The Nevada Piecemaker

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

2010-07-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

Charlie is my brother, the only boy in a family of six girls, two mothers, and two fathers. Actually it took that many adults to create our hodge-podge of a family. .

For Christmas this year I quilted a table runner with a native American theme. It was fun to do and I found the perfect leftover fabric to make the binding, a Kaffe Fassett piece. The only problem was that I didn't have enough and ended up sewing tiny strips together to complete the quilt.

July 24 is Charlie's Birthday. He now lives in Nevada and is also my friend. I'm imagining a birthday celebration that includes a traditional family barbecue; chicken, sarsa, beans, garlic bread and corn on the cob. Topped off with an angel food cake slathered in strawberries and whipped cream. We'll end the night with a fun game of cards before he returns home. Happy Birthday Charlie!

P.S. Well, my imagination played a trick on me and that lovely strawberry covered angel food cake proved disastrous. Fortunately we still enjoyed it and it brought laughter to the party as well.

For Rachael

2010-07-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

When Rachael was in labor with her last child, she also labored on a quilt. As I cut and pressed, she sewed and by the end of the labor had two wonderful creations to celebrate; Ivan Joseph and their Laboring Quilt. I machine quilted her quilt and had a great time adding flowers and their pollinators.

Rachael celebrates life. She always welcomes people around her table to celebrate milestones - a birthday, moving from the highchair to the "big table", an award or achievement.... To celebrate her gift, I made a celebration cloth to grace the table. A place to set the vase of flowers, the cupcakes or towering creation of strawberries, shortcake and whipped cream.
Now that the Levy's have relocated to a small home in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, we won't be able to celebrate with them as frequently as we did when they lived in Reno. But the cloth will be there, representing the love we have for Rachael, Marcel and their family. I know they will keep up the celebrations, for it is in her blood, and they will have the Moser Family gathering with them around the table. Blessings!

For Molly and Luke

2010-07-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

This tablerunner was a Christmas gift for Molly and Luke. I
loved the colors and they had fun using it when they enjoyed their Christmas feast with Luke's family from Idaho. With fabric left over, I made an apron for Molly as a shower gift. I still have more fabric....what to do?

Quit Buggin' Me

2010-07-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

I made this quilt for Dagan, my grandson in Seattle, who loves to squish bugs. (Much to my dismay!) It's just that they look so completely different once he removes his little foot. Of course the bugs quickly loose their appeal once they no longer move. Since Dagan is only three years old, he has a lot of time to explore bugs.

Cracked Egg

2010-06-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

The hen sat for days and one-by-one, eggs began cracking as chicks pecked their way to survival. I guess she figured with four chicks, she had enough to worry about so she abandoned the nest, leaving a clutch of eggs behind. We waited for days but mama hen never returned and the eggs felt cold to touch so I directed my son to toss them in the burn barrel. He came back, sobbing, for as he pitched the eggs into the barrel, he saw partially formed chicks and blood. They were only "half done" and I know what that means for I was only half done with my little chick. So sad.

Seattlelites

2010-06-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm living in Seattle. In actuality, I am living out of a suitcase in my grandson, Dagan's playroom. He is sharing it with me just fine but made comments this morning about how much he likes his playroom and that I should move some of my stuff. My time here is short as I am the Nana nanny, doing baby patrol for my second grand daughter and seventh grand child. Penelope Jane is so very sweet, two weeks old and, as her mother refers to her, as soft and squishy as a ball of pizza dough rising. I am loving this time with Dagan and the chances I have to hold PJ.

Kyna and I talk about how nice it is to have a one-time nursing mother care for a current nursing mom. We understand what it means to eat and need food...large quantities of food, often. I remember my mother-in-law coming to help me when I had a baby and how shocked she was that I needed a 4th hard boiled egg! I was hungry and eggs were good. Some things don't change.

So I'm living in Seattle until Tuesday, June 22 when I climb into my car and travel back to my little trailer near the salt flats. Be it ever so humble....

February...the month to quilt

2010-03-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

During February I unfolded projects waiting to be quilted and spent enough time quilting that the machine became a permanent fixture on the kitchen table. Bill was fairly patient but I found myself holding my tongue when he would set cartons of yougurt, a jar of peanut butter and leftover containers all over my machine. He asked why I was in the kitchen since I have a great quilting room so I explained that I just didn't have space to quilt with the industrial machine and the size of the quilts. No space, I replied. So, he didn't complain or say anything but I was constantly clearing food off the machine. I guess that can be considered the price I pay to take up even more of our communal space.

I've been having so much fun working on projects. A quilt that Rachael pieced when she was in labor with Ivan, a baby quilt for my soon-to-be baby grand daughter and a table runner. So, for a while longer, the quilting machine sits on the kitchen table and I sit down whenever I have a free moment, after I clear off all the stuff Bill has piled upon the machine. Oh well, keep on stitchin'

Magazine Celebrities!

2010-03-01T13:46:00.001-08:00

I discovered a pattern in Fons and Porter, a quilt magazine, and decided to make it, and make it, and make it yet again. The pattern is paper pieced and I enjoyed giving wall hangings to all five of my daughters. They received gardens, full of colorful blossoms. I gifted my friends single buds, open and brightly colored. Upon a whim, I decided to send the photo back to the pattern source and lo, they printed it! I know it is in their online magazine so check it out. answers54@fonsandporter.com

Weariness

2010-01-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here in an overstuffed chair, too tired to move. Sleep is calling me into the dark abyss and I want to fall. The only problem is that I am twenty miles from home, it is cold and dark and I am alone. At least, if I were in my car I would be alone. Instead I am sitting in Starbucks, downing an extra hot cup of non-fat cocoa, no whip, surrounded by young baristas and an occasional customer or two. I'm reluctant to leave for the car is cold and the house colder. Bill has class tonight in Fallon so I stopped by here, thinking I could get some emailing done. Now I'm stuck and not wanting to move.

This past year was one of the most difficult times I've experienced in a while. The home remodeling project took from me more than I expected. It seems as if I would have nothing left so many time. Oops the battery light is flashing so I'm going to save, shut down and really go home. It's time. More griping on another post.

Why did the elephant paint her toenails?

2009-12-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

To hide better in the gumdrop patch!

A Walk in the Snow

2009-12-11T16:12:00.001-08:00

A dozen feet before and after....walking in the snow.

All the Flowers in my Garden

2009-12-11T16:02:00.000-08:00

As the snow drifts downwards and I sit here, sipping coffee, I think of my blessings and all the sweet daughters I have in my life. Sow a seed and the earth will yield a flower garden!

Hospice Quilts

2009-11-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

We decided on the project last year and for Christmas, everyone exchanged a panel of fabric. The mission? To create a lap quilt for hospice patients. Through the year, the quilts came into Donna's studio and they were creative, colorful and finished. Mine however, was constantly set on the back porch to make room for other projects; baby quilts, birthday gifts....everything was getting done but the hospice quilt. We invited Judy, the volunteer coordinator, to our November18 meeting. Then I moved into gear. I had a deadline and since I was driving Judy to our meeting, I couldn't miss it. Literally minutes before we planned to meet at the crossroads in Silver Springs, I finished sewing down the binding. Tiger, Tiger in the Night was complete, finished! I didn't quite follow the directions as the pattern was a "quilt as you go" pattern and it just didn't have enough quilting for my likes so...I quilted it and when it was done, I loved it! I am so thankful for all Bill and I share in our life that I hope this quilt provides comfort for a family during this time of letting go. Check out the great quilts the Ditch Stitchers created! Way to go, ladies!

Wedding Whirls

2009-10-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I'm in the Phoenix airport, waiting for my plane to carry me safely back to Nevada. We came in yesterday, attended Emily and Cody's wedding and are jetting back within the half hour. My mind can't keep up with the high speeds at which my body is traveling. We whir over miles and miles, distances that would take us hours to cover in a car. Last night I was whirling on the checkerboard dance floor in her Aunt Denice's backyard and tonight I will be whirling about the house, getting ready for the first annual Conserve Carson River Work Day in Carson Valley. Wow!

Eliza Buckland Celebrates her 43rd Birthday

2009-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

The parties were great and if you weren't there, I'm sorry you missed Eliza and Samuel Buckland's birthday parties in early September. The party-goers traveled back in time to 1883, when Buckland Station, on the Big Bend of the Carson River, was the hub of activity. The hostess for the day was La Donna, a volunteer at Buckland Station. Ready to receive the guests, Mike and I donned period costumes and assumed the characters of early settlers to share history of days gone by.

I created a dress which had a zipper down the backside even though zippers didn't make their way into the fashion scene until the early 1900s. I used a doily, created by a family member from years ago, to make a collar for the dress and pinned it with an exquisite little pin owned by Mama Sargent, Leona Sargent Petter's mother. (That would be Bill's great grandmother.) She lived in Hannibal, Missouri where she and Papa Sargent owned a dry goods business.

It was fun to perform this Chautaqua at Ft. Churchill State Historic Park and I hope some day to try it again. After all, I have the dress.

Deadheads

2009-07-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've come up with another definition for "deadhead", the faithful followers of the Grateful Dead. However, I am NOT grateful, nor pleased about the "deadheads" strewn about my yard. In front of our worn, well-used home are planter boxes, filled with flowers. I have everything from petunias and roses to honeysuckle, morning glories and marigolds. There are pots with herbs; basil, oregano and dill as well as the perennial chrysanthemum. I enjoy this little garden of mine and spend time early every morning, giving them fresh, cool water to see them through the day.

The problem is that we are plagued with rodents; jackrabbits, cottontails and ground squirrels - all enjoying the fruits of our labor. The marigold seeds came from last year's flowers and I planted tons of them. What I have now are marigold "deadheads" strewn about the yard. The rodents, attracted to the bright color, don't find these flowers appetizing but proceed to decapitate the flowers anyway, leaving the flower head to wilt and dry in the summer heat. Bill and I wrapped chicken wire around some of the pots but the critters still managed to find their way in to feast on flowers.

Our vegetable garden scene isn't too much different. Just this morning, Bill saw a rabbit, must have been Beatrix Potter's little friend, in the vegetable garden, feasting on tasty morsels. The problem is that the garden is fenced in with a double layer of wire and this is supposed to keep them OUT of the garden. Bill planted lettuce three times before giving up because the rodents nibbled the leaves as they poked through the soil. They have eaten entire squash plants, leveling them to the ground. If only they realized that we would gladly share if they would only let the plants grow to the point that they yielded a harvest. So far, that hasn't happened.

So the battle continues. Maybe I should put on a Grateful Dead CD, turn up the volume, open the front door and see if the rodents want to dance.This is the picture taken the morning after the post. The rabbits are dancing in my flower barrels for sure and I haven't even turned up the volume

Finishing Days

2009-07-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

I've been accused of being ADD, something I've always denied. Now I'm giving it second consideration and there actually may be some truth to the accusation. It seems that I am always overwhelmed by projects that need just a tad more energy or work to be completed. "Are you finished?" asks my quilting buddy, Randi. "Well, I'm almost finished. I just have a button a label to make." I reply. "Well that isn't finished and until it is done, it's NOT finished" she quips back. I lose focus before projects are completely finished in all aspects of my life. Frustrating to be sure! So we decided to develop some adaptive behaviors and have quilt/sewing days to finish projects.

Our first finishing day was Wednesday, July 22, and I managed to put the straps and button on my Dad's apron and put the binding and labels on the quilt for the Watkins family. I accomplished this with a good measure of whining, I'll admit. After arriving at 11:00 am and setting up my machine, my first question was when are we going to eat? Randi insisted that, until I finished a project, I was not going to eat. I got right on my Dad's apron and had it finished in no time. Then on to the quilt. I tried shifting gears and work on Betty's apron but Randi held my nose to the grindstone (imagine that feat!) and I finished project number 2. Now that I'm on a roll, so to speak, I am also finishing sewing the binding on the quilt for baby Katherine Dawson.

We have a second finishing day on Friday, July 31. I plan to complete my stepmom's apron and sew the blocks for a baby quilt I started years ago to gift to my niece's baby, born in late May. So the days are helping me focus on getting things COMPLETELY done. Thank you Randi for being such a task master and bringing me backto focus. I really do appreciate her efforts despite my whining and complaining and the best part about it is that I am finishing projects.

Rosie the Rooster

2009-07-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Rosie entered the Levy home as a chick, hopefully and preferably a hen. (S)he was packed about the yard, tucked under arm, as my grandchildren discovered the joys of raising chickens. As it turned out, chicken droppings, collected on the soles of tennis shoes and traipsed through the house, ended the chicken romance and the birds were packed up and sent to live with us in Silver Springs. By that time Rosie declared himself a rooster and was delighted to meet the harem of hens residing in our coop.

We noticed the personality disorder immediately. This docile "hen" turned out to be a fierce rooster and ruled the roost with iron spurs. We were all afraid of Rosie, the hens and people alike. He stalked all of us and jumped up, ready to cock fight with barely a moments notice. We learned quickly, never to turn your back on this bird for he was poised to attack. "What the hell is wrong with him?" I lamented to my friend and resident chicken expert. She explained that Rosie had "berserk rooster syndrome," a malady that sometimes affects birds raised by hand. They have no fear of humans and don't hesitate to challenge them. I knew then that Rosie had to go....

Bill went outside on a Saturday morning and came back in to tell me that Rosie was loose. They acknowledged each other, Bill turned westward out the front door and Rosie headed east. All of a sudden Bill heard a whirring sound behind him as Rosie careened through the air, ready to attack Bill. Leaping out of the way, Bill grabbed the garden hose and the battle was on. He swung the hose over his head, aiming for Rosie. The first toss fell short, but the second was a hit. Rosie was stunned. Meanwhile Bill, convinced that Rosie was to meet his maker that day, went to sharpen his axe.

Rosie hobbled to the backyard as Bill was preparing to "do him in" and he sought cover under the vegetation. When Bill was ready, Rosie was gone. We looked and looked, but never saw him again. I'll admit that I felt a tad fearful, going outside with the berserk rooster unaccounted for, but in time I relaxed for I knew that he was gone. He was a beautiful rooster, gone bad. RIP

The Old Ticker

2009-04-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

Well, "the clock struck one and down he run. Hickory, Dickory, Dock." It was three months ago when Bill first experienced the tightness in his chest. As he swung that mallet through the air, aiming at the wedge lodged in the log he was splitting, a tight feeling spread across his chest. he stopped, scarcely daring to breathe, as he did a quick assessment. "What was happening?"

We talked about the cough that persisted and if he could have pleurisy. We wondered and worried and days passed by. Bill went to the doctor and the PA thought it could be pleurisy after all. But the pain, a tight burning sensation continued and began traveling down his arm. The next doctor visit landed him on a treadmill in the cardiologist's office.

The left anterior descending artery was blocked 95%! Now this Bill of mine is no ordinary man with an ordinary heart. He is an oatmeal eating, garlic crunching, sardine snacking fellow who eats slivers of ginger and sprinkles tumeric and cinnamon on everything he eats. He exercises every morning before getting out of bed; all core strengthening movements guaranteed to wake me up at 5 am. Even though heart disease may run in his family, it wasn't going to wrap it's icy fingers around Bill's heart, no siree. I expected a rebellion but got none. Bill acquiesced and welcomed the chemo release stent, plavix pills and the generic statin guaranteed to reduce his cholesterol. He remains optimistic, cheerful and the lovable man I married over 40 years ago. His old ticker will keep on going, given new energy with the help of a tiny stent. Hickory Dickory Dock.

My Newest Friend...Aspirin

2009-02-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

I spent the 24th and 25th of February at my allergist's office being desensitized to aspirin. Arriving at 9 am, I was escorted to a corner room and told that I would be there until 4:30 pm. I was advised to bring food and a good book, or two. Then I was left alone except for the half hour checks on my blood pressure, pulse, O2 level and hourly checks on my lung function.

I brought plenty of work as I was still wrapping up the fall events for River Wranglers. I typed letters, wrapped Hershey's kisses, compiled folders, wrote minutes for the RW board meeting, compiled bills, and wrote letters.

Taking a break from work, I also did some embroidery on pillow cases I a m making for Kyna's 30th birthday and read magazines and books. Since the door was open to my examination room, I became part of the office in a way not usually experienced. The backroom conversations, the birthday party for office staff. In a way, I became part of the team.

The doctor started me on 1/4 baby aspirin, increasing the next dosage to 1/2 baby aspirin and then a whole baby aspirin, 81 mg. When I reached that level, I had a reaction! My nose began running. When the nurse went to get the doctor who was with a patient in an examination room, he came out dancing. His delight was contagious and his relief that I reacted nasally, rather than a chest reaction.

The next day I came back and spent the entire day taking aspirin, having my vitals checked and performing lung function tests. At the end of those two days I was desensitized. So what does that mean? Actually I have Samter's Triad, a concert performed by the trio, aspirin, nasal polyps and asthma. Now that I am desensitized my other symptoms should reduce. The very next day I awoke and realized that I could smell, something I rarely experienced. As delighted as I was to smell again, it didn't take me long to figure out that all smells are not enjoyable.

So now I take two aspirin daily, 650 mg, one at morning the other at night. I am feeling good and can breathe freely through my nose. Thank you to the good doctors that take the risks and challenges to help patients maintain health and quality of life.

Filing

2009-01-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

I know my ABCs, which is good because I am filing. I am walking, single file, through my house which is easy to do in a singlewide trailer, gathering papers that have no home and creating army-green recycled folders to be kept in a metal cabinet. Actually, there are three metal cabinets; one in the River Wranglers shed for RW files, one in my sewing room filled with quilt, craft, crochet and embroidery projects in one drawer and personal files in the other and the last cabinet is in the office I share with Bill. He's on top, I'm on the bottom.

Debbie came over last week to help me organize the RW files. This is a four drawer legal sized cabinet and we worked from 8 am to 5 pm. Fortunately the donuts she brought along gave us enough energy to see it almost to the end. Then the drawers, with all the files intact, sat on and under my kitchen table, waiting for me to put them in the shed. I had to take all the files out to move the drawers but on Saturday morning, that job was finished. Thanks to Debbie!

On Thursday night, after Debbie left, I began the job of organizing the files in my sewing room. Well I was really too tired after shuffling papers all day but I was relentless and ended up working until 10 pm. I was exhausted and grumpy by the time Bill walked in from his Spanish class and I admit I wasn't the best company. I worked on files through the weekend and finished up the second cabinet, pretty much. I think I have to buy another box of files to complete that job.

Now I have the office file to take care of, but really no interest in doing it, at least not right now. I want to cross "organize files" off the Blood Pressure List but I guess it's just not time to do that, yet. Perhaps this weekend, we'll see.

The Wishing Well

2009-01-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

I didn't know that "drill a new well" was on my blood pressure list. But, had I known, I would be crossing it off today. Yes, we drilled a well right next to our existing well. Typically you can tap into a well and use a smaller casing to save the cost of the depth already drilled. From there, you drill deeper. In our case, the windmill tower kept the drill rig from getting close enough to tap into the existing well so we had to drill another well.

I learned about this last weekend when Bill told me he signed a contract and the well driller would be starting on Wednesday."What???!!!" I exclaimed. Bill talked about the well and the fact that the diminished flow concerned him. What I missed was the conversation. I "heard" what he said but never offered comments and the next thing I knew we were in a contract to drill a well at least 160 feet deep. The current well is 90 feet and we've had it "blasted" a couple of times to build up the water flow. This ancient lake bed we reside upon has it's challenges to be sure.

So the well drillers came and drilled down to 160 feet but were pulling up grayish water with lots of sand particles. They suggested going deeper and we agreed to go another 40 feet. Fortunately they encountered a small gravel strata at 180 feet and capped it at 200 feet.

So now we have a new well and have to go about the business of capping the existing well. Lots of work. According to the well drillers it will cost $1500 to close down a well. Sounds a little too much to me so I'm going investigating by calling the EPA Wellhead Protection program to check on the legal requirements.

With the ending of the old well, I figure I should use it as my "wishing well." Would you like to join me and add your wishes to my well? And, even though it may be considered cheating, I think I will add "drill a new well" to my Blood Pressure List and check it off!

Windmill photo by Kyna Conlin Moser

Blood Pressure List

2009-01-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

Boy, I think I have a theme going on here. First there is "Buried Alive" and now the "Blood Pressure List." Can you see waves of stress here? I went to the doctor and she raised her eyebrows over my blood pressure and gave me a slip of paper to track it for a month. The first time I checked it was on New Year's Eve in Tucker's Pharmacy with one of those machines; a chair attached to a BP cuff and a digital read out of my pulse and blood pressure. I pushed the green button and the pressure built up. 143/85. Not good enough. I cleared the numbers and pushed the green button again - 139/80. Could be better. By the fourth time I was 129/81 so I decided to take that reading.

I began a list of things that cause me to feel overwhelmed, stressed out, short of breath, panicky. I'm up to 65 "things" that are bugging me and am beginning the process of elimination. Some of the items are tips of iceburgs such as "Mom's house". That entry actually means "sell Mom's house" something I've been trying to do in vain for nearly three years. I've gone through four realtors with no luck. The only thing that constantly changes, besides the realtor, is the price. I've gone from $280,000 to $140,000. Since I no longer have a realtor the idea now is to rent it and compete with three other houses in the culdesac for rent. Not an easy one to cross off the list.

Some of the posts were easy to scratch a line through; make an appointment with the allergist, my fourth quarter report for 2008, and Christmas thank you letters. Others, like the house, aren't quite so simple; set up a living trust, organize River Wranglers files, remove the heater in the hallway (I think the house was built around it!). I've already drawn thick, red lines through 20 entries and you know what? I think my blood pressure really is going down!

Buried Alive!!

2009-01-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid the paper is getting the very best of me. What to keep...what to toss??? The piles of paper tower over me and I am constantly moving them from one location to another. "I need to get organized!" I cry out. But day-by-day I learn to adjust and accept the papers as part of my home decorating scheme.

If the paper towers weren't enough, we needed to add a little remodeling project into the mix. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, we brought cabinets into our home to replace the dilapidated, poor excuse for a cabinet, that we struggled with every day. The new cabinets had a superior attitude about them as they watched the old cabinets being yanked from the wall, their contents spilling like guts into boxes and piles on the living room floor. Then the fun began.

The drainpipe, winding its way under our home to the septic tank developed a leak. Bill repaired it. Somehow air got trapped in the pipe and as I washed clothes the water in the toilet acted like Old Faithful, shooting up a geyser of water above the lid! We really don't know who fixed that problem, but after several days of securing the toilet lid down, the problem went away.

Then we had problems with the cupboards. The vent pipe, in the corner of the kitchen, prevented us from placing the upper corner cabinet flush against the wall. We had to flare out the cupboard using thin pieces of shim. This meant that every cupboard required that treatment. When Bill opened the box for the pantry, wrong pantry! Back to Reno to exchange it for the right one.

To list all of the challenges would make me feel exhausted but they involved electricity, going to the hardware store, replacing plumbing, drilling holes in cabinets, going back to the hardware store, chiseling the floor, going to the hardware store and returning materials and purchase more "stuff" and so on. For some reason the towers of paper look more appealing.

Since November, I've been buried alive in my own home, wondering if I'll ever be missed.

A New Bedfellow

2008-09-10T11:58:00.001-07:00

Bill is out of town for the week, working in Winnemucca. I am home alone, or so I thought until last night when I realized someone else was in bed with me! It was exactly 2:10 am when I felt someone brush against my right arm. I screamed loudly, jumped out of bed, flipped on the light switch, reached for my glasses and turned to face the bed.

The covers were up so I gingerly pulled them back, expecting to see a flurry of movement as the intruder sought refuge. Well, he didn't move at all but sat staring at me with little beady eyes and a bald head. He was big, at least two inches long, and how he ever managed to find me will forever be a mystery.

The Jerusalem Cricket stared up at me, wondering what all the fuss was about. After all, Bill was gone and there was plenty of room in the bed for the two of us. I, however, had a different take on the situation and decided that he had to go. I retrieved a plastic container with lid from the kitchen and scooped up the invader so I could get a better look in the morning. Then I unfolded the bedding and examined everything carefully before climbing back into bed.

Living in the desert has its challenges and far too many encounters with insects and spiders determined to survive. Scorpions are frequent party crashers, trying every way they can to find refuge inside our home, away from the elements. There are also various spiders looking for dark corners. The Jerusalem cricket, I've seen outdoors but this was the first time one has ventured in. Yikes!

Birthdays on Top of Mt. Rose

2008-09-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

Our family celebrates cluster birthdays. In September we always get together and have a party for Molly's August 31 birthday, my September 1 birthday and Chaja's Septmeber 3 birthday. We also celebrate Joe and Breena's anniversay date, also on September 3.

This year was a double digit year for Chaja. She is now 10 years old. I made her a dress, as I have done since she started school but this year the dress was fancy! She expected a "school dress" and was delighted to see the organza, taffeta and velvet...a party dress for sure.

The dress proved to be a greater challenge than I anticipated. I adjusted the pattern to fit and ended up with armholes large enough for me to comfortably ease into. Yikes!! I ended up opening the seams on the dress and lining, removing the sleeves, taking the bodice part way off of the skirt and taking everything in 5/8" on each side. Too much work for a project that I wanted to complete in a hurry. But I got it finished and by the looks of it, Chaja was happy as any ten year old girl could be.

Molly celebrated her 26th birthday and traveled from Tennessee with her fiance Luke. It was great to have both of them with us.

I transitioned into a new decade. Now I am 60 years old...deserving of every grey hair on my head. Breena made me a party hat and all of my family celebrated with me, at the campsite or from their home in Seattle. It was a birthday to remember.

Mama Mia.... Here I Go Again

2008-09-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

At my request, Bill went with me to see Mama Mia. The theater darkened and a young woman rowed across the water to mail her wedding invitations to three men, one of whom (and she didn't know which) was her father. Then the singing began. I leaned over and whispered in Bill's ear, "Did I tell you this was a musical?"

I loved it! Had a hard time staying in my seat because ABBA's music was too much fun. Went again with Debbie and Darci to the little theater in Yerington. Got in as a senior (now that I am 60!) and it only cost $4.00. If I had trouble staying seated the first time, the second was worse. After leaving the theater I wanted to do the Dancing Queen down the main street of Yerington. Unfortunately no one followed me.

Then I got the Best of ABBA CD for my birthday from Randi. The music fills my car wherever I go. I am saturating myself with ABBA.

Tomorrow will be theater performance number three. I am going with Kathi. She isn't sure she has heard ABBA as she was "into country" and she doesn't really like musicals. So this will be the true test. Will Linda be able to stay in her seat? Will Kathi be able to stay in hers? Linda will want to dance, Kathi may want to leave. Tomorrow will tell.

Patch, Patch, Patch...

2008-08-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

You know the expression about bad things coming in groups of three? Well I certainly had a time during the week that I was conducting camp. It began on Saturday evening at my friend Dawn's home. We were flossing our teeth. (the older we get the less inhibited we are about taking care of business) and I managed to flick my gold crown across the room! That was the beginning.

I babysat my little grandson, Dagan, after camp ended and we were walking down to Jessie's home. Actually, I was walking and carrying little Dagan in my arms. Along the road I tripped and as I slowly crumbled to the ground, I tried to shield Dagan so he wouldn't get hurt. My knee took it all and I am now sporting a scab that any ten year old would wear with pride.

The last item involved Bill and my glasses. I returned from Jessie's and soaked my knee in the bath tub. Bill was watching Dagan and came in to talk with me and sat on my glasses - popping out lenses and crushing the frame as if the glasses were made of foil. By the picture you can see they were repaired and now work just great!

I'm all patched back together now, ready to celebrate my 60th birthday this weekend. By the looks of it, the patchwork is only beginning and will be a project that I get to work on the rest of my life. Talk about a UFO, I think this is better considered an art piece in progress.

Tumbleweeds and Camp Opanana

2008-08-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

The idea was good. I'm sure it was. After my granddaughter, Chaja, was deprived of 4-H Camp in Washoe County (already full) and Lyon County (they don't accept kids outside the county) I decided, who needs them anyway? I can do my own camp so...like the little red hen, I did.

Now I am not complaining because I had a great time, but I think I took on too much as the camp director, activity director, chaperone, cook... My comrade in crime, Randi, helped a lot but her days were shorter than mine since Helen only came for daytime activities. I was up each morning before 6:00 and crawling into my sleeping bag under the olive tree by the chicken coop by 11:00 pm.

I think the kids had fun...it's hard to tell. I ran it like a camp and they didn't have the measure of freedom they are accustomed to when they come out to the high Nevada desert. They did learn about the area with trips to Ft. Churchill and the Oxbow Nature Study.

The best thing for us, though,was getting rid of weeds. Before Camp, when Helen came to visit, she navigated through tumbleweeds growing waist high (her waist high) in our yard. Now Helen in only 4 but I could see what an issue it was for her, avoiding all the stickers and prickly branches. Then and there I decided to begin a weed eradication program, half hour of weed pulling every morning as the sun was rising to heat up the day. The piles have grown, multiplied and taken a life of their own. But to Helen I owe thanks for showing me that under all those weeds we have a delightful yard.

Camp is over but I am still fighting the battle against the tumbleweeds. I am determined and their life is withering as the days shorten. I think I may be victorious.

Getting it Back Together

2008-07-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well, when you lose it sometimes it is difficult to find it again and get it all back together. Such is my life. It seems that I travel in circles, some overlapping, some small, others wide. But whatever it is I do, I travel in circles and sometimes wonder if I am at the beginning or end.

The Grand Canyon came and went. So did my weight. Before the Canyon it was gone but now the canyon is history, the weight is back again. I think all the training was so good for me and I should do it more often. Makes me feel healthier. Actually, whenever my pants fit loosely, I feel better. So...I should walk. Check back with me to see if I do.

Just returned from Portland and Seattle to visit our kids and grandson, Dagan. Had a great time but when we returned the freezer was off and we didn't have water. Such is life in the fast lane. Keeps us all on our toes.

So, it appears that I am getting it back together and am back in business. Glad to be back and know you are still out there somewhere.

One Foot in Front of the Other

2007-09-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I figured it out and now know for certain that hiking is all about one foot following the other. I can hike far, up, down and all around if I don't psych myself out and think that what I am about to do isn't possible. Take this past weekend for example. I celebrated my last 50th birtday with Bill by hiking up the highest mountain in the Lake Tahoe basin, Mt. Tallac. It was hard work, and near the end, I was ready to unroll my sleeping bag and sleep along the trailside. We did 14 miles on Sunday so that meant much of Monday was spent massaging our calves and resting. That didn't matter at all because the feeling of accomplishment and the delight in viewing ten lakes from the pinnacles of Tallac were well worth what ever pain I inflicted upon myself. So, if you were wondering if we are still in training, the answer is yes, most definitely!!

This Saturday, Sept. 8 we hare hiking up to Marlette Lake, a spectacular hike on a trail about one year old. So it's hiking every weekend for October will be here before long.

Dylan's Unquilt

2007-07-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Dylan graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in biochemistry in four years. What a great job he did and with honors too!! I wanted to make him a quilt but he said that he would want one that looked like I didn't know what I was doing. Now what is this about???!!!%$@?? He didn't want sharp points, flying geese, nine patch squares or anything that resembled a traditional quilt. I was up for the challenge and welcomed it with some help from Rachael. Together we explored fabric and came up with some "manly" colors that might appeal to Dylan. Armed with a rotary cutter and a 20" square ruler I began hacking up fabric and sewing it back together in a "devil may care less" manner. The quilt measures 60 x 80 inches and has no border. To quilt it I did wavy lines in the squares.....simple was the key to this quilt. I even put the binding on with a zig zag stitch to keep the quilt from becoming too "quilty looking." The result is an unquilt that delighted Dylan and one that he actually took with him when he moved to Portland. So, I did it! And the best thing about it is that I may actually try it again some day.

Sister's Quilting Retreat

2007-07-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

Getting together with sisters can be fun but even more so when it involves quilting. My little sister Jackie traveled to Nevada with two sewing machines, three unfinished quilts, and boxes of sewing supplies. The marathon weekend began when she arrived on Friday night...late. We were up early the next morning and the machines were humming. I worked on Shayna's graduation quilt and Jackie quilted the quilt that Shayna made for her in her Young Womens Group at her church. Jackie was so intent on her quilting that she managed to quilt her scissors on to the backside of her project. What a laugh we had over that one. We even managed to make a visit to Ft. Churchill where Rachael and her family were camping with friends and we celebrated Jackie's Birthday. By the end of the weekend we did plenty of sewing, lots of reminiscing and snacking.

Grand Canyon or Bust

2007-07-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

Randy and Dawn overlooking Reno on Jones-White Creek Trail
We are planning a trek to the Grand Canyon in October 2007 with Aunt Jackie in celebration of her 70th birthday (which was actually last year but planning this trip takes time). Jackie trekked the Grand Canyon with her mother Louise when she turned 70 and the trip ended up in a helicopter flight out of the canyon. Jackie has a different approach to the trip and plans to hike it, not once but three times within a two week period! If that sounds unbelievable, it is but I think she is serious.

We are on trek two and our group consists of Debbie, Randy, Holly, Mike, Ross and Michelle, Aunt Jackie, Bill and me...nine total. We plan to spend the first night on the rim of the canyon, hike to the Canyon floor, spend two nights, hike out and spend the final night on the rim.

TrainingWe are in serious training which involves lots of seriously good hiking food, of which chocolate is a staple as it is also used for medicinal purposes. Today we did the Jones-White Creek Trail again and still have yet to get it right. Somehow we ended up on Timberline Road amidst million dollar homes, looking for the hiking trail. Thanks to Derek, we hitched a ride back up the mountain to Galena Park. Now how we managed to do that is puzzling but the chocolate was good, for sure.

The next hike will most likely be from the Mt. Rose summit down to Davis Creek...if we can figure out how to stay on the trail. We did this hike about 15 years ago and there were too many people in charge, each planning a different course. We'll see how much wiser we have become in the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, I keep walking most days and keeping track of my miles on the pedometer. We want to be in shape and the time is drawing near. Today Bill and I hiked along the Carson River in Ft. Churchill. We brought Bailey with us, a good reason for dogs to stay at home. It was a hot hike and Bailey was too hot, constantly seeking a cool down in the trickle of river water. So...we spent time looking for her, being hot and eager to return home. There are so many more hikes to do and living near the Sierra Nevadas provides many different opportunities. We are so blessed. I'll keep you posted of our progress. Look out Grand Canyon for here we come!

Randy the Queen of Quilts

2007-07-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

I guess this blog would not be complete without a posting about my dear friend and quilting buddy, Randy. Randy is older than I am. She is also talented in a multitude of ways. Her quilting is exquisite in design and craftsmanship. She is an avid reader and loves a good mystery novel. Her favorite food is popcorn(note the story about Palomitas for Dagan below) and over the years she perfected eating popcorn without getting any butter on her hands. She uses a cup and catches the popcorn kernals with her tongue. Now if that doesn't show talent, I don't know what does. Randy does all things domestic except cook, that she leaves to her husband of 40 years, David. Randy is beautiful and enjoys creating beauty around her.

Twinkle Stars for Noah

2007-07-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Noah Domingo was born January 8, 2007 in Reno, Nevada. My daughter, Cheyenne selected the border fabric to use in his quilt. I admit I was challenged because the fabric had lots of pink and Chey and Larry expected a little boy. Well, we got it done and now little Noah has his own quilt from Nana, "Twinkle Stars for Noah".

I plan to send this photo to Quick Quilts since the pattern is one they published in their magazine. Who knows, maybe Noah will get his first photo shoot in a quilting magazine. Now I can't imagine anything more exciting than that!

Noah is such a sweet little baby. He watches everyone with his dark brown eyes and doesn't miss a thing. Chey and Larry are so good with him and manage to work full time jobs and take good care of Noah at the same time. We are truly blessed by our children and grandchildren.

Palomitas for Dagan

2007-07-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the quilt I made for my grandson, Dagan Donosti. The quilt is titled "Palomitas for Dagan." The morning Dagan was born, January 18, I emailed my quilting buddy, Randy and she thought his name was "Dragon." She did a double-take and then searched the meaning of his name. The name Dagan is Hebrew and means a grain of corn. At that moment she declared that Dagan would have a fire sign, the dragon, and that his favorite food would be, of course, popcorn. Hence the quilt was titled.

Dagan is a precious little baby, so curious and energetic. I just returned from a week with his family and enjoyed playing with him so much. It is delightful to see what wonderful parents Kyna and Scott are to their little son. So, since I'm not in Seattle to wrap my arms around him, I'm glad the quilt is there to give him some Nana comfort.