Warm temperatures forecast for today.  Couples out walking by Venny as I look out the patio doors.  Sun shining.  Cuddy wanted a drink of water at 4:30 this morning, so we got up.  Grabbed a cuddly throw to put over me on the couch, where I slept until 7:30.  Think he was warm in bed, the little guy needs a haircut.

Nothing on the agenda until Saturday when we're invited out for a noon picnic at a relative's place.  Will make a poppyseed cake, which is what I'm known for bringing.  Cuddy will stay with Venny friends when we take a 50-mile trolley.  

Received more pictures from Norway, beautiful waterfalls and fjords.  Living in a Norwegin community, like we do, we're used to all things Norwegian....the beautiful art of rosemaling, renowned hand-knit sweaters, woodcarving.  In town the museum that houses a ship that brought immigrants across the Atlantic in the 1800s.  Cuddy's daddy is visiting his ancestral home in Norway, still owned by family.  That's what I call actually being able to touch one's roots.  

Think I'm hooked on the Cork O'Connor book series.  Turned over page 240 and think it's time to order the second book in the series, "Boundary Waters."  Having spent Up North vacations all our married years, the Boundary Waters included, left us with uncountable happy times.  There's no place on earth that we enjoy more than that area.  September was our month to spend Up North in a cabin along a lake.  We had our boat at that time, our little Emma, and now have memories that comfort the mind and the heart. 

It's good to have memories that soothe and sustain.  They're what we cling to when the mind is interrupted with perturbing and annoying intrusions.  Going to bed at night and being able to revisit places that brought peace and solace in earlier days....well, that's what I call double-dip blessings.  Clearing the mind is a necessary chore, like sweeping the floor.  

Fourth of July weekend.....another source of memories.  How we enjoyed our patio picnics with our friends.....our way of celebrating with drinks and food, laughter and togetherness.  We'd watch the fireworks from our yard.  It's really neat that now in our late-life home, we can sit out on the deck and watch this town's fireworks. 

Thunderstorm, with heavy rain, hail and high wind, passed through here last evening.  Both of us love the sound of thunder.  When the worst was over, we opened the patio door.  The temperature had cooled down and felt good.   

Boyfriend's heading to WM.  Started reading Iron Lake, which am finding difficult to put down.  This is the first of the Cork O'Connor series.

Have an eBay bid on the two volumes of Montaigne's Essays (the 1500's philosopher) published in 1946, the year I was born.  Two days left for open bids, so would be surprised if I'd actually get them for $11 including postage.  What a deal that'd be.  Before we moved, I had a book of Montaigne's quotations, but can't find the book anywhere.  So many things were disposed of during the move and have no idea why I parted with them.  I do remember the flurry of having to go through two lifetimes of possessions and taking minimal on with us to our new late-life digs. 

Awhile back I shared my ambition for giving our bedroom a good spring cleaning, closet and all.  Well, my doctorate in procrastination is to blame for the task still looming over my head.  Do you suppose I can muster the ambition to get started?  One minute I think I'm going to get rid of the clothes I don't wear or that no longer fit me.  Then I think maybe I oughta keep 'em cuz of the economic situation and world's glum prognosis.  The almighty dollar is shrinking fast.  When we were kids, there were dime stores.  Last year we still had dollar stores.  Within the last few months they've gone on to $1.25 stores.  

Despise shopping, especially clothes.  The stuff I do buy is online.  Have enough good shoes to last my lifetime.  I graciously inherited several really cool pairs from my Venny friend who wore the same size.  

Cuddy the Cuddly Bug

Don't have an ounce of pizazz today.  Sometimes I feel that my blog is my confessional, where I go to admit my shortcomings.  Then, I remind myself that I'm old enough to do whatever I darned well please.  Having the cuddly one here, who would want to do anything beside cuddle and snuggle with him.  

A few weeks ago I planted a couple Christmas Cactus segments, and now have two new plants growing.  Asked the boyfriend to bring me some potting soil from the workshop so I can start a few more in a Cool Whip container.  It's nutty, I know, but it's hard for me to part with living things. 

Guess am rambling.  Worked the Wordle puzzle in the NYT, and the word GAWKY bested me.  Drat.  That's the third time that's happened.  

STAVE CHURCH

Yesterday I read Agatha Christie's play, The Mouse Trap.  Am probably the only person on the planet who's not seen the play or read the story, so had to satisfy my curiosity.  Have read so many of Agatha's mysteries that I actually wondered if the policeman might be the murderer.....and he was.  

The boyfriend left a bit ago for the workshop.  Cuddy and I are savoring our time together.  Received photos from Cuddy's parents in Norway.  They sent a picture of them visiting the Borgund Stave Church built in 1180. 

A bit of research on my part finds that stave churches are Norway's most important contribution to world architecture and Norway's oldest preserved timber buildings.  The Borlund stave church pictured is known as the most distinctive church in Norway.  It features lavishly carved portals and crosses and carvings of dragon's heads on the roofs.  

Mind travel is one of my favorite things to do.  One doesn't have to actually be at a place to be fascinated by it or learn about it.  A good sense of imagination and the ability to put oneself into a faraway place is doable and gratifying.  The gypsy spirit within me would've loved to travel parts of the world, especially the European countries.  Many of our friends have taken tours to these places and tell me they're beyond description.  I cherish my trip to Italy and continue to privately relive my time there.  Beyond a doubt, it was the time of my life.  Actually think I've left part of my heart in all the places I've visited.  We've also found that some amazing things exist close to home.  So often we overlook that which is closest and focus on that which is the farthest.  Wonder why that is.

THE ROYAL CEREMONY

THE ROYAL CEREMONY
At the podium
Calling out the Monarch's name.
Welcome to our home!

 

(Thank you, Robin, for sharing your photo.....which, in turn, inspired me to write this Haiku poem.)  

Another glorious rainy day, the kind where table lamps need to be turned on, with a backdrop of thunder in the distance.  Add to that a cuddly fuzz bucket, and that's my perfect day!

Was sitting here this morning when I noticed a fawn run across the lawn in front of our unit.  First fawn sighting of the season.  

Spent yesterday immersed in YT movies.  Couldn't help but giggle inside when I thought back to the days of paying to sit in a theater and watch a movie.  To be able to watch one on my Chromebook in my retirement recliner is kinda like the prelude to Heaven.

There's a stillness outside, our patio door is open so fresh air can come in through the screen.  Kind of ironic for it to be this quiet when the country is in such turmoil.  Goes to show that one can find respite from the madness.  The older the person gets, the more peace one wants.  It's kinda like we have new eyes that really can see all the craziness in the human population.  Bet we're the only species that can cause and suffer from our own behaviors.  

Don't have a project started, and that has me just about nuts.  Must find something to do today.  Am not able to sit and do nothing.  If I'm not creating or learning, then everything feels lopsided.  

Not a whole lot to write about.  Will simply close with a wish for my readers that this day be spent without disruption from noise and commotion.

Hadn't read the novel, The Dinner, published in the Netherlands in 2009, but watched the movie last night on You Tube.  When I saw that Richard Gere starred in it, well, how could I not watch it.  

The book has gotten polarized reviews, with ratings ranging from hatred to admiration.  The movie's ending left me frustrated, not understanding what the heck was going on.  Don't care for that, but the story itself left me wondering what I'd do in a like circumstance.  

In a nutshell, two sets of wealthy parents meet for dinner in a posh restaurant to decide what to do about a crime their sons have committed.  The dads are brothers, Richard Gere plays a politician and the other brother is a history teacher.  Mental health plays a backdrop of the story.

Started reading "A Dog's Purpose" passed on to me by a friend.  We're both dog love-love-lovers.  It's written from the dog's point of view, which is something I've not read before.  The author does a fantastic job, as those of us who live with the canines can attest.  Between movies and books, my universe varies from day to day.  

Already Thursday, the weeks go too fast.  Have been in absentia last couple of days.  Oh dear, I find myself typing words like 'absentia' cuz it's part of my legalese vocabulary, Latin for 'in the absence of.'   Funny how our minds cling to things, cuz often I find myself saying the Latin Sign of the Cross and parts of the Latin Mass which was discontinued many years ago.  The brain fascinates me more and more the older I get.

Finished reading "Educated" (by Tara Westover) loaned to me by my friend.  What a wonderful read, a memoir.  Enjoy reading the lives others have lived and endured.  Endure is a good word for parts of our lives.  Those times that are terribly difficult to bear, but we simply endure them until time pushes the pain into a more distant part of the heart.  We all have those times, sooner or later.  

Have been alerted to an author I've not read before....William Kent Krueger---some of his books are in the Venny Library.  He writes a series that takes place in Northern Minnesota, the main character is Cork O'Connor.  Have a couple more books to devour before I stick my nose in the pages of his acclaimed writing.  i gleaned quite a few quotations from "Educated" to include in my quotation collection.  Powerful words that other minds pass on to their readers.  Words that are meaningful and have the power to enter our minds and change our thoughts, wash away antiquated thinking, and gain fresh perspective.  Guess that's why I love to read like I do.....constantly trying to channel my thoughts in positive, uplifting directions.  

Texted Cuddy's parents in Norway last night.  First time a text was sent from my phone across the Atlantic Ocean, and received.  Isn't technology incredible!  The number and extent of the world's advancements during the last 75 years is nothing less than mind-boggling.  My pen pal and I message back and forth most days, remembering well the impatient wait between our hand-written letters fifty years ago.  

The cornfield out front is a lush green, matching the lawn and the leaves on the birch tree out front.  Cuddy is out on the deck soaking up morning sunshine.  Little guy loves going out and coming in, going out and coming in.  We tend to his wishes like we are his servants.  That's what loving a pet entails.  Often I think that he means as much to me as if he was mine.  In a way he is and always will be.  He needs a haircut, but actually is the cutest when he's like he is.  Fluffy and cuddly.  Think it's ironic that only an "l" differentiates Cuddy and Cuddly.

Gonna be another warm one.  Have a list of things to do, but my ability to procrastinate is bettering itself every day.  Have managed to go from a Type A behavior to a Type W......not quite to Z yet, but working on it.  Just simply prefer to do the things I want to do, rather than what I ought to do.  It's a fun exercise to listen to others and count the times they talk of the things they "should" be doing.  It's hilarious.  There's a mischief that lives inside me that figures if I die and it's not done, will I care?

Embroiled in watching the Texas Senate Special Committee interviewing witnessess on ways to improve the safety of children in school after the Uvalde shootings.  All levels of law enforcement acknowledge and apologize for the actions, or lack thereof, on the part of officers at the scene.  

The monkey got us out of our sweet slumber this morning at 5:30.  Way earlier than was our intent.  The boys went outside for the necessary walk and checked on the garden while out there.  Now both of them are napping, and my eyelids are drooping as I type.  

Looks to be a beautiful Saturday.  Slight breeze has the tree leaves doing a slow dance.  There's a motorcycle in the parking lot out front.  Would be a nice day for a bike ride, not that I'm a biker.  

* * * * * 

Couple hours later.  Was sleepy, so took Cuddy back to bed with me.  Boy, did we snuggle and snooze.  Felt good.  Am back to life now, and he's out on the deck soaking in some Vitamin D.  

Going to a birthday party later on.  Will be gorgeous weather for a trolley.  With the price of petro, the number of our trolleys has lessened.  Just the principal of the whole thing.....if it's not necessary, then we don't do it.  That's how we think.  Our $$$ fit best in our wallets.  

Am finishing up loose ends with all the things started.  Only one book left to finish, The Overstory.  It's not the type of book one can read two other ones simultaneously like I've been doing.  The story line moves back and forth from one character's story to another, and my brain is finding it difficult to follow.  It's to the point where I should maybe start the book all over and read it in one fell swoop.  The book is so highly regarded among critics, that it's got me a bit wrinkled.

May this June Saturday find you well and enjoying peace of mind.....two of humanity's greatest wealths.     

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

The thunderstorm warnings missed us, for which we're thankful.  Got a nice rain, which has the lawns and fields looking like a lush green carpet this morning.  Many reasons to be thankful.  Others were not as fortunate.

Turned over page 1,000 of Conan Doyle's Stories.  Looking back at all those that I've read, his mind was always busy thinking of twists and turns of life.  Must say that I do enjoy those words written by the rare people who were blessed with minds that reach out into places some of us are unable to reach.  Their thoughts help influence our thoughts, and that's how we are able to stretch our own minds.  

Last night I had an amazing adventure on You Tube.  There's a 4-hour walking tour of Petra in the country of Jordan.  Absolutely something I couldn't have imagined ever being able to do.  Actually follow along with a guy who walks the complete tour and films it.  His followers are able to walk the walk just like we're there with him, climbing on the rocks, filming inside the caverns.  Didn't watch all four hours of the film, will watch it in increments in the evenings.  What a way to see the world without leaving home.  Petra is a human intrigue....another one of those "how did they do that" achievements. 

Petra

 Tomorrow late afternoon Sir Cuddy will be dropped off once again to resume his living with us for a couple of weeks while his parents trolley off across the big pond to visit ancestral roots.  I've asked them to share photos as they go and so also we know that they're okay.  I'm so excited to have that fuzzy white monkey ordering me around again.  He knows he's got me wrapped around his paw, but who can deny a 14-year-old precious soul anything?  Certainly not I.  

Saturday he gets to go along with us to a special birthday party.....one of the celebrants is another precious soul, Chi Bear.  Cuddy is pretty happy that he's welcome into their home for the party.  

Happy Birthday, Chi Bear!
We love you, sweet soul.

TRIBAL CELEBRATION

Last night was a movie marathon in my world.  One of the movies featured Clark Gable and Lauren Bacall in 'The Portrait.'  

We're under a hefty storm watch today.  Supposed to be in the upper 90s.  Is overcast already.  The boyfriend needs to trolley down to the pharmacy to pick up our meds.  Other than that, our day will be spent in the snuggery.

Well, today is the day I unveil my finished Kawandi which is hanging on the hallway wall next to the crazy quilt that's done in like velvets.  Two totally opposite types of stitching.  The crazy quilt is more from the Elizabethan era, Kawandi from the African tribes.  If I had to choose one or the other, well, it would be difficult.  Both of them required patience and thinking on my part.  I don't like picking favorites cuz, just like people, each has its own fascinating features. 

TRIBAL CELEBRATION
Form of quilting done by the Sidi (See-Dee) African tribal people
who live in remote areas of India today.

The four corner triangles are called "phulas," meaning "flowers" in the Sidi culture, and you can always tell a Kawandi by these four corner flowers.  

The kitchen awaits my presence.  Family coming over for supper, so the food needs to be prepared, house cleaned, me showered and presentable.  There's a low thick fog hanging over us, the kind that makes our joints hurt.  The minute I walked into the kitchen, I knew the weather was tilting the barometer.  

We love having guests over.  Always enjoyed entertaining, preparing food for those who join our table.  Uncle Dale is known for the feasts he prepared all the years for nieces who came to visit.  The nephews lived more miles away, so they didn't drop in like my side of the family.  Both of us inherited from our mothers the showing of love through food.

Sounds like the temperature is going to rise and get hotter this week, up into the 90s.  That's the weather where I hunker indoors where the air-conditioning keeps me cool.  One thing, the heat will make the field corn grow like weeds.  Just what it needs.

Nothing new on my end of the stick.  Spent yesterday finishing my kawandi quilt and making a birthday gift for tonight's guests.  Both my niece and her husband's birth dates are three days apart, one on the 11th and the other on the 14th.  

Best get to it.  Stay safe.

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF

 Am back after a couple of days blogcation.  Have been close to insanity working on the kawandi project.  Day before yesterday was dreadful.  Even broke a needle trying to pull it through layers of velvet with craft pliers.  When that happened, the whole shebang was folded and put on the floor beside my recliner.  My intent was to finish, but had to call a truce with myself.  

Yesterday picked up where left off, found a new needle and started stitching.  About mid-afternoon the persistence paid off when I inserted the needle for the final time.  Yes, the kawandi is finished, all except the traditional four corner triangles that are the signature of a true kawandi quilt.

Photos of this project will be forthcoming.  Don't want to make a big TA-DA moment without it being completely finished.  Have to admit to being quite pleased, considering velvet is the last fabric on earth with which to make one.  Only because of the stash of velvet left over from the crazy quilt I made a couple of years ago did I choose it.  Always trying to utilize what I have, rather than continue to accumulate more of new.  

Overcast day.  Have lots to do today, so will be busy.  Just realized I screwed up on our online grocery order which we picked up yesterday.  I ordered 10 of one thing, but I thought I was ordering 10 pounds, but it was actually sold by item.  Drat.  Think the boyfriend could saw my head off, cuz now an unnecessary trip downtown is necessary.  Seems no matter what I do anymore, I'm learning to screw things up more than do them correctly.  Am going to use my age as my excuse for everything from now on.  Thank heaven a person has something to blame for our inadequacies.  

Watched movies last couple of evenings.  Always enjoy spending a couple of hours on the wings of fiction, caught up in the clouds of romance.  Have taken a break from mysteries for time being.  With the way the world is right now, my way of escaping is through reading, writing, designing and creating, anything that requires my mind's total attention.  No sense in continuously walking through the pathetic puddles of politics.  Now I understand why my gramma always used to tell me to keep myself busy no matter what.  

GREENERY

Someone please tell me how it's possible to write a daily posting without screaming about the insanity that's taken over our country.  People running rampant in the streets, drive-by shootings and gasoline now close to $10 a gallon.  Makes me want to crawl in a hole and stay there.

Got a message yesterday asking if we'd like to get Cuddy for a couple of days.  His mommy and daddy unexpectedly had to go out of town, so my little boy is back.  

Took a couple photos on our trolley when we went to pick up the Rubbermaid stackable drawers.  We drove in the guy's farm yard, he came out of the house carrying the drawers, he put them in the back of our car, we handed him $15 and off we went.  Now, how cool is that for a shopping adventure!  Best part was, he raises goats, so we got to see some really long-haired shaggy ones.  I should've been a shepherd, cuz luv sheep and goats.  

Along my way, have learned to love the beauty found in the broken.  That's why I'm one to put new life into things others get rid of.  Just like my Rubbermaid drawers....could've easily gone to Walmart and bought new, but what fun would there be in that?  

Nature is a treasure trove of photo ops, and this one I took as we drove through a rural campground.

This next one shows a fallen tree with a yellow sign indicating the campground's boundary line.  

Foliage this time of year is splendor for the eyes.  Wildflowers are blossoming and timber underbrush is fresh and green.  Simply beautiful to behold.....a nature lover's kingdom.  

The words of Shakespeare

~The earth has music for those who listen.~

 Slept in till after 9.  After getting the coffee maker set and dripping, got on the laptop, checked messages on Facebook, and happened upon a for-sale listing of an 8-stack of Rubbermaid drawers for $15.  Quickly checked with the boyfriend, and after his affirmative nod, I messaged asking if the item was still available.  Long story short, we'll be going for a trolley to pick them up this afternoon.  

This is exactly what I needed to jump-start my organizing and re-situating stuff in our bedroom and downstairs storage bin.  Hopefully they'll go in our closet, where I can organize crafts, fabrics, clothes and other stuff.  This project has been looming over my noggin and now I'm fired to get started.  Will bring the Rubbermaid storage drawers home, give them a good scrub in the shower, put them out on the deck to dry, and then will be off to the races in a cleaning-sorting-organizing frenzy.  

Forecast is for rain this afternoon, but we'll be venturing out anyway.  With Cuddy being here, I tended to stay put.....definitely today needing to get in the car and mosey around rural areas.  

Bought a new kind of cereal, great grains with raisins, dates and pecans.  Talk about a yummy morning treat.  This is my new go-to breakfast.  Am trying to steer myself away from eating white bread and more with the healthier grains.  Even bought whole-wheat English muffins....love 'em toasted.  

 Our little fuzz bucket went back to his home this afternoon, leaving us with a palpable void.  How on earth can a 15 pound little dumpling consume so much of a person's heart?  

Last time we ordered our groceries online from Fareway, included was a free can of Bubbl'r Antioxidant Sparkling Water, orange flavor.  5 calories.  Talk about a refreshing, tasty drink.  Am going to be getting more for the fridge.

Nothing newsworthy to share.  Overcast and cool this evening.  Gonna settle in with my books and maybe watch videos of the Queen's historical celebration.  Quiet evening with one of the three missing.  Good news is he'll be returning on the 17th and staying for another couple of weeks while his parents fly off to Europe.  

Stay safe. 

 A deadly shooting church shooting in the state where we live.....a shooting at a funeral cemetery in the state next to us....yesterday.  According to one reporter, gasoline reached $8 per gallon in California.  How's that for an opener?

Am working to complete my latest project.  A couple more kawandi projects are queued up inside my brain, with eBay small packages of fabric scraps arriving in the mail.  Have learned a new sewing term since starting.  A "fat quarter" is a square shape of fabric sold at quilt shops as a way of adding cut pieces of fabric without having to buy a whole yard.  A standard size American fat quarter is usually 18" x 11".  Have seen those squares of fabric in stores, but didn't know that's what they're called.

Have said this before, but stitching by hand is one of my late-life relaxations.  Even though my right thumb is numb and stick pins pierce my fingers, I can be productive and have fun at the same time.  Oh, there are some gripping moments when I'd just as soon toss the piece off the balcony, but it's one heck of an exercise in the three P's.....patience, perseverance and persistence.  It is said that those three P's will conquer everything.  One of my all-time favorite quotes is, "Patience attains all it strives for."  Don't know how many gazillion times I've secretly repeated those words to myself over the years.

Had a yummy meat loaf with baked potatoes for supper last night.  Have always wanted to learn how to use chopsticks, so that's my latest endeavor.  Using them is a tactic to make a meal last longer....a secret to feeling full faster.  By this time next year, hopefully I shall be proficient.  Awhile back I ordered a set of stainless steel chopsticks (with red Oriental design on the top half).  Won't be taking my show on the road quite yet.....am trying not to poke my eye out with 'em.  (giggle)

Be safe, sweet ones.