Category Archives: uncategorized

It seems that I have been doing nothing but what I call “utility” sewing for the last little while.  My dear, sweet 89 year old Aunt Aileen has lost a good bit of weight in the past two years and asked me to do some alterations for her.   Robert’s favorite Transformer pajama bottoms needed mending.  My Aunt Rheeta’s son has just been called as  pastor of a church (his first head pastor position)  so she wanted a little design with the church name and “Pastor” embroidered below it.  Bob’s yard work shorts needed mending.  And there was more like this. 

Of course, I am happy to do my part for the family.  It makes me appreciate the time I spend on more challenging, creative projects.  I appreciate my wonderful sewing room, shelves of notions and sewing equipment.   I was pleased to finish the seams of my aunt’s linen dress and its lining with my Evolve Wave serger.  My PE-Design was pressed into service as I worked up the “Pastor.”  My ever faithful Pfaff 7570 did the mending and alterations.  Continue reading →

of mice and men gang aft agley,” according to Scottish poet Robert Burns.  John Steinbeck gave us the more contemporary finish, “..often go awry.”  Whatever.  Whoever.  My best laid plans most definitely went awry. 

The best laid plan was to whip up a tote bag for my darling daughter-in-law’s birthday, today.  She seldom asks for anything but about a month ago mentioned that if anyone asked for birthday suggestions, she would really like a good size tote bag, personalized with some embroidery.  I was so excited to think I could finally do something special for my special friend, beloved daughter-in-law and respected homeschool co-teacher.

Before surgery I selected and edited all the designs, laid out the bag and was ready to go.  Certainly with 3 full days between arriving home and her birthday, I could complete this project.  And Monday or Tuesday I would photograph it to post to this  blog.

As it turned out, I felt so good, so robust, so strong when I arrived home Saturday morning that I decided to deadhead 20 of my Knockout rose bushes and weed those beds.  The other 20 roses, I thought, could wait until Sunday.  I had some restraint.  But while I was at it, I might as well start on the mountain of laundry, all 7 loads which I managed to wash, dry, fold and put away.  The house needed a little tidying up, Bob’s shirts needed ironing and my newly transplanted passion vine, ginger lily, plumbago, oak leaf hydrangea and others did need some watering.  And so I did.

Big mistake. Continue reading →

Susan, my miracle worker therapist, waving goodbye.

After 3 days in the hospital and 14 days in rehab, I am finally going home.  I can’t wait.

But it’s not so much that I’m eager to leave this place as I am simply eager to go home.  Rehab has been a very positive, educational and meaningful experience.  I’ll come away from this place with more than a good knee.

This Latin charmer waxed eloquently on the joys of American citizenship and the hardship of spending most of his life in Cuba.

I’ve met incredible working women, seen patients with more challenges and courage than I hope to ever have need of, and watched residents in the final chapters of their lives, facing the end with a wide array of grace.  They have enriched my life and given me a new appreciation for the blessings God has showered upon me.  Here are a few of their stories. Continue reading →