Wolf's Den

Wordless Wednesday, brought to you by Max- Almost ready...

2009-07-30T01:05:34Z

Needless to say, this nearly ripe heirloom tomato will be riding to Michigan with us- that is, if Max stops being a crotchety ol' bastard and stressing me out by acting like he's sick.}:(

Wordless Wednesday- First Monarch, First Harvest, of the season

2009-07-22T19:14:56Z

It's the simple things...

2009-07-16T19:44:50Z

Sometimes, simple things can lift a spirit. Like these 6 sparrows giving themselves a dust bath on the back hill, courtesy of Caena digging. Sometimes I think she's trying to bring the hill down on us.

The birds seem to love it though. Flipping themselves around, shaking their wings, burrowing out little wallows in the fine grit that's been dug out of the slate and shale by an exuberant puppy's digging.

Yes, there are six Sparrows. Trust me.

The first time Mark saw one out there, having a dust bath, he thought it was injured. He'd never been privy to these strange ablations by the birds. Usually they do it out in the gravel of the driveway, and while he's at work.

He called me to the kitchen, wanting me to see, thinking Caena had actually gotten a bird.

She hasn't ... yet. But she has cornered one before. Poor thing died of fright, despite my trying to herd it to a save place where it could rest.

Anyway...

Scenes like this can really make a person smile sometimes.

No matter how stressed I am over heading to Michigan at the end of the month, taking Caena on a 10+ hr drive, the longest she's ever been on, to a place she's never been, with a dog I don't even know will get along with her, and persons there that I'd rather NOT know I was in Michigan as they've already bugged my mom back in May about wanting to get a hold of me AGAIN. Look, after 30 yrs, get it through your head that I don't WANT you in my life, ok?

No matter how depressed I am that my sales have tanked, partly thanks to the economy, but mainly thanks to Etsy screwing with the SEO/meta titles and tags and knocking nearly all shops out of search engines due to blacklisting because of tag stuffing. Among other things.

No matter how depressing it is to read that yet another friend has lost a beloved pet. Yeah, really starting to hate this year.

And yes, there's still six Sparrows. It's rather like a seek and find picture, isn't it?

Sometimes I wish I was a bird. Not a care in the world. Dust baths, free bird seed when the squirrels don't eat it all. No bills to pay, no family to want nothing to do with...

And all the free dog hair to line your nest with that you could want when that strange human brushes said puppy of half her fur, because she's blowing coat and now it looks like someone shaved a dog out back...

Only a half grown puppy that likes to run after you and scare you to death. As if she'd ever be able to catch you. She's quick though, that puppy. Well, most of the time anyway.

Sometimes she's just lazy.

(Semi)Wordless Wednesday- From the gardens

2009-07-08T16:23:39Z

Banana Peppers, nearly ready. There's a few more just starting, as well as a few Bell peppers starting. Yes, the near one (left) had to have a rock put against it, as it was getting top heavy.

Not the best photo, but it was really bright and I couldn't really see. Somewhere in there are 1"=2" Green Beans, Bush Type. TONS of them. (Look towards the center)

Maters! Last count, there was 13 Heirloom Tomatoes in various stages. Now? I need to recount, as I think there's more.

Tiny grasshopper on Black Prince Daylily. I've been hand pollinating these, as I've seen few bees lately. There's lots of seed pods started. I'm hoping to get quite a few seeds to share in a few months.}:P

Still no Zucchini or Squash.}:( Need to look uo hand pollinating of both, as I think that's what it's going to take.

Zone 7a in the US.

Rain day visitor...

2009-06-16T19:43:47Z

So here I am, sitting at my computer. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch something small climbing up through the Clematis (which isn't doing as well as previous years on that end, no thanks to Caena) on the side of the porch towards one of the suet feeders...

I tried to get a photo of him ON the feeder, but I think he saw me in the kitchen where I had left my camera, because he immediately climbed down again and sat here long enough for this shot before climbing all the way down...

Where he again paused to look at me before scampering off to where ever the chipmunks have been hanging out all this time. It's nice to know they're still here and that the 8ft Black Kingsnake a few years back didn't eat all of them or chase them off.}:)

I immediately went out, filled the feeders and scattered lots of sunflower seeds and various other seeds for the birds, squirrels and now, chipmunks. Even if it is raining, they still have to eat after all.

I hope my little visitor comes back again. He was cute.

Maybe next time I'll be able to get clearer shots, instead of through the screen door. Heh.

I hear Carolina Wrens now.}:P

There are days...

2009-05-09T18:37:41Z

When I feel absolutely stupid and know I should have known what something was but was wrong anyway.

Today is one of those days and while I know he didn't mean to make me feel stupid- how was he* to know I'd taken Horticulture/Plant Care in high school nearly 20 years ago?- I still felt really dumb for assuming that since one Tree that was taken down years ago was a White Oak, the rest were too.

Well, they weren't. The ones taken down yesterday were Red Oaks.

So I stand corrected, I admitted my mistake and we carried on. But I still feel damn stupid for not remembering my Trees. Hey, I knew it was an Oak, after all, I guess that's a point in my favor.

But he cannot convince me that what I believe are in fact Elm Trees, are Chestnuts Trees. For one thing- there are several of them, and quite large, well mature ones, and I've NEVER , in the 8 years of living here, seen Chestnuts.

There are a few Chestnut Trees down at the park. I'll take a walk down there this week, and compare the leaves.

But I still think he's wrong on those Trees, at least.

So why doesn't that make me feel better?

(And I know for damn certain that the Tree in my Avatar[ on IJ] is a Sycamore)

*Neighbor's brother- although, you cannot convince me that they are brothers either.

Garden Photo Spam

2009-05-03T20:41:01Z

Rites of Spring German Bearded Irises. This surprised me. I wasn't expecting my Bearded Irises to bloom this year, after only splitting and transplanting the majority of them last Summer/Fall. Yet, the Rites have sent up 3 flower stalks and Celebration Song has a flower stalk up too, and should bloom in the next day or so.

These are from the 'clump' of Royal Knight German Bearded Irises that I had bought 2 Springs ago. They didn't bloom last year, but went nuts this year. Not as tall as the older Royal Knights I transplanted, but lots of blooms, nonetheless.

The 3 Clematis vines on the fence went gangbusters this season. I do believe this is the most blooms I've seen on them in years. The ones on the porch are bud laden as well. One of the 3 that I originally planted at the top of the hill survived and may bloom this year. With 2 White Oaks coming down out back this week, and a few others planned soon, there'll be more sun back there and I'll be able to grow more plants up there as a result. The Wisterias will be transplanted up there soon.

Last Spring, I'd brought back 3 Lady Slipper Orchids from the MiL's front yard, in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. She tried to get me to take more, as she has hundreds, but I wasn't entirely sure they'd even grow here. I only brought back 3, with as mush native soil as possible. 2 came back up this Spring, one bloomed. I don't think the other is doing well, honestly. But hey, given I wasn't expecting ANY, one with a gorgeous bloom was better than none.

Oh WOW.

2009-04-11T02:36:45Z

So, I said I got a new camera.

I cannot stop going WOW over this photo.

This one was taken with the old camera. 6.1mp Sharpened, contrast upped a bit, dpi upped to 300 from 250.

But this next one...

The ONLY things I did, was add my sig and shrink the photo in size. NO other retouching was done. As is from the camera. The new 10.1 mp.

THIS is why I wanted a new camera.

Heee!

2009-03-30T02:47:01Z

So I moved the compost out of the temp bin into the actual composter I bought.

Either I'm building a worm farm, cause it was chock full of them, or I'm doing something right and it's going to be some damn good compost.

Yes, there are two worms there. One is easily 7-8" long, the other was about 4".

Asked Mark if the fact I was holding thse babies in my hand to get a good size related shot was something strange to do, and he said no, it's normal for you.}:P

To you, what constitutes a 'healthy' garden...

2008-08-23T20:14:12Z

For me, it's the abundance and variety of beneficial insects...

From the simple Lady bug, to the varied butterflies to the Praying mantis and various moths, bumblebees. The fact that there are so many different insects that benefit my plants, visiting my gardens, tells me, I'm doing something right.

I was cheering these little guys on, early in the spring, when my Chamomile and Buddelia was infested with aphids. I lost count of how many I found. The aphids lost the war.

3rd or 4th Clearwing Hummingbird Sphinx Moth

The resident Praying Mantis of my Sweet Basil.

I don't know that grasshoppers are 'beneficial', but he was just so perfect a shot that I took one anyway.}:)

Second Black Tiger Swallowtail, the first had a missing 'point' on it's bottom wings.

I'm not sure what butterfly this is. Not a Monarch, they haven't been by yet.

This was the 4th or 5th Tiger Swallowtail that I saw.

Was deadheading the Buddelia, this little guy startled me. I thought for sure I'd snipped it. As far as I know, it and the other resident Praying Mantis in the Buddelia are still there.

Other resident Praying Mantis of the Buddelia. Almost snipped it too. They need to stop being so sneaky.}:P

Between the tiny bees, the wasps, the moths, there were record numbers of bumblebees, many with full pollen 'sacs' on their legs. This is a good thing, considering the problems bees have been having lately, with whole colonies vanishing.

I use no pesticides that aren't homemade. I hand weed, make my own compost, etc. I think it shows. This is the most beneficial type insects I've seen in my garden in recent years.

How about yours?

Crossposted to organic_garden and gardening

A first for me...

2008-07-27T00:55:59Z

A Hummingbird Moth visited my white Buddelia bush today.

And I only know what it is, because of following lord_whimsy's LJ. I've learned alot about various insects and such, courtesy of his LJ.

I've never had one visit my garden before, so I was quite thrilled. And naturally, had to share.}:P

Also... the first Tiger Swallowtail of the season..

Now, to edit the daylily photos, and such. Heh.

Too Many Books

2008-07-26T22:19:07Z

New, Used and Rare bookstore down in Grandin Village is going to get me into serious trouble.

Not only was I able to replace the 2 books in the Flux and Anchor series by Jack Chalker, I got the original covers, and an original Ace books printing of The Hero and the Crown to replace the one I lost.

I also found at least TWO Black Stallion series books I'm missing, in hardcover, looked original.

Mark found an entire series that he didn't know there was more of.

Found a couple John Norman books, one I KNOW I'm missing, but not sure. Need to check for the other.

Yeah, that place is dangerous.

So is Plan 9 music store. Yup.

We'll be going back down there next weekend.

Coolness- Had my first ever Hummingbird Moth on the Buddelia bush, with the season's first TigerSwallowtail and numerous Bumblebees.

Sometimes, it's the little things Nature provides...

2008-07-07T18:27:42Z

Was having a Not So Good Day. A friend on LJ is losing his long time companion and dog, Baxter, to cancer. In fact, today was Baxter's last day as it's gotten to the point where quality of life isn't there anymore.

Tried getting photos of Dante-Inu's Memorial Scarves, in the sun, like I do all my photos. The sun proceeded to wash the brilliant reds and burgundies out to rusts and oranges. }:/ Only so much can be done on the computer to color correct them, without better photo editing software.

The Boys wanted to go outside, so I sat on the front porch for a few minutes, while they chewed on the lemon grass and cat mint. Then I saw him, her, it...

This is the third, and by far, the largest, Praying Mantis baby I've found on the Black and Blue Salvia, volunteer Sunflower and Sweet Basil. The other two, were roughly a quarter inch in size and haven't been seen lately. Hope this one didn't run them off. LOTS of bug carcasses on the leaves of the B&B Salvia. Probably courtesy of this guy. Who was kind enough to pose for me while I snapped a few shots before leaving it alone again.

What a nice pick me up. Thank you, Nature.

Soo...

2008-05-25T02:54:38Z

Went to the Farmer's Market today. The Iris Lady was there again.

I picked up FIVE new Irises. FIVE!!!!(Hey at $4 each, when online/in catalogs, they go for $10-20.00, that's a steal and they're local grown). Schreiner's was the only place I found excellant photos of most of them-

Apollodorus

Avalon Sunset

Fall Fiesta

Supreme Sultan

And Kentucky Derby.. that I haven't found a photo of yet, but it's a rich coral-peach color, with apricot tones.

Now I need a 'black' Iris, and a red toned one, and I'll have at least one of every shade.

This is what Immortality will look like next year, when it blooms.

We then went to Riverside Nursery, with the Bro in law and sis in law.

There I picked up a Black & Blue Salvia, a False Indigo, 2 Nasturiums, and a 4pk of Black Beauty Bell Peppers.

Came home, did some gardening. Potted/planted new plants, repotted the Japanese Red Maple, added dirt, about 2 inches worth to the potted Witch Hazel, planted the Curly Willow Tree, as it wasn't happy in a pot anymore, brought that thing from North Carolina as a tiny seedling started from a cutting. It's now nearly 4 ft tall.

Because the front bed decided to try to eat my mechanical pencil, I ended up tearing out more variegated vinca, ponytail plant(nasty thing, I HATE that plant) and ivy searching for it.

I'm getting to the point where I need to map out where each Iris is, and it's name, otherwise, I won't remember it in a year or so.

I also perused Schreiner's and found others I want eventually. After I build the extension for the 'L' shaped brick bed, transplant the Siberians, and build a the Daylilies a raised brick planter on the otherside of the driveway. And dig out my pond.}:P

Want List-

Black Star
Bewilderbeast
Batik (The Iris Lady has this occassionally, so I might be able to get one from her, locally, this year.)
Count Dracula
Hello Darkness
Men In Black
Night Game
Obsidian
Paint It Black
Pagan Dance
Partial Eclipse
Secret Service
Swazi Princess
Aggressively Forward
Anvil Of Darkness
Backwater Blues
Before The Storm
Black Dragon
Broken Dreams
Dakota Smoke
Dragon's Fancy
Dynamite
Earthborn
Fort Apache
Footloose
Fortunate Son
Gnus Flash
Luxor Gold
Medici Prince
Michigan Pride
Play With Fire
Red Hawk
Rogue
Silverado
Spartan
Vigilante
War Sails
VooDoo Child

Mind you, I certainly don't have the space for all these WANTS, but, someday I will.}:P And I may get a few of them between this year and next, as I keep working on my gardens.

As an aside- my Detroit Red Wings won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, against Pittsburgh Penguins. 4-0, the game was a SHUTOUT. Take that, Morlith! }:P

More Irises in my garden...(Yes I'm PostyMcPosty today)

2008-05-23T19:42:03Z

My Japanese Irises have started blooming. I'm thinking the Siberians won't this year, as they are too crowded and need transplanting as soon as I get a new raised bed built for them. My final German Bearded bloomed first this past weekend, while I was out of town, but still had both open and unopened blooms/buds so I could get good photos this week.

Iceburg by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART
'Iceburg' German Bearded Iris

This one is a late bloomer. It first started over the weekend, while I was out of town, and has continued since.

A pale icey blue, with deeper lavender-blue 'beard' and throat. A gorgeous Iris like the rest.

Only one flower stalk on this one as well, as the Tansy that self seeded from my original plant(8ft away, go figure) is crowding it out.

Sunlit Glow by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART
Purple Japanese Iris

They finally bloomed over the weekend and are still going strong.

Tomorrow, we're heading over to my favorite Nursery with the bro in law and sis in law. So I'm hoping to find at least 2 colors of German Bearded that I don't have- a yellow shade and a red shade. I have nearly every other color so far.}:)

I also have plans to build a new raised bed down the far side of the driveway (I use reclaimed bricks mostly for the front beds), along the sidewalk, as well as extend the 'L' shaped one on the opposite side, along what little bit of a 'lawn' we have, lol.

So that, combined with rebuilding my pond, as well as building a raised herb garden across from the veggie garden, will be my projects for the rest of this spring and summer.

Crossposted to organic_garden, gardening, urban_sustain on LiveJournal.

wolfsilveroak @ 2008-05-11T12:58:00

2008-05-11T16:58:21Z

Happy Mother's Day to all you who fit the category, be it human or animal 'children'.

Royal Knight German Bearded Iris, May 2008

After the storm...

2008-05-09T15:32:43Z

My poor Irises took a beating. Especially the Rites of Spring ones. Titan's Glory, Royal Knight, Celebration Song, Fire and Ice, and the lavender Naturalized ones all weathered last night's severe thunderstorms, high winds and torrential downpours quite well.

Rites of Spring, with 13 open and nearly open blooms. BEFORE the storms.

The same Irises and a now fully opened Celebration Song, after last night's storms.

They are rallying back, and several more have opened today, despite many of the ones that opened yesterday, being nearly flattened. Poor things.

This is Celebration Song. This poor guy is being crowded out by Rites of Spring, and only has 2 flower stalks compared to the 6-7 that Rites has.

Fire and Ice German Bearded Iris. This was my first pure white Iris. I have another, Iceberg, that's an extremely pale blue(and should be blooming in a week or so, I hope), and I picked up another, all white, including the beard and throat, this year, called Immortality. I don't expect Immortality to bloom until next year, especially since there's no flower stalks on it.(Actually if you look below and to the right of the flowers, you can see Immortality's leaves.}:P)

The blue Japanese Irises have flower stalks coming out now, the variegated Japanese ones should be sending out theirs soon too. Still no stalks on the Siberians yet. But they always were late bloomers(no pun intended).

My veggie garden is a bit beaten up, but still doing good. Got some peas that apparently were in the compost that have sprouted everywhere. I'm slowly transplanting them near the green beans , so they'll grow up the headboard.}:) Lost a cucumber planting, still have 2 others, so not too worried. The corn I replanted has sprouts sticking up about an inch now. Hopefully the squirrels will leave them alone. They have the rest, for the most part.

This weekend, barring more thunderstorms, the front bed will be cleared and preparations for redoing the pond will resume. I WILL have my pond back this year.

Day two of Dante having a good day. Last night, she looked at me and she looked like her old self- not tired, but happy and enthused about things. Went up the stairs with n o problems all day yesterday, and again today(I'm usually right behind her, in case she slips). The only thing different, is that we upped her food, by adding canned ( Wellness 95% meat, grain free, figured we'd give it a try, as I know she likes the Neura 95% meat), and she devoured the entire bowl last night. O.o She's really good at making me second guess her.

On a lighter note...

2008-05-08T17:54:20Z

I've lost count of how many blooms the Rites of Spring German Bearded Iris has now. ~~Somewhere upwards of 8 or 9, I believe.~~ I just counted, there are TEN open flowers with at least half as many opening in the next few days. ~~Got a cream colored one from my Mom in law in New Jersey,~~I've lost count of how many blooms the Rites of Spring German Bearded Iris has now. ~~Somewhere upwards of 8 or 9, I believe.~~ I just counted, there are TEN open flowers with at least half as many opening in the next few days. ~~Got a cream colored one from my Mom in law in New Jersey,~~, correction, that would be my Fire and Ice Iris getting ready to open. Celebration Song is about to bloom, Royal Knight and Titan's Glory are both still going strong. The 'naturalized' light purple/lavender ones, also brought back from the InLaws in Jersey( Pine Barrens, no less), has also bloomed and is blooming still.

Temple Bells by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

Dante is having a good day today. Got up readily, went up the stairs with no issues, that sort of thing.

One of my German Bearded Irises...

2008-05-02T02:03:32Z

went "BOOM! Here's a Flower!" today...

Titan's Glory, German Bearded Iris. First of the season to bloom in my garden. There's another bud nearly ready to bloom on the second stalk it has up.

My Irises, the German Bearded ones for now, have all sent up two to three flower stalks. Too bad they're getting divided and moved this year and won't bloom next year. But I guess they are making up for it with their sheer profusity. Yes, I made up a word. Deal.}:P

My other Clematis vines along the fence have bloomed finally.

The white ones on the side of the porch are starting to bloom as well.

Weds, I came home in time to see one of our psycho ninja squirrels making off with roughly half a block of the bird suet. He strolled away up the hill with it, nonchalantly. Then sat up there, giving me the evil eye, while gnawing away.

See? Evil eye. (Actually, I used a flash with this shot.}:P)

The Boys enjoyed a brief excursion outdoors, while I was photographing the Titan's Glory Iris. While Max chewed on the grass...

Aries sampled the Catnip. This is why I was left alone most of the day. LOL

One final shot...

Simply beautiful.

Planted my [new] raised bed today...

2008-04-23T18:34:18Z

Since Nature decided to finally give us a break after 3 days of rain, I took advantage of the nice day to get my seedlings and more seeds in the ground.

I built a raised bed this year, out of cinderblocks. Four across, and three deep, making a raised bed approx. 72"w x 56"l. Over the summer, I'll work on another, abit smaller, across from it, for my herbs, as I figured out, there's not enough room in this one.}:P

I'm not sure which comm it was that I'd mentioned using an 'iron' headboard as a trellis for my green beans, but there it is in the corner. Recycling at its best, you could say. The bed itself has a layer of rock, then a layer of leaves, then topsoil augmented with homemade compost, then more topsoil, and more compost, topped off by a thin layer of mulch/topsoil mix. I also filled in the 'holes' in the blocks to plant things in as well, thereby using all space available.

At the back, I planted sweet corn, only 6 of which actually germinated, so I planted more seeds as well, in the hopes of more growing and better pollination(less I'll have to do by hand). Then I planted Broccoli, and yes, I know it's too close together, I fully expect to lose at least half to squirrels. But the hubby wanted some, so we're giving it a try. In the back right corner, is the solitary 'Chianti Hybrid' Sunflower that managed to sprout and survive, very bummed about that. Down the right side, back are Cucumbers, front are Zucchini. Right side is Radishes. Center and along the front is 'Red Sails' lettuce. Left side is Romaine at the middle/back, and Butter Crunch, middle/front, with more Red Sails in the very front.

Better view of the 'iron' headboard and the 'Green Lake' Green Beans. At the very back, is a couple Cucumbers as well. Really wanted to add some Sugar Snap Peas, but, alas, there's no room, so maybe next Spring, I'll expand down another block or so.

The bed gets full sun much of the morning, and part sun until evening, when it gets mostly sun until the sun is down. It's built 2 inches off the fence and surprisingly, drains very well. It was damp, but not soaked. Unlike the ground it's built above, heh.

If I have my way, to the right, where you can see part of the old dog kennel, I will have a greenhouse.

Everything is basically organically grown thus far. No chemicals, not additives, my own compost, I even put worms in it as I was clearing leaves from the back of the house, which the rest still need clearing when they dry back out, heh. Hopefully, I can sustain this and augment the organic veggies I buy from the Farmer's Market with homegrown as well.

As I was adding celery scraps to my compost jar in the kitchen, I noticed that a carrot top had started sprouting. So on a whim, I took it out and planted it. We'll see what happens. At the least, it rots and is an additive, naturally, at the most, I get a carrot out of it. LOL.

I also found no less than 3 White Oaks that the squirrels buried in potted plants I over wintered indoors, that will be transplanted into their own pots, until they are larger, then planted at the top of the back hill. Can't hurt, and we all could use a few more Trees.

Max decided to give me his best 'Dead Kitty' impersonation.

Aries hung out mostly on the back step.

After playing in the dirt, I came in and made myself a salad. Mixed spiing greens, organic celery, bacon, italian mix cheese and raspberry hazelnut vinegriette.

And now... I bead.

Long and rambling.. (lots of photos)

2008-02-24T20:22:30Z

So this year I got a late start, but I finally got my seeds started last night.

I actually found Seed Starter! I was so happy. Yayness.

This is what I'm planting this year. Salad greens, some gorgeous maroon Sunflowers, Foxgloves, 4o'clocks again, Basil, Dill..

Told Mark that I wanted to build a raised bed behind the porch this Spring, as well as a compost bed. He said ok, go for it. Yeah, I'll be doing it all myself as per usual.}:P

* * * * * * *

King Arthur Flour sends out email newsletters and usually they contain a recipe that's on their site and blog.

A few weeks ago, they had a 'Classic Beignet' recipe. I bookmarked it to look at and possibly make at a later date.

Last night I printed it out, and read it over. Then I went and made the dough. I told Mark I was making breakfast on Sunday (today). He was all, ok, whatever, and went right back to City of Heroes.

The dough made up really easily last night. I put it in the fridge overnight, as per the directions and rolled it out this morning. The recipe says to use peanut, safflower or canola oil. Well, I used Extra Virgin Olive oil. They tasted divine. Oh man, oh man. I asked Mark what he thought, his reply was ' They're good.' *rolls eyes* Men.

Mark said later, he was taking some to work tomorrow. I suggested taking the powdered sugar and a few disposable plates so he could share with the few people in his office. He scowled and said, 'No, mine! All mine! '

And people wonder why we don't have kids...

Needless to say, yes it does make alot and they are just as good at room temp as they are hot too.}:P They're no Cafe Du Monde, but homemade is better anyway, in my opinion.

* * * * * * *

So a few days ago, I wrapped a piece of Kona cotton for shibori. I loved how it came out looking like fish in the center. Unfortunately that piece had to be cut up for a swap.

Two days ago, I wrapped another piece and dyed it with Procion MX Indigo, in an attempt to see if I can get fish again.

I let it sit for 2 days, over the heater vent, drying completely out, before I tried to unwrap it.

It's funny how wrapping can take upwards of an hour, while unwrapping takes all of 5 minutes. I also have a Habotai silk scarf batching over the heater vent, on my bigger PVC pipe, that'll get unwrapped tomorrow. That one I did completely differently than ever before, so should be extremely interesting to see.

I didn't get closeups this time. But! Only because 1- I'm not ironing it, and 2- I'm not cutting it up. So the ridges will stay in it to some extent. I see feathers, Mark saw water and waves. Definitely no fish.

After washing, rinsing and hanging to drip dry, I'll concede to the water bit, but now, not only do I see feathers IN water, I see a carcass. Mark now sees the feathers, but still sees the water ripples too. And can't see the carcass. I know I have a morbid streak, but come on.

Feathers in the water

I know I'm not crazy, I see a head, the front legs stretched out and the back legs stretched out too in this shot. The head and such on the left, the tail, and such on the right.

Pretty cool, eh?