Every Rose Has Thorns

Mother's Day has not been one of my favorite days. I spent too many years trying to become a mom, only to discover I could not be a mom. Then I cheated. I adopted. I adopted older kids because I didn't want to be on a seven-year waiting list for a baby. The kids grew up. Things aren't perfect. And Mother's Day often has been a difficult pill for me to swallow.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my mom. I try to make my own personal Mother's Day hers, even if we cannot be together. (We live far apart.) Sitting in church all those early years while other women who got to be moms got roses was just about the most painful thing I could imagine, at the time. That was before back surgery. I've since decided I think I'd rather sit in church and not get a flower.

Then the adopted kids went on unauthorized field trips, leaving a wake of pain. This was worse than never being able to have a baby. This was worse than back surgery. I'd rather have back surgery than... well, I've always said I will not spread my kids' challenges in the wind like dandelion seeds. They have enough issues of their own without me publicizing things. Suffice it to say I'd rather go through ten surgeries than live through 2002 and 2003 again.

So I ditch church on Mother's Day. It's a tradition now. Even though most churches now try to be sensitive to those in the congregation who may not be as Mother's Day-blissful. One of the ways I've seen it handled is to give roses to ALL women in the congregation, with no mention of the M-word. I did try that one year. I stood. I accepted a rose. And then I cried. Long and hard. So I gave up on Mother's Day for me.

I try to go somewhere with no reminders of the day. Total wilderness. No cell signal, no billboards or commercials, no phones. That way, I don't sit by a phone all day, wasting precious time, waiting for a call that isn't going to come. And I'm not disappointed when it doesn't.

I am married to the most incredible man in the world. He understands. He lets me call the shots. He makes sure it's okay to "celebrate" before he "celebrates" and knows I don't feel forgotten if I ask him to "skip it" any given year. (I'm addicted to flowers and plants, and it has taken a while, but, thanks to him, I've learned gifts of flowers can be a miraculously healing thing!)

(Oh, and BICYCLE PLANTERS!!! Even better than flowers!!! Mama mia!!!)


I read a suggestion once for women like me, women who don't get the chance to be birth moms. If Mother's Day is too painful for us, we should try focusing on our own mothers or grandmothers or even a friend we love who is a mother. I do that, and I try to do it well in advance so I can ignore the week when the holiday arrives. Just pretend it never really happened.

Until Mother's Day night.

My mom understands how I feel, too. It has never felt okay to skip her. Even though she knows how I feel and talks to me before and after, it doesn't feel right to miss that connection with her on what is a very special day for her. As a result, over the years, I've grown more... mature, I guess. I enjoy getting home from wherever in time to call her and hear about her special day. On her special day.

Then something happened that forced me to stop thinking about me on Mother's Day. My husband's brother died. Losing a child that way is on a whole different playing field than a child running away.

My mother-in-law gave birth to just two children, her two sons. It would be unfair of me to keep her surviving child away from her on a day that already is difficult. I have not lost a child to death, but my mom has. Two of them. I do not know the pain of a child dying before the parent. But I know the pain of a younger sibling dying before the older sibling. Twice.

So... I still ditch church on Mother's Day, but I don't ditch Mother's Day. I'm very grateful my mother-in-law brought my husband into the world and raised him to be such a considerate companion, and I look forward to showing her my gratitude.

Actually, I'm grateful God continually gives me opportunities to think of someone else instead of myself.

And that's what moms do, right? Moms like me.

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Snowflake Monday

I love rainbows, hand-dyed thread and stripes. I love being able to incorporate these elements into snowflakes.

This project was inspired in part last year by a handful of tiny bears that garnered a wonderful donation to my MS-150 fund, kick starting my fundraising efforts this year and also forcing me to abandon the throes of depression and start thinking positive.


I wasn't able to participate in last year's MS-150, even though I'd trained and raised adequate donations for the cause, just $5 short of High Roller status. In the days leading up to the actual ride, something in my back went horribly awry, and I was on my back for nearly a whole month attempting to survive a diagnosis that wasn't offering much hope. I thought I was done riding. Forever.

When heavy duty painkillers didn't knock me out, I made tiny little bears. They were easy, fun, eye candy and small enough I could do in bed while I rested. I made a bear with each of the hues of the rainbow in my then-growing collection of purchased hand-dyed thread.

Lining up the bears for photos gave me the idea for today's snowflake, which I also imagined as a great dishcloth when made with cotton yarn. (Last week's pattern.)


The bear photo on my blog triggered a commission project in exchange for an extremely generous donation three months later that made me WANT to ride the MS-150 this year, whatever it takes.

Sitting back then hurt so bad, it was so difficult to write the pattern for this snowflake as I went. So I didn't. I jotted down the first four or five rounds, but I couldn't sit any longer .

Then I stiffened the snowflake.


Heartbreak
I probably would have published this pattern back then if depression hadn't already had me in a stranglehold. When the hand-dyed thread ran, my world felt shattered. It's very difficult for me to overcome a hard knock when I'm already down for the count. I stacked the snowflake away where I wouldn't have to look at it, and I went back to making bears. The Lizard told me last week I never even showed that snowflake to him until last week.

As grim as it seems, this story does have a happy ending. I was finally approved for physical therapy last winter, six months after the diagnosis, and I finally began seeing light at the end of the tunnel as I progressed in learning all over again how to walk and sit. I'd been unknowingly compensating for the pain resulting from an injury of undetermined cause to my back way back in 2004, and after my bike wreck last spring, I'd re-injured a vertebra without knowing it. Ride the Rockies and my garden helped me figure it out. The very hard way.

My disc is still damaged, and discs don't heal. The pain could become unbearable again at some point. But for now, every moment is a bonus. The debilitating and depressing pain I've dealt with on an escalating basis for the last nine years finally is becoming manageable, and I can proudly say I'm beginning to take my life back now!

Feeling good ignited my creativity while working up this snowflake again and again and again last week. I came up with several variations I like better than the first snowflake, so I've included instructions for each of the deviations. All the variations are interchangeable. All the tip variations are at the end of the pattern. Tip patterns are in brackets in an effort to make it easier for crocheters to discern which steps may be transferred.




Rainbows are the essence of rebirth, refreshment and the sun shining again after a dark storm. How perfect this snowflake articulates my journey of the last 13 months!

One of the things this project taught me is hand-dyes can run when exposed to liquid starch, my second-favorite stiffening agent (cornstarch being first). The second snowflake prototype is made with more hand-dyed thread, but was stiffened with good old watered-down school glue, and with the exception of the blue in one round, the colors did not run. Most of the snowflake variations I made to write and test this pattern are made with my own hand-dyed thread, and they did not run when I stiffened them with watered-down school glue or Epsom salts (scented with a drop of lavender oil!). I'm still quite the beginner at hand-dyeing, so if my threads can stand up to school glue and Epsom salts, I believe most other hand-dyed threads can, too.


The only spot on my own hand-dyed thread that ran.
I was glancing through my list of unused mountain names, trying to find a name other than "buttonhole" (which is what it feels like when pulling the snowflake tips through the final round of chain loops) for this pattern, when my heart kept leaping each time my eyes read Many Thunders. Many Thunders is the name of a short little 8,000-foot-plus bump in the landscape near Red Feathers, Colorado, a tiny village in the mountains west of Fort Collins, and a popular camping and recreation area. There are trails to get to the top of Many Thunders, but the peak doesn't get attention from hardy climbers because it just isn't tall enough.

Given the many thunders I experienced prior to and during the creation of this snowflake pattern, I may just have to visit Red Feathers one day and walk up that hill! After all, I expect to be able to climb again one day!


As if this post wasn't long enough already, I'm going to add just a wee bit more that has nothing to do with this week's pattern. Last weekend was the Denver National Quilt Festival. I fell in love with this quilt. This was the only snowflake quilt, and I absolutely adore the message. More festival photos on Wednesday. (And perhaps the next five or six Wednesdays... I took more than 300 shots of fantastic inspiration!!!)








You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Many Thunders Snowflake Instructions

Finished Size: From 3 to 11 inches from point to point, depending upon how many rounds are worked
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in up to 8 colors for large snowflake or up to 4 colors for smaller snowflake, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line


Color Key for 8-Round Snowflake:
Color A: white
Color B: spearmint and lavender thread by Lizbeth
Color C: spearmint, powder blue, lavender and purple thread by Sara's Colorwave
Color D: yellow, spearmint, apple, purple, lavender and blue thread from eBay


Color Key for 15-Round Snowflake:
Color A: white
Color B: shades of maroon from eBay
Color C: shades of orange from Flora (discontinued)
Color D: shades of yellow from eBay
Color E: shades of green from eBay
Color F: shades of turquoise from Lizbeth
Color G: shades of violet from Bre-Aly
Color H: shades of pink from Lizbeth

All the rest of the snowflakes are made with my own hand-dyed thread.

TIP: There are a lot of ends to weave in on this project. To prevent having to go back and weave in ends at completion of project, weave in ends as you go. Contrast color ends are very easy to bury at start of each new main color round by working 5/dc groups over ends.

Round 1: With Color A (main color), ch 6, sl st in 5th ch from hook; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 6, ch 2, 1 tr in sl st to form 6th ch 5 loop.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same loop, * 3 dc in next ch 5 loop, ch 3, 3 dc in same loop; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 dc in next ch loop, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off.

Round 3: With Color B, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, * ch 4, 1 sc between next 2 3/dc groups, ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 10, sl st in 10th ch from hook; 1 sc in same ch 3 point; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end here and use the diamond tip option for the points.
Round 4: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in next ch 4 sp, ch 3, * sk over (and behind) next ch 10 loop, 5 dc in next ch 4 sp; 5 dc in next ch 4 sp, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end here and use the heart tip option for the points.
Round 5: With Color C, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, ch 3, 1 sc in same point, * ch 4, 1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups, ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 3 point, ch 3, 1 sc in same point, ch 10 (you don't have to sl st to make ch 10 loops from this round on), 1 sc in same point, ch 3, 1 sc in same point; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 sc and ch 3 of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.
NOTE: If desired, you may pull ch 10 loops on this round from behind through ch 10 loops of Round 3 to see what the chained loops will look like. The chained chains may not stay put as you work the following rounds, but that's okay. It's not ruined if the chained chains come undone. All the chain loops may be chained (or rechained) after finishing all rounds.

Round 6 ending Round with shaped sides and diamond points: With Color A, 3 dc in any ch 3 sp just left of ch 10 loop, * 2 dc next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 11, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 1, sk over (and behind) next ch 10 loop, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end here and use the diamond tip option for the points.
Round 6 if you intend to keep going after this Round: With Color A, 3 dc in any ch 3 sp just left of ch 10 loop, * 5 dc in each of next 2 ch 4 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sk over (and behind) next ch 10 loop, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 7: With Color D, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, * ch 4, 1 sc between next 3/dc group and next 5/dc group, ch 4, 1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups, ch 4, 1 sc between next 5/dc group and next 3/dc group, ch 4, 1 dc in next ch 3 point, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.

Round 8 if you intend to end after this Round: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 3 ch 4 sp, [ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 2 (3-pronged tip made)], * 5 dc in each of next 4 ch 4 loops, [ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 2 (3-pronged tip made)]; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end after Round 8 and use the 3-pronged tip option for the points.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end after Round 8 and use the heart tip option for the points.
Round 8 if you intend to keep going: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 3 ch 4 sp, ch 3, * 5 dc in each of next 4 ch 4 sp, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 9: With Color E, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, * ch 3, 1 sc in same sp, ch 4, [1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups, ch 4] 3 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in same sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.

Round 10: With Color A, 3 dc in any ch 3 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 4 ch 4 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sk over (and behind) next ch 10 loop, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 11:With color F, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, ch 4, 1 sc between next 3/dc group and 5/dc group, [ch 4, 1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups] 3 times, ch 4, 1 sc between next 5/dc group and 3/dc group, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

THIS ROUND IS COMPLICATED! EACH FLOWER IS WORKED IN A CONTINUOUS SPIRAL BEFORE RETURNING TO SNOWFLAKE BODY. (Regular Round 12 instructions follow this variation.)
Round 12 with flower tips and shaped sides: With Color A, 5 dtr in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 tr in next ch 4 sp, 2 dc in next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, 5 tr in next ch 4 sp, 5 dtr in next ch 4 sp, [ch 7 (4th ch from hook will be the center of the flower), 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch (3 petals made), [[ch 3, sl st in back of next petal making sure to catch at least 2 threads, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 petals]] 3 times for a total of 6 ch 3 sp on back of flower, [[[sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in same sp]]] 6 times for a total of 6 2nd level petals, ch 3 (flower tip made)], * 5 dtr in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 tr in next ch 4 sp, 2 dc in next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 4 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, 5 tr in next ch 4 sp, 5 dtr in next ch 4 sp, MAKE ANOTHER FLOWER HERE ([ch 7, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch [[ch 3, sl st in back of next petal, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 petals]] 3 times, [[[sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in same sp]]] 6 times, ch 3]); repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.


This is what the snowflake will look like if you end after Round 12 and use flower tip option for the points and shaping for the sides.
Round 12 if continuing on: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of point, 5 dc in each of next 5 ch 4 sp, ch 3, sk over (and behind) ch 10 loop, * 5 dc in each of next 6 ch 4 sp, ch 3, sk over (and behind) ch 10 loop; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc.

Round 13: With Color G, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, * ch 3, 1 sc in same sp, ch 4, [1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups, ch 4] 5 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in same sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.

Round 14: With Color A, 3 dc in any ch 3 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 6 ch 4 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sk over (and behind) next ch 10 loop, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 15: With Color H, 1 sc in any ch 3 point, ch 4, 1 sc between next 3/dc group and 5/dc group, [ch 4, 1 sc between next 2 5/dc groups] 5 times, ch 4, 1 sc between next 5/dc group and 3/dc group, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

Round 16 with 3-prong tips: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 7 ch 4 sp, [ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 2 (3-pronged tip made)], * 5 dc in each of next 8 ch 4 loops, [ch 8, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 2 (3-pronged tip made)]; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.

Round 16 with heart tips: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 7 ch 4 sp, [ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in top of next dc (prior to ch 5), 1 dc in bottom of same dc, sl st in next ch, ch 2 (heart tip made)], * 5 dc in each of next 8 ch 4 loops, [ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in top of next dc (prior to ch 5), 1 dc in bottom of same dc, sl st in next ch, ch 2 (heart tip made)]; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.

If you are having trouble with the hearts, here is a photo tutorial I hope will help.

Round 16 with diamond tips: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 7 ch 4 sp, [ch 11, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 1 (diamond tip made)], * 5 dc in each of next 8 ch 4 loops, [ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in top of next dc (prior to ch 5), 1 dc in bottom of same dc, sl st in next ch, ch 2 (heart tip made)]; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.

THIS ROUND IS COMPLICATED! EACH FLOWER IS WORKED IN A CONTINUOUS SPIRAL BEFORE RETURNING TO SNOWFLAKE BODY.
Round 16 with flower tips: With Color A, 5 dc in any ch 4 sp just left of ch 10 loop, 5 dc in each of next 7 ch 4 sp, [ch 7 (4th ch from hook will be the center of the flower), 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch (3 petals made), [[ch 3, sl st in back of next petal making sure to catch at least 2 threads, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 petals]] 3 times for a total of 6 ch 3 sp on back of flower, [[[sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in same sp]]] 6 times for a total of 6 2nd level petals, ch 3 (flower tip made)], * 5 dc in each of next 8 ch 4 loops, MAKE ANOTHER FLOWER HERE ([ch 7, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch [[ch 3, sl st in back of next petal, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 petals]] 3 times, [[[sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in same sp]]] 6 times, ch 3]); repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends if not already done.




Finish: Pull Round 5 ch 10 loops through Round 3 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 7 ch 10 loops through Round 5 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 9 loops through Round 7 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 11 loops through Round 9 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 13 loops through Round 11 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 15 loops through Round 13 ch 10 loops from behind. Pull Round 16 tips, whatever tips are used, through Round 15 loops from behind.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Blue Lemonade

I knew I was taking a chance when I dropped my newly purchased delphinium, lavender, pincushion, salvia, day lilies and dahlias into our new front yard landscaping the week after Easter.

This isn't New Mexico. I live in the land of May 28. That's Dave's Garden's suggestion for safest planting time in my neck of the high-plains-meet-foothills-of-the-Rockies, a mere 10% chance of deep freeze after that date.

We've had late frosts nearly every year. I wanted my plants to be tough. I wanted them to be able to survive this treacherous environment. Neighbors ooooohed and awwwwwwed as they passed while I dug holes.

"Oh, that's going to be so beautiful!" they'd drool. "Are you going to come over and do my yard next?" they'd beg. "Didn't you know you're supposed to wait until after Mother's Day?" they'd query.

Okay, so I deserved the ten inches of lemons Mother Spring dumped on me, or more specifically, dumped on my tender green babies, um, I mean, plants.

I'm not going to let a little bit of snow ruin my mood! I can plant again. And again, if necessary.

I've been wanting to snow dye ever since I first read about the technique, perhaps last October or November. But we got no snow all winter. In March The Lizard and I began our xeriscaping project in our front yard. Then all of a sudden, it started to snow. And snow. And snow.

Kind of like when you wash the car to get rain...

I gambled on sizzling temps like we had last year. And I'm no gambler. I lost.

I really, truly didn't intentionally bring on this late winter, even though there are great benefits. We need the moisture. It kills the deer ticks. (And the newly planted tender shoots.)

Luckily, I planted seeds, too. Hopefully the thick quilted snow blankets kept the ground warm. Hopefully the xeriscaping is not a total loss. I'll let you know as soon as the snow melts.

While waiting, I scooped up some of that ten inches, and I dyed. I literally dyed!

Um, and it was a blast. I'll do it again if spring oversleeps the alarm once more...

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The End, or is it The Beginning...

Every time I search for something, I find something else. I was looking for a specific photo of my baby sister when I came across this shot, the authentic baby owl from Part IX of "Heels Over Head". Back when I was looking for the baby owl, all I could find was a fully matured rehabilitated owl I once photographed before it was re-released into the wild in Rocky Mountain National Park.

What better way to wrap up "Heels" than with a fuzzy and bewildered little (well, okay, not so little) fellow who likely is a wise old hoot now?

Serializing "Heels Over Head" on my blog has been one of the most fun and rewarding things I've done on this blog since I began blogging back in 2009. It has been so fun and fulfilling to live the dream, interact with many readers who otherwise don't comment much and to receive feedback that helped me push forward into the realm of self-publishing.

It's also nice to get my Thursdays back. (Said with a smile.) I've enjoyed having posts ready to go on Thursdays that didn't require anything more than pushing a button, but I missed the spontaneity of posting events as they happen, too.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't change a thing. I am so glad I tested the water, and I'm so glad I finally took the intimidating and sometimes even frightening diving board plunge. (Looks like the book is finally on its way to securing a genuine U.S. Copyright Office registration, too! Yeehaw!)

I hope you've enjoyed the "Heels Over Head" journey, too, and I hope if you purchase the ebook, you might leave feedback on any of the sites where the book is available.

Although I'm returning to live posts on Thursdays beginning next week (unless work and/or life get so busy, I am forced to plug in an Eye Candy or two), I'm going to miss the anticipation of a new book segment each week and finding out what readers think.

Bottom line, though, is I hope my story helps others overcome difficulty and gain confidence to accomplish the things they dream and love.

And yes, I'm anxiously plugging away at proofreading "Heart Strings" so I can self-publish it next. My goal is July 1. Now we'll see what I'm really made of, with super big bike rides coming up between now and then!!!

Thanks for riding along with me the last 25 weeks, and thank you for encouraging me to do what I've needed to do since 2006. Thank you for reading!

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