No One

In the recent past, having a conversation with someone who will remain nameless, I asked "who cleans your house?" The answer--"no one," said with a straight face. Chuckling, I thought it wasn't too far off from an answer I might give! However, on occasion, I get my butt in gear, and make an attempt at cleaning, which is what I did very early yesterday morning. I like to think our home is tidy which is the way we are content. Putting away the everyday decorations, I got a little carried away with tidiness and when the time came to put everything back out I could NOT find where I had put multiple items, which was driving me pretty much crazy. During my searches for said lost items I came across these two amazing photographs of Bruce's Mom, and Dad.

Aren't they fantastic?? Doesn't he look like Elvis? Uncanny! Another thing I'd misplaced which was causing great chagrin was a box of tea Matt brought home from Bath, England. I'd searched high and low, as had Bruce. Apparently not high enough though; it was hiding in a bowl on the top shelf!

Good morning indeed!

Thinking of Matt, how cute is this box of notecards???

From the Library of Congress, they are copies of the original cards for famous literature throughout history. Not only are the cards fantastic, the envelopes are as well. Just large enough for a quick note through snail mail. Have you made your resolutions for the new year? If not, consider one where you send someone a personal note every month. It will make their day.

A blast from the past this blog post called Why Blog? is. What I wrote in December 2012 still holds true. Coming across it on my statistics page, what is really interesting is that I'd already planned to add a squirrel photo to today's post. This guy sat for the longest time on my bird feeder pole, waving his tail every which way. I thought it was to maintain balance, however, when I knocked on the glass door, he ran down that pole as quick as a wink!

Most of this week has pretty much been taken up with quilting. Since September 1987 I've kept these pages from Family Circle, but now they have found their way into the trash bin. And yes, they were this yellowed.

Called them modern back then, wonder how these blocks would be received today? The reason for the bin? The measurements on the card trick block were not accurate, thus my struggles. I guess I finally found the time to test it out? Speaking of modern quilting, the runner I made for Tom's folks is a version of this.

Taken at Wandering Stitches, the quilting is to die for--computer generated it is.

Monday night Pam and I attended a quilt guild meeting at the Marks Street Senior Center (!!). I forget sometimes that I AM a senior! Anyway, who knew there was so much to talk about?

Turns out there is a lot to talk about, including many opportunities for sewists? That, by the way, is the latest term for people who sew. (!) A representative from the VA hospital was there to receive beautiful newly made quilts from some of the guild members. As well, the woman below, whom Pam met at Master Gardeners, is giving a demonstration of the English paper piecing method. 

There were other demonstrations as well, including one on traditional piecing which is really what I've been doing this week with some fabric I'd purchased, who knows when. My intention is to give it to Project Linus. Should you wonder what that is all about, click on the link.

Although I've been making quilts for a very long time, I was by no means an expert. I may never become expert, but I do want to improve, which means taking my time. In the past I did not pay enough attention to all facets, beginning with the cutting. Accuracy really matters. In a book of patterns I chose the one Bruce most liked-- you can see it open on the table.

And, although in the past I've not been much of a pinner, I was this time. There are 21 large blocks, as well as 6 half blocks to make, which I did by chain piecing after pinning.

This is where that thread cutter shines--no chance of nicking your block with it! In truth, I was hoping not to make it quite so large as my machine quilting skills are in their infancy. So, I made about 15 blocks, setting them out on our bed to dream up a pleasing arrangement.

Not so fast Gail! Showing Bruce, he questioned me, after looking at the picture, and was he ever right! To make it all come together with the white forming another pattern, I had to make them all. And I did, finishing them late yesterday afternoon. The entire top is put together, and then it was time to figure out the backing. How I am every going to quilt it is beyond me, but I am going to give it a go. Not today though, as Pam, Lisa, and I, are going to the World Quilt Show at the Convention Center in a few hours. Will I be inspired or discouraged? We shall soon see.

I thought you would be happy to know that I called Corrine in Alabama and she is doing quite well under her daughter's care.  How is Herb you ask? I don't know, but the moment I do, I'll fill you in. It is pretty lonely in our section of the neighborhood with two empty houses across the way. Yesterday afternoon, when the weather warmed up a bit for a ride, I picked one of Corrine's hibiscus to put in my bike holder.

Bruce had to fly up to DC yesterday morning for the installation of some new wind screens--the former ones were too wimpy for that location. His job here in Orlando is in the demolition phase which should go on for another couple weeks. It is a really nice change having his job so very close!

Some of you know that son Bill is an amazing guitar player, having practiced like nobodies business for the last 20 years. Approached about doing some online guitar lessons on a website, they have been going very well. By day he is a banker, by night he is both a teacher, and a pitchman. Watching the video, I was struck by what a natural he is. Check it out!

Did I mention that my new table placement is amazing? An oversight on my part if I did not. Being able to work from both sides of the table is a game changer...

In the year 2016, perhaps when asked who cleans my house I will be able to say, someone? :)

Working on improving,

Gail

Best Tech Support Ever

While the children were growing up there was always a Tupperware pitcher of Kool-Aid in the house. Some favorites were grape, fruit punch, cherry and lemonade. Recently I got the notion to buy some Kool-Aid, possibly to use in an art project. Instead, I remembered something my friend Mary used to do, adding squeezed lemon slices to the lemonade Kool Aid. It's very nice and refreshing if you like that kind of stuff.

Of course, some of today's parents, the hyper aware type that they are, have some sort of notion that sugar is an enemy food which I find ridiculous. Everything in moderation folks. From what I've heard, fruit juice is also on the hit list. I'm happy to report that neither seems to have done our children any harm. I came across Apparently it's high time in yesterday's Times. Duh! Apparently it's high time indeed. Just yesterday morning while mowing the lawn I was thinking along those same lines. Have you ever read anything about exercise in this blog? There's a reason for that--I don't like it. On the other hand, I'm not afraid of productive work. In fact, I love to mow the lawn. Some people get a rush from lifting weights, I get the same feeling from seeing results of a different kind. Namely, a freshly mown lawn. Speaking of which, it's coming along great. Won't be long before bare dirt will be just a memory. Here's a look at the caladiums I planted on Saturday.

Can I just tell you it's been delightful to pull into the driveway and see all the color? I was hoping that the flowers we planted around the tree might be spreading a little bit more by now:

Yesterday when Baxter and I were returning home from his morning walk, I finally got a good shot of the baby cardinal:

Isn't she cute? By now, I feel pretty confidant it's a she.

While reading Always Julia I was amazed how she kept making the same recipe over and over, trying new techniques as she went. Unexpectedly, I did the same thing last week. Because I've been making the french bread about once a week, I keep the bread flour in the freezer to keep it fresh. For the birthday dinner last week I used it before it had a chance to get to room temperature. The cold flour made such a difference in the kneading process! Actually, after realizing what I'd done I was worried it might impede the rising step. Not to worry. Here's how nicely it worked.

It might have had something to do with the lovely French dish cloth I used to cover it with--a gift from Matt. When slicing the bread for dinner, I did notice a difference in the texture. So that's what Julia was doing--combining the best of many ideas.

Speaking of Matt, this is where the tech support title comes in. The phone rang while I was in the back yard watering, a little after 3 on Tuesday afternoon. Out of area, the talking caller id proclaimed. Usually I ignore those calls, but I had a sneaking suspicion it was my very own personal tech guy calling. My intuition was right. "So, what's going on Mom?" After explaining my problems, he got to work, taking control of my computer from London. I'm here to tell you this was an infinitely more pleasant experience than my time with Nick. As well, I'm also just saying the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Just like his father, Matt will not give up on a problem, staying up until one in the morning to get it right. Turns out one of my many external hard drives was incorrectly formatted causing everything else to go crazy. We're in business now!

Are you wondering how all my sick friends are doing?

• Roger is still in the hospital, feeling much better, however, they are having trouble getting the blood thinner dose correct. 
• Corrine is in ICU at Florida Hospital. Yesterday afternoon during my visit, her wonderful nurse Michelle asked if there were any questions. My response? What's going on?" Turns out her collapsing is related to low blood pressure, a result of pneumonia in her left lung. She's alert and in not too much distress, however, at times she would drift off. We shall see what happens next.
• Debbie, my bridge buddy, is still waiting for the breast cancer surgery. We talked again yesterday afternoon and her spirits are still upbeat. She did tell me her breast MRI was slightly daunting, however, she did her yoga breathing and got through it.

I hope this list grows shorter any day now!

Finally, if you live in the Orlando area, unless you were living under a rock for the last two years, you know at least something about the Casey Anthony murder case. For my part, I've mostly ignored it, never quite understanding how it got to be so prominent in the first place. These folks, stationed across from the courthouse, are feeding the appetite of the curious.

I took this yesterday afternoon while driving home from the hospital. Earlier I was catching Regina up to speed on Corrine's condition and told her I was coming up on the courthouse zoo. She said she was sick to death of the whole thing. I second that!

Hmmm....

Remember I mentioned that I was worried about Corrine? Well, Sunday and Monday's events validated my concerns. Returning from setting me up at the market, Bruce was flagged down by Herb asking if he was strong. Does the sun come up every day? Yes, he answered, he could help. Apparently Corrine collapsed in their bedroom and was wedged between the wall and the bed. Walking into the bedroom, Bruce was greeted by Corrine in only her underpants. Herb answered Bruce's question about covering her up by saying they were too old to be worried about that. Later, when I was just backing into the driveway from the market, I saw Herb helping her out of the car. She needed it! Shuffling at a snail's pace, I rushed across the street to help. Not only was her color bad, she was very, very weak. Why they went to the grocery store together, I'll never know. To refresh your memory of these nice folks:

I took this for practice about two years ago after buying a news lens. She is much smaller these days. Anyway, after returning from a walk with Baxter yesterday morning, I went to take their recycling bins up from the curb. Seeing me through the window, Herb opened the door.

"Where's Corrine?" I asked. 

"She's on the bathroom floor", he replied. 

"Well now, what's she doing there?"

"She collapsed again."

Indeed she had. I found her, lying naked on her back, without her hearing aids, and disoriented. Covering her with a sheet from their bed, I asked Herb if he'd called 911. Yes, he had. Soon thereafter they came, taking her to the hospital, but not before I found a "duster", as my mom used to call them, to cover her nakedness. 

I'll tell you what, few things make me as mad as people working in healthcare who have NO business doing so. I know, I know, it's a stable job, but if you don't have compassion, do something else! It was all I could do not to give the woman paramedic a piece of my mind! According to Herb, whom I spoke with around 6, her blood pressure was so low it was causing her to collapse. Why that is happening, I don't know, however, I don't think it's good. Only time will tell. 

Following that situation I went to the hospital to visit Roger who is still there, resting fairly comfortably, until the blood thinner he's taking does it's thing. Before I arrived, he had horrible coughing fits which actually made him feel better. Trish is sleeping on an air mattress, having not left the hospital since his arrival by ambulance in the wee hours of Friday morning. They are making him wear this:

My poor collapsing friends!

David called while I was there asking if I could give Michelle a ride to pick up her car which, of course, I agreed to. Actually I took her over to Dave's office on Park Avenue so he could take her. On my way home I stopped first at Mead Gardens, a place I've not visited in a while. It just so happens to also be the place that my brother Pat married his lovely wife Ruth. Because it was hot as the dickens by now, with humidity promising to bring out the mosquitoes, I didn't stay too long, but I did stay long enough to see some butterflies, a gigantic grasshopper, and some mallard ducks. As well, they have this amazing wrought iron surrounding the outdoor stage:

Actually, while trying to take the back way into the gardens, I got a little lost in a neighborhood. Maybe I've told you before, maybe not, but Winter Park is big money my friends, with loads of gorgeous old Spanish style homes like this one next to a tiny, lot-sized park I discovered:

I wouldn't mind living there at all.

Driving down Mills Avenue the other night on our date I saw some colorful chairs alongside the road. Yesterday I decided to stop and see what was what. Armed with my camera, I realized they were placed at our notoriously, seating free, bus stops. No clue who did them, or if it was a collaborative project, but here's one of them with what looks like a weary traveler who, for some reason, isn't using it:

Could he have objected to the flower on top?

There is a lot of color on Mills, making it an interesting place to photograph, albeit a little difficult what with all the traffic:

Just letting you know, I'd planned on writing last evening, however, my computer is giving me fits again causing me to quit in frustration. I told Roger yesterday that he'd better get well soon because I need his help!  

Now, on to some exciting news--if you can believe it,  Top Chef is coming to the Market!!! 
Indeed, they will be there on June 5th for three tapings. This could go either way for the vendors; a huge crowd with no buyers, or the opposite, a huge crowd with new buyers! Let us hope for the latter.
The weather was ridiculously hot for this time of year, which made for a very long day. Folks came out in the morning, but who could blame them for not wanting to do so in the afternoon?

Finally, two weeks ago I purchased some caladiums to replace these petunias; I was certain they would be worn out by now, however, aren't they still gorgeous?

Must be that pruning I gave them last month! Randy Knight, from the Polasek, taught me that trick. That reminds me, after quite a few years, RK, is moving on. The gardens won't be the same without him.