Look up

On one side of my house is a ligustrum tree that came up "volunteer" probably as an offshoot of my neighbor's tree.  I let it grow since it does provide much needed shade in that location.  But I've always thought of ligustrums as a weed type tree and never gave it any thought.  Until tonight.

I was messing with the weed eater and as I stood up I just happened to look up.  Lo and behold this tree was covered in delicate, lacey blooms!  I really need to look up a little more as I had totally missed this.  What else have I missed?

Friday Fives 05.08.2015

Several years ago I had a paper day planner that each day featured a quote from someone relatively well-known.  One day the quote was from Oprah and she stated that she kept a gratitude journal and each day wrote down 5 things she was grateful for on that day.  Not a bad idea, I thought.  I didn't keep a written journal, but I did try to start thinking of 5 things each day. Not hard as I found I could quickly name many things.  I began to use this trick when grumpy, upset or just out of sorts.  Thinking of the many things I had to be thankful always lifted my spirits.  This worked at bedtime, too, if I was exhausted and not happy how the day had gone. Only recently did I find that Sarah Ban Breathnach was the one who started Oprah on her gratitude journal.

From time to time I've written a 5 things post on this blog.  I did one last Friday; it felt so good to write those words that I decided to try (try) to do a regular Friday Fives post.  It won't be hard, let me assure you! 

 So, here's tonight's 5 things I'm thankful for:

1.  I am thankful that I have no needs.  I have everything I need.  Maybe not everything I want, but thanks to God my needs are supplied.  I lack for nothing and for that I am deeply grateful.

2.  I am thankful for small flowers whose daintiness enchant me.  So small, so fragile, yet perfect.

3.  I am thankful for books to read.  Books on my shelves, books on tables, books on library shelves, books on the internet.  Books to be read, books to be treasured, books I have read and will read again.  I'm thankful for the hands that write books and for the gift of words that weave stories and information in printed form.  I'm thankful for decent eyesight and the ability to read, too.

4.  I'm thankful for clean, pure water that flows from the tap when I turn it on.  We take it for granted, but there are those who do not have water in any decent form.  I'm thankful for electricity that makes my life so easy and the natural gas that heats my home in the winter.  These are things we take for granted, but for which I give thanks.

5.  I'm thankful for grandparents.  How fortunate I was to have spent time with all 4 of mine even though we lived so far away.  I'm thankful for the memories they unknowingly gave me.  I'm thankful for the influence they had on me as a child and for the fact that as an older adult I now know that they shaped me into the person I am.

Take a moment and think of 5 things tonight for which you are thankful.  Gratitude is good for the spirit. 

Note writing

This morning as I turned out of my street I noticed that one of the girls waiting for the school bus was sitting on the curb writing on a piece of green paper.  She was probably middle school age and I didn’t think she would be writing out homework on green paper.  Immediately I had a flashback to my younger days and wondered if she was quickly writing a note.  Dear readers, did you ever write notes and pass them to your friends while you were in school?  I had totally, completely forgotten about writing notes until I saw this girl intent on her writing.

Note writing was an art, probably a lost art because I suspect that today’s kids just text each other.  But in my day it was a serious task.  It was the ‘70’s and colored paper was the preferred medium.  I remember that I had a pack of light orange paper and another friend had a bluish lavender shade; we would often trade.  Writing would be done during class, undercover and carefully hidden; this was easy if you were a good student and could pretend to be taking class notes.  While topics might be clothes, boys, hair, or other girl things the content was carefully written, often with little smiley faces or an appropriate doodle. It was serious writing!

The note then would be carefully folded into a square or in the preferred shape of a triangle.  This was tricky because you had to keep your eyes focused on the board or appear to be paying attention while folding the paper.  You would write the recipient’s name on the outside and add a little embellishment such as a flower or scroll.  Then it would be slipped secretly across the room or handed off during class changes.  If it was just one page and thin it might then be slipped through the air vent in your locker.  Reading a note was done while walking to class or carefully during the next class. And, every note required a reply!

Such a simple thing, writing notes to friends on notebook paper with a Bic pen!

Wednesday 05.06.2015

This interesting pulley is on a replica of a well in the
East Texas Pineywoods section of the
San Antonio Botanical Garden

Sunday Sevens

This turtle delighted Jaydon and me by coming up the steps to grab the commercial pellets we were throwing in the water!

(Thanks go out to Suzzassippi for inspiring this post!)

Seven things I'm thankful for this Sunday in May:

1.  I am thankful for a quiet, peaceful Sunday afternoon in May.  The temperature is unseasonably cool, no humidity, and a soft breeze is blowing through the trees.  And I can't forget the joy that the big fluffy clouds bring me as they drift across the sky, ever changing.

2.  I am thankful for all the little green cherry tomatoes on the plant in the pot on my driveway.  The plant is straggly, despite generous feedings of plant food, but the tomatoes are healthy and bug free.  I will take what the plant gives me and be thankful.

3.  I am thankful for laughter shared with friends. People need people and as much as I treasure my solitude, I value my friendships. A smile and a shared laugh lifts the spirit!

4.  I am thankful for the opportunity to serve communion to my brothers and sisters in the choir this morning.  As I placed the bread into each waiting hand and whispered, "This is the Body of Christ, broken for you" I was reminded of the human bond and the sweet fellowship that we enjoy between each of us as well as the heavenly connection.  The blessing was all mine in those sweet moments.

5.  I am thankful for a healthy body.  I am thankful that I can put my feet on the ground every morning and get out of bed.  Yes, my back hurts right now but I can live with it. I cannot and will not complain; good health is a gift that I am thankful for every day.

6.  I am thankful for the smell of fresh mowed grass that brings back memories of summers long ago and my dad's faithful mowing on Saturday afternoon followed by the start of the charcoal grill.  I am thankful for the smell of fresh washed clothes coming out of the dryer and being put on hangers, too.  Clean and crisp. For the soothing feelings from gentle scents I give thanks.

7.  I am thankful for the joy and satisfaction that comes from everyday tasks.  There is a continuity in those tasks that gives me a sense of peaceful accomplishment.  Simple things like taking out the trash, starting the dishwasher, and sweeping off the porch give me contentment.  For those tasks I give thanks.

I'm also thankful for soft, wet puppy dog noses that nuzzle me.  I'm thankful for a dear lady who helped me with my knitting problems last week so now I'm much more satisfied with my knitting.  Did I mention that I'm thankful for the satisfaction that comes when I finish a task?  But wait, I've gone way over 7 things!  I'll save some more for Friday Fives next Friday!

Another 5 things

It's been way too long since I did a Five Things post.  So here goes!

The first thing I'm thankful for is a special moment that I had on Monday morning.  I had called in sick, but I wasn't sick.  I'm nursing a very sore back that has plagued me after stupidly trying to turn over a large concrete planter full of dirt and water.  After doing a few early morning things I was sitting at the breakfast table and noticed the play of light filtering through the trees onto the shutters.  The tile table reflected the light and the large ficus outside the window that was also dappled in sunlight.  How beautiful!  I sat for several moments lost in the dream of light and shadow.  Why had I never seen this before when I've lived here almost 12 years?  Why? Because I'm too busy on other mornings when I'm home to notice something so simple.

Second - I'm thankful for walks in the park with the dogs.  Exploring a new trail and discovering new sights.  Quiet, peaceful, just walking along.

Third - I'm thankful for Friday nights with the fifth grader.  I've known for many years that someday he will have other things to do on Friday nights and treasure each visit that we have now.  Someday will be here all too soon. I'm also thankful he mowed my yard tonight!

Fourth - I'm thankful that the days are getting longer, giving me more precious hours outside.  I'm thankful for time to work outside until dark, going inside feeling like I've accomplished something. I love the evening hours.

Fifth - I'm thankful for Lacey.  She came to me as a young, starving mother and has contentedly lived in my garage ever since. She keeps me company while I'm working outside, but spends many lonely hours in the garage or on my front porch.  She doesn't mind the cold or heat in the garage; maybe she sees the sunny mornings as her reward.  She is a happy little cat with a sweet spirit. And, she can be very entertaining!

Wednesday 04.29.2015

This picture of the thermometer on the back of my house was made yesterday (April 28th) shortly after I arrived home from work and yes, it is accurate.  It is the end of April and the temperature is struggling to reach 60 degrees!  Usually by this time it is starting to get hot and muggy, almost steamy if we have rain.  We've had a few warm days and I've seen a few sunburns, but the cooler weather seems to want to stay.  And that's just fine.

I've put away my beloved sweats, flannel pajamas, and sweaters; flip flops, capris, and shorts have taken their places.  But for a day or two it's okay to pull out those fuzzy socks again, make a nice cup of tea, and settle down on the sofa with the dogs.  Time to read or knit, while savoring the cool air slipping through the open door. That, dear readers, is one of life's little simple pleasures!

Bringing Law & Order to Texas

 

 

 

Sharing words

A popular on-line game is Words With Friends.  I've never played (actually, no one has invited me), but I assume it is like playing Scrabble.  You put together words and block your opponents.  I think writing a blog is similar.  You put together words and share them; however, there is no blocking strategy and there really aren't any rules other than to be polite!

My thoughts have been on a journey of discovery the last few weeks.  Remember my posts about Creating Yourself?  That idea is part of my journey; who am I, who do I want to be, where am I going with my life.  Who am I deep down inside and am I happy with that person?  Add into those thoughts the idea that I need a new job where I feel productive (that's a whole different story). 

I picked up this copy of Simple Abundance at a used book sale a week or two ago.  I think there was a nudge from above that led me to buy it when I read the part about finding your authentic self.  This woman was talking to me because that is what I'm seeking.  In other posts I'll share more about what I'm discovering from this book and other happenings. 

After I read through the first pages I knew I needed to go back, think about each entry while exploring and writing about my thoughts.  Intrigued by this author and in a quest to learn more about her I discovered more books, including this delightful children's book.  I previewed the book and was astounded with the beautiful illustrations.  But I was even more astounded when I got to the author's comments.  First she quoted from  Meister Echkart .  I was amazed.  But was even more amazed when she begins her acknowledgments with a quote from Eudora Welty, yes Eudora Welty!

“It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out that story books had been written by people, that books were not natural wonders, coming up of themselves like grass."
Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings (William E.Massey Senior Lectures in the History of American Civilization)


Ms. Ban Breathnach's words and these quotes brought a realization to me.  I want to write.  I want share words.  I want to write. Where will this journey lead me?  I know not. Come with me on this journey, read my words and share yours.  I want to write.

Wednesday 04.22.2015

The amaryllis have burst into full bloom this week!  There are 4 stalks in this pot with 4 blooms on each stalk. I'm not sure what prompted this display, but I am enjoying it while it lasts!

Just one word

This plaque has been a part of my décor for many years.  I store it away during the Holidays and then bring it back out.  That simple word has given me comfort and strength on many occasions.  Just one word:  Believe.  That's all I need.  Why are you fretting, why are you worried it reminds me.  It tells me I am loved by a Heavenly Father who cares about me, who promises never to leave or forsake me, and to cast all my cares on Him.  Just Believe. So simple!

Assembly Required

Those words should strike absolute terror in everyone's inmost being.  They are scary and I have a new appreciation for them.  Here's why:

First - a little background.  At the International Quilt Festival in late October I purchased a new 4-needle embroidery machine.  I've made other big purchases at the Festival over the years and always got good deals.  I had bought another single-needle machine a few years ago from a local dealer.  It is a piece of junk and I'm not ashamed to say it is a Bernina and was costly.  I paid for the name.  After fighting with this machine and putting it in the dealer's shop several times I decided it was time to move on. (Just to note I lowered the machine down into its cabinet and plan to take it to another dealer at some point in time to see if I can get resolution with the bobbin problem.  For now it is out of the way and out of my sight). 

Anyway, I purchased an Elna 4-needle embroidery machine.  My mother had an Elna and I have several and they are great machines.  Even now that the company is owned by Janome they still offer well made machines with exceptional features.  The machine came with a nice sturdy cabinet designed specifically for the Elna and Janome machine.  Both the machine and the cabinet were shipped within two weeks to me and by coincidence I was just coming home when both were delivered on the same day. 

I had assumed that the cabinet came assembled, not "assembly required".  It never occurred to me to ask about the cabinet's arrival status when I purchased the duo.  I had bought two other cabinets from the Festival and they both were rolled into the house, completely assembled and ready for the machine to be put in place.  Imagine my surprise when these four boxes were hauled into my house!  Since it was just a week or so before Thanksgiving I knew that they would have to remain untouched.  With some difficulty I managed to get each box into the garage and stored away for the holidays.  Each box was marked with the weight - between 40 and 50 pounds each, something I did not need to see as I wrestled them out the door.

One rainy Saturday morning in January I enlisted the fifth grader to help me.  He is good at putting things together (Lego's gave him lots of practice!) and it was something for us to do together.  We hauled the boxes in the house and opened them up.  Of course, the instructions were in the last box.  Now, I've put things like this together before and I knew that the odds were 50-50 that it would be easy or difficult.  Let's just say it was completely difficult.  We quickly realized that the instructions were worthless other than to serve as a guide to what came next.  Through trial and error and guessing at which part was which we got it started.

By the time he left we had made fairly good progress.  Later that afternoon I decided that I needed to get after it again and try to finish it up.  I managed to get the large rollers screwed firmly into the bottom and then realized that I would have to flip the thing over onto its side and then again to get it upright.  No problem, I thought.  Just take it slow and easy.  It is heavy, but just take it slow.  Right.  It went slow until it was almost to the floor on the first flip.  Then the weight of the cabinet threw it down to the floor.  Right onto my left foot, right across the big toe.  Lift the thing up, retrieve the foot, sit down, hold foot and imagine explaining this in the emergency room.  Pain upon pain. Assembly required also meant the possibility of being lame for the rest of my life. Sometime later I finished flipping the cabinet into the upright position while keeping what was left of my feet well out of the way and rolled it down the hallway to the sewing room.

At that point it sat for a while because time just didn't permit me to finish.  But the thought of using the new embroidery machine spurred me on and little by little I kept adding pieces, all without much help from the instructions.  I managed to jockey the top in place and hammer it down with a rubber mallet as it was not going to just drop down onto those pegs and funny looking screws that lock down.  I got the thread drawer together fairly easily and with some maneuvering got it to roll in place.

The real challenge came with the lower three drawers.  Only a few of the pieces were marked and the instructions weren't clear.  Each drawer had eight screws.  I'm not sure how many times I unscrewed them and rearrange parts.  I spent hours and hours working on these drawers.  I analyzed the side bars and how they worked on the rails.  I thought I had it figured out and then no, it was not right.  Through the process of elimination I got them together as shown.  The part that stumped me was how to attach the front panel where the handles went.  The bolts included were too short.  I also had six screws for each drawer and six holes on the drawer, but none to match on the front panel.  The instructions just said to attach the panel and install the handles.  Right. So until I could go to Home Depot and find the right bolts to attach the handles I decided that the cabinet was together enough to receive the machine.

In the process of unpacking the machine I thoughtlessly laid aside most of the parts to assemble to machine's thread stand and hoop holder.  Then, I couldn't find them and thought they were excluded from the box (I later found them under a quilt top).  When I pulled up the dealer's web site to get their contact information I saw the cabinet.  Yes, it is listed as weighing 200 pounds, but my foot already knew that!  The description also stated that it had assembly instructions included as well as the manufacturer's helpful help line number.  I flipped through the instruction book and there was no helpful help line number, there was no website, and no contact information.  Hmmm, I could see why they wouldn't want talk to anyone struggling with this thing. 

So I pulled up the manufacturer's website and searched for this cabinet.  There it was and, oh my, they had instructional videos for the assembly! Well, better late than never I thought.  As I watched them I realized why I was having problems with the final step of the drawer.

The last video explained how to assemble the drawers.  Oh, how I needed to see that before I started!  And, it solved the problem of how to attach the front panels -  you don't use the bolts in the parts package - you use the ones that are taped to the outside of one of the boxes!  See that little yellow tag in the picture above?  It explains it all, but I had not seen the little packet taped to the side of the box (fortunately I had not put the boxes into the recycling bin yet!).  I had the drawers finished up in no time. 

And, the video also showed the lady that was putting the cabinet together using a drill to screw in all the screws.  A drill!  I never even thought about going out to the garage and getting the cordless drill out!  Oh my poor aching fingers, I could have spared you the pain. 

Assembly required - assembly completed!  It was finally together and the machine ready to turn on!