Our garden is alive!

It was almost 8 when we got up. Chris wanted to leave by 8. We did not make it, but we had breakfast, then moved everything out to the car. I am not sure when we left. It was a long trip. According to the thermometer in the car, the temp got up to 110. We started a book on tape that turned out to be stomach-turning. We did not finish it. Instead, we started "Last Days of Krypton". We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch but the lines were very long. There were power outages from the storm last night and it was one of the few places open in that area. We kept going until we found a Subway. I had a salad and they had subs. I think it was 7 CST when we got in. I was surprised to find that my garden was alive! The condition of the grass indicated that it hadn't rained during the week, so maybe someone took pity on my garden and watered it. I picked two cucumbers and a tomato. More were ready, but I like to pick them when I am ready to eat them. I watered the plants as soon as we carried the stuff in from the car. The house was sweltering, so Chris turned on the AC. Michele elected to stay downstairs with her computer while the house cooled off. But Chris and I took a cold shower (to cool off and save water). Then he got some ice cubes...but I digress. By the end of the evening, all three of us were on our laptops catching up on the e-mail we missed.
* this pic is from Friday at the mall *

Shopping at the mall

I slept really well last night. I was listening to something on my ipod and all of a sudden it was morning. Late morning. Mom and Dad had already finished breakfast. Mom was in the bathroom. I read to her for awhile, then changed her shirt from long sleeves to no sleeves. I brought her back to the den and fixed my own breakfast. I put some of the yellow scrapings from her scalp in an envelope for the doctor to see on Monday. Then Dad took her to the hairdresser to get her hair washed. I used that time to wash the tablecloths that had been soaking since Tuesday. I also watered her begonias and put in a blue glass bulb thingy that supposedly waters the pot as it dries out. When they got home, Dad wanted to take Michele to the mall to buy her a birthday present. Chris called to say he got out early and was on his way down. So we all went to Sears. I stopped at the optical center to get my glasses bent into shape. The lady told me how much she liked my parents who apparently come in a lot. Michele went with Mom and Dad to the jewelry section to look at earrings. Dad came back to tell me Michele needed my help in choosing. Soon my glasses were fitted and I went to help her. She was so cute exclaiming over all the ones she liked. Even I, who don't wear much jewelry, bought myself a pair. While Dad paid for her selection, Michele tried on hats. The saleslady said she was worth a picture, so I took several. Then we went to 'Garden something' which was just down the corridor from Sears. We helped Dad pick a new picture frame for the broken one that had their 50th wedding photo. We got home before Chris arrived. It was after lunchtime, so Dad started getting the apples ready. Chris arrived soon after, but neither he nor Michele wanted lunch. I packed my suitcase so Chris could take it out. I made myself a salad with kimchi on top. Michele did eat a little kimchi. After lunch Dad talked to Michele and Chris. I checked my e-mail, then grabbed the tablecloths from the clothes line and re-dressed the side table in the diningroom. I folded and put away all the blankets we used and stored the extra pillows. I said goodbye to my Mom, and then we all said goodbye to Dad and headed toward my in-laws house. Cecily had marinated steaks. She cooked the vegetables while Alfred grilled the steaks. We ate supper then sat around chatting. When the group broke up, I went out back to get some fresh blackberries. Chris came out to watch me and pick a few. Michele and Alfred also stopped in briefly. When we were all inside, three of us sat with our laptops while Cecily put the dishes in the dishwasher. Alfred got out his laptop to join us and Cecily watched Olympic swimming trials. Chris went to bed early.

Ladies Night Out

When I got up this morning, Dad was just sitting Mom down at the table. Mom had a bandaid on her knee. He said she fell getting out of bed during the night. After breakfast I took her out on the deck to plant the begonias. We planted them in a previously inhabited pot. They look nice. We sat out for awhile. Dad finished his grocery list and started making lunch early. I fixed Mom's lunch while he was slicing the apples. We sat down to eat before one o'clock. We were finished well before the Damours came over with Michele. We all had a nice time talking in the livingroom, the coolest room in the house. After they left, Dad prepared to go to the grocery store. We promised we would take Mom for a walk at 5. He thought he could shop in half the time without Mom along. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ... At 5 I took Mom for a walk and Michele followed with the wheelchair. We had to stop several times for her to rest. And she decided to go back before we reached the end of the street. I took Mom in the bedroom to get her ready for Ladies Night Out. Faye showed up at quarter of 6. Michele braided Mom's hair and Faye pinned it to her head. Peggy was sitting in the car, so I invited her in. Then Dad came home from the store after only 2.25 hours (out of 3.0) He put the folding wheelchair in the Olds and we all climbed in. We picked up Letha on the way to the restaurant. The ladies of the church were waiting for us at Cabellas. Ok, that isn't the name, but it is as close as I can remember right now. Most of the ladies were sitting at the long row of tables, but we late-comers had to sit separately. Faye and I took turns feeding Mom. She did not touch her side order so Faye boxed it. I paid for their meals as well as my own since I did not get Faye a birthday present. When all 5 of us were paid for, we got in the car and Faye dropped Letha off at her house. I saw her husband Jim, but don't think he recognized me. Back at the house, Dad was finishing a Subway sandwich that he bought for himself and Michele. We chatted with Faye and Peggy until they left. I was talking to Michele when Dad called for help with Mom in the bathroom. There was a mess to clean up and he was imposing so many rules on the process that he wasn't getting far. So I asked him if there was something else he needed to do. He said he needed to eat dessert. After he left, I quickly cleaned up Mom and the bathroom. I put her to bed. I stayed up to write this post, and listen to one of the shorter interviews. It feels like I have been here for weeks.
Pic to follow.

53 years together!

Today is my parent's 53rd anniversary. So what did we do? Well, Mom spent the morning sitting on the deck in her wheelchair until Dad got lunch ready. After lunch we went to the mall to get Michele a present. We could not find exactly what I had in mind, so we bought something else. We stopped at the plant stand in front of Chesterfield Mall to get some begonias for Mom. And we went to Sears to get Mom's glasses adjusted. I should've had mine done, too. Then we went to the garage to pick up the Oldsmobile. I drove it home. While waiting for Dad to do whatever he did , I gave Mom a sponge bath and dressed her to eat out. Dad put her in the car and he drove us to Hong Kong King Buffet. Faye was already there and Kevin joined us soon after. Faye fixed Mom a plate and I fed her while Faye got her own plate. Then Faye fed her. Faye had a card for the happy couple. I guess they enjoyed their meals because they ate more than the rest of us. Faye paid for it all and Dad left a tip. They fought over the check, but Faye's fortune cookie gave her the edge. I took their picture, and then we went home. Faye followed us in order to check addresses with Dad. I read to Mom in the bathroom, then took her out to the den. She read a book while I removed a splinter from my hand, and listened to an audio. Faye left about 10, having to be at work at 11. I put Mom to bed, then returned to my audio (it says it is 3 hours long:( It isn't over yet, but I am going to bed anyway.

Mom's best day

I got up when I heard my father walk my mom out to the den. I went out to help Mom eat and to fix my own breakfast. After breakfast, they went to the fitness center. I stayed behind to listen to two audios, dress, sunbathe and read e-mail. In one e-mail I read that Gail is in the hospital. I hope they give her something better then dogslobber (don't ask, inside joke) I am glad to hear she is getting better. My parents were home by noon. Dad fixed lunch while I gave Mom some kombucha tea and read to her. We ate lunch (with kimchi). Dad did whatever it is he does that is amazingly devoid of actual results. I think he was getting ready for Kevin to come and clean and cook. We looked at the chair wheels that are broken to see how they come off and made plans to find new ones at Lowes. I found something really yucky spilled on a side table in the diningroom. I put the table coverings in a bucket to soak. Kevin came over between 3 and 4. Dad decided to take the car to the garage, then walk to the bank and back home, at which point we would go to Lowes together. Mom decided she wanted to crochet. I did not know where her crochet cotton was, so I helped her up. First she went to the hall closet, but didn't find it. Then she went beside her bed, reached over the headboard and lifted a good-size suitcase from behind it. She took out the yarn, then put it back. I was surprised to see her do this. Then she asked for a crochet hook. I gave her the case and she selected one. I didn't think she could crochet with her right hand all fisted, but she did! Then she wanted to go out to the deck. She asked for a trowel. She dug a hole in the flower box, and asked for her spider plant. I grabbed one of the babies for her. She laughed at it, but planted it. Then she asked again for the plant. I didn't think it would fit, but I gave it to her anyway. She dug another hole and stuck it in there, requesting that I water it. Then she walked out to the garden, looking for mint. I assisted her, but she found mint I couldn't see. She told me to dig some up and take it along to Huntsville. I told her I would do it Friday. Then she wanted to buy begonias to plant. Thankfully she got distracted watching the neighbors. Then she wanted me to send some e-mails for her. I got worried when Dad was not home by 6:30 because the bank closes at 5. But then he showed up, having walked to Lowes without me, and having spent 20 minutes in a car out front writing in his checkbook. He took Mom for a walk and I followed them with the wheelchair. She walked at least half the way without his assistance. Another wow! They went to the end of the street and back. Then he decided to push her around the neighborhood. I stayed back to talk to Kevin who was finishing up the casseroles. He left about the time they got back. Dad started fixing supper (which was odd since Kevin had just done it). I took Mom to the bathroom and read to her. In all that time, Dad accomplished cutting the casserole into 14 precisely equal pieces with a ruler. It was 9 by the time we sat down to eat. Mom got to watch her show until then. After supper I sat down to read e-mail while my father completed whatever after-supper rituals he regularly did. I was listening to an audio on sprouting when he started marching Mom to bed. I took over so he could record events in his diary. I put Mom to bed with the mp3 player on playing a delta sleep session. I hope it helps her. It is late now, but I am going to post pics for the previous couple of posts before I go to bed. At least tonight I will have a pillow.
* Here are my parents coming home from the fitness center. *

Back with my parents

After getting to bed really late, Michele and I talked before falling asleep. So I slept late, but she get up early. She had left her new computer on all night to download some game which she couldn't wait to play. But she played it in the livingroom, which meant that she opened and closed the squeaky door A LOT. I figured I might as well get up. I ate breakfast, got dressed, picked blackberries and got my stuff together. Al drove me over to my parents' place. He stayed to chat for a bit. After he left, it was lunchtime, but my dad was getting Mom's pills ready for the week. He said it normally took less than an hour, but today it seemed to go on forever. I fed my mom some blackberries, then sat with her and tried to do some energy work on her. I think we started lunch around 2. I tried to help speed the process, but he wanted to do each thing himself. I fixed Mom a sandwich and fed it to her. A storm blew up from the NW. Dad watched the weather channel the way some people would watch a football game. I didn't find it that interesting. Dad gave me a pair of shorts that needed mending on the pocket. Then I got out my star parts and sewed the first ones together by hand. Dad fixed supper, which took far longer than anyone would expect. Patrick came over and Dad asked him to clean one of the cars. I offered him some kimchi and he ate two bowls of it. But he wouldn't touch the fermented tea. After supper Mom and Dad ate some blackberries, then went for a walk. By then the sun was setting. And it wasn't a walk so much as a run. Even though he was pushing the wheelchair with Mom in it, I had to run now and then to keep up. At one point I almost stepped on a dark spot on the road, thinking it was a wet leaf. But it started jumping like a frog and I just missed it. Halfway through, he turned her around and came back because it was too dark. She thought she had to go to the bathroom, but then ... nothing. So I read to her and then she went. I sat her in the den. Dad gave me a piece of choral music to share with my choir director. I gave him some hand softener made by the lady who raises bees. Finally Mom agreed to go to bed. I brushed her teeth and dressed her. Dad finished the dishes in the dishwasher, and took his time decided what to wear to bed. I clipped Mom's toenails and offered to clip his. I left her in bed, and went to write my blog. I was surprised when my laptop actually connected with Dad's wifi. But here I am, and I am almost done except for a pic. I didn't take any today.

Michele is here at last!

We slept late. Al and Cecily were already up and getting ready for church. Chris got up before I did. I fixed my breakfast. Cecily and Alfred went to church. After breakfast I took a shower. Chris ate his breakfast then showered after I did. He put his stuff in the car and headed for Fort Belvoir. I read my e-mail, then went outside to see the blackberry patch. It was full of ripe berries. It wasn't so full when I went back in the house. I listened to the last few tracks of the book on CD that we started in the car. I read some more e-mail and then I lost my connection to the internet. I took my laptop back to the computer room. For some reason I was able to get signal back there. Then Al and Cecily came home. Cecily made bacon, eggs, and english muffins for brunch. After brunch we sat around talking. Then Al and I went to WalMart to get wine and a few grocery items. I saw that they were selling green coconuts. I haven't been able to find any in Huntsville, but then I never thought to look in the WalMart. On the way back we stopped at the convenience store that sells homemade kimchi. I bought a medium-sized jar. We took the groceries home. I suggested we all take a nap because of having to meet Michele's plane at 11:30. And I thing we did, except for Cecily. She made a peppercorn pork roast for supper with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. She woke me up when it was ready. After supper we watched some TV. I checked my e-mail and it was all deletable stuff. Faye called to say she wanted to meet Michele's plane, too. So I told her to come over. I went outside to practice a new energy technique. Later Faye came over, and we all got in Al's Cadillac to go to the airport. Michele's plane was early so we did not have to wait long. I was so happy to see her come down the hallway from the gate. I gave her a big long hug before releasing her so the others could greet her. We went downstairs to pick up her bag and then proceeded to the car. We had a good time chatting on the way back. Michele, Cecily and Al went in the house while Faye and I stayed out in the driveway talking. Then she went home and I came in. Now I am posting quickly to my blog on Michele's computer since mine won't cooperate. Pics to follow.

Trip to Richmond

Chris got up at 6 to take a shower. I slept in because I took mine last night before I went to bed. I did not exercise, and breakfast was mostly fixed. I just added the almonds and milled chia and flax seeds. Sadly, as I sat down in front of my laptop to eat and read e-mail, I bumped the bowl and half of it went flying. I ate what was left and then cleaned up what had spilled. I don't want to come home to ants. I gave the veggies one last watering. Anything in a pot came inside the house. That includes my marigold seedlings. Chris packed the car. I made sure I had the cords that go with all the other stuff I packed. I grabbed the kaleidoscope quit and its matching binding in case I need something to do. I forgot the matching thread. We headed out of town. I am not a big fan of long car trips and this is one of the worst. However, Chris had gotten several books on CD from the library. Usually I fall asleep, but the ones we played today were easy to hear and follow, so I stayed awake. They were Janet Evanovitch books read by a woman. Our third book was read by a man and it was harder for me to make out what he said. I did fall asleep. We stopped midway at Cracker Barrel for lunch. We had to wait for a table and then quite a while for my salad and his sandwich. Had I known how long it would take, we would have kept going. We had almost finished the third book on CD when we arrived at my in-laws house. Cecily made chicken cacciatore for supper. We sat around the table to share news. We called Michele who was getting ready for her trip to the states. First Cecily went to bed, then Chris. Al and I stayed up for awhile. But then he turned in. I had trouble getting on the net, and being the only one up, had no one to turn to. But now I'm on, and once I post a pic, I am going off to bed.
* This is a quilt I saw in Padukah *

Packing for the trip

I got up with lots of things to do in mind. I watered the gardens and said a prayer for rain while we are gone. I did not find anything to pick. I put several things in a pile to get packed later. I did remember to exercise today, and then I ate breakfast and fixed breakfast for tomorrow. I packed my supplements and special breakfast foods in a box. At least I don't have to worry about getting it all through customs. I listened to parts of several audios. I spent 20 minutes laying in the sun. I was going to mow the ditch but it just wasn't important compared to other stuff I had to do. Last night I had cut out pieces for a star. Today I sewed them together. It's ok, but I will make another one and be more careful so it will be more accurate. I tried to move some mp3 files from the laptop to the desktop. I tried it by e-mail, even zipping the file, but Yahoo just couldn't attach the files. I gave up on that, and created a CD for my Dad from the laptop. Chris came home before one. He found me a CD sleeve to put my Dad's Cd in. He did two loads of laundry so we would have clean clothes to pack. I packed a few things in a suitcase, but just couldn't concentrate. Finally I realized that I was cold, being dressed for hot outdoor weather but with AC in the house. I cut some of the pieces for the first star and put them in a bag with a needle and thread. I may have an opportunity to hand-sew that one. I found my blue bag and packed that with things I will want to have with me in the car. We did not watch any TV. Chris, however, did watch me every time I leaned over to pick up or put down any item. Dirty old man. He'd better change his ways before Michele comes home for the summer.

"Still Crazy after 25 years" contest

I am not sure when I woke up. I decided to take Burt Goldman's suggestion of Quantum Jumping while in the state before full wakefulness. I don't remember where I tried to jump to, but ended up asleep. Therefore I got a late start on the day. I started playing an audio, then watered the gardens and took out the recyclables. I forgot to exercise and went straight to breakfast. I read my e-mail. I swept up the stray hairs from trimming my hair yesterday. I put away the clean dishes and reloaded the dishwasher. I scrubbed the frying pan. I picked a big cucumber and some cherry tomatoes for lunch. I laid outside in the shade to listen to one of the meditation sessions. I meant to mow the ditch since Charlie forgot to, but then I forgot, too. I worked on my latest star pattern, getting the pattern pieces just right. Then I selected fabrics and cut out all the pieces. I heard Chris come home. He fixed himself a plate of leftovers and I had some pork, too. I changed into nice clothes and wrote a check for Linda. I tried to print out a Show-and-tell sheet for a wallhanging but the desktop computer would not cooperate. I took the wallhanging anyway and something for the auction. I went to the HQH monthly meeting. I thought I was early, but it was really crowded. They were having a 25 year challenge. There were entries posted down both sides of the large room. People were voting for winners in each category and overall. I saw Linda. She brought my quilt quilted and I gave her the check. At the sign-up table I bought tickets for the raffle. Normally I don't, but they had a sewing machine, among other prizes. What I did not know is that they gave every one one shot at the machine, and the bought tickets were only for the other prizes. So I put all my tickets on the chocolates basket. The meeting went long. Show-and-tell was short, but the awarding of prizes seemed to take forever. I did not win the machine or the basket of chocolates. They had bought tote bags to hold goodies for the prizewinners. Then they raffled off the extra bags, empty. I decided to leave. As I was walking out, they called my number, but I did not need another totebag. When I got home it was after nine. Chris was watching a movie in the basement. We watched two episodes of MASH before he went to bed.

An interesting star

I was up early, around 7 I think. I knew Charlie was coming, so I went out to water the plants and rake around the tree. I was also going to mow under the tree, but picking the dandelion comes first and it was too early in the day. If I picked it early it would be wilted by lunch. I went back in for exercise and breakfast. When I heard Charlie mowing, I wrote the check and went out to give it to him. I reminded him not to weedwhack things I had planted and not to mow under the tree. His love of hot peppers came up and I promised him some, which he said to give him later. So when he was trimming, I went out with a bag. He accepted it and talked for awhile. Then he finished up my lawn and went across the street. I chose one audio to listen to. When it was over and Charlie was gone, I laid outside for some sun. Then I decided to mow under the tree. But Charlie had already done it. I took a shower and trimmed my hair. I cooked up a pound of organic ground beef and ate some of it for lunch. I picked a cucumber, the tops of the spinach, dandelion and turnip greens. I pureed them and poured it all in the popsicle molds with some stevia. I put water in my spigot jar, but it leaked. I tightened it with a wrench 4 times, but each time it leaked, only slower. I found an interesting star pattern online. I printed out the directions and several copies of the pieces. I took them to the sewing room. I was able to determine that it would be about 16 inches wide. So I arranged all the pieces in as small a space as possible in the center of a piece of paper. Then I scanned it and enlarged it to cover the whole piece. I printed that out, and determined that it would be about 22 inches. Chris came home and made some asparagus to go with the leftover pork. I ate some asparagus, fried up the mushrooms, and an egg. Not bad. I put on another audio that came in, but didn't say how long it was. When I got tired of it, we went down to watch NCIS. We finished the season and watched an episode of MASH before going to bed.

Scoby springs a leak

I got up, and started one audio, deleting the rest. I put my laptop in a backpack and watered the plants. I found and picked the largest cucumber yet. I jumped on the rebounder, then prepared and ate breakfast. I started a new batch of fermented coconut milk. I read my e-mail, and put one scoby and the tea back in the scoby home. I poured the pepper water into the blender to puree it. I squeezed it through a coffee filter twice to strain the bits out. I used it to make a recipe with alcohol and soap to spray on white flies. I sprayed it, noticing that there are fewer white flies around than yesterday. I trimmed another bush, then cleaned up all the trimmings from yesterday and today. I laid out in the sun for 20 minutes. I noticed that the scoby home was leaking. I tried tightening the spout, but all it did was leak slower. I put scoby in a jar with its tea. I tightened the spout again, and put some water in the jar, but it kept leaking.
Chris called to say he'd be late. I read more e-mail, and then went through some songs on the piano so see if one was good for an audition. Chris came home about 6:30. He ate supper and worked on the spout. It still leaks. Since I did not ever loosen it, I don't know why it leaks now when it didn't before. We watched three episodes of NCIS, and then Chris went to bed. It is not even 10 yet so I am staying up for awhile.
* This is my grandmother's sewing machine. It sewed through 6 layers of heavy upholstery material on Friday. *

The first of the daisy-like flowers

Last night after I posted to my blog, I was able to change my e-mail address on Blogger. It has been wrong for 4 years now because it requires access to the old account and the old account is gone. But now they've changed it. Whoo-hoo! This morning, I watered the plants, happened to see the mail truck stop, so I got the mail. There was my package of Ph test strips. I exercised, ate breakfast, and looked up toothpaste without glycerin - it was hard to find. Then I remembered that my friend Doris wanted me to audition for the Huntsville chorus so I looked up their website to see when the next audition date was. The website said at the audition you are expected to sing a song of your choosing. So I wondered what song I should sing. I pulled sheet music from my collection (Man of La Mancha), found my favorite songs from Rigoletto on Youtube, and went on to Phantom of the Opera. I had a fantastic time singing, but could not make a decision. It was sunny so I went out to sunbath. I only got through the first audio before the sun went behind a really big cloud. So while I waited for it to pass, I sprayed weeds and white flies with possibly moldy kombucha, trimmed shrubs in front of house, and mowed inside the fence. When the sun came back I finished sunning my other side, then went in to have a drink. I read the latest e-mail, and researched how to deal with white flies. I call Dad since I didn't call yesterday. I talked to Mom, and she spoke well. Dad says he has cut out her sleeping pill and she seems more energetic. Chris came home and ate supper. He read his personal e-mail, and we went out to the garden to see the first daisy, and pick hot green peppers. He went back to work for a late meeting. I read more e-mail, googled the effects of fluoride on the pituitary gland, made a new batch of tea, and boiled dried hot peppers to make more hot pepper spray . Then Chris came home so we watched one episode of NCIS before he went to bed.
* This is the first bloom of the plant I had tentatively identified as a black-eyed susan using the plant identification books that Doris lent me. *

Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?

I started fixing breakfast before Chris came out to the kitchen. However I wasn't quite finished so he had to wait to start his coffee. After breakfast, I took a shower and got dressed. I wore a skirt and top I made in Korea. But they didn't look any better on me now than they did then. Still can't figure out what the problem is, or the solution. Anyway, I changed clothes. I wore a long sleeve white top and a dark blue skirt with white flats. Does it really matter what I wore? Apparently it did. When we got to church, I walked up to the usher to get a bulletin. One of the other ushers called me by name. He was old, stooped over, and vaguely familiar. I turned towards him to shake his hand, but he hugged me and kissed me on the cheek (possibly because I turned my head). He stepped back, looked me over, and said "Not bad." I looked around for Chris but he was gone. I hurried into the sanctuary wondering why these things happen to me. Next time I hope to have Michele with me for protection.

Because today is Father's Day, there was a topical sermon and the same little girls that handed out roses on Mother's Day, handed out a paper for Father's Day. After the service, I was looking at the new paraments which were pieced and quilted. The organist came to talk to me. She said some of them might need replacing if I were interested. When Chris came over, we left for Publix. We got groceries and took them home. Chris started putting them away, but I changed first. I gave Chris what he has been saying he wants for years now. (I am looking forward to regular clothing tomorrow). I helped put the rest of the food away. I had a can of organic soup for lunch. I went outside for my 20 minutes in the sun. Then I sat near the garden and read a book. I came in to recharge my laptop and read e-mail. I took the irons and the ironing board down to the sewing room. I searched through bags of scraps for yellow pieces. I pulled out my stack of yellows from my stash, and it was smaller than I had thought. Then I sat on the couch to look through quilting magazines for an appropriate pattern. I narrowed the list to three. I was getting chilly, so I took those three magazines outside with a piece of paper. I sat in the sun while doing the math to figure out how many of what size squares I needed to make each quilt to a certain size. Then I came in. Chris was making supper and playing a game on his computer. I read more e-mail, searched the net extensively for pics of scrap quilts, crazy quilts, and one color quilts. Then I folded the laundry from yesterday. When supper was ready, he pulled the pork roast from the oven and sliced me a piece. We also had quinoa and asparagus. Oh, and I fixed a salad of fresh cucumber and broccoli sprouts. I have never had such a good crop of cucumbers as this year. When he came to a good stopping place in his game, he went down to warm up the DVD player while I loaded the dishwasher. Then we watched the usual 4 episodes of NCIS. Chris has gone to bed, and I am finishing this post with a pick of supper.

'Computing' in the dark

I got up first, and posted to my blog. I read e-mail, ate breakfast, watered the plants, and picked a cucumber and a hot pepper. We watched 4 episodes of NCIS. Then Chris worked on my laptop to reset the settings that got changed. I donned my bathing suit and laid out in the sun. I took a book with me but ended up not reading it. When I felt I had been out long enough, Chris was done on my laptop, so I sat down to make out a Swansons order. I needed just one more item to get free shipping, and spent too much time trying to find an all natural shampoo. Then I put away grandma's machine, and the sewing stuff on diningroom table. Chris made cod for supper. I put quinoa in a bowl to soak for tomorrow. After supper he played with the voices. It was so loud that I went outside to have some quiet. The sad thing about our apartment in Korea was that it wasn't big enough for me to get away from the voices. It reached every corner of the place. At least here I can go outside (with my laptop) or down in the basement. I sat outside reading e-mail and following links until after dark. When my battery ran out, I came inside to plug the laptop back in. As the game continued, I finished what I was listening to, cleared out more e-mail, and posted to my blog. The game ended and we went to bed.
* pic from Padukah *

Purse class at my house

I got up early with Chris. He helped me add the last leaf to the diningroom table. I read e-mail and fixed breakfast. I skimmed the white stuff on the top of the kombucha tea. I put the scoby into quarantine. I set up an ironing board in the living room. When I plugged in the iron, it didn't work. I tried it in several other outlets, then got another iron. But it did not work in the first outlet either. I think that outlet is faulty. I was listening to the second audio of the day when Deb called to say she'd be late 'cause she had to stop for another zipper. But that was good 'cause Linda showed up on time and brought her book of quilting patterns. We discussed which ones to use on my kaleidoscope quilt. When Deb came over, I showed them my sewing room, but we set up the sewing machines in the dining room. They cut their bag bodies downstairs. Deb hadn't cut her pieces yet so she did that while LInda started sewing. It all went well, mostly. Deb's fabric was really thick and she had trouble turning the straps. She cut another, wider, set and that went much better. In sewing them on, there were so many layers that both her machine and my machine balked. However, Grandma's all-metal Pfaff from the '60's did the job. Deb left about 4:30. I put a few things away and donned my bathing suit. Chris was driving up as I went out to lay in the sun. Ten minutes (one short audio) on each side. (Let me just say here that if you are ever feeling lonely, ignored, rejected, then go outside and lay on the ground. Every bug in the vicinity will visit you. You will be very popular in a short time. And if you sweat, you will be their dream come true. ) I settled in to read e-mail for awhile since I did not have much time earlier. Chris was going to play with the voices, but only one voice showed up. Still, it was so loud that I moved to the bedroom for some peace and quiet. Chris came back later to say the game was canceled and did I want to have a bowl of soup and. or watch the next season of NCIS? He brought me the onion soup, I finished the audio I was listening to and then we watched TV. Now I don't know if onion soup and 4 episodes of NCIS constitute dinner and a movie, but my blog did not get written until the next morning.

Preparing for the quilting ladies

I read e-mail until I woke up. While I was reading, the computer shut itself down, reset my settings and then started back up. I was NOT happy! But who do I complain to? Who told my computer that it was allowed to restart to enable updates without my permission? So I took out the recyclables, separated out the glass, and put the rest by the street. I watered the vegetables and newly planted flowers. I noticed the first tomato plant had been eaten about waist height. And the wild lettuce was recently stripped. The deer has been here! I alternated exercise with steps in the preparation of breakfast. I checked the batches of kombucha. I saw something that might be mold in the large batch. I removed it with a spoon. I poured some out into a mug so I could test the Ph. But the tester would not work. I added vinegar just to make sure it was acidic, but still the needle would not move. I had inadvertently left it on last time I used it. I changed the battery three times, then tested the batteries. They were fine but the unit was toast. I listened to audios while creating a neatness. I downloaded several versions of Metatron's cube and printed them out so I can use it for a quilt pattern. I put on my bathing suit and went out for 20 minutes of sun. When I came in, I heard a knock at the door, and found my Swanson order on the porch. I went downstairs to clean my sewing room. I always say that my sewing area is where the magic happens. Usually I am referring to the creative process, but today it was the neatness. After picking up all the scraps, putting the rulers in place, moving some of the 'stuff' out to the garage, etc, it looked so good that I wanted to start a new project. But, the whole point of cleaning it was to get ready for the ladies who are coming tomorrow to make purses. I am not sure what I am going to do with them. I am expecting three people, but more could come. They could sew downstairs if they didn't mind sewing while standing up. Otherwise it will have to be in the diningroom. Chris came home while I was running the Hoover. I came up to meet him. We had leftovers for supper. He looked at the kombucha too and identified it as mold. I looked up my electric Ph tester on Amazon and the reviews were bad. Then we watched the last of the NCIS season. I really hate it when they end with an episode that raises major questions right before the credits.

Finally - a working cooktop

I scrubbed bathroom sink, Then I checked my scobys for signs of either life or death. Still undetermined. I alternated exercise with removing stuff around the stove top and underneath in the cabinets. Then I ate breakfast, listened to audios. Bob showed up and I noticed a doorway full of spider webs that were not there yesterday. He took out the old top and put in a newish one that he got from a renovation. Maryann called on Skype. She said that after reading my blog, she woulnd't want to rent a house. Bob heard that and laughed. He left to buy a circuit box. She and I talked for three hours. She asked questions about things she read in my blog. Bob came back and finished the job. Talking to Maryann kept me from slowing him down with conversation. He also brought a part for the grill in the carport. After he left, taking his towels with him, I was still talking to Maryanne. When she hung up, I ate some lunch. Then put on my bathing suit and laid out in the yard for awhile. I brought my laptop along to play two short audios. Each one is 10 minutes. That helps me time my sunbathing. 10 minutes on each side and I'm done. I covered the laptop with a white towel to keep it out of the sun. I put my regular clothes on and transplanted two four-o'clocks and an orange thing. Then I sat in the shade to read. When Chris came home, I went in. I saw all the pots and pans that needed to go back in the cabinet. The good news was that there was more room. The bad news was that part of it was blocked by a loop of electric cable. I put a screw in the back wall and twist-tied the cable to it. I put the dishes away. Chris and I each had some pork barbecue for supper. We got caught up on e-mail. I finished first and sat in the guest room to read. When he finished, we went down to watch episodes of NCIS. It is only a little after 10 and he went to bed, so I guess I will, too. Aren't you glad I posted a pic of the stove top and not of the spider webs?

Bob bests the clog

First thing this morning I checked kombuchas, adding distilled vinegar to one, and moving both to the dining room. Chris left the bread machine open, so I filled it and left it to run. I exercised, read some e-mail, fixed breakfast, read more e-mail, deleting some audios and listening to others. I took a shower and researched kombucha test strips. I noticed that the kombucha 'weed killer' is fermenting but there is no sign that the other ones are. The weeds are looking a little dry but otherwise ok. I gave up waiting for Bob to call. I went out to mow, rake under magnolia tree, pick dandelion, and mow again, finishing the yard. Now I know that it takes 4 days to mow this lawn with a push mower. I put the mower away, and here comes Bob. He called but I didn't answer so he drove by and saw me mowing. He measured our cook top to see if the replacement will fit. Then he worked on the bathroom sink while I made my dandelion salad. He took off the trap, ran a snake through the pipes, put it all back together, and it worked fine, better than it had since we moved in. He promised to come back tomorrow at 10 to replace the Jenn-Aire cooktop with a regular cooktop. He also said he had an extra grill part to fix the grill in the carport. After he left, I boiled some water to make a small jar of green tea. But I put a probiotic capsule in it instead of a scoby - just curious to see what happens. Then I went outside to lay on a sheet while listening to some meditation audios. I also spent time out there reading the book that came in the mail a day or two ago. Chris came home and checked the mail. There was another book for me, so I went in. While he heated onion soup on the stove, I went to the bedroom to read. I heard the sound of a large truck in our driveway. I ran to the window and saw Fed-Ex. So I ran to the door. It was my nuts.com order, praise the Lord. The soup was ready so he put some in a bowl for me. I ate it outside then walked around the back yard, looking at four o'clocks. When I came in, we went down to watch NCIS. Then it was time for bed. - there's a big roach staring at me as I sit here. I would hit him with a shoe if I were wearing any -
* Picture is of quilt at Paducah show *

Nutricious tea or vicious weed killer?

It rained overnight so I went straight to e-mail and then exercise when I felt awake. I changed the cover on the kombucha because a larger one would give it more cover. I poured boiling water in bathroom sink because the stopped-up water was beginning to smell. I ate breakfast, read the latest e-mail. No audios had been posted yet, but one e-mail had FIVE links to interviews being held through out the day. I sprayed hot pepper juice on the turnip tops, spinach and the pepper plant. They all look a bit wholey. Chris called to say he saw mold in the kambucha. I read up on kombucha mold. Someone recommended spraying it with distilled white vinegar. So I went to Kroger for vinegar, and also found a jelly roll pan. I sprayed vinegar on the weeds in the cracks of the driveway, and on the kombucha. (I had read the vinegar was good for weed control). I spent time picking up sticks in yard. I put dirt in a pot and planted marigold seeds. I called Sharon, the property manager, but there was no answer, so I left a message. Bob called to say he will come tomorrow and use drain cleaner. I told him it was only a temp fix, but he says owner doesn't want to pay a plumber. I went to the sewing room, but had to clean it up first. After I did that, then I started collecting a pile of yellows. Later I went upstairs to check e-mail. I got worried that the new cover was an old tea towel and might have mold spores in it, so I washed it in really hot water and ironed it dry. Then I went out to mow. I mowed the rest of the front lawn and the ditch and part of the side yard. Several times the mower overheated and I had to stop and rake until it cooled off. When it slowed for the last time, I put it away. I guess it takes at least 4 days to mow this lawn. Chris came home while I was raking. He fixed himself a plate. When I came in, he pointed out that the mold had doubled since this morning. I was surprised to see that since I had sprayed it with vinegar twice during the day. I pulled out the scoby and put it in a jar with a little liquid. Poor scoby, evicted from his new home. Then I filled a large spray bottle from the decanter. I sprayed all the weeds I could find. I figured it is kinda like vinegar. I refilled the spray bottle then poured the rest of the tea out. I was very sad and disheartened to see it go. I washed the decanter out with hot water, and poured some boiling water in also to rinse it well, but not break it. When I was satisfied that it was clean, I poured the water out and dried the jar. I ate supper. Chris took me to Home Depot for a Ph tester. We tested the scoby water and it had a ph of 1.1. Yikes, way too acidic. But shouldn't that inhibit the formation of mold? Anyway, I poured in some of the other tea I made on Saturday(?) to balance it out. I am still waiting for that to ferment. I could throw in the scoby from the moldy tea, but I want to test it first to see if it is infected. We got a new movie from Netflix called "Chocolat", with Johnny Depp, although he was not the main character. It was a reasonable chic flick. And now its bedtime.
* pic from Paducah *

Hot pads are finished

I woke up early but was too stiff and sore to get up. Maybe it was from picking up pine cones or raking or mowing. Around 10:30 we ate breakfast and read e-mail. We did not go to church. Around noon I felt the need to talk a walk. So we went to Target and Kohls looking for jellyroll pans to replace the ones that were under the dish drainer (which rusted badly). Everything in the store was smaller than what we had before so we didn't buy anything. Then we went to Publix for groceries. A lady I met in church at mother's day recognized me and we talked for a bit. Then we picked up the items on our list and went home. Chris carried most of the groceries. I did not need to water any plants because it had rained. But I did pull a few weeds and use the pepper spray on the eaten plants. After reading e-mail, I went down to sew. I felt compelled to finish the hot pads before I could start a new project. But even then I could not start something new because I just had to 'fix' the blue and white top. So I took out a section of light blue and replaced it with a dark blue print, matching the slanted seam lines. Only then did I feel ready, and that is when Chris came down to see if I wanted to watch NCIS with him. So that is what we did, until supper was ready. Chris had prepared a pork roast in the oven. Boy, was it good! We also made ourselves salads. I picked greens from outside and a cucumber. This morning I drew out a cup of liquid from the kombucha and added a cup of the tea I brewed yesterday. The original cup of liquid went into the fridge and I finished it by the end of suppertime. This is how I plan to keep the kombucha going so I don't have to wait a week for each batch. Some people add fruit to their kombucha and I am considering it. After supper we watched 4 more episodes of NCIS and went to bed.

New home for Scoby

Breakfast was late this morning. First because of Chris and then because of the man next door. He had gotten out his chipper and was making mulch out of his stick pile and mine. I went out to ask him if he wanted pinecones or leaves. He agreed to both. The pine cones did well, but the leaves came out whole. I discovered that I was standing right next to poison ivy. So I quickly got my trowel and rubber gloves to dig it up. I washed the gloves, then took a shower and re-dressed. He was done then, but I went over to talk to his wife. The deer was eating their garden, too. Finally I came in for breakfast, and it was almost noon. After breakfast and e-mail, I decided to go shopping for a few things on a list I have been compiling this week. Barbara had given me a few stores to try. So I went out, into places I had never driven before. I did find the 'triangle' consisting of Home Depot, Lowes, and Sam's Club. But I did not find the overstock
stores. I was able to get most of what I needed, except for the washcloth and icepacks. So I broke down and went to WalMart. They had both. While I was there, I saw dish drainers. Mine is missing the rubber mat underneath. But for reasons I won't go into, I did not like the ones at WalMart, so I went next door to Dollar General. A man approached me and asked for money saying he hadn't eaten for three days. I had no way of knowing if this was true or not, but thought it could be a scam of some kind. I told him I was going in the store and would see him when I came out. While I was in the store, another man approached me. I think he was just trying to make conversation. They had the same strainer as WalMart. But I found a plastic try for $2. I asked the cashier about the man out front and she said she didn't know him. I kept $2 out of my wallet, so I could hand it to him without opening my purse in front of him. I got back in my car and
drove home. I showed Chris the lovely beverage dispenser that I got for the kombucha. I rinsed it out well, and poured the drink in. I put the ice packs in the freezer. I used the cord I got at Radio Shack to connect my laptop to the stereo system. It worked! E-mail had come in and I cleared it out. Chris made onion soup and I had a bowl while he was gaming with the voices (including Michele). I also had a shot glass of the kombucha. It was good, but strong. It was better in a glass of cold water. I had one audio to listen to. So I started it playing on my laptop, then put it in a backpack and went outside to rake and mow. I got maybe 3/4 of the front yard done. Then when I came in, there wasn't much e-mail, so I researched sensory deprivation tanks. There are places you can go, like spas, to experience one. But the closest one is in Atlanta. One google hit hinted that there is one at Redstone Arsenal. So I searched for more of that. What came up was an article saying they used it to simulate sex in space. Did I need to know that? Then I came across an article about a woman living in a flooded house with an amorous dolphin. I didn't need to know about that, either. The container didn't look very full, so I brewed another gallon of sweet tea to make more kombucha. When the gaming was over, Michele skyped me and we had a nice chat. When I heard that she needed to write two pages of her end-of-the-year paper, I hung up. Now Chris has gone to bed, and I will go shortly.

Finally the party takes place

I started reading e-mail while listening to the interview with Mark Romero. I put coconut oil in hair to condition it before I take a shower. I put in a Swansons order, and a Nuts.com order. I exercised, ate breakfast, and read more e-mail. Because the people in the back of us are having a party, I decided to mow the backyard. At least until mower stopped. I plugged it back in and went inside for water, lunch and more e-mail. I spread corn starch around the patio and back yard 'cause somewhere I read it would get rid of ants. I mowed some more, almost finishing the back yard when I got stung on a toe. So I mowed inside the fence, then went to front yard but mower stopped again. I plugged it back in, and went inside. I ran out of e-mail (that I felt like reading). The kombucha was finally a week old so I tasted it. Mmmmm. But the best stuff is at the bottom (so I hear) so I need a jug with a low spigot. I put on my bathing suit and took a green sheet out to meditate near the tree. I stayed in the sun for a bit, then moved to the shade. I had my laptop with me so I researched glass jugs on the internet. I decided to try looking locally first. I went in for a shower. William called about a sewing machine he found at the Goodwill. Chris e-mailed to say he was going straight to gaming after work. I told him to go ahead, I would party with the neighbors. As I was tapping through one of the EFT e-mails, I could hear music coming from the backyard. I looked out the window but couldn't see the party clearly. I wanted to go out, but not be obvious, so I grabbed a broom and swept the deck and patio. That gave me a chance to spy - I mean keep an eye - on the event. The music was really familiar, which means it was old - like the 80's. I enjoyed it so much that I picked up all the pinecones in the side yard, and then raked quite a bit of pinestraw. It got dark and I had to go in, but with the windows open, I could still hear the music. By the selection, I gather they are celebrating a wedding. I went downstairs with the idea of starting a quilt of yellows. I have one in purples and I want to eventually go through the color wheel. But what I came up with was two sets of hotpads. Why? Because first I had to clean up my sewing table and these padded, silver-lined scraps were lying there, bothering me, so I had to do something with them. Chris came home way earlier than I expected. So I stopped the second set of hot pads, and came up to write my blog before going to bed.
* Another pic from Paducah *

I was right!

I listened to the delta session again this morning. Then I had to get dressed and take out the recyclables. I watered my plants while listening to the first audio. It was hard to hear because the man next door was mowing his lawn. Exercise and breakfast followed. I started cutting the audios short. They take up too much of my day. I researched frequency to voltage converters. But most of what I came across was for installing in a computer. Around 2 I put on my bathing suit and laid in the sun on a quilt. I took my laptop to listen to two short BWE's. Then I moved into the shade. The bugs were just as annoying today as they were yesterday. But I was surprised to see the deer wander down the garden from between the houses. He must have been in my front yard. He was as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He kept turning to watch me as he sauntered next door. When I came in, I did a few errands and then called the management lady to tell her that my sink was completely blocked. She said they'd come on Monday, that her husband would be all caught up by the weekend and then we'd be on top of the list. I feel like we have been to patient. The drain has been a problem for four months. The stove has been a problem since before we moved in. But stewing over it doesn't get me anywhere. I strained the pepper spray that I mixed up earlier this week. The seeds must have choked up the sprayer. I put the result into another spray bottle and sprayed the pepper plant. When Chris came home, I hurriedly changed back into regular clothes. We went to the garage to pick up my car. Turns out there really was a reason for the check engine light which the dealer said was nothing. But its all fixed now. Chris made fish for supper, and it was very good. Then we watched an episode of NCIS and a Netflix movie called Priceless. It was all in French so it was a good thing it had English subtitles available. The female lead was the same lady that starred in Da Vinci code, only wearing less.
* Here is a pic from Paducah *

Outsmarting rabbits

I began my day by listening to a Delta BWE. I got dressed, watered some plants. I discovered two tomatoes half eaten, probably by rabbits. Didn't their mother teach them that there are starving rabbits in china, and so they should finish eating what they start? Yesterday I made a hot pepper spray to keep the bugs off the plants, but the spray nozzle got stuck. I tried to get the spray bottle unstuck. Then I did my exercises. I called Charlie who was supposed to come mow the grass, but it didn't grow. I felt badly afterwards. I fixed and ate breakfast. I kept hearing noises in my yard, and finally realized that the people behind us are erecting a large pyramid in their back yard. It turned out to be a tent with tables and what looks like sound equipment. I read my e-mail, and was sent a link to an article on continuous brewing for the kombucha tea. I picked and ate my first cucumber for lunch. I laid my purple quilt on grass so I could listen to audios and get some sun. When I went in, I turned around and saw the deer eating at the back of the yard. I watched him closely. After he left, I sewed tulle onto the tomato cage to discourage the rabbits. The I worked on the setting triangles. I finished them and sewed them to the quilt, adding a blue border to stabilize the bias edges. My laptop was recharged so I went back out to listen on the quilt. I had to wrap up in it because of the flies. Chris came home. He ate supper and left. I picked salad greens and made a salad for supper. He came home, while I finished eating and listening to one last audio. We went down to watch 3 episodes of NCIS season 4. Chris went to bed but I have a feeling that he isn't sleeping just yet.

Guild night

I started my day with e-mail and a CD called "Effortless Efficiency". I did exercises, and fixed breakfast. I put a check in the mail. There were the usual daily audios. I listened to them while folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, and cleaning up in the kitchen. I cut up some turnips and put them in jars with kimchi to ferment. I washed a small jar and put a skoby (which stands for Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) into it for Lisa. I did not need to water because it rained again last night, but I did review the garden. I got a tomato and a turnip leaf. The cucumbers are getting noticeably bigger every day. I also did some sewing. I worked on the setting triangles for the kaleidoscope. I added to a backing so that it would be enough for my quilt and the donation top. I ironed and folded the backing, the green kaleidoscope, and the donation top for transport. I went outside to rake up the fallen petals around the magnolia tree. I figured Chris would be home at any moment. I completely forgot that Venus was making its transit across the sun, so I missed it even though all I had to do was look up. I also dug tufts of grass from the cracks in the driveway. Finally I went in. I discovered it was 5:30 and I needed to get ready for quilt guild. I called Chris to see where he was, and he was almost home. He had picked his car up from the shop and dropped mine off. He changed clothes while I cleaned up. Then he drove me to quilt guild. He sat in the back of the room with his laptop. The meeting was more lively and informative than usual. One lady is a fabric rep and offered to put in a guild order at cost. Another lady was looking for teachers for a 3 day event. Lisa and I jumped on that offer. I gave Linda my backing and two tops. She will provide the batting and quilting. I gave Lisa the skoby. After the meeting Chris drove us home. I realized that we hadn't eaten supper. Supposedly there is a healing process your body can only perform when it isn't digesting any food, so we just didn't eat. Chris said it was too late to watch any TV but that was two hours ago and we are still up, using our laptops.
* I forgot my camera, so here is a quilt from Paducah that I don't think I've posted before *

Finally figured out those triangles

I woke up, not sure when. Chris was gone. I started my morning with e-mail and a supposedly energizing BWE, but it didn't work so well. I did a little chi gung to get going, then assembled the ingredients for a loaf of bread in the machine. That is when I heard someone trying to get in the door. Initially I was scared, but then I saw it was Chris. He came home to get his car and take it to a recommended mechanic. So I drove behind him to pick him up afterwards. He brought me home in my car, then went back to work. I fixed and ate breakfast, then resumed reading e-mail. I noticed a renewal form from a quilting magazine that I had written 'on hold, call to restart'. It was a message from 3 1/2 years ago. So I called the number and asked for the subscription to restart. They said they had no record of it by the zip code, but they could look it up by the credit card number or my account number. I did not know either, so after I hung up, I went downstairs to get a previous copy. I found one, but before I could get upstairs, I started working on the blue kaleidoscope. Bitten by the bug again. I figured out through trying one thing and another how to piece the setting triangles in a way that will complement the 12 point image. I pieced them as I listened to the last CD of the book "Timeline". When the book ended, I went upstairs to check my phone to see if anyone (including the mechanic) had called. No one had. I ate lunch, and walked around the yard to see how the plants were coming along. Two small tomatoes were ready to pick. The cucumber is twice the size it was 2 days ago. The wild lettuce was coming back, but evidently the deer came back to eat the new tops. I did not need to water anything because of the storm last night. I did smell dampness in the basement, but the only water I could find was in the garage. So I opened both doors to dry it out. I re-checked my e-mail, then sat on my bed to listen to one of the short BWE's on Youtube. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I heard was a noise in the driveway which turned out to be Chris coming home from work. He fixed himself supper while I sat, too lethargic to move. I must have woken in the middle of a sleep cycle. I finally got up to get a package of frozen fruit. I did not feel so good on that, so I picked some dandelion and spinach and turnip leaves for a salad. I felt better after that. Chris ran the dishwasher and we went down to watch a movie. He rented "Support your local gunfighter" with James Garner. It was only 8:45 when the movie ended, but he wanted to go to bed anyway. I tried, but it was just too early for me. I think I'll work on those pieced triangles some more.
* Here is an old haybaler we saw at the caverns yesterday. *

Cathedral Caverns

Up at 8, exercised, fixed breakfast, ate while reading e-mail. When I was in the shower, I realized that I didn't want to go to church without Chris. I felt kinda bad about that, but spent the time patching Chris' inner pocket. I had to do some of it by hand since I cannot get the machine inside the pocket. Maybe he could put all his pens and pencils in the other pocket to wear out that one equally? Just as I finished, Chris drove in from Atlanta. We went to the grocery store. I ate some pickled grape leaves. Then we went to Cathedral Caverns. It was a nice place. We arrived 15 minutes before the next tour started. Our tour guide was a very outspoken southern woman. She was a hoot! I was glad I brought my jacket because it was cool down there. She told us about the formations, and added anecdotes which made it more lively. One 'room' had the pillars that gave Cathedral caverns its name. Awesome! The guide told us that people sometimes get married there. At the end of the cave, she turned off the lights so we could experience total darkness. Chris behaved himself, which was the only time he did. The guide let me touch one of the rocks since I asked to touch something old. On the way out, we climbed some steps that the guide said she couldn't take us on (since it wasn't wheelchair accessible, it couldn't be on the tour). There were some interesting patterns in the rock up there. After the cave experience, we walked a couple of trails. We saw a little bird just screeching his head off. I couldn't believe such a small bird could make such a big sound. Then we saw the snake coiled in the tree nearby. Two friends came to join him and they all screeched together. We finished our walk and headed home. On the way, we heard a thump and I saw a dog kennel top skittering away from our car. I did not see it in the road, so don't know where it came from. But after that, the AC stopped working. We went to Icheban Japanese steak house for an early supper. It was good and I want to go back for the eel. Then we came home. We walked around the garden. I judged the tomatoes as needing another day (plus I wasn't hungry). Chris picked the hot pepper that was ready. Then we came in to brush our teeth and check e-mail. I watered the plants, and then we watched the rest of the NCIS season.

Free-sew day leads to a donation quilt top

I woke up slowly from a dream about Chris, to find that he wasn't there. He'd already left for Atlanta. He had invited me to go, but I have had enough long car trips for awhile. It was 8am. I fixed breakfast and quickly went through my e-mail. Then I packed seaweed and a can of pineapple for lunch. Downstairs, I packed my 'other' machine and some sewing supplies. I did not want to pack and unpack my regular machine again. Not sure what to work on, I threw some things in the box and left. On the way to sewing day, I followed some yard sale signs. I did not find anything worth buying however. Instead of taking my usual route, I took Memorial to University, which turned out to be faster. I arrived at 10. I was surprised how many ladies had turned out for our free-sew day. Deb's book order had come in, so I paid for the three that were mine. Lisa brought back one set of DVD's that I lent her. I promised to bring her a skoby on Tuesday night. I checked out what everyone else was doing before I settled down for the day. I started with the blue kaleidoscope, but found I needed stuff I hadn't brought. So I moved on to the quilt kit that I picked up at the HQH meeting. It came with squares of fabric and a pattern, which was in diagonal rows. It was a kindness to call them squares. So I re-cut each one. Then I sewed them in rows. By then the group had paused for lunch, so I did too. After lunch I attempted to sew the rows together. The 'other' machine was not very cooperative. At one point I had only two rows left, but was spending more time rethreading the machine than actually sewing, so I packed up all my stuff. I helped another lady carry her stuff out. Then I helped Deb turn her dresden plate into a square. There were only three of us then and we all helped each other get our stuff out to the parking lot. Amazingly, it was 5 and time to leave anyway. When I got home, I ate supper, then went outside water the plants, and peruse my domain. I ate two of the tomatoes and some
spinach. I brought out my laptop to listen to a few audios while connecting with the earth. Then I came in to sew. I finished the donation quilt, and thought really hard about the kaleidoscope quilt. I spent quite some time refining the points so they would lay flat. I put on the next CD of the book. Then I thought a lot more. Finally I cut the twelve sided kaleidoscope down to six sides. I'll figure out what to do with them tomorrow.

Cucumbers are a'comin'

When I got up, I saw that it had rained, so I did not need to water. I went straight to exercising. I fixed breakfast. As I read my e-mail, I opened one from the credit card company saying they had changed our cc number. It sounded strange to me, so I shot off an e-mail to Chris. It sounded strange to him, too, so I called. And waited. When I got a real person, she told me that a database had been compromised so they marked all the cards as lost/stolen just in case. I went back to listening to the audios. I took my laptop with me to do some yardwork. I raked up fallen magnolia blossoms. I checked out the tomatoes. The large one was ripe, so I brought it in and ate it. I ate a small one, too. I left the pepper for Chris. I found a growing cucumber. I put a cage around the cucumber mound for the vines to grow on. And I picked up sticks in the lawn. Then I went back inside to reenergize my laptop battery. I googled how to make kombucha tea. I boiled the water on the stove, put the tea bags in, and the sugar. Then, while waiting for it to cool, I went to the bank to deposit MaryAnn's check. On the way back, I stopped at a gas station to put air in my tires. I also noticed a sign on our street for an estate sale. I followed the signs 'till I came to a large house. I was expecting old stuff, but it was full of little girl dresses and baby items, as well as the usual kitchen stuff and some furniture. I got two hand towels, a music book, and 3 bags of potting soil. Most items were half off, which was a good thing since it was professionally run and I thought the prices were high. The tea was not cool when I got back. I read more e-mail, and heard more audios. Again, it was not cool enough to add the mother, aka skoby. Chris came home. I asked him to pour the tea into a large jar. He fixed himself leftovers. I was not hungry because I had eaten a bag of frozen fruit. Finally the tea was cool enough, and I put the skoby's into it to ferment. I put a piece of cloth over the top and found a dim corner to set it while it does it's thing. The article says it should take about a week. We spent the rest of the evening watching NCIS episodes. Tomorrow is a sewing day so I have to figure out what I want to work on and pack the necessary fabrics and tools.