Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Three For Thirty :: Days Six & Seven

Tuesday's photograph: Diego, the World's Most Boring Fish has attracted the interest of one, whiskered, devotee. Diego is colorful, elegant, ethereal even, but he is so slow, quiet, inactive, we frequently mistake him for dead. How many times have I watched him, caught my breath, then shaken his home in hopeful anticipation of signs of life? We've had him nearly a year, and I am not kidding, last night was the very first time we saw him eat his food. Seriously. Diego, the World's Most Boring Fish would never eat while we were watching.

And maybe he's eating more heartily now, because he has caught Mister Washburn Foo's predatory eyes. Diego must be eager to put on some mass, look larger, less vulnerable.

Mister Foo never noticed Diego, the World's Most Boring Fish, until two days ago, and now Diego is interesting, very interesting, to at least one Bird House resident. Foo wraps his arms around the bowl, presses his nose to the glass. This morning, Maria ate her croissant while watching Mister Foo lovingly pat Diego's home with a kindly paw. Tap-tap, tap-tap. Fortunately, Diego's house has a heavy and secure lid, because I think Mister Foo would really enjoy a closer meeting.

In sewing news, our Penny Wooden Doll, Aya, has a work day apron.

I also repaired the hem of my skirt, and the straps on Maria's dress. That's just the kind of sewing I am usually loath to do, but my thirty day challenge makes it feel less daunting... why is that? For once, I did not procrastinate, and now the jobs are done, and two favorite garments are right back in circulation.

Lauren left a comment, on our last post, suggesting it might soon be time for Aya to have a wool coat, some leggings. Of course my rational side thought, Oh, it's rarely cold enough here for such garments, but then my better side got very excited about the prospect of bringing out our wool roving, and felt! After all, who needs to be rational when sewing for a Penny Wooden Doll? I wonder how much fun it would be to crochet a tiny scarf?

And, Jennifer, I had to order the book you suggested. I was happy to notice in the customer reviews a discussion about the original book vs. the newest edition, which apparently has been edited. I made sure to order a copy of the original Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. Thank you for the recommendation!

Now, my formulating plan is to save the book for Maria's birthday, and to order her her very own Penny Wooden Doll. "Technically," Aya is my doll. Maria asks to hold her, and very carefully admires her. I love that she is a bit awestruck by her, and takes such special care of her, and I think the longing for one of her own will make for a sweet birthday surprise. Also, it will make a perfect pairing with her other birthday present: her first pocket knife. She has been waiting to turn nine, so she can have her very own pocket knife, and Alex has begun her safety and handling lessons. It is bittersweet, realizing that nine years old is the beginning of being in-between make-believe and growing up, but these are the lines I like to blur.

2 comments:

judy in ky said...

I love your stories about your animals. I love that Alex is teaching Maria safety and that she is excited about receiving her first knife. We who are lucky enough to see and read your posts enjoy your work so much.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Judy you never fail to make this silly habit of mine feel worthwhile. What would Chickenblog be without you?
Not nearly as fun for me, that's for sure. Thank you, friend.