French lessons

I had just started studying French before the pandemic shut everything down. Luckily my teachers transitioned to Zoom with mastery. I live in a rural setting and the classes were 1.5 hours away. Now I take my class in the guest bedroom cum office (one of only two rooms in the house with a door).

I recent discovered this. You may already know it but somehow I missed most of English grammar. Tout le monde (all the world, everyone) is singular. We are all in this together and everyone is united. Just think about that. People are individuals but noone is an island.

Summer weather is here. I took my gear and scoped out a new fishing spot.

And got the boat set for this year’s maiden voyage.

Bonne journée tout le monde.

Catch of the day

Not yet but I am ready. I found this vial of Muddler Minnows at a yard sale today.

They are nice flies and look good enough to eat. I hope my local fish thinks so too. I am not sure Muddler Minnows attract trout but time will tell. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my fly casting.

I came home and made a batch of watermelon pickles. These are one of my favorites and not available In stores here.

These really look good enough to eat. Tomorrow I will can them and make a batch of dill pickles. We already tried a jar of strawberry jam and it was pretty tasty. I hope we can save some until the middle of winter.

Today I won a book from a knitting magazine, Knitcircus; saw a pink sunset

And am heading out now to see fireworks. It’s an auspicious day. I missed all the other firework displays because the Fourth of July can no longer be celebrated on the 4th because overtime wages for support staff is too high. Instead it’s celebrated on the 3rd, 7th and 21st.

Of fish and fiber

I spent the past couple of days holed up inside finishing a number of fiber projects. I completed a zipper baby cardigan which I just love.

The Marble Chunky yarn by James Brett is beautiful and will be machine washable. I knit a garter stitch button band as I went and it was so easy to insert a zipper by machine.

It has a seed stitch yoke so I didn’t mind back and forth knitting but otherwise knit a bottom up raglan as one piece. Then to top it off, I made care labels by computer, printed directly onto fabric with Jacquard inkjet Fabric sheets. . The only drawback is I have to set the ink before I sew it on and don’t have any Scotchguard on hand.

A favorite little summer dress of mine deteriorated and I decided to make a copy. I roughed out the pattern pieces on an old sheet and stitched away. I am pretty happy with the finished product.

I finished a set of rag placemats on my rigid heddle loom. I may have worked up the courage to approach my floor loom again.

So this morning I went fishing and spent most of the time trying NOT to catch the little minnows that were attracted to my lure. Not the elusive trout though.

Speaking of placemats and water, I devised these for the boat. I used that rubbery non-skid shelf liner and bound it with upholstery fabric. Hopefully it will keep the dishes in place.

Finally, my clothing sewing began this summer with this cute little wrap dress. The rayon fabric is pretty but not quite stretchy enough so I look fine standing still but can’t reach for things too well.

Bing, bing, bing. That’s a typical week for me. What will it be today?

Entertainment for the fish

During my walk yesterday, I was amazed to spot brown trout in the river down the road from our house. I saw one large one followed by two smaller ones. That was it. I went into town and bought my annual fishing license.

I bought a license last year but never went fishing. Not once. But now I know where they live … And eat. I am motivated.

I dug up the old fishing rods, bought a few trout lures and headed down the road.

Doesn’t this look enticing. Well it was but, apparently, only enough to amuse. Three, I say 3, trout followed it briefly but then swam away. I used the time to improve my casting and clamor around the rocks and river retrieving my hook from various snags. It was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all – me and the fish.

I am prepared now. I put together a lure box, pliers, (probably should include a first aid kit), improvised creel, filet knife and gloves for the big catch. We returned in the evening and I had a chance to fly cast. Nice day, no fish.