Happy Anniversary!

I've been working on this one (off and on) for about 2 months.  Each time an impasse was reached, he was set aside.

Now, I think he's finished.  I used the oil can from a flea market, an old watch face, brass brads, a gear from an old watch for his eye-patch,  and  paper clay.  This is the Time Keeper.  He times dirigible races (as popular as NASCAR in some strange steampunk world).  He carries his aether mask to help deal with the fumes.

Right click to enlarge.

 I've ventured into the world of steampunk because I always loved Jules Verne and was easily captured by the combination of Victorian sensibilities, the Steam Age, and the combination of industrialization and science that steampunk aficionados find so compelling.

My recent Etsy purchases from Caustic Threads were mailed in the package sent to Erin, Mila, and Max in Baton Rouge.  These were for my Roller Derby daughter:

 I think she liked them.  Now, she can go to practice in Caustic Style!

Today is our anniversary!  We've been married a long, long time...39 years.  It seems like forever and like an instant.  Happy Anniversary, Fee; I love you still and always!

Let's hope this anniversary goes better than the last one!  I had planned one of Fee's favorite meals, but got a tornado, instead.   It was certainly memorable, but not one we ever want repeated...

Sunday Thoughts

Although I've been doing more reading at night than playing with needle and thread, I have been occasionally working on the scarf.  I have to embroider each side separately, but here are the latest in my endeavors to fill in the white blocks. 

Message from the Universe

I couldn't help but laugh at my message From the Universe on Friday after the tornado on Thursday (I thought I'd posted it, but I'd left it as a draft):

Any attempt to measure one's progress in life with an assessment of their present physical surroundings, or even a panoramic glance at their life and times to date, is just plain "whacked." The reason being, Jen, is that each journey, kind of like a haircut, should never be fully appraised until it's complete. Otherwise, one might mistake a miracle-in-the-making for a setback, loss, or the "wet-look."
Your cosmic barber and de-whacker,
    The Universe

Tornado Recovery

Thanks to all of you for your concern and good thoughts!  We've all been busy cleaning, cutting up trees and hauling them out of the way, etc.  Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt in our area!

Although the tornado tugged at our roof, leaving a gap between roof and walls and 3 walls leaning in or out...you can see that a few houses down from us, it did take the roof.  It was evidently dipping down, then lifting up instead making a straight path across the ground.  Lucky for all of us!

All the rain flooded the streets, but by Friday morning, it began to drain.

Tornado Alley

Yesterday afternoon, (Thursday) tornados touched down everywhere.  About 4:30, they said one had touched down in our area and to take cover.  I got in the bathtub in the center of the house seconds before it hit. Wham, Bam!

Back yard, former garden...house across the drainage ditch.

Opening the front door was a bit of a surprise.

Another view of back.

Front.