Fiction Friday: the Quilting Detective.

Emma had heard enough.  She knew it probably wasn't any of her business.    She knew she should just stay in her room and ignore what was happening in the next room but the sound of Jenny's sobs propelled her forward.  She marched into her neighbour's room the look of determination on her face challenging anyone who might try and stop her.  The three faces that stared at her sudden entrance all bore signs of the recent conflict but it was only Jenny MacMillan that Emma noticed.  She went over and put her arms around the younger woman.  Only then did she notice the tray of food on the floor.  The tea cup had broken the liquid was staining the rug beside the bed where Ethel James sat.
  "I apologize for intruding," Emma said to the director, " but I heard Jenny crying and that isn't acceptable."  "I appreciate your concern, Mrs. McCabe and, of course you are right.  Staff should never be the subject of abuse by residents or anyone else but I am looking after the situation."  Despite her words, Stephanie Morrison looked anything but in control.  Her face was flushed and her usually immaculate hair looked as though it had been raked by frustrated hands.
"Nevertheless, I am going to stay with Jenny until things get sorted out.  If necessary, I will hire a lawyer for her."
"A lawyer!  She is going to need a lawyer."  Ethel's voice was shrill with indignation.  "I know this girl stole my ring.  I caught her snooping in her yesterday."
"Jenny, were you in Mrs. James room yesterday," the director asked?
"No, well yes, but not to steal.  I came to see if Mrs. James wanted to come down for exercise class.  I knocked at her door but  I guess she didn't hear me because when I pushed it open, she screamed and started yelling at me."
"Of course, I yelled.  You frightened me.  You are always creeping around like a mouse scaring people."
"Ethel, let Jenny tell her story, please.  You have made a serious accusation and she has a right to defend herself.  Also, calling a person names isn't likely to help the situation either."  Emma's voice was quiet but there was no mistaking the firmness.  "Go on Jenny."
"Well, when Mrs. James jumped, I saw something roll onto the floor.  I bent down to get it for her but she yelled at me again and told me to get out.  So I did.  I never took anything.  I swear."
"Did you see what it was, Jenny?"  The director was reminding everyone that she was the person in charge.
"Yes.  It was a ring.  I only got a quick look but I think there was a red stone, a big one and some smaller white ones.  They might have been diamonds, I guess.  Like I said, I didn't see it very well."
"Does that sound like your ring, Mrs. James?"
"Of course it does.  I told you she stole it.  She came back after I went out and took it."

A Spectacular Day

This was one of those days when everything was just 'as usual'.  I made chili, cranberry chutney and some flatbread as Thurs. is my day for baking.  I planned on getting a commissioned job done in the afternoon but found that I was out of red binding.  Now I will have to go to Huntsville again tomorrow to get that.  I just kind of diddled away the rest of the day.
Some days are like that, aren't they.  Time just seems to get frittered away and, before you know it, it is bed time and nothing really got accomplished. 
Tomorrow is another day and will have another chance to have a spectacular day or at least mildly productive.
Blessings,

A Baby Doll

Walmart was full of people shopping for Christmas today.  I couldn't believe how many had carts full of wrapping paper and items that appeared to be for gifts.  Poor me was just trying to get my usual things.  I thought it being a Wednesday that it wouldn't be busy.  The store management also seemed to have got it wrong and were pulling staff in from everyone to staff the tills.
I kept bumping into people I knew in all the stores I went to including a lunch stop.  I guess most of the people from the village also thought it would be a slow day.
The other possible reason for the business might have been because the government cheques-pension etc. had been received.
Haven't done much since I came home other than put away my purchases and get supper which was just left overs.
Tomorrow, hubby is going to Orillia to deliver his sister's Christmas turkey so I will have a day to myself to sew, sew, sew.
I bought an odd item today.  I have been looking for a baby doll and found one that was perfect.  I will be able to make her  new born sized clothes which is why I bought her.  Heidi wasn't sure what to make of the doll.  I think she thought it was some sort of toy but when she tried to chew its feet, I put an end to the sniffing and exploring.  She hasn't shown any more interest so it may have just been the smell that attracted her.
It was a lovely day with the sun shining and close to seasonable temperatures.  Hope this holds for a bit.  It is a pleasure getting outside on a day like this.
Happy thanksgiving to my American readers for tomorrow.
blessings,

More Snow Squalls?

We, once again, have snow squall warnings here in the backwoods.  They seem to happen every day so I am not sure if there really is bad weather around us or those responsible for notifications are worried about being sued. We have had a few moments here and there when the wind gusts and the air is snow filled but I wouldn't say that it was a cause to check the supplies and hunker down.  Perhaps I will be more appreciative of the forecast tomorrow when I am on the road rather than snug in our rural rug.
We just got back from our walk.  No matter the conditions; other than freezing rain, I need to get outside and move around.  I love going through our bush as it looks lovely and shelters us from much of the snow falls.
Our little Heidi came back with her legs looking like they had mushrooms growing all over them.  The snow sticks so thickly to her hair that I keep thinking it will slow her down.  Hasn't happened yet though.  She still dashes thither and yon as much as she can at the end of her leash.  We use a long one on our property so she has some freedom.  When we got home, I popped her into the sink to wash off the snow and then decided to give her a bit of a bath.  She is laying in front of the wood stove now getting dry and warm.
I have been working on another small quilt with tumbler blocks.  I just finished a little table top and like the pattern so much that I am doing another.  It is nice to have something simple to work on that is quickly finished.  It also give me a project on which I can use the million or so 5 inch squares that I have accumulated.  As I am only using one of each colour/print, I will still have a couple or three left over.
Tomorrow I am going shopping but will try and stay away from fabric stores.
Blessings,

Episode 3-The quilting Dectective

After lunch, Emma went back to her room for a rest.  She didn't think she would be able to sleep after the pre-lunch excitement and the worry she felt but she could, at least lie down for a bit.  Her room always soothed her.  Although it wasn't very big, it held the things she most valued.  A photo of her late husband was on the dresser where she could see it when she woke up and from every point in the room.  It had been taken when he was accepted into the police force and the sparkle of his eyes showed his pride and pleasure.  Although passing years changed the trim figure and the colour of his hair, the sparkle didn't change especially when he was with his beloved wife.  There wasn't a day that Emma didn't miss him and his steady calm. 
The quilt that covered her bed was one she had made and the multi coloured Lemoyne stars brightened the room.  The pale cream background was the same colour as the walls.  The room had a window that faced onto the center court where residents could walk or sit at one of the many benches.  Emma had asked that sheer curtains covered the window to restrict people from looking in but still allow the sunshine.  At night, she lowered the mini blind to further increase her privacy.
She had recently started working on another quilt and a block with a few neatly attached leaves lay on one of the two comfortable chairs that were on either side of the window. 
Emma decided that rather than lie down, she would do a bit more applique.  Working on the tiny stitches would relax her.  As she was sitting down, she became aware of voices coming from the room next door.  Her suspicion that whatever had caused Ethel James previous commotion wouldn't be resolved quickly appeared to be correct.
"It's been stolen I tell you.  You never believe me.  If you don't call the police, I am going to phone my nephew and tell him how I am being treated.  He never wanted me to move to this place.  'Come and stay with me, auntie' he begged. But I didn't listen. I didn't want to be a burden.  Now I wonder if he hadn't heard something about this place and was worried about me."
"Now Mrs. James, I am listening to you.  I have listened every time you lost something.  I am only saying that we should do a bit of looking before we call the police.  I don't want you to be embarrassed if they come and then find your ring had fallen behind the dresser."
Emma didn't want to listen to the conversation but both women were talking loudly and the walls weren't sound proof.  She could hear the frustration in the director's voice and felt sorry for her.  It couldn't be easy trying to please so many people as well as running the manor.
"I'm going to get one of the staff to come and help me search and.." Stephanie's voice rose to cover the other woman's objections. "And", she continued, "if we don't find anything, I will call the police.  In the meantime, you have missed lunch so I will have someone bring you some food."
Emma heard a door close and there was no more noise.  She lay down on the bed and pulled a light cover over her legs.  She was feeling tired after all.
"What are you doing here?  Get out of my room!"  Emma sat up so suddenly that, for a moment, the room seemed to tilt.  For a moment, she thought she was dreaming but the sound of breaking dishes chased away the cobwebs.
"You stupid girl! Now look what you've done.  You've ruined the carpet and my favourite slippers."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. James, but I lost my balance when you pushed me.  I 'll get it cleaned up and bring you some more food.  Emma could hear the agitation in Jenny's voice and, just as she was wondering what to do, the director's exclamation announced her return.  "My goodness, Jenny, what happened her?"
"It wasn't my fault.  I was bringing Mrs. James something to eat like you asked and she pushed me.  I lost my balance and everything fell.  I was just going to clean it up"
"I didn't push her.  I was just trying to get her out of my room.  It was her that stole my ring."

A Hot Cup of Cocoa

What does a person do when the weather is to miserable to go outside?  Well, if you are a quilter, you quilt.  It isn't really bad outside if you are walking but right now the snow is too deep in the bush to do that.  It would be great for snowshoeing but my husband is too tired from plowing, bring it wood, plowing etc.  We were planning on going away on the weekend but cancelled because it is too treacherous so perhaps we can get the snowshoes out then.
I have been finishing up a few odds and ends.  Also, got at the quilt that is on my frame.  I had to remove it, unpick a row and then put it back.  I don't usually take it out of the frame for that but as I had only done two rows and wanted to sew a strip on the sides to help keep everything straight.
I have now completed that second row and stopped to make a cup of cocoa and check my e mail. 
It is funny how, even when you are snug inside, that a hot cup of cocoa with real cream is what the body craves.  Mine anyway.
Tomorrow is Fiction Friday and there will be another installment of the Quilting Detective.  Hope you will enjoy it.
Don't forget to check out Sew Sisters Blogathon  (link on yesterdays post) to win some great prizes as well as enjoy reading blogs from across Canada.  Another great way to spend a wintery day.
Blessings,

Blogathon

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I think it has finally stopped snowing.  I clean the huge layer of snow from my car and moved in from where I park so it will be ready to go out tomorrow.  I can't remember when I have looked forward to getting my snow tires on before.
While I was outside doing that and shoveling the path from house to parking area, a flock of about 50 geese flew over.  Perhaps they just realized that it was time to get moving or thought we wouldn't get winter this year.  A lot of folk believed that because we didn't get much of a summer our winter would be mild.  The geese appear to have had the same belief.
I have just finished making 6 microwave pot containers as well as couple of tumbler blocks.  Both are another way to use up fabric.
Blessings,