Memorial Day....the day we remember those who are no longer with us.  

Took a couple photos this morning to share the visible rows of newly-planted corn and the blooming Bridal Wreath Spirea outside our unit.  Both are gorgeous messengers of Springtime.  The Bridal Wreath makes me think of my maternal gramma and the beautiful white flowers by her house.  A little girl memory living inside a little old lady who feels like a silly teenager.  

Will we be knee high
by the
Fourth of July?

~Hearty, old-fashioned
and
lovely to behold~

LOVE A LITTLE STRONGER

A couple days absent from posting, mainly cuz my brain has been involved in watching press conferences and updates on the horrors in Uvalde, Texas.  Wrote a couple of posts, but erased 'em for obvious reasons.

Memorial Day weekend is here, and Cuddy got us up early for his morning walk.  Now the three of us are having that first cuppa and could easily go back to bed.  The boyfriend has a beautiful day planned with his auntie who's celebrating her 101st birthday.  Cousins are going out for pizza with her, and I'm staying home with Cuddy.  In my world, aunties are special.

When these horrific mass shootings occur, it's difficult for the rest of us not to reassess our own blessings and situations.  Looking at those beautiful darlings who were taken from their families, the human spirit deflates to think that there are some among us who are so evil.  Think of the irony in the word  "evil" spelling "live" backwards.  The whole world is affected by one person's actions.  Just like Putin's actions affect all of us when we listen and watch the daily news reports.  Goes to show that each of us has an influence on the world....on the lives of others.  Our good actions reap good results, our bad actions have negative ripple effects, as well.  

When the news media shows the photographs of the little Hispanic children, my heart bleeds.  Those kiddies are the cutest children.  They are an exceptionally beautiful people.  It's ironic that two of the sweetest teachers went to heaven along with the kiddies.  There's something quite special in that thought.  The rest of us must look for the good in the evil so as to defeat it.  

Sun is shining this morning, temperatures are to warm up.  Outdoor graduation parties are the big events this weekend, and parents of the graduates are grateful for the nice weather.  Cuddy and I are going to spend the day together.  There's something inside urging us to turn up the volume on our loving others, people and pets.  When one of us humans suffer, we all suffer.  We have to look out for, and take care of, one another.  Small acts of kindness are necessary now more than ever.  Getting up in the morning presents us with problems we wouldn't have dreamed of twenty or thirty years ago.  Our children are inheriting a world they don't deserve.

Thoughts are beginning to ramble.  Please let's each of us whisper a mental prayer for those whose hearts are shattered.  Maybe the power of prayer will have a positive effect on the Universe and radiate our love to all who share life at this moment.  All creatures, great and small, need love and protection.  Loving those close to us is a tremendous personal contribution to life.  

Wonder how many Memorial Day weekends throughout the years that it's been rainy.  Remember going to the river camping and it would rain.  What's more fun than a leaky tent!  

Breaking news tells us that another horrific elementary school shooting took place today in Uvalde, Texas.  As of now, 15 children and one teacher dead.  Suspect also dead.  Dear Lord.  Don't feel like posting anything after hearing this.  Let us pray for those suffering families.

VELVET NIGHTMARE

Frost on the rooftops this a.m..  Checked the garden, thankfully no damage.  A gorgeous May morning, the air nice and cool, as we like it.

Yesterday was so much fun.  Our friends served meat loaf, scalloped potatoes, candied carrots, French garlic Parmesan toast, with a rhubarb dessert.  The meat loaf was glazed with a topping of ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and brown sugar.  Hadn't ever put a glaze on meatloaf, other than just plain ketchup.  That'll change from now on.  

I'm the one in the household who likes sauces to jazz up the taste of foods.  Boyfriend not so much.  He prefers the taste of the actual food.  Ketchup is my first choice on lots of foods and Heinz 57 on steak.  If it wasn't for Ortega Hot Taco Sauce, well, I wouldn't need to bother eating tacos or taco salads.  Interesting how our taste buds differ.  Guess I like all things hot!

Well, am struggling with my first trial Kawandi piece.  Last night at bedtime, the decision was made to place it neatly in a garbage bag and toss it in the big bin.  Working with velvet for this type of quilting is pretty much enough to put this girl over the edge.  Absolutely love the work, but really chose the worst possible fabric for learning.  This morning that voice in the back of my head is haunting me with those two frickin' words.....don't quit.  Guess my morning brain is perkier than my night brain.  The boyfriend sees the piece through different eyes and thinks it's too pretty to toss.  It's kinda like the cook that can't ever praise her own food.  So will keep plugging away.

The old-fashioned wimpy needle threader broke, so threading the needle is another task that's bugging me.  Gonna order another needle threader.  Have seen where they have some new plastic gadget that will work.  Am sewing with six strands of embroidery thread.  Started out with three and kicked it up to six.  Separating the threads was making me crazy, as well.  

Wanted to stay in bed later this morning, but the pooch thought otherwise.  The little man was hungry, gobbled his breakfast like he was starving.  Now that he's gone outside, eaten and been out on the deck a couple of times, he's ready to nap in his little bed.  What a twink.

Best be sipping more java and read a bit before threading my needle.  Have three books going now and go one to the other.  Let's all keep breathing and blinking till we meet again.  Ta-ta.

 The Orioles are hungry this morning, their orange presence helps brighten another overcast chilly morning.  The sun is trying its best to come out, maybe in a while.  Things are back to normal at our house, now that Cuddy is back for a two-week stay.  

Got my first Covid booster, and as predicted, arm is sore.  Feels like someone shot me in the wing.  The nurse told me to drink lots of water next few days.  There was a gentleman ahead of me, and he was telling how he reacted to his last shot and ended up in the ER.  Guess he hadn't consumed any water and was dehydrated.  Was a nice surprise when one of my girlfriends was the nurse giving the shots.  Hadn't seen each other in a long time, so we shared a tight squeeze.  Bless those who care for and about us.

Stopped at the thrift store, bought myself a couple t-shirts and a really neat raglan sleeve top for fall.  Two bracelets for beading projects and four high ball glasses.  That was about it.  Gotta say that I wanted to get an artificial tree for the deck, but the boyfriend thought it might blow away.  Makes sense, but think we could've secured it to the railing.  

Went for lunch to a Chinese restaurant, where we dined on their buffet.  Just crave Chinese once in awhile.  Stopped at U.S. Cell to get the scoop on upgrading our Iphones from 10s to 13s.    The "deal" expires first part of June.  Pretty sure we will.  

We're invited out for din-din tomorrow at our Venny friends.  Was sweet how they invited "the 3 of you."  Cuddy's counted right in along with us.  Looking forward to good food and giggles galore....both good for the soul.  

Today is gonna be a kick back, with no have-tos.  Have the patio door open a titch, and the air is quite chilly, but feels good to a portable furnace like me.  Stay safe and secure in this lopsided world.  

Egads, can't quit sneezing.  Don't know why that is sometimes.

Dismal day again.  Looks like rain could fall any second.  Boyfriend just left for his routine doctor appointment and will come back for me so I can get my first Covid booster.  Being we don't have Cuddy, we'll go for lunch and maybe walk through the thrift store.  Never know what treasure awaits!  After the last Covid shot, didn't feel right the following day.  Kinda blah and sorta sideways.  They say that's a good thing.  Will see what happens after today's booster.  

Have decided on the next Kawandi project.  While reading The Overstory, it dawned on me that a Tree theme would be cool.  Already have ordered a couple fabric remnants on eBay.  One is of birch trees with gold leaves, one is of pines and pine cones.  Like with all art, the more one works at it, the better one gets.  Am already thankful that I didn't give in to ripping out the stitches in the one am now making.  Would've been a shame, cuz it is starting to look pretty cool.  Would never make another one with velvet, but it's what it is.

Nothing newsworthy.  Dale watched the town meeting online last night where they discussed the building of a new Kwik Star on our side of town.  Sounds like plans will move forward.  We're thrilled.  That'll be the third one in town.  

This afternoon our little fuzz bucket returns for a couple-week stay.  Feels like today's post is repetitive.  Best get ready.  Stay safe.

 Quiet day.  Nuthin' earth-shaking.  

Received a communique from Woolford P. Woolerson, along with a photo His Royal Highness.....

"In ancient times,
cats were worshiped as gods;
they have not forgotten this."

Late-day post.  Slept later than when Cuddy is here.  He's the one who gets us up so he can take care of his personal business.  His parents came over for supper last night, and about 11 o'clock they left with Cuddy, his beddie and toys.  Their schedule has changed, and he'll be returning this Friday evening at 5 o'clock for another 2-week stay.  Hurray!

Spent today reading and sewing.  "The Overstory" has inspired me to create a second Kawandi wallhanging with a "tree" theme.  Have trees inspired some part of your life and how?  In my world, trees are revered and always have been.  The modern-day trend is to cut down all trees that are in the way of a planted field of corn or other crop that can generate a dollar.  There's a great part of me that clings to the creation story and the day the plant kingdom was created for our good.  Where to find fabric prints of trees?  S'pose eBay is my saving grace.

Boyfriend planted the last of our garden today.  Tomorrow he and his Venny buddy are going for a countryside drive.  My tomorrow's itinerary will mimic today's.  Friday the boyfriend has a routine doctor appointment, and I will get my first Covid booster.  Seems the coronavirus is appearing again, one of the Venny gals has it, as I understand.  My interaction with others is limited, but want to be as protected as possible.

Boyfriend bought chicken from HiVee today, so that's supper with leftover cheesy potatoes from last night's party.  Crazy thing was that I online ordered two bags of hashbrowns, but ordered small bags.  Wanted to make more, so took a bag of tater-tots out of the freezer, thawed 'em, and crumbled 'em up along with the hashbrowns.  They say that inventions are the result of mistakes.  Put green onions, salt, pepper, 2 cans cream of cheddar soup and sour cream, a titch of butter, and they were delish.  The seasoned tater tots gave the dish an extra level flavor.  Wouldn't hesitate to repeat the recipe.

Cuddy's parents brought dessert.....apple crisp and ice cream.  We put the crisp in the oven to serve it warm.  OMG.  Talk about a tummy tamer!  We had so much fun, but sending Cuddy back home with 'em was the hard part. The boyfriend keeps telling me he'll be back day after tomorrow.  

So the day will soon close.  So much to be grateful for, so many dear ones to cherish.  Ta-ta.  

RHUBARB

The one domestic gene inside me had a burst of energy yesterday.  The boyfriend picked rhubarb from the community patch.  Like tulips, rhubarb is an annual springtime delight.  The day was ideal, so Cuddy and I sat out on the deck while I chopped up the rhubarb for a dessert.  Two boxes of Jiffy Cake Mix were waiting to be used, so this is what I put together.

Into the 4-5 cups of rhubarb, put 1 c. brown sugar, 6 T melted butter and one packet of sugar-free strawberry jello.  Mixed that up and put it on the bottom of a baking dish.  Stirred up the two white Jiffy cake mixes according to directions.  Poured the batter over the rhubarb and baked it for about an hour at 350.  Gotta say it turned out to be one of the best rhubarb desserts ever, topped with Cool Whip.  Best part is all the ingredients were in the cupboard, easy-peasy.  

Looks like rain.  Overcast.  It's interesting how the lawn looks such a bright green on cloudy days.  There's gotta be some kind of lesson for us humans to learn from that fact.  

Had another yippee moment yesterday.  A book that I ordered arrived at my door.  "The Overstory," the 12th novel written by Richard Powers.  Took Cuddy out on the deck with me and read the first chapter.  Talk about fate......the first paragraph mentions "Thoreau" and the first chapter takes place in Iowa.  The book is highly touted and in the opening chapter, the chestnut tree is the subject of moral regard.  

Our dinner with Cuddy's parents was postponed until tonight.  We're serving a simple supper of sloppy joe's, cheesy potatoes, and the ramen noodle coleslaw with almond slices.  They're bringing dessert.  Cuddy will go home with them, so it's a bitter-sweet evening planned.  

Am plugging away at the Kawandi quilt wall hanging.  The use of my left hand has kicked up the arthritis to the point where am thinking of ordering some kind of maybe silicone jell glove that fits tight on the hand.  I see them being sold on eBay with little magnets.  Don't know what the magnets are supposed to do for a worn-away joint, but guess it sells.  When pain is concerned, we try any minimal relief we can find.  My right thumb joint was replaced with a tendon transfer about ten years ago.  My poor hands take quite a beating, and I think they're tired.  Guess it goes with the years.  Sewing by hand tells me what it's like to be a pin cushion. 

 It's great fun to have use of the deck again.  Just love sitting out there and reading or sewing or cutting up rhubarb, or whatever.  Covid social distancing changed me.  It was a way for me to realize just how much solitude means.  Have no desire to be out and among strangers who might still be potential carriers of the coronavirus or an assault rifle.  Call me crazy, and that's perfectly fine.  We're all wired differently.  What one enjoys might drive the next person nuts.  It's that thing called balance.  Maybe if we were all alike, the planet would get lopsided and fall out of orbit. 

Boyfriend has a council meeting at 10, and I will be in the kitchen putting together the supper menu, setting the table and tidying up.  Well, the little fuzzy one is telling me he wants to go out on the deck, so best honor his wishes.  Ta-ta and stay safe. 

TULIP TIME

Thank you, Robin, for sharing the tulip patch that graces your back yard.  Really like the words you sent along with the photo that so aptly apply to life and the colorful garden of human souls.....each blooming in its own color, character and kind.  The wooden fence makes the ideal backdrop.  

Anyone beside me not want to go to the grocery store anymore?  My heart goes out to the families and friends of yesterday's tragedy in Buffalo, NY.  Real life is feeling more and more like the westerns we watched on our old Zenith TVs back in the 50's.  Just imagine going to the store for a loaf of bread and never returning home because some lunatic felt like driving for miles so he could kill people.  Talk about an insane world.  

Despite all that goes on, we must maintain some sense of balance and safety for ourselves.  There's always the thought that it can't happen to oneself....only to others.  Oh, dear, I daresay that's not how our world works.  Someone is spinning the wheel and when it lands on us, well, we'll be the focus of main stream media along with all the other unfortunate victims.  

Cuddy will be going home tomorrow.  Talked with his daddy yesterday, and we invited them over for supper and will return custody afterward.  Want to hear about their trip.

Sewed a lot yesterday on the Kawandi wallhanging.  Quilters are known to name their quilts, and it'll be interesting what christening will be like for this one.  Like with all things, the more one practices, the better one gets.  Already am finding myself having designs dance in my brain.  Must say that my right thumb is numb.  

Am gonna go shower and get spiffed up.  A Venny friend is coming over this afternoon.  The sun is out, the field next to us is planted, and our lawn looks like a lush green carpet.  Birds flit on and off the deck rail, and all is good. 

VEGGIE DIP RECIPE

 During the nighttime, while awake, I pondered how to take out the stitches of my Kawandi attempt without ruining the backing.  Had it all figured out until this morning when I laid the piece out for the final time.  That's when I was plagued with a haunting mantra, "Don't quit."  That's all it took for me to persevere.  Put the frickin' thing on my lap, got out my needle and thread and started at the last stitch to go forward.

Yesterday the back side of the needle poked through my finger beside the fingernail of my right ring finger (next to pinkie).  Ouch!  The more I stitched, the more my flubs became apparent.....this is called the learning process.  Am becoming aware of how NOT to do it next time.  Thought I overheard the boyfriend mumble the word "institutionalized," but it might be my hearing.  

He's heading out to the garden to plant veggies.  The farmer next to us just sprayed the big field and is now discing.  Planting season is upon us.  Sun's shining, so it's a perfect spring day.  

Not a whole lot to write about.  Feels like I'm in Covid isolation, haven't been out of the house for days.  Am too enveloped in Kawandi.  When I get something in my head, it's like a woodtick.  Can't get rid of the darned thing.  It's like my creative juices start dripping out of my ears.

Time for me to write another article for our monthly newsletter.  Had a couple ideas, but they fizzled.  Just might put a recipe in this month.  Cuddie's gramma shared a dip recipe with us, easy peasy, and very d'licious.  Will share it here with my readers........

Veggie Dip

1 cup sour cream

1 c. Miracle Whip

1 T. dry minced onion

1 T garlic salt or 3/4 T garlic powder

1 T parsley flakes

1 T. dill weed

Combine and let stand for a few hours.

Well, well, it's Friday the 13th.  Wonder what awaits.

Watched a video yesterday about a 94-year-old Japanese lady.  The content was about a certain kind of food she prepares and sells.  At her age, she gets all covered up and walks into the jungle to pick bamboo leaves.  Her son bought her a pair of red boots, and she thinks the reason is if something happens to her, they'll be able to find her easier if she's wearing red boots.  The woman is a hoot.

Anyway, the video ends with her long-life advice:  "Accept that you cant know, and good things will happen."

Those words are wonderful mental fodder to chew on.  All of us search for answers to life, knowing darned well we aren't allowed the answers.  It's that business of simply accepting that one cannot know....and, so, don't bang the head against the cement trying.  

Does that makes any sense the way it's written?  Her words are good for me, cuz I'm one who wants to know the answers.  My head is badly bruised and scarred from banging my head on rocks, trying to find the answer to life...the why are we here kinda stuff.  Why are we here for such a short time?  It's like we're baited with a big worm and just when we get it close to our mouth, the worm is yanked away forever.  Makes no sense.

Then there's the business of after-life.  The closer to it one gets, the more doubt enters the brain.  Now, I'm going to train myself to simply realize I can't ever know and not think about it.  It's either gonna be something splendid or like being sound asleep.  Either one suits me fine.

It's a sunshiny day.  The underground garage is being cleaned, so all the cars are out in the parking lot.  The lawn's been mowed, but it's been too wet to go in the garden.  One of the avid gardeners is out this morning pulling weeks.  Am happy she has a garden to tend to, especially if she's used to having one.  

I see there's a bee buzzing around the deck.  Cuddy loves to sit out on the deck, but not for long.  He puts his little foot up against the screen when he's had enough fresh warm air.  Am sure the sunshine feels good to him.

Back to Friday the 13th.  Just realized something.  I was born on a Friday, the 26th day of the month.  That's double 13.  Holy Moses, no wonder my life is such a roller-coaster ride.  After all these years, never put 13 and 13 together!

 Instead of my retirement recliner being surrounded by colored beads, everywhere I look there's either a thread or a tiny piece of fabric that's frayed off a larger piece.  Creating and designing are a messy business.  Not for the neat of heart, that's for sure.  

Will be tossing the short pieces of thread off the balcony for the birds to use for their nest making.  Can picture a tiny round nest of twigs interspersed with bright green embroidery threads.  

Boy, sure is another sizzler out there today.  The boys took a morning walk to the garden and the new condo site next to Venny.  Have asked them to stay indoors where the air conditioning is comfortably cool.  In the 90s predicted.  

My project progresses.  First round complete.  Now am stitching the second row, before the designing begins.  Today will go through the velvet stash and decide which ones to include.  Watched a few of Margaret Fabrizio's videos, and she tells how the Siddi people put the most unlikely fabrics next to one another.....and that's what makes them pop when finished.  All of the velvet pieces in my first round are solid colors, so will now have to search for texture and prints.  Every part of the designing process is in itself a fun challenge.  It's not difficult for me to think outside the box anymore.  It's actually the way I tackle something new to me.  What the heck....it's mine so it can be however I want.....that's what makes creating so fun.  If all art was the same, there'd be nothing to admire or critique.  

One thing I struggle with is not ordering more velvet on eBay.  I keep telling myself to only use what's already within our walls and let it be.  So far have managed to discipline myself in that regard.  That in itself is another challenge.

Got a text from Cuddy's mommie last night.  They were staying at the Bellagio in Vegas.  Man alive, what amazingly beautiful photos they shared.  They'll be heading home soon, picking Cuddy up somewhere around the 15th.  Am getting myself mentally prepared for the separation anxiety to fall on me like a dark cloud.

The piece of our Christmas cactus that broke off is now pushing out a new segment in a little clay pot of its own.  That means I'll have Mabel I and Mabel II.  In the same pot, I put one segment in the soil to see if it'll take off and grow into its own plant.  

Today will be another low key fuss and putz kinda day.  Am watching a skinny young chick walk by Venny, dressed in a pair of short shorts and tank top.  Aah, the differences between age groups.  All I gotta say is.....go girl!

A heat wave is headed our way.  Won't see me outdoors on 90-degree days.  They'd find my charred body along the way somewhere.  At one stage of my life, was a sun worshipper, laid out in the hottest time of the day, greased with sun tan lotion like a basted turkey at Thanksgiving.  

Well, kids, my next insane project is now officially underway.  Gathered my needle, embroidery thread, thimble (rarely use), scissors, velvet fabric remnants, and a backing to start the Kawandi wallhanging.  Am not sure if velvet is gonna work as well as other fabrics, like cotton, but we'll see.  The stitching is a learning experience.  The Siddi people's quilts are made with small stitches, so that's what I attempted at first.  Think am going to increase the size of stitches.  It's gonna be my design, so can do whatever suits my fancy.  (Can anyone please tell me what my fancy is???)

The pieces of velvet I have in the stash need to be cut up, it's not like they're small scraps.  This adds another task and have to decide to either cut as I go or cut up a bunch of pieces and then pick and choose which ones to sew on.  

That's the fun of attempting something entirely new, and, for me, difficult.  There's always the chance that frustration might overwhelm and the whole shebang might take a trip down to the recycle room.  However, don't think that'll happen due to my tenacious spirit.  Oh, yea, there's a stubborn streak in me.  Some situations would require a skid loader to budge me.  Think that's an okay trait to possess, cuz, in my opinion, it's not so admirable to be wishy-washy or easily swayed. 

Photo taken with project on my lap.
First row.
Kawandi works from outside to inside of quilt.

 Coffee is nice and stout this morning.  Usually pour myself the first cup that's perked while the boys are outside on Cuddy's morning necessary stroll.  Nothing drives me crazier than weak coffee.  I call it fairy pee.

Had baked chicken thighs for supper last night, topped with the canned French fried onions.  It's the craziest thing about me and chicken.  I used to love only the white meat, but have learned to eat the dark and like it.  However, won't eat the thigh or the leg if the bones are in them.  Dale debones both.  There's one skinny bone in a chicken leg that makes me crazy, kinda like those round bones one finds in a can of salmon.  My mother was the one in our family who liked the chicken legs, and no one fought her for them.  My brother and I fought over the gizzard, of all things.  Actually, it had to be cut in half so we'd shut up.  Guess little sister liked whatever her older brother liked.

There's a haze in the air, which might be smoke from wildfires.  It's got the feel of a hot, steamy day.  Wonder if that's why I'm sneezing.

Nothing else to chronicle.  Spent yesterday watching documentaries about those explorers who trek into the Amazon jungles of South America and the Congo in Africa to visit pygmy tribes.  Guess the Congo is the most dangerous place on earth.

Must report that the hummingbirds and Orioles are visiting our feeders, bringing joy to our days.  Not putting up a wren house this year.  If the person living below us gets a wren family in hers, maybe we'll get to hear them sing their sweet little songs.  Nothing perks me up like hearing a wren tweet away.  Isn't it interesting how the smallest of creatures can lift our spirits the highest?    

Our weather alert alarm went off two times last evening, with severe thunderstorm warnings sweeping through.  Must say that never before have I heard a constant roar of thunder and lightening that lasted for so long without a pause.  The rain gauge out here shows an inch and a half rain.  Later today temperatures are forecast to possibly get overly warm.  Right now all is cool, calm and cloudy.

Spent part of yesterday reading Conan Doyle's pirate stories, and my opinion of his non-Holmes writings is not positive.  Twice now he's incorporated the "wigglies" in his stories, and my phobia for them propels me to return the book without reading it.  BUT, there's the persistent part of me that doesn't give up, nor do I want to risk missing out on some hidden life lesson that may be tucked into and onto the pages.  

Despite his inclusion of these horrid creatures, I am gleaning quotations that are thought provoking.  For instance, he writes, "There's nothing that makes life so beautiful as when the shadow of death begins to fall across it.  Time is too precious to be dawdled away then, and a man lives every minute of it."

Doyle also writes, "I have seen so many strange turns of fate in my long life that I do not grieve nor do I rejoice until I know that I have cause."

So, I tell myself to keep turning the pages, cuz there's more for me to learn in the remaining 800 pages.  Plus, it's an excellent exercise in patience and perseverance.

Had a great time with the G-clan yesterday.  Pretty hard to beat the 3 F's......Family, Food and Fun.  Weather was on the chilly side, but that didn't stop my sister-in-law (more like my sister) from taking me for a ride in their golf cart to check on the baby calves out in the field with their mommas.  A sweet Mother's Day adventure.  Every time we go to their place, she and I go for a spin.  

Had the usual over abundance of food......veggie tray, fruit tray.....brats, hamburgers, all the trimmings, potato hot dish, two salads, garlic toast, deep-fried onion rings, cheese curds, and cheese sticks.  For dessert, six kinds of ice cream for make-your-own sundaes in tall sundae glasses.  She even made sweet roasted pecans for one of the toppings.  Oh, lest I forget old auntie here is always served a delightful Bloody Mary as soon as we arrive.  My two little fur girls sat on my lap and licked my face....adorable Millie and Maggie.

This morning, over coffee, we're reliving the day and are so very grateful to be included in their family get-togethers.  Truly a special day.  The older we get, the more time with family means to us.  Never know when the next bus to Heaven might make its unannounced stop.

Am posting a photo taken this morning of the magnolia tree out front of our unit.  This is one of our yearly events at Venny, along with all the other blossomings and flight appearances by our little birdies.  The boyfriend just left to take another couple to pick up their car, and then he's going to buy some plants for his garden plot.  Cuddy and I are doing what we do best.....cuddling and kicking back.  Last night when I came home after cuddling Millie and Maggie, Cuddy right away detected their scents on my clothes.  Don't think he was thrilled to know I'd been with other fur babies.  

Venny's magnolia tree
(photo taken from our second-floor unit)

Watched more Kawandi quilt-making tutorials and think am ready to dive into my first attempt.  Think we all over-think trying new stuff.  The way I look at it, it's going to be my creation.....however it may turn out.  Am one who thinks outside the box more than inside the cramped box.  While watching one video, I learned of the author, Richard Powers, who comes highly recommended by an academic guru-ess.  Immediately went on e-Bay and have a bid in on The Overstory by Powers.  Actually, the seller has it listed for $9.99, free shipping, offers accepted.  So, in my frugal fashion, I beamed him/her an offer of $8.  It's how I roll.  The suspense is whether or not my offer will be accepted or declined.  

This morning by our door was a plastic sack filled with beads.  Our Venny friends were out garage saling yesterday, and they found 'em for me.  Now, my head is spinning with beading and quilting.  Such amazing friends.  Gotta luv 'em.

That's about all the news from this end.  Received outstanding photos from Yosemite, where Cuddy's mom and dad visited yesterday.  Cuddy sent his mom a text Mother's Day message.  Thought that was sweet of the little man.

Take care till we meet again.  Ta-ta.

Drat.  Double Drat.  For the second time, Wordle bested me.  Grrrrr.  Boo hiss.  Oh, well, must move forward with the day.

We're up early.  The siren was set for 6:30, but the snooze button saved me from immediately getting up.  There was a fuzzy little one snuggled close to me, which makes it doubly difficult to get out from beneath the cuddle quilts.  He's going today to his puppy-sitters here at Venny while we trolley up to be with the G-clan.  Weather radar shows a storm front coming straight our way.  This little girl doesn't care to travel when there's inclement weather.  It's the crazies that don't know what defensive driving is all about.  Has anyone else noticed an offensive approach to life these days?  

The grape jelly is out on the Oriole buffet.  Haven't seen a hummingbird yet, but their feeder is on the counter, waiting to be spring cleaned and hung out on our deck railing.  

Made a huge online discovery yesterday.  Mentioned it to Tall Cottage via text.  It's the Kawandi style of quiltmaking by the Siddi people, descendants of the Bantu people of Southeast Afrida and who now live predominantly in the states of Karnataka and Gujarat, India.  The quilts are started from the outside and worked in toward the center.  They're made of scrap fabrics.  They come together through the eyes of the quilt maker, putting pieces of fabric and stitching it.  For sure, this will be my next project, but must do a bit more research before actually starting.  I like the premise of creating the quilt piece by piece, rather than modern quilting where pieces are cut out for a particular design.  The kawandi style is more boho, design as you go, which is what I like.    

 

How the quilts are hand-stitched

Don't have a clue how and why I find stuff like this online.  All who know me well, know that I flake out over giving new life to old discarded stuff.  Buying a certain fabric to make a popular pattern does not interest me at all.  But, let me say that I admire and have deep respect for those with those capabilities.  My style has to stay simple and boho.  Plus, there's a drawer filled with pieces of velvet fabric left from when I made the crazy quilt and the Suffolk Puff a/k/a YoYo wallhanging.  What an ideal way to use this fabric and see what my dizzy brain can put together.  Am a gypsy through and through.  The more I think about this, the more excited I get and can actually feel an acceleration of my heartbeat.  

The boyfriend wants me to get my butt in the shower and get my silly self ready to be with his family today.  We almost ended up in the divorce court after I sent him to the store for two packages of chopped cabbage to make an Oriental Cole Slaw with ramen noodles.  Instead, he brings home two measly packages of a chopped lettuce mix of some kind.  Talk about an acceleration of blood flow.......that's why I'm a proponent of ordering groceries online.....cuz I know I'll get what I ask for.  Lord help us.  Good thing we're old enough to realize that a bag of lettuce really doesn't warrant a marital separation at this stage of the chess game.  Just to make it clear, I drive him crazier than he drives me.  Just sayin'  (giggling)

Coolish out.  Don't have any idea what to wear.  Am a sweatshirt kinda girl and being we're gathering in a upscale garage, that might be the way to roll today.  Am always harboring a hot body temperature, even in cold weather.  Gotta go.  Ta-ta.

Would imagine mothers world over are awaiting cards and loving words, flower bouquets, blooming plants, jewelry, other gifts from their children.  My hope is that all the mothers who are reading this will pat yourselves on the back for a truly admirable job of being a mother, raising a child or children.  Cannot fathom what it would've been like to be a mother and maintain an out-of-the-home job, in addition.  I was barely able to manage the job.  Kudos to you mothers!

Can't help but wonder what a kid of mine would've been like.  What would he/she have looked like?  Would he/she have resembled the boyfriend, me, or a combo of the two.  There are blessings to having children, but, may I be so bold as to say, there are blessings in not having children.  

Tonight's the 148th Kentucky Derby.  Lot of pomp and circumstance to the race, the way the ladies dress, their big hats.  The Derby is an opportunity for ladies to express their inner Southern Belle.  The hats may be decorated with bows and ribbons, feathers and flowers, any color that expresses individual creativity. 

Remember as a teenager how hats were in style.  Wearing a snazzy hat to church on Sunday was a thing.  One time I bought myself a beautiful indigo blue hat with feathers at a store downtown.  Church was the only place to wear hats back then.  The English "fascinators" worn by royalty are fascinating to me.

Tonight we remember our moms.....the two ladies we cared for in their late years.  They went with us wherever we went.  Our car was called "the mother bus."  Lots of stories to tell, some funny and some not so funny, but all filled with love and respect.  With love and respect, what relationship isn't like a bouquet of beautiful flowers?   

My yesterday was a wonky one.  Started out by me losing my first WORDLE game.  The word of the day was HOMER, so it's no wonder.  The defeat kinda set the pace for the rest of the hours till bedtime.  Knowing the day felt sideways, I buried my brain in You Tube videos of faraway places that took my mind in a fresh direction, plus learned a bit more about our world.  

The last video was about a couple's exploration of an abandoned castle in the English countryside.  It had been occupied until the mid 1900s and then left to ruin.  Love the ability to screen travel to places I'd never otherwise know about, nor would I visit.

Also watched a young man who lives off the land in an Asian tropical forest.  He builds his dwelling, fences and even makes his brooms out of banana leaves and harvests rice fields by hand.  He has a pet bird that sits on his shoulder and goes out into the jungle with him.  May I say some days he walks barefoot where no one in their right mind would walk barefoot-----according to me.  He has a dog and raises pigs and chickens.  I get so 'into' the lives of these unknown individuals, that they begin to feel like family.  What a fantastic late-life way to occupy the mind when the world feels out of sync.

Today am feeling better.  Sometimes a person simply has to get from one day to the next in order to get back on track.  Am sitting here now admiring our beautifully healthy Miss Mabel, the Christmas Cactus.  Have two petals starting in another little clay pot.  If successful, am going to start more just for the fun of it.  None of my fingers are green, so this is big in my world.  Still swear by watering them with the onion skin juice I wrote about awhile back.  Want to give a couple of the newly started plants to special someones.

Today's temperature is perfect for having the patio door open a bit.  The cool air refreshes every breath.  My recliner sits close to it, so am lucky to be able to cool off my perpetual furnace-like body temperature.  

My brain is hatching an idea for another of my big projects, but haven't mentioned a word about it.  Am kinda "beaded" out for a bit now and am getting itchy to do some hand-sewing again.  With the warmer weather coming, it'll be perfect to sit on the deck and stitch away.  Just have to figure out exactly what to make.  Have scads of leftover velvet fabric from the crazy-quilt wallhanging.  Absolutely adore working with velvet, so that just might be the embryo of what's to come.

The wee one is snoozing in his beddie, the boyfriend is reading the online newspaper, and I think it's time for me to bury my nose in a story that's started.  This is Mother's Day weekend, which really has no meaning for us anymore.  We are going to spend Sunday with the G-clan, and we're looking forward to that.  Have a puppy-sitter lined up for the wee one, so all's good to go.  Ta-ta for today.

Received a video text sent by Cuddy's parents from Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.  Talk about pristine.  Blue lake, blue sky, white snow-capped Cascade Mountain Range.  Our national parks are magnificent, even when we view them via video.  When we were kids, there wasn't such a thing as a cell phone to capture a panoramic view, press a button and send it back home so family and friends could see what we were seeing.  Lots of techy things that make life more interesting.  

The two of us have always enjoyed the lake waters of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Lake water is so much cleaner than the rivers.  After we retired, we would spend the month of September at an Up North cabin in the woods, beside a beautiful lake.  The fishing was great fun.  At the time, we had our own boat.  So many forever memories that live on inside what I call the album of the mind.  Little Emma trekked along with us, which added a whole other level to our fun times.  Now, we're living with a spittin' image of her, except Cuddy is a little man.  

The boyfriend just left to get some groceries.  Cud and I are staying home, the patio door is open and the fresh air feels wonderful.  We're thinking about getting some different patio furniture.  Don't exactly know what we want.  Comfort will be the main component of our eventual choice.  

Am gonna start turning pages after I finish this post.  Doyle's stories are now about pirates.  Remember years ago reading a book about a female pirate.  She hid her pirate ship in a secluded cove and thus was able to appear out of nowhere to pillage and plunder other ships out on the seas.  It takes quite an author to write a story that sticks in one's memory after all the years. 

It's a beautiful sunny day.  So grateful for everything. 

Just as I anticipated......yup, managed to postpone my scheduled eye exam, my scheduled doctor and dentist appointments.  The genes of my mother are to blame for my not wanting to go for medical appointments when there's no problem.  It's a different story when there is a definite problem that needs attention.   Mom was that way, and I learned well from her example.  It's fun to identify ourselves with one or the other of our parents.  There are parts of me that were definitely inherited from my paternal side and equally from my maternal.  

Had another of my movie marathon days yesterday.  Watched two movies from the 1990s...IN AND OUT and THE FIRST WIVES CLUB starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton.  Three amazingly funny actresses.  Then got tangled up in Hallmark movies until Cuddy insisted on going to bed after midnight.  Munched on leftover pizza from our party the night before.  The six of us hadn't been together for two years because of Covid, so it was especially fun to get caught up on life.   

Boyfriend is going to the Venny general meeting at 10, and I'm staying back with Cuddy.  We're gonna kick back and cuddle, while I keep turning the pages of Conan Doyle's book of short stories.  Tis another rainy, dreary day outdoors, an ideal day for arthritis to flare.  Doesn't seem possible that the weather can make such a difference in our pain levels.  "The barometric pressure is the weight of the air around us.  In good weather, barometric pressure is high.  This pressure pushes against the body from the outside, helping to keep tissues, including the tissues that surround our joints from expanding.  In bad or stormy weather, barometric pressure drops so that there is less pressure to push against the body.  This allows tissues around the joints to expand, putting pressure on the joints and increasing pain." 

These slow rains are wonderful for the soil.  We are blessed here, when in other places the ground is cracking for lack of rain or flooding waters destruct and destroy everything in their path.   

A crockpot of ham and bean soup is bubbling away on the kitchen counter.  That's for tonight's supper.  Nothin' like a bowl of hot soup on a cold rainy day.

 

The May birthstone is the emerald.  Have always loved this gem because of its deep-sea green color.  Emeralds symbolize rebirth, perfect for May.

Our weather presents itself again without sunshine.  The cold temperature lingers, as spring and winter have a tough time letting go of one another.  

The lawn out and around us is green, and the gardeners here are busy painting the newly donated flower boxes that will adorn the big deck.  I don't get involved in doing any of that stuff.  My contribution is behind the scenes with a monthly newsletter article.  Covid's social separation placed me in a comfort zone that I'd not experienced before, and, unlike many others, I gotta say it suits me.  It's not that I'm anti-social, it's just that home is where I'm most contented.  Can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but 2020-21 changed a lot of things and, in some cases, left battle scars.  Maybe 'divisive' is the word am looking for.  

Two delicious cookies were left by our door last evening, in a plastic bag marked "Happy May Day."  Oh, they were such yummy cookies....and, we polished 'em off on the spot.  That's called enjoying the moment as it presents itself.