Saturday, October 01, 2016

Our Blue Ribbon :: Two Hundred Seventy Six

Best of the Faire~
Maker Faire San Diego is going exceedingly well. Believe me, there's a great deal more to share! We are so thrilled, and honored, and really, really exhausted! This moment brought out all the feels... we love to make and we love to share!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Reality Reality :: Two Hundred Seventy Five

We have virtual reality, and then we have reality reality. And the reality here is that Geoff has developed a third robot for our BOoM family of robots! This one is a telepresence robot that will operate in conjunction with a virtual reality headset.
What??

Banaynays, right??

This is all Geoff's design, and the build is from the ground up, including 3-D printing, with help from William. Electronics, wiring, programming: BOoM! Metal parts, poly carbonate: BOoM! Ingenuity, concept, Nerdom: BOoM!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Like all the things we tinker with, and make, this project has been a big labor of love.

And tonight we are all banding together, making a last push for the first reveal, and some beta testing at San Diego Maker Faire! BOoM!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wide Open Places :: Two Hundred Seventy Four

My favorite place to get hay, and feed, and gatitos, is out east, up hills, 'round bends, out to the wide-open places with the big skies. And on this trip, I came around a curve in the road to a sight so beautiful I exclaimed aloud, and pulled over for a better, longer gaze. Pictures rarely do these things justice, and I am not too proud to admit that this little snapshot is nothing compared with the real thing. The clouds were looming and climbing up the sky... yes, billowing. And that particular spot, off the road, where you can see the Lake Hodges dam, where the valley opens up, like pulling back a curtain to the backcountry, it feels like an edge of the world. It's a preview of what lies ahead, and beckons me to favorite places. I like the invitation, even if I cannot attend.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

In other news, I did not bring home this hen, though our eyes met and we knew we could be good for one another. I did not bring home the fresh batch of black and white kittens, surely siblings of our own fresh, tuxedo kitty. Also, I escaped the tender pleas of the wee tabbies, who were not only cute, but also adorable, and appealing. Immodestly, I congratulate myself on having some semblance of good sense. What a triumph!


I did bring home more pictures of the sky, of this oak tree, and clouds. I remembered to bring home orchard grass, lay crumble, and cat food. And I brought with me the rekindled inspiration that I feel in wide open places with big skies, and welcoming vistas.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

In Hand :: Two Hundred Seventy Three

Feeling a pleasurable mix of happiness and relief, since finding two more skeins of bulky wool, to finish this shawl. What's that called, when something can make all the big worries, the real problems, feel pushed back, a safe distance, and there's a little more breathing room? Maybe it's just an appreciation for finding something I can manage, keep in hand, make good.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Sky Beguiling :: Two Hundred Seventy Two

That morning sky, though! It was beautiful, almost seductively, but such delusion! At 7am it was already a firm 80 degrees of hot Fahrenheit. Yesterday, felt oven-like, with the convection setting turned up... the dry, heavy wind circulating shocked leaves, and knocking over livestock, children, bean stocks, and lawn chairs. We baked, slow, and long, until we were like hardtack, withered, bland, done. But what a pretty sky. It could almost make me believe the weather today might be merciful.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Recuperating :: Two Hundred Seventy One

We have two patients recuperating at the Bird House. Patient number one, the cat, is rambunctious, frisky, disobedient, furry, and an utterly deplorable patient. He has summarily dismissed each of the veterinarian's instructions for post-operative care, including throwing off his cone of shame. Sadly, recent accounts of our kitty do not paint him favorably. Except that the last few days have been trying, he really is a darling. And judging by how limp-lifeless and deeply he finally fell asleep, we think he is being restored to his former, superior, self. Our second patient is sniffly, and sweet, congested, and cooperative, coughing, yet kind. Poor Maria. Seems it cannot be back to school without a fall cold to go with it. With the help of comfy pajamas, Little Women, hot tea, and her collage journal, she is coming along. It's such a sad and loathsome thing to feel unwell. I send warm wishes, to all. It would be so wonderful if we could always recuperate with comforts and love, patience, understanding, other favorite things, and loved ones for company.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

A Room With a View :: Two Hundred Seventy

Yesterday, when the dryer died, we installed solar! Unfortunately, my old laundry line disappeared after we remodeled our porch, but Geoff's string of lights, hung along cables, work very well for this added task. With help from the taller people living here, I got two loads of clean laundry hanging in the sun. Efficiency? Our solar system had everything dry in less than an hour!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.