Mid-May Safe at Home

I am working on a lavender/purple ghost quilting piece at the sewing machine. I call it "ghost quilting" because I am stitching in what I think would be in the unknown area outside the center floral fabric. I start with a black foundation, apply a square/rectangle of floral fabric, and thread-paint the flower, imagining what is in the outer black "ghost" area.

A new puzzle is on the table. First I unrolled white paper before emptying out the pieces--voila! Thanks to Linda Ginn for this suggestion to help with visibility. Elizabeth is very possessive of the space and often waits for me there. Rahrah tries out the box, but it is only big enough for sitting--no curling up and sleeping. The puzzle is cat-themed and is going together nicely. Tarbaby isn't interested. He'd rather nap in the empty office chair.

Meanwhile, I've gathered more interesting grasses and enjoy noticing how different they are from place to place. The spiral Lady's Slipper seems to only grow in one yard on my walk, and I hope I don't steal so many that they disappear. 

I had a large dogwood tree blow down during Katrina in 2005. It left some roots at ground level, and lately I am seeing little rows of mushrooms growing from the dead root. Interesting!

Finishing Up February

What a busy month! I needed an extra day (29th). We had cold, we had rain, we had temps in the 30s, and temps in the high 60s. My yard is still soggy and has lots of dead limbs and twigs from some winds. These huge old trees constantly self-prune and drop dead branches. The azaleas have had enough warm weather to make them start to bloom, so we're hoping they don't get nipped by a late freeze.

     I've enjoyed some OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes, like an art class with my favorite watercolor artist Dana Stratton, a class about the trends and what is happening in Christian churches today with Brett Harris (my co-pastor), a talk by Carol Durham about working in an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Then we are beginning work on some new church liturgical banners.
     Our second Meistersingers concert was last Sunday afternoon--Winter in Blue--some beautiful music by a Norwegian composer and pianist, Ola Gjeilo. The first concert was last October, called Spirituals in Blue. The third one this season will be Mass in Blue--a requiem mass with a jazz flavor--as part of Festival South in June. The words of the traditional mass are there, but the music is exciting and surprisingly fun to sing. Rehearsals will be challenging but rewarding.

     In our Southern Fiber Arts group we exchange small (8" x 10") art quilts. Jackie Watkins made one for me inspired by the cover of the Spirituals in Blue concert. I made her piece using real leaves under organza, embellished with silk embroidery stitches.

I am holding the quilt Jackie made for me; she is holding the one I made for her

Cover for concert

My art quilt for Julia Graber

Art Quilt Karen Arzamendi made for me

  In bits of spare time I like to work on a jigsaw puzzle on the dining table. The table is long enough that there is plenty of room for meals on one end with the puzzle on the other end. The current puzzle may be far beyond my ability to finish. It's a beautiful scene of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms. The colors are strong and clear, but more than one piece will fit and look right but I often have to undo sections when I find an error. This is somewhat like picking out stitches or doing what I call the frog stitch (rip it rip it rip it).

Elizabeth modeling the ruffle collar I made for Christy's Stella

Rahrah watching out window

Tarbaby wanting my attention

Year End

It's hard to realize another year--another decade--has gone by, and we are ready to see 2020. I remember when approaching the year 2000 seemed so important. Year ends make us think about listing accomplishments or goals or failures. My biggest accomplishment was reaching my 84th birthday the day after Christmas!
I have made several art quilts, participated in art shows and special exhibits (The Fabric of Mississippi Living at William Carey University), worked jigsaw puzzles, raised a few herbs and flowers, attended exercise classes, savored music both by listening and participating, and generally enjoyed my blessed life. I scrolled back over my blog posts and chuckled remembering many good times.

My three cats have kept me company and made me feel loved. I got to see a black swallowtail butterfly hatch. I even enjoyed rescuing a baby squirrel and a little abandoned puppy. Central  Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation took the squirrel to care for, and Southern Pines Animal Shelter is taking care of the puppy.

I have tried to generously contribute to causes that are important to me. It is vitally important that we care for our planet and each other.

If I had to summarize 2019, I would have to just say that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm not sure what I expected this age to be like, but I feel certain it is better than my anticipation of it. I hope to continue making art. I hope to continue singing with The Meistersingers, to sing and worship with my University Baptist Church choir, to hear and enjoy music by USM orchestra friends. There are friends to be with, cats to snuggle, plants to tend, books to read, trips to take, more blue and purple streaks for Eric to put in my hair. I like the sound of 2020!