Still Crocheting...Honest!!!

Well, it's the day of the big game. But we have to wait until 3:15 (CST) for it to start. It was originally scheduled for noon but that stupid baseball world series caused the time change. Anyway, I'm ready - have my green shirt on and it appears to be helping the Eagles beat the Giants big time so far (not that I'm all that interested in who wins that game buy hey, it is football day and it would feel really strange not to be watching a game while I wait for THE game to start). Hope the "good luck" of the wearing of the green continues into the Packer game...especially today.

Okay, so it's football day and that means I must be crocheting....and I AM! Work on the afghan continues and I just finished attaching the fourth row of squares. Only three more rows (33 squares) to go until I can work on the border.

Captivated by Nature

This is fast becoming one of my favorite times of year. The yard is alive with activity! The raised vegetable garden beds are looking good and everything is growing well...so far. Even the pumpkin and watermelon seeds I planted a couple weeks ago have sprouted and are developing new leaves. If they all produce, we'll have lots of pumpkins for carving (and canning) and an abundance of watermelon to eat come early fall. I'm hoping the cucumbers do well as I really have a taste for grandma's pickle recipe this year.

Besides the garden, watching the birds has been a joy. A couple weeks ago the baby Eastern bluebirds hatched and just last week, one day, I was late for work as I spotted the little ones perched on the crossbar of our clothesline post just as I was about to head out the door. It was captivating to watch as one by one each little one took flight...all but one, that is. This little straggler needed some encouragement from Father Bird. But eventually he (or she) made a short but glorious flight. I have found it both amazing and delightful that they are still sticking around so long this year. Each evening I watch as they come out from hiding and flutter around the yard. I can't remember them ever staying so long after leaving the nest. I Imagine Mother Bird will soon be laying her second batch of eggs in the little white birdhouse. And then I can start all over keeping watch. The hummingbirds are coming around enmass. Their antics are delightful. Early this afternoon I saw a doe standing on the road and the gopher that resides way too close to my gardens greets me each morning as I leave for work. For living out in the middle of nowhere, so to speak, there sure is a lot going on!

Late last week we got an over abundance of rain. So much so that nearly the whole yard was flooded three times in one night! Luckily there was only a tiny amount that seeped into the basement and the sump pump didn't even have to start up.

Been working on a few stained glass pieces - they're in the slideshow. Health things have keep me busy...or not. With all the wet weather and higher humidity, my RA has been acting up. Add to that increasing osteoporosis and a battery of tests. So far nothing too serious. And, I've been running with Dan's aunt to doctor appointments as well.

Be sure to check out the newest pictures of Miss Amelia on my photo album site. She came for a visit yesterday and was quite the socialable little lady!

Time Off

Been a few weeks...again! Lots of things have occupied my time since I last posted. The weather has been up and down - nice warm and sunny days mixed in with cold ones. We even had frost one morning the week after Memorial Day! The three baby Eastern Bluebirds have hatched and are being well cared for. They're growing nicely and I imagine will soon be testing their wings. Yesterday I saw a female Oriole sitting on our clothes line post with some string in her beak. She's either building or adding to her nest.

The garden is planted and doing well so far and the flower beds are planted as well. A few shrubs that had seen much better days have been removed. The swing set is disassembled and pumpkin and watermelon seeds were planted where it used to occupy space. My final paper for school has been written, submitted, and reviewed. And...the fire wood pile has grown significantly in anticipation for the next two winters. Amid all this activity, we made a trip to the cemetery on Sunday before Memorial Day to plant flowers at my dad's grave. I usually had made a wreath and floral arrangement of silk flowers but this year wanted to do real flowers.

You'd think with having 10 days off I would have worked on stained glass. Well, no, I just didn't have any energy for that with all the work that needed to be done around the house. But, I went back to work yesterday and when I got home, after taking the dogs for a walk and backing a batch of chocolate chip cookies, I started in on stained glass again. I completed two small flower pieces (they're in the slide show) that will probably make it to the holiday bazaar. There is a great connection with going to work and busying myself with stained glass. I have been finding the situation at work to be frustrating and immersing myself in stained glass really helps take my mind off, well, literally everything else. Kind of like an oasis in the desert. Still sacred time...

Hiatus

Been a while since I've written. It's been a busy time at work and I've been a bit too tired to do any stained glass work...now, that's busy!

The first mowing of the lawn was completed today. A bit on the cold and windy side at a mere 38 degrees. But with the abundance of rain last week, the lawn was looking a little shabby. I just love the smell of freshly cut grass. And also don't mind one bit doing that chore. Gives me a good hour and a half to two hours to think about nothing in particular and to be away from hearing the phone ring. Kind of like being in another world...sacred time.

The other day it was so windy the swing set tipped over! It's been quite the spring here in northeastern Wisconsin. In fact, I just took a look at the thermometer and it reads 27 degrees! Good thing it's too early for any plants to be put into the gardens...they'd freeze tonight!

The hiatus from blog entries this past week will probably be accompanied by another several days away from writing. 12 hours from now I'll be heading to Florida to spend a few days with my friend. Am so looking forward to seeing her most of all and spending time at the beach. Seems my mind has been pulled in many different directions of late and my spirit feels so unsettled. A good dose of ocean beach is sure to clarify and refresh. The mid 80 degree weather can't hurt either!

Saturday Musing and Update

Well, I finished the rectangular hummingbird and flower piece and it's included in the slideshow. I sure wish the sun would shine - it's been cloudy and rainy (except for snow today) for the past few days. Sure would make the colors on the glass pieces much more vivid. I do have another project in mind (coming soon: Tulips in the round) but will probably not start on it right away. Other things need to be attended to this afternoon. Besides, I'm running out of solder...again!

Since the weather is less than wonderful and it's so cold outside, this would be a good day to reorganize my glass supply, do the laundry, and attend to class work. Sounds like a busy afternoon to me!

What's New

Been sort of lazy days. The weather has much to do with that. It's been so cloudy and rainy over the past few days - enough to get anybody down...or at least lazy. There's even snow in the forecast for tomorrow...that's April in Wisconsin; never know what we're going to get. At any rate, it's been really nice to have had time to myself - time to renew and re-energize my spirit. Oh, there have been many work-related phone calls even though I have been off work since Tuesday. Took some of those accumulated comp days off this week. Those calls were annoying at first, but quite necessary in the long run.

I've been working on a new rectangular stained glass piece - a hummingbird and bright orange flower. Think it's turning out pretty well but it's been slow going. Managed to get five new cuts on my hands and fingers in the process...but nothing serious. I hope to finish the piece at some point tomorrow and then will add it to the picture album and slideshow. Stopped at the glass studio this morning to pick up another roll of copper foil (should have picked up more solder too so there may be yet another trip into town very soon). Ended up purchasing another pattern book too. There's a really cute bluebird in the round pattern in it that I want to make. Lots of other interesting patterns too. So there will be much to keep me occupied for quite some time. Working on these projects is definitely my sacred time.

Busy week ahead so it was a good thing to have these days off. Lots of meetings coming up but only one is an evening meeting, so that's good. The more time goes on, the less I want to be away from home in the evening. I'd much rather be here working on stained glass. But, alas, those evening meetings are part of my job... And I do seem to find pretty much time for crafting no matter how busy work can get.

New Projects etc.

Been working on a mid sized rectangular stained glass piece. It's the first I've attempted with straight edges and it's slow going learning how to make sure those edges are even so that the framing channel fits well. So far three sides are a-okay but the fourth side is giving me problems. So I decided to let it sit for today and return to it tomorrow (besides I had two meetings to attend today - one this afternoon and one this evening - and no spare time to work on it anyway). There's no point in working on a project when frustrated because somehow the glass seems to know frustration and things just don't go well when that happens. This is a technique I will have to perfect before working on a window.

Today I got my first order to make a piece for someone. It will be a cardinal - perhaps one of a different design from the one in the slideshow. I emailed several pattern options to this person to choose from. I have my favorite but we'll see what is ultimately chosen. I also delivered Simon's "order" - the second Northern Sunrise, the soccer ball, and the red airplane.

Meanwhile, if and when I get the current piece finished, I have my eye on a few smaller sun catchers to add to my collection and/or save for the bazaar and/or give as gifts. I certainly have a wide variety of glass here to choose from for those items and a rather large assortment of new patterns to try out.

Now that I've made my flight reservations for a return trip to Florida at the end of April, I find it difficult to wait even four weeks to go. There's a sense of peacefulness and perspective I find when there that I cannot seem to find anywhere else. Perhaps it's the geographical distance, perhaps it's because it's so different than Wisconsin (weather, climate, scenery), but mostly it's being able to connect in person with my dear friend - a friend with whom I email nearly every day and sometimes more than once a day. Though we first met the summer of 2003, I feel as if I've known her for many years. I truly believe we were led by divine intervention to meet - blessed be!

Could it be Spring???

If you've taken a look at my Sister's blog, Quilted Comfort (see Links), and viewed the beautiful cherry tree in full bloom and...wished even one tangible sign of spring were visible where you live - like I have - Take Heart; subtle signs are all around!

Here in this corner of northeastern Wisconsin, the snow cover is less than half of what it was a week ago - there's been much melting over especially the past few days and we now have huge patches of bare ground visible. The colors have changed from black and white to brown and white. The birds are around again, playing and fluttering in our bushes by the deck. Their chirping and songs are a delight. And then, yesterday I saw something I was not expecting mid-March...my tulips have begun to emerge from their long winter's rest deep in the ground. Granted, they are only up about 2 inches and there are no blooms yet, but this sign of new life is energizing and so appreciated after the long, cold, and very snowy winter we've had here.

We do temper our enthusiasm with a dose of reality though by saying, "It IS only March and this IS Wisconsin...we CAN still get lots of snow yet". But I for one do hope these subtle signs of spring and all the new life that is just waiting to burst forth will continue to emerge with abundance over the next week and month...akin to what our journey through Lent is supposed to be all about...

Friday Chatter

Oh darn, duty called today and I had to do some of that dreaded housework. But now the carpets are all shampooed and looking good again. Afterward I went into town to pick up a few things and did make another stop at the Glass Studio for three items...no new glass this time. When I got home, I set to work on finishing the angel I had begun yesterday. It will be a birthday gift for Aunt Peggy. (Picture coming soon as it was too dark outside by the time I finished to get a good shot.)

I was so engrossed in the project that I even forgot to eat lunch! Well, supper was put on hold as well because my daughter called to ask if I could babysit Amelia tonight. She and Ryan wanted to go out to eat, something they hadn't done since Amelia was born...in July! Given the choice between babysitting "Sweet Pea" and eating supper, well, Amelia won out. The little dear slept soundly all the while I was there. Simon was off on a sleep-over birthday party. But he will be coming over tomorrow and staying over night. That's sure to make for an active weekend.

Speaking of an active weekend, it will also be a semi-work weekend as well. Have a four hour morning of reflection at work tomorrow and also have to teach a class on Sunday - but only for one hour. Seems real weekends off are few and far between at times.

By the way, I did take Sara's birthday gift along tonight even though her birthday isn't until tomorrow. She loved the hummingbird and flower sun catcher!



8 March:

Here's the picture of the angel. This one was put together with copper foil and solder. Then a copper patina was put over the solder and shined up with polish.

The Week...So far

It's been a mixed up sort of week...and it's only Tuesday! Late Sunday afternoon it started raining. In the evening we had lightening - kind of unusual for early March in Wisconsin. By Monday morning the rain had turned to sleet and then to snow around 6:30. That made the trip into town to take one of our dogs to the vet rather slippery. But we made it, safe and sound. I opted to to into work later that morning since I had to teach my class both in the afternoon and evening. By the time I got home I was bushed. No stained glass crafting on Monday. And my hands and fingers got the rest they needed.

Today I again opted for a late start to the work day. About half of my afternoon class had decided not to make the drive on Monday because of slippery roads, so I offered a repeat class this afternoon. After work I headed into town to the glass shop and picked up several new pieces in various colors. I have three new projects in mind - an oval with a daffodil, a bluebird, and a basket of apples. Not sure which I'll start with, but am leaning toward the apple one. I do have all three of the patterns cut out and ready to go but didn't do any work on them yet. So...my fingers got one more day of healing (just some nicks). Did manage to get some laundry done before heading to work...wonder if my sister's washing machine is fixed yet...

Tonight I attended Evening Prayer followed by an appointment. Made for another long day, but both these days have been enriching and nourishing in various ways.

Wednesdays are typically my day off and tomorrow I have some special plans...I'll spend some time in the afternoon babysitting Amelia. What a joy that will be! Oh yes, I do plan to do some stained glass work too, so I had better decide which of the three projects will be the first to get cracking on. It will be good to get back to crafting and besides, other than the time I'll be with Amelia, I plan to stay put at home since it's supposed to snow...again! Oh how I long for spring or to be on the Florida beach watching another sunrise like the one pictured top right!!!

Still not too old to learn...

These February winter days here in Wisconsin are ripe with cabin fever - when it's above 5 degrees it's been snowing, when it's not snowing it gets below zero. So...what is a Wisconsinite to do? Well, I've already made my yearly trip to Florida, so there was only one other option: Learn something new!

Over the past month I have been taking stained glass classes. I have found a new passion! There's one more class to go, but I am already nearly obsessed with this new craft activity. The instructor told us we'd get better with practice, so...after purchasing the necessary tools, some glass, and searching for beginner patterns, I set up a work station in our basement and I HAVE been practicing every chance I get!

Now, I'm not saying I'm all that good at it yet, but I do see progress. And the absolutely best part is how relaxing and renewing it is for me. It's like a breath of fresh air amid the sometimes turmoil of the workday or week. In that respect, the time I spend cutting, shaping, and connecting colored glass into a pattern is sacred time - spiritual activity. I think my sister (her blog is listed in my links) who is a master quilter will probably agree that immersion in a creative activity is indeed sacred time.

Night time ramblings...

Today, Feb. 14th, we had yet another round of snow here in northeastern Wisconsin. The weather report stated we got 6 inches, but I am convinced I shoveled at least 10 inches off our deck this afternoon...and it kept snowing until 6:00 tonight!

But...with the snow, came a day off - a blessing in disguise! I could not get to work because the road conditions were terrible. In fact, I couldn't even see the road from our window most of the day. So...I had a day to myself to rest, to ponder, and to play. It was one of those nourishing kind of days...food for the soul. AND...it was much needed!

It's been a busy week. On Monday I began teaching a class, which amazingly both energized and drained me. Both Monday and Tuesday were very long days of work...but I'm not really complaining because it is good work with good people. Mixed in with work, in the late evening hours, I have been reading. Not just any old reading or being engrossed in some juicy novel. My reading these days is for school. Yes, after all these years, I continue to immerse myself in learning - formal education. What a gift it is...to be able to continue education in areas I feel called to AND enjoy! But there are times when I simply get tired - worn out - in need of renewal. And today, my snow day off, was just the kind of day for that renewal I really needed!

So...winter, be what you may; snow if you will. I'll take a day of rest any time!

Not too old to learn...

Oh my goodness, I used to think I was on top of the game when it came to technology but things in that area move along so quickly these days. Though where I work I am considered one of the computer guru's, I have no clue as to how an ipod or an mp3 (or is it 4?) player works, nor do I know the first thing about a blackberry. I have text messaged only once and found it quite awkward.

But...to my delight, I learned just yesterday, how to upload a video on YouTube! Didn't take all that much effort in the brain power department, but it was something very new to me. No, I'm not going to give you the link to the video - it was done only for someone specific and I will be deleting it soon. But the sheer accomplishment of actually figuring out how to do it - upload a video from my camcorder - made a very long day a huge success!

All the patterns that are emerging within and around continually amaze me!