Wow, this has been a rough past couple of weeks, what with all the smoke pouring into our valley and devastating the view and air quality. We’ve had a weird wet then dry summer, lots of lightening storms lately which is beautiful to see but never good, and a whole slew of fires in the West.
The American fire northeast of Foresthill in Placer County, was about 60% contained, and there were some clearer mornings here in Reno before the afternoon wind shifted and brought it back in. Then the Rim Fire near Yosemite started and the smoke is just pouring into our area.
Starting to really feel it now–the itchy eyes, and scratchy throat. I’ve already started on eye drops for the seasonal allergies, and even that was about 3-4 weeks earlier than normal. So now with all this smoke…..yuck.
It actually makes it tough to want to torch! I need to have a window open to get fresh return air. It’s been very wet, creating lots of bug puddles, then hot the last few weeks also–in the mid 90’s–and so if I wait until it cools off, I get eaten alive by all the fresh, new, giant and voraciously hungry mosquito’s….ugh! Just on a big whine fest–sorry!
So instead of being bitten all to heck while torching in nasty smoke, I have been cruising the auction site Ebay, and the Garage Sale area of Lampwork Etc, searching for unique glass, tools, and other goodies to buy! And I got a monster deal from Double Helix glass–the company was moving, and had unbelievably inexpensive Garage Sale boxes (well, per pound it was inexpensive for DH standards!!) and I managed to snag one!
No returns (yeah right, no worries!) and no choosing any specific glass, so I have no idea what some of these babies do! But I did know a few of them, and got some of last years experimental test types so I am a happy, happy camper indeed.
Soon I will be experimenting with all kinds of weird reduction and striking glasses. I’m still pinching myself on this purchase (and trying not to focus on the “why didn’t I get 4 or 10 or 25 boxes instead of just one since they are so amazing!” syndrome).
Have you ever bought an absolutely fabulous deal and then obsessed about more later–even though the first one was an amazing blessing and plenty?? Let me know!
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