This must be the hottest, dryest summer (if you don’t count the oppressive humidity) that I’ve ever experienced. The forecast is cruel, often predicting rain that never actually materializes. I’m trying to keep my plants alive, but I’ve mostly lost the will to be outdoors. I think it’s time to start fall vegetables, but I can’t seem to muster up the motivation. I keep telling myself that I’ll do it “tomorrow.”
In more positive news, I officially hired my 17-year-old son, Keats, to help me with my little business. I should have done this a long time ago, but I am terrible at delegating. I had no idea how much stress this would relieve for me, or how much mental space it would release, but it has! This is life-changing for me! Keats is doing most of my prep work now and some of my finishing work as well. He has always been very attentive to detail and it’s so good knowing that I can trust his work. He’s cutting fabric, ironing, trimming, and reskeining yarn. I can hand him a bolt of fabric, give him dimensions, and he returns a tidy stack of whatever it is that I asked for. Last weekend we spent a couple of hours listening to violin concertos while working on sachets. He cut all the fabric for me ahead of time and then I sat and sewed the sachets while he turned them right side out and ironed them. It was wonderfully productive and all-around happy for me. I think it’s a good situation for both of us. I am freed up to focus on the more creative side of things and he can save more money towards purchasing a viola. He plans to continue to make things for the shop as well: little bird shawl pins and hopefully cutting boards as well. We will be updating the shop next week (Friday, I think) and I’ll have more details about that in my next post. I’m super grateful for Keats’ help and hope this can translate into some great shop updates for all of you!
p.s. Jonny and I visited our county animal shelter this week. I promise our intentions were completely innocent, just your typical date night (afternoon, actually). I assured Jonny that I just wanted to visit the cats, and possibly adopt one, but only if I felt a strong connection with one of them. (I’ve been a little sad because Intruder and Rosie have chosen to stay with our neighbors after all.) After spending about half an hour with the cats, we decided to visit the dogs too, for no reason really other than that we like dogs. There were only about half a dozen dogs there and we were immediately struck by the presence of a funny little white, long-bodied dog. I’ll tell you all about him soon, but in the meantime, could you help us name him? We can’t seem to come up with anything that fits.
That’s a lot of name suggestions you have there! He’s adorable, and the first name that came to mind was Spot (for the black spot on his muzzle, of course).
I’m in Maryland and having the same weather as you. I’ve had to stop playing outside and just stay inside, and then water the garden in the evening. Looks like next week will be the same.
Cirila
Isadore – patron saint of farmers
Felix, for the cat you didn’t get.
Well, actually… 😉
How adorable! Your new dog reminds me of the miniature poodle we had when I was growing up. Her full name was ridiculous (Peppermint Pattycake III), but we shortened it to Pepper. Pepper was the sweetest, most patient of dogs.
Also, putting Keats to work is a fabulous idea. I wonder if a similar partnership would work with my teenage son, who is struggling with keeping himself occupied…
How cute! He looks like he has cocker ears. He looks like our two cocker spaniels mixes. Maybe cocker spaniel/bichon frisé mix? How about Pierre? He’s so adorable! Congratulations ?!
How about Folly… you found him on a whim… we had a dog when I was small that my dad just “ sort of “ found at the pound. It happened to be August so we named him Bowmans( my maiden name) August Folly…. Folly lived a long and happy life. His life like your pups was truly a folly for our family! Happy new puppy.
How about abner?
I immediately thought Milou, Tintin’s dog in French. I saw that Stephanie also suggested that name. ☺️
It is so hot here too in N.C. and so humid too.
How about Angus? He reminds me of the baby white sheep in Scotland after being sheared.
Sledge ?
He’s adorable and I love some of the suggestions that have already come in. To throw a few more into the mix…
Bandit (because he stole your hearts), Pierre, Peter, Henry, Teddy, Charley, Max
What fun for you all!
At first sight I thought Wallace (could nickname Wally). Then I saw someone else said Pippen! We recently named our girl puppy Pippa, so I agree with that person now! Either way he is a cutie!
Max
Theodore
The pup is adorable. He looks like an Auggie to me.
Teddy
He looks like a jack russell poodle cross. I would call him Jack Doodle
Petroc
Murphy. For certain.
Archie? That’s the name of my puppy:)
Falkor. The luck dragon from the never ending story
He does look just like him!
Scooter
Marshmellow because he reminds me of those fluffy marshmellow cupcakes.
He looks like he’s made himself right at home already. Cute little guy which looks like he as some spunk in him. Mr. Peabody as others have suggested.
Powder
Rufus! He is adorable!
Stuart, like Stuart Little.
Mr. Belvedere
Looks like “Milo” to me!
I’ve had the same reaction as others, but thought of Snowy’s original name in French, which is Milou (pronounced MEE-LOO) – we actually often call little white curly dogs “Milou-dogs” 😉
He looks very assured of himself even in a new place..and right at home. He needs to be Baxter..He will surely be MR. Baxter but there is no need to use the MR. and make him over assured. Jere
I have not forgotten J.
Yes, he does look like Snowy from Tintin! 🙂
Charlie
Padington
Ollie
His name is Maxwell!
Snowy, from Tintin!
He looks like a ‘Skipper’ to me.
Thank you for keepin’ on. I really enjoy enjoy reading your blog.
Fluffels
Woozer
Crinkles
I love that you adopted a dog!! That sounds so much like something I would do. I do like Snowball for a name!
I love him so much! He’s adorable!
I think he looks like Hamilton!
We rescued a little stray cat a few years ago, well actually we think he belonged to a neighbor who was just flat out neglecting him and bottom line, I just took him. I’ve never ever stolen anything in my life but hands down the right thing to do. People laugh at his name, my husband named him and after a week of careful consideration my husband named him Kevin. Sounds crazy but it just fit. We also have an Oliver so we’re partial to people names. Best day ever for our “rescued” pets!
Dovie…I don’t know why ?
Snowball
Joan
Cotton Ball
Marion
White Shadow.
Marilyn
What a handsome little guy!
Jake?
Wooley
Maybe it’s because we’re all so hot right now, but Snowball comes to mind.
Woofer, Lambchop
Hi Ginny,
What a lovely little chap your new doggie is…to me he looks like a ‘Pippin’.
Hope you all find some relief from the hot weather soon.
God bless.
Woofer
He’s adorable!! I think he looks like a Mr. Peabody… or perhaps Sherman
Tracker
Scout
Finnegan
Atticus
He is very sweet looking!!
For some reason when I see him I think of Merrylegs from Black Beauty!
He looks like Mr Peabody!!!
If you don’t like Mr Peabody I think he needs a ‘people’s name…. Edward? Toby?? Charlie??
We are back in DC now and it is so hot and humid! But I must admit that after spending two years in Utah, I’m so grateful for the humidity. I feel like it was so miserable there to be in the same high heat, but no moisture anywhere, no shade, and the sun beating down so mercilessly. So part of me is so grateful, but it is still hard to want to be outside right now. I’m counting down to cooler months. We are using a kid pool in the backyard often…then the kids use buckets to water the gardens with all the water in the pool when they are finished.
I love that you just brought home a dog. That’s amazing. My kids are wishing that would happen at our house. How about Tudor? Darcy? I beat someone will have a much better idea!
White Fang comes to mind but only because it’s so gloriously inconsistent with his overall adorableness ?