Friday, February 7, 2020
I'm reading a book
It's "The Chilbury Ladies Choir" by Jennifer Ryan. It was recommended by our local librarian, so I was not optimistic, and it took a few pages until I got the variety of characters who were narrating, but once I got into it I really couldn't put it down. It takes place during the early part of WWII, and deals with how the women, who are left behind deal, with the changes that wartime brings to their village. It has a not entirely subtle feminist bent, as the men have all left, and the ladies are forced to deal with things that they have never dealt with before. There is also a less obvious current dealing with the changes is social standards that the changing social structure creates. On the surface it is a somewhat exciting story, but there are some very deep thought expressed. I recommend it.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Mojo?
Nice to see the pictures on the Mouse Factory blog, Pati. I never think you have lost your "mojo" ever, as I enjoy all your art, and I know you are always thinking about your art all the time, right?. But I do understand what you mean.......
Still tending to Bailey and have my fingers crossed that things may be improving.
I was off to do a few chores this morning and held the door open at the Bank for an elderly gentleman ( who knows how old? maybe even my age but I think he was maybe in early 80's) He started a conversation right at the door and i could tell he was in need of talking....venting actually, but he was needing to share his woes about life with me. So I listened. There is no harm in listening. I do not know him but he lives in Sundridge and his family from Toronto have insisted he move down there to a Seniors facility. His wife has died and he is terribly lonely and missing her - thinking of her all the time. The whole conversation was a reminder to me that we will all be or are, in the same position really - looking ahead to what may be, and what we will do about it. Much to think about.....
I fashioned two more little sampler pieces yesterday from your suggestion to use the Christmas motive fabric, Pati, and I think it will work just fine - as long as i can actually get at trying the stitching on the machine. I am ready..now to make the time to do it haha!
Now back to the issues at hand...greenhouse is opened and Harry intends to do some transplanting in there today. Two nights more of cold night temps needing the heaters set higher, and then we should be OK for a few days as it is to be milder.
So Cathy, you and Jim really shake them up there in Winnipeg OK! Will be thinking of you. Take care
Still tending to Bailey and have my fingers crossed that things may be improving.
I was off to do a few chores this morning and held the door open at the Bank for an elderly gentleman ( who knows how old? maybe even my age but I think he was maybe in early 80's) He started a conversation right at the door and i could tell he was in need of talking....venting actually, but he was needing to share his woes about life with me. So I listened. There is no harm in listening. I do not know him but he lives in Sundridge and his family from Toronto have insisted he move down there to a Seniors facility. His wife has died and he is terribly lonely and missing her - thinking of her all the time. The whole conversation was a reminder to me that we will all be or are, in the same position really - looking ahead to what may be, and what we will do about it. Much to think about.....
I fashioned two more little sampler pieces yesterday from your suggestion to use the Christmas motive fabric, Pati, and I think it will work just fine - as long as i can actually get at trying the stitching on the machine. I am ready..now to make the time to do it haha!
Now back to the issues at hand...greenhouse is opened and Harry intends to do some transplanting in there today. Two nights more of cold night temps needing the heaters set higher, and then we should be OK for a few days as it is to be milder.
So Cathy, you and Jim really shake them up there in Winnipeg OK! Will be thinking of you. Take care
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Date Night??
We seem to be getting into the habit of going to the movies on Tuesday evening. Today it was "Jumanji: The Next level". the second of the series with Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black. It really helped having seen the first one. This one could be watched without, but there were many references to people, and things that happened, that it was just that much better. Totally weird hearing Dwayne Johnson playing Danny deVito as he was playing the young hero's Grandfather.
What was really strange was the previews before the show, and even a cartoon. Thinking about it, I realized that the show is "G" rated and there were children in the very small audience. So previews of any movie with more than a "G" rating couldn't be shown.
We didn't have supper at the mall, as I'm on Phase one, and knew I wouldn't be able to find anything "legal". So it was an early night, and home to play poker.
I know I had promised to show pictures of my efforts at making batik. Well, for the most part, my efforts weren't up to the job. One piece was totally useless, except I think I may have another use for it. A second piece is acceptable after much effort, and the third piece is still in the drier. The problem was getting the wax out. Even knowing that it is supposedly water soluble, and bio-degradable, I still didn't want to try putting all that wax through the plumbing. So, I followed the instructions for batik using bees' wax, and tried to iron it between layers of newspaper before washing it. Didn't get a lot out, and after the second washing there was still a halo around anything that had been waxed. So it was soaked in Oxyclean, and washed and dried again. That still left the halo so it was thoroughly treated with Resolve and washed yet again. The first wash was with the special (expensive) soap that is used for all hand dyed fabric, second and third, with Blue Dawn. Really a few very busy days.
Now it really is time for bed. Have a good night everyone.
What was really strange was the previews before the show, and even a cartoon. Thinking about it, I realized that the show is "G" rated and there were children in the very small audience. So previews of any movie with more than a "G" rating couldn't be shown.
We didn't have supper at the mall, as I'm on Phase one, and knew I wouldn't be able to find anything "legal". So it was an early night, and home to play poker.
I know I had promised to show pictures of my efforts at making batik. Well, for the most part, my efforts weren't up to the job. One piece was totally useless, except I think I may have another use for it. A second piece is acceptable after much effort, and the third piece is still in the drier. The problem was getting the wax out. Even knowing that it is supposedly water soluble, and bio-degradable, I still didn't want to try putting all that wax through the plumbing. So, I followed the instructions for batik using bees' wax, and tried to iron it between layers of newspaper before washing it. Didn't get a lot out, and after the second washing there was still a halo around anything that had been waxed. So it was soaked in Oxyclean, and washed and dried again. That still left the halo so it was thoroughly treated with Resolve and washed yet again. The first wash was with the special (expensive) soap that is used for all hand dyed fabric, second and third, with Blue Dawn. Really a few very busy days.
Now it really is time for bed. Have a good night everyone.
Bragging again.....
To Huntsville today which means another opportunity for me to visit Starbucks. I do not go in every time we go to Huntsville but today was a day that begged me to enter those hallowed doors and spoil myself totally. Today it was a Caramel Macchiato. How does that sound????
I have been very concerned about my Bailey for almost a month but certainly over the last week related to his urinary system and the evidence of obvious bleeding. I have documented and observed and tried to diagnose to no avail. I saw the Vet three weeks ago and was terribly disappointed with his lack of doing anything. yesterday i called the other local Vet only to be told they had no room for appointments until next week and that I should really go back to the previous Vet. This confirmed my opinion that there is no cooperation or incentive for one Vet to take patients of the other regardless of the urgency that I indicated. I even called North Bay and spoke with the Dr on call in that area - she was very helpful and considerate and helped me focus on the issue with more objectivity even suggested to call them this morning if i wanted a "second opinion" and they would fit me in.. So, this morning I called my first vet back and made an appt for this afternoon. I was fully prepared to advocate for my little fellow. The appt went OK, resulting in an xray to see if any bladder stones showed, which they did not, but what was very evident was that my little guy was impacted and "full of shit". So lactolose was given and I must give more in the morning, and antibiotic Rx and special food for urinary problems, and a large expense billed to my Mastercard. Now I hope that he will respond positively.
Well, I have a few things to do before bed and i am anticipating a need to care for Bailey overnight so i better go now. Hope all is well with all... take care.
I have been very concerned about my Bailey for almost a month but certainly over the last week related to his urinary system and the evidence of obvious bleeding. I have documented and observed and tried to diagnose to no avail. I saw the Vet three weeks ago and was terribly disappointed with his lack of doing anything. yesterday i called the other local Vet only to be told they had no room for appointments until next week and that I should really go back to the previous Vet. This confirmed my opinion that there is no cooperation or incentive for one Vet to take patients of the other regardless of the urgency that I indicated. I even called North Bay and spoke with the Dr on call in that area - she was very helpful and considerate and helped me focus on the issue with more objectivity even suggested to call them this morning if i wanted a "second opinion" and they would fit me in.. So, this morning I called my first vet back and made an appt for this afternoon. I was fully prepared to advocate for my little fellow. The appt went OK, resulting in an xray to see if any bladder stones showed, which they did not, but what was very evident was that my little guy was impacted and "full of shit". So lactolose was given and I must give more in the morning, and antibiotic Rx and special food for urinary problems, and a large expense billed to my Mastercard. Now I hope that he will respond positively.
Well, I have a few things to do before bed and i am anticipating a need to care for Bailey overnight so i better go now. Hope all is well with all... take care.
Monday, February 3, 2020
Busy family-lol
What's spurred your "purge" Cathy? I find that I just tend to procrastinate until I get so frustrated that I just want to put everything in a pile and set fire to it. We've been at it so long, off and on, that I wonder what's left to get rid of, and then realize that I still have oodles of fabric sitting around catching dust. David seems to wander around the house looking for stuff to go through, and I see him eyeing those plastic tubs every once in awhile. But maybe he knows it would be worth his life to suggest we go through them--again.
Good luck in your tournament! You two usually do fairly well, so we'll expect a report.
Beth, please talk to your doctor about the Sx. Neither David nor I remember needing any special care, or any other concern.
Christmas fabric is great for practicing free motion quilting. Make a couple of 12 by 12's of it, and practicing stitching around the shapes. Then practice echoing that stitching. Or you could always use it for backing your other practice pieces. When you go to the Quintessential Quilting site, click on "videos". There is nothing else anywhere on the site. Go Figure!
I've been in a frenzy of batik dyeing over the last three days--and frenzy is the right word. I've done nothing else. I bought far too much soy wax, so will have to find a use for it, or maybe barter it. There are three pieces pretty well finished. I have probably used too much wax, as it was applied with a paint brush rather than stamped. I hope to have pictures on the other blog by tomorrow later in the morning. But that won't happen unless I get off the computer and down into the studio!
Good luck in your tournament! You two usually do fairly well, so we'll expect a report.
Beth, please talk to your doctor about the Sx. Neither David nor I remember needing any special care, or any other concern.
Christmas fabric is great for practicing free motion quilting. Make a couple of 12 by 12's of it, and practicing stitching around the shapes. Then practice echoing that stitching. Or you could always use it for backing your other practice pieces. When you go to the Quintessential Quilting site, click on "videos". There is nothing else anywhere on the site. Go Figure!
I've been in a frenzy of batik dyeing over the last three days--and frenzy is the right word. I've done nothing else. I bought far too much soy wax, so will have to find a use for it, or maybe barter it. There are three pieces pretty well finished. I have probably used too much wax, as it was applied with a paint brush rather than stamped. I hope to have pictures on the other blog by tomorrow later in the morning. But that won't happen unless I get off the computer and down into the studio!
Crib Tournament
Now I have something to look forward to for this week - to cheer you on at your tournament haha! So best wishes to you both.
Nice visit with Mike yesterday but the weather produced ice pellets on the way home - not to worry though, as the drive was OK. It is nice and mild and i see water dripping from the roof. I wonder if we are going to be OK without the ice buildup and daming this Spring because it has not been as drastic a winter as last year (not yet anyway with ...fingers crossed)
Harry went to Optometrist this morning and he sent a referral to the Eye Surgeon in North Bay ( same one I go to) as Harry's cataracts are in need of removing. He has had trouble seeing but I did not realize he was in as much need of Sx as apparently he is. So this creates a bit of a dilemma for me in planning my future needs. I go to this same Dr next week on Feb 14 for reassessment of cataracts and retina bleeds, and i was about to suggest to him that i was ready for surgery now. However I must reconsider in light of what might be happening to Harry. Never simple is it?
Harry brought a box of fabric home from the dump store and thinking there might be some use for me with my new found interest in machine quilting, I have sorted it through and plan to use some of it to prepare the 12 x 12 sampler pieces. The rest went back to the dump. The majority of the fabric kept is of Christmas designs so I tend to keep them with the idea of another patchwork topper or something. I find that i can easily make these simple patterns with my limited space and time, and the Christmasy colours appeal to me. Who knows for sure, but maybe this afternoon I will cut out some 12 x 12 pieces and see what happens????
In meantime, thinking of you both, and hoping you have a pleasant week ahead. Take care
Nice visit with Mike yesterday but the weather produced ice pellets on the way home - not to worry though, as the drive was OK. It is nice and mild and i see water dripping from the roof. I wonder if we are going to be OK without the ice buildup and daming this Spring because it has not been as drastic a winter as last year (not yet anyway with ...fingers crossed)
Harry went to Optometrist this morning and he sent a referral to the Eye Surgeon in North Bay ( same one I go to) as Harry's cataracts are in need of removing. He has had trouble seeing but I did not realize he was in as much need of Sx as apparently he is. So this creates a bit of a dilemma for me in planning my future needs. I go to this same Dr next week on Feb 14 for reassessment of cataracts and retina bleeds, and i was about to suggest to him that i was ready for surgery now. However I must reconsider in light of what might be happening to Harry. Never simple is it?
Harry brought a box of fabric home from the dump store and thinking there might be some use for me with my new found interest in machine quilting, I have sorted it through and plan to use some of it to prepare the 12 x 12 sampler pieces. The rest went back to the dump. The majority of the fabric kept is of Christmas designs so I tend to keep them with the idea of another patchwork topper or something. I find that i can easily make these simple patterns with my limited space and time, and the Christmasy colours appeal to me. Who knows for sure, but maybe this afternoon I will cut out some 12 x 12 pieces and see what happens????
In meantime, thinking of you both, and hoping you have a pleasant week ahead. Take care
Electronics!
I am trying to figure out how to scan with my printer. It really isn't that hard, but I keep thinking there should be an easier way. Too much for my brain this morning so I decided to blog instead😃. I haven't done much lately, but with the wonderful weather on the weekend Jim and I sat outside by a fire for a while. I really enjoyed it. There was a poker derby on Saturday and we must have had about 100 skidoos go by. The dogs ignored them, but the cat really didn't like the noise. We head to Winnipeg on Friday for the crib tournament.We haven't heard officially, but we were told that our legion approved giving us $100 each to help with expenses. That would be appreciated. I think our district will give us some support too, but we have to submit an expense claim of some sort. Our main expense will be the hotel on Friday and Saturday night, and the gas money. Our $50 registration gives us the Friday Meet and Greet, lunch and a banquet on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. We might need a cab on Saturday night if we drink. We don't know if they have courtesy rides for the players. Today I get to go and get more eye drops for the dog. How exciting! I am still trying to sort through all the stuff we have hiding in the corners of our house, and Jean is doing the same so she keeps giving us stuff she wants to get rid of. Lots of it is nicer than what I have so I keep hers and just add to the pile of give-aways that keeps growing in the basement. And then I find something I had forgotten about and get distracted by it. I need to focus. As if that will ever happen. Maybe I will watch TV instead.😜
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)