July and Church Online

Quarantining was easier before the high 90s took some of the joy out of being outdoors. I still enjoy watering the flowerbeds, and on days without rain this is a high priority. The milkweed pods are bursting open--so much fun to see the neat little seeds lined up and then flying in the breeze. My hydrangeas are lush and green but without any blooms; the zinnias are getting closer to blooming and I still cannot bear to thin them. Coleus is one of my favorites. My tiny tomatoes have produced about a dozen; so I go to the farmer's market once a week.

Although I don't have any trouble staying at home, my creativity seems to be dormant. But I enjoyed working on these Color Blocks. They are 12" x 12" with different stitch patterns in each of the quadrants. Once I decided on thread color and what to stitch in each section, I felt a sense of order and calm and control--a welcome relief after the troubling news of rising COVID numbers and unrest and lawlessness.

I have also enjoyed making clergy stoles for my pastors. We miss being in church together, but it is wonderful that our staff have been making our services available online. We have learned how to have Zoom small group meetings and watch sermons on YouTube.  University Baptist Church