We got a huge amount done at the photoshoot today, but didn’t quite finish up, so I’m tucked up at the Armstrong Hotel in the groovy downtown of Fort Collins, but wishing I were in my own bed, with the cats. Of course my water is off and my car battery can’t keep a charge cause of my headlight stuck in my crumpled hood, but OTHER THAN THAT home sounds nice.

My editor, Tricia, accepted my Mixed Media manuscript today, which made me happy. She had some great suggestions for tying the four sections of the book together; Sewn Beadwork, Embellishment, Stringing, and Metal and Wire, and I’m working on that.

Bria sent me pictures of Snicket as a kitten, and of course they broke my heart. Was he ever that tiny? Poor little muffin. He was only eight years old, strong, healthy, and happy. It hurts.

And trying not to ask, “what next?” I’m dealing with one thing at a time, shut off the water, called the plumber, called AAA, got the car started… just hoping that maybe my run of difficult things has stopped for a bit. I’m going to see if there is any way I can finish up at the studio this afternoon, so I can come home tonight. I need to take a somewhat longer breath than I had pencilled in.

Photos Joe Hancock / Interweave Press, 2009

I started my day here at 5 a.m. with a rather unpleasant email on Facebook from Lisa Cain, PMC instructor at the Metal Clay Acadamy in the UK, who said, in response to her earlier comment on my blog, and our communications about metal clay safety, that the tone of my writing (or perhaps she said ranting) diminishes my credibility, and that her guess was that my “personal behavior” was probably the main reason that I was dismissed as an instructor at Bead and Button. I’m sure that she is absolutely correct on both points. She said that she hoped I took it the in the spirit it was intended, and suggested that I put together something useful instead of complaining about the Guilds, or writing on my blog. What a great idea, Lisa, I think I’ll make another book and two DVDs, and a YouTube presentation on MC safety. In fact, I think I’ll get on an airplane this morning, and fly out to Fort Collins, and take some more photos for those things. In my spare time, though, I might still complain about the PMC Guild, or write rant in my journal.

I missed Snicket terribly last night, as did little Miss Fish, who spent the night as close to me as possible. I couldn’t have turned over if I tried. Liam is really cut up about it, as well, he and the Snickster were partners in orange. I buried him in a peaceful spot in the B40 that is waiting for a climbing rose; Evan and I agreed that over Christmas we would make a marker for him, one that would last.

The weather here is lovely, warm days, cool nights, and big, open skies. I’m looking forward to a clear space in my mind; it’s on the way, coming closer every minute.

I’m excited about all of the people coming in this Thursday; what a wonderful time we are going to have. I have a list as long as my arm of the things I hope we have time to make. It will be really fun to sleep in the Barbie Coach with Cynthia, too, what a nice way to break it in, really Summer Camp.

This morning a water line broke in the front of my house; and my car battery is dead, probably related to its crumpled hood and the lights. Have I somehow earned all of this or is it all just a fluke? Thank goodness the water line broke before I got on a plane, and not after. It seems the universe is determined to separate me from my money and security; I’ll try to take it in the spirit it was intended, as soon as I fully grasp what that is.

Photo by Joe Hancock, Interweave Press, 2009

I just looked through the PDF that Interweave sent me of the new metal clay book, which is what we are using to guide us through the final photoshoot tomorrow, and I’m so happy to say that it’s beautiful. Really beautiful.

I’m spending the evening sitting here with our other two cats, who are very upset, cuddling them close, trying to reassure them, and looking through the pages of the book, making notes, thinking about the empty pillow next to me that the Snickster used to sleep on every night.

I came home today to the very sad news that Snicket, the best cat in the universe, the sweetest cat ever, had broken his leg very badly, and the vet said that it was in such an unlucky and unfortunate place that even if we subjected him to six thousand dollars of orthopedic surgery and three months of recovery in a complicated scaffolding system, he didn’t have good odds. Poor little muffin. I was glad to be able to get home in time to be with him, holding him, and kissing his head, when the vet put him to sleep, but let me tell you, I am broken hearted tonight, as is the whole family.

We think he took a bad jump off of the roof, although it’s hard to imagine exactly how it happened, as no one saw the actual event. I buried him in the garden tonight, just as the sun was slipping down behind the mountains. I’m so sad I can hardly believe it, and of course the other two cats are beside themselves as well.

Sweet dreams, love muffin.

I can’t believe that I have to get on another plane in the morning, but such is life and off I go.

Or was it only four? Finally, I’m connected again. My Mac was bemused to sit fallow for days, while I was in airports and places that had no wireless. Paleo! I’m on my way home to Tucson, briefly, for one lovely night with the kittens and the peace, then back on a plane early tomorrow morning pointed at Denver, for a drive to Fort Collins, to a photo studio to complete the work for the new MC book for Interweave. I’m also turning in the Mixed Media manuscript.  Lots going on. As soon as I arrive back home after that, ten people arrive for a long weekend workshop, which I’m looking forward to with great anticipation.

We had a tremendous class this weekend. The talent in the room amazed and inspired me. Here are a few shots of our work time. We had class in the clubhouse at the Racquet Club, where Jan lives, and it was Quite Civilised. I had a great time staying with Jan, we partied in our jammies and I finally made headway with her cat, Blossom. I got to kiss her fluffy tummy early  this morning, before I left.

But Texas loves me anyway.

I’m in a Longhorns sweatshirt, full of steak and feeling very Texified. Having a great time.

I don’t have much Internet access where I’m staying, so the photos of the amazing buildings and birdhouses made in class will have to wait until I can get my own computer online. But you will love them.

Can you believe that there ever was a show called the Flying Nun?

Thanks Michael K at DListed, for reminding me that Sally Field is 63 today.

I’m on the road, so I’ll leave you with this amazing photo of the moon, rising over the Monterey Bay, taken a couple of nights ago by Steve Anderson.

Moon Over Seaside, Steve Anderson, 2009

The seal is a nice touch. It looks like a tiny little sea monster.

I’m looking forward to seeing any of you who can come by tonight, and to teaching a great Boxes and Birdhouses class this weekend.

If I seem a little digitally downcast, it’s because finally, after 30 years of driving in Tucson, yesterday I got snowbirded. A little old person in front of me in traffic panicked and slammed on their brakes; there were a few cars involved in the result, which buckled the hood of my beloved hot wheel.

Since my car is worth only a few thousand dollars, I only carry basic liability on it, and have to pay to fix any damage myself.  I’m perfectly fine, my airbag didn’t even go off, but my little car is very sad looking. The police weren’t called, as my car was the only one damaged and I wasn’t covered, and we all drove off, and as we all continued south on Wilmot, the person who caused it all continued to spastically brake and signal for miles, until they finally stopped hard, again, in the middle of traffic, and turned off on a side street. Just my bad luck to be behind an SUV, who blocked my view of the spaz, and who was following too closely.

Sigh. This is my second thousand dollar day in the space of a week. Two steps forward, one to three steps back. Happily I am unhurt and the hot wheel can be fixed.

I haven’t really mentioned it much lately, because class is stuffed to the gills, but I’m in San Antonio this weekend, teaching a class for Wired Designs! Come to the trunk show at the shop, Friday evening starting at around 5, and say hello, why don’t you?

Today, getting ready to leave, and being kind of beat from the last week of nonstop work, I lost my mind at around 11 am and downed an entire little pony bottle of white zinfandel (yes, the shame) that I found in the refrigerator. Lord knows where it even came from.