I Am a Winner

It appears as though I am not going to have to worry about money for the rest of my life.  I had a phone call yesterday informing me that I had won $7,000.00 a week for the rest of my life.  I didn't quite catch how I had been so fortunate but I was assured that it was real and given a code I would use to claim it.  Apparently, the first cheque  was already in the U.S. mail system and it had been authorized by President Joe Biden.  I am feeling quite overwhelmed.  I don't know whether to put a down payment on my dream car, book a flight for my siblings to come for a visit or to just make an appointment with a finance manager.  Hubby thinks I should wait for my first cheque to arrive but I can't see why Pres. Biden would lie.  I know he is busy with the Russian situation but, after all, I am a citizen of Canada and we are on his side in this crisis.  What do you think I should do?

I have recently started limiting my time on Facebook.  I skim the posts to see if there is anything non-political, non-pandemic and, if so, I read them.  If not, I click off.  I don't seem to be able to read something and not want to reply to it.  That invariably leaves me feeling frustrated.  Who needs the aggravation.  I have enough to do trying to figure out how to spend my new found wealth.

When the cheques start arriving, I will have a big sale of all my quilting stuff so I can start over with bigger, better and fancier.  I will give you all a big discount so we can all be winners.  In the meantime, keep quilting, enjoy the sunshine and be blessed.

Blessings,

Almost Done

Yesterday would have been my mother's birthday.  She died in her 95th year in 2008 just after we moved to our country home.  She would have really enjoyed it here and I am sorry she didn't get to see it but no matter when a person goes or at what age, there are always regrets.

It is nice and sunny here today although there are white out conditions to the south of us.  My son called this morning and said that there were vehicles in the ditch including a couple of transports.  As I have mentioned before, he drives transport so it is always a bit of a concern for me when the driving conditions are bad.  However, he is pretty safe in his vehicle even if he were to go off the road.  It is worse for the drivers who have to deal with mountain curves, steep embankments and other hazards.

I am all but finished my studio.  I still have a couple of totes that need to be sorted.  One contains all the kits I put together and didn't finish.  Some of them may go to a friend who only does charity quilts.  Perhaps I should see if some are saleable.

The birds are really enjoying the feeders today.  I have a downy woodpecker who is battling the chickadees and a bluejay for the best seeds.  

Enjoy the day not matter what the weather. 

The Local Quilt Group.

 I am still feeling a bit down after the death of my friend closely followed by the passing of another friends father.  One of my favourite quotes (is it a quote when you coined it yourself) is, The amount of hurt you feel following someone's death is equal to the love you had for them.

Today was our quilt group day.  They are such a wonderful group of talented, caring, intelligent women and being with them again is one of the best post covid 19  benefits. Sometimes, it takes a while for us to get the machines turned on because we are sharing things that we experienced over the preceding,  week: quilts made, patterns found, grandchildren's antics, pets latest silliness.  I often think that the machines and fabric are meant to trick our husbands so we can just get together.  One of the ladies is always coming up with the most interesting quilt patterns or crafts. Another astounds us with her skill. Each one contributes to the laughter.

If you belong to a quilt group, I am sure you know what I am talking about and appreciate your group as much as I do mine.  Women quilting together has been going on for many many years and I really hope it continues for at least as many more.

Anna

Hand Written Letters.

 While working on my never ending project of cleaning my studio, I came across an article I had written for a a newspaper.  It was about writing-hand writing, a letter to someone and what it means to the recipient.  I must have written it pre computer days as when I mentioned how phone calls have taken over as a means of communication, there wasn't any reference to emails.  I am far more likely to send off a quick email to someone rather than phone.  In fact, I am inclined to think that those who don't have an email account are a nuisance.  I rarely text as I am too slow and so is my cell service.  There are days when I do seem to be making phone call after phone call but it is usually because of a particular circumstance such as recently  putting together a memorial donation for our quilting friend.

I have a friend that, whenever I send her and email, she phones me.  I find it an amusing and endearing habit-partly because I am always glad to hear her voice.  There are times when nothing can take the place of a person's voice unless it is their physical presence.  When the worst of Covid was creating havoc around the world, we longed to see the face of our loved ones.  This was especially true for those who were in nursing homes and similar faculties.  I have said this many times before that I am so appreciative of being able to talk to my family via Skype, Facebook messaging etc.

I think it would be wonderful if we all made a promise to ourselves to send our one lovely, long hand written letter this year.  It would be lovelier if we did it once a month.  Something to think about.

Blessings,

Signs of Spring

Hubby and I did our grocery shopping yesterday, which, as usual, tires me right out.  I fell asleep on the couch for about an hour after I put everything away.   We were supposed to go out in the evening but the mild weather and rain softened the snow on our driveway which made it difficult to navigate.  We have a friend coming over today to widen it a bit and lower the snow.  Everything is slippery now because it was colder through the night.  However, despite all that, you can feel spring in the air.  the crows are back from wherever they winter and the air feels different.    Another sign is the snow cuts along the roads where the department of highways pushes it back to give the run off somewhere to go.

You may remember me mentioning a lady I helped check out her groceries as she was having trouble using her debit card.  I felt she might have been suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Yesterday, she was in the same line up as I was and, obviously having problems again. When I realized why the line wasn't moving, I went over to see if I could help.  She was in worse state than before and couldn't remember her pin number at all.  Fortunately, her husband came along and got things sorted.  

I don't know the situation, of course, but I don't understand why she is left alone to deal with the check out.  Someone could, at the very least, be waiting on one of the benches until she reaches the till and then assist her there. The teller was doing her best to stay patient but it was hard on her as well.

I think the ladies plight bothered me more yesterday when I compared it to the wonderful care that my friend (who just passed away)  received.  My friend was surrounded by love, respect and help.  She was able to keep as much of her independence as possible while ensuring she was safe.  My dear mother-in-law is getting the same level of care from her daughters and a granddaughter.  Not everyone has family, but no-one should be left without love and care when they need it.

Blessings,

Valentine Gifts

 One of the changes a person experiences more frequently as they get older, is the loss of family members and friends.  In the past year, 3 people who were either members of our  quilt group or was married to one of  them, have died.  The most recent was one in the morning on Sunday.  This lady was one of my first friends after hubby and I moved to Ontario so, although it wasn't unexpected, her passing has been difficult to accept.  Everyone in the group have, as usual, been supportive of any idea that would honour our friend and the decision was made to make a donation to our local hospice in her name.   I have been trying to think of something I could do myself and I may make a quilt and name it after her.  It will have to have cats on it as she definitely loved cats.

I haven't got any quilting done today as other things were taking my time but I did get quite a bit of cutting done yesterday at group.  I took a lot of fabric scraps and cut them into 5 inch squares or 2.5" strips.  The scraps left over from that were donated to one of the members who makes a lot of hexie quilts.

Hubby gave me a nice bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day as well as some blue cheese.  That might seem to be an odd gift to some people but I love cheese so I found it thoughtful and perfect.  He even went the extra mile and made a special supper.  Tonight it is my turn to cook one for him.

We are having a lovely day with a cozy temperature of minus nine C and sunshine.  I felt like I could walk forever but then I wouldn't have been back in time to get supper.

Blessings,

Almost Worthwhile.

 I am not sure if I am making a lot of progress in my sorting.  Every time I look around, there seems to be the same amount of mess as before.  I can perhaps take comfort that each day the mess consists of different things.  Today, I emptied the last of the totes and reorganized the contents.  I also took all the competed projects from the chest, photographed them and returned them to where they were.  I took the photos with my tablet so they are easy to access.  I now know exactly what I already finished and ready to sell or donate.

One of the drawers in my under the machine cabinet was chock full of self made kits.  I had forgotten about them.  I think they will be donated to an unsuspecting quilt friend or charity shop.

My habit of not throwing things out did pay off in one area.  A quilt I made 10 or fifteen years ago is fraying at the top binding.  I didn't know about double binding then so the place that got the most wear wore out.  I found, what I think, will be enough of the right fabric to replace the binding.  Almost makes all the work worthwhile.

One of the totes that are full of, yet to be sorted, scraps.  They will become either 2.5" strips or 5" squares.

I am planning on going through and discarding a lot of patterns shortly.  Anyone interested in them?

Blessings,

A Voice from the Past

Sorting is exhausting.  I am now emptying totes and sorting through the contents. Thankfully, there isn't very many of them but the ones I have, have been catch alls for just about anything.  I think I really need to start turfing or donating a lot of my loose patterns as I rarely look at them and then only for reference.  It is just so much easier to go on line and do a search.  Perhaps a new quilter will appreciate them.

My other problem is that I do a lot of non quilting so I have patterns for clothing, toys, purses (lots of purses) doll and dog clothing and so on. I don't want to toss them out, just in case....  I am sure you understand.

I had an interesting email today.  When my son was a young lad, I had a good friend whose daughter was the same age as him.  As often happens in life, people move, circumstances change and we lost contact although I often thought of her.  Today, I got an email from her daughter.  What a lovely surprise.  I knew her mother had died some time ago as I keep an eye on the obituaries from the city where we both lived.  The daughter had been trying to locate me for a while and recently tried again.  I do hope she stays in contact.

It really touched me that I had had such an impact on someone's life that it had carried on to the next generation.  You never know, do you?

Blessings,

Still Cleaning

 I am at the point in my studio cleaning where I have to decide what to do with a lot of bits and pieces.  Am I really going to finish the top that has only 3 completed blocks?  Should I save the left over fabric from a completed quilt in case I have to do a repair?  Do I really need  bags of scraps that are barely 2.5 inches square?  A definite no to the last one.

I have found a lot of fabric that I forgot I had and a number of blocks that that didn't get finished.  Some of the later will be put together for a table runner.  Others will be given away.  I have a quilting friend who will take almost any fabric and turns them into wonderful scrappies.  

We had a lovely get together at quilting yesterday.  I haven't laughed that long or as hard in ages.  It is  so nice when a group of people can get together and just have fun.  We did quilt and also discussed how to honour a friend who is now in hospice but even the latter was done with respect and caring.

Tomorrow, I have another meeting.  This one is for the Art Club.  It will be the first one with the new executive so I don't have to do anything but attend.  It will be an odd feeling after being President for quite a while.

Blessings,

Whose Woods These Are I Think I Know

A few days ago, we had one of those large flake, fluffy snowfalls that stick to everything, totally changing the landscape.  They usually don't last long as the wind arrives and the trees are blown clean.  However, this time there hasn't been even the slightest breeze so  the trees have maintained their covering.  When I go for a walk, it is like being in the midst of a painting.  I can't help but think of Robert Frost's poem as I go past the snow filled woods.

 On a much less beautiful sight, this is my studio.  Every surface is piled high with fabric to be sorted, saved or discarded.  The cardboard rectangle is the way I store the fabric.  It is approx. 10" by 12" and is used for yardage.  Anything smaller than a yard goes on a smaller rectangle and is stored on a different shelf.  In amongst the mess is a box of quilt tops which will be left in an assessable and visible place to remind me to do them.

I am sure your room is much less messy but if you would like to share a photo and your plan to deal with it, I would love to share it with others.  In the meantime, one step at a time.

Blessings,

Invisible Kitty

 I am loving the warmer temperatures.  We are at plus one C today.  Freezing rain fell through the night which caused a couple of quick power outages and then, this morning it began to snow.  All those lovely, soft flakes stuck to every surface turning our forest into a fairyland.  The snow has also make it easier to walk so there was a problem when hubby went to tend the chickens and I shovelled  (spell check doesn't like the word shovelled for some reason.  This it should be hovelled which, as far as I know, isn't a word!)  the path.

I had a nasty scare yesterday morning.  I am looking after my neighbours kitty while they are away.  When I get there, kitty usually cones to see me and we have a little visit and chat.  Yesterday, she didn't do that so I went looking for him.  Looked everywhere.  No kitty.  I was just beginning to fear the worst when I saw a movement on one of the chairs.  Colby is a Russian blue and blends in perfectly with the upholstery.  

I have been sorting through all the tops I have and deciding which one I want to do next.  I have really let everything get out of control these past few months-two much time spent reading.  As I get older, I know I will have less and less energy so I need to get organized and keep it that way.  I am sure I have said that more than once!