#SecondHandSeptember Charity Shop of the Week

The Thrifty Goose in Providence RI is a good place for a treasure hunt. You'll find it in the basement of St. Martin's Church on the east side of town.
They have "special deal" days, with a color coded tag system which amplify one's savings.

On my last visit in June, I snagged a few men's shirts, a sari that I'm slowly transforming into a tunic, and six balls of chenille for a future weaving project.

This project is taking FOREVER.

Here I am (long hair!) with my Providence pals Vicky and Patucci in 2009 in front of the $1 Last Chance rack.

The Thrifty Goose

St. Martin’s Church (lower level)
50 Orchard Avenue
Providence, RI 02906

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Meeting With Ostriches

After our poppy gazing at the Antelope Poppy Reserve (story here),
Anita, Nancy, and I visited Quail Run Ostrich Ranch in Lake Hughes.

photo by Anita

This guy in the foreground is very feisty and is used as a "guard" against predators.
Did you know that ostriches can easily kill coyotes, bobcats, and such? No, neither did I!

Check out their feet! If I remember correctly, they kick/claw their victims.

Kinda gives you that Jurrasic Park vibe, right?

The owners gave us a great talk about ostriches "from egg to table", explaining their evolution, physiology, temperament, and their amazing immune system. [I didn't take notes, and don't remember much. Sigh.]

Why is there a wing in the dirt in the photo above?
That ostrich is doing her sexy lady dance!

Shake it!

Here's the male. He's still a teen and a bit awkward. His moves need some work. video by Anita

Photobombed by four birds -- strike a pose! photo by Anita

We all got bottles of the Pure Ostrich Oil.
It's amazing. I've been slathering it on my neck, face, and hands.

Available at the ranch's Gift Shop or from Natures Edge Ostrich Oils

Have you seen an ostrich up close?

Linking with
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #sharealllinkup

BLOOM!

I'm writing this instead of doing my taxes.
I'm pretending I don't have to do them. La la la la la.

Last Wednesday, I skipped work and went north to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve with Anita and Nancy.
It was INTENSE!

Nancy and Anita -- it was the first visit for both of them.

Like my "hiking boots"? I had to tie down my hat with my scarf -- it was so windy!
Photo by Anita

Photo by Nancy

Anita and Nancy -- strike a pose, girls!

Selfies are hard work.

Anita and Nancy with Bob, a volunteer at the Reserve.
He told us many interesting facts. I don't remember any.

This was only the start of our adventure.
More later!

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday nope, she's on vacation. Lucky! She's back!
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

The Poppy Geezers

Anita and I decided on Friday to drive up the coast Saturday and rendezvous with Stephan to go look at the poppies. It was a beautiful day and a lovely drive. But let's get to THE POPPIES!

See them? Here we are in the Santa Ynez Valley, approaching our target: Mt. Figueroa.

First stop.

Selfies! Geezers can take selfies too!

"Stephan, go stand in the back."

Yah!

 On to the next photo op.

Mt. Figueroa and oak grove.

Anita brought many accessories. She's a professional poser.

 Next.

"Girls, climb up that hill and I'll take pictures."

"Wait, I'm coming up."

"Go stand by that rock."

Random car photobombing. You can see how narrow the road is.
It got gnarly when large SUVs and trucks drove by.

The view from the hill.

 After a VERY SLOW descent, we posed in a bare spot next to the road.
A lady admonished us to not crush the flowers. We didn't. This was an existing bare spot.

Add caption

Final stop at the end of the road.

Our last spot had a handy posing log. Easier than posing at the Fowler with Silvana.

"That's a wrap."

This is the path that we ascended in part 3.
It was the most crowded area, but nothing compared to the 100,00 people that went to Lake Elsinore.

The return to sea level.

Ahhhh! I had SUCH a poppy hangover yesterday!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

#100daysofsole and Me

I've been featured!

100 Days of Sole is a project comprising of "daily stories told from the intersection of footwear and identity". I was all set to include the site in a post about "my latest Instagram crushes" or "my many obsessions distractions" or some such. And, while I was busy at a handwork workshop, it transpired that Kelsy contacted me to be a part of it! WooHoo!

After great deliberation, I decided upon the above hand painted Indian Buffalo Sandals, which I photographed on my block printing experiments and collaged over the paisley block printed on striped cotton lawn. To read my story, you'll have to go to Instagram!

Then it was time to conjure up an outfit for this post.
On a whim, I tried on a pair of golden baroque lounge pants from work.
(I was involved with working on this print, but not this version of it).
I had them in one of my "to repurpose" boxes. How many months have I been walking past them?
They're work's sample size small, and I assumed that they wouldn't fit.
Well, as long as my stomach and butt are covered, they are fine!

I can't wait to wear these to a summer pool party.
Oh yeah, I attend those all the time!

I tried hiking up the pants to show the sandals without much success.

You can see how the layers of the sole are starting to separate.

Close up, highlighting Patucci's painting.

How did I discover 100 Days of Sole?
Through Richard Haines, the fashion illustrator who inspired me to take up fashion sketching again!
The Instagram algorithm gods smiled on me yesterday.

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Forgot to mention! Post #1000 for SpyGirl!