Short Story Long

(Here's where I'm gonna earn that blog title. I'm just warning you.) (I photoshopped out my neighbors because when I'm in my back yard, I like to pretend I'm in my own little forest, but it is harder to ignore stuff like chainlink in photos.) When we bought our house, we had a nasty ol' rusty, short, metal shed that was dented and caved in. (I would post a picture, but it would ruin my blog.) I surveyed my new property and, having little tots, I knew we'd immediately tear it down. It was also full of wasp nests, spiders, box elder beetles . Along comes my brother on moving day and tells BFJ, "Oh! You'll be glad you have a shed for all those things you don't want in your garage! Wish I had one." BFJ's eyes got hazy as the internal slideshow started: all the things he can put in his new shed. Nevermind that we didn't own any of them. So a few years went by, we acquired a few lawn care items, but for 8 months out of the...

It is currently 100 degrees out in my neighborhood. I used to have a job where I called internal customers all over the country. People would always ask, "Do you have a four-wheel drive?" Actually, I did have a Jeep Wrangler, but I'd tell them you don't have to have 4WD, people just like them. Then they'd ask, "Don't you have snow?" And actually, yes, there is always snow in Colorado. Even now, if I could move a few trees, I could see snow on top of the Rocky Mountains. But, that's a few thousand feet above where I live. Here in the metro area, we are working on breaking a record of most days in a row over 90. I know, it's no Death Valley, but a snowman would melt pretty quick today! PS Thanks, Caryn , for the SiteMeter!

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company. ~Author Unknown Don't you love things that come in a tin? Today, we had a friend for tea. This is currently one of my favorite drinks; I like it iced. It does have a citrus taste, and is a bit mild. Personally, I enjoy unsweetened tea, especially if it is served with sweets. Once, I read a book by the Duchess wherein she said that she did not understand how Americans can drink tea from bags because it ruins the flavor. My brother-in-law also claims that loose tea is better. I don't have a strong preference but when I bought this tea at my local tea shop, it only came loose, so the lady there recommended T-Sacs, which are empty tea bags. You can put as much tea in it as you want, if you prefer a stronger brew, or are making a larger pot. Well, there you go; I am still drinking my tea from paper bags. I guess that's why it makes no difference to me. On the other hand, ...

Speed broke his arm five weeks ago, a compound, open, fracture. One of my worst days as a parent. But anyway... He got his cast off a week ago and the doctors and medical people who've seen him since the break all swear that nothing is wrong with his arm. It hangs there, limply, not doing any of its jobs - coloring, holding, brushing, and he can't put his thumb up. My friend works for an orthopedic clinic and made an appointment for us with one of their doctors. I was so relieved when he said it was radial nerve damage and most likely will heal completely. He did give us some stretching suggestions, and they made a splint to keep the wrist up; this will help the fingers to be able to hold onto things better. Just in time for school. Sometimes, you just have to trust your instincts, regardless of what the Experts tell you.

I feel like I spent the whole weekend talking my kids into doing things that are good for them: attending your own birthday party, going on the water slides, playing games at Bible school. I just can't figure out what the problem is, sometimes. Urgh. Sorry, Mom, no camera at the water park, today. Sometimes I have to leave my camera at home and remember to participate in life. Although, I did have a big twinge of regret as The Bruise came down the little slide with sheer glee on his face. Luckily, Nat reminded me that my camera would be wet; yes, and I would have spent the whole day worrying about getting good shots, instead of playing with my boys.

The first time I attended a quilt guild meeting, the members were having their annual block swap. I had heard about it a few days before, from the lady who invited me, but being a hand-piecer, and having no inspiration off the top of my head, I did not participate. Boy, was I sorry! The theme for that year was Halloween, and the only restrictions were you had to bring twelve blocks, and they had to be 12 1/2 inches. There were so many neat blocks. One person had made traditional Spider Web blocks, another had made Sunbonnet Sue-type blocks, but they were trick-or-treaters. I knew I'd participate the next year, for sure. The next year, the theme was baskets; they had to be on point, 12 inches. I pieced my baskets but did not get them completed by the deadline. Most of them are done now, but I still have a few waiting for handles. Last year, the exchange was for six 36" strips, the theme was Spring, and there was a required background fabric, so that all the pieces would be cohe...

fountain behind the museum Yesterday, we went to the museum . The big hits were gems and minerals, dinosaurs, and of course, the Egyptian mummy. Big discover of the week: he CAN tie his shoes, all by himself. Today, we did this:

This quilt started out as a way to experiment with new blocks but my mom immediately exclaimed over them and I knew it should belong to her. Consequently, the other blocks were chosen to represent her. The blocks are (left to right, top to bottom) Airplane, April Tulips, Lily of the Field, Rosebud, Crown of Thorns, Church, Bride's Bouqet, Byzantine Star, Delectable Mountains, Storm at Sea, Road to Oklahoma, Lucky Clover, Grandmother's Fan, Fox and Geese, Christmas Star, and Four-Patch. All of the blocks have a common fabric, the black floral, also the post fabric in the post-and-beam sashing. I am planning to add a post-and-beam border, also. I am looking forward to quilting this but haven't finished anything this big before. I have done some lap quilts in a hoop. Although I was given a quilt frame by my aunt, I don't know where I'd set it up. In trying to find a place to photograph the quilt this morning, my BFJ suggested that I put quilt clamps under the eaves ...

And a volunteer, no less.

"I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." - from You've Got Mail It's school-supply shopping day here. I love the smell of new paper; and old paper, for that matter. New school supplies are like a blank slate, open to all the possibilities in life. What will your new notebook become? A love note, a mystery novel, a diary, a grocery list, doodles? A new school year: new channels for creativity, mysteries of the universe slowly unfolding; new friends. Kind of like a new blog. I can almost smell the virtual pencil shavings.