Several news items

Ahhh... for the last three days we've had blue skies and warm (well, relatively anyway) temperatures. Yesterday it was over 50 degrees!!! That means there's lots of snow melting and this is what my driveway looks like today. It actually hasn't snowed since last Thursday and isn't supposed to snow again until Wednesday of this week. That's almost a WHOLE WEEK in between snow storms. That's gotta mean that spring is on the way.

There's still big piles of snow from the plow. The LP gas truck tried to get to my neighbor's house today and couldn't get up there. I sure hope they don't run out! Now that the heavy, wide gas truck has come down the road, we'll have to deal with the Dread Mud Beast for a few months. The Beast shows up every spring and tries to swallow up small cars in it's slippery, gooey jaws. (Who else do you know that's named the huge recurring mud hole in their road?) The UPS truck is another contributor to the return of the Beast, and I just placed a large order for supplies for the upcoming Jewelry Making With Precious Metal Clay class at Appalachian State, which starts on March 15. 

I got good news in the mail today. I was accepted to Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC for the May 15 show, and I'm on the waiting list for the other shows. (There's one every month from May through October.) I did this show for many years, but, due to changes in the venue and other reasons that I'll never know, I wasn't accepted in 2008 or 2009. I'm happy to have this prestigious event back on my calendar this year.

I also booked another Trunk Show at my step-daughter's house in Forest, Virginia (near Lynchburg) on April 29. Anyone in the area is welcome to come, so contact me for details if you'd like to join us and haven't been to one before.

And, I scheduled a play date with Debbie Keen, who is a master at making lampwork beads and all-around jewelry maker and dabbler in many mediums. We have similar interests and thought we would get together regularly this winter to try out new ideas and break the winter doldrums. Unfortunately, winter kicked our butts and the weather has stopped us from meeting. Now we'll have to wait a couple more weeks due to other obligations, but it's on the calendar and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm headed to Raleigh this weekend to attend the Polar Party to Conquer Cancer at Brier Creek Country Club. My sister and brother-in-law started this event several years ago and have raised over $44,000 for the American Cancer Society. Not only is it for a great cause, but it's a ton of fun too! I've donated several pieces of jewelry and have collected some lovely art from my fellow Hands Gallery members for their silent auction. It's looking like I'll actually be able to get off the mountain and see some PEOPLE,  including my Dad. I'm so excited!