One of the reasons we made the decision to come and live in Assynt, and why I do what I do is because it gives us a reasonable level of independence and personal choice about how we live our lives.   It gave me some control over who I needed to build working relationships with.  When you're employed you have little choice but to work alongside those with whom you may have very little in common, particularly in terms of outlook on life and personal beliefs and standards.

I believe that it isn't hard to be kind and good to others, whether that is on a personal or a business basis.  Just do right by others - it makes life a lot more pleasant for everyone.

So when I started Ripples Crafts I was careful about who I chose to do business with, particularly when it came to shows.

The lovely folk down at Woolclip who organise Woolfest do an absolutely sterling job.  (I meant to take a photo of the Woolclip Team this year and forgot!).  Even when there was a hiccup with the provision of tables this year the band of ladies organising everything just kept smiling and kept their humour - I, on the other hand, temporarily forgot about my firm belief in being kind to others and was ready to thump another stallholder who insisted on taking all the tables she had ordered in one go rather than sharing the small number temporarily available to all the stallholders so they could at least begin to set up their stands, especially given she got the last 3 tables just as I got to the front of the queue and was faced with an empty trailer!

And I think that is the nub of what I dislike so much - selfishness.  Well, selfishness, meanness and greed probably sum it up.

The Perth knitting show is another example of a really small band of organisers who work very hard to provide stallholders with a lovely location and a fun show to attend.  I have loved doing the Perth show on both occasions that I have attended, and I will definitely be back next year again if there is room for me.

Having a stand next door to Louise from Woolfish at Gardening Scotland was a new adventure for me, and one which was thoroughly enjoyable - although if someone had asked me if I was enjoying myself at 7.00pm on the first, very long, hot, day of the show I'm not sure I would have said yes!   I haven't decided about next year's show just yet, but if Louise promises to be next to me again, and if she promises not to make the stand fall down (sorry Louise!), then I may be back.

I'm careful about the choices I make when deciding which shows to attend, and sometimes it may seem odd to others that I won't be at particular shows or events, but the reasons behind my decisions usually involve the approach of the organisers, me keeping my sanity, and sticking to my principals of only working with those who are good to others.

It also means that I have more time to enjoy sunsets such as the one we had last night: