Getting Ready

While I don't panic about weather related issues, it is well to be prepared for whatever may come along.  Hurricane Sandy  is ramping up, it is getting dark, and the power companies are shutting down the cherrypickers until daylight tomorrow, after the wind drops to safer levels.  As a SCAdian, I have a lot of candles, lamps and flashlights, along with most of the other things needed for such an emergency.

So far, the rain has been steady but not so bad, and the wind been steady at about 30 mph, gusting to 45.  They expect it to get a whole lot worse though.  The eye is ashore now, and will make its run north of us while it is dark.  We are on a hill, so flooding is not likely, and hopefully no trees will come down on our bedroom tonight!  It is our friends to the north I worry about.  May God protect you all. 

Bunny Tale

Recycling sweaters into cute animals is one of my favorite sewing projects.  Trouble's too, I think!

First of Three

I have become somewhat enamoured of the fusible grid for quilting we sell.  It seems not too many people know about it, so I am doing three projects for Christmas to promote it.  If it can make even a moderate beginner like me enjoy the process and be successful, then anyone can get a boost from it.  Of course, if you are a fabulous expert quilter who can make seams match in your sleep, there is nothing to see here, move along. 

For the rest of us, you just figure out how you want it to look, cut a zillion 2" squares, fuse them down, stitch 1/4" seams, add a border, and Hey Presto!  A perfectly aligned table topper in a day.  Or two, if you don't work on it all day.  In fact, cutting the squares took longer than sewing it did, and that only took an afternoon.  This is the beautiful "Sentimental" collection by Moda, with a little of their "Merry Medley" thrown in too.  I love both of the collections, and will do more with them. 

Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps - Old Guard 50th Tattoo - 2010

The World Turned Upside Down!  This is the anniversary of an important day in American history.  I also love this sort of Tattoo.  I chose not to play a reenactment of the battle or surrender, but instead, to let you enjoy the music of a wonderful Fife and Drum Corps.  Pronounced "Core".  Just in case. 

Mordred's Lullaby

Heather Dale is one of my favorite musicians, truly a beautiful voice and a talent for lyrics and music.  The eerieness of this is sort of fitting for this time of year, even if the subject is Arthurian.
The story of Mordred is a sad one, and told in many ways in many stories, but the ones where Morgaine (or Morgause, in some cases) knew he would die, and sent him to destroy Arthur anyway are the saddest.  I can't imagine using a child of mine so selfishly, to exact revenge, knowing it would would be the death of my son, as well.   There is a dance choreographed to this that I learned at Pennsic a couple years back... the man is brought from close control to seeming freedom, but always truly controlled by the woman.  Quite well done. 

Quilt Club Veggies

So I was tasked with coming up with a table centerpiece for Thanksgiving for our quilt club.  My Manager is doing a table runner, and picture frames, but I wanted to do something kind of simple, but detailed too.  This is what I came up with.  Each piece is a simple concept, but together, I think they have a pretty good punch.  I think my favorites are the carrots.  I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea on how to get the bumpy texture and little roots.  (I think I should add some roots coming out the sides, though!)  My mind is already onto the ideas for next month.....

It Wasn't a Far Trip

I am working on my craft show stuff as well as Quilt Club projects.... I am not making progress fast enough.  I will get phots up, but right now, I am going to sleep. 

Gold Star Mom Day

 

Though I am so very glad and proud top be a Blue Star Mom, this is one upgrade I have no wish for.  To each and every one of you Gold Star Mom's, God bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand, where he holds your child.


GOLD STAR MOTHER
By Keo R. Gathman

As she stands beside his grave
On yet another Memorial Day,
She remembers the boy she sent away
And how he became the man resting here today.
His heroes didn't become famous playing ball.
In fact most of their names were never well known at all.
They went to work wearing camouflage green and desert brown,
Earning their reputation as the toughest warriors around.
When he first saw them in dress blues
The heart within her little boy knew,
That nothing short of becoming one of them would do.
Time all too quickly passed by
As childhood things were put aside,
And his heart's desire would not be denied.
"I love you, Mom" he said one day
"But the time has come for me to go away,"
And she knew his decision she couldn't sway.
Through tears she tried so hard to keep inside
She told her baby boy goodbye.
Writing him letters nearly every day
She often took the time to pray,
"Lord be with my boy today."
"Help him clearly see the man I know that he can be,
Grant him his most cherished dream,
Let him come home, a United States Marine."
When the time came for him to go to war
She feared as she had never feared before,
Prayed there would be no knock on her front door.
They came that day dressed in their blues
And though in her heart she already knew,
She cried out "No, it can't be true."
The man child she had sent away
Was at last coming home to stay.
He never doubted what they did was right,
And he never wavered in the fight.
Forever and always as in his childhood dreams,
Her boy remains a United States Marine.

A Little Humor

Arrrr, Matey, Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Since this is also Tolkien Week, and I am on my own for dinner, I will be having a hobbity pirate dinner!  Mushrooms, bacon and bread.... what else could a hobbit pirate want?  Now to find a crew and ship..... not all hobbits are afraid of water, you know.  I must have Stoorish blood as well as Fallowhide! 
Later today, Peter Jackson will come out with another trailer for the first Hobbit movie..... probably won't have any pirates, but I still can't wait!

A Day of Sorrow

Never forget.

Never Forgive.

Never Submit.

After the Storm

The first full day of Pennsic 41 dawned clear and beautiful. The ground had firmed up over night and we began setting up tents.

eventually we got mine up, and it was right next to the road. I couldn't fit my kitchen/sitting area though, and knew I would miss it. Still, 30feet from the privies is a good thing at 0200!

 

I set up inside the next day, a real scorcher, and as always, my tent was pretty darn comfy.

The following day, I began my volunteering. This is the view from the Lost and Found tent, right next to Security Point. I caught my Watch shift rides there, as well as my Disability cart rides. Fun stuff, and useful too. I did 12 scheduled shifts and a couple unscheduled when there wasn't anyone to do them. Or there was a big storm, or whatever. I didn't realize when I first started going to Pennsic how many volunteers were needed. Now I love to know I help make the whole thing work so people can have fun. I enjoy that, and it really isn't onerous. If you attend Pennsic...or any event... Consider volunteering. You'll have fun, and facilitate others doing the same!

 

 

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