach In

2009-02-06T05:23:00.009-06:00

I'm just all awed ..........

Attended and presented at a Teach In at the local university. Even though it was a long day for me, I'm reinvigorated. Great discussions were had at this teach in!

As part of a panel presentation on how food systems are affected by global warming, I was able to talk about the benefits of eating local. My little part - local foods - is something I'm passionate about. I could speak for days - nonstop - about local foods. Often times when presenting about local foods, I take the twist of talking about the wide array of local foods we have due to migration of peoples and their foods.

For example: Have you heard of Lemon Zinger tea? I love it. One of it's ingredients is lemongrass, a tropical plant - a perennial tropical plant. Lemongrass is now grown in the Midwest.

What?! Yes, when Hmong refugees came here to live, lemongrass came with them. As an adaptation to our climate, lemongrass is grown as an annual. Lemongrass can be found in local gardens and farmers markets each August. Unless, of course, I've beat you to the market and bought all the lemongrass in sight.

Enough cannot be said about all the other wonder meals I'm cooking because I have fresh lemongrass - or lemongrass stashed in the freezer. Lemon chicken: organic local whole chicken, stuffed with lemongrass, local garlic, local onions, sea salt and pepper. Roast. Enjoy.

Back in the saddle

2009-01-29T12:12:00.003-06:00

......after a brief hiatus and a wonderful Thanksgiving trip to South Dakota.

Here's a photo of the Missouri River taken from what I refer to as the Lewis and Clarke Wayside, although my friend S tells me it's the Chamberlain Wayside. Lewis and his buddy Clarke and their crew camped near here - so it's the LCW to me.

It was incredibly windy and cold that day, the camera kept shutting off after only a picture or two.

An amazing view, and a wonderful start to a whirlwind vacation.

Grandpa Gus and the train robber

2008-09-22T18:59:00.007-05:00

Googled my Grandpa Gus, and look what I found!

Always knew Grandpa was a Sheriff in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a child, I was told he was involved with the arrest of a train robber. My Wisconsin relatives always said this was an embellishment. Well, it's not - and I have the proof!

Click here, or read below the Times article, dated December 9, 1929. My dad would have been just 4 years old.

"For Wife & Kids"

Monday, Dec. 09, 1929

In the old West train robbers embellished their felonies with quixotic gestures, fantastic flourishes. Last of the old school was Bill Carlisle who, after he had wrecked a train, would hold up the passengers with a candy-filled glass pistol. A train robbery in Wyoming last week showed how the old tradition has degenerated.

Near Cheyenne, the Union Pacific's Portland Limited struck a loosened rail, went careening into an embankment. Then the bandit appeared. He was a little fellow with a wizened face and pale blond hair. He wore the shabby blue overalls of a section hand.

The .38 automatic in his hand shook nervously as he asked the passengers to "fork over." "I've got a wife and two kids at home and the railroad won't give me a job," he apologized to his victims.

"Gimme your wallet damn quick." he swore feebly at Dr. Frederick James Kelly, president of the University of Idaho. Dr. Kelly handed over a billfold containing $74.

The bandit took no jewelry or other valuables. With a loot of no more than $800 he fled. He did not even look into the express car, where the dining car steward was hiding with $300 in cash. Out into the hills to catch the bandit "dead or alive" rode hundreds of searchers—sheriffs, deputies, policemen, railroad detectives, cowboys. Six suspects were rounded up, questioned, released. Then the hunt was abandoned.

At Pawnee. Okla., two officers arrested Tom Vernon, alias Tom Brennan. Deputy Sheriff Thomas J. Higgins of Los Angeles, who had stalked Vernon across six states, charged him with wrecking and robbing a Southern Pacific train near Saugus, Cal. last month. Sheriff Gus Romsa of Cheyenne was on hand to charge him also with last week's Wyoming job.

The California officer said that Vernon, onetime rodeo roughrider, horse thief, forger, had recently been released from Folsom Prison, Cal. He is unmarried, childless.

Gazpacho

2008-09-04T19:52:00.020-05:00

Started out with these ingredients: a huge Hmong cucumber, six red and yellow tomatoes, three red and yellow peppers, a couple cloves of garlic, one medium purple onion, small bunch of cilantro and good sea salt (to taste). Peeled, seeded and chopped the cuke, peeled and chopped the tomatoes, chopped the onion, peppers, cilantro, and the garlic was - well, smashed and all were put into the food processor.

And here's what came out - a most wonderful glass of gazpacho for lunch

And a whole 'nother quart for the weekend to share with friends--it's always better the next day.

A lovely weekend at the beach

2008-09-01T11:29:00.009-05:00

It's been an extremely lovely weekend at the beach. The annual kite festival brought 20,000+ folks to town to view two days and one night of kite flying. Food, food, food, ice cream, kites, kites and more kites, an evening bon fire, lighted kite fly and friends, friends, friends. The whole town turns out to put on the incredible event, the brain child of local super-kiter Chow of UFO.

That's Chow in the photo below. Here's a link to more Kite photos on Jeff's Flik'r site. And for more Kite photos, check out Nate's Flik'r site.

I feel like I'm 10 years old.........

2008-07-30T21:05:00.002-05:00

I took a bit of a spin on my friend's new cruiser bike - I love it! What a charm to ride. Aluminum frame, and those great cruiser brakes - pedal backward my dear and bear down. I want a bike like that, yes I do.

I told my friend I love to ride my bike - a vintage 1965 English-made Raleigh sport, 3 speed. I absolutely love it! A back rack and front basket have been added, along with a ding-ding-ding thumb bell, front and rear lamps and plenty of spoke reflectors.

I'm figuring out that it's a good deal to bike early in the day when there are few cars on the streets. I can cruise down to the beach and back, wind blowing through my hair. And I imagine I'm 10 years old again. Pedaling my cruiser bike at top speed down the gravel roads of my childhood - with the wind blowing through my hair. There's nothing quite like it.

It's Hot in here........

2008-07-24T16:46:00.004-05:00

Oh yah, summer's here and the temps are climbing. If it's cooler near the lake right here, I wonder what the hades it's like in the next town over, where they can't say it's cooler near the lake - we won't let them, and besides it's not true for them. Just true for us.

I'm so wanting oven roasted beets, drizzled with some good olive oil and fresh herbs. My mouth is beggin' for beets. Maybe if I get the fan cranked on high, we could blow the hot air out of the window by the oven - that might work.

I don't know. I had scrambled eggs - yummy farm fresh eggs - with sauteed baby yellow zucchini, sweet Hungarian peppers and onions. Ohhhhhhh that was so good for lunch. But I want them beets for supper. Probably should roast them at like midnight - when it's good and cooled off outside, and the winds blowing inland from the lake, nice cool evening breeze.

Sleeping in cool water in the bath tub tonight.

I'll be eating good this week

2008-07-05T12:18:00.004-05:00

I'll be eating good this week! Just got back from a bike trip to the farmers' market. Viewed Eunice's Apron Show and bought an Asparagus to Zucchini recipe book from her. Just love that recipe book, it's so packed full of great recipes. I buy this book at second hand sales and pass along to my friends.

Picked up fresh, redddddd, riiiiiiiiiiiiiipe strawberries, baby dill, lemon balm, and spring onions for fresh salads this week. I'll be tearing into one for lunch today! And Monica's spearmint lip balm made with bees wax is just dreamy........ Deb showed up with her baked goods - oooooooooohhhhh how incredible! I was able to limit myself to just two little snack cakes, even though that huge banana bread was calling my name. Maybe next week....

Great day for a slow bike ride and visiting with friends at the market.

What do you do for the fourth?

2008-07-04T15:58:00.003-05:00

What do you do for the fourth? I attend the best bash in this part of the world! Friends E & B host a varied lot of their friends in a back yard barbeque and food fest. After hours of eating, we stroll down to an overlook on the lake and watch fireworks shot off from the harbor.

Quite incredible - we get to see two sets of aerial pyrotechnics. First is the fireworks display from a town six miles down coast. Actually, that's where I live - out on a peninsula. Thus, the clear view from the town six miles up coast. When the grand finale is done six miles down coast, then the fire works six miles up coast kick in - WOW!

We all lie down on blankets and watch in wonder - just like the tykes sitting next to us. Oohhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh.

And when it's all over, we stroll back to E & B's back yard to polish off what's left and meander on home - all tired. And this year, we're really glad that tomorrow is Saturday and most of us don't have to get up too early to go to work, but must still get up early enough to get the best buys and freshest stuff at the local farmers markets. Strawberries are in season!

It's a ..cultural event

2008-06-28T19:02:00.003-05:00

Wow! What an incredible day at the local farmers and artisans market - just imagine one of the largest farmers markets in the area coupled with a car show! Two dynamite events.

My friend J, a Hmong man who came to this area as a teenaged refugee over 20 years ago, sells egg rolls in the booth next to ours. He was surprised to see the turn out at the car show and asked me if I knew the anticipated attendance. I was surprised to hear him use the word "anticipated". I was unaware he knew the word - obviously his english skills have improved greatly in the past few years. So, we chatted about the anticipated attendance, and then he asked what is the purpose of this "car show" gathering?

I stumbled around just a bit trying to explain just what is a car show. J wanted to know if there was a money prize for the best car. At Hmong festivals there is frequently a cash prize for the best soccer team, or badminton team or dance team. He seemed puzzled when I told him no cash prize at this event.

Well, I thought I'd try to explain why the car show was such a big deal that hundreds of classic cars would show up along with thousands of admirers. So I pointed out a 60-something year-old lady who was dressed as a bobby soxer - hair in a pony tail held in place by the folded scarf, white shirt - untucked, of course, blue jeans rolled up into big cuffs, white socks and tennies. I said - that's how she would have dressed as a teenager in 1957 - and that car she's standing next to would have been a popular car in 1957. Ah, J said, nodding that now I get it head-nod. He said, "This is a cultural event - you are showing your children how you used to live."

Ah, yes. Although I've never quite heard of a car show referred to in that manner, J did indeed get it right - it's a .....cultural event.

Art and Bikes

2008-06-26T06:16:00.006-05:00

An invitation just came from The Flying Pig to attend an event with Terry Cannon. I'm just caught by his work - Assembled Bike is my favorite (well, so far). I love this type of artwork, have been fascinated with it since childhood and have returned to it myself - too many years after being told it was worthless. Thanks Terry.

Cool breezes

2008-06-24T09:47:00.007-05:00

I’m so happy with my little nest – a cool breeze from the river is rolling through the windows and keeping me cool. I can tell from the skimpy dress of the pedestrians on the sidewalk below that it must be rather warm outside today. And I am all so cool as a cucumber, up here in the little second story perch.

I'm thinking a slow bike ride to the beach to fly the kite might be a good thing today. Our beach is ideal for kite flying - there's always a breeze coming off the water. I'll put my kite up as a signal to my friends that it's time to gather on the beach. We'll all fly kites today.

Good friends

2008-06-22T19:37:00.005-05:00

Met my good friends S and J at the Washington House for ice cream. Rode down there on my retro 1964 Raleigh Sport. There's nothing like a bike ride and ice cream with good friends on a hot night to cap off the perfect weekend.

I just love my Raleigh bike, especially the white panel on the rear fender. People notice that little feature - yah!

And tonight's ice cream - marvelous, as usual. J had his usual half caramel half hot fudge sundae, and S and I had our usual - a Washington House. A scoop each of blue moon, vanilla and strawberry, topped with chocolate, pineapple and strawberry sauce, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry. yum, yum . . . . Especially yummy as the ice cream is created just 8 miles or so down the road from the Washington House. There is nothing like good, local ice cream.

Worked off part of that treat by biking to the grocery for a few items. I love that ride. It's a spectacular ride over the river where one can gaze downstream at fishing boats, gulls, ducks and just the beauty of the river flowing to Lake Michigan.

Ohhhhhhhhh, I do live in a little piece of paradise.

Friends make me happy

2008-05-20T06:28:00.004-05:00

Meeting my friend D for coffee and a chat today! We haven't seen much of each other for the past couple months. I just love being around her, she's so positive and upbeat no matter what's going on in her life.

She wants to start a shared use kitchen in our area. What an idea - and we need one! D loves food and she's a great chef.

I'm hoping they have the really good cookies at the coffee house today. There's nothing like organic tea and a yummy cookie to start off the day - it's like eating sunshine.

Art makes me happy

2008-05-16T07:01:00.007-05:00

It's Art & About's Spring Gallery Tour weekend. Come on out for really cool art by really cool artisans. This is an incredible group of talented folks who work really hard to make their art and promote art in our communities. They even have a booth at a local farmers' market. Check 'em out!

Bike riding weather, kite flying breezes, fresh produce from the backyard garden or farmers' market makes me happy.

Spring Cleaning

2008-04-22T11:03:00.015-05:00

I'm in the throes of it -- spring cleaning. My teeny-tiny home is turned upside down right now. Stuff is everywhere. I'm so happy to be packing away the winter togs - boy, did we have a long winter! The wash machine is going and I'm washing floors and windows.

We have the perfect day for spring cleaning - the temps must be in the 60's with a breeze off the lake. I can smell the lake - I've missed that this winter. I love the fresh smell of the lake.

My reward for finishing spring cleaning is to head off to Vinny's for some cool stuff--I always find such cool stuff there. And if I don't, I can always go a block over to see Kim at Persimmons - she has the really absolutely cool stuff!

Doing my part on Earth Day - upcycling cool stuff into funky art.

I'm New at This

2008-04-21T22:10:00.004-05:00

Well, here I go. I'm new at this. So many of my friends blog, I thought why not? I'm sure I can figure this out -- with help from the blogger friends.