Lorelei and I had worked a bit on this puzzle the other day...and I worked a few more after she left. But for the most part had hardly touched it. Yesterday, Sarah worked on it while my other daughter and I sewed a while...then we came up and started working on it. And finished it before the day was done. It was mostly them....but I am glad it is done because I have things I need to do and I cannot leave a puzzle alone most of the time when I have one out.
But it is awfully tempting to start another one!
We had a white Christmas...but just a an inch or so. It is bitter cold...it was 16ºF when I notice up in the morn...but got colder throughout the day. I saw it 12º and then 10º two or three hours later.
I had a lot of little pieces of orange fabrics left over from those pumpkin places mats earlier this fall.
So over the past few weeks I have pieced the pieces together randomly. Finally worked a few minutes over the past few days and finished these little mug mats that are approximately 4 3/4 inch square.
Our Lorelei is in the hospital with pneumonia. She was admitted yesterday evening, and has to stay at least tonight and will see what tomorrow brings. She felt bad Monday, then she her fever began...she did not throw up or anything like that. Just a temp and wheezing. She looks sick, does not look horrible. Her oxygen level is not normal.
The dr. was in this afternoon while we were there, and she was looking at the oxygen level and pulse rate and at Lorelei, and said you would never guess how sick she is by looking at her. And she doesn't complain...teases and jokes with all the nurses, and whoever comes in, and cooperates and does whatever they ask. So we will see what tomorrow brings. Hoping she doesn't have to spend a third night, but if she does, we are thankful for the care she gets.
We saw this juvenile bald eagle a few days ago. It was midday and I was shooting into the sun. I was going west, and he was sitting in a tree a few feet off the other side of the road.
This jigsaw puzzle is waiting for me...if I start it now, I won't be able to leave it alone. I love puzzles. When we were kids we would usually get a new jigsaw puzzle each Christmas. I have loved them as long as I can remember. My favorite part to work is usually the sky, or sky and snow. and my least favorite parts are dark greens.
Bubbie likes to claim my lap a lot of evenings. He loves snuggle time.
Some fabrics my daughter picked up for me. She couldn't resist sending me a picture. The one with the squirrel and the ones in the right stack are by this designer Tula Pink. If you have time, look here. I googled Tula Pink Fabrics and then clicked images. A LOT of her fabrics have an animal in them. And they are so cute. Every time I look I see something I didn't see before. Roger had trouble seeing the rabbit in THIS one--do you?
I had not really looked at them before...now I regret it. IF you take the time to glance, be sure and look at the different color versions. It can really make a difference, and one or two of them, you can see the animals better in some colors than others.
edited to add:
Be sure and listen to the second song at least half way through. Has a long introduction...need to listen past the first 1 1/2 minute to get to the real song.
I heard about these Getting To Know me questions on Mildred's blog...I decided to play along.
1. What is your middle name?
Mary
2. What was favorite subject at school?
I loved biology in high school.
3. What is your favorite drink?
That depends on the time of day, the weather outside and what I have been doing. Coffee to go with breakfast, then either Coke, iced tea, or water any other time.
4. What is your favorite song at the moment?
I don't have a current favorite song...but how about an old favorite:
If that don't suit you, have you heard this one? Roger heard bits and pieces of it on a game he had and I hunted till I found it.
5. What is your favorite food?
Home cooked or grilled....but I could not name one specific food. I will eat bacon any time. And LOVE Tomatoes.
6. What is the last thing you bought?
Christmas gifts...oh, no, I ordered thread after I got home.
7. Favorite book of all time?
Too many to name...
8. Favorite Color?
I love them all!
9. Do you have any pets?
Two cats, but we have always had dogs, also, till the past few years. When the girls were home we had mice and rats, and rabbits. Raised a robin, and had a squirrel for a while.
10. Favorite Perfume?
I don't wear perfume
11. Favorite Holiday?
Christmas and Thanksgiving
12. Are you married?
Yes, had our 41st anniversary in July
13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?
We crossed over into Canada, but just to say we had been on Canadian soil.
14. Do you speak any other language?
No
15. How many siblings do you have?
I am the youngest of 8 children...
16. What is your favorite shop?
I don't have a favorite shop, but it would be a quilt shop.
17. Favorite restaurant?
Close to home, I do love Texas Roadhouse, but my favorite restaurant is Yoder's Kitchen in Arthur, Illinois. It is about 75 miles away so while we don't go once a month, we do make it over there a few times a year.
18. When was the last time you cried?
Tonight as I watch Collin Raye She's With Me...remember he sang Love Me? And if that is not enough, something about Love Me made me think of Pirates of the Mississippi's Feed Jake.
19. Favorite Blog?
Too many to name...
20. Favorite Movie?
I am trying to think of just one and I cannot make a decision. I will stop and watch Steel Magnolias any time I see it on. I loved Seabisuit. And the movie about Secretariat.
21. Favorite TV shows?
I love to watch The Voice...and I love Masterpiece on PBS...just finished watch this season of Poldark and also The Durrells in Corfu.
We were watching a Fleetwood Mac concert tonight...they sang this. It was written by Stevie Nicks and has been a favorite of mine for years. Below is the version by the Dixie Chicks. I am not sure which version is my favorite.....I guess I have reasons for loving both versions.
Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon getting the layers stretched and t-pinned to the floor, then I got it pin-basted. Maybe one of these days I will actually start the quilting. I want to keep my sewing machine free till after Thanksgiving so in case daughter and I get a chance to sew, we can. It has always taken me a while to finish things but now it takes me forever to do anything.
Click to enlarge....look at that Otti....he is aging so. It breaks my heart to see it. That link in the first sentence will take you back through posts showing him. He could not be a better dog...nothing could be improved. In my opinion. He loves his family, loves their friends, so good with kids that you could not ask for more. Lorelei has climbed on him, laid on him, slept on him....put him in her wagon....he just let her and any of her friends do anything they wanted.
As I have told before, he don't meet a stranger. He has got on the UPS truck one time...wanted to go for a ride. Another time, he tried to get on the school bus with all the kids. And then just this Halloween, he got out the front door, and tried to get in this truck...with complete strangers. They yelled at the guy to not open his door just in time...I think he did get tickled though cause he saw how bad Otto wanted to go.
Their neighborhood is full of kids at Halloween so the streets are full, and everyone is going slow, so there was no danger.
Rosie is a pistol...she trembles with joy when any family member comes...she loves so intensely. She goes from one to the other of us when several of us come in at the same time. At some point I usually have her in my lap and she lays back with her belly up to be rubbed.
Lorelei spent the night last night, and did not go home till the afternoon...she wanted to go to the park last night.
I took her but was so cold we only stayed about 20-25 minutes. She was fine, but I was freezing.
She told me that people at school that didn't know her name just called her Monkey...because she is always hanging on the monkey bars. She told me 'That's okay.....I just take it as a compliment.'
She is growing up much too quick....
************
It has been kind of hectic the past few weeks...I even forgot I had an appt. for a haircut this afternoon!
It is not that I have had so many things to do, but the hoops I had to jump through to get a few things done. Two things were prescriptions, and I am still waiting on one. But it is out of my hands. One doctor was supposed to get Roger an appt. with a pulmonologist, and I waited a week and a half and no word...so, I just got an appt with our family dr....that was Wed. and the appt has done been made....of course it is not until January of next year. But still...at least one is made.
And that is only part of what has been going on...it has really made me think about stopping blogging completely. But for now I will carry on a bit longer and see how things go.
I think most people know this is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri...it stands 630 ft. tall...we passed by it when there but did not attempt to go up. I don't know why, but it did not even cross my mind. Daughter just took us down to the area because she works near it.
This is one of the churches we passed...beautiful, impressive churches were everywhere, but I did not get any good photos...
Another shot, not so good...but you get the idea.
I hope to post another one or two in the days to come....
I have been playing a bit with sewing. Just bits of time here and there. I made the pineapple blocks above using scraps left from making the pumpkin placemats below.
I had fun making these because I could finish them.
I have been experimenting with a couple other things but cannot settle to one that I want to do.
*************
I seem to have slowed down a lot...takes me so long to get anything accomplished.
Add to that for the past few weeks have had 2 and 3 appts every week....
We did make it to St. Louis for long weekend with our other daughter. It was a fun weekend...
Yep, our Sunshine will be wearing glasses soon....she is supposed to get them this week. Isn't she cute?
I think I have told you before how she blames her clumsiness on her mom and I...well, the ophthalmologist ask her if she was clumsy. Guess what her answer was? Yep, you guessed it...she told the Dr. that she got her clumsiness from her mom and Mamaw. As if that is not enough, she went so far as to tell her that her Aunt R is like her Papaw and they are NOT clumsy!
Wonder of wonders...I started this post this afternoon, and didn't get to finish it. Then later, I received this photo of her with her new glasses!
We saw this guy the other day on a show from PBS that I had recorded...I love the guitars in this. I would be fine with as an instrumental. Notice his guitar is a 12-string!
***********
I am taking a blog break...I so seldom get any new photographs it just seems easier to quit for the time being. I had just sort of came to my wit's end...if I actually have any wit left in me. I may still visit and comment from time to time, but will tell you if I ever start blogging again.
This video has two songs, but it is the first that I really want to share with you...I happened across it the other night. It was in the list below the video I was currently watching. I felt compelled to watch it...I have no idea what made me think I might like it. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I do...
Thought I might as well include the lyrics:
"Johnny's Song"
what is life it could be a million
It could be a single dime
Or it could be a ship out on the water
But to me it's just more time
Time for the one who moved a hundred mountains
Time for the one who broke a thousand chains
For the love of a son and a mother
A little girl sweet as sugar cane
What is love it could be a river
Love's a single drop of rain
But to her love is forever
It's the mention of your name
What is love there's more than just one answer
Love's a golden wedding ring
If only love could be the cure for cancer
Then the world would hear you sing
What is faith
Faith is believing
Faith can tell you where to go
You say faith can move a thousand mountains
Faith can liberate your soul
A heart of gold will take you to the rafters
Where you get your angel wings
Don't cry for me are the words that are coming
From your golden guitar strings
What is life
It could be a million
What is love
There's more than just one answer
What is faith
Faith is believing
A few days ago was 'Take your pet to school' day...Otto was the chosen pet. I had totally forgotten till Sarah brought it up. How I would have loved to been a mouse traveling on her shoulder.
Her and Jeremy take him at the appointed time. They walk in the school. He heard kids in the cafeteria and strained to go see them. He would hear other kids and his ears would perk up.
So, imagine the joy when he went into Lorelei's classroom. Sarah said every child got a face-wash, and when he was done, he just went over and flopped in the floor which made the kids laugh even more. He has always had a heart for kids....you might easily find a dog that is smarter than him but you will never find a dog better than him.
When Lorelei was little she climbed on him, sat on him, laid on him, and all the other kids could do the same. You would think with all of that, that he would have stayed away from her, but most of the time he followed and laid close by.
*************
Lorelei is funny...she drops things or spills things...not any more than the average child. But she says I am a klutz...I take after my mom....who takes after her mom, which is you Mamaw! And she told me that is what she tells her teachers that!
************
One night Sarah and Jeremy went to her former boss' house, I guess he is till her boss in one sense, but she runs the place in Terre Haute and he is at their place over by Indianapolis. So either they were taking a part to him, or else going to pick up a part from him. This was after work, and Lorelei was with them...and it is about a 30 minute drive to his house.
A bit of background is that Sarah can be at work in about 5 minutes...so they get out, and Lorelei says to him, 'Tell me why do you live ALL The way out here and drive to my mommy's work?' I forget what he answered her...he has known her a while...and they all got a good laugh.
I. I had this practically finished. Lorelei saw it the other day and said she wanted it. I didn't have the jack-o-lantern face on it then. She spent the night last night. I cut eyes, nose and mouth out of paper, actually did a couple different designs of the mouth. She chose one similar to this. I redesigned the mouth a bit and finished it today. She wants it to hang on her door.
2. It is that time of year...this is one of the poems that I have shared before. I did not fully fall in love it it till I heard it read by someone else. Below the video, I will copy and paste the words till you can read them as well as hear them.
When the Frost is On the Punkin
by
James Whitcomb Riley
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and the gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin'; of the guineys and the cluckin' of the hens
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O it's then the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock
They's somethin kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here -
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny monring of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock -
When the frost is on the punkin and fodder's in the shock.
The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries - kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A preachin' sermons to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below - the clover overhead! -
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!
Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage, too!
I don't know how to tell it - but if sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me -
I'd want to 'commodate 'em - all the whole-indurin' flock -
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock! This poem is in the public domain.
3. How about a Simon's Cat video...this one reminds me of our cat Bubbie, but the part where he is on Simon's head and wrapped around his head reminds me of the first cat I had in our married life....he actually did sleep across my forehead and wrapped around my head just like that for the first few years of his life...
4. We sat here and watched a show I recorded...Infinity Hall Live...it had some of the best songs from some of the artists over the years. My favorites were America, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Los Lonely Boys...
5. Roger had an off day today...nothing real bad but was dizzy and kept saying he felt so goofy. I hate for him to feel like that and always feel concerned. But I tell myself that these days are to be expected after what he went through.
That is it for the night...I have been trying to type on this all night...just now getting it finished.
Sarah sent me this pic tonight of Lorelei and her 'friend.' Beautiful...both of them!
She sent me this one the other night...she does not know if they are the one and the same or not. Whichever it is, it is a visitor where she works. It is a polyphemous moth...
I thought I would do a little post over here...and use some of the photos I have not used. I have an abundance of dragronfly shots. Such as this one taken August 5...
Then there are other subjects...shots I really like but just haven't posted yet.
Are you feeling fall in the air where you live? I see things such as the above, and I know it is on its way.
I sit on the porch almost every day at some point in time...most times late in the evening. I noticed a tree down the other side of the street had one little spot of red just 3 or 4 days ago. This afternoon when when I was sitting out there, I happened to notice this same tree and it has a lot of branches tipped in red! Too numerous to count.
And then there is this...just look at it...this is a different tree, but the shot was taken this past Thursday!
*************
Lorelei is back in school...she was so excited to start back and seems enthusiastic about it. I hope she always enjoys going to school...so far all her teachers have just loved having her.
************
We have been talking of going to Willow Slough...Roger wants to go. It is a wildlife place...has fishing and hunting... I want to go, too, but it makes me a bit nervous to be over an hour from home. It is almost a straight shot up the road, I cannot remember if it is four lanes all the way, but it is for most of the way. He says he may sleep on the way there and back, and that is fine. It is good that he wants to get out and do something. I don't know what day it will be...his allergy shots are tomorrow...so that rules tomorrow out.
*************
Have any of you watched any of the episodes of American Epic on PBS..it is about the birth of modern music, but different artists from all types of music come and do a recording on this old, old recording device. Roger is even enjoying watching the same show a second time. Not that I am not, he just usually doesn't want to watch things a second time. I forget who all appears on it, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and it has the blues....and more besides. A bit of bluegrass...
And speaking of shows, if you ever get the chance watch Childsplay on PBS....or for that matter any place you get the chance. I seen it was going to be on, and almost didn't record it, but I have a habit of recording anything music...never know when I will find something I like. It is fiddles, fiddlers from all walks of life, and a fiddlemaker....and during some of the songs a kid does the Irish dancing....
It has been a stressful week for us....if you don't feel like reading, just know that it was good news. The new med for Roger did succeed in stopping the anxiety/panic attacks. And the CT scan was done this past Monday.
We both had appointments with dermatologists on Wednesday. They are at the same place but with different doctors. I stressed about how that was going to work out, since Roger does not have much short term memory. But they are so kind and so good, she staggered them till I could be in the room with him. He really isn't having much breaking out now. Every now and then a little patch will pop up....but nothing terrible. So, she told me how to use his meds...when he originally got them, I was not with him. He could not remember how they were supposed to be used.
Then it was my turn. I have had three spots of basal cell cancer on my face, so I get worried about things that don't heal. I had a spot come, and it has been getting bigger...but keep in mind that it started as not much more than the head of straight pin, and grew to about a quarter of an inch. And every time I washed my face, there would be a fresh bloody little scab come.
Well, she looked at it and gave it a name, said she didn't think she needed to do a biopsy because it wasn't cancer, and froze it off plus a couple or three other places. I was so relieved, and thankful I could have cried. I had not told Roger I was worried, but with putting sunscreen on my face, I have to look at my face every day...and I just wish I could avoid it.
We then seen our nurse practitioner Friday and got the news about the scan--nothing had changed, no new bleeds nothing going on there. So that was a relief. So thankful for answered prayers.
I don't get the fearful feelings quite like I used to...this one friend of Roger's always told me the Good Lord was not done with Roger yet...he seemed to have no doubt that Roger would make it through.
Then I get to thinking about when I had him to the ER in February, the nurse that had him that day, had been there when he had the brain bleed. And he told us that Somebody was on our side, because the helicopter had been in the area doing some training and they did not have to wait on it to get here. So the Lord has been good to us...
******************
A year ago Roger had a TIA(mini-stroke)...on our anniversary. Technically that was yesterday. He had the stroke August 2nd. I try not to dwell on it....but oh, what a time that was. I am so thankful to still have time with him. When he was in the hospital I stayed some nights with my brother and then in his room; in rehab I would come home at night...I would often cry most of the way home...I would cry because it was a beautiful sunset, or beautiful sky and he couldn't be there to see it with me. I wondered would we ever get to go on another drive together. I wondered would I ever feel his arms around me....would he ever come to himself.
And he has....somethings are really slow coming, but little things keep improving. At first he didn't have much interest in TV, then, he started watching it but couldn't quite use the remote....now he has it figured out and can turn the TV on and off, and find what he wants. He still doesn't do much on the computer, but he does get on Youtube and find videos to watch while he rides the stationary bike. So things keep improving...
******************
I heard these guys, Future Islands, on Austin City Limits tonight...they have a decidedly different sound. And two or three of their songs really sound alike. I almost changed channels but for some reason, I didn't. I really like this song...the words to it are below the video.
"Ran"
Ingest, where it goes, nobody sees but me
So perfect and so sweet
But the rest, feels incomplete
Like the rabbit's foot I keep
In the locket, with no key
And I can't take it, I can't take this world without
This world without you
I can't take it, I can't take it on my own
On my own
On these roads
Out of love, so it goes
How it feels when we fall, when we fold
How we lose control, on these roads
How it sings as it goes
Flight of field, driving snow
Knows the cold
Ran round the wailing world
And what's a song without you?
When every song I write is about you
When I can't hold myself without you
And I can't change the day I found you
On these roads
Out of love, so it goes
How it feels when we fall, when we fold
How we lose control, on these roads
How it sings as it goes
Flight of field, driving snow
Knows the cold
Out of love, so it goes
How it feels when we fall, when we fold
How we lose control, on these roads
How it sings as it goes
Flight of field, driving snow
Knows the cold
Ran round the wailing world
I did manage to finish a couple pot holders...go here and look at the 3rd block down. I had it left over when I made my choices for the latest quilt I am working on. Well, I should say or not working on....it just sits on the design wall. Anyway, I cut that block in half in both directions. I then bordered two of those quarter sections and made the two potholders. I am not sure what I will do with the other two...probably two more potholders.
************
We had to have our house and garage roofed...I signed the agreement in May. I knew it would be a while, so was surprised when it was started last Friday and finished Monday! I figured with all the damage from the storm on the 12th that that would put us farther down on the list. No, here they came Friday and did the garage, and started on the house, then back on Monday and finished it.
In doing that they had to take down our Directv dish...and suggested we have them put it back up on a pole...so got that done on Tuesday. It was really weird being without television Monday night.
****************
Roger has been having some bad times the past few days...I took him to our nurse practitioner yesterday and she started him on a new med. It has to build up in his system, but I think it has helped some already. It has really been a hard few days for him. He told her his head hurt all the time...I don't think it hurts all the time. She is ordering another CT scan to check things out there...just to be on the safe side.
Lorelei will be starting to school in a couple weeks. We had her last week, but have only had her one day this week.
Anyway, I am glad things are starting to settle down with Roger and glad the roof is done...now got to live through two or three appts next week...
We had more rain late this evening...it rained and the wind blew some here, but nothing awful. Though the electric did flicker on and off several times, it did not stay off a single time.
Then I got a call from Jeremy asking how we were...did we have a storm. So I told him it had rained hard, but no damage here.
This and the following photos are from their yard.
When he told me they had a limb out, I did not think it was this big, though in rethinking it, I don't know why I didn't. The old oak tree is big...
What a mess it is! His brother has come over and helped clean up some of the mess.
Along with the fence, it also pulled off some guttering and the drip edge.
This one is taken from the front of their house looking back.
These are all shot within a few minutes...probably less than five. I suggest that you click to expand the view!
They are very close to the same but I just couldn't pic which one I liked best.
Notice the area between the two wires over the tree abut the middle of the photo.
I tried to film it but it just didn't turn out any good...but it was like a bloom opening and then it blended right back in with the rest of the clouds.
And then it started to rain and blow in on us so we had to go in...otherwise I would have set out there till it ended. I love to watch a storm...it was such a glorious storm.
