Spammers...

Just a general announcement about a comment policy change to our blog that I regretfully had to make this morning.  I have had this blog set to allow all comments without moderation because I like the instant gratification for our readers of posting a comment and having it immediately go to the page.  I also think that setting invites better conversation on the page.  However, one of our posts got spammed today by an individual promoting a web site selling, albeit very nice, handmade woven wool rugs from around the world.  These were woven rugs on cotton foundations, hand made though not one of a kind, appearing to be of good quality, but very inexpensive.  The first question that came to me was what the actual artisans making these rugs could possibly be getting paid.

As a general practice, Parris House Wool Works does promote the work of other artisans on our various social media sites.  We believe in cross promotion and both do it and have benefited by it when others promote our work.  We are very grateful to our artisan community, both on line and in "3D" for all of the nice ways they have put our work out there, and we strive to reciprocate.  What occurred on our page today was not in the spirit of small artisans cross promoting one another's work.

As a result, I have regretfully made the decision to moderate all comments on this page.  I will make every effort to get your comments up ASAP when I receive an email notification that you have made one.  If I see that spamming is a once or twice a year occurrence, I will most certainly turn the settings back to just allowing all comments to go directly to the page.  I had been warned by other small businesses who run social media sites, however, that moderating comments is the best policy because of internet spamming.

Life in 21st century cyberspace - more good aspects than bad - but this is one of the bad ones.  As always, happy hooking!      ~ Beth

Sometimes you gotta get up out of that chair!

Earlier this week I posed the question on our Facebook page, "What do you do to make up for the sedentary hours spent hooking?"  I enjoy rug hooking so much that it's pretty easy for me to get absorbed in a project and not realize how long I've been sitting.  Since I literally become ill over time if I don't get enough exercise, I just thought I'd pose the question.  The responses seemed centered around making time for it, especially in the morning before the day can get away from you.

Well, today I had planned to go out for a run because spring has definitely got a toe hold up here - it was warm enough out today to go in just maybe running pants and a sweatshirt.  In Maine this doesn't mean we'll have green lawns and flowers tomorrow.  In fact, we could have a blizzard next week, but the signs are strong that winter is taking its last real gasps.  When I got home from my office around noon, however, and asked my sons what they might be interested in doing with the day, my 17 year old, Peter, suggested cross country skiing.  I am not graceful on skis of any kind, but fortunately we have a nature preserve nearby that has XC and snowshoeing trails.  Snowshoeing is a zero skill activity and Peter is such an accomplished skier I had no qualms about us taking separate trails, so we got in the car and headed out to the Roberts Farm Preserve in neighboring Norway, Maine.

Getting out on a trail in any season is a great way to just let your mind wander and be creative.  In the nearly two hours we were out on the trails, I got a lot of great ideas for future rug designs just from my surroundings and also realized how much I'd just needed to get up and get moving.  I took some photos from our outing today and thought I'd share them here.

This is toward the beginning of the snowshoe trail.

Along the way I saw quite a few of the big old Maples already running sap.

At one point along the trail there is an overlook out over Norway Lake (Pennesseewassee) and the mountains beyond.

Usually when our paths crossed, Peter was zinging by too fast for me to take a photo, but I was able to stop him for a few moments of conversation here.

This is the old Roberts Farm home.  It is in need of major restoration.  I don't know what the plans are for it, but it has beautiful Federal period lines and would make a great hooked rug design!

So that was what I did this afternoon.  Tonight it's time to hit the comfy chair again and continue working on a rug for a customer that has to ship on Friday.  I feel pretty refreshed.  What do you do to stay healthy and fit, and what are some of your favorite places and spaces for recreation?  We'd love to hear from you and see your photos as well.  Happy hooking!