tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80061252452659376262024-03-14T06:30:49.969-05:00Spring Creek Arts GuildSpring Creek Arts Guild is an imaginary guild of people who want to notice and incorporate art, beauty, and creativity into everyday life. Anyone who reads this blog or the newspaper column of the same name is a member. Maybe one day we will actually meet. Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-41443067690098996232014-05-21T10:07:00.001-05:002014-05-21T10:07:22.108-05:00What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding?I know I have used this song title before, but there it is
again. But what I really want to know
is: What’s so HARD about peace, love, and understanding? And what’s so hard
about being nice?<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I understand completely that sometimes if we are having an
inordinate amount of frustration or struggle, or if we are sleep-deprived or
not feeling well, we can be irritable. Patience wears thin for all of us
sometimes. For example, as I type this, I am listening to terrible hold music
on speakerphone and seeing from the corner of my eye Intuit tech support people
work away on my other computer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I have already spent four hours on the phone with
them. Last Thursday I spent five and a half hours on one phone call with them.
Friday was another three and half hours. My patience has been threadbare a few
times over all those hours. On top of that, I woke up Saturday morning with a
severe belly ailment that involved a trip to a walk-in clinic and all the fun
that entails. By Saturday afternoon, my patience level was at zero. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although I was able to stay home most of the weekend so as
to avoid interacting with unsuspecting people, I did have to venture out some.
At times like this I am acutely aware of how pettily mean and inconsiderate
people can be. I am also aware of how I could be just as petty and mean if I
failed to make a bit of effort to restrain my not-so-nice urges. So why is it
that some people not only seem not to have that restraint, but a few seem to go
out of their way to be rude, inconsiderate, or mean? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe I am about as average as a person can be. I look
around me and I assume that everyone else is busy trying to get their business
done just the same as I am. I think, in most cases, anyone who gets in my way
probably did it by accident, or ignorance, or confusion. Sometimes I see signs
of narcissism in the way people conduct themselves, particularly behind the
wheel of a car. Sometimes I see signs of people acting with a constant sorting
and ranking process going on in the back of their mind—ranking people according
to their worthiness in the world be it their economic resources, their
educational attainment, the color of their skin, their gender, and so on—and
their treatment of people is related to how they rank. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, I see someone who I am sure is
being mean or disruptive just because they enjoy it. Perhaps it gives them a
sense of power. This is what I think about computer hackers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of the people I have spoken with at Intuit, almost all of
them have been pleasant. I have been very frustrated at times, but that
generally stems from someone who has been given a job to do but has not been
given the resources or power to do it correctly. That is the fault of their
company, not them, personally. Why should I be rude or mean to them? Oh, I have
had to bite my tongue nearly in two to keep from being, as my Granny called it,
ugly. The only reason I have spent as much time with the Intuit folks as I have
is that my QuickBooks has developed a glitch that has everyone stumped. While
it has been frustrating to spend so much time on the phone, whose fault is it?
No one’s!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This brings me to one explanation as to why people can be so
rude, and leads me back to another previously-used song lyric, “It’s nobody’s
fault, but we need somebody to burn.” Get out there and spread some Peace,
Love, and Understanding—and BE NICE!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-88592636825527836602014-04-07T22:18:00.000-05:002014-04-07T22:21:32.025-05:00Blessed and Highly Favored<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring has arrived in Spring Creek, leading me to thank God
every day that I am a naturalized Texan. Texas is the only place I have ever
been that has blankets of wildflowers covering vast expanses of the
countryside—and I’ve been all over the continental United States.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
In my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, this time of
the year brings azalea blooms in almost every front yard, park, and in <a href="https://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/what_to_see_do~3/attractions~31/plantations_gardens~50/" target="_blank">the famous gardens</a> around the area. In the town of my collegiate alma mater,
Knoxville, Tennessee, spring means <a href="http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/" target="_blank">blooming dogwood trees and redbud trees</a> in
every yard and park. In late spring and early summer in Tennessee, there are
pockets of old climbing roses, tiger lilies, Queen Anne’s lace, and sweet peas
growing and blooming in the wild along the roadsides. A walk through the old
neighborhoods near the University of Tennessee campus reward the walker with
the sight of tiny wild violets, and bright yellow forsythia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Still, it is different when flowers are carefully planted
and cultivated, or grow wild in small patches and pockets. Texas is known for
“bigger and better,” and that is definitely the case with the wildflowers.
While I love seeing the roadsides covered in bluebonnets, primroses, and Indian
paintbrush, it thrills me to walk out on our ranch and see the flowers in the
pasture and on the rocky hillsides where no human has planted them. I’ll take a
field of truly wild flowers over any cultivated garden.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
One time I personally encountered a huge field covered in
wildflowers outside of Texas. I was visiting my aunt, who lived in Gallup, New
Mexico at the time, and we had gone for a walk in her neighborhood. We came to
the end of the street where it dead-ended into ranchland and there was a field
of coral-colored Indian paintbrushes, but they were about three to four feet
tall. What was even more remarkable than these giant flowers were the thousands
of hummingbirds zipping about that field. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I said “personally” in the previous paragraph because I am
sure there are other places besides Texas with wildflowers covering the
countryside—I have seen photos and have heard stories, but have not witness
many myself. I have a friend from Montana who has told me about the wild
lupines that bloom in the mountains. You may know that our beloved bluebonnets
are in the lupine family, but the lupines of Rocky Mountains are much taller
and bigger than our bluebonnets. Yesterday my husband and I were talking about
volcanoes, which led to us looking up <a href="http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/" target="_blank">a map of all the volcanoes in the United States </a>(the closest potentially active volcano to us is in central New Mexico,
FYI), and then led to a discussion of the long-term effects of the Mount Saint
Helens eruption back in 1980. Yes, this is seriously the sort of thing we sit
around and discuss. I found an article with a fairly detailed account of the
biological/ecological progression since the eruption. That was interesting
enough, but the photo of the prairie lupines covering the pumice field at the
base of the mountain was stunning. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/18/mount-st-helens-recovering-years-later/" target="_blank">(click here to see the article)</a></div>
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Get out and enjoy your blessed Texas spring. Make sure to
say a prayer of thanks for the natural beauty that surrounds you and add a
request for some quenching rains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQdeQYqfeDVwhKwVpC0HME4-rtDg7r-WOlJQD3YXne4Nxj_ikl6N43kIarhc4YhVt4ctp9anfz3oZfBhGhYchhxOYELMf6g7kOTWYOWPBjl1LTwChyqBv-NDed3FOAvqCdfJNlwvJ1X4/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQdeQYqfeDVwhKwVpC0HME4-rtDg7r-WOlJQD3YXne4Nxj_ikl6N43kIarhc4YhVt4ctp9anfz3oZfBhGhYchhxOYELMf6g7kOTWYOWPBjl1LTwChyqBv-NDed3FOAvqCdfJNlwvJ1X4/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful sidekick enjoying some of the truly wild wildflowers on the ranch spring of 2012.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-71471029549199546072014-02-19T15:00:00.001-06:002014-02-19T15:01:15.754-06:00WIP WednesdayThis WIP Wednesday finds me sewing an edge around the Sidekick block I made in Julie Herman's class at the Portland SewDown then trying to finish piecing the You+Me top I started in Portland. My Riley Blake challenge quilt is finished and hanging on my wall in my living room! I'm still on a sewing roll after returning from Portland. I'm sure my knitting needles are feeling very lonely and neglected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8I4AHVNVcEEUgdZ9xDgUrEpwY-mRwFw98-zNQPhZF3FmPUc5ZS97HaDV_zC3R8NRRup1iEypMywpU1FlK2FELNkDW04rJ11N2FBImWg9DaD9z6G3OHwyDN50rHnyN4uSsYxfQbupQxo/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8I4AHVNVcEEUgdZ9xDgUrEpwY-mRwFw98-zNQPhZF3FmPUc5ZS97HaDV_zC3R8NRRup1iEypMywpU1FlK2FELNkDW04rJ11N2FBImWg9DaD9z6G3OHwyDN50rHnyN4uSsYxfQbupQxo/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Riley Blake Challenge project, "Spring Creek Sunrise"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59qLNcVgvYJx34BYRAv0CJu3Ze4RsWpyc9QflcA0Y_JRhoG4nnUlFweUG_U0VDBPxkSgvNeMVoqcfC7sgLgxTqZ9JCJVmBhBQg2pdoisbqw3z_uWqxWAD5qTiuKXC8SZwejT47BRjFk/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59qLNcVgvYJx34BYRAv0CJu3Ze4RsWpyc9QflcA0Y_JRhoG4nnUlFweUG_U0VDBPxkSgvNeMVoqcfC7sgLgxTqZ9JCJVmBhBQg2pdoisbqw3z_uWqxWAD5qTiuKXC8SZwejT47BRjFk/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's projects</td></tr>
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<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-39315725968561075002014-02-12T12:22:00.000-06:002014-02-12T12:22:39.436-06:00On the Road Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhED1-PwekUND-NDCAWtJBhWTqbEiSRZjlYbVyjhUEPYfKtZIrHmoNj9cewXdx3fX_mbxOgUAqEnP5nmmzzi7T29u0AejYB6DJbL38qIvZCbkuXnDTa92N5-ex1yIp3pDOH-iuF8b9yM/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhED1-PwekUND-NDCAWtJBhWTqbEiSRZjlYbVyjhUEPYfKtZIrHmoNj9cewXdx3fX_mbxOgUAqEnP5nmmzzi7T29u0AejYB6DJbL38qIvZCbkuXnDTa92N5-ex1yIp3pDOH-iuF8b9yM/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Writing this column today poses a special challenge as it's being entirely done on my phone as I sit in the lobby of the beautiful The Nines hotel downtown Portland, Oregon. The trip here was a birthday gift from my family. I arrived Thursday for the <a href="http://www.themodernquiltguild.com/" target="_blank">Modern Quilt Guild</a>'s SewDown. The original plan was to arrive a day and a half ahead of the event so a couple of friends and I could drive out to Astoria, Oregon to see the Columbia River meet the Pacific.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I have quite a list of things I want to see, such as this particular river/ocean meet-up. Most of the things have no particular reasoning or logic behind them, other than that they have somehow become lodged in my mind as something I need to see/do/experience. The trip to Astoria was not meant to be, however, as</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"> the forecast changed drastically in the day or two preceding our flight and we arrived to find a very, very windy, snowy Portland. My friends had plenty of experience driving on snow, so we rented a car and explored the city. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUeqFLtt32faYSvosxK9NjXhtZBokZyuUtpoR1GQ9UVZURlwdsHkmnUyzORe7k81fBmSdHMxUP8NXugNkIBu7uaD1dojMUCuQu5rLJE0tJhAmPnjPXTITD95kLEu_gj1ZaRdrK22MO84/s1600/IMG_0007+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUeqFLtt32faYSvosxK9NjXhtZBokZyuUtpoR1GQ9UVZURlwdsHkmnUyzORe7k81fBmSdHMxUP8NXugNkIBu7uaD1dojMUCuQu5rLJE0tJhAmPnjPXTITD95kLEu_gj1ZaRdrK22MO84/s1600/IMG_0007+2.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited to see even this little glimpse of Mt. Hood.</td></tr>
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<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">We are quilters, so our idea of hitting the hot spots is to find the best fabric stores. I will hold back on the details in this space, but let me say that <a href="http://moderndomesticpdx.com/" target="_blank">Modern Domestic</a> was wonderful! The details along with photos will be on my blog if you are interested. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I need to emphasize that Portland is only slightly more experienced and prepared for snow and ice than are cities in Texas. A day ahead of our arrival, Portland television stations were warning of the impending "Snowmageddon" and people were frantically preparing to bunker in for the duration. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Portland was beautiful and peaceful in its white blanket. Most of the motorized vehicles stayed home, so people were walking, cycling, and even cross-country-skiing around town. Even on the major thoroughfares and freeways, the vehicles were cautiously creeping along. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">As we ventured out Friday morning, I was able to cross one item off my list as the clouds lifted just enough so that Mount Hood could be seen in the distance. It was beautiful and entirely covered in snow. We drove through one neat, cute, bungalow-filled neighborhood after another until one of my friends asked, "is there an un-cute part of Portland?" We later found the un-cute area, so we know it exists. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I was impressed by the number and variety of bridges around Portland. The city is bisected by Willamette River and borders the Columbia River, so bridges are very important. Apparently other people have also noted the distinctive bridges as fabric designer Violet Craft, who lives in the area, now has a fabric out with toile-like images of the bridges of Portland (Called "<a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/bridgetown-4.html" target="_blank">Bridgetown</a>"). I NEED some of this fabric!</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I found Portland to have a mellow, creative atmosphere. People have commented that it is much like Austin, and it is in many ways. Perhaps it was because of the snowy weather, but it did seem much calmer--less frenetic than Austin seems to be any more. I would highly recommend Portland as a destination should you have the opportunity to visit this part of the world. Check my blog for the quilty details and some photos then let me know what you think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">The shops we visited: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://moderndomesticpdx.com/" target="_blank">Modern Domestic</a>: This shop offers a selection of modern-leaning quilt fabrics, interesting garment fabrics (especially knits), notions and tools (including those by Merchant & Mills), and patterns by independent pattern companies such as Collette , Wiksten, Sewn, and Deer and Doe. They also sell Bernina sewing machines and offer a variety of classes and open sew studios. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://boltfabricboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique</a>: This is a small, but packed shop offering lots of modern quilt fabrics, garment fabrics, patterns from many, many independent companies, classes, a large variety of notions and accessories, and a friendly and helpful staff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://fabricdepot.com/" target="_blank">Fabric Depot</a>: This is kind of a must-see in Portland just because of the sheer size and variety. It is a warehouse-type store and has every kind of sewing-related item imaginable including garment, quilt, upholstery, and specialty fabrics; every sort of tool and notion imaginable, and even a wide selection of imported foods, candies, and snacks. There were signs everywhere declaring "25% Off Everything," but upon close inspection I found that the prices on almost everything were about 25% higher than every other fabric store. For even money, I'd rather shop at the smaller shops with better atmosphere and staff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://drygoodsdesignonline.com/" target="_blank">Drygoods Design</a>: This shop is actually in Seattle, but the owner, Kelli, set up a "pop-up" shop at the SewDown. She also made up kits for our classes for which she pre-cut all of our fabric to the instructor specifications--how nice!!! Those of us who elected to buy kits from Kelli could get on with our sewing without having to spend hours with rulers and rotary cutters in hand. Kelli brought a nice selection of fabrics, books, tools, notions, patterns, and other fun things such as notebooks, notecards, pens, and pencils to stock her shop. I ended up with a couple of books, some tools, and enough Liberty lawn to make myself a loop scarf. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIlQ2tUMM5IdL1rZStnVjKHbVOvgbrVw0BfP4goMNAW9q2iy46WGI8T_zGZihSHkPFFplY411efL6rRA3B9-y9LMZXyQD7EveLSj4pxTfNWIW4_ivqLQ_0hrfSRv16F3Ky1bIC_zPk8g/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIlQ2tUMM5IdL1rZStnVjKHbVOvgbrVw0BfP4goMNAW9q2iy46WGI8T_zGZihSHkPFFplY411efL6rRA3B9-y9LMZXyQD7EveLSj4pxTfNWIW4_ivqLQ_0hrfSRv16F3Ky1bIC_zPk8g/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little pincushion was the first thing I made with fabrics from <a href="http://bunnysdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Bunny's Designs</a> and pattern from Austinite Kim Place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgompqyodiMmQm2batXb-GPIpbHc70TCUU1E5_Se_eTYiSvgc9GiM2M5m8tUsymOJCuOpdhoYkG6Zc_5nKkOm8YnNBUBbKsV1LOAteuIikV8J4xpQ2L186mLyL_n-09FJPPwKRMlmqPKnU/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgompqyodiMmQm2batXb-GPIpbHc70TCUU1E5_Se_eTYiSvgc9GiM2M5m8tUsymOJCuOpdhoYkG6Zc_5nKkOm8YnNBUBbKsV1LOAteuIikV8J4xpQ2L186mLyL_n-09FJPPwKRMlmqPKnU/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Liberty loop scarf made with fabric from Drygoods Design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WyI41LxdMMVkFsG6koZfZ3dWa1K6dTaexC93t-jbNArGXdHpDjwNaUe8Cxv_D-9rhxIRg3nGW47uevfeWBwhXtwKK4wg0yMsVLGPYQh-ZMQgxzZRuxGaClZYliIG_uxKO9sySPyD9u0/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WyI41LxdMMVkFsG6koZfZ3dWa1K6dTaexC93t-jbNArGXdHpDjwNaUe8Cxv_D-9rhxIRg3nGW47uevfeWBwhXtwKK4wg0yMsVLGPYQh-ZMQgxzZRuxGaClZYliIG_uxKO9sySPyD9u0/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocks from Heather Jones' You+Me class in a variety of colors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW4-sSU9QNM5Vwlkiss_0J-Z_WuPzmYOkhZaIjysftQMoJFHtzFrZK4YQOTT0IoSRBf0EjfslsC28CQgP7MXdnXi-Wm_RNNE3zAENLSvsJ7yQovyIkv6OGCm44i8WbCjFJRU2ek-Vaho/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW4-sSU9QNM5Vwlkiss_0J-Z_WuPzmYOkhZaIjysftQMoJFHtzFrZK4YQOTT0IoSRBf0EjfslsC28CQgP7MXdnXi-Wm_RNNE3zAENLSvsJ7yQovyIkv6OGCm44i8WbCjFJRU2ek-Vaho/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another Portland must-do: Voodoo Donuts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gcyCOK3rXzykxjv0KWt2nX1lb11MpcHNY0R4Q9fDNrwUIaY0n2KVgoq_eDO_D2CFvdnnodW0DAa6hGGdIAwUhZDoCPCgqVFYgwN6D7oVBIIiLDW8tq1Z7gs1DRvdauDvJneh0CsSw2A/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gcyCOK3rXzykxjv0KWt2nX1lb11MpcHNY0R4Q9fDNrwUIaY0n2KVgoq_eDO_D2CFvdnnodW0DAa6hGGdIAwUhZDoCPCgqVFYgwN6D7oVBIIiLDW8tq1Z7gs1DRvdauDvJneh0CsSw2A/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocks from Jaybird Quilts' Sidekick class</td></tr>
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<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-11463810530520559562014-01-30T18:15:00.000-06:002014-01-30T18:15:15.469-06:00For the Love of Winter<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Almost daily now I am getting phone calls and messages from my daughter about her distaste for winter. She thinks it is because she lived in South Texas a little too long--a place where a forecast of temperatures dipping below thirty-two degrees clears the grocery store shelves of bread and milk, and keeps all the schoolchildren inside during recess lest they succumb to hypothermia. When I was her age, I did not love winter as I do now. At that time I was living in a place where winters were perpetually cloudy and dark and that, along with the short days, caused significant depression for me. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But now I live here in Spring Creek, where we have a good balance of grey, cloudy winter days and sunny, bright winter days. I cannot say winter is my favorite season, because autumn and spring are my favorites also. In one of these conversations with my daughter, I finally had to admit that I loathe summer. I have often said that when I am wealthy (not sure how or when this will occur), I will spend summers somewhere besides Texas. I could be persuaded to spend my summers high in the Davis Mountains, but that would be the only way I would stay in Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Just as I hit the return key to begin this paragraph, the sun came out from behind a bank of dark blue clouds and is shining brightly right into my eyes. I stood up to adjust the blinds and saw the most beautiful scene of the blue clouds in the background, the sun shining gold on the hayfield, and the light filtering through the mesh of bare tree branches. I love winter. I love the low angle of the light, the sunrises and sunsets with their impressionistic colors and patterns, the sculptural quality of bare trees, the warm colors of the dormant grasses contrasted with the cool colors of the sky and the clouds. I love the way the ice makes everything look like it is coated in glass and makes it sparkle in the sunlight.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My almost complete Kiki Mariko Rug from<br /> "Mason Dixon Knitting Knitting Outside the Lines"</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am a fiber/textile/sewing/knitting/quilting person, as you may have noticed. I love wool and I love quilts. There are projects that I have to put away when the weather warms up because it gets too hot to have any more fabric touching you that is absolutely necessary to maintain modesty. A few years ago I started knitting a wool rug. It is thick and heavy and quickly became so long that it had to sit on my lap, then it had to trail down my legs, then it hung to the floor. By late in the spring, I had to put it away for the season. As soon as we had that first cold weather in November, I got it back out and finished it. I will post a picture on my blog--it is beautiful. I quickly moved on to wool socks and wool cowls so I can take advantage of of wool-wearing season. This time of the year, I can be found every evening dressed in a flannel nightgown, sitting on my couch with one dog or another right beside me and a quilt over my lap, knitting away on something warm and snuggly. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Yes, I am aware of the treachery of winter, particularly for people who live in snow country. I lived in South Dakota for awhile. And I am very aware of the disruptions winter weather can cause--my daughter is sending me pictures of the icy conditions through which she is driving to work this morning. But here on the ranch, winter is good. I hope you can find the beauty in it, too.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2m94RobiT-1AcaDsmgjiOOk3Mh2C1bpVBIwe77lu7qgmQm8QgTVjCc3GoeP56_2UsvpKQjHUjHqr6UBUhuONlivezq-h8V_tKazhD440I3vW1GrV8kxoM8xDoBBNWLkpM5VfEj6uMBo/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2m94RobiT-1AcaDsmgjiOOk3Mh2C1bpVBIwe77lu7qgmQm8QgTVjCc3GoeP56_2UsvpKQjHUjHqr6UBUhuONlivezq-h8V_tKazhD440I3vW1GrV8kxoM8xDoBBNWLkpM5VfEj6uMBo/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" height="403" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love pecan orchards in the winter with their neat rows of trees and green winter grass. </td></tr>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-82843869565195211632014-01-08T12:46:00.003-06:002014-01-08T12:46:38.622-06:00Like a Whole "Nother State<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBV0bfGENwdPaQxiSoKRPjW1574zLfx_xQ3YDc7BOhFL4goHywCI7-cfcxSStZggPhzOQt196IWmckpAy_ccIok2tcQmltqYl12sVaExbuERt1Gn6SAHEhqB9o03OFu07RulXhMLOb20/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBV0bfGENwdPaQxiSoKRPjW1574zLfx_xQ3YDc7BOhFL4goHywCI7-cfcxSStZggPhzOQt196IWmckpAy_ccIok2tcQmltqYl12sVaExbuERt1Gn6SAHEhqB9o03OFu07RulXhMLOb20/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way down below is the Pruett house where we stayed in the past.</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A couple of years ago I wrote about spending some time in the Pruett house on a 90,000-acre ranch in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. We returned to the ranch this year, but this time we stayed in the main lodge as the outfitter and all of his hunters and guides were off for the Christmas and New Year holidays.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I grew up in the Southeast where most people think that Texas is all hot, dry desert year-round. You cannot blame them for this misconception as that is the way it has been represented in movies and television shows. There is a new show about a female Texas Ranger that has been advertised and guess where it is filmed…..in Albuquerque. But I have found a remarkable number of people right here in Central Texas that have never been to far West Texas, or have only been along interstate from here to El Paso. If that is you, do yourself a favor and go visit the western part of your state. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-OP1isNE_jRFz6-UxGEzYrV56-cgS_p20WcBMmTCk4l1t7O5OuhWLF25Ouc2njxuZtSeqMUqd3dB0Rba0H5aTZvVHHz-94GNgG39H5V3KRqeQZ4Fd1cX5wi9_irUvo6HgChKx6Mk62E/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-OP1isNE_jRFz6-UxGEzYrV56-cgS_p20WcBMmTCk4l1t7O5OuhWLF25Ouc2njxuZtSeqMUqd3dB0Rba0H5aTZvVHHz-94GNgG39H5V3KRqeQZ4Fd1cX5wi9_irUvo6HgChKx6Mk62E/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The ranch we visit is in the Davis Mountains. According to geologists, the Davis Mountains were formed by eruptions of the Trans-Pecos volcanic field. Anyone who is even slightly interested in geology—otherwise known as being a rock-hound—would surmise that these mountains are volcanic just from the looks of the landscape, particularly if you get up on top of one of the mountains and look across. Some of the contour looks like waves or ripples on the ocean, while others look as if they were pushed up from below. Many of the taller mountains on the ranch are made up of columns of red stone, which have broken away around the edges and sent house-size boulders tumbling down. The soil in the flats below the mountains is fine and powdery, and is a light grayish color like ash, which it likely is considering it is in a volcanic field. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9mRqq4oGJwQqAtqXngGUpOGXyQsFGrn2ipU7fvp6QkP9VRCL3daq9uDZQseNOW8EbkBtno4_jbuovX6Rl6-l4wY4YTgjn9NEvQeILqOtkQoyXH5gcBIaOMGKjB3MFO6lKRAK2GEjWXk/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9mRqq4oGJwQqAtqXngGUpOGXyQsFGrn2ipU7fvp6QkP9VRCL3daq9uDZQseNOW8EbkBtno4_jbuovX6Rl6-l4wY4YTgjn9NEvQeILqOtkQoyXH5gcBIaOMGKjB3MFO6lKRAK2GEjWXk/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son wishing he could find a way up <br />to that eagle nest on top of the rock.</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Further west from the ranch, northwest of Fort Davis, the mountains are much higher and are bunched up, without the flats below and without the giant mesas that are found in the foothills. These mountains are covered in trees like piñon and ponderosa pines. The average altitude in the Davis Mountains is right at one mile, so the temperatures tend to be a cooler, especially at night. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Some of the plants are the same as here like juniper (cedar), agarita, whitebrush, prickly pear, and tasajillo. The yuccas that grow wild tend to look like miniature palm trees with long trunks topped by a crown of blades. I found loads of blackfoot daisies in huge clumps all over the ranch. I would love to be there when they are blooming! There is one plant called Allthorn—because that is all it is. Seriously, you look at it and all you see is green thorns. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Once you are that far west, you are in mule deer country. Once upon a time, you would also be in pronghorn antelope country, but their numbers are diminishing due to a parasite. There is the occasional elk in the area but I have not seen one with my own two eyes. I did see javelinas and aoudad sheep, and, unfortunately, some feral hogs. Near the springs that are on the ranch, we saw a nice flock of Rio Grande turkeys and we saw Blue Quail throughout the ranch. There is a quail feeder in the front yard of the lodge that is frequented by blue quail and a large flock of white-wing doves. I am told that the occasional Montezuma quail shows up so I watched it like a hawk, but never saw one. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Of course there are lots of things to see and do in the area, such as swim at Balmorrhea, trying to see the Marfa lights, visiting old Fort Davis or the McDonald Observatory, or heading down to Big Bend. It’s enough for me just to get out and “be” in the Davis Mountains. I will post lots of pictures on my blog so you can share a bit of the experience. And if you are interested in booking a hunt on this beautiful place, send me an email and I will share his contact info with you. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r6Ox3PDzvTwx1P0_W8VENRfxG75s26eUDALWf8XVSWNpEtOpk5n_jI02SGcoHedgh9eIJY0wL_1oyo0E4cba3pd-FepygvSOH2hnwyiZXog0eoGRjwOVb3xWk7trEvYwbbuxUJHJwak/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r6Ox3PDzvTwx1P0_W8VENRfxG75s26eUDALWf8XVSWNpEtOpk5n_jI02SGcoHedgh9eIJY0wL_1oyo0E4cba3pd-FepygvSOH2hnwyiZXog0eoGRjwOVb3xWk7trEvYwbbuxUJHJwak/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little mule deer buck and the object of his "affection."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA7vsK-I6WiZYJQdOzRQcfV8YW8B4DYfsxCK1stbjFNsgVYXiIWLM_4QaYxVDaiByyqKpmd8xfamkjwG8VX9lu9vNYOS-d-w-sTn2_mB_9jCt8Gx6LTtN0PZdubOyAKKE1uss60ilbBQ/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA7vsK-I6WiZYJQdOzRQcfV8YW8B4DYfsxCK1stbjFNsgVYXiIWLM_4QaYxVDaiByyqKpmd8xfamkjwG8VX9lu9vNYOS-d-w-sTn2_mB_9jCt8Gx6LTtN0PZdubOyAKKE1uss60ilbBQ/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla fruits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCivbJ1rLeYFEzDoVPq2daTvUmmOb05SQXtnfxsY2invCDFPdk9sSWlvoMBp_WEopJ7w8gz3UUc2Ud_2LzzWnpbCF8pTkKUAI0_FH8KP1KlRDA1UQ1eDRhWYD2sx9N9Ny6qZf10GxNDI/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCivbJ1rLeYFEzDoVPq2daTvUmmOb05SQXtnfxsY2invCDFPdk9sSWlvoMBp_WEopJ7w8gz3UUc2Ud_2LzzWnpbCF8pTkKUAI0_FH8KP1KlRDA1UQ1eDRhWYD2sx9N9Ny6qZf10GxNDI/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aptly named allthorn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son, Wade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tdRDxpAHk21Ic6RBVRk5HavMwN4x_UqHMe1JKU286OvZJnTjHdQIs6Oah2tA_-i-vSN1zwNFPQARuf2WNJLw1Fxxb7MyveDQXlbEygJ1iqkYHoLUsU8GWWdAglynpugEy0b8jnfzC3U/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tdRDxpAHk21Ic6RBVRk5HavMwN4x_UqHMe1JKU286OvZJnTjHdQIs6Oah2tA_-i-vSN1zwNFPQARuf2WNJLw1Fxxb7MyveDQXlbEygJ1iqkYHoLUsU8GWWdAglynpugEy0b8jnfzC3U/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful West Texas sunrise.</td></tr>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-46780613396639871992013-11-18T14:52:00.004-06:002013-11-18T14:52:52.838-06:00Back to the Beginning<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first started this column, I wanted to write about
creativity, art, and aesthetic in everyday life. I have stayed loosely on that
central theme, but have been moving too far away from it in recent months. Now
it is time to re-focus, to make this a rifle with a fine-tuned scope instead of
a shotgun with no choke. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the classes I took at the Houston Quilt Festival was
on creativity. It makes perfect sense that anyone interested in fiber crafts
would find it appealing to enhance or improve their creativity. What I have
found, however, is that to improve your creativity is to improve everything
about your life. Lately, I have come to know some folks who are members of
twelve-step programs. Being an “inquiring mind,” I have asked lots of questions
and even read part of AA’s “big book.” What I have found is that twelve-step
programs have a couple of major components: One is getting to a place where you
can live in the truth about yourself, your thoughts, the way the world works,
and about other people; another is learning that you have to rely on a “higher
power” in life as no one person has the wherewithal to manage everything alone.
The programs tell you to define the higher power in whatever way is
comfortable. I recognize that my higher power is God. The ultimate goal of a
twelve-step program is to achieve serenity, which my computer defines as “the
state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.” That sounds pretty good, does
it not? <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the interest of carrying on the creativity enhancement I
started in Houston, I pulled out a book I bought several years ago, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Artist’s Way</i> by Julia Cameron. As I
started reading and working through it, I began to realize that it is very
similar to a twelve-step program. She even refers to the process of becoming an
unblocked creative as “recovery”. Now, do not allow the word “artist” in the
title of the book to throw you. I think most of us think of painters and
sculptors and such when we hear the word “artist,” but there are many, many
other types of artists in the world. Basically, we all have the opportunity and
the capability to be artists…to do things in our lives creatively and artfully.
Julia Cameron says that we were created by the Creator to create—creativity is
God’s gift to us and using that gift to create is our gift back to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the keys of the creative life is attention. For
example, one the of the greatest hurdles on the way to learning to draw is to
learn to turn off what your conscious mind tells you and, instead, learn to
draw exactly what your eyes perceive. Most of us go through the motions of life
every day all caught up in our own minds and fail to pay attention to the
reality around us. One creativity exercise I find helpful is to do some
ordinary task, but to make a point of doing it with attention. I sometimes hang
my laundry out instead of putting it the dryer. Believe me, this task is much
more enjoyable when I am attentive to the sights of the trees and the grass,
the sounds of the birds singing and the chickens clucking around me, the smell
of the clean laundry and the country air, and the bending and stretching and
the feel of the clothespins in my hands just like they felt in my grandmother’s
hands a hundred years ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The more I am attentive to the details of my
life, the better it all looks to me. I find myself saying prayers of gratitude
throughout the day for when I am attentive, I see the abundance of good in my
life and that puts me further down the road to serenity. Attentiveness and focus on living life fully
in the moment instead of constantly living in my head worrying about the future
or rehashing the past helps me realize just how generous God has been to me. I
hope you will give it a try, and I hope it leads you to a bit of serenity in
your life, as well. </span><!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-68458654316696523302013-11-03T17:47:00.000-06:002013-11-03T19:15:28.032-06:00Where Deer and Quilts Collide<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week is where deer and quilts collide in my life.
For almost all of the past ten years, I have been attending the International
Quilt Festival in Houston. For all but one of those years, Quilt Festival is
during the week preceding and the weekend of Opening Weekend of Deer Season. I
capitalize that because it is a holiday at my house that is on par with
Thanksgiving. So imagine being gone for a week leading up to Thanksgiving and
returning late Wednesday night to find all of your visitors already present at
your house. Men, you will not understand, but the mothers will.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fortunately, the meal preparation for Opening Weekend is not
as elaborate as it is for Thanksgiving. For many years we had a fish fry, but
the past couple of years we have had a hamburger cookout. Every family or group
brings some of the ingredients along with other goodies like dips and chips and
desserts. Another advantage over Thanksgiving is that we have this dinner
outside around the campfire. One of our hunters is a veteran firefighter with
lots of experience working in the firehouse kitchen. Unfortunately, he is off
elk hunting in Colorado this year, so I did not have his able assistance. But
my friend Earleen Brister was here to help, thank goodness!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Interspersed with all of this is the excitement of hunters
going out and coming back in to report what they saw and/or what they shot.
This year, no one on our ranch has shot anything so far, but the neighbors a
couple of ranches over came by today with a really nice mature eleven-pointer
and an ancient eight-pointer. My daughter and I went out Saturday afternoon and
saw lots of deer, but nothing that we needed to shoot just now. I always enjoy
just watching the animals and listening to the birds. My daughter and I also
enjoyed the requisite nap just after settling in the blind—you know the one
where you lean your head back and hang your mouth open?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now for the Quilt Festival report—Earleen and I both took a
week of classes and are back full of ideas for how to put our new information
to use. After nearly forty years of wanting to learn shisha embroidery, I
finally know how. I will post a picture of my first attempt on my blog, where
you will be able to see how I got the hang of it as I went around the circle.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisha_(embroidery)" target="_blank">Shisha embroidery</a> is from India<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiqUQptSVL7Y25uw3iKLw2Q3pKbc63smBlTB2ogiUBxjIPRF_J0Ee4N7g47B9ls-OIKPXjmKEiY14nzRKUJffF4bb4N87brq5baM2tJo9Qbi4eBCB4SjLfXukzd2R0QX3na80Oa6dfAc/s1600/IMG_1961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiqUQptSVL7Y25uw3iKLw2Q3pKbc63smBlTB2ogiUBxjIPRF_J0Ee4N7g47B9ls-OIKPXjmKEiY14nzRKUJffF4bb4N87brq5baM2tJo9Qbi4eBCB4SjLfXukzd2R0QX3na80Oa6dfAc/s320/IMG_1961.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt at shisha embroidery. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and involves attaching tiny mirrors or
reflective metals to cloth. For this class, we used large paillettes, which are
similar to sequins. I also took classes in machine applique, a couple of
machine quilting classes, one on painting shoes, and one creativity workshop. </div>
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As for the quilts on display, there is an obvious trend
toward quilts that recreate photographs. The top winner was derived from a
photograph of a display at the Dallas Arboretum of a boatful of Chihuly glass
balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The artist managed to capture the
illusion of translucent glass in fabric yielding a beautiful work of art. My
favorite among the top winners was by <a href="http://www.janesassaman.com/" target="_blank">Jane Sassaman</a>, who is known for her
stylized natural motifs. This year’s quilt represented plants, lizards, and
insects in her back yard and was very colorful. The Houston Chronicle website
has a <a href="http://www.chron.com/life/article/2013-winners-announced-at-International-Quilt-4936968.php" target="_blank">slideshow of the highlights</a> that I will link to on my blog, if you want
to see these works of art for yourself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So off I go, back to clean my rifle then get back to the
sewing machine—my favorite time of year!! <o:p></o:p></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-10040426244830136522013-09-11T19:08:00.001-05:002013-09-11T19:08:46.960-05:00Kay's First Assignment DeconstructedBecause I could sense the rising panic in the <a href="http://gracefulquilters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Graceful Quilters'</a> meeting yesterday, and because I have been trying to learn how to dissect shapes for quilt patterns, I decided to post the deconstruction of the first star block assigned to the group yesterday. I hope it helps y'all!<br />
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First, I drew the block on the computer and colored it in my selected color scheme:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpvNTZbfHWg/UjCMoOOESUI/AAAAAAAABwg/_8m0HwsxhEE/s1600/IMG_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpvNTZbfHWg/UjCMoOOESUI/AAAAAAAABwg/_8m0HwsxhEE/s320/IMG_1564.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the process of doing this, I realized that this block is actually made up of nine smaller blocks:(all FINISHED sizes)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgVC97XCkdQ/UjCN3hRXyBI/AAAAAAAAB00/y8CKiLj2QG4/s1600/IMG_1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgVC97XCkdQ/UjCN3hRXyBI/AAAAAAAAB00/y8CKiLj2QG4/s320/IMG_1589.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One 4-inch block for the center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2VBmyuZepc/UjCN0UyHb3I/AAAAAAAAB0w/-skOZg1wrVY/s1600/IMG_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2VBmyuZepc/UjCN0UyHb3I/AAAAAAAAB0w/-skOZg1wrVY/s320/IMG_1590.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four 4-inch Four-Patch blocks in the corners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLN0kGNlL2Q/UjCN6456HII/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MnMC-OYKAe4/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLN0kGNlL2Q/UjCN6456HII/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MnMC-OYKAe4/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four 4-inch Triangle-In-A-Square blocks for the star's rays</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The center block and the four patch blocks are simple enough, but the triangle-in-a-square blocks are a little more challenging. I found and tried two ways to make them--using <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?sid=2128182402&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=36252&Parent_Ids=" target="_blank">Tri-Rec rulers</a> (which I already had on hand), and paper piecing. I figure not everyone has a set of Tri-Recs, so I'm going to show how I did the paper piecing.<div>
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First download and print the following two files MAKING SURE THAT ON YOUR PRINTING SCREEN YOU CHOOSE EITHER "NONE" OR 100% FOR THE SCALING:</div>
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<a href="http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/support-files/triangleinasquare-4inch-templates.pdf" target="_blank">Templates</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/support-files/triangle-in-a-square-4inch-blocks.pdf" target="_blank">4-inch block (print two of these as there are 2 blocks on each page)</a></div>
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Your pages will look like these:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UucnM26tv9s/UjCMvjF4_iI/AAAAAAAAB00/ikVj4F_HaBU/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UucnM26tv9s/UjCMvjF4_iI/AAAAAAAAB00/ikVj4F_HaBU/s320/IMG_1567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Foundations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Td69apjG7zA/UjCM02UcHYI/AAAAAAAAB00/Ym6NCA7s9To/s1600/IMG_1570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Td69apjG7zA/UjCM02UcHYI/AAAAAAAAB00/Ym6NCA7s9To/s320/IMG_1570.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting Templates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The cutting templates are vital. They allow you to cut on-grain pieces of fabric that will be exactly the size and shape you will need for this block. I tried to work without them, to "freestyle," and it did not work.<div>
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Cut out your template shapes along the lines. Roughly cut out the paper foundations leaving some margin beyond the outer lines of the block.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5z9pm7eWcVE/UjCMu2x-ZNI/AAAAAAAAB00/sTaxrHCgBz0/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5z9pm7eWcVE/UjCMu2x-ZNI/AAAAAAAAB00/sTaxrHCgBz0/s320/IMG_1569.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At this point, you can cut some 5-6" strips of your fabrics to make cutting your template pieces a bit simpler. I, in my wisdom, cut 4.5" strips and that turned out to be a mistake. It was hard to line up my pieces of fabric since I had no margin for error, so cut your strips larger, if you want to cut strips. Note in the pictures below, my fabric isn't as large as the paper template. Yours should be about the same size as the template.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rfZsotS5HI/UjCM6eWY2sI/AAAAAAAAB00/ctgjIqugqIM/s1600/IMG_1571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rfZsotS5HI/UjCM6eWY2sI/AAAAAAAAB00/ctgjIqugqIM/s320/IMG_1571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xakRI79X_CM/UjCM8vjHEwI/AAAAAAAAB00/omgzRNDsicI/s1600/IMG_1573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xakRI79X_CM/UjCM8vjHEwI/AAAAAAAAB00/omgzRNDsicI/s320/IMG_1573.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now attach your center triangle fabric to the WRONG side of the paper foundation, holding it up the light to make sure the edges of your fabric extend at least 1/4" beyond all of the stitching lines.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9x8k2mMB7rs/UjCNAEfCjQI/AAAAAAAAB00/e4l3C4XQmns/s1600/IMG_1575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9x8k2mMB7rs/UjCNAEfCjQI/AAAAAAAAB00/e4l3C4XQmns/s320/IMG_1575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, pin one of your side pieces on top of your center piece, matching up edges and making sure the straight grain of the fabric is going to end up on the outside edge (the more bias edge should be the one that is on the seam line). Either pin the corner fabric in place or hold it in place while you flip the whole assemble over and put it under your presser foot. Starting on the paper and using a smaller-than-normal stitch length (1.5 on my machine), sew along the stitching line right through the paper and both layers of fabric.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwjmtmOx3zE/UjCNK6hod5I/AAAAAAAAB00/qVlhF6DY3gQ/s1600/IMG_1579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwjmtmOx3zE/UjCNK6hod5I/AAAAAAAAB00/qVlhF6DY3gQ/s320/IMG_1579.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwt4rtH5Buo/UjCNT_3Qo4I/AAAAAAAAB00/EuNhe5NoIS8/s1600/IMG_1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwt4rtH5Buo/UjCNT_3Qo4I/AAAAAAAAB00/EuNhe5NoIS8/s320/IMG_1581.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Fold the paper out of the way and trim the seam allowance to 1/4."</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwvfiSpof2w/UjCNlH_zRiI/AAAAAAAAB00/WXzkFrvzCgM/s1600/IMG_1583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwvfiSpof2w/UjCNlH_zRiI/AAAAAAAAB00/WXzkFrvzCgM/s320/IMG_1583.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then fold that piece out and either finger-press or press in press with a dry iron. Then repeat with the other corner piece. You will end up with this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8wrhp3wcC4/UjCNnhlJ1ZI/AAAAAAAAB00/-2mm7TGu-Cg/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8wrhp3wcC4/UjCNnhlJ1ZI/AAAAAAAAB00/-2mm7TGu-Cg/s320/IMG_1584.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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All that's left to do is to trim the excess fabric and paper along the outer lines (use a ruler and rotary cutter) and tear off the paper!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4D4MGNehNVo/UjCNm9mbSsI/AAAAAAAAB00/ML30TbQiaB0/s1600/IMG_1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4D4MGNehNVo/UjCNm9mbSsI/AAAAAAAAB00/ML30TbQiaB0/s320/IMG_1588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you have done as I said and not as I did, your block will be perfectly square. I paper pieced one of these and used Tri-Recs for the rest:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLN0kGNlL2Q/UjCN6456HII/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MnMC-OYKAe4/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLN0kGNlL2Q/UjCN6456HII/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MnMC-OYKAe4/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="305" /></a></div>
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For the rest of the block:</div>
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Make four Four-Patch blocks using 2.5" patches or strips for a block that is 4.5" unfinished. Here is a <a href="http://quiltersdiary.com/how-to-strip-piece-four-patch-quilt-blocks-tutorial/" target="_blank">tutorial on strip-piecing Four-Patches</a>.</div>
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For the center you need one more 4.5" (unfinished size) block. I chose to fussy cut a print that I had. The original pattern Kay gave us has this center block pieced out of four triangles. You decide!!</div>
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Here is my finished block:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h__9TriK1ek/UjCN91QB5NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/MmfJFfAB5Co/s1600/IMG_1596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h__9TriK1ek/UjCN91QB5NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/MmfJFfAB5Co/s320/IMG_1596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A final bit of advice: make sure you line the four-patch blocks up the way you see them here, with one of the colored blocks in the corner next to the center. Kay and I both did this wrong and it doesn't look right. I re-did mine and still ended up with one turned the wrong way!! So I re-re-did it. Lay out your little blocks, check, double-check, then sew. Unless you want to spend a lot of time with your seam ripper. </div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-18567824766142569152013-09-04T14:04:00.000-05:002013-09-04T14:04:27.750-05:00WIP WednesdayFor those who are not quilters, WIP stands for Works In Progress. I much prefer this over the other, not so nice, quilting acronym, UFO (UnFinished Objects). The Austin Modern Quilt Guild puts out a call for WIP reports every Wednesday, so here is mine for this week:<br />
<br />
Of the many, many WIPs I have around the house right now, here are a few I have out and active currently--<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtk3UrxKkacLQrAMiDo4aoVCcbGHnx67fbU3R7GngDyeAYXYkFARZqrQuTY7QsmFgKmg3lIaSvltPdQU3poHYAB3luHEpOvFEhh1NzxSaDnNbamYsHnPpZtpCdws6sFmxlrdPY5uor7I/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtk3UrxKkacLQrAMiDo4aoVCcbGHnx67fbU3R7GngDyeAYXYkFARZqrQuTY7QsmFgKmg3lIaSvltPdQU3poHYAB3luHEpOvFEhh1NzxSaDnNbamYsHnPpZtpCdws6sFmxlrdPY5uor7I/s400/IMG_1522.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quilt top for my next Craftsy class, a Leah Day FMQ Fillers class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2WU20KlbRGjwi_qpbln-Oia_4O-gJ5QR8LY8tCQoEhLBQB9jmW4X6AD6ruMyFmSsVkBM7q6kc2BsLAt4XDionVf24VamfoqPhmqqWK2nWGySdEKML2RaC_C-S6cEyaZvYhLc6j55JQY/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2WU20KlbRGjwi_qpbln-Oia_4O-gJ5QR8LY8tCQoEhLBQB9jmW4X6AD6ruMyFmSsVkBM7q6kc2BsLAt4XDionVf24VamfoqPhmqqWK2nWGySdEKML2RaC_C-S6cEyaZvYhLc6j55JQY/s320/IMG_1524.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using up another of those little Moda Candies from QuiltCon! I want to make a sleeve for the two books next the patchwork. I'm trying to decide just how fancy I want this to be. I'm thinking I'll do a little quilting on the two patchwork panels, then make the gusset and closure out of natural canvas. Still working this one out in my head, obviously. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECpAftQLHd3dqdxpe0baXm3Tlu0FeJsEupvgCj48-xkbH0yK09Z-WaOD7RQIdcj3n6szX9ToQUbNkU6KBvYJCDpx-vof6C24B8CIY_B2976SfU7OYu2dEmv1S03TT4XLHwF5njIyochY/s1600/IMG_1523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECpAftQLHd3dqdxpe0baXm3Tlu0FeJsEupvgCj48-xkbH0yK09Z-WaOD7RQIdcj3n6szX9ToQUbNkU6KBvYJCDpx-vof6C24B8CIY_B2976SfU7OYu2dEmv1S03TT4XLHwF5njIyochY/s400/IMG_1523.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that leaf in the middle? That's all that stands between me and finishing this needle turn Hawaiian appliqué. I bought this kit at the Houston Festival last year. I think it may become a pillow. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-5606412834986913422013-08-12T20:04:00.000-05:002013-09-04T21:04:48.170-05:00I Heart Coffee<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I remember exactly when I first started drinking coffee. I
was fourteen and staying with my aunt in Alabama for a couple of weeks one
summer. She and her girlfriends would
often visit during the day and these visits were always over coffee. I was at
that age where it did not interest me to go outside and play like a child, but
I was not old enough to really visit with the grown women, either. I decided the least I could do was partake in
the coffee. My aunt helped me fix up the little cup of coffee with a lot of
milk and a lot of sugar. I remember thinking it was not so bad that way. To the best of my recollection, I left the
coffee drinking in Alabama when it was time to go back home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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About a year later, during the summer, I developed a very
strange habit for a teenager—I started getting up around five every morning and
watching the sun rise over our back yard. Coffee reappeared. I found it was
very enjoyable to have a cup of coffee on these early summer mornings. When
school started I found myself in first period with a very sweet, but very
troubled teacher. She apparently had a drinking problem and would be barely
coherent many mornings. She would assign us bookwork and would doze at her
desk. I found it necessary to have coffee every morning to keep from dozing at
my own desk. Somewhere in that same year, I discovered coffee ice cream. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The only time since then that I have parted ways with coffee
was during both of my pregnancies. Caffeine caused contractions that made my
belly like a basketball-sized rock and also could have potentially caused my
babies to be premature, so I regretfully said “see you later” to my beloved
beverage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years we have seen the delightful development of a
coffee culture, including things like coffee houses, exotic coffees, and all
sorts of cool coffee gadgets like Keurigs and, the latest object of my desire,
the Nespresso. My daughter and I went to the Pacific Northwest a couple of
years ago and discovered that instead of little snow cone stands everywhere,
they have little coffee stands! We were in heaven!! And now I hear that coffee
c<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I have grown older, my coffee tastes have changed. I
started thirty-something years ago adding lots of milk and sugar. I soon
dropped the sugar but stuck with the milk until this past year. Now I have
dropped the milk and am surprised to find the black coffee to be delicious! Two
weeks ago I had my first straight, black espresso and that was just almost too
good to be true, but I think I may have hair growing on my chest now. The only
thing that has not changed is that I have never liked the screaming-hot coffee
that my parents like. I prefer to wait for it to cool just a bit before I drink
it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lately, I have seen two different artists who paint with coffee. (I will try to link to their work on the blog version of this article.) A couple of months ago one of my art quilt magazines had a challenge to make art quilts that celebrated coffee and/or tea. I have made one coffee cup quilt and have collected many coffee-related cotton prints for future projects. Clearly I am not the only one who hearts coffee. Do you heart coffee or hot tea? Tell me about it! </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cyVYze3udISUs4jVtr5BJjKAtpxJqrZ1Ao8LD2_vUyfkF-twIKtxJrpm1LU8tzhHq2sUFgTAtgdMFLP_aVg71S7hBukfwttQ4ANxeI6RuhPn7RtFxBg_vpVOGDyNeNMSfIX6jr4023M/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cyVYze3udISUs4jVtr5BJjKAtpxJqrZ1Ao8LD2_vUyfkF-twIKtxJrpm1LU8tzhHq2sUFgTAtgdMFLP_aVg71S7hBukfwttQ4ANxeI6RuhPn7RtFxBg_vpVOGDyNeNMSfIX6jr4023M/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My much-loved Coffee Cup quilt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lately, I have seen two different artists who paint with
coffee. (I will try to link to their work on the blog version of this article.)
A couple of months ago one of my art quilt magazines had a challenge to make
art quilts that celebrated coffee and/or tea. I have made one coffee cup quilt
and have collected many coffee-related cotton prints for future projects.
Clearly I am not the only one who hearts coffee. Do you heart coffee or hot
tea? Tell me about it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A small selection of coffee art:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/6-talented-artists-who-paint-with-coffee.html" target="_blank">Six Artists Who Paint with Coffee</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://michaelaaronart.com/?page_id=149" target="_blank">Michael Williams Coffee Art</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.dveiga.com/" target="_blank">Dirceu Veiga</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-46098262808351690652013-08-12T19:47:00.005-05:002013-08-12T19:47:44.698-05:00What Happens After Midnight
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When I was younger, my mother always told me, “Nothing good
happens after midnight.” My weekend curfew was midnight as long as I lived with
my parents, even after I was twenty! Of course, I thought that it was a silly
curfew and a paranoid way to look at the world to think nothing good happens
after midnight.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I got older and started paying attention to the news, I
began to realize my mother was actually correct! Murders, rapes, car wrecks,
etc., seem to mostly occur between midnight and six in the morning. Actually,
my observations over the years lead me to believe that two in the morning is
when things really begin to get ragged out in the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As can be expected, when I went off to college I was
regularly out and about all hours of the night, sometimes dragging back to my
dorm in the morning sun. We would stay out all night watching a lunar eclipse,
or camping in line to get football tickets, or just sitting on a mountaintop
solving all the world’s problems. I felt safe then, partially due to the ignorance
of youth and partially due to being always surrounded by large groups of
friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now that I am a mother and I have curfews to set for my own
kids, midnight is the chosen hour. As I said, maturity and experience taught me
that being out and about after midnight exponentially
increases the chance of being involved in tragedy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But I have to say that not EVERYTHING that happens after
midnight is bad. This morning at 1:30, one of my dogs woke me up wanting to go
outside. I let her out, then after a few minutes of waiting for her to return,
decided to go outside and look for her. I grabbed a spotlight we keep charged
up and handy—an important thing to have when you live in the country—slipped on
some shoes, and went outside. First, my light found a pair of yellow eyes
looking back at me just thirty feet away and not far from my chicken house. I
kept looking at this pair of eyes until the creature decided to run for it. It
was a fox! I shone further up the hill and found two pairs of yellow eyes. This
time I was looking at two coyotes. Sweeping my light on around I found a small
herd of deer at the crest of the hill. It is amazing what goes on all around me
when I am (normally) sound asleep. Thankfully my chickens were locked up tight!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I thought about other times when we have gotten out of our
warm beds, driven out to a hilltop, and lain in the bed of the truck watching
meteor showers. And there was the time in South Texas when we loaded everyone
up and drove out to a high spot near Choke Canyon Lake to watch the re-entering
space shuttle fly over. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My husband told me a story about one time when he was in
high school and he and some friends were camping out by the river. They saw
what looked to be the most gigantic falling star of all time. They thought they
were either hallucinating or had just witnessed an asteroid strike. The next
day the news reported that a satellite had re-entered the atmosphere and had
put on quite a light show in the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My conclusion is that as long as you are out in the country,
after midnight can be fairly safe and quite interesting. If you are in the city after midnight, it is
best to make sure you are tucked in somewhere safe and can avoid the
after-midnight meanness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-71159253720081353122013-07-15T18:07:00.000-05:002013-07-16T11:39:46.530-05:00Load Up the Family Truckster!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMQTlxb-txrk-nUtNnjbhOoq-JCN_tcdAlQLBOXZaefc3kD9QOJ-XQ_8LKtLvbxDU-Jnw5b07GxsNxecIU7AUBr4kbEP0W_m20zrpkrC1rTEKGi2SUAWlVhRNTwFHZYE-88Rs67PnMPc/s1600/teton+pano++1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMQTlxb-txrk-nUtNnjbhOoq-JCN_tcdAlQLBOXZaefc3kD9QOJ-XQ_8LKtLvbxDU-Jnw5b07GxsNxecIU7AUBr4kbEP0W_m20zrpkrC1rTEKGi2SUAWlVhRNTwFHZYE-88Rs67PnMPc/s400/teton+pano++1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here we are in the middle of what most of us think of as Summer
since we are halfway between school letting out and school starting back up. Of
course in reality, we are not even one full month into summer yet! Either way,
summer is when most of us travel places other than to visit family--since the
kids are out of school, the weather is not likely to cause travel problems, and
amusement parks and such are all open.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYHz0HW9jaTSGfu7dlAQhHJIWUC9TwQyPS_z1FuStrkUEvCI4IfXQ9Fdlujp2V-nxUZWypmybWXNgX6q33Ij5IUOWcuIBufEu8e3kHcroaK59PgLGYNxp8Ea5wwXt4XL7ZhM3_2qOKgU/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYHz0HW9jaTSGfu7dlAQhHJIWUC9TwQyPS_z1FuStrkUEvCI4IfXQ9Fdlujp2V-nxUZWypmybWXNgX6q33Ij5IUOWcuIBufEu8e3kHcroaK59PgLGYNxp8Ea5wwXt4XL7ZhM3_2qOKgU/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic road trip stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJry5XRqaldDFXC3cPZW_UxEteQ3rfIUrr7IQwXbe16gJoQhF0tNfHj0dD0m4UvbeXq9H7mrYthiKSzOQ719vhHIwNDr1pl0ybOto8LZzt6QaTDq58LZPys5WLGAHY00qFUqx7V-UDCH8/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJry5XRqaldDFXC3cPZW_UxEteQ3rfIUrr7IQwXbe16gJoQhF0tNfHj0dD0m4UvbeXq9H7mrYthiKSzOQ719vhHIwNDr1pl0ybOto8LZzt6QaTDq58LZPys5WLGAHY00qFUqx7V-UDCH8/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I was a kid back in the seventies, my dad would get a
serious case of the wanderlust every summer and load us all in the car to head
out and see something we had not before seen. We did not have a lot of money so
we did these trips the tightwad way. The trunk of the car was stocked with a
cooler, various groceries, a camp stove, and a few cooking utensils. Breakfast
was either cereal or eggs cooked right in the motel rooms (!). I always thought
this was great because we got those multipacks of little cereal boxes that you
could cut down the side and convert into a bowl. For some reason, the cereal
right out of the box tasted so much better! Lunch was a sandwich made and eaten
in a roadside park, rest stop, or parking lot. For supper, we either had more
sandwiches or we may have a meal at a restaurant if we could find something
suitable (cheap).</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Notice above, I said “motel,” not hotel, resort, inn, or bed
and breakfast. By definition, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motel" target="_blank">motel</a> is a place of lodging where the rooms
open to the outside and you can park your car right by your room. The word is
actually a hybrid of “motor” and “hotel,” and came about after World War II
when the grandest thing was to load the family in the car and go on an
adventure. If you look along some of the old pre-interstate thoroughfares, you
will find lots of old motels and motor courts. Back in the seventies, they were
getting a little run down which is why they were usually very inexpensive.
There were many nights when my brother and I slept in sleeping bags on the
floor of these motels so we would not have to pay for extra beds. The thought
gives me the willies now, but we turned out just fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv38_uFI1AfP24GvlVCG2_K_rAh2pLlGo40g178lQwRyYXC6MEn-M-pa6NozvOoLeSjUd70WVtB2r4YsNPStVswAvJQF_rKR0dcJ-u_8Hp8Gi-qfSsN4hvjcrIC6D9YJuMHXBA4UJp18/s1600/IMG_1718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv38_uFI1AfP24GvlVCG2_K_rAh2pLlGo40g178lQwRyYXC6MEn-M-pa6NozvOoLeSjUd70WVtB2r4YsNPStVswAvJQF_rKR0dcJ-u_8Hp8Gi-qfSsN4hvjcrIC6D9YJuMHXBA4UJp18/s320/IMG_1718.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great local food--fish tacos in San Francisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One advantage (or disadvantage, depending on your outlook)
of traveling on the cheap as we did is that <o:p></o:p></div>
you become much more intimately
acquainted with the places you visit in a way you would never experience with
more packaged experiences such as resorts, chain hotels, and chain restaurants.
We visited grocery stores and local diners all over the country—two places that
reveal much about local cultures and lifestyles. I credit these summer
adventures as being a major part of my education and giving me a lifetime of
fuel to feed an overactive mind.<br />
<br />
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This style of traveling is certainly still available to us
today, although I believe I would leave out the campstove in the motel rooms
and the sleeping bags on the motel floors. We really do not need to travel
thousands of miles to find a new perspective. Sometimes all we need to do is to
spend a day or two being a traveler in our own area or our own state. Go to a
small town where you have only traveled through in the past, or go to a big
city, but avoid the malls and instead head downtown. Find some museums and some
old-fashioned diners. In many places you will find the old motels have been
renovated to the point that some are downright upscale. Get the book “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1402766874" target="_blank">WeirdTexas</a>” and make it your business to see everything listed in person—now that
would be an adventure!! By all means, tell me what you find!<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of signs you won't <br />
see in Texas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-54851356654513075032013-07-01T14:56:00.003-05:002013-07-16T11:45:06.275-05:00Summer is for Foodies<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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There is no doubt that Americans are spoiled rotten in the
area of food, especially produce. Back in “the day,” you were aware that fruits
and vegetables had specific seasons in which they were available. If you wanted
something that was out of season, you either settled for a really bad version
of it, paid an exorbitant price for it, or both! Back when I worked for a
caterer, we had a January bride insistent upon having at her reception a basket
cut from a fresh watermelon and filled with summer fruits. After much
searching, we found a nice, big watermelon for which we paid just over fifty
dollars. Now, of course, you can get those “personal” watermelons year-around,
but they never taste quite as good as an in-season watermelon.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aIr97FP_CAAKrNJ070UuHmqs_jbcabXD1UMx8UXeiOytwaKXOirLeX4U4vHPbgiw0ujLn_0nLoTj0pFm0AgZHjHUZRCv19ziJQFCvDg6nOkRAD_vhmrQMpTJYh2z4z8yq94hLHtH05g/s1600/Fleur+de+Sel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aIr97FP_CAAKrNJ070UuHmqs_jbcabXD1UMx8UXeiOytwaKXOirLeX4U4vHPbgiw0ujLn_0nLoTj0pFm0AgZHjHUZRCv19ziJQFCvDg6nOkRAD_vhmrQMpTJYh2z4z8yq94hLHtH05g/s200/Fleur+de+Sel.jpg" width="200" /></a>Even in this day of having all manner of greenhouse and
hydroponic vegetables and fruits along with those flown in from other
hemispheres, it is still hard to beat the flavor of a tomato grown in someone’s
yard. My son has recently discovered the deliciousness of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_de_sel" target="_blank">Fleur de Sel de Camargue</a>. While this sea salt is delicious on anything, including your finger,
it is pure heaven sprinkled atop a slice of home-grown tomato with a fresh basil
leaf garnish. This is a pleasure that can only be experienced in the summer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In a rural community like ours, one hears lots of complaints
this time of year about squash. I have heard stories of people refusing to
answer their doorbells for fear that someone is going to try to give them
zucchini or of grocery sacks of yellow squash being anonymously left on
someone’s front porch or in the bed of their pickup. What an embarrassment of
riches! Last week I confessed to having purchased squash at the grocery store,
much to my gardening friends’ horror. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then there are the peaches—unless it has been a very
unfortunate weather year. Last week I bought some California white peaches at
Central Market. They are good, but a poor substitute for a peach bought right
out of the orchard. On a trip through central Georgia two years ago we bought
some peaches—the kind that require several paper towels to mop up the juice
that runs down your elbows. I can still remember that wonderful fragrance and
how perfect they looked with that deep pink blush along one side. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my favorite things about summer is fresh basil. I do
not have any right now, but will be starting some soon. I have grown every kind
of basil imaginable—globe, Genovese, cinnamon, Thai, purple ruffles, etc.
Besides being tasty, basil is a beautiful plant and is very fragrant. There is
no substitute for fresh basil. All of the preservation methods I have tried fail
to capture the full flavor, so this is truly a summer-only experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are so many more summer foodie experiences I could
list—sweet corn, fresh Hatch chiles, Pecos cantaloupes, berries of all kinds—so
dreamy! What are your favorite summer foodie experiences? <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-57989189486069280922013-07-01T14:55:00.002-05:002013-07-01T14:55:49.708-05:00Looking in All the Wrong Places
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Yesterday at church, the Father’s Day sermon was about
teaching your children, training them up, raising them right. The scripture was
from Deuteronomy, a book that, according to my study Bible was written in 1406
B.C., 3219 years ago by my mental math. The scripture was about how the Hebrews
were being told to clean up their act and get it together before they crossed
into the promised land. The pastor talked about how drastically our culture has
shifted recently. A young person sitting nearby expressed doubt that the change
has been recent, commenting that the culture has been changing since the
sixties.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The further context of this includes the reports from my
husband and son about their observations of the prevailing culture in South
Africa, where they recently spent two weeks. Some would say that South Africa
is just “behind the times” with their emphasis on family, conservative dress
and behavior, limited consumption of popular media, and methods of conducting
public education for school-age kids. Even though I did not go along on the
trip and see all of this first-hand, I have still required quite a lot of time
to sit in my rocking chair on the front porch while I try to mentally digest
all of the information they have fed me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While there are many, many reasons I am thankful I live in
this era instead of at any point in the past—modern medical and dental care are
biggies, the ability of a woman to make her way alone in the world is another, and
the ability to communicate instantly with friends and family around the world
is a nice bonus—there are aspects of being “behind the times” a la South Africa
that look pretty good to me. Above, I mentioned the age of Deuteronomy in order
to bring attention to the timelessness of the behavior of humans and the
enduring validity of the moral and ethical rules laid out in that book. You do
not need to be a Christian or a Jew or any other religion to realize that we,
humans, need standards of behavior in order to be effective in life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the one hand, it seems that the American culture has
thrown standards right out the window. After thinking about it, though, I think
the problem is that we get our standards from all the wrong places. All of the
media in which we are all up to our necks (television, movies, music,
videogames, and internet, for example) seems to be the source of most of our
standards. Behavioral science has documented that children who are not being
actively taught and guided by parents will adopt what they see in the media as
reality and derive their standards from it. Do we really want our every day
lives to mirror sitcoms? Or worse yet, “reality” shows? Many of us seem to get
our standards from various celebrities. What percentage of celebrities are
people of real character or intellect? Many of us rely on lawmakers to set
standards for us. Need I say more about relying on politicians to set our
standards? The latest legislation signed into law protects the rights of school
employees to say “Happy Hanukah,” or “Merry Christmas” to students without fear
of legal retribution. How does that grab you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am no different and certainly not any better human being
than any of you who are reading this. I find myself constantly battling the
pull of modern society to conform to whatever the standard of the day may be.
The challenge for most of us is to step back mentally from the busy-ness of
every day to see exactly what it is that we are doing and where we are heading.
An even greater challenge is to swim against the tide by setting and adhering
to a solid set of standards, based on time-proven principles. If you decide to
swim upstream, know that you are not alone and know that your efforts will be
appreciated. </div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-8904295388383869092013-06-03T17:07:00.001-05:002013-06-03T17:29:19.889-05:00The Garment District & A Brush with CelebrityTo anyone who enjoys sewing, like me, New York City’s
garment district is a dream come true…if you can really dream up something like
that. As I was planning our visit, I told my daughter we were going to spend at
least one full day in the Garment District. She was mildly interested in
visiting M&J Trimming and was very interested in visiting Mood Fabrics,
both of which she had heard of on “Project Runway.” She had no clue.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFkzMqgbkxSF7XN393lQQy9StULiDAQDtR6aoM5LnG2EhuXlYntKqMAsqHWdQNFwywH6IuT4S_QucQH3GoVa8vJJc7adf0bx082a56Df18jwYrevIqBzCPuoN5hOhTCaN8bmV4warZR0/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFkzMqgbkxSF7XN393lQQy9StULiDAQDtR6aoM5LnG2EhuXlYntKqMAsqHWdQNFwywH6IuT4S_QucQH3GoVa8vJJc7adf0bx082a56Df18jwYrevIqBzCPuoN5hOhTCaN8bmV4warZR0/s400/IMG_1249.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget the soup commercial, this is real num yummy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We rode the subway from SoHo to Times Square, walked around
Times Square gawking at the giant LED billboards, took a little detour through
Bryant Park and the NYC Public Library (beautiful!), then headed to the garment
district. The district is organized more or less by types of products. Most of
the fixtures stores are in one clump, mannequin stores, sparkly evening wear
fabric stores, trim stores, etc. There are various kinds of fabric stores
scattered throughout. I was determined to visit <a href="http://www.graylinelinen.com/" target="_blank">Gray Line Linen</a>, a fabric store
that sells, guess what!! Linen!!! They do have a few bolts of beautiful Thai
silks, but everything else is my favorite fiber. I was in HEAVEN!!! Gray Line
shipped my purchases to me and now all twenty-seven pounds of fabric are
washed, dried, and ready to be made into a gloriously cool and rumpled summer
wardrobe <i>pour moi</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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Next we found a shop called <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/stores/daytona_trimmings/" target="_blank">Daytona Trimmings</a>. The shop was
tiny but packed with every kind of ribbon, rick-rack, elastic, button, lace,
cording, etc. you can imagine…and lots, lots more! (I sound like an
infomercial.) I bought some beautifully ornate ribbon and took a business card
to order more from them later. Next, around the corner, was <a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/" target="_blank">M&J Trimming</a>.
M&J is a huge store by NYC standards and is filled floor-to-ceiling with
buttons, crystals, ribbons, etc. My
daughter went a little crazy in there with supplies to make headbands and
earrings. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On to <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Mood Fabrics</a>, which has become really famous due to
the television show “<a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway" target="_blank">Project Runway</a>.” It is a SMASHING store with three floors
crammed with rolls of fabric. We were so overwhelmed that we ended up just
buying a t-shirt that says “Thank You Mood,” which is what Tim Gunn of “Project
Runway” says every time he leaves there with his group of contestants in tow. We also picked up a business card, since Mood takes
online orders, too. (YAY!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RbMLXEAHTTo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of Tim Gunn, he was my daughter’s quite literal
brush with celebrity. If you are not interested in fashion and have never
watched “Project Runway,” you probably have no idea who <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Gunn" target="_blank">Tim Gunn</a> is, but my
daughter knows and was thrilled to see him in person. This is why it was a
literal brush: She was standing in line to pay admission at the Met when Tim
Gunn said, in his incredibly urbane way, “Pardon me,” and brushed past
her. It made her whole trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were many more wonderfully crafty places we visited,
but the newspaper does limit my word count! I will post this column along with
links and pictures on my blog: springcreekartsguild.blogspot.com. As always, I
welcome your comments at springcreekartsguild@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blog Extras!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some other crafty places we visited (and shopped) and loved:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.cityquilter.com/" target="_blank">The City Quilter</a>--They have their own lines of NYC fabrics including the spectacular new <a href="http://secure.netsolhost.com/191487.194242/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CQO&Category_Code=GCT" target="_blank">Grand Central Terminal line</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.loopymango.com/" target="_blank">The Loopy Mango</a>--Our host, Albert, told us about this interesting little shop in SoHo that carries yarn among other things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl" target="_blank">Purl SoHo-</a>-Most any younger fiber crafter knows about this place. It is a small shop, but beautiful, and has an interesting array of fabrics, yarns, patterns, gadgets, etc.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/13666.asp" target="_blank">The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology</a>--This is a small museum at the FIT campus in Chelsea. The main exhibit we saw was called <a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/14479.asp" target="_blank">RetroSpective</a> and showed how themes and silhouettes are interpreted across different periods of time. Very interesting for anyone who enjoys fashion history (that would be me).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.madmuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Museum of Art and Design</a>--specializes in "contemporary handmade items." Also has a GREAT gift shop. A very, very interesting little museum.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shop.nypl.org/" target="_blank">The Gift Shop at the NYC Public Library</a>--Proclaimed by my daughter to be "the bangingest gift shop in New York." That means it's really good, I think. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-58113271832293955322013-05-27T11:20:00.000-05:002013-05-27T11:20:21.645-05:00A College Education<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It is that time of the year again where I get the urge to
state some truths about a college education. My husband and I have college
educations, as of Friday our daughter will have a college education, and I
would really like for our son to have a college education some day. My husband has always and still works in the
same field as his degree: Wildlife Biology. I do not know the statistics on
this, but I would bet a surprisingly small percentage of people manage to keep
their college major and their subsequent careers on the same track throughout
their careers. I have done work that is traditionally associated with my
degrees, but I have spent more years on work that has no apparent relation to
my field of study. We shall see where our daughter’s career takes her.
Meanwhile, we have been advising our son to go to college, if nothing else, to
develop the muscles between his ears. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are a lot of convictions people have about a college
education that are not exactly true. Like “if you can just get a college
degree, you will always have a good-paying job.” I saw on the news the other
day that over forty percent of people who finished college within the past two
years are underemployed—meaning that they are in a job that does not require a
degree. Only fifteen percent of these
graduates thought they would be making less than $25,000 per year with a
degree, but thirty percent of them are making that much or less. Of the
underemployed graduates, most said they wish they had majored in something
different and/or they would need a graduate degree in order to be competitive
in the workplace. A certain few
undergraduate degrees are highly employable and highly paid, but most of them
are not…..but it still costs the same to get the degree. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hunting dentist, Zack, along <br />
with his wife, Amanda, <br />
and our new graduate, Shelby</td></tr>
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Another is “do what you love and you will always find
success.” I suppose that could be true as long as you are not speaking of
financial success. Often the best idea is to get your degree in an area where
you can be satisfied with your professional life and make enough money to
support doing what you love in your off time. We have a friend who is a
dentist, but what he loves is hunting. His plan is to be able to AFFORD to hunt
by working on teeth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another idea is that you need to have a degree from a
“major” university to be employable. I put that in quotes because most people
seem to think the “major” thing is related to the notoriety of the football
team or the size of the student body than by any academic measures of
major-ness. It is more important for each student to find a college that is a
good fit for their personality and that has a good reputation in their field of
study. A college can be world-class in one area of study and quite Mickey Mouse
in another. No matter how large or how
high-profile your college is, if you choose the wrong major or manage to keep a
steady low-C average, you are going to have a hard time with your employment
search. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more—“get an education so you won’t have to work as hard
as your parents did.” This one makes me laugh out loud! I will respond to that
one with a quote attributed to Thomas Edison: “Success is ten percent
inspiration and ninety percent perspiration.” The cold, hard truth is success
is hard work, even for college graduates. Yes, having a degree could possibly
enable you to work in air conditioning, but you will still have to work hard
and put in a lot of hours if you want to have success. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I believe a college education is a good thing,
but it certainly is not for everyone and it certainly is not a magic bullet
that ensures a life on Easy Street. If anyone knows where I can get one of
those kinds of magic bullets, please let me know! </span><!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-9306346983622311632013-05-27T11:11:00.000-05:002013-05-27T11:11:12.008-05:00Staying in SoHo<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am writing this week's column sitting the dining/gathering table in a loft apartment in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. My daughter and I are here for a few days as a final installment in her college education. She graduated last week, but I believe even a brief visit to New York is at least as educational as a semester of courses. After a day and a half here, I think she agrees. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QXE5JMSrn3CrVRSA0HEC20GcgQKkrMkdboWXi5QvWzM4JVnJwFK1hq-ImCJXpuaIeTtMOekcs8o-00wr5lwZWiyxt5G1SbLEORoEwvZalQVtddJRE9IsU3EaKrd-0Yv1V1gqAK_HuKI/s1600/IMG_1175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QXE5JMSrn3CrVRSA0HEC20GcgQKkrMkdboWXi5QvWzM4JVnJwFK1hq-ImCJXpuaIeTtMOekcs8o-00wr5lwZWiyxt5G1SbLEORoEwvZalQVtddJRE9IsU3EaKrd-0Yv1V1gqAK_HuKI/s320/IMG_1175.jpg" width="311" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Scout, the King Charles Spaniel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a bedroom in the loft of a family, Albert, Michelle, and Philipine--Oh, and Scout, the King Charles spaniel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> There are other guests here, as well, from all over the world. Right now I am sitting across from a woman who grew up in Delaware, married a Dutch man, and has lived in Chile for the past twenty-two years. Albert grew up in Paris and Michelle is French Canadian. This diversity of backgrounds has led to some terrific discussions. We certainly do not agree on many topics, but that is just fine in this environment.</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSPJwbUPo3IQCbTBnP1KS51ngyTDAkhiAI9O0dkZHlZbqWCxdYOLyjlN-GlE0heMHqohiAem-blT_DVTgwmVxCkTzDqL3X9EJXVWb1xj2vgJ-Yuhei2rTSWacuMSW5x6PWYI7-YLdVIA/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSPJwbUPo3IQCbTBnP1KS51ngyTDAkhiAI9O0dkZHlZbqWCxdYOLyjlN-GlE0heMHqohiAem-blT_DVTgwmVxCkTzDqL3X9EJXVWb1xj2vgJ-Yuhei2rTSWacuMSW5x6PWYI7-YLdVIA/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Michelle, playing piano beneath one of her husband's photos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marianne, the woman who is married to the Dutch man, tells me that a lot of people do not like the Dutch because they tend to be very direct in speaking their minds. If they like you, they will say so. If they do not like you, they will say that, too. Although I am a born-and-bred Southern woman, I prefer the direct approach. I would much rather someone tell me that they do not like me than to smile and speak sweetly to me only to turn away and complain to someone else about me. I am wondering if that is why so many people who visit New York come back to report the people are rude. I find it to be quite the opposite. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Michelle tells me they have hosted over 5,000 guests in their home since they started thirteen years ago. Their daughter is about to turn thirteen so she has shared her home and her parents with strangers her entire life. I have tried</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">envision myself doing this, opening my home to travelers from all over the world, telling them "this is your home" (which Albert and Michelle have said repeatedly). We Southerners are very friendly, are we not? But does our Southern hospitality go to the level of these New Yorkers? I can honestly say that mine does not. </span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 9/11 Memorial was a very <br />heart-wrenching but beautiful place to visit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Albert is a photographer and Michelle is an art dealer. She reports that having all of the different people in her home serves to constantly enrich her knowledge and inspiration. She says sometimes she meets a new guest and thinks she is not going to like them, but after only a few minutes of conversing and learning the person's story, her mind is changed. She likened individuals to pieces of art--each is unique and inspired and each has a story. Our individual tastes, experiences, and understanding dictate whether we find a painting or a piece of pottery interesting or beautiful, just as it does with new people we meet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, we are walking the city, riding the subways and busses, and visiting the museums, but the best lessons of this trip have been in this home, at least for me. Today we are off to visit the Garment District and to pay our respects at the 9/11 Memorial. There are so many lessons to be learned between now and Wednesday afternoon! I will be posting photos and stories on the blog when I am safely back in Spring Creek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rainy view of Columbus Circle<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and that sewing guy in the Garment District</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNI3csmMlMj2T_eldFKnsDeyGqVtxwSP3tRhMZELVQty7EyZF-GqS95KZqfMChNBs3nN92U-4yUTI0qhjbjVepEoxQ83eUgNdcQcHt_vnL9X-hPTstdq9hjXmVSCAp7BH8UmylhAFYE4/s1600/IMG_1213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNI3csmMlMj2T_eldFKnsDeyGqVtxwSP3tRhMZELVQty7EyZF-GqS95KZqfMChNBs3nN92U-4yUTI0qhjbjVepEoxQ83eUgNdcQcHt_vnL9X-hPTstdq9hjXmVSCAp7BH8UmylhAFYE4/s320/IMG_1213.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shop in Chelsea was nothing but vintage costume<br /> jewelry--my daughter was in heaven!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlXURdefH8SBynYz0Aw444ITAlNWHSgGwzcW8mN0I8ECcy84ZIpNSF84-OWlP53FF6Wf-y2WYySHIpIAOLbgLpRo7q9mbeOZiXUAcRRGmmzEW9tlTp0gGQFD_y7AZFAqgInvw2_H4u2M/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlXURdefH8SBynYz0Aw444ITAlNWHSgGwzcW8mN0I8ECcy84ZIpNSF84-OWlP53FF6Wf-y2WYySHIpIAOLbgLpRo7q9mbeOZiXUAcRRGmmzEW9tlTp0gGQFD_y7AZFAqgInvw2_H4u2M/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelby enjoying Bryant Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesrTlMeuM5r4Du-Po5Zo2oYIn_qNr5iZMH6d6DnGdKspLw84WRPiUQO6YiK84xMZoML9_dNqpKoYfAmJkzGsxuBnFKKOoa9toBjvBU6jfS_S94dXN40ghVLY4c3KC3pEYLXYm63qo-34/s1600/IMG_5512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesrTlMeuM5r4Du-Po5Zo2oYIn_qNr5iZMH6d6DnGdKspLw84WRPiUQO6YiK84xMZoML9_dNqpKoYfAmJkzGsxuBnFKKOoa9toBjvBU6jfS_S94dXN40ghVLY4c3KC3pEYLXYm63qo-34/s320/IMG_5512.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting work at the Museum of Art and Design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GUcsWloZQqPsc2xHGxOYPzqAR6F2UbA3ScdzoFevmUhbS6GdtocS59FfbUUZw26b2jBjjXti1BwKNYugxK0tiM3VqKbdP0xJXQXHzD2kQOMu_WW26A5IVjuRlrEIrU9kd0b8tZ-W11Q/s1600/IMG_5541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GUcsWloZQqPsc2xHGxOYPzqAR6F2UbA3ScdzoFevmUhbS6GdtocS59FfbUUZw26b2jBjjXti1BwKNYugxK0tiM3VqKbdP0xJXQXHzD2kQOMu_WW26A5IVjuRlrEIrU9kd0b8tZ-W11Q/s320/IMG_5541.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Hand of God" by Rodin--beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPprBaCaxQaflx1Pt7nW80_-jHDlc1w9AFX3D_L-SrEPccgZAg1L0nVGNQyHSVSTxrpaxevx_3760N-IwTG87k5fwR85YZ7XNu0juPI7F56DlMv7OQ9qu17BpxNrdLg4x-GwmnDyv-Mcw/s1600/IMG_5524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPprBaCaxQaflx1Pt7nW80_-jHDlc1w9AFX3D_L-SrEPccgZAg1L0nVGNQyHSVSTxrpaxevx_3760N-IwTG87k5fwR85YZ7XNu0juPI7F56DlMv7OQ9qu17BpxNrdLg4x-GwmnDyv-Mcw/s320/IMG_5524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love rounding a corner in a museum and seeing, live <br />and in person, a painting that I have seen in books my entire life.<br /> Better than celebrity sightings to me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S0m9I03QlPEEpwz37lmoh9kxQU91vC_pPGBJDPAXeKjRoJPV59ygFfnGjXAGuACbwzacrPRrQsXtJvOxKfbopSOVLvCD0h_8Pph7t1Zi0zVpKt69w6_WsMoSGLG-YlwAnevMVI4YH_g/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S0m9I03QlPEEpwz37lmoh9kxQU91vC_pPGBJDPAXeKjRoJPV59ygFfnGjXAGuACbwzacrPRrQsXtJvOxKfbopSOVLvCD0h_8Pph7t1Zi0zVpKt69w6_WsMoSGLG-YlwAnevMVI4YH_g/s320/IMG_1193.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new World Trade Center looks<br /> almost finished from this side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-73103453932203502112013-04-29T17:15:00.000-05:002013-04-29T17:15:22.086-05:00A Gardening Sob Story
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kZ2F2Lnf-ISZvH78NiL4jMtsRO-SKG67P4YW-ukjKJtS2r5ltMIl1xH6yERMA9pyhJFxdkQql3_S1bNdzpPfsHOtDn4NFtjZx3eF6YSjT7eCY-NSaV383irV4ayzQ305RSe1pOKBC84/s1600/southsidebed1sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kZ2F2Lnf-ISZvH78NiL4jMtsRO-SKG67P4YW-ukjKJtS2r5ltMIl1xH6yERMA9pyhJFxdkQql3_S1bNdzpPfsHOtDn4NFtjZx3eF6YSjT7eCY-NSaV383irV4ayzQ305RSe1pOKBC84/s320/southsidebed1sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Three Rivers Yard<br /></td></tr>
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When we lived in South Texas, I had a great garden all
around my house. The front yard was filled with all sorts of herbs, flowering
plants, and native plants. We had more flowering plants on the sides of our
house, and in the back yard I had a big vegetable garden. The only gardening
problem I had in South Texas was the fact that bugs would eat up much of my
summer vegetables. That was fine. I just did most of my vegetable gardening for
the other nine months of the year!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we moved to the ranch here in San Saba County eight
years ago and I have not been able to get my gardening mojo back. The drought
we have been in for the past few years has not helped a bit. I have planted
lots and lots of seeds, plants, shrubs, cacti, and trees over the past eight
years and only a fraction of them have survived. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On the vegetable front, I have tried raised beds in several
configurations. Sometimes the plants will come on strong in the beginning, then
suddenly dry up and die. Sometimes a swarm of one kind of insect or another
will come along and make a meal of my plants. Sometimes cows get ahold of
whatever I have planted. I have had some luck with flowering plants, but
nothing lasts for long. Sometimes the summer heat and drought will burn up everything,
and other times we will get a ridiculously cold winter that will kill what was
supposed to have been cold-hardy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have done some remodeling around our house over the years
and have had fill dirt brought in twice. Apparently the fill we got is mostly
clay. I have discovered that clay soil and drought-tolerant plants do not mix
well. The rosemary I planted in the clay is doing fine, and finally one antique
rose is going to pull through—oh, and the plants labeled “Spanish Broom” are
doing very, very well in my clay-filled spots. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally my husband grew tired of looking at one of the
crusted-over clay spots and decided he would turn it into a sort of desert
garden. We spent most of the weekend putting down weed blocker and spreading
large river stone gravel over the area. The plan is to dig large holes in the
clay until we reach the sandy soil below, then fill it with a good soil mix for
our plants. So far we have put in more prostrate rosemary, some blackfoot
daisies, santolina, and a four-nerve daisy. I have an assortment of agaves with
pups to contribute to the project, a huge cholla we are trying to figure out
how to transplant, and we are on the search for a desert willow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvCLMrWsNiR1y62XYkVzLT8E9lkLHBisC1xfOXJA1BOzr3GoI8Z0SBbla9QuQbJ48zHzhWPWYRZuVcbGO_Y_vmZS6ei5GWTtcgR0jA1bAqSlXx9PD1haXo_pp0CSnc0ADAGOHaxUYo3M/s1600/DSC00744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvCLMrWsNiR1y62XYkVzLT8E9lkLHBisC1xfOXJA1BOzr3GoI8Z0SBbla9QuQbJ48zHzhWPWYRZuVcbGO_Y_vmZS6ei5GWTtcgR0jA1bAqSlXx9PD1haXo_pp0CSnc0ADAGOHaxUYo3M/s320/DSC00744.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Good Year at the<br />Ranch (Pre-drought)</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, closer to the house, after having no luck with
trying to grow pretty flowers in the various pots (drought, heat, turkeys
pulling things up by the roots, chickens eating everything) I am trying the
Southern California way. As much as I did not enjoy the big picture of Los
Angeles, I loved the landscaping and container gardening I saw there. I
especially loved the containers planted in various shapes and colors of
succulents. Recently, I found an assortment of succulents at Home Depot so I
brought them home, planted them all, and stood back to see what the chickens
would do. I can see that they have sampled some of them but they apparently
find them to be unpalatable (YAY!). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If anyone knows of any kind of gardening demon exorcism I
can do or has a suggestion on how to (safely) transplant that monster cholla,
please let me know. Meanwhile, if you have beautiful roses or vegetables, you
will likely see me lurking about, admiring your gardening mojo! I will put this
on my blog (springcreekartsguild.blogspot.com) along with some photos of past
glory and present failure for your entertainment!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-10572889908337833492013-04-07T17:20:00.000-05:002013-04-07T17:30:54.661-05:00Sunday AfternoonJust below this is the newspaper column for this week's San Saba News and Star. As soon as I emailed the column off to the newspaper and posted it here, I went looking for the really-cool-because-it's-so-obviously-vintage Red Heart Yarn granny square afghan that we inherited a year and a half ago. I wanted to post a pic of it along with the column. But alas, I stood at the edge of the massive pile of…stuff…on my husband's side of the office and was too fearful to dive in. I think I'll go get a cup of coffee and muster my courage.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I am determined to master free-motion quilting on my home machine. So much so that I have signed up for THREE Craftsy classes on the topic. And I took two classes on it at IQF Houston this past fall. Since I can't find the afghan, I'll post pics of my Houston class projects. One has been made into a wall-hanging and one into a cover for my Bible. Meanwhile, has anyone else taken Craftsy classes? I hope they work because my local quilt group is expecting me to teach them how to free motion quilt in two months!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthktBwfaqpMwbK_DLVKIjJ1lzXKG26FC7puMJRbmnn-iyk_vNr5PZGuJvwfKvUmE9sYKZCofT7NqwfKhiOoyAVq2HfuGqcgEB9bKE5Fd1fpujIjQKqENk50NRRIs12_ZZKrxQ7hm80NI/s1600/IMG_1011.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="138" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my class with Lois T. Smith</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my class with David Taylor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthktBwfaqpMwbK_DLVKIjJ1lzXKG26FC7puMJRbmnn-iyk_vNr5PZGuJvwfKvUmE9sYKZCofT7NqwfKhiOoyAVq2HfuGqcgEB9bKE5Fd1fpujIjQKqENk50NRRIs12_ZZKrxQ7hm80NI/s1600/IMG_1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-22490065376113928592013-04-07T16:38:00.000-05:002013-04-07T17:44:58.852-05:00Those Who Show Up<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Those Who Show Up<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week I spent several hours sitting in a legislative
committee room listing to public testimony regarding several proposed bills
(AKA potential future laws). This may sound about as exciting as watching paint
dry, but you would be surprised. I was at a meeting of the <a href="http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/committee/?committee=430&session=83" target="_blank">House Committee for Culture, Recreation, and Tourism</a> who have several wildlife-related bills to
consider. As sobering as my experience was on this one day with this one
committee, it is downright frightening to realize this same thing is going on
all around the capitol in regard to nearly every aspect of the daily lives of
Texans. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You have probably heard some variation on the quote, ”the
rules are made by those who show up.” Those who show up are the people who, for
whatever reason, decide to prevail upon a legislator to carry a bill of
proposed legislation through the channels. The reasons people have to do this
may be for the greater good, or for their own personal good or gain, or simply to
tweak the nose of someone else. Most of what I saw on Wednesday fell into the
last two reasons. Another set of people who show up are the folks that show up
to give their input during these public comment opportunities. There is no
swearing-in for these testimonies so people are not legally bound to tell the
truth or to refrain from speaking on an emotional versus a factual basis.
Another group of people who show up are paid lobbyists who show up to give
whatever information or misinformation is needed to get their client’s opinions
and values applied in the legislators’ votes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you have been really paying attention so far, you may
have noticed that the lawmaking process I observed has very little to do with
what is practical, realistic, truthful, or oriented toward the majority of the
people but has everything to do with what is emotional, idealistic, or oriented
to individual and small-group interests. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of you know that I am a knitter. So what if I decided
that I like only natural-fiber yarns? I like them so much that I hate synthetic
yarns, like that <a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn" target="_blank">Red Heart</a> yarn that EVERYONE has at least one <o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFxEhFwou1zxdzRYGarIzRd5IR1ceswlFbouIgugHSNGJm7uLlqimJgVST-GmFwGVf91KLp4bxAez0kfJtFwaTSA3_ip7LJFiUPf_71nxNnatbcrwBRozAc9cJ_YRsprjsD9cSg8wn3k/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFxEhFwou1zxdzRYGarIzRd5IR1ceswlFbouIgugHSNGJm7uLlqimJgVST-GmFwGVf91KLp4bxAez0kfJtFwaTSA3_ip7LJFiUPf_71nxNnatbcrwBRozAc9cJ_YRsprjsD9cSg8wn3k/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vintage 1970-ish Red Heart Afghan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
afghan made
from. So I draft a bill making the sale of synthetic-fiber yarns illegal in
Texas. And then I find a legislator who is willing to present my bill to the
appropriate committee. Next, I round up a bunch of my acquaintances to go
testify before the legislative committees that synthetic yarns are so
disturbing and dangerous to quality of life in Texas that they should be banned.
And besides, banning synthetics would help support the growing alpaca-farming
industry in Texas. If no one shows up to say we are a bunch of crazy people,
that the choice between synthetic and natural fiber yarns should be strictly
individual, that all those Red Heart Yarn afghans are keeping millions of
Texans warm, and besides, it would drive over half of knitters and crocheters
out of the craft to ban synthetics because only the wealthiest can afford to
use all natural fibers—then guess what? The bill passes committee, gets voted
into law by the legislature, and you now have to go to a neighboring state to
buy Red Heart yarn! You go to Alco one day and there is no Red Heart yarn! How
did this happen? </div>
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<br /></div>
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I know how—the rule was made by the people who showed up!
And where were the rest of us? Likely going about our business working, going
to school, taking care of our families, and trusting that our elected officials
know what is important to us. The truth is, they do not know if we fail to tell
them. It would be nice if we could all go participate at the capitol, but if
you don’t have the time to do that, at least look over the pending legislation
and give your representatives and senators a call or an email to let them know
where you stand. Go to this address: <a href="http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/">http://www.capitol.state.tx.us</a>. From there
you can find all the info you need on all the current bills and how to reach
your representatives. I have moved my blog to http://springcreekartsguild.blogspot.com--I
will post links there to help you SHOW UP AND MAKE THE RULES!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8006125245265937626.post-26708478636085840012013-03-26T12:00:00.001-05:002013-03-26T12:04:16.238-05:00You know what they say about good intentions...A couple of years ago, I decided to create an eponymous blog to support the column I write for my local newspaper, <i><a href="http://www.sansabanews.com/" target="_blank">The San Saba News and Star</a></i>. Although I had positive experience with Blogger, for some strange reason I decided to try a different blogging platform--BAD IDEA. It was so unwieldy that I ended up with very few posts before I gave up.<br />
<br />
Since then, I have had a lot of people outside the local area become interested in the column so I wanted to have a place they could easily access it. And there is still the original reason I wanted to have the blog--to post the pictures that the newspaper can't print, and to give additional information, such as links to websites I mention in the column.<br />
<br />
My intentions right this second are to post this week's column tomorrow, concurrent with newspaper day in San Saba. Then I intend to post several of the past columns with any associated pictures. After that, I intend to keep current on posting the bi-weekly columns, select a few more archived columns to post, AND to post other entries during the weeks between columns. We shall see. My intentions often do not come to fruition as planned. But…we are headed into the "slow" season of my family's business, which usually means I have fewer interruptions and crises.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I want to share a few pictures I have taken over the last couple of days:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjl67YNs1gPi2pQ6wWi28GXT5gmexKnJpmGw-bWA83GFBGUS7ov-hguV2Amxnvqn05VV_Ko-0z0_sYAReYhnLXO4DE8M0swdaJB9VsOQx-E3tZGfa4yrAuqqNOy98PQsCbNrPugYv6Ks/s1600/eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A day's eggs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjl67YNs1gPi2pQ6wWi28GXT5gmexKnJpmGw-bWA83GFBGUS7ov-hguV2Amxnvqn05VV_Ko-0z0_sYAReYhnLXO4DE8M0swdaJB9VsOQx-E3tZGfa4yrAuqqNOy98PQsCbNrPugYv6Ks/s320/eggs.JPG" title="A day's eggs" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
These were the eggs I gathered from my henhouse yesterday. I love the colors of eggs and sometimes take photos so I can refer back to those colors. The light blue of that whopper egg in the middle is the color of my kitchen walls. The other reason I took this photo was to show the relative size of that whopper egg. We have been getting those regularly in the past few weeks. My son thinks it's our hen Cinni who is responsible for those. Poor Cinni! She isn't just a whole lot bigger than this egg! We cracked it this morning and it was a double-yolker. I keep waiting to get an egg-in-an-egg like <a href="http://youtu.be/wSHCBspYnAI" target="_blank">this guy</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYgSbxmwBq5e65FMmXPofBFCsFeYjJ4CUV-g2u4bojfu2t0lwpH_fDe8SLpzhNaBWisGwGEBNdhhrmI7hyphenhyphenZZGFEx_yiNglU6-XeOPeAif0qBlE9AtLePtPNvv4qkHgaMFZ7ScvylvhN8/s1600/clothespin+bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYgSbxmwBq5e65FMmXPofBFCsFeYjJ4CUV-g2u4bojfu2t0lwpH_fDe8SLpzhNaBWisGwGEBNdhhrmI7hyphenhyphenZZGFEx_yiNglU6-XeOPeAif0qBlE9AtLePtPNvv4qkHgaMFZ7ScvylvhN8/s320/clothespin+bag.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I like to hang clothes on the clothesline for a few reasons: I'm a tightwad; I like the way they smell when they are line-dried; because I can (no deed restrictions on the ranch); it's environmentally-friendly; it's mostly easier on the clothes; and because it's what my farm/ranch ancestor women did. I also like being outside with all the sights and sounds of nature rather than standing in the house in front of the washer/dryer combo. I had been needing a new clothespin bag since my old one, made from an old pair of my son's jeans, needed to be retired. I was having a hard time convincing myself to buy one when I know how to sew. I found several ideas on the internet and was planning to do <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/916533/how-make-clothespin-bag" target="_blank">one from the Martha Stewart website,</a> when I was cleaning out my bathroom cabinet and found this little tote bag that had come with some Biolage shampoo. I was about to throw it away when I realized it was the perfect size for my clothespin bag. I took the handles off, used a CD to draw the circle on the front, cut out the circle, folded the cutout part in half and sewed it in the bottom half of the opening, then zig-zagged and trimmed the opening with some rick rack I already had. After that, I sewn the top opening shut, leaving an opening for this pants hanger I had. My son squished the top of the hanger to close it up and make it fit the clothesline a bit better, et voila! A pretty, double-recycled clothespin bag that cost me exactly NOTHING!<br />
<br />
Finally, I love this time of year! Even in the absence of wildflowers in this droughty year, the colors of the budding leaves are beautiful. Here is a photo of the blackjack oak in my back yard.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajYEagfdpxZ0g0EL0f177Zo9fybA-_BeULWrU9nhVdidw1T8lbo8iNzYCgFJ1A8wuDgDxwWhO9PSjH9AX60guD0_qiAzax-l5EsnHHl-gnfC0abKMgEZACUc5DOZCvNu5HriTVXlj_uE/s1600/budding+blackjack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajYEagfdpxZ0g0EL0f177Zo9fybA-_BeULWrU9nhVdidw1T8lbo8iNzYCgFJ1A8wuDgDxwWhO9PSjH9AX60guD0_qiAzax-l5EsnHHl-gnfC0abKMgEZACUc5DOZCvNu5HriTVXlj_uE/s640/budding+blackjack.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12445350119409472025noreply@blogger.com0