No Debate for Me

 

Blocks three and four on my block of the week quilt.  New England Star.  I've peeked ahead at blocks 5 and 6 and I can see my way through them.

I feel a little sad that I won't be watching the debates tonight.  In other years, I've enjoyed politics, was so interested in policy and candidates.  I welcomed the debates, looked forward to them.  But this year, I just can't.  Just . . . can't.  

Just so you know . . . September 29 is Old Michaelmas Day, a Celtic holiday.  According to legend, this is the last date that blackberries should be picked.  According to another legend, the whole harvest had to be completed on this date, marking the end of the growing season.

There is definitely an end to the strawberries growing in my little bed.  Not the berries but the plants.  It was nice to watch the runners spread out and more plants sprout.  And then, chomp!  Of course I blame the deer, I blame them for everything, but it could be rabbits or squirrels or something else all together.  Some of the neighbors are reporting skunk sightings.  Do skunks eat strawberry plants?  

  

Sewing for Others

I do a few alterations for long-time customers.  Nothing complicated, usually.  Just hems and adjustments in fit.  Sometimes pillows or curtains, as you know, but no more porch cushions, as you also know.  A few monograms or names on baby items.  When potential customers call, I say that I'm not taking new customers.

There were a few weeks at the end of summer when there were no alterations at all and I could concentrate on quilting.  Now, with a new season starting, almost everyone has called.  It must be a change in season and people are getting new things that need a little adjustment.  A mother-of-the-bride needs a hem so she won't step on her dress.  Someone's golf pants are too long, someone's blouse is too big.  Etc.

I enjoy the mechanical aspect of alterations.  Changing the feet on the sewing machine, finding new thread, finding just the right needle (it really makes a difference,) threading the serger.  That last may be my favorite part because it was so hard won.

Really, I consider my work as a service, not a money-making venture.  My charges are pretty minimal.  Over the years, the customers have become friends and I enjoy their coming and going, their stories.

I think sometimes of my Aunt Nina, my dad's sister.  Her philosophy was much the same, I think, although she devoted more to it than I do.  No quilting for her.  The dining room in her house was her sewing room.  As a child, she made my dad's christening dress. As an adult she made beautiful wedding dresses.  I would love to sit down with her and just discuss . . . sewing.  

Blocks 1 and 2

 

Before we talk about quilting, let's talk about the Cincinnati Reds, going to the playoffs!  Two weeks ago, almost no one would have guessed that this would be a thing.  But since that time, they've gone 10 -2, and here we are.  It's a good day here.

I wouldn't expect you to remember, but late in the spring I decided to do a block of the week from my local quilt shop.  Actually, it was two blocks every two weeks, for twelve blocks total.  I thought this could be what I needed to get quilting again.

The first week out, I cut my fabric wrong, had to fess up and order more, and that was enough to stop my momentum.  I didn't even open most of those little packages.

I think it was that voice in my head, you know the one.  "You don't follow directions well, never did, that's probably why you make up your own directions."

But now I'm taking a look at those various piles in my studio and there were those cut-wrong little pieces laying around and it was time to start again.  The first two blocks were actually pretty easy.  I understand that they get more difficult as we go.

I'm pretty taken aback by the size of the blocks, 12" x 12".  I'm used to working small.

So this will be my little-bit-every-day project going forward.  Not a block every day, just a little bit every day.  

Random Reflections On Today

It was breathtaking to watch the Ruth Bader Ginsburg memorial this morning.

The song was especially striking, "America, America, I gave my best to you."  How many of us can say that?  How many of us can say that, instead of "America, what more can you do for me?"  And so, thinking of service, what that means.  And one more step into it:  servant leadership, what does that mean?  And does anyone still think of those in government leadership as servants of the people?

And thinking of the story told on NPR, of how Ruth Bader Ginsburg finished first in her law school class, yet none of the prestigous New York law firms would hire her.  That led her into teaching and on a different path.  How she and Sandra Day O'Connor agreed that if they had been hired early on they would have ended up with those law firms yet instead ended up on the Supreme Court.

Wondering how many men realize that her commitment to gender equality meant that they too could realize equality.

Thinking about how my husband was so happy to have daughters.  How he felt that they would grow up equal, gender-wise.  And how all these years later, that hasn't happened for women.  Not that my daughters are that old, but old enough.

Loving the story on NPR about how when Ruth Bader Ginsburg was called from her child's school she would request that they call the father on a rotating basis.  Challenging their underlying assumption that a father's job was more important and he should not be interrupted.

The phrase "small but mighty" certainly applies here.  How fitting that a small but mighty woman could be recognized in this way in that place this morning.   

Tis This Season

 

It was a day for some mindless embroidery.  Kimberbell's Holidays & Seasonal Mug Rugs, Volume 1.  If you're lucky enough to have the collection, and an embroidery machine, try a mesh stabilizer like FabriSolvy instead of cutaway.  You'll be happier.

A little tribute to my friend Ginny, who died yesterday just past her 86th birthday.  I knew her from our little donation quilt group.  She had a big family, lots of children and grandchildren, and loved them well.  She was a teacher but after she retired had a fabric dyeing business, selling at those big quilt shows we dream about going to.

I'll miss her a lot, and I'll miss going to her house.  She was located on a hill high above the Ohio River, but in the city, with an incredible view.  Newport and Cincinnati, river and bridges.  That house just suited her.  The bottom level was where the quilting magic happened, including samples that went to the quilt shows.

RIP, Ginny.  Your little quilt group misses you.

Carpenter's Wreath Holiday Quilt

 

Carpenter's Wreath Holiday Quilt pattern by Cindi Edgerton.

This was supposed to be my little-bit-every-day project, but it was hard to stop once I got started.  I had two blocks paper-pieced from who knows when and the project sat beside my sewing machine ever since.  And now it's done.

And yes, I have more of those in-progress quilts here and there.

For months I was so tired, unmotivated, napped during the day.  Now it's the opposite, I have trouble falling asleep some nights.  And no, I'm not bi-polar, it's just how it is right now.

Shout out to Jacquie Gering, who in my mind is the queen of walking foot quilting.  She has the best tip - when you're starting a row of walking foot quilting, change the stitch length for the first few stitches to the tiniest available selection on your machine - on mine, it's 0.5.  Then you can just carefully snip the starting threads on top and bottom.  The line of stitching won't unravel.  (She has great online classes and tutorials.)

I do love the "fix" stitch on my sewing machine, which sews in place five times at the touch of a button, but I find that it's more suitable to garment sewing than quilting.  It leaves the tiniest little thread bump on the bottom.  

Still worrying about Louisville.  The Kentucky attorney general will announce the Breonna Taylor decision this afternoon.  There have been peaceful protests for days but I am concerned that outside groups may have plans to come to the city.  And about the unease everyone has been living with.    

Bobbin Winding Engaged

 

"Bobbin Winding Engaged" is showing up a lot on my sewing machine these days, primarily for those white bobbins.  I may have just bought a 3200-yard cone of my favorite sewing thread.  I wonder what other fiber exports come from Greece.

I remember well, back in the day, when I was visiting a quilt shop in a small southern town.  I asked the owner what kind of sewing machine she recommended.  She said she would never recommend a computerized sewing machine because a power surge could destroy it.

That would be a sad day, for sure, but I'm glad I didn't take her advice.  I do have the super power surge protector and I've checked in with my home insurance agent.  This machine is twelve years old and there have been no adventures.  And quality computerized sewing machines have robust circuit boards.

It's the first day of fall - hopefully I can remember that when I want to know how long that cone of thread lasted.  I don't think I'll be forgetting the year 2020 any time soon.  I do know that I got my last 250-yard spool about a month ago, so I'm thinking maybe a year  And that's enough math for today.

And enough sewing for now.  It's time to get outside for awhile.  These early fall days are precious.

Gray Dots

 

Happiness is having another quilt finished, ready for donation.  This is the one with the gifted charm pack and two colors of gray dotted fabric, plus enough other fabric to be pieced for the back.  I always like a pieced back and pieced bindings.

Quilting is in the ditch, then again 1/2" on either side of the ditch quilting.  I know there is a nice stitch-in-the-ditch interchangable foot for my walking foot, but I really prefer the 1/4" interchangable foot.  The little slot is just right for lining up over the seam line.

It's been the kind of week when I left one or two daily tasks unfinished every day.  This was the day to go back and gently pick them up.  Nothing timely and nothing major.  Checked and my car does not need oil.  I've done the Time and Talents church document.  Finished watering the plants.  Took the sheets out of the dryer.  That kind of thing.

I'm wondering what this next week will bring.  It feels like fall is really here, and it does officially arrive on Tuesday.  My baseball team has been doing well, is positioned well for a play-off spot, but like I always tell you, baseball will break your heart.  The Bengals - they are already breaking my heart.

Out in the Evening

 

I am almost never out in the evening.  It just doesn't happen.  I have nowhere to go.

But, ah, last night.  That band showcase.  It started at 8:00 so I was  actually out after dark.  It was so enjoyable sitting in the stands, listening to the music, then watching the performance that would have happened at football games and competitions.

The audience was in such a good mood.  Lots of clapping.  Maybe everyone was happy to have somewhere to go on a Friday night.

In the picture above, Nora is the drum major closest to us as the band came onto the field.

After the event, Nora came over to say hello and I took a picture from above.  It shows off her sparkly uniform and gloves.

There was one downside to the evening.  Just before the music started my phone dinged with the news that Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died.  She lived such a good life, fought the good fight.  I hope that women all over this country appreciate what she did for us.  I worry that women (and men) may get wrapped up in politics and not stop to learn and appreciate her history.

Star Quilt

Cupcake Mix Recipe #4.  Yesterday was a good day to just sit and finish it.  And after cutting out the hanging sleeve, I had just the smallest piece of red fabric left - I used it for sashings and backing.  One less piece in my Christmas stash.  

So now, I am looking for a new project to work on day by day.  I find that I enjoy a project that I can work in with other projects, adding just a little each day.  For a couple of years I've been pushing aside a paper piecing pattern called Carpenter's Wreath Holiday Quilt.  I've done two of the pieced blocks, but only two.  I think that will be next.

This afternoon I'm looking forward to bringing dinner to Nora and then taking her to school for band pictures and a showcase.  The rest of the family is going to an out-of-town family wedding.  I'm not sure what to bring for her dinner but I'm pretty sure that soup will be part of it.  Nora loves soup.

I have my ticket for the band showcase.  The band has worked hard on their presentation but there are no competitions or football half-time shows to display it.  Tonight they can do exactly that, with seventh and eighth graders invited so they can get a look at what marching band is all about.

Masks are required for spectators and the football stadium is big so there should be plenty of room to spread out.  How strange that we always have to consider that now.  Or at least I do.    

  

Quilting With Metallic Thread

 

After stitching in the ditch around the blocks on the star quilt, I decided to go ahead and stitch around each star with a gold metallic thread.

Years ago I quilted a different star quilt with metallic thread and had a lot of thread breakage.  Since that time, I've learned.  It helps to use a quality, smooth thread, in this case Superior metallic.  And it helps to use a quality sewing thread in the bobbin, not the metallic.  Of course if you do this, your machine needs really good tension.  So far, I've been happy with how everything is behaving.

Stitch length is 4.0, and that is working well.  Outlining those stars is helping the points of all those little half square triangles lay flat, and that's a bonus.

Oh, and I'm using a walking foot, which I'm sure I didn't have all those years ago.  The walking foot helps the top and bottom feed through at the same rate.  And slow stitching goes with the walking foot, another bonus when sewing with metallic thread.

It's going to add a lot of quilting time to this quilt, but the quilt is small and the payoff is worth it.  And the outline quilting, adding sparkles, is kind of zen.

Yesterday I got my hair cut, for the first time in nine months.  There was only one stylist working, and only one customer finishing up.  The customer had her mask under her nose, which didn't make me happy, but I decided to mentally give her grace since she was elderly, maybe she was having trouble breathing.  And she was a good distance from me.

I've found that I like wearing my hair up sometimes so I just got a quick trim.  In and out.  

Merry Christmas to Me

My studio needs de-cluttering, and I've been working on that, a little every day.  It's a challenge, because I have a wide range of sewing interests.  I'm not just a quilter or just a garment sewer or just into alterations or just into embroidery, etc.  I love it all, but it all has its own stuff.

Today's ramblings brought into my line of vision a Craftsy box, nicely placed under a box with a Viking hoop given to me by someone who decided to go with a different brand of machine.  (It was an Endless Hoop, a really nice hand-me-down.)

Inside that box it was like Christmas to me.  Two Moda jelly rolls, three Moda charm packs plus two of the 2 1/2" charm packs, plus yardage.  Really nice stuff, and I didn't even remember ordering it.

The packing slip was dated 11/27/15 and after some thinking I realized I must have been Black Friday shopping.  A check with my  journal pages confirmed that and a look at the five-year-old bank statement let me know that I got really good deals.  There were originally a couple of spools of Aurifill thread in the box and those were gone.  Darn.  

My journal pages also told me that I was really busy that December, doing a lot of alterations and little sewing for myself.  I must have set the box of fabrics aside and then after the busy-ness of that season, never went back to it.

Which is good, actually, because now I can really appreciate it.  Most of the items are holiday themed and it is the perfect time to find that box! 

Don't judge me, please. 

Heaven's Child

 

It's hard to get our small donation quilt group together right now.  Our usual meeting space isn't available.  There are illnesses (not COVID) and other things going on.  We were supposed to meet at a park by the river this morning but one by one realized it wasn't going to happen.  I couldn't get in touch with one person and decided to show up just in case.

Turned out it was just me there, so I got a morning river walk.  The water looked blue, the parks and rec people were out working, and there were two tiny three-month-old chihauhas.

As always, I admired this statue.  The plaque at ground level reads "Heavens's Child.  Placed in Reverent Memory of Those Lives Who Left Us Too Early.  June 2000.  And then there are bricks with little ones' names, sometimes with dates, sometimes with an angel reference.  To me, it's a sacred place.

Since yesterday was a day of finishing quilt piecing, today was a day of getting backings prepared.  For the gray dot quilt, that meant piecing the back with six large pieces.  Since the quilt fabrics were given to me, I was happy to find pieces large enough to make the backing work, matching the front.

For the star quilt, it meant washing a piece of red Christmas fabric.  Since I recently had a problem with the red on older fabric running, I wanted to be extra cautious.  The backing fabric is metallic and has stars and the star fabric on the front is also metallic.  It was meant to be.

You Might Need One

 

The stars aligned today and I finished piecing two quilts.  Two in a day may have never happened before.  The star quilt was a one-block-every-day quilt and the gray dot was a quick piecing project.

Which brings me to the picture above.  If you're a quilter, you either (a) recognize it as a good friend or (b) don't know yet that you need it.  If you're not a quilter, you don't need one so you can buy something else.

That thing is a wool pressing mat.  The wool absorbs the iron's heat and heats the back of the fabric while the iron heats the front.  The result is that seams lay really crisp and flat, even if there are half square triangles involved.

A good quilting friend gave me a small one so I could try out the concept.  After a week, I knew that I wanted a larger one.  If you decide to try it, just go ahead and get the larger one.

I just keep mine on my ironing board and put it on the floor if I want to actually iron something.  Not that such a thing happens a lot.  I used to iron everything, even tee shirts and jeans, but when I broke my wrist I got away from all that ironing.  Now I'm quite happy without ironing.  (There is a difference between pressing and ironing.)

A Different Friday Night

 

No need trying to enlarge the picture, it's all about the words.  

Friday night football is big here.  Serious business, lots of spectators, cheerleaders, band half time show.

This year it's Covid-different.

What you can see is part of a band, spaced apart, not in uniform.  No half time show because half time is limited to six minutes.  Each player, cheerleader, band member is limited to two spectators, so not much crowd.

In the front of the picture is a blue podium, where the drum majors conduct.  And on that podium is my grand girl, who got to conduct a bit last night.  

She is the sophomore drum major, usually on the field playing the metronome in the shows until she moves up in her junior and senior year.  Except that this year there are no half time shows and no competitions.  So that little bit of podium time with conducting was special.

I wasn't there in person, but it made this grandmother's heart happy.   

Rainbows and Pandas

 

Seen on my walk today.  Mask with pink polka dots, rainbows, and pandas.  

I got my flu shot this morning, the high dose one for older folks.  I asked the pharmacist if they had the two-part shingles vaccine that my doctor has been urging me to get.  It had been in short supply.  Yes, they did have it and could give it with the flu shot if I wanted.  I declined for today, one vaccine at a time seemed enough, although of course little ones get multiples at their well-baby checkups.

Such typical early fall weather here. Yesterday it was 90 and today I have on a light fleece, temperature in the lower 70's.

Loved seeing the picture of Pence and Biden doing elbow bumps when they were at the same event.  You know how I value civility.

My neighbor asked about putting a sign in my yard for her cousin, who is running again for city commissioner.  I've never had a political sign, not sure how I feel about that.    

Not My Morning for Banana Bread

 

It wasn't my morning for baking banana bread.  I had four loaves in their pans but something kept telling me that the dough just wasn't right.  Looking back at the recipe - I'd forgotten the sugar.  I tried adding sugar in the bread pans but that wasn't working so I scooped the dough back out into the mixing bowl.  Even so, the finished bread has a different texture than usual.  It tastes nice though - really sweet.

September 10, a happy day.  It was my dad's birthday, he was born in 1913, died in December 2002.  And, it was my wedding day in 1966.  Fifty-four years ago.  Goodness, I was young, 21 years old.  My husband died 24 years ago, so I was married more years than single in my "adult" life.  And that's enough math for today.

I am not at all happy with Kentucky's Attorney General Daniel Cameron being on the president's list of possible Supreme Court candidates.  Politics aside, the man is 34 years old.  I don't want to be ageist, don't like it when it's applied to me.  But I do think that a Supreme Court position requires experience and wisdom that is difficult to acquire without more years on the court.  I can think of other reasons as well, but I did say "politics aside."

I am piecing a donation quilt with a pretty charm pack and fabric gifted by a friend.  They weren't her colors but they are mine.  Deep reds and grays with dots.

  

Squares on White

I had an idea months ago that I could use up scraps by cutting squares and piecing them separated with white jelly roll strips.  And then I could practice free motion quilting in the squares.

It was basically a good idea, but it didn't make a dent in the scraps.  Some scraps were cut in 5" squares and some in 4" squares - these were the 5" squares.  A few of the squares are pieced.  The overall  piecing went fairly quickly with the jelly roll strips but the quilt lived on my quilter, just parked there, for a quite a while.

I don't think I'll try this again any time soon.  There must be another way to use those scraps.  Another way to practice free motion.

But, come Monday, when the donation quilt group meets, outdoors in a park, I'll have a quilt to take.  (I hope it doesn't rain on Monday.)

Fall Wreath on the Door

 

The weather report says it's still summer, but we are past Labor Day so this little wreath is on my door.  The past weeks, I've had nothing on the door.  Something to keep in mind for next summer.

One of the houses in my neighborhood has decorated for Halloween.  Spider webs, spiders, pumpkins.  I can understand.  It seems like a long time since we've had something to celebrate.  I'm guessing that there will be lots of Halloween decor this year.

I just finished sewing "eyes," as in "hooks and eyes" on two of my daughter's blouses.  She asked if I had any.  Of course.

If you love houses on quilts, take a look at the "Friendly Neighbor" pattern by Coriander Quilts.  There is a panel that goes with the pattern to make the front of those houses so individual and pretty.  I mentioned that I'm drawn to stars and birds.  Oh, and houses.  And yes, I had a little bag at the quilt shop this morning.

Last night fireworks kept going off down the street.  I'm glad I got up and sat on my steps and watched.  They had the good stuff.

Police Presence

Yes, I'm making applesauce today.  I went to Kroger very early for those Granny Smith apples.  (Very few people, everyone wore masks, no waiting to check out.)

I came out of my house, admiring the flowers and the pretty morning.  Got in my car and noticed that there was a policeman and police car on my near-by corner.  He told me I had to turn around and go the other way.  Asked if I had seen a man running through the neighborhood this morning.  No.

When I came back from that quick trip to the store, three policemen were escorting someone from a back yard on the street below me.  I waited at the stop sign while the person was placed in a police car parked around the corner, where I was going.  A neighbor asked a policeman what was going on.  He replied that there was a burglary in a house up that street and that all three suspects had been caught.

I admit to being pretty complacent in my neighborhood and I was a bit shook up.  I thought about people for whom police presence in their neighborhoods occurs regularly.  I wonder what that is like for them.  And I thought that we must have more police in my small city than I'd realized.

Right Trainer, Wrong Horse

 

Well, I picked the right Derby trainer, just the wrong horse.  My horse, Thousand Words, was scratched because he reared in his stall and hit his head.  The assistant trainer had a broken hand and arm in that mishap.  The other Baffert horse won the race.

As for the Louisville protests, they were peaceful.  I hope the folks that came from other places went back home.

I had to move shelving units away from the basement walls for various reasons and at various times.  New outside faucet installation.  Plumbing.  New garage door installation.  I kept the shelving out because I figured it would be a good time to continue painting the basement walls with a beige waterproofing paint, covering the terrible green that was painted over everything.  Who chose that paint?  It was that way when I moved in.

I have come to admit that I'm not going to be going to Lowe's for paint any time soon and the confusion in the basement is bothering me.  So back to the walls that shelving is going.  I am going to be so much happier every time I walk down the steps.

Sixteen of twenty star blocks pieced.  Love those stars.    

The Sun Shines Bright

The flowers on this sweet celosia look like red bugs at this point.  I think they will start curling as they grow.

The sun is shining bright on my old Kentucky home.  Derby Day in September.  No spectators in the stands. No stunning outfits or hats or mint juleps.   It's a weird year indeed.  If you want to play the song, look up John Prine's version.  Fitting for this year, since he died in April.

I have my horse picked - Thousand Words.  Fitting name for a horse for me, but I picked this horse because he's a Bob Baffert horse.  It's hard to pass up a Baffert horse, even one who didn't start out great this year.

Hoping that things go well in Louisville, apart from the Derby.  Louisville has had 100 days in a row of protests against racism and police violence.  Everyone is on edge, waiting for the Kentucky Attorney General's report on Breona Taylor's death.

 

The Jedi Turns Thirteen

This picture showed up in my facebook memories today - the year I made Jedi robes for all the kids who came to Aaron's birthday party.  He just trusted that I could do it.  Next week this little Jedi turns thirteen.

So many things on my goal list for today and I did all of them except for the two sewing ones.  That's ok, I'll be happy to start with them tomorrow.

It seems that every day I think about how different life is and how we can easily adapt to most changes.  I ordered checks online when I would usually just stop in at the bank.  Ordered stamps online too - I learned earlier in the year that there is a little delay in sending them so it's best not wait until my stamps are gone.  For some reason I imagined that the stamps would just come from my local post office.

My fancy thermostat reminded me that it's time to change the furnace filter.  Last time I ordered two from Amazon but this time packages of two or even four were not available.  And so, tomorrow six will arrive.  I will have enough to last for a year or more.

Good news for me - at the end of this day my fitbit is recording 8400 steps.  It's been a long time since the first number has been an 8.

 

Aqua Binding

Cupcake mix recipe # 1 is finished!  After it was quilted, I knew I wanted an aqua binding.  I have so much fabric that I'm a little embarrassed but no piece of aqua long enough for a binding.  Probably because I love aqua and use it up almost as fast as I get it.

Shout out to my local quilt shop, Just Sew in Fort Thomas, KY.  I placed an online order and fifteen minutes later they called to say it was ready.  (The quilt shop is small and in-person shopping is by appointment during COVID.)  I could just drive down the street and pick up my little bag with the fabric and a spool of white thread.

For my out of town friends, I'll just add that their website is super friendly and their shipping is just $5.

After my political musings yesterday, it seems only appropriate that the collection with the aqua I chose is Cultivate Kindness.

Flowers and Politics

 

Sarah tells me that this plant is lantana.  I just knew that it is so pretty.

I enjoy Wednesdays.  I enjoy the Zoom catch-up with several of my church friends and the Live! from my local quilt shop.  On Zoom, we talk a lot of politics.  Everyone agrees, and that's nice.  

I let myself get my feelings hurt by a political re-post from a friend today.  I'm trying to decide - should I start up a conversation or let it slide by.  I know she would not deliberately hurt my feelings.  I'm sure she wasn't thinking of me at all.  I'm inclined to let it go, save my "respectful disagreeing" for when the words are her own.  But just saying - just because I belong to a certain political party doesn't mean that I don't love this country.

Seriously, folks, let's have some civility with each other.  On November 4 or sometime soon after, we will need to move on together.  I know it's hard.  People I respect and love have totally different views than I do.  Let's talk when we can do so with listening as well as talking, trying for understanding, but let's stop what I call social media zinging - tossing out a harsh idea or phrase and then ducking down and leaving, removing ourselves from productive follow-up.

People are tired and scared, I get that.  We see a lot of unrest.  We hear a lot of harsh words that aren't always even true.  We worry about kids going to school, we worry about getting sick ourselves, we worry about losing our way of life, we worry about everything.  But we can still be thoughtful, be good neighbors, be critical thinkers, share our piece of bread.  Let's do that.

Cantaloupe

Usually I get a grocery pick-up every two weeks but Diet Coke was on sale this week so I placed a small order.  When I was unloading the groceries at home, I saw, tucked very safely in the corner of my cargo area, a cantaloupe that I'd ordered last week.  I guess I was focused on grocery bags and just missed it, figuring that there were none at the store last week.

Thing is, it didn't smell yucky after riding in the car for a week.  It tastes just fine.  So, cantaloupe for me this week.

And salmon for my daughter and me.  They were out of one-pound packages and substituted a three-pound piece instead.  It's huge.

One of my goals for today was to actually take a walk, as opposed to walking the fitbit prompts at 10 minutes until the hour if I haven't done 250 steps that hour and then filling in with shorter walks.  Did I mention that wherever I walk in my neighborhood there is a hill involved?  There is just no getting away from it, it's just a matter of how high a hill.