Won’t be long now before the aspens turn from green to gold and slowly drop their treasures to the forest floor yet still hold up their skeletal crowns.
To view more scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.
In between Pilgrims Rest and God’s Window, Joan and I stopped for lunch in Graskop, right across the street from Africa Silks.
Joan asked to photograph inside the store for a post and we were given the grand tour. (Click here and here for Joan’s version.)
That’s one unbroken thread
Most people recognize fine silk that is associated with eastern countries. This is created from a single thread reeled off a cocoon which was boiled with the pupae inside to keep the thread unbroken, and up to .8 mile (1.3 km) long.
Mulberry and Mopani silkworms
In another method the cocoons are boiled after the moths’ exit to remove the gum like substance called serosin.
Enlarge to see the pinhead sized eggs
The moths can then lay eggs and start the process over again for sustainable cultivation of silk on a nearby farm between Graskop and Hazyview.
Dried and stretched silk to be spun
Africa Silks supports the Iterileng Project for unemployed women of South Africa by supplying the raw white silk,
which is then spun,
and bought back for weaving.
Because I traveled South Africa during the month of my birthday I bought myself a few gifts. After trying on several delightful silk items I was having trouble deciding between these two blouses. I finally chose the short sleeve one and Joan bought me the sleeveless as a birthday present. They sure look better being worn and I thank Joan every time I wear either one.
Africa Silks also processes the silk of the wild silkworm, Gonameta Postica from the Acacia Tree and Gonameta Rifobrinnae from the Mopani Tree. The processing of this silk is much more labor intensive as the wild silkworm does not feed in captivity therefore the cocoons are harvested from nature by another job creation project for unemployed women mostly in the Northwest Province of South Africa and Namibia. The wild silk is an earthy fawn color with a nubby texture.
I’m not a weaver but have knitted and crocheted for years so just couldn’t resist buying my favorite colors for some future project. Maybe a hat.
The light and shadows never disappoint me at Grand Canyon. I am always illuminated.
To view more astounding skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.
I have now walked two short parts of the Arizona trail with Mike and another on my own to the North Rim Lookout Tower. So far the trail has been old two-track road.
Mike wanted to test out his backpack for a future canyon hike. I was concerned about weight.
Brachiopod
We always find fossils.
Mike invented fossil sponge bowling along the trail. Hey, maybe it will catch on.
Of course we saw some mushrooms. Looks like this one met a truck boot.
And this is another view of Papa Smurf’s house.
Mike packed a delightful picnic.
And we enjoyed the forest around us.
How I love the dancing Aspens. And Mike too.
Life is too short and flies by way too fast.
Only five weekends left at the canyon, not including this holiday one when I prefer not to travel or go anywhere during the American’s last hurrah of summer.
Mike mentioned getting a permit to camp on Widforss Point Monday night which requires a beautiful five mile hike each way and I just couldn’t get motivated for that. Besides, next weekend we want to go to Bryce Canyon National Park and occasionally I just need time off. Like at home spending too much time online.
The “winter” planning time rapidly approaches. For the last five years I’ve lived in central Arizona, not working, collecting unemployment, playing and travelling when I can afford it. It’s a great life. And the best part, I met Mike there!
This year I actually applied for five winter jobs thinking I’d need to keep working to afford to buy a newer RV. But I don’t really want to work this winter. I’d rather go home with my honey to friends and family fun times. Life should be in balance.
So now it must be time to move beyond five, as this is my 600th post and next month I’ll begin my third year of blogging, and return to those glorious Yarnell sunsets. Life is Good!
To discover what’s happening in other parts of the world, or to share some of your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.
