Sightseeing in the City

 

Yesterday the grands and I decided to have lunch at The Gruff in Covington, despite knowing that it might be hard to find parking since Cincinnati was hosting a Taylor Swift concert and the Reds were in town.  Big events at two close-together stadiums.

It turned out that finding metered parking was easy, and even though the restaurant was busy we were able to get a table outside in the shade.  

It was a day for sightseeing.  The restaurant is at the end of the bridge to Cincinnati, and people were making their way over.  There were many pink skirts, sparkles were everywhere, and there were plenty of white cowboy boots and cowboy hats.  Mixed in were Reds tee shirts with jeans or khaki shorts.

The Reds game was moved up a couple of hours to spread things out a little, although the game ended up going into extra innings.  Down to the last out, the Reds won in the eleventh inning.

I'm so glad we took a chance on going to lunch.  Seeing the excitement, especially in middle school girls, was just so fun.

This Collage

 

Seen on my walk on the street behind mine.  Douglas.

Maybe if I went out and walked more, I'd see more things.  I definitely should do it.

It's a lovely overcast day.  I've been a little envious as I read some blogs - looking at you, Joanne - and hear of cool rainy days.  Here it's been hot, little rain in sight.

Eleven straight wins for the Reds.  People are paying attention.  Conversations are happening everywhere.  No matter where they go from here, there was this shining June moment.  

Happy Birthday to Me

 

There was a lovely little birthday cake yesterday and a tall grand guy to bring it.

Seventy-eight years old, how can I not be pleased about that?

And yes, Aaron really is that tall.  He had his sports physical yesterday and the doctor said he has more growth to come since he is still growing so quickly.  Six feet three inches now, age fifteen.

Today is the sumer solstice, and I always love that day.  It feels as if we've climbed a steep hill to get here.

Charm Pack Challenge Two

 

Charm Pack Challenge two.  One of these days I need to try to quilt less densely, but not today.

There is another similar pattern, Carpenter's Star, that I'd like to try.

That new Reds player - Elly De La Cruz - can run like the wind.  So many people came to the ball park last night to welcome him.  And saw a walk off win with a hit by another young player.  Last season was long, but this team is fun.  

Yellow, Green, and Added Purple

 

Comforter knotted in black at our last church knotting.  Green backing, green binding now completed.  The patches came from a bag of fabrics gathered together by Mennonite Central Committee.  I added some of the purple because it just needed more purple.

And because I was in a binding mood, I did the binding on my latest wall hanging.  Maybe I'll show you tomorrow.  It's in the washer now.

Our skies are overcast because of the forest fires in Canada.  It is hot and dry with air quality alerts.  Tomorrow will be cooler, but no rain.  My eyes have been dry and itchy.

The Reds have a new young player called up from Triple A, tonight he will be in the starting lineup for his first big league game.  He is expected to do a lot of things well, including base running.  Fingers crossed.  A fast base runner is always exciting.    

Graduation

 

Graduation . . . come and gone.  High school over and out for Nora.

It was a big graduation in a big venue on Xavier's campus.  Family party the next day.  

Sarah and Winnie and the dogs came the night before and it was a big weekend.  I love it when Steph comes to hang out and spend the night with us.

There was a little weeding and mulching, shopping Facebook Marketplace for an antique dresser for Winnie and Sarah.

One day soon there will be a furniture swap - my "new" living room chair and ottoman will come from North Carolina and the dresser will go back.  On this trip, a storage ottoman came in the car.  

It's been a very long time since I had new furniture.  After a certain age, we just . . . don't.

Chives

 

Chives, one of my earliest perienniels.  Every spring I consider snipping some for cooking.  Every year I don't.  I forgive myself - they pull their weight in those purple spring flowers.

I read a lot of novels, and most I don't remember.  I just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and that one I will remember.  This book was a surprise - I usually find her books to be hard reads but this one was mesmorizing.  

Around November I started receiving my ordered block of the month fabrics.  They have been sitting  around beside my computer, the fabrics are really lovely.  This morning I started stitching.  It was time.

Thing is, though, I'm missing one of the month's fabrics.  I contacted the fabric store and they sent me the tracking informaion that said the package was delivered.  They suggested that the packet was small and maybe someone in my house had moved it - nope.  I'd been watching for it, I know it never came.  I asked if I could just purchase that month's fabrics, but there was none left.

I'm not really upset - I figure that (a) one of my neighbors will finally bring the package, (b) there will be enough leftovers from other months to fill in, (c) my quilt will be a different size, (d) I'll find the fabrics on etsy, or (e) I'll figure out something creative to replace those two blocks.