Kathy Mason

Good suggestions above regarding ticks.  I'm a tick specialist (Entomologist), and one thing that may help if you don't mind smelling of flowers, is to spritz some 1:2 lavender essential oil on your clothing.  If you're putting it on your skin, please do it lightly, or even dilute a bit more.  Strong essential oils can cause damage.  This is potent stuff, but does not come with the deadly hazards that DEET etc. brings.  The best advice is to be vigilant, try to do your outdoor work while cool if possible.  I know that where you live that may be a challenge.  Ticks will move much more slowly the cooler the temps.  You could encourage a bear to wander through your work area before you need to work... they are great tick magnets, haha.  Good luck!  

Is there a tool called maulaxeshovelprunerhorihori?  If so, that would let me get through most everything!

Hey Dre, welcome back!!!  Think of how much trouble a person could get into with a cool assortment of tools like this!  And we could even garden or? At night!!!

Such a beautiful book!  Yay!  It was so exciting to see it arrive in the mail, and I can't wait for snow to melt and the ground to thaw to plant the seeds!  Raven, your handwoven towel is gorgeous, it is washed and ready for the trial run  I love your cloth label, can you share where you get these from?  I'm a spinner and weaver also, and am always looking for a better solution!  Thank you so much, I'm really glad this was well supported, you guys have put so much work into it, and it's AWESOME!!!

Just another quick note on the composting paper towels and napkins.  I happened to have a recycled paper towel under the microscope at work as an absorbant.  And what did I see?  A lot of PLASTIC and miscellaneous bits in the mix.  REALLY rethinking using paper towels now.  they really mean to be vague when "they" say post consumer waste.  Truly, it could be anything in there, not necessarily paper.

I've woven quite a few, and cotton is hands down the most popular (they last forever!) - huck or twill since they are durable and textured.  8/2 is for the slightly heftier feel, 10/2 for more delicate.  My folks mostly prefer a multicolored napkin because they don't show the soil.  Solid is dressier for a special meal perhaps?  Popular sizes are simlilar in size to a handwoven medium sized dishtowel.  Well washed linen is very nice and soft, but doesn't like to give up it's prizes from your meal; staining very easily and keeping the stain.  Cotton starts out soft, doesn't take thousands of washes to make it that way, and organic cotton is heavenly!  Also comes in a lot of natural colors; greens, browns, cream and everything in between.  I don't know about anyone else, but I can't keep any for myself - they fly out as fast as I can make them

Welcome Karen!  Wow, I'm so excited to see your book offered!  To be able to make some cheeses that have flavor and freshness - can't wait!

Paid, video appeared like magic, it was delightful!