Where did February Go?

Happy Leap Day!

I am in shock that February 2012 has flown by. My son also pointed out to me the other night that I am now NOT a blogger. I asked him why he said this and he replied, "Because I never see you typing furiously on the computer and telling me to be quiet while you think." He is 14 and full of wonderful insights.

I have been putting in 45 hour weeks in Personal Care. The 3 ladies in the wing are such precious characters. It is a delight to get them talking about their lives and "the way things were" in the past.

Just the other night I was talking to one of the ladies about a quilt I am working on that a person in Georgia has requested. It has been something for me to wrap my mind around -- a quilt for their casket. The person is in her 60's and has always wanted a tulip quilt and wants one for her casket. She says she is in good health but one never knows.



I am still working on adding the leaves as shown in the picture.

This lady in personal care told me that is not a strange request. She said that Blackfeet Indians used to place a star quilt on their caskets. She said it was a tradition. I had never heard of that before.

I know my foster mother used to tell me that she did not want flowers at her funeral, she wanted them while she was alive. So being the dutiful daughter wanting to please, I planted 100's of tulip bulbs along the walkway sidewalk out in the front yard. I got as much joy from them as she did.

Just talking of flowers has got me wanting Spring to hurry and come. I love the blooming and greenery.

So as to prove my son wrong, I am going to strive to take time to put my thoughts, sights, and experiences to the keys in March.

When Do Kids Become Wise?

My youngest (recently 11 years old) just said to me after we finished listening/half watching a movie, "When was the last time you and dad went out on a dinner date or something like that?" -- Just out of the blue!!!

He also made the remark that since I am a mom that I don't have to be working on something or doing something all the time. I think he means that I should be able to just lie on the bed and watch a movie with him. I am always up moving around (usually in the kitchen or folding clothes), typing something on the computer, stitching an embroidery piece (or pieces), or reading something.

So we had a little talk about dad and I are planning a dinner date around our next payday. I also told him that I would give up some time and donate it to watching a movie with him but that it had to be one that we could agree on as I didn't care too much for Batman Beginnings (did ask him a lot of questions) so we are settling into Harry Potter (the first one).

We, of course, spend time most every evening reading from a book and just finished up two from the library over a long weekend.

So off this computer I get and onto the bed for some "down" time! Hope you will listen to your loved ones and make a little change if requested.

Time and Friends

“There is no hope or joy except in human relations.”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
* * * * * *
“The bird, a nest; the spider, a web; man, friendship.”
-William Blake
* * * * * *
“‘Tis the human touch in the world
that counts—the touch of your
hand and mine—
Which means far more to the sinking
heart than shelter or bread or
wine
For shelter is gone when the night is
o’er, and bread lasts only a day
But the touch of the hand and the
sound of the voice
Live on in the soul always.”

-Spencer M. Free
* * * * * *
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fall Colors Are Flying By

I started taking pictures of the gigantic tree in our front yard. It acts as an umbrella to us during the summer months keeping the hot sun off our house and picture window. The tree is also a haven for us to sit under in a two seater swing or at the picnic table (not once did I use our colorful umbrella this year).



I have fallen in love with the branches and how intricate and woven they appear to be. So standing underneath with my digital camera, I started snapping photos. My husband thought I was a little on the crazy side of life at the time, but let me have my whim.



Then I started taking photos when the leaves changed and also noticed that this year in Great Falls, Montana we seem to have been blessed with a real season of Fall. Last year, it just blew through the neighbor hood and weather beat upon the leaves making them crash to the ground and become a swamp we could not even wade through.



I felt I had an angel appear from out of no where with a contraption I had never seen before and he vacuumed my leaves and I helped him empty into big yard sacks -- only asking for a donation -- "Any small amount will do," he said.

This year, the leaves have fallen a few at a time and been more manageable in raking and removing. I look at the tree and see it bare but am not depressed for winter will come and hopefully go quick enough that I can begin to enjoy the green and shade once again. Don't get me wrong, I do love all the seasons but will admit to being more partial to some than others.



Hope you are enjoying your colors, cooler temperatures, and the changing of the seasons.

Pillow Talk

Today I worked on completing two pillows to deliver to some girls at a group home I have been working at for the past few months.

I had the girls draw or write their favorite sayings or "motto" on a piece of paper and then I turned it into an embroidery pattern and stitched it together.

After asking them their favorite colors, I then selected the fabrics for the pillows.



I hope these little crafted gifts will let them know they are thought of and that someone took some time to make something special for them.

Unfortunately, one of the girls had gone "on run" when I got there. She is making some bad decisions right now in her life. I am glad to hear the home is willing to take her back once she is located. The other girl I made the pillow for is headed to a drug treatment rehab facility for a couple of months and then returning. I am only thinking good thoughts for her and hope she will come back with strengths to help her "live her life to the fullest".

When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

I have always loved this poem and have felt a little lately like age is slipping up on me. So I decided I wanted a drastic change and something to perk me up! Well, what do you think? Does red look like a drastic change on me? My kids are still trying to get used to it.


Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.



You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.



But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.