Last Minute Gifts

There are a few things that are immensely positive about COVID. One is the significantly reduced political adds we have had to endure for the last three months. No political phone calls for me, at least.

I've also had more time to sort things out. In doing so I ran across this note. Not even sure if Hecht's department is still around or where it ever was. But nice thoughts for a COVID time or anytime really.

Last Minute Gifts. . . 

. . . that money can't buy:

Keep a promise

Keep a secret

Share a dream

Send her a favorite flower

Let someone have the last word

Return a smile

Laugh at his favorite story -- again

Let someone in line in front of you

Listen to a child

Listen to an adult

Say something nice to someone you like

Say something nice to someone you don't like

     --Hecht's department store ad                        

Today's Work

 A friend of mine sent me this image. She found it in the garden where she volunteers. A good reminder. Today I did!

Book Ends: The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

The Book of Two Ways is actually a book of three ways. First there is the topic of Egyptology and the two paths to the afterworld, water or land. Then there is Quantum Physics and the concept of dual universes and finally there is Dawn's story and the two lives she could have lived. In this book, all three are explored rather heavily. 

Dawn Edelstein, is the main character, She was a graduate student in Egyptology and on a dig in Egypt when she gets the call that her mother is dying. She has a 13 year old brother who she now needs to raise. She leaves the love of  her life, Wyatt, behind in Egypt. She marries Brian, who is a physicist, and they have a daughter Merit. These are the two paths the  novel explores.

Anyone who reads a Jodi Picoult book knows they’re going to learn things they probably didn’t know before.  The downside to The Book of Two Ways is that it is a bit overwhelming. Picoult certainly did her research, but while I found some aspects of Egyptology interesting, there was a lot that I just couldn’t grasp or didn't care to. I found myself skimming some long passages, mostly with hieroglyphics, until the story went back to the main plot. The same holds for the discussions about quantum physics. Just simply too much. Who gives a physics 101 lecture to someone in a hospital waiting room.

I also found the chronology hard to grasp. The prologue is misleading and that doesn't give an assist to the the story line.

I liked the three main characters but didn't need to read about their life work in such detail.

Dreaming in Hexicolor: the Backstory

 A number of years ago, I took a class to learn how to hand dye fabric. The followup to that class was another that required our use of that fabric to make an art quilt. To this point in my short quilting history, most of my work was blue. Any shade of blue would do but yes BLUE! 

So I challenged myself to use all colors: the primaries, secondaries and yes even the tertiaries.  So this is the work that I produced. The golden rule. I discovered that I like tertiary colors the best. But I never had much use for this quilt. I wasn't sure what I would ever do with it and so it lived in a pile for a long time. 

One day, I was inspired to make something new with it. I had an idea and so, boldly cut it up. Here it is in it's new life. What a transformation! I named this Dreaming in Hexicolor. It's 18 inches square.

Circles and Cycles, the Sister's Virtual Show

MIX, the small quilt group of which I belong, usually exhibits at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt show. Because of COVID, the show was canceled for this year. Jean Wells and The Stitching Post, the grand master of the show, have asked groups and quilters to do virtual shows. Here is ours.

Enjoy this work!

I just could't resist this one

and I hope you can laugh in the face of all this. Stay well. And, find joy.

The Juxtaposition of snow and palm trees

Ya gotta love it...

A Chance to...

Learn something new, 
do something new, 
read something new, 
cook something new. 

Get going, 
What are you waiting for.

Remember to Smile...

It's good to do so.

Today

A bit of wisdom from Seth Godin today.

Today

We only get it once.

Why waste it?

We can spend it in fear, or we can create possibility for the next person.

We can spend it alone, or we can create digital but real connection with someone else.

It only takes a day to make change happen.

The ocean is made of drops.

So with COVID-19 being the talk of the town, how will you spend your time.

It's time for spring cleaning and book reading and , for me, sewing. 

And as luck would have it, i signed up for an online printing class.  I'm one week in.

I will share my favorites so far even though they are not yet finished. 

Spread joy!

50 Years Strong

Come to the show. You will not be disappointed. It's going to be grand. Look for my piece, Swagger - 100 Women in Congress.

Ode to Joy

I'm working on the concepts for a new piece of art. It will be called Ode to Joy, which inspired me to look for the music by the same name. I found this wonderful flashmob which begins with a simple flute playing and morphs into a large orchestra and choir. Gotta love a flash mob! Gotta  love Ode to Joy!

Throwback Thursday

I'm working on photos from 1993, sad and happy to say. Sad because they've been hidden away for so long. Happy to look at them now and reflect on the good times.

Here's one. We were in Durango, CO in July 1993 celebrating a family wedding. One day we road on the Durango-Silverton railroad, which was totally fun and not your everyday happening. Here they are, ages 3, 6 and 7. You gotta love the expressions on their faces. One exhausted, one peaking over a shoulder and one ready to bound off that train and head into the next adventure. I truly miss these days.

Uptown Funk!

I love the song Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Imagine my delight when I discovered this U-Tube video of this 21st century hit with 20th century dancers. Ya gotta watch it, it's too much fun!

You Are Invited to

The Columbia FiberArts Guild is presenting an Artists Market to showcase the work of 45 local artists. This exhibit includes wall art, 3 dimensional work and clothing. Some but not all items are for sale. Do come. You will not be disappointed. It will be amazing.

It is next Saturday and not to be missed.

Book Ends: The Museum of Extraordinary Times

I love to listen to books on CD. In my car or in the sewing lab, they are such good company. Some authors are easier for listening than others. Jodi Piccoult, Chris Bojhalian, Alice Hoffman are a few that come to mind. 

I just finished The Museum of Extraordinary Things which in true fashion for Alice Hoffman is extraordinary. This author is an extremely talented storyteller.  

From the New York Times...Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the sinister impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a Coney Island freak show that thrills the masses. An exceptional swimmer, Coralie appears as the Mermaid in her father’s “museum,” alongside performers like the Wolfman and the Butterfly Girl. One night Coralie stumbles upon a striking young man taking pictures of moonlit trees in the woods off the Hudson River.

The dashing photographer is Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his community and his job as a tailor’s apprentice. When Eddie photographs the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes embroiled in the mystery behind a young woman’s disappearance. And he ignites the heart of Coralie.

Alice Hoffman weaves her trademark magic, romance, and masterful storytelling to unite Coralie and Eddie in a tender and moving story of young love in tumultuous times. The Museum of Extraordinary Things is, “a lavish tale about strange yet sympathetic people” 

I suggest you give it a listen. The characters are well developed and interesting people.

For the most part...

The house reconstruction is finished. What remains is mainly replacing furniture that was damaged in the flood. Here are a few pics to share.

A new front door. In the end we decided to stay with the style we had. It so defines this house floor plan and I sort of like it. We opted to have it stained very dark and change the knobs to a very dark finish as well. I love how the light filters through the opening on the right.

This bar area is actually in the middle of the house. We removed columns and opened it to the rest of the rooms in the house. It is now such and inviting open airy space. The stools were delivered just last week and make such a strong statement. They are beautiful.

And then of course there is the kitchen. I love a white kitchen, In this space especially as it is at the back of the house which is north facing. It gets good light but not a lot of direct sun. White brightens things a lot. I love the dark stain on the island as a contrast to the cabinet surround. Cooking in this space will be oh so much fun!.

And then there's that floor

I love this floor. It is a wood grain tile and just beautiful.

The master bath room floor now grouted. WOW!

And the fireplace surround is completed. The logs and screening will be removed and a more contemporary insert added.

Counter tops arrive

The kitchen cabinets are white on the periphery and the island is stained dark brown. The counter tops are quartz and reverse. Dark on the white cabinets and creamy white on the island. They are truly beautiful. You can see some of the flooring in these photos. It was interrupted when the counter tops showed up early.

Tilework Commences

 In the master shower, we closed in the back wall to add a niche for soap products and made the shower larger. The tiles are very contemporary larger white tiles with waves. Here it is before grouting. The seat will match the counter tops.

The master bath floor is a hexi tile that is beige and white. Some of the tiles repeat the wavy lines of the shower wall. I love this floor.

We removed the mantles in both sides of the fireplace and tiled  to the ceiling on each side with very large rectangular tiles. They are a mottled grungy grey. Very cool!