Today’s Job Was Dog One

I got the facial features on my first dog block fused and blanket stitched, as well as his share of the sashing squares added to the block. That’s all for today. I don’t want to aggravate my back like I did yesterday

We’re enjoying a beautiful cool spring day here at the Yellow House. A lot of people are complaining because the temps have stayed on the cool side this spring. As for me, cool weather suits me just fine. The heat and humidity will be here soon enough. It zaps my energy even more than it’s usually zapped. If I come back for another life, I hope it’s to a cool climate--nothing like the balmy south.

Skipper and I just had lunch (tomato sandwich for me, Cesar Filet Mignon for Skip), so now we’re going to snuggle on the couch for a bit and maybe maybe  movie.

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On 04/29/2018, Debbie Price said ...

How cute! Those eyes look so real! I love the colours in the postage stamp squares. This quilt will be adorable!
We have cool weather here as well. Glad our humidity hasn't hit us yet.
Hope you got some rest.
Hugs 💖

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On 04/30/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

What a darling expression on this little dog's face! Well done!!

Hope your back will let you sew on one dog each day or two.

Hugs!
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Dogs Done

i now have all nine of the doggie blocks pieced. Now I have to trim the bocks and add facial features. Then I can start putting them together with the 2-inch postage stamp sashing. I have about half of the 2-inch squares cut out. It takes more than 300.

I also got the binding sewn onto the front of the “Star Spangled Summer” quilt. I’ll hand stitch it to the back while watching tv. Not tonight though. Tonight daughter Andy is coming for what has become our regular Friday evening dinner. Tonight we’re ordering from a local BBQ place that has wonderful food. Andy will pick up the feast on her way in from work.

Until she gets here, I’m going to lie here on the couch and play computer solitaire or something mindless. Sitting at there sewing machine always aggravates my back, and I’m hoping an hour of reclining will pacify the pain and make it ease off.

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On 04/27/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Cure dogs and II look forward to seeing the facial expressions you add to each one!

Well done in getting the binding onto Star Spangled Summer and hope you enjoy the process of hand stitching the other side of the binding sewn down.

Hugs!

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On 04/28/2018, Debbie Price said ...

Sue,those dogs are adorable!

What type of chair do you have at your sewing table? I know that they make very good computer chairs with back support. I am seriously looking into them for myself. Between working at my sewing and then on the computer, I think it would be a sound investment.

Hope you and Andy had a wonderful dinner. I do wish there was a good BBQ place here.
Have a good day!
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No Get in My Get-along

My lavender clematis

I had planned to straighten up the sewing room today. But that has not yet come to pass. I just keep thinking how much of my limited supply of spoons (energy) it will take to climb those stairs. 

This has been a month of health checkups. First, eye doctor and new glass, which haven’t helped as much as I’d hoped. Then dental checkup, where I learned I need a new crown. Finally, yesterday, my annual wellness visit. All my tests came back either good or very good. My cholesterol is still just a smidgen high, but much better than last year. So I’m going to keep working on my diet and stear clear of statins for now, with my doctors blessings for that plan.

I just keep wondering, though, how my tests can all be so good when I feel so absolutely rotten. There’s no test for fibromyalgia, of course. And the test results yesterday didn’t include my nonexistent spinal discs. So there’s that. My sister Joanne reminded me that we should be very thankful that our health is as good as it is. And I am thankful. But I would sure be thankful for a good supply of energy too. Oh well, you can’t have it all, can you?

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On 04/25/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Your lavender clematis is beautiful!

You know I hear you on the bothersome to the max fatigue that plaugues us both. There is a website called "You don't look sick" and that's where the spoon analogy came from. It is irksome to look fine and feel rotten!

Did you know medicinal cannabis would be of help to up and without bad side effects? True. Sigh, the pinheads believe the misinformation about cannibis spread by none other than J. Edger in the 1930s. Rubbush!

Hugs!

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On 04/28/2018, Pat said ...

At a recent doctor’s visit I had great labs too. I said I’d be in pretty good shape if I didn’t hurt and could sleep. Love your doggie blocks.
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Do I Stay or Do I Go?

I wanted to do some handwork yesterday, so I could work downstairs while watching Barbara Bush's funeral, so I decided to pick back up on the "Abundance" quilt I started some months ago. In working on the above block, I remembered why I had put it aside. For some reason, this has been a booger work on. Nothing ever turns out right. In fact, I had already stitched this block once, didn't like it, picked all the stitches out, and started over.

By the time Mrs. Bush was thoroughly eulogized, I was thoroughly disgusted with the block. Things were still not turning out right, and I'd be darned if I was going to pick out the stitches again. So I decided to pack it all up and put it away and probably never work on it again. Today, though I might have changed my mind. I'm not as disgusted with it as I was yesterday. So maybe I'll continue. But again, maybe not. If I'm not having fun with a project (and I've definitely had no fun so far with this one) I see no reason to continue. There are too many fun quilts I could be working on. But maybe the next block will be more fun. I guess I should give it one more shot before I holler "Uncle."

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On 04/23/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Hang in there, sweetie! I suggest you put the block across the room. move away, and see how it looks. I bet it will look fine, and if it doesn't go on to the next block. Perhaps it will be okay when surrounded by other blocks or by then you'll have found another block to be its substitute.

Hugs!

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On 04/24/2018, A Facebook User said ...

I don't like not finishing things. So I have way to many things/chores/projects that are just hanging around. When I get the gumption to throw out or donate items it makes me feel good. Still it's hard to do. When I opened this blog day, I thought some kind of weird worms or such had gotten onto your square...the stems...:-)
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My Favorite Books

bI have been a bookworm since I was six or seven years old. The first book i can remember reading was Wicked John and the Devil. I was in first grade. So as you see, even from the beginning, I went in for the scary books--although Wicked John... is actually more funny than scary,].

Not having a lot to write about today, I decided to my subject would be what I consider the best books I’ve ever read.

10. Wutherng Heights
by Emily Bronte
          A servant in the house of Wuthering Heights, located on the windswept moors of Yorkshire, England,  tells a traveler the tragic tale of lovers Cathy and Heathcliff.

9. Green Mansions
by William H. Hudson
A young wealthy Venezuelan named Abel flees Caracas, after a failed attempt at revolution, into the uncharted forests of the Guyana jungle. There he meets the mysterious Rima the Bird Girl.


8. The Haunting of Hill House
by Shirley Jackson
“No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids[†] are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against the hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.” So begins this superlative novel, the consummate haunted house story. Things only get creepier from there.

7. Christy
by Catherine Marshall
In the year 1912, nineteen-year-old Christy Huddleston leaves home to teach school in the Smoky Mountains -- and comes to know and love the resilient people of the region, with their fierce pride, their dark superstitions, their terrible poverty, and their yearning for beauty and truth.

6. Clan of the Cave Bear
by Jean M. Auel
A magnificent novel in which the reader is taken back to the dawn of modern humans. With a girl named Ayla we are swept up in the harsh and beautiful Ice Age world they shared with the ones who called themselves The Clan of the Cave Bear.

 

Lonesome Dove

2. To Kill a Mockingbird

3. David Copperfield

4. Watership Down

5. The Godfather

6. Clan of the Cave Bear

7. Christy

8. The Haunting of Hill House

9. Little Women

 

I decided to stop at ten books. And even though these are truly ten of the best books ever written, in my opinion, there are more--many, many more--that have given me many hours of pleasure during my life.

I would like to also mention a book entitled Maura or Moira that my sister and I read when we were teenagers. I forgotten much of the details of that book, but I remember that it was scary and we both loved it. I have looked for a copy for many years with no luck. Do any of you k,now the book I’m speaking of?

So What Have I Been Doing?

Springtime in Bama has been a mixed bag so far. We have had record-breaking hailstones, torrential rains, tornadoes, sweat-producing heat and humidity, frost-producing chill, and pollen a’plenty. But through it all, the dogwoods and other flowering trees and plants have managed
to put on a show.

Looking back over the week, it seems I have been very busy. But it also seems I have very little to show for it. As far as sewing-room activity goes, I trimmed my “Star Spangled Summer” quilt, but I have yet to make or apply binding or a lable or a hanging sleeve. I also got around to making one more doggie block for the dog quilt. But I’m not happy with the ears, so it needs some work before I show it. 

I had hoped to maybe get into the sewing room today. But instead, I wore myself out doing one load of laundry, straightening up the kitchen, making my bed, and potting two tiny little zinnia plants that a friend gave me at book club meeting on Monday.

Speaking of book club, we met at my house this month and discussed a very good book entitled What Lies Beyond the Stars by Michael Goodjean. (See left sidebar for review.) I served snacks to those in attendance (we had 100% attendance this time). Everyone, including Skipper and Taco, seemed to enjoy the meeting (Bella stayed hidden). 

Yesterday, I had to make a trip to the grocery store. That’s one chore that gets harder and harder with time. I seem to dilly dally around and hardly ever leave enough time for grocery delivery service. I usually let something get to emergency status, and I have to make an in-person trip. I’m going to have to start planning better.

In my down time, which I’ve had a lot of lately, I have been binge watching “Ray Donovan.” I had not heard of this series until it was mentioned in connection with our current White House occupants and occupants’ associates. (Times in America have changed drastically in the past year.) Well this series sounded like my kind of entertainment and, turns out, it is. Way too much of what looks like real sex for my liking, but the story is intriguing. (I am no prude, but I do not enjoy watching people have sex. I just don’t.)

“Ray Donovan” can be compared to “The Sopranos” in many ways. Modern day suburban husband and wife, two adolescent children (boy and girl), nice upper middle class lifestyle, and almost everyone is a criminal. The main difference is that while the main Soprano characters are Italian American, the Donovan family is of Irish descent, hailing from Boston--a bunch of Southies with that wonderful South Boston accent, who have migrated to L.A. (just ahead of the law, it seems). It’s very violent, and, as noted, contains much nudity and sex. And the use of the “F” word gets practically boring; it’s that overdone. But it is a good story with good characters (good like well done, not good like upstanding people), and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It you like crime drama, and can get past the profanity and soft porn, you’ll probably like it too.

 I have a couple more loads of laundry to do, so let’s see if I can reach down real deep and find just a smidgen of energy.

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On 04/17/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

What an interesting post! It's good to reaad about what you've been up to.

I hear you on the annoying fatigue issue. We had delightful out-of-town company who arrived last Wednesday and left yesterday. Trying to get back to normal seems impossible though I've done the laundry and need to make two beds. Only one is essential or we'll have nowhere to sleep tonight.

It would be a treat to get back into my sewing room, but that takes energy, too.

Wishing you LOTS of spoons!

Hugs!
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Let’s Try Again

I don’t know what I did, but I had a blog post all ready and about to hit “publish,” and I lost it. It’s gone. I can’t even get it back with the “restore” button which has always worked in the past when I’ve lost a post. Now the restore button will only gives me the last post I published. So let me see if I can recreate what I was about to post here. 

These footies aren’t the prettiest or the most fashionable, I know. But they keep my feet warm and more important, they dust my wood floors as I walk about with them on. Keeps me from having to run the dust mop ever day, sometimes twice a day. The fur-bearers can shed quite a bit of hair and dander in a day’s time. And then there’s Skipper, who tracks in copious amounts of dirt from the outside. I ordered four pairs in four different colors from Amazon, hoping they would work--and the do!

I’m having a hard time getting a decent photo of the new living room curtains. In the daytime, the contrast from the outside light is the problem. At nighttime, the glare from the inside light on the windows is the problem. So far, this is all I’ve been able to manage (above). Maybe if I can come up with a spurt energy one day soon, I’ll cut some black paper panels and tape them over the windows and try for some more nighttime shots. 

This is quilt guild meeting day, but I didn’t feel up to getting ready and driving to Homewood this morning. I woke with awful pain in my back, hips, and legs, which I do many mornings lately. Maybe it’s this crazy Goldilocks weather this year. Some days are too hot, some days are too cold, some days are just right. The last couple of days have been in the too cold range, and nights have been down-right frigid.

I think that was everything I covered in my original post. Now let’s see if it can get this posted without losing it.

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On 04/10/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

What great "mop" shoes!! I need some of those for all of our hardwood floors. Only problem might be if they are slippery on stairs as in this tri-level house, I often got up or down stairs.

Your new living room curtains are beautiful and look just right, charming! Well done!

Hugs!
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I Believe

I was scrolling through past blog posts looking for a particular photo (which I haven’t found) when I came across the list below. It tells some of my personal beliefs and philosophies from 2010. I found they still hold true these years later. I enjoyed reading them so much that I thought I would like to repost them here.

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1. I believe that Jesus was the son of God. I believe I'm a daughter of God and heir to all that Jesus went to prepare.

2. I believe that we are commanded to love every single human being on earth, no matter their race, no matter their religion, no matter their color or political party, no matter if they're murderers or missionaries. This, according to my friend Jesus, is the second most important thing we must do after loving God totally.

3. I believe dogs go to Heaven. (Kitties too--all God's creatures.)

4. I believe that a cup of coffee in the morning is a joy of life.

5. I believe flowers are messages from God, not just some plant's genitals.

6. I believe music comes from the spirit and is a language all its own.

7. I believe all things, including us, in the Universe are connected physically.

8. I believe there is more in our reality that we can't see than that we can.

9. I believe a Chick-fil-a vanilla milkshake is the most delicious thing on earth.

10. I believe in angels, although I'm not sure just what they are.

11. I believe that skin color, just like hair color, is a physical trait. That's all. It has nothing to do with a person's character.

12. I believe people should be able to speak any language they damn well choose.

13. I believe that we were put here as stewards of the earth, not owners of it.

14. I believe that sin is hurting one of God's creations.

15. I believe that art, music, and craft are efforts to immitate God. Remember we were made in his image.

16. I believe "made in his image" means, not that we look like him/her/it (remember, God is not a human) but that the spirits that are within us are godlike.

17. I believe that God is huge and that we are tiny.

18. I believe God loves us with a love that we can't understand but that we attempt to immitate in our love for our family and friends.

19. I believe that the resources of the earth are here for all creatures, not just us.

20. I believe in evil. That is, I believe evil exists. I believe that war, injustice, racism, or any form of hatred is an expression of evil.

21. I believe that God has a plan for all people on earth and that none of us will suffer because of the cultures we've been brought up in. People of other faiths are his children too.

22. I believe Sophie is worrying the dickens out of me.

23. I believe Hally Berry and Ashley Judd are two of the most beautiful women who ever lived.

24. I believe home should be a sanctuary.

25. I believe rainfall soothes my soul.

26. I believe our bodies age, but our souls mature.

27. I believe we have lost much of what we used to be in modern devices such as telephones, televisions, automobiles, and airplanes. These separate us from Nature and the Universe. The Amish have that right.

28. I believe that whatever and whoever God is, he is eternally bound up in light.

29. I believe that justice is a God thing.

30. I believe pink is the most soothing color and yellow is the happiest.

And finally, I believe that if you disagree with any of my beliefs, it makes no difference in your worth. And it makes no difference in my love for you. You are my equal no matter what you serve.

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On 04/07/2018, Debbie Price said ...

I agree with so many of these. I drink tea in the morning now, coffee upsets my empty stomach, but I drink it later. I would add the ocean to the list: it is so calming to me and it is where I feel calm and close to God.

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On 04/08/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Amen.

I believe we are to be angels to each other however real heavenly angels are.

I believe that the wild variety that abounds in nature is proof positive that God's love stretches to include each one of us. A the giraffes and the platypus show His/Her sense of humor.

Hugs!

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On 04/18/2018, Barb~ said ...

I just found this and let me tell you... believe as you do. It comforts me to know I have a kindred spirit in my beliefs. I too like the other commenter, the ocean...I believe the ocean is a creation GOD's to show us the girth of this world's beauty.
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