Our ship at Anchor

 

Turquoise waters

 

painting

 

Folk art painting

I purchased this painting at the Labadee market today 

Musicians in Labadee Haiti

 

Haiti

At present I am on the seas traveling between Haiti and Jamaica in the Bahamas. It’s certainly an interesting experience. The water is turquoise and the sky crystal blue. Temperatures are in the 90’s and I was surprised to find out that the water temperature is generally in the high 70’s just like a warm bath.
Have you ever had an image of a place in your mind and when you get there it’s nothing like you imagined? well it’s happened to me a few times but I can assure you that the Bahamas meet all my expectations. Bright, an absolute spectacle of color, clear blue skies and balmy breezes.
Yesterday I taught all day and teaching on a moving ship is a very interesting experience. 30 students arrived early. They had traveled from cities and towns all over the United States. I’m teaching in tandem with fellow tutor Sue Nickels and the 30 she had in her class Sunday and this morning will move over to my class Thursday and Friday. We teach on sailing days and the students end up with two 6 hour blocks of class and two 2 ½ hour blocks. Almost 3 days of classes. Both of us have used technology to the max, digital presentations, cameras and projectors. It makes it much easier to help 30 people at one sitting.
It’s fun and relaxing and for the first time, Sue and I have our husbands along to carry the luggage.
The ship docked at 8.00 am this morning, and class started at 8.00. So I was up early and ate breakfast overlooking the turquoise waters surrounding the Island of Haiti.
We were able to go ashore at lunch time after class. As I stepped off the ship onto the water shuttle I was greeted by 90 deg temperature and bright sun. Lunch was provided by the shipping company and we shared a wonderful BBQ with friends. We sat in a pavilion with the sea lapping the shore just a few meters distant. There seemed to be music everywhere. Keith and I stopped to watch and film the buskers. The cameras worked overtime, it was amazing, and just as I pictured it would be in my mind. I bought 4 very large folk art paintings at the market and spent time filming and chatting with some of the locals. The colors were dazzling. Bright orange, blue and greens…Fabrics and artifacts painted in every hue.
Our tour finished at 4.00 when the ship pulled anchor and slowly turned to towards Jamaica our next destination. I have 2 days off before teaching again on our trip back home to the USA. I keep pinching myself to see if I’m actually here not dreaming.

Twist tie quilt

 

Amish School

This small building is in a field just off one of the main roads in the Lonp Prairie district. The temperatures are below zero and I couldn't help think how cold it would be in that buggy going to school. 

snow curves

 
 

Snow road

 
 

Miami at last

I'm sitting writing this at the desk in my room and the hotel has inconveniently placed a very large mirror in front of the desk. It's rather off putting when you see your reflection every time you look up. I've found stretching the skin below the ears a help in reducing age, but it only lasts the time you hold your hand there...got to work on that when I get home. Bit of a nip and tuck I reckon.
Time is going very fast on this tour and after a 3.00 am start this morning we have now arrived in Miami. Tomorrow we board the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas for a 7 day quilting tour through the Bahamas. Oh, it's tough. Sue Nickels and I are the teachers. Some of our fellow passengers have arrived already, and I've taken the afternoon to catch up on some work, prepare classes and for my new venture. I hope to make a documentary of a Diary of a Traveling Quilt Teacher. It's just a little add on to 'photographer'. I took possession of my Sony HDV camera (professional cine camera)the other day and traveled with it for the first time today. I saw so many sights in the airport I could have put on film. Unfortunately you are not allowed to use cameras in airports... I almost got arrested in Minneapolis for taking a photo of a mural. Today I just couldn't resist the urge and whipped out the camera to take a photo of a log cabin quilt made of twist ties. Yes that's what I said.... those little tiny twist ties placed end to end to make a paper quilt. Keith stood guard and I broke the law.
So here we sit in Miami, the weather is t'shirt warm. Not like home yet, but vastly different to Minneapolis.

through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.' - Eudora Welty

Ice patterns

This was the ice on the garage window... 

Ice Fish house on the lake

 

Snow

Today we sat in the Gazebo with large windows all round amidst a swirling snow storm, the light powdery snow was lifted high in the air by gusts of wind. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before an amazing spectacular. At dinner tonight with friends, I was informed “honey that wasn’t a snow storm that was just an entree”
Snow covers the road and the low temperatures cause ice to form. The snow plough clears the road and adds sand and salt which eventually turns to brown mush. Cars constantly need rinsing to prevent rust from the salt. At least we only have to worry about a little dust on ours. We drove to a neighboring town though tree studded fields. On the horizon the trees look like lace standing on white table cloths. The powdery snow was whipped up by the wind and skipped across the surface of the road, just as if we were in a dust storm. So I’ve learnt a lot this trip…. I thought those powdery flakes just fell out of the sky and built up. But folks it can turn to water, ice or big snow banks.
On a different subject. One of the advantages of being in the USA a good part of the year is being able to purchase goods at such a reduced price. In fact it’s just a bit annoying that I need to wait until I get here though.
Let me explain. I needed to update my Symantec virus scanner. You get a message on your screen a month out telling you that you need to renew your subscription. This year it was due just as I arrived here… I went online to renew my subscription and considering that I’m in the USA it gave me the choice of paying in US dollars or AU dollars. I was quoted $99 AU $39 US…!!!! I thought that was a little strange. Yesterday I went to a superstore and purchased the upgrade for $35 but I got a $20 mail in rebate… making the cost $15 US. / $20 AU.
The same lipstick I buy in Australia at $29 costs $9.00 AU here; Keith bought the latest John Grisham novel for $9 AU instead of $20 in the bookstore at home. We won’t even talk about fabric, books and notions, the goods in trade of a dedicated quilter. I mention this fact only because I have found so many differences this trip. I sure get sideways looks if I mention it at home.
For an emotional few hours and a musical delight, go and see “Walk the Line” the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. It was our choice of movie last night and one I want to repeat again. I’ve never been a fan of Johnny Cash, but I loved the story and superb acting.

10.000 ice fisherman

 
 

The beauty of Ice

 
 

The Bar in Sobieski

 
 

Fields of snow

Minnesota Days

Some fishing habits are hard to break, but on Saturday 10,000 anglers were able to bust out of a pattern learned over a decade and a half. After 15 years, the fishing contest had to be moved from Gull Lake to nearby Round Lake in the town of Brainerd which is smaller and has thicker ice. The ice had to support a huge crowd, I was surprised that they had drilled 10,000 holes in the lake, to my mind 10,000 holes with flowing water under it would act like a colander. With friends Mary and Earl we drove past the lake to observe a Major Minnesota Event. It was very cold with temperatures -13 and as you can imagine with that amount of people there was no where to park let alone walk out onto the ice. So we returned home and we prepared to go out on the snowmobiles. First we needed to dress for the part. Then cocooned in borrowed outer wear we set off. Earl, Keith and Mary were the drivers; I was hanging on for dear life a pillion passenger. The atmosphere was beautiful and we set off about 3.30. The light was beginning to fade. At first I had difficulty, my arms are short and I could barely hang on to the handles on the back which were down near my knees. I bounced around involuntarily bounding off the seat. We took off over the road, down the side of the ditch at a perilous angle, through the brush and whoosh across the snow. I finally worked out that I could hang on to the seat back; it wasn’t a very natural stance, however… I managed. We went through the fields of white; past snow covered red barns and heavily laden pine trees. We traveled some 7 miles in all and ended up at a tiny bar in the Polish town of Sobieski. It was warm and inviting as we walked through the door pulling off our helmets and gloves. We were greeted with sideways looks from the patrons sitting at the bar. They became more interested when they heard our Aussie accents and as we sat chatting around the table a patron came up and gave Keith an official Sobieski Bar T-shirt. When we returned to the snowmobiles it was dark, however, I enjoyed the ride home even more than before, the moon was up and reflecting on the snow until the last steep ditch were we did some acrobatics and I ended up down in the ditch. It certain was an experience and we loved it.
The evening finished with the guys sitting around the TV watching the football and the girls in the sewing room talking about quilting…. What else would you expect.?

Finished this section

I have been sitting at the computer for hours, Mozart’s concertos resonating in my head to focus my mind on writing and now in the wee hours I have finished and sent the manuscript back to my very efficient editor.
It has been worth staying the extra day in Minneapolis to complete the work. Now I can concentrate on conversation with my friends. (For a short time anyway)
I was in a world of my own... all I could hear was my music and think my own thoughts... As I was jumping round the room in my exuberance at finishing, I asked Keith if he was annoyed at my fast and furious typing. He said all he could hear were my bracelets jingling at high speed. How cheeky. But now I listen, they are noisy and would drive me crazy if it was someone else jingling for hours. Guess I need a bracelet noise stifler, any suggestions?
Still on Adelaide time, our bodies don't want to sleep even though it is 1.00 am, but I'm know that we'll be fine in the next few days. "I don't do jetlag" I tell myself. However, I admit to suffering when I get home.
I bought Keith into the world of technology today; I introduced him to all the electrical shops in the Mall of America. "Try the massage chair Keith, everyone else is" as we look round several men and women are sitting in the demonstration chairs looking blankly in the air as the mechanical massager does is work. "Not me, everyone will look at me" for Pete’s sake!!!!! He stepped out of the shop and went and sat on the chair outside the shop as I tried out their wares... when you walk miles, a good massage on your calves does wonders. It's so nice of the shops to provide free massages. Even at the market in Adelaide you have to pay $2.00 I reckon it’s a bargain. So we found 4 electrical shops and I had 4 massages and Keith sat on 4 seats. Now I dragged him into the electronic age by giving him a new PDA before we came, I have him putting in all his expenses, it's just heaven for an Accountant, and I think I hit the right spot.
And believe it or not he even bought a new Ipod this evening, how exciting.
Tomorrow I begin a new venture, the purchase of a professional video camera for documentary filming. Son Jamie who is one of the best cameramen in Australia (I'm his mother so I can say that) are on a new venture... it's pretty darn exciting, I might even have to take more gingko to get more out of the day.
It snowed again today; we walked the 1/4 mile to the Mall. I was so surprised when I got there my ears almost froze, I forgot about those sticking out parts that don't warm themselves. I walked back with a hat on I can tell you. I've never seen an earless quilter.

Sheer delight

This is a side of New York we don't see too much of. If you look up you see the most amazing buildings. 

New York from the 24th floor.

 

Times Square

The Underground has a virtual gallery of the most wonderful mosaics. I remember photographing dozens of mosaic eyes in the underground under the World Trade Centre prior to the bombing. 

Streets of New York.

 

New York

Three days on the road is not unusual for me, however, this trip is different in that we have flown out of a mellow colored world to a world of white. Temperatures of 35 to -9. Bright summer cottons to thick dark woolens. The contrast couldn’t be more defined. I picture friends Jeanette and Garry who left the same day as us to go mid north and face flies, blue skies, red earth and temperatures in the 50's. Just days ago we were sitting having coffee on my porch swing, comfy wearing our shorts and sandals!!!!
New York was our destination Tuesday. What can I say, New York is an institution and after 36 hours traveling it was good to get out and walk the streets finally ending up at a Manhattan diner. Many of the diners are situated on corner blocks and they have an inner shell for the main part of the restaurant and diners sit in the windows on display for all to see. It's a prime position for people watching. In the corner of the window was a tall glass fitting which had the most amazing pies and cakes slowly revolving on pedestals to tempt the weak. I have given up asking for a small serve and inevitably only eat half the meal. Yesterday, Wednesday, we walked around the city. Even the strong wind and rain can't diminish the excitement of New York. The billboards beg you to view their wares. Bright lights accentuated by the reflection of rain demand your attention and there were so many things we would have loved to have seen. Opra Winfrey's stage play of the Color Purple. Lion King... So many others. There is a moving stream of people of every racial persuasion and dress - and bright yellow taxi's.
Heavy weather altered our travel plans and we arrived in a snowy Minneapolis late in the evening, tired but thrilled to be here. I think we will change plans and stay here in the cities for another night. I have about 8 hours of work to do on my manuscript and then I can relax, chat with friends and catch up on the past few months.
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton

It's time to go

9.45 pm and the temperature is still in the high 20's. Our bags are packed and sit like guards in the shed with their little blue security tags holding the zips. Yes.... all the bags match. I just can't cope with mismatched luggage. I have to say it's taken two years to be able to afford all the matching bits....my philosophy is that if you're going to do something.... do it well and with flare. Hence the nice luggage, I live out of it most of the year anyway.
Since my last post, it's been rather busy. Mum and Dad had their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Ours was on the same day, but 39 years.......!!!! It was a grand affair with family and old friends attending. I took lots of photos as mementos and made a presentation of old photos accompanied by an old record made by my Uncle when he was in the El-tones. They were rather famous in their time and were on the radio frequently. In fact we had to play it through twice, and each time it was received with sighs, smiles and warm recognition.
Mum received all the photos today and was thrilled. She tells me she spent the entire day reading my journal which ran to some 187 pages last year..... She loved the letters from friends and the things I don't talk about at home!!!!!
Friend Gay Jenkins from Britain arrived for a few days... Gay organized my tour to England last year and did a super job... so when you read about all the adventures I was having, the destinations were partly due to Gay and her organizing skills. We visited the Art Gallery and had a dinner party on Tuesday... Gay is what we call a 'foody', so on wed after visiting the Patchwork Apple in Woodside and flapping the plastic in a couple of the antique stores we made our way to Hahndorf for sauerkraut and sausage....minding not to overindulge as I wanted to show off my favorite restaurant 'Star of Siam' for dinner. Next day was a gastronomic delight as we sat on the balcony of the Bridgewater Mill and sampled the most heavenly food. (I made a quilt for Chef Le when his wife had a baby so we got special treatment)
During Gays visit I received my copy of the Quilters Companion DVD. I was really nervous to watch it. I actually made the quilt and filmed the segment all in 5 days.... that's what you call pressure.... I really enjoyed it, but can see a few things I would change....camera angles, lighting and editing, however, for a first effort I'm happy and I've certainly had lots of interesting feedback. One thing that is a bit difficult though, I have changed my business name since then to Pam Holland Designs and the web page is now www.pamhollanddesigns.com instead of Shed Designs so some folk are contacting me by phone rather than the web page.
So here we are.... ready to leave on another adventure again. It's minus 7 in Minnesota and I've packed the long johns. However, as most of the time will be spent in the Bahamas, we also have a case of summer clothes. Teaching on a cruise ship will be an experience so stay tuned.
I'm about to purchase a Sony Digicam which will allow me to take professional video for future use in DVD's put together by son Jamie. So instead of words you will soon see pictures... it's quite exciting really.
I've also packed a manuscript to work on. A large wool quilt project. I managed to finish 3 quilts (small) and work on a joint project for a day.... so now with the dogs washed and shiny. The washing up to date and the fridge emptied I reckon we can leave.

'Well behaved women never make history'

Barmera Sunset

 

Gum trees in the sunset.

 

Summer days.

I'm sitting in the kitchen of our annual camp at Lake Bonney, Barmera some 3 hours north of Adelaide. The weather is promising to be hot once again.
Last night as we sat watching a pelican fly into the sunset... We mused that if we added all the time we had spent here over the past 30 years, we would have actually been here for over a year.
Yes 30 years of holidays camping by the lake, it sounds rather boring really, but it's been a tradition with some 80 friends who gather annually.... As I drove up this year was struck by contrast of the lakes I visit in the Minnesota.
There is a beauty in both environments. Here, the air is hot and dry... We had temperatures of 47 the other day (117). The leaves on the tall gums are sparse and grey green in stark contrast to the bright green full foliage of the trees in Minnesota during summer.
Coming to Barmera has always been a renewal for the busy year to come, in a country with so little water, the time by the lake is precious.
The camp was began as a chance for families who had adopted children from overseas to get together.
26 years ago, Sri Lanka decided to close Inter country Adoption, our file had been there for many years and we were close to being allocated a child…Several couples were in the same situation as Keith and I and as we sat by the lake we formulated a plan to fly up to Sri Lanka to speed up the adoption process….
I left Keith at home with the other 6 children for over 8 weeks….!!!!
That story on its own is full of drama, emotion and poignancy. However… the reason I’m mentioning it is that the couple we shared that experience with are here at camp this year too… As is our daughter Callie and her son Kodi. We found both of our daughters in terrible conditions in a World Health organization orphanage… Now, their daughter is pregnant too… and we count our blessings… if we hadn’t taken the stand and bent the rules and gone out of our comfort zone… we wouldn’t have those blessings now…
So camping here is comfort, full of memories and good times…..
I’ve been able to work on a few projects…. Talk to students by email and generally relax….

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap ... but by the seeds you plant!
-- Robert Louis Stevenson