Monday, August 1, 2011 — The mountains are full of flowers and snow

I finally made it up to Echo Lake on Friday late afternoon. I had received an email from the editor for the Maiz online exhibit telling me that she needed to have me review the final layout and content in time for an August 1 launching by ATA. I was practically out the door on my way to the Bay Area and I had also received a call telling me that the Mendocino Real Estate magazine was changing its timing and that Andarin needed to write the article about Pacific Textile Arts over the weekend for a Monday submission because another focus article had fallen through. Whew! Lots of reprioritizing needed at that point. I told the ATA editor (Christine Laffer) I'd have to do the final look after I arrived in the mountains. I did do that .... driving to Echo, depositing the dogs and my stuff at the Chalet with Kathy and the kids. Then drove to Stateline where there is a Starbucks with wifi open after 5:00. Just as I was finishing the review of the Maiz show I felt a drop of water on my hand. I finished, closed my laptop and went inside. When I left there was a light rain coming down from some pretty dark clouds and a beautiful rainbow shining over Heavenly Valley. Had a restful trip along the south side of the lake and back up to Echo where the weather held off until we crossed the lake and were safely in the cabin.

Back to the time before the "getaway" ............ I spent all the time I had left getting information to Andarin for the PTA spread. They always do such a good job of featuring an activity I simply could not refrain. I met her for a visit to the newly additioned campus where she took lots of pictures of the Huichol exhibit and the new buildings inside and out. Then we retired to Headlands for some lunch and a crash course regarding textile arts activities on the coast. After that we went to my studio where Andarin took more pictures and I pulled some newsletter files for her to refer to. After she left I had a hollow feeling that she still didn't have enough material for an in depth report, so I scoured my files for more things she could draw from as well as email addresses of the PTA board members who could be contacted after I left town.

Andaren called me at Echo last evening and read the entire content to me through my cell phone, also describing the photos she had settled on. She did a great job. I thought of several important changes and called her at 7:15 this morning. Woke her up. I never call anyone that early but I knew she was also on deadline. She was gracious and just emailed me the changes she had made. Another certified angel. I'll be working on the upcoming newsletter but other than that, I'm all caught up.

Even though some weather was closing in, I went for a swim in the cove with Kathy yesterday afternoon. Icy, but delicious! The dogs did a little testing of the waters but decided it was still a bit cool for their tummies. Latte is adjusting very well despite her arthritis and the fact that she can't hardly hear anything except for the high decibal shouts from other dogs. She still sees well and is amazingly mobile and enthusiastic. It is so good to be up here with Kathy and the kids. Cousin Rick is in the middle cabin and Mike, Leah and Jenny are due to be in theirs sometime today. Larkin has been spending much time sewing pieces of an old windbreaker onto a somewhat fargone sail for the sunfish. I'm impressed. Neighbors brought a delicious cobler over last night and we played some card games I'd never heard of before. Quiddle and Apples to Apples. I have a bit of catching up to do. Lots of laughs and persuasive arguments. Such fun to be here.