Stop with me for a moment, and let’s enjoy the vespertide …
Photo by Alofok via Wikimedia Commons
Vespertide (ves-per-tide) is the “period of vespers” (evening), and it is never more enchanting than in the winter, when the world is cast in hues of snow-lit blue.
Photo by Marcus Vegas via Wikimedia Commons
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
– Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
When it comes to apostrophes, “it” is probably the most misused, misunderstood, but ironically, simple usage in the English language.
In a nutshell … only use an apostrophe with “it” when it’s contracting “it is” to one word, “it’s” …
see, it’s simple (it IS simple)! Its usage (no apostrophe) is only confusing when you remember that the apostrophe, in other instances, is a way to signify possession: “She’s very good at punctuation.” Or “He’s a good speller.” But, when you’re talking “it,” the apostrophe never shows possession: “I love my new truck. Its truck bed is just the size I need.”
So, when in doubt, just see if you would use “is” in your sentence (following “it”) if you’re trying to use it’s or its. If you can use an “is,” then use an apostrophe. If not, you can’t. It’s downright easy to remember its proper usage.
When it comes to winter fashion in the lower 48, fur went faux a long time ago.
Promotion photo for the film You’re My Everything (1949) featuring Anne Baxter via Wikimedia Commons
Given the overwhelmingly negative vibe surrounding the issue of fur anything, it was a real eyebrow-raiser for me to learn that fur—yes, real fur—may be trending toward chic once again.
What?!
Got his attention …
Photo by Mariomassone via Wikimedia Commons
Now before you get your knickers in a bunch, you must understand that this new fur industry ain’t what it used to be. In fact, it’s taking the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra to a whole new level of, well … resourcefulness.
So, tell me, darling—how do you feel about wearing (gulp) roadkill fur?
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Come back here and listen to the whole story. I mean, heck, it’s not like I’m asking you to eat bugs or anything. And, just look how pretty:
Photo of woman in fur hat and muff courtesy of Petite Mort Fur
The woman in the photo above is wearing fur reclaimed from animals that were killed on a roadway. She really is. This artistic handling of such unsavory, ah, “media” is the genius of Pamela Paquin, founder of Petite Mort Fur, an elite fashion design company. Thirty-nine-year-old Paquin salvages what she calls “accidental furs” from road-killed animals in the United States in order to craft haute hand muffs, leg warmers, hats, and wraps.
Giving a whole new meaning to “abs of steel,” Paquin harvested her first roadkill last year. “I got this crazy knife that was completely wrong for the task, got my hazmat suit on, took a shot of whiskey, and just started doing it,” she said in an interview with The Washington Post.
Equipped with better tools and talent refined by trial-and-error, Paquin is carving out a place for her company in the eco-fashion industry.
“Accidental furs are loving resurrections of our fuzzy wild neighbors who have met with an untimely or natural death,” she explains. “Each luxurious piece is handmade, individually numbered, custom tailored to each owner’s specifications, befitting an heirloom investment.”
Not even the most passionate animal activist could find fault with her mantra: “Good taste is never at the expense of an other.”
Petite Mort also gives a percentage of each purchase to support Building Corridors and Critical Paths for Vermont Wildlife.
If you’re ready to jump on this trend at ground-level, Paquin says, “As with all things precious, our 2014-15 winter season is limited. Contact us at info@petitemortfur.com to inquire about your custom-designed piece.”
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
