COUNTY LIFE
‘Dancing with the loom’ – Susan Moody weaving new traditions at Blue Dog Moon
This summer The Bowie News is featuring some of Montague County’s unique artists through a series of stories.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Susan Moody’s studio is filled with colorful spools of thread and yarn every shade of the rainbow on shelves and in baskets. It is a cozy spot where a wall of windows allows her to look out on the beautiful North Texas countryside while she works.
This spring morning the birds were chirping and her dogs were lazily resting outside the screen door. As this hand weaver showed off her studio it was easy to see how she “dances with the loom” in this tranquil place.
Blue Dog Moon Fiber Arts is located north of Saint Jo on a 32-acre ranch she and her husband Dennis call home. The pair operated Ancient Ovens pizza restaurant on the property for 13 years, after Dennis retired from the Navy. She commuted several years to Keller where she was a history and economics teacher, and when it took off she found a teaching job at Sacred Heart.
“One day I started talking to him about starting something entrepreneurial and this was after he had started building the ovens. The economy went down in 2008 and we thought about selling the ovens, but then the folks at Arché asked us to cater a lunch for their grape pickers. One thing lead to another and the idea took off. We always had a full house at the restaurant Friday-Sunday, but then we cut back to Saturday and Sunday. We finally decided to pursue other things as I thought about weaving back when I was a teen. You are never too old to go into another career,” laughed Moody.
Her next act is Blue Dog Moon Fiber Arts and at the age of 62 she draws on textile skills she learned at the hands of the women in her family. In the studio hang photos of her grandmothers and mother who taught her early on how to sew, knit and crochet.
Read this full feature in your weekend Bowie News.
(Top photo) Susan Moody at her Saori loom in her North Montague County studio. (Photo by Barbara Green)
National Weather Service Fort Worth report: We’re closing down the work week with another round of HOT and DRY weather. Much of the area will see an elevated fire weather threat again today! A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 pm this evening. More heat headlines likely this weekend and early next week
It’s time once again for the Montague County Cemetery Board Fish Fry.
The fish fry will begin serving at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the Forestburg Community Center. The price is $10 per person for all you can eat, and child’s plate for 12 and under is $5. Take-out is also available.
The meal will consist of locally caught crappie and catfish, French fries, beans, hushpuppies, coleslaw and all the trimmings and homemade desserts.
The main purpose of the Montague County Cemetery Board is to look after the county’s abandoned cemeteries. The county has between 50 and 60 abandoned cemeteries. Cleaning a cemetery typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. Help can be monetary, but it can also be as simple as reporting a suspected lost cemetery, allowing access to the cemetery, or spending a day alongside others cleaning. Volunteers are always welcome.
Another goal of the Cemetery Board is to obtain Historical Status from the Texas Historical Commission for the abandoned cemeteries. This status records the cemetery with both the county and state. It helps to protect them for years to come.
Leadership Montague County is now accepting applications for its upcoming class. Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 1.
Individuals who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills, expanding their knowledge of Montague County and building lasting professional and community relationships are encouraged to apply.
The program is a nine-month leadership development program consisting of nine, one-day, monthly meetings. Participants will explore topics including local government, agriculture, education, healthcare, business and industry, public safety, economic development and community leadership through interactive sessions and site visits. The group will be traveling to Austin in the spring to visit with the legislators and senators and to see how they work for the county residents.
Leadership Montague County is designed for emerging and established leaders who have a desire to become more involved in improving the quality of life throughout Montague County.
Class size is limited, and early application is encouraged. For additional information or to request an application, contact: Leadership Montague County, j-hansard@tamu.edu or call 940-894-2831
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