First Snow 2014

 

 

 

We had our first snowfall today.  It was predicted to be a 'skiff' but, as you can see, it is a bit more than that as it has been snowing all day.  I've filled the bird feeders, started a trail for the dog to use to do her toilet trips and got my outdoor clothing ready.

It was a grey day but I am sure it will get nicer when the sun comes out tomorrow.  It is supposed to warm up in a couple of days so this is just a warning to remind us to get ready.

The second photo was take last year and show why winter is my favourite season.

Blessings,



 

  

 

Fiction Friday-Emily's Problem

Sixteen year old Emily loved Thursday afternoons.  That was the day she volunteered at the Chelsea Animal Shelter. She had become the youngest person to work at the shelter  four years previously when her mother suggested she give it a try after seeing her face when she was told, once again, that they couldn't have a pet.  Emily knew it wasn't her little brother's fault that he was so allergic to animals that he had to carry an inhaler.  She just felt that it wasn't fair that she should love animals so much and not be able to have them.  "I wish I hated every dog and cat in the world," she cried.  "You love them because you are a caring person" was her mother's gentle reply. Sue Diamond secretly hoped that when her daughter saw the poor animals at their worst, she would feel better about not having one.  If that didn't happen, she would, at least, be able to spend some time with them.
When the shelter agreed that Emily could come in and help with the animals care, she was more excited than she had been over any gift. She loved being able to pet them, take the dogs for a walk and even clean up after them. She took time to visit every animal but her favourites where the older ones.  "Everyone loves the puppy's and kittens," she would say, "and they are cute but the older dogs and cats need me more.  They aren't likely to ever get adopted." 
She hated seeing them in wire cages.  They looked so sad and Emily was sure that they weren't comfortable.  The staff told her the enclosures had to be designed that way so they could be kept clean but Emily thought there had to be a way to help.
She was telling her mother about the problem as she watched Sue work on a quilt she was making for an elderly friend.  "I wish", said Emily, " I could make a quilt for all the animals to lie on."
Sue looked up at her, thought for a moment. "You can."  "I can.  How?"  "Well, they would have to be a lot smaller, of course, and washable.  Why don't we make a couple and you can take them to the shelter and see if the staff like them."
Emily was even more anxious for Thursday to arrive that week.  The two little quilts were clutched in her hand as she went to find the director.  After explaining the reason behind the quilts, she laid them on the desk.  One was smaller than the other and suitable for cats or small dogs.  The other was twice the size for the larger dogs.  Both had a short stitch length so nails wouldn't get caught and were closely quilted so it would stand up to repeated washings.  "These are lovely, Emily," the director smiled, "but could you make enough for all the cages and some spares?"  Oh, yes.  Mom said she would ask all the quilters she knows to help make them.  She said they could even do some that could be given to the people who adopt the animals."
In a very short time, Chelsea's quilters had provided enough cage quilts, as they came to be known, for every animal at the shelter.  They had, in fact, made so many, that the staff was able to provide the older dogs with two so they could have the extra warmth much to Emily's delight.

The Snow's Comming

I got some sewing done today, finally.  I made a skirt and  some more blocks for another scrappy.  I also got a CD stuck in my player.  I had it out once and then tried in in another tray where it promptly got stuck again.  I think I may have to take the player apart.  Yuck.
My hubby has got a cold so I have been playing nurse today.  I readily admit I am not a very good one.  I do get him hot drinks and make sure he has whatever medication he needs but it isn't my natural bent.  Some people, like my sister-in-law, are very good at tending those who are either ill or elderly.  I'm not.  I don't know if I am missing a gene but it is not something that comes naturally to me.  Probably because I am rarely ill myself.  Fortunately, hubby understands and tries to recover as quickly as possible.
Snow is predicted for the middle of the province.  We might get a skiff but not likely much.  I have changed the photo on my computer to a winter scene to get myself mentally ready.  I do love winter.  Apparently, this year it isn't supposed to be as bad.  I am not disappointed by that as it was a tough season for many people.
The pond is quite high so if the ice is thick enough I may be able to skate on it this year.  There are enough dead trunks sticking out of the water that I should have lots of things to grab onto while learning how to keep the blades on the ice.
Fiction Friday tomorrow.  Hope you will join me.
Blessings,

Still here.

I am alive and well.  Just very busy.  I will be back tomorrow with my usual blog. Tonight I have to concentrate on writing my magazine article and need to keep my fingers on the keyboard until it is done.
Stay warm and dry,
Blessings

Fiction Friday-The Mystery of the Open Door.

Jenna knew she was in for a difficult day when she arrived at her quilt room door and noticed it was open.   She stopped so suddenly that the mug of tea she was carrying sloshed over its brim and onto her hand.  "Grandmother's biscuit's" she exclaimed and didn't know if it was in reaction to the hot tea or the door.  Everyone in the family were under strict orders to 'never, ever, if you value your life and future inheritance fail  to leave the door firmly closed.'  Yet, here it was, definitely not closed.
She knew what she was going to see before she walked into the room.  Muffin, their beautiful white, very hairy cat was draped like a fashion model on the black fabric that she had left on the cutting table.  Jenna didn't know if she should grab her camera or the cat but decided on the latter.  No sense encouraging the creature to think it had done a good thing.
After putting the cat out of the room and hanging the fabric on the line where, hopefully, the wind would remove some of  the hair, Jenna sat down at her sewing machine.  She had been working on a new pattern and it was presenting a lot of problems.  "Why", she wondered, "would someone design a pattern with so many teeny pieces.  Did they secretly hate quilters?"  She had to cut 120 one inch squares using four different colours.  They all were then sewn together in a particular way which ultimately, and if she didn't through the whole thing into the fire, would form a design.
She had, the evening before, laid the tiny squares into their 4 block groupings but now, courtesy of Muffin, they were scattered everywhere.  By the time she had everything organized, changed the needle that broke within 3 minutes of sewing and resewn all the pieces that hadn't been done because the bobbin ran out of thread, it was lunch time.
The afternoon proceeded without further problems and, by the time Jenna quit sewing to make supper, she was satisfied with her accomplishments. She had had to leave the sections that needed the black fabric but she could remove the remaining hairs that evening.   She still, however, had to deal with the culprit who had left the quilt room door open.  She asked each person in turn as they were eating but despite promises of not removing a name from her will, no-one admitted to having been in the room. "It didn't open itself so someone left it open.  It isn't an unforgivable offence but please don't let it happen again."
She was washing the dishes when her daughter came into the kitchen.  "Mom, she whispered.  "Come here but don't make a noise." Jenna followed the girl down to hall toward the quilt room.  Her daughter was moving slowly and quietly when she motioned her mother closer.  "Look"
Jenna looked in the direction of her pointing finger and started to laugh.  Muffin was hanging from the door handle.  His weight was sufficient to unlatch the door and, as they watched, it swung open and the cat sauntered in, tail held high in triumph.  "That cat" , said Jenna.  "I guess that solves that mystery and I guess we better change the door handle to a knob."

Princess Heidi

I've mentioned that I am working on a scrappy quilt pattern called Trail Mix.  It is in Better Homes and Gardens: Scrap Lovers Quilts.  I have nearly all the blocks made and have started laying them out but really wasn't happy with anything I came up with.  I finally divided them into two groups and am now making two small quilts!  I am quite pleased with both so that solved that problem.  I will post a photo when I get a bit further.
It has been another lovely day here in the backwoods.  My dear one cut down a couple of trees and, as they are quite close to the house, I was thankful they fell in the correct direction.  I was watching out the window with wee Heidi on my lap prepared, at the first sign of danger, of holding her and running.  Always one adventure or another.
I have been sewing nearly all day other than going for a walk and doing a bit of baking.  I should be able to finish a bit more on one of the tops this evening.
Heidi is missing our company and mopping around a bit.  She loves it when people come for a visit because she gets all sorts of attention; not that we ignore her but she isn't our complete focus all day. It usually takes her a few days to adjust back to being the dog and not the princess.
Blessings,

Tears on our Flag

I am sure that most, if not all, of you have been following the dreadful news reports from our nation's capital.  It made me feel so sad for our country.  No matter how much we think we are prepared for such a thing, we aren't.  It is a stripping away of our innocent belief that we, because of our goodness, lack of gun focus, whatever, are somehow immune from the same woes that occur in other countries.  Sadly, it isn't so.
I know there has been and will continue to be discussions as to why people who have been raised in this country would turn against it.  Some say that it is because they have no hope of a future with a job.  I don't believe that.
Many young men and older have faced the same future.  During the depression, the jobless didn't turn to violence.  Why then now.  I do believe it is because young people are growing up without hope-not without hope of a job, but without hope of anything better.  No matter how dreadful your situation, if you have hope of something better, you endure.
When we began to make faith in something (and Someone)  greater than ourselves unpopular and, then, unbelievable, hope left.  Not for everyone, I agree but certainly to a large percentage of people.  This has resulted in suicides, increased violence and other forms of crime.  If you believe you will be held accountable for your actions, you think twice before doing something that would cause the retribution.  I keep my driving speed to what is required not because I think (in my foolish pride) that I can't handle the vehicle if I was going faster but because I don't want a ticket.
Believing that this life is not the end of our life keeps a person going no matter how difficult things get and I readily admit that, in this country we are blessed but that doesn't mean Canadians don't hurt, suffer and grieve.
You may disagree with me regarding this and that is okay.  In this wonderful country we call home, we have the right to disagree.  We don't have the right to force our opinions on someone else.
One last thought: as saddened as I am by today's events (and I am sure they won't be the last) I will not live in fear.  This is what these cowards who kill unarmed people want.  They won't get it from me.
Blessings,