My Projects

 

Well certainly I've done more than this! November and December were busy months for me! I finished the quilt pictured here - something that I started back in 2021 as well as a throw quilt and a quillow. I know there were other things. In addition to my quilted projects, I completed 2 pairs of sock and a beanie. It's amazing how productive I can be without a TV. Moving into autumn, I noticed that I was doing an awful lot of sitting on my recliner thinking about all the things I wanted to get done but doing nothing but watching movies. Sadder yet, they weren't even movies that I found interesting. I'm not sure what my problem was but I quickly realized that if I wanted to accomplish anything, I needed to turn off the boob tube. So I did and what a difference it has made.

I'll try to find photos of my quilts and stuff - so that in a few years when I look back, I can 'hopefully' remember that I do actually complete long term projects! Which gets me thinking about that stack of quilt tops I need to tackle.  

But not now, I have books to read. I'm currently reading 'The Women' by Kristen Hannah and 'What you are looking for is in the library' by Michiko Aoyama. This is in addition to my series of Amish mysteries that I like to read while I'm eating my dinner. Participating in a book club has been one of the best things I've done for myself. It has forced me to read books outside my favorite genre (quilt/food related cozy mysteries). In the nearly 3 years I've been part of the book club, there has only been 2 or 3 books that I haven't enjoyed. Granted, it takes me a little bit of time to get into the book but usually after a few chapters, I'm hooked! 

A new year, an old mouse.

 

So now my excuse for not writing is that my mouse doesn't work! It scrolls, but I can't click on it. I guess if that is the biggest problem I have, I can't (shouldn't) really complain.

What a year it has been! I started the year with 3 grandchildren, in June, I had 5 grandchildren and then in September, I was back to 2 grandchildren. I never realized how truly evil a person could be. Especially one that I have known since she was a toddler. That this person has lied - and admitted her lies - for so, so long is mind-boggling. If my heart explodes, it will be due trying to reconcile that I love this girl, hate this girl but yet am trying to forgive her. 

Obviously that is the low point of 2025 but there have been some sweet, sweet instances! Hearing from my son who lives far away tops the list! Having my oldest daughter and my 2 honest-to-goodness grandchildren move so much closer to me is also at the top of the list. But there have been other very fine moments - from finishing up my chicken coop to moving my garden to finishing a few quilts that I started several years ago.  It has been a good couple of years despite the downtimes. 

It is looking as if 2026 is off to a good start! Especially if I get my new computer mouse!

I'm alive. Still.

 And very happily so.  I still haven't figured out how to integrate this account with my main account so it remains a pain to switch from one account to this one. A lame excuse, but then, I'm lazy.

This has been a beautiful spring so far! I visited my favorite store yesterday and as usual, Verna's flower gardens were stunning! In the spring, I visit her shop as much for the flowers as I do fabric. Yesterday's trip truly was for fabric because I finally found a quilt design that I like for the twins - who are due to be born in less than 2 weeks. I can't wait!

Easter Sunday was perfect - beautiful weather, almost the entire family together, and the dinner turned out. For the first time in many years, the ham was good (I have a habit of buying the wrong kind - don't like honey glazed, or spiral cut), everything was ready at the sametime.  It was just good. Really, really good.

So back to my sewing room I go. To work on the quilts, to forget about other less wonderful parts of my life, and to just create! 

Another cold day.

It is another cold day here in central PA and I'm not complaining. Just a few flurries but definitely cold enough to kill the fleas and the ticks and the other nasties that made it through the past few winters. 

I think of the extent of the fires in CA and I can't wrap my head around what they are experiencing. I just cannot imagine the devastation: having to evacuate, having to collect whatever you can as quick as you can, losing a lifetime of memories in your home. Not to mention, the loss of life and not being able to confirm that your loved ones are safe. How do you come back from something like that? How can the rest of us help? 

I've been knitting lately - something that I learned many, many years ago but just really started to getting into it again. Mainly because I don't have a quilt in my hoop and I need something to work on while listening to books or while I'm at work. I'm learning some new patterns which is fine and truly gives this old brain a workout! But I will be starting 2 quilts this week for my twin granddaughters who are due in May. I already have a vision of what I want to make as well as the colors. I just need to map out the design. While I'm at it, I'll make another I Spy quilt for my grandson! You never can have too many quilts. I won't be hand quilting the baby quilts but I'll be able to sew the bindings on by hand which is very relaxing and something I can do in the evenings. 

Mittens I made for my granddaughter. I love this stitch!

A soft book that I made for my grandson

A New Year.

 Finally the sun is shining. It feels as if it has been weeks and weeks of only grey, dreary skies. I know that's not true but its amazing how just 2 or 3 days of greyness can feel like forever. I love Christmas but there is something to be said about getting back in the routine of work, babysitting, and other activities. Even when I worked full time, I had a hard time keeping track of the date when there were holidays mid week. But today I know that it is Friday and the sun is shining! 

Depression sucks in so many ways. It sucks the life out of me including happiness, motivation, and words. I don't want to talk to anyone and if I do, I sound as if I'm stoned (which I am not). It has always been this way with me during a depression: empty, grey days but then as I move into the early evening, I feel a little better. I am thankful though, that at my age, I know that this will pass. It make take a few weeks but eventually I will be alright. At the age of 62, I know what I need to do get through it.  One of the hardest things about my job was working with students who were experiencing depression. Medication can help as well as exercise and a better diet but there is no waiting around for the depression to spontaneously lift - at least not there wasn't for me. I found that I needed to be an active participant at some level in order to break the pattern. I didn't know that the first time when I was diagnosed. 

Another thing I've noticed lately - could be my age, could be what I've learned from talking to other people - is that I get irritated more easily. The irritation is part of being depressed to a certain extent but when I've been annoyed in the past, I would mainly just retreat completely from life. Now, I can identify the source of my irritation and while I do not like to confront people, I have no problem standing up for myself. Years and years and years of feeling stupid, worthless, bad. . . . . I know that I am none of those things. It has taken seeing someone else being gaslighted (gaslit?), to see that just because someone else tells me that I'm wrong every single day in covert ways, it doesn't mean that I am always wrong. Yes - sometimes I am wrong but many times I am not. I don't have to put up with someone ghosting me, someone ridiculing me, someone trying to manipulate me.  

2024 was a good year for me in many ways. My part time gig in the community has introduced me to many many nice folks who are my neighbors. Had I not taken this job, I never would have met any of them. I've made some good friends and it is truly nice to run into neighbors at local events. 2024 was a year of learning for me and I'm hoping to learn even more in 2025. 

The fair.

 

Two of my most recent quilts. The farm and tractor quilt is for my grandson's first birthday. I didn't have it finished to enter into the fair but it was  done for his birthday. That's a win in my book.

The Windy Fall Day quilt was entered in the local fair and it won judge's choice and first place. I was very, very surprised and almost didn't enter it! I'm glad that I did. 

Dog gone.

 It has been a rough month for dogs here - one of the perils of having several geriatric dogs. Casper, my boxer, passed less than two weeks after Tipper. Casper and I had a love/hate relationship. He loved me and he hated me. He mangled my left hand on more than one occasion. He caused a couple of fires in our kitchen. He had horrible separation anxiety. But we dealt with all of that. He was rarely alone and I learned to read the signs when he was in a grouchy mood. He was my buddy though - he followed me wherever I went: to the creek (his favorite), to the chicken house, wherever I went, there he was. 

Funny. I no longer really want to walk down to the woods or to the creek. In fact, I don't like to go outside much at all. I miss the old codger - the old, ornery guy. 

What a good boy

 

One of the cruelest facts of life is that we outlive our pets. Tipper was my baby - a Christmas gift many, many years ago. My husband surprised me with this teeny little puppy that he had stuffed in his jacket. It was love at first sight! I remember sharing mugs of warm milk with him - he loved it and so did I! He was fiercely protective of me - snarling and growling if anyone came near to me while he was with me. 

Tipper was old. Really old. Still, I wish I had him a little longer but I'm so thankful that he was relatively healthy until the end. Last Wednesday, I scratched his head and gave him a kiss. He was gone by the time I came home from work. 

I find it interesting that on that day, Google photos had compiled an album of memories that were of Tipper. I'll miss this boy - his snaggle tooth, his tongue hanging out, his bad breath, his bad attitude (toward anyone but me). 

Celebrating the 4th, 5th, and 6th.

And what great days they were!  We all celebrated in our own ways! One day, my daughter, her fiancé and their pup came over and we just hung out on the deck and sweated. It was just great being together - laughing and playing with the pup.  I then went to visit my oldest daughter and her family and we set off sparklers and then watched the fireworks. Another hot day but a really, really good day! 

I'm always a little heartsick when the house is just back to me and my pups (who are huge fans of the hot weather). I can remember years and years ago just wishing for a few minutes of peace and quiet but now, I wish I could get some of those days back! I get to enjoy some semblance of those 'good ol' days' when my grandkids are down or when I'm hanging out with my grandbaby but there is nothing like the constant rush and chatter of a house full of people! 

But in all fairness, I guess my dogs and my husband can create quite a bit of noise and confusion but it's just not the same. I really do love this season of my life though where there is a balance of crazy and calm.

What a day.

 

Such a beautiful day. The forecast that I saw yesterday made me think that it was going to be a day of thunderstorms but although we did have one pretty fierce storm, the rest of the day was dry and just pretty. I took this picture a few minutes ago because I absolutely love the colors. It rained enough today to make my garden happy. This year I planted 2 raised beds with strawberries and then 1 of beans and 1 of onions. All have done well. In the garden that I have by the creek, I planted 5 tomato plants, 2 Brussel sprouts, 2 green peppers, and 2 cucumbers. For a change, my cukes are doing well but my tomato plants aren't doing so hot. I think next year I will make 2 more raised beds for my tomatoes and the other things I like to grow.  I don't hold out much hope for the Brussel sprouts which is sad because I love Brussel sprouts. Especially with bacon. Hopefully I'm wrong and will have a bumper crop of the darn things!

I volunteer with the local fire company helping with their bingo games, food sales, and other fundraising events. This morning at 6, we were selling sticky rolls. These are very, very 
 popular in the community. Yesterday, the fire company sold nearly 1000 of the rolls. They are a big deal! This was the weekend of the community yard sale which is why the fire company was taking advantage of the sticky roll fundraiser.  I love helping out with these events - it is another way to meet people that I should have met a long, long time ago and it is a way to give back.  I can honestly say that I have more friends now than I ever had. I would even say that I have more friends now that I did if you would add up all the people I could have called friend for the past 59 years! 

I've melted.

Welp, we made it through the heatwave or as some people say, the beginning of summer.  I'm a cold weather girl so I'm not a huge fan of the heat and/or humidity. I think that I am in good company!  However, I am a huge fan of the flowers and other plants that flourish because of the heat and the rain. Today on my drive to work, I was behind a couple of Amish buggies so it was slow going. There really is no place to safely pass them on our windy road so I was just enjoying the view. The day lilies are out in full force! I also saw quite a few hollyhocks which I never noticed before. I guess I just wasn't going slow enough. I saw chicory, mullein, daisies, as well as some other flowering plants that were just gorgeous set against the greenery.

My garden is doing well. I've harvested exactly 7 strawberries from the plants I planted in April. Woohoo! I'm sure next year I'll have a much better turnout!

 

These are climbing roses that grow in a bush beside the road I've tried many times to start a new plant but no luck.

It has finally been warm enough that the chihuahuas don't need to climb under the quilts!

These are just some of the day lilies along my way.

 

My favorite things.

 Some of them anyway.

I did remember that yesterday was flag day but it wasn't until last evening that I remembered that I had this table runner that I made a year or so ago.  Oh well, better late than never I suppose.  And it will be there for Independence Day.  I need to pull out my other decorations for the 4th of July. It might be a good idea to do it now while I'm thinking of it. Except that I am at work.  

The 2 pictures at the bottom of the page are from a quilt show that our guild had on Memorial Day. 95 quilts draped over the pews of a historic church! It was simply gorgeous! The church wasn't really local - about 17 miles away but I loved the message. Everywhere, it had signs 'All are Welcome' and I truly believe it. The people of the church had hung pride flags which I love to see and which is something that I would never see at the churches for which I play the piano. I love the churches that I visit each Sunday but I don't understand the fear and the hate. 

Dang pig

A long time ago I wrote about a bunny and chicken engagement at our church. But recently there has been a new twist: a pig. On a recent morning, someone noticed that the stone that holds down the manhole cover as well as the cones we have to mark it, in the church parking lot had been moved. Our pastor looked at the surveillance camera footage from overnight and was very surprised to see a quite large pig strolling through the parking lot, pausing to nose around the cover to our septic. Fortunately s/he wasn't able to move the rock (and I'm sure the cover would have been much too heavy to move) but s/he did spend some time trying very hard to do so. Frustrated, s/he knocked over both cones and sauntered away. 

What is funny about this is that none of the neighbors have pigs. The closest farm with pigs is about 2 miles up the road. This was not a young pig. 

Which makes me question. . . do we have feral pigs? Is there a gang of wild pigs roaming through the valley? We have foxes and coyotes and bears and I'm wondering how long a lone pig would survive. I was tempted to go stake out the parking last night but I value sleep more than satisfying my curiosity. 

So for now, the origins of this particular pig shall remain a mystery! 

A motley crew.

 

It is so true. When you have a dog, there is always someone happy to see you.  My cats are happy to see me as well - especially if I'm putting something in their not-empty food bowl. 

Especially in my retirement years, it is so nice to have my pups to cuddle. Sometimes, when I'm missing my mom and dad, it's just nice to be surrounded by my pets. My dogs are noisy, my cats are not and when you have spent that last many years with a full house and then all of a sudden it is empty, that noise is appreciated. Maybe not in the middle of the night though...... 

I had forgotten how lively - and how much energy - a puppy can be! My old chihuahua is not impressed although I do think he likes the company. My teenaged chihuahua is in her glory and has absolutely no qualms in putting her foot (paw) down when the pup has carried things a little too far.

I've also forgotten how quickly a puppy can re-energize. He usually naps all morning and then is raring to go in the afternoon. Things really become crazy at night after I've tried to go to sleep. For 2 hours, things are wild and crazy. Zoomies for 2 hours straight with a few moments of what I call freeze frames interspersed with the bouts of frenzy. Finally when the lights are all off, things calm down until I get up in the middle of the night. Sometimes they sleep straight through, other times they take it as a sign to wind up again. 

I know that the puppy stage won't last forever so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can.

All the books.

 The bad thing about not being consistent in my writing is that unless I look back at my previous posts, I can't remember if I've written about something already.  

One of the benefits of retirement for me has been the ability to volunteer my time for things I love. At this moment, I'm working at our community library. Ten years ago, this was a real library with funding from the county and it was considered to be part of the county library system. For reasons unknown to me, it was decided to defund this library and distribute the support to the remaining few libraries in the area. Ten years ago, I didn't realize that there even was a library in this area - it is quite rural and there is a larger library in a nearby town as well as a huge library and several University libraries a mere 20 miles away - Since I was able to walk to the library at lunch, I used the ones closest to my work. 

When this library was 'closed', some of the local patrons decided to create a library and operate it on a volunteer basis. It was clearly needed as many of the patrons were Amish and to travel so far away to go to one of the remaining libraries wasn't practical. The location of the library moved about 3 miles away from where it was originally into an old school. The old school houses several other offices such as the historical society and the municipal office. It's fairly easy to get to by foot, car, or horse and buggy with plenty of parking. We have a number of regular volunteers who manage to keep the library open with books from the original collection as well as hundreds and hundreds of books donated to us by the public. In fact, we are donated so many books that a great deal of our funding comes from a semi-annual book sale.  

I love this little library that really isn't so little anymore.  I can remember when I was young - before I hit my rebellious teen years - the only other thing I wanted to be more than a cowboy was a librarian. How I wish I had followed that path! But yet here I am, fulfilling that dream in a different fashion. 

Busy summer

So much for keeping up with this blog! Seems like there is always something to do and for that, I am very grateful! We finally have rain - in fact, it has rained several times in the past week and a half.  My potato plants look beautiful and I'm really hoping that this year, I have a decent amount of potatoes. My tomatoes are looking strong and healthy as are my peppers and zucchini. I really hope that my pumpkins do well. Despite planting 4 pumpkin plants, it appears that only 1 is looking perky. 

When my mom passed away, I inherited her Jeep and unfortunately, its time has come and I will be trading it in. The jeep is a little big for me and even though I'm retired, I do a lot of driving short distances. I think now is the time to scale down to a smaller car. I had a little Suzuki that I can honestly say was my favorite care but sadly, they are no longer made. So on Friday, I will visiting some of the local car dealerships and instead of a vacation, I'll be buying a car. I'm happy that I am able to do so but sad because I really wanted to take my daughter to the beach!

Lots of quilting going on! I was asked to be co-president of the local quilt guild and of course, I said yes. I'm sure these next 2 years will be a learning experience! I've finished several projects including a red/white/blue quilt for my father-in-law. It doesn't meet the requirements for Quilts of Valor so it is simply a red/white/blue quilt which I think he will love. I made a throw quilt for a friend from church and I'm happy with how it turned out. I think my friends likes it! I quilted a printed panel for the 4th of July and am in the process of completing a dog quilt for someone else.  

I still need to make a quilt for my grandchild who is due in August. I already have the design and fabric so I'll get going on that this week. I have a Penn State quilt to make for my oldest grandson which will be the project immediately after the baby quilt. I'm hoping to enter a couple of my quilts in the Grange Fair in August.

Amazingly, I haven't complained about the weather yet but then we are only a week into summer. I'm sure the humidity will catch up with me soon and I'll grumble a bit.

 

Nine fingers.

 A few weeks ago, I smashed the pinky finger on my right hand while moving a ball of cement. My last thought before the smashing was that I really should ask my husband for help. I smashed my finger to smithereens - splitting it open and breaking the top of my finger. I refused to look at it because I knew it was bad. I simply walked in and showed it to my husband who then jumped up and grabbed a washcloth to wrap around my hand. I knew I should probably go to urgent care but I also knew that there really wasn't anything to be done for it. So instead, I waited for my daughter-in-law (who is used to providing medical care for her horses and dogs) to come home from work so I could go over and have her bandage me up. I'm happy to say that it is healing nicely.

I've been playing the piano with only nine fingers that past few Sundays which has gone surprisingly well. I was surprised how I could play without that little pinky finger. However when I was practicing today, I decided to see how it felt to use all of fingers. It did not feel good. It hurt like heck so I'm back to playing a little short fingered.

On a more positive note, I have ordered just about everything needed for the baby shower. I'm sure I will remember something when we get a little closer. I'm really looking forward to the baby shower and to the birth of our new grandson in August! 

Still no rain but hopefully on Saturday. My tomato plants are looking very sad but they most often look this way at this point in June. My brussel sprouts look pretty health still as do my zucchini. My spinach would be doing great if the cat hadn't gone in and dug up the seeds.

Girls and flowers.

One of the best things about retirement is being able to spontaneously do fun things. One afternoon, I met up with 2 of my daughters and we went for a walk around campus. Penn State campus is especially gorgeous in the spring both in sights and smells! We walked to the arboretum to view all the new plants and exhibits. The children's garden was just being planted which gave me hope that I wasn't too late with my garden.  My daughters and I share a love for coffee - they like iced and I like my coffee hot no matter the weather. At a recent conference, I found a cute little coffee shop that offered a honey-lavender latte and it was delicious! I was very pleased that our local coffee shops both offer something similar. It is a treat that on my way to work at the library, I stop and pick up a latte :) 

One thing that I am learning is how to say 'no'. It seems that once the word is out that you are retired, all sorts of opportunities present themselves. And I want to do every single one! Today I was asked if I would play the calliope during the parade at our antique tractor show since the usual player wasn't available. I had already committed myself to a meeting of our quilt guild on Friday during the time of the parade. Since I am just beginning the role of co-president and have NO idea of what I'm doing, I had to say no to the calliope. I hope I get the chance another time. 

Currently I am trying to help put together a baby shower for my daughter-in-law. Her mom and I are hosting it and thank goodness, Ang (her mom), is organized. I'm the type of person who knows what I should do but have trouble actually taking action. I've given up any hope that I will have the baby quilt started - let alone done - by the time of the shower. I do have a vision of what I want to make so once I get started, I should be good.  

So many good, fun things to do! I'm happy - very, very happy!

 

My favorite view.

 I can't believe I haven't written anything since January! I honestly thought that after retiring, I would have time for my blog (which I've always enjoyed). So much has happened since January - nothing major but all things that I have truly enjoyed! The photo above is my laundry on the line.  This is one of my favorite things - even in the winter! There is nothing better than the smell of clean fresh air-dried sheets and nighties! Especially after a beautiful day working hard outside.  One of my greatest joys has been able to sit on my deck late into the night just enjoying the sounds of the woods and the glow of my firepit. 

There are so many things to be thankful for! Looking ahead for more days filled with pure joy!

It's January?

What a beautiful week it has been! These photos were from earlier this
week on one of my walks. The first photo shows the valley with a blanket of fog. Off to the left where you can't see, there was a barn that has stood since 1890 or so. It is now an Amish family's barn and home but years ago, it was the family farm of one of my friends from church. Anyhow, on Monday of this week, that barn burned to the ground. Thank God no humans or animals were injured but all the winter's hay is gone. It's interesting - in less than 24 hours all of the debris had been carried away and I am sure that there will be an Amish barn raising within the week. 

The other barn photo was from another day. This is a farm that has 2 huge bulls with their little goat friend. Everytime I go past, that goat is hanging out with the bulls. So cute!