Spring is here!!!

I'm so happy to see the back side of winter! Although it was a bipolar day today ... sun, wind, rain, sleet, and just a few snowflakes thrown in to make you scratch your head.  

Got up early and got myself to Farmland for Geri-Fit.  I think that exercise group is what's keeping me moving.  Mostly stretches and such but we do most moves standing.  Lasts about 45 minutes.  I'm having to do a couple sets seated, but that's not too bad.  (After all, I'm not as young as I used to be.)  Plus, I've gained some pounds; something I don't need.  So I need to do this.  

Got home and showered and did some reading and planning a patriotic quilt project.  Right now I'm working on a quilt top using all metallic fabrics, a first for me.  I'm having a time finishing it because I'm not loving it right now.  Maybe I'll like it more later, when it's done.

I made a "real" dinner tonight; chicken alfredo from scratch.  No sauce from a jar for me!  It was pretty good, if I have to say so myself.  I should do that more often!!!  Most of my meals are like popcorn or cheese and crackers or oranges (love me some cuties) or some Healthy Choice meal (ick).

Crocheted Afghan in Neutral Colors

I turned this afghan in on Wednesday.  I really like it and toyed with the idea of keeping this one for myself.  I don't have any that I've made; I just have some cover-ups that I've purchased over the years.  But I think someone will appreciate it and need it more than I do.  As I crochet I try to remember to pray for whoever might use it.  Just finished a hat in a new design last night and I prayed that it keeps someone warm and stylish!

Rising of the Wabash River

On one of my drives I was just over the Indiana/Ohio border a couple miles and came across this sign in a little pullover/park.  So I found where the Wabash River begins (nearby)!  I've seen the Wabash at many places in Indiana, and Wendell and I even canoed it near Bluffton one time.  Interestingly, the White River, which flowed below our home in Greene county, rises just about 5 miles south of where I live now near Snow Hill.  The White wanders all through Randolph county and it is dammed near Muncie to form the Prairie Creek Reservoir.  The White has a lot of wandering to do before it dumps into the Wabash and then into the Ohio!

My New Anthem

Went to the Wheel and Spoke Antique Mall in Portland yesterday and saw this sign.  I think it should be my motto.  I often worry and am anxious about too many things that I can't control.  And I tend to make things big and complicated in my mind.  If I'd just keep it simple all would be much better.  And my blood pressure would be lower.  I never thought I'd get old and have to see the changes that I have seen in my family and friends.  Now I know how my mom felt.

Market Bag

OK ... one more thing then I'm off.  I crocheted this market bag recently.  It's made from hand-carded and spun Shetland sheep wool, in it's natural color.  I LOVE it!  Of course, now I need to find some farmer's market to show it off at, right?  I love the unevenness of the color of the wool!  Simple pleasures are best.

Remember to find something to be grateful each day. 

And thank God for what you have.

Autumn: My favorite time of year ...

I've looked back and can see I've not been good at posting what I've been up to these past few months. I'll try to be more faithful in that. Admittedly, I'm not as active as I was in the past. Most of my driving is just "drives" in the country. One of the things that might be affecting that is I'm slowing down. I had one of those "special" birthdays this month and another excuse is I'm also still mentally recovering from living through the tornado (as well as just now fighting off a mild case of pneumonia). So there's that ...

Here goes with some photos with blurbs of what I've been doing:

I went to the Randolph County Art Association show in the spring, over at The Art Depot in Union City. These first photos are from that show. I especially like this one because it's a painting of the building in Farmland where our knit n' crochet group, A Good Yarn, meets. I love the Red Gold mural, a local company. The artist did an excellent rendering of the old building which began it's life as a grocery.

The show was at the old depot building in Union City, IN. It's a wonderful building and I wish it was used more frequently. I do go to a bi-annual quilt show that's held there, too. But I don't think it's used for much else...

The chair of the county art association has her office there, in the west end of the depot building. She is a very talented artist in her own right. She gave me a tour of her office and studio. She was working on small portraits of women musicians.

That building (the old depot) would make a great venue for a small wedding or reception, or other small gathering of that sort. There's a large, roofed brick floored front platform that would be great for spill-over outdoor use, and the large, old waiting room where this art show was set up makes for overall a really generous area for events. I'm in love with that old depot and think it's underused. Oh, to be young and involved again!

Well, I'll just add these two last photos because my internet connection is sooooooo slow! I'll get back on another time and add more. (Sometimes it is hard to believe that I had super fast internet out in the boonies of Greene county and here, in town, it sucks!)

Took a drive to Downing Fruit Farm this weekend. Oh, memories! We used to take the boys there every fall when they were young and we lived in Ridgeville. We would walk out in the orchard, watch apples being pressed into cider, taste apples, and buy a half-bushel bag to take home. Usually followed by an apple pie that evening or next day. Well, now I have a peck of apples (which is really a very small amount; the smallest they sell) but I'll probably have to end up giving some away. I think some of the neighbor ladies might appreciate them ...

More later, I promise. My patience with the internet speed is wearing out. 

Take care of yourselves, each and every one, and God bless you!

Catching up ...

I see it's been a year since I wrote in this online journal. My life is so different now without my sweetheart. So much has changed. I'm slowing down. And I have had some real changes other than just Wendell's death. Been trying to get onto some sort of track. But in the past three years I've wandered and not found the path yet. I'm almost to one of those "special" birthdays and if I don't find the trail by October I don't know if I ever will. 

One of the biggest changes recently has been the tornado that has affected so many people here in my new hometown, Winchester, Indiana. I believe about 50 homes were completely demolished and more than 100 others severely damaged. There are lots of homes which are still sitting with tarped roofs and boarded windows. Here at our condo complex two units had to be completely torn down (that's 4 families out of a home) and about a quarter of the others so severely damaged that people couldn't move back in for days or weeks. Lots are like me; windows were boarded and living here but really we're just existing, waiting for the repairs to happen. So many people are in the same boat that a person can't complain; it seems like a hopeless situation some days.  And other days, when you see progress going on just down the street, you feel more hopeful. 

It happened March 14, more than five months ago. About 8 p.m. The sirens warned us and I believe that was why we had no deaths in town. It was a miracle. I left my chair where I was watching the weather radar on TV and went into the guest bathroom, which is in about the center of the condo. I took a throw I had on the chair and covered my head with it and hunkered down between the stool and the tub. Almost immediately it came thru. I don't know how to describe it. The sound. The worse besides the roar was the sound of things hitting the outside and roof. And the sound of breaking glass. Then it was over. Quiet for a few moments. 

Had my cell with me so I called my son Jeff to see if they were ok. They were out of town, near Cambridge City, and he said he would come back and get me. I called Ray and he told me what to gather together and put in the car and lock. No power so I couldn't drive out because of the garage door. (And found out a few minutes later that I couldn't have driven out anyway because there was an electrical line down across the only street of egress from our complex.) 

Besides this computer and paper files, I put Wendell's ashes in the car, too. Ray suggested that. As I went around with a flashlight gathering some clothing and other things, I could see several of the windows were broken on the west side as well as the door to the patio. There was a board laying in front of the bookcase. In the office there were shingles laying on top of the desk and on this computer and the printer and the floor. Lots of shingles and pieces of boards. And it was raining lightly, coming in the broken windows. Two pairs of men came to the front door and almost immediately emergency people started checking every home in my complex. I could see flashing lights and people shouting. Jeff got here in about an hour and he had to walk me out to Greenville Pike because of the downed power line. It was quite a walk for me but the adrenaline kept me going. I could see how badly the condos were damaged. Jeff said, don't worry, you can stay at our house. Well, when we finally made it to their house it was worse than mine. My heart broke for Jane and Jeff! They had worse damage than me.

Bottom line, around midnight we ended up in Richmond at a motel for the night, and ended up staying there for four nights. Jane's mom was taken to the local motel (where she still is BTW). She had just moved into the Lodge at Summer's Pointe two days prior to the tornado! Poor Betty! What a shock for her and just all of us. The next few days were a blur of patching up repairs. I stayed at the motel and then I went to an Airbnb place near Hollandburg OH for a few days until I had the place cleaned up enough to move back in. Had to have power restored, gas meter reinstalled (they had to pull it), and venting for the gas furnace & water heater repaired. My insurance adjust came to see me literally the next morning; he was here when we came back to town from the motel. I was paid within a week! God bless Farm Bureau Insurance! 

Since then I've gotten a new roof, new AC unit, new siding on all sides, new windows and doors, new garage door, new exterior trim, new storm doors, new shutters, painted front door, attic insulation replaced as needed, interior walls and ceilings inspected for moisture, fireplace inspected, crawl space inspected (found a little mold in one small spot and that was remediated). That will make this place look as good as new. They are beginning to rebuild the two units here that were destroyed. 

In town the tornado demolished three churches (including the one I went to), damaged Randolph Nursing & Rehab beyond repair; a strip center near Walmart that had Verizon, a tobacco shop, Japanese restaurant, nail salon was destroyed; the Goodwill store is still a skeleton; another thrift store was damaged beyond repair; part of the Silvertowne foundry was demolished, and Taco Bell leveled. In my complex it badly damaged the Summer's Pointe Lodge, an assisted living place; those folks are still living at various motels and nursing homes in the area. That's enough of that. Boy, that's the first time I've written that in full. 

I still journal (on paper) but have been lax about that since the tornado, too. No words can express how that incident affected me mentally. So, I think I'll just end with some photos.

Debris caught in the fence row near our complex.

The entrance to Walmart on right with debris of the Taco Bell. On left, Silvertowne and at the point, the New Life Church was leveled.

This was the day I got a new roof! Yeah!

Entrance to our complex. The duck pond is full of debris.

All of this looks different now and that is good. Two of the three churches intend to re-build. The nursing home is in limbo. The strip center will not be rebuilt. Goodwill says they will be back. Taco Bell just re-opened last week. The Lodge at Summers Pointe will reopen next month. It's looking up.

God is good!

Wow ... It's been three months !

Didn't realize I'd neglected to write here since April!  Actually, I've not been journaling as frequently either.  Life changes though, doesn't it?  My life is different now and not as interesting to me.  So it probably isn't to you either!  😄  Well, nevertheless I thought I'd drop some photos of things I've seen and done this spring and early summer. 

Just wanted to mention that today I attended the funeral of a church-family member and friend.  She was such a cheerful person and the pastor mentioned that in his wonderful eulogy.  There were lots of folks in attendance!  Wonderful meal following the service, which I helped with in a very small way.  What I will remember about Anna (but we all called her Duck) was her beautiful smile.  Even when she wasn't feeling like it she would give you that smile which, was a real gift you know.  My mother was like that; she had a great smile.  Sometimes I wonder have I earned such a ringing eulogy?  It was an exhausting day.  But how much more so for her family!

My sciatic nerve problem seems to be a thing of the past (thank you God) and I'm still doing those stretching exercises!  Who wants to go through that again!?!  I go for drives and see new country around here and check out any interesting shops I come across (fabric, antique, thrift, etc.).  I've been known to stop for an interesting looking garage sale.  Been crocheting at the Farmland Senior Center on Wednesdays.  Returned to Geri-fit for senior exercise twice a week.  But still I battle the weight.  For a while I did Keto and it worked but when I got down with the nerve pain I quit and guess what? .....  I've always said, when I die the first thing when I get to heaven and they have question and answer time, I'm going to ask God, why did you want me to be fat?  Is it my thorn in the flesh (like Paul)?  Is it a test that You know I'll never pass?  I told my brother Don once, when I die people will say "well you know, she was overweight" and even if I might loose weight some time in the future (LOLOLOL) and am not so heavy when I die, they'll say "well you know, she had been overweight for years".  I know.  You're laughing at me.  Good!!!

Well, here's some pictures of what's up with me:

I've made some more paper beads.  It's fun and really easy.  Made this bracelet for my DIL Jane.  Once I get started on the bead making it's hard to stop.  And now I have all these beads ...

Back to needle punch, too.  This little pouch will make a good gift for someone.

More needle punch waiting to be finished ... (and some beads that need to be put away)

Here's a little tote which I punched the rabbit piece for.  I find these totes and pouches at Hobby Lobby in several colors and I like using them to attach my punched pieces to.

I've been working on this bed runner for about 3 weeks now.  I hope I don't get tired of it before I finish it (I still have that king-size bed [sigh]).  

My sister and I went to Lewisburg and Verona (Ohio) a few weeks ago and my fav place there is the Little Shops in Verona.  She has the neatest stuff her shops, which are behind her home, are amazing to me!!!  I envy her talent to select, collect, arrange and display.  Plus she is a wonderful primitive painter!  She will paint on anything!  And the day we were there the turkey and chickens were out and about.  If you're into primitives, this is the place!

This is the back of her home.  Besides the two small shops near the house, there is a big barn full of primitives.  Every spring she has a plant sale which is a big deal around there.

My sister went home and duplicated this clay pot stacked thingy!  Way to go Teresa!

The Little Shops have three buildings to visit and this is the porch of one.  Her hubby has a furniture shop out back which I have yet to visit ...

When in Lewisburg Teresa and I stopped in a flower shop and for some reason this display of vases in all the colors of the rainbow struck me that day as just beautiful.  The two ladies working there were fun to visit with.  There are several nice shops in Lewisburg and this was one of my favs.

I found Annie Oakley's grave one day when I was out wandering the back roads.  It's on a little highway not too far into Ohio, north of Greenville.  As a matter of fact, this weekend is Annie Oakley Days in Greenville.  That's where Annie was from.

Well, I'll leave you there at Annie's grave.  It's a lovely spot and looked to me like it is well-loved.  God bless you and hope you keep safe and cool this summer!

Back in time for Spring ...

Well.  After that three-month hiatus I'll try to do some catch-up here!  My life is much slower now.  And I had some little hiccups recently but I'm thinking I can expect that more and more as time rolls on.  I gave up on getting a painter to come paint the inside of my garage so I did it myself.  Followed closely by some major sciatic nerve pain.  Sigh.  Lost most of March.  Did the meds followed by physical therapy thing (and still doing the take-home exercises they prescribed).  After that incident my right knee seems to have further deteriorated.  Another sigh.  I see knee-replacement surgery in my future if I want to walk much .....

Been keeping busy though with things I enjoy doing such as reading, crocheting, needlepunch and 'finally' back to rug hooking pretty regularly!  Since I've moved here I've really missed hooking with kindred spirits.  It's difficult to stay motivated if I don't have a group to meet with! That's just me.... There is no one I've found in this immediate area who does real rug hooking.  (There is one person about an hour away but she is more of an "artist" and we just don't share the same style.  I sort of feel for the people who take classes from her if they think that that style is what rug hooking is all about.  I'm more of the rug-on-the-floor type of hooker.  Just sayin.)  And I've asked around about others who might hook, contacting the local homemakers club and also my crafty friends at knit n' crochet.  Like most of us, those knitters and crocheters also dabble in other interests to some degree.  Some lots more than others.  And they're always interested in seeing and hearing about what's going on outside the yarn world.  

Speaking of that group (called A Good Yarn), we're just starting a new project for Life Stream, crocheting 100 small baskets for their Christmas project.  Last year we made 800 hats, but they've contacted other like-minded crafters in the 5-county area now so we only have to do 100 items and not 800.  Shoot!  We'll have that knocked out before the end of May!  So I've been making little 4" diameter by 4" tall baskets.

Let me look at my photos and see what I've been doing ...

On one of my many drives I stopped at the old Ceylon covered bridge just north of Geneva.  It's in the heart of Amish country and as I was stopped in the small park to take this picture a couple buggies went through.  I respect their desire to not be photographed.

Came across this historical marker just last week as I was coming home from a shop in Ohio.  Wandering the back roads again.  This 1860s building is just inside Randolph county Indiana about a half mile from the state line on county road 600S.  This was an old two-story brick school house called the Union Literary Institute.  They took students without regard to color or sex.  Classes were on the first floor and housing on the top floor.  The sign says that notable attendees included Hiram Revels, the first black U.S. Senator and James S. Hinton, the first black elected to the Indiana House of Representatives.  It also claims to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.  I wish someone would repair this building before it falls down!

Was wandering around a few weeks ago, coming into Albany from the south out in the country, and I accidentally found these shoe trees just outside town.  There are four large trees just loaded with shoes!  I saw some Chuck Taylors for goodness sake!!!  You just never know what you're going to come across.  And folks, found out later that this "place of interest" is actually listed on Google Maps ... 

Someone told me some time ago that there was a flowing well east of Spartansburg.  Well, I was wandering around in the southern part of the county, headed for Ohio, and came into Spartansburg from the west.  I remembered about the well and went out of town headed east and there in a nice little park was this well.  The water is very tasty by the way.  Spartansburg is just a little crossroads town with no side streets...

Well, I'll sign off for now.  My sister and I went to Lewisburg, Ohio a couple weeks ago and I'll share some photos I took on that shopping trip next time.  Lewisburg is a nice little town and it was just our style!  I'm still exploring this area and sure there's lots more to find.  Just wish my sweetie was here to "discover" with me.  Some days it's difficult for me to believe that he is not in this world anymore.  

God bless you all and take care of each other!

Taking a breather ...

I haven't posted here for several months.  With this post I am officially giving myself permission to take a little breather.  I may not post here for a few weeks again ...

Life is so different.  I try filling most days with 'stuff' to keep me busy.  Make lists of things to do.  Have the cleanest house on my block I'm sure.  Missing Wendell is the theme of each day.  Although I've now been through two grief therapy groups, still ...  But I am doing better than I was a year ago.  I don't want to live in the past and know that God is not happy with me when I stay inside myself and don't give back to others some of the blessings I've been given in my life.  Also, boys/sons are great but sometimes I wish I had a daughter, too.  Females are more empathetic I believe.  That's what I need.  Someone with an imagination big enough to encompass the grief I am experiencing.

Positive: I had a surprisingly good holiday this past month though.  Can't complain at all!  All of our little family came here and we had a great day.  Good food, talk, gifts and Uno.  And the weather was really good for the Michiganders to travel down this way.  

Let me look at my blog photo file and see what I find there ...

I did find this little handmade decorative plate with three angels scribed on it.  
Still enjoy antiquing!

I really haven't been any place new lately.  Winter keeps me home more than it used to.  I've been sewing on a quilt for Jeff and Jane and finished the top just this week.  After I get it back from the machine quilters and get it bound, I'll put a photo of it on here.  I still go to knit n' crochet each week and Geri-Fit twice a week (stretching exercises).  Go to a new Bible study group I was invited to, Shepherds Care, twice a month.  That has been VERY good for me.  Also, my new year's resolution was to re-read the Bible again.  Once I did it straight through, then two years later I did it in chronological order.  This time I'm just reading four chapters a day.  I'll finish before the end of the year that way, but it'll give me some days to take off.

I tried to loose some weight the past several months and did pretty good until Christmas, loosing about 18 pounds, then everything went to hell.  Biggest weakness: out of control with the fancy coffee beverages .....  ARGH!

Next Monday I am getting my rug hooking back out and intend to complete the Two Cats rug I began at a guild retreat in Terre Haute two years ago!!  So ... since I wrote that here, now I have to do it!  (See what I did there?  It often works.  Although I'm a terrible procrastinator.  Don't hold your breath.)

Also, I was given a 15" tabletop loom!  God is so good to me.  How do I get so lucky?  (My old floor loom that I sold when we moved here was given to me, too.) This little loom looked pretty awful when I got it and I wondered if it was salvageable, but Jeff took it home with him, took it apart, cleaned it up, tightened things, replaced some hardware and it looks amazing now.  Just missing one major piece, and I'll also have to buy some warping tools (that I gave away when we moved), then I'll be able to begin weaving again.  This time it will be place mats and table runners, not rugs.  Maybe even some dish towels -- who knows.  (That would be a first for me.)  Hey!  I can make gifts!

This mural is in Fountain City, which is just south of me.  The Levi Coffin Underground Railroad House/Museum is there.  This mural is on a building nearby.  It's pretty neat.  The house and museum are well worth a visit!

Well, that's it for now.  Remember: new year, new challenges!  God bless y'all!

Deja Vu all over again ...

Geez ... I have COVID again.  Almost exactly a year from when I had it in 2021.  I am mind-blown that even though I've done everything asked of me (got the shot, wore a mask, stayed out of people's faces, etc.) I still got it.  This time the symptoms are somewhat different but still not fun.  As with last time, it's the coughing that is laying me low.  However, I go on.  Went to Walmart this a.m. and picked up a grocery order.  Lots of soup and Keto ice cream ... that combo should do the trick, don't you think?  This time, as opposed to last year, I was able to get my NP to respond to my phone messages and she prescribed Paxlovid.  Which I actually can't tell if it's doing any good or not.  My kids will say 'it probably would have been worse if you hadn't taken it'.  How can they tell!?  We are all just participating in a big pharmaceutical company clinical trial.  And my DIL reminded me that this virus is man-made.  Which I don't think people remember anymore.  I had forgotten that fact ...  SO!  As I said: I will persevere!

So ... what's up with me other than that dreary fact?  As you know I love antique malls and shops.  I found 72 cute, very old quilt blocks.  I looked at them and thought, 'those aren't too soiled looking but just in case ...'  So I bought some quilt soap and followed the directions and washed them by hand.  Wanted you to see what I saw:

Here's the soap I used.  Just a couple teaspoons in a dishpan of lukewarm water.  Let them soak for a while.  Then I swished them around for a couple minutes.  (Put all 72 in at once.  They're 5" square.)

And here's how dirty the water was then I finished!  YUCK! YIKES! 
 

Rinsed when done.

The moral of this story is: when you buy old quilt squares in antiques shop and think: 'those don't look so bad; I'll just use them as-is' -- Wrong!  Always take the time and effort to wash before you put them into a new/old quilt top!

What prompted me to buy these squares is that several of the fabrics I can tell are very old.  Probably over 100 years.  They match some fabrics in an old quilt that my Aunt LaVe gave me years ago that was made by her grandmother.  Which would be my great-great grandmother.  (I have since passed this quilt on to my neice Cathy, so it will stay in the Schooley family.)

Other stuff:  Okay ... About a month ago I heard on the radio one Saturday that there was going to be harness races at the Jay County Fairgrounds Saturday so I just drove up there to watch.  It was so laid back and fun and I'm glad I went.  The grandstand is pretty big, so the few people there sort of rattled around.  But everyone was having fun.  Especially the Amish.  But that's another story.  It was all so 1960s.  The starting gate attached to the old car was vintage.  Here's a couple photos.  About 12 races.  One winner was owned by an Amish family and about 6 little stair-step boys had their photo take with the horse (which surprised me right there).  It was a fun couple hours, the weather was lovely, and there was also an auction going on in a building on the grounds that I checked out before I left.  So I keep busy.

Somewhere in there I had a birthday.  Birthdays just aren't the same anymore without my other half; I miss Wendell so very much, but especially on special days.  Nevertheless, I sure was showered with lots of cards and well-wishes online.  And these beautiful flowers (below) from Jeff and Jane.  Just gorgeous!  So ... I'm another year older.  It was just another day for me this year.  On that day I didn't feel any older.  But I'll tell you, after THIS week (covid) I sure do!

In closing, I just want to say how proud I am of the group I meet with at the Farmland Community Center.  The photo below is a couple tables of our "stuff" that we've made over the past few months.  They were preparing to distribute some of it that day (lap covers to the VA), plus pulling things out to put in a couple local fall craft bazaars to sell.  When we sell, it makes money to buy supplies to make more items!  A nice, neat vicious circle, yes?!  I'm proud to have participated.  There are some really good people in this world, you know!?

God bless y'all.  Pray for me that I can defeat this COVID!

Keeping busy ...

I've been trying to keep myself occupied. Nothing is the same now.  It's difficult to adjust to life without my best friend. One of my church friends said to me yesterday, 'Judy, I hate to tell you but it won't get much better.'  She's been a widow for about 15 years. Not too comforting but I think she was trying to snap me back to reality. I really looked at myself in the mirror today and I even look like a widow!  I guess what I'm trying to do is discover what the meaning of my life is now. It seems to have no purpose. Oh, I do some of the things I used to enjoy -- hobbies and such, taking care of my few potted plants on the patio, keeping the 'house' looking neat and tidy.  But I have no one here to tell me how good something looks or tastes, or how good a job I did on something I made, or how much they appreciate whatever it is that I've done. It all seems so meaningless. Consequently, I find that I'm doing less of the things that I used to enjoy.  All I can say that sounds positive is that I have always enjoyed being by myself, so there is that. I'm plugging along, trying to discover what it is that God wants me to do with the last years of my life. I'll let you know if I discover it ...

I continue to decorate the condo so that it feels like home. Found this real calf-hide rug for the little office. It feels so neat on my bare feet; I love to walk on it! I do go barefoot indoors year round, always have. Now, I still want to get some advise on how to efficiently arrange my work (guest) room. Something just doesn't feel right in there.

A few weeks ago my sister and I went antiquing in Decatur. We saw this mirror and both of us fell in love with the idea! It came off of an old dresser. Every time I see a dresser now with its mirror intact I'll think of how it would look repurposed like this. A shelf has been added to the top. So clever!

Met my friend Debbie in Hagerstown last week. It was a great day! We always just talk, talk, talk! In addition to enjoying fried chicken (and chicken livers for me) at Willie & Reds, we visited a couple shops on the main street. (We never got around to Abbotts Candies ... good thing for me. I LOVE their caramels and I'd probably loose a crown if I ate one.)  I took the three photos below at The Shoppes on Main. The fellow working there was so super nice. I ended up buying a decorative plate with three angels on it. It's sort of unusual; [note to self: I'll have to take a photo of it and put on here next time] ... Anyway, his shop was just chock full of wonderful, needful things! Just my type of store with a mix of antiques, unique home decor items, and lots of silk flowers! He also had lots of fountains! We spent a lot of time in there!!!

Love what he did with this old fodder cutting table...

He was putting out autumn decor while we were there.

Love those cubbies in the corner; trying to think of how/where I could use it. It was very reasonable priced! And I think it would go in the back of my car if I laid the back seats down ...

Well, that's about all from me for now. I miss seeing my old friends from Greene County! I'm enjoying the group I meet with every Wednesday, and the gals I exercise with on Monday and Thursday, but it's just not the same. I haven't found that one or two kindred spirits here. And it just may never happen here. I probably won't be lucky enough to find friends and church family like I had there. I was blessed!

God is good!  I wonder sometimes why he has been so good to me! Have a good Labor Day weekend!

Dog days for sure ...

July's almost over but still hot, hot, hot August to get through.  I don't like summer as much as the other three seasons for sure.  (At least here in Indiana we have four seasons.  Sometimes all in one month.)  Hate to complain but this girl just does not like the humidity of the Hoosier state!  Hate to sweat!  Whatever would we do without AC?!  I've tried to get out more this summer; been riding my bike in the cool of the evening, just as the sun is going down.  Around here by that time no one is around.  I can honestly say that since I have began to ride -- about a month now -- I have not met ONE vehicle in our complex.  I think that's amazing.  Doesn't anyone go out after dinner around here?!  LOL!!!  BUT I'm not complaining.  I have been wondering what I'd do if I was in any sort of traffic.  Actually, I doubt seriously if I'll ever ride outside the Summer's Pointe complex.  It's good exercise and helps keep my 'bad' knee limber.

Funny thing happened the other day.  I was just getting home from riding and rolled up on my driveway.  My neighbor from across the street was going out late to retrieve her mail.  I spoke to her and she turned and said 'hi' back.  Walked back across the street.  Turned and came back and right up on the driveway in front of me and said "who am I talking to?"  It was all I could do to not laugh right out loud.  I said my name and that I lived here (and just to be clear, we have talked several times since I've lived here).  She laughed and apologized and said she just didn't recognize me.  That I look different to her every time she sees me.  Say what?!  It was all I could do not to laugh ... again.  But we stood there and had a conversation.  But it makes me think.  Is that what getting old is like?  Am I old, too?  Have I said something equally (seemingly) outrageous myself recently?  Will she know me next time she sees me?  Am I really a chameleon?  

Another interesting thing ... this week Ray and family were here to visit.  We went to lunch at a local restaurant.  As we were being led to our table I walked right by my other DIL and didn't see her.  She had to stop me.  It was sort of embarrassing and I hoped she didn't think I was ignoring her.  After we got home we discussed it.  They all saw Jane as soon as they came in the door!  I didn't.  And here's why: When I go into a place like that I don't look around till I'm seated and have some time to casually, discretely survey the crowd.  Other people do that as soon as they enter a room.  I don't like to stare at people and I find it rude when people stare at me for more than the normal (?) period of time.  When we got home, we had some lively discussion about the staring thing and how what I did/do can be considered "stuck up" or cold.  Isn't life interesting?  I love it!  I doubt that I'll change at this late date ...

Thought I'd share a couple photos.  Our hat project at knit n' crochet is now complete (we reached our goal of 800 knit or crocheted hats) and now we're back to the usual charity projects.  Just picked up a new one today; to provide Life Stream with 150 dish cloths and 150 hot pads.  We already have a bunch in our treasure chest, but have until the end of August to complete that goal.  I don't think it will be a problem.  Anyway ... here's two lap covers I've completed and turned in since the hat project is over:

This one's my fav!  Love the colors.

Also, I did enter five items in the Randolph County open class fair couple weeks ago; a quilted wall hanging, a hat (of course), a quillie tree, a hooked mat and a bed-size quilt.  I had the most hope for the quilt but only got a 3rd place!  I was really surprised!  I think, from my observation of the judging (which they allow here) that it's not what you know but who you know.   And I don't know anyone here.  Yet.  I hate saying such things but this was way too obvious.  But I still love my quilt.  (BTW, two of my other projects -- the quillie tree and the hooked mat --- got grand champions but I was bummed out about the quilt.) Here's a photo:  

My sister and I went to Decatur about a month ago, had lunch and did one large antiques shop -- Yvonne Marie's -- and I just have to share a photo of the most unusual chenille robe I have EVER seen.  It is so ugly that it's beautiful.  We had a wonderful day!

Found this dove covered dish at another shop.  I now have a small collection of milk glass or white glass covered dishes.  Have several animals in that little collection!  I've got to stop starting new collections!!!  Already have birds, sheep, and colored glass bottles.  Halfway into cream & sugars!  ARGH!

Well, that's enough for now!   I have some more photos but I'll save them for another time.  Keep safe and keep cool.  God bless ya'll!

This year's half way over!

It's the end of June!  Hard to believe that this year is flying by so quickly!  Lately I've been contemplating some changes I've had to make in my life.  One of the things is, I've been thinking about my pronouns.  No, I'm not going politically correct on you.  

I'm thinking of how now it's not our granddaughter, it's my granddaughter.  It's not since we moved to Winchester; now it's since I've moved to Winchester.  Now I'm saying "I" and not us.  Mine or my and not ours.  

I'm still experiencing grief and I'm not on any schedule that you find in a book or at a bereavement support group, but my own.  Recently I was worrying about a friend of mine who lost her husband just this past winter and was wondering if she should really be making the big move she's planning "already".  But for her that's the right thing.  It's not my business, not my schedule.  It's hers.  

And now I'm finding out the true meaning of the terms "fifth wheel" and "two's company-three's a crowd."  So.  I'm flying solo.

Well, you know, one of the things I like to do is go to antiques malls and I snap photos of 'sayings' plaques.  Just something that I like to do.  Wanted to share a few with you ...

I think this is my motto now!

I have been keeping as busy as I'd like to be.  Our knit and crochet group has reached it's goal of 800 hats made for Life Stream of east central Indiana!  Yeah!!!!!  Now I'm back to crocheting lap blankets and dish cloths for other local charities.  I'm still doing Geri-fit two times a week -- stretching and finding out just how much I've lost in the shoulders.  And I bought a $15 bike at a garage sale -- Jeff fixed it up for me and I finally got up the nerve to ride it.  (I wondered if I might just fall over like President Biden did!)  But I didn't fall and break a hip (that's what folks were saying "don't fall and break a hip".  LOL!)  I've got a good place to ride here at Summer's Pointe -- nice and level.  Also, getting ready to enter a few items in the local Randolph county open class fair.  (I'll keep you posted on how I do.)  So, I keep occupied.

Cool little art show I visited in Portland recently.  You know, if you look you can always find talented people.  I'm a sucker for local art!  Not only did they have artists at work, a small inside gallery, but also a guitar player who was really good.  Cool jazz!

Well, enough.  God bless you wherever you are today and whatever you're doing.  And as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our great country, pray for our nation.  We surely need it.