Ruby Tuesday 08/17/2010

Ruby Tuesday is the creation of Mary T/The Teach, who pens the Work of the Poet blog. For more Ruby Tuesday photos or to participate, go HERE.

In 2005 we moved from Saint Paul in Minnesota to the smaller town of Ashland, Wisconsin on the shores of the Great Lake Superior. Having been from Chicago and lived in the upper Midwest all our lives, we are very fond of the Great Lakes. When the chance arose to live near the water's edge, we jumped. If you're counting, this was move number 50, from our extensive list of places we called home.

I had been looking for a pace to rent. I had my eye on this store front just off Main Street. It had been empty for quite some time. When I finally got a hold of the real estate agent that was to be the contact for the owner, I found the accommodations to be quite substantial. There was a full size one bedroom apartment, complete with kitchen and appliances, attached to the workshop and retail sales areas. It needed a shower, but I quickly saw how one could be installed. 

The place had been empty for years, so the deal I made was for an open ended rental agreement. I'd rent the place for the agreed upon amount and be allowed to install the shower and do other of what I deemed to be improvements, like entry doors with glass, for added light. We shook hands and I slept there from day one. 

I set up the workshop area with my tools and materials for making the Native American influenced folk art and hand made snowshoes that were part of my repertoire. I did other projects as well as people found out I would be willing to try to fix and make things in my shop. I named the place The Westside Workshop, as we were on the West edge of downtown Ashland.

Today's Ruby shot is of the humble front window of the shop and a sign I made using a Dream Catcher as a centerpiece. 

These other shots are of the interior, one of the Southern wall, with snowshoes I had made and leather shields made by a friend and consigned at the Westside Workshop. The second shot of the interior is looking out the window, with drums lined up at the window's bottom. The Star Quilt was a gift from friends out in Wyoming and has significant meaning to many people.

We stayed living in the workshop until December of 2007 and moved into a place we dearly call The Cabinette. More about this unique dwelling in the future.

Hope you enjoy the day today and everyday, and Peace finds a place in your heart.

Peace