Ready or Not

I think everything is ready. Our flight leaves at 7:00 AM; not the original schedule, of course, which was at the much more comfortable 11:00, but so it goes.

Amelia is keeping the dogs (Bless Her Everlovin' Heart), and when Fee took them over, he said L.J. and Jezza tried to teach Mac and Belle how to use the doggy door by running in and out...over and over. Our dear little pooches are reluctant to accept the fact that a human isn't always availabe to open the BIG door for them.

Watered and watered and watered, and I'm still praying for rain. Red is going to come on Friday and see about things in pots and so forth.

I'm working on beading "Geometric Brights" and debating about whether or not to take it with me. No, yes, no...maybe.

detail 

Geometric Brights is quilted and now I'm beginning the beading. 

New Poet

I found John O'Donohue through a visit to Julaine Lofquist-Birch's blog where she has his Gaelic Blessing posted.

Did a search and found this:

I would love to live
Like a river flows,
Carried by the surprise
Of its own unfolding. --John O'Donohue

I've finished all my library books and have my new ones to take with me, but I think I'll order something by O'Donohue.

Wonky angle of "Leaves" 11x17

detail

detail

detail "Leaves in Wind"

Preparing for trip

We are leaving on Thursday for Orlando, and I've got to quit delaying and get organized. I've been working on projects as a way of avoiding thinking about what needs to be done. This is when I'm most productive, when I need to be doing other things and don't want to.

I'm nervous about the competition, about not knowing what to do, about forgetting my routines, etc. Excited? Not in a good way because competing is nerve-wracking and with over 900 competitors (although not in my specific forms), I don't want to be awful.

Anyway, "Leaves in Wind" is finished except for sleeve and label. Posting pics.

Working on "Geometric Brights."

Amelia & Chris' fantastic pups: Jezza & L.J.

detail of "Celebration"; made from scraps of other projects 

This one ("Celebration at the Moon Gate") has been finished for a while, but haven't decided if I want to add any beading.

And so it goes

One entry found for homely.
1 : suggestive or characteristic of a home 2 : being something familiar with which one is at home "satisfy themselves with houses, furniture, books and clothes that were worn and homely and friendly to the touch' -- Brendan Gill 3 a : unaffectedly natural : SIMPLE b : not elaborate or complex 4 : plain or unattractive in appearance- home·li·ness noun

Finished free motion quilting on "Leaves in Wind" last night using metallic threads. I left some raw edges on this one, so washed it to see the homely (in it's best sense), wrinkly effect. Having prewashed all of the fabrics, the effect isn't as pronounced as I'd like, but the piece is more homely (again, in it's most positive sense); it is softer, slightly raveled, less crisp, and more comfortable. Next step, embellish! Is it a contradiction? Homely/Embellished?

Fee, dear husband of 33 years, ended up out of town again last night, so I've saved the movie for tonight. He is trying to get everything done that he can possibly anticipate before we leave on Thursday.

I, on the other hand, am trying to ignore everything I should be doing in preparation.

Finished Elizabeth and After by Mark Cohen last night. Will look for something else by him. Now, I need to finish Sailor on the Inward Sea by Lawrence Thornton. I've been enjoying this because it is a fictional examination of Marlowe and Marlowe's influence on Joseph Conrad.

Sat. musings

On the way to class this morning, I listened to NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, and as usual had a few snorts and guffaws. The program is based on articles that have appeared in the news the previous week, and frankly, the human "bean" is a truly amusing, frequently ridiculous creation. The program is over at 11:00, so as I arrive at Tai Chi on Saturday, I'm usually in a good mood.

Small class, but excellent, and when I left, body and mind were both relaxed and alert. Three hours in some situations is an eternity, but I'm rarely ready to leave Tai Chi.

Jimmy loaned me The Tale of Zatoichi, and Fee will be thrilled. So tonight is now designated movie night.

Until then, however, I'll work diligently on quilting. Or not.

detail 

discharge fabric study (6x8) 

Mac is ignoring me... 

Texas Star Hibiscus; close up of one of the blooms 

Procrastinating

After Tai Chi in the park yesterday, picked up 2 Avocado Delights and took them to Mother's for lunch. Mmmmm! Such a simple little sandwich, but so good.

When I got home, my intention was to begin working on some of my projects, but that didn't happen until around 8:00. I'd look at things, try to decide what to work on, then walk out of the room. I read, did some yard work, and debated until finally deciding to put together the "Leaves" quilt. Decided on a back, put together a sandwich, did the "pillowslip" thing, and began quilting with copper metallic thread. Didn't get much quilting done, but at least it is on its way to completion.

Quote

While looking for something else, I found this quote that I've had for years, but re-discover regularly:

You are what your deep, driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny.
--Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV.4.5

Although there are certain circumstances beyond our control, we are still responsible for our choices. We can blame someone else or events for our failures, but ultimately our success is our own responsibility. The failure to achieve what I want is, usually, because (one way or another) I didn't desire it enough to shape my will, which shapes my deed, etc. Also important for me to remember is to be realistic in my desires; I am never going to a professional basketball player and wouldn't have been if I'd started at five and practiced every day. My goals (desires) need to be within my reach, and I need to desire to be the best I can be, not the best. And choices, don't they reveal what you really want? Inspite of what I think I want, my choices are saying something else. Oh, and last but not least, achieving desires can't always be accomplished in a month, a year, or 10 years...it can be an infinite process.

And another favorite quote:

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.
--Chinese Proverb

New Stuff

Of course, I piddled around with some new things instead of working on any of the projects that I need to complete. The 4 tops, in various stages, are supposed to be a priority, but obviously are not.

Today's "To Do" list awaits me.

new stuff; 4x6" and less than 2x3" for pins

Bat-face Cuphea :)

Jacobinia

Cleome

Drought, projects, books

When did it last rain? Well, even when it did, it was only 1/4 inch. Have been using the soaker hoses in the beds and trying to avoid watering the grass, but sections are turning brown, so the sprinkler is now on.

Worked on 2 pins and a post card size piece. I love working with scraps, but have to wonder what that's all about. Finished the pins; almost done with the other one. As soon as I finish these, I really am going to work on one of the tops. Really.

Best Murder of the Year by Jon P. Bloch arrived yesterday. Described as "Clever, Witty, Campy, and Amusing" by Publishers Weekly, I'm anxious to read it, but I've got 3 books going right now and need to finish these and get them back to the library before we go to Orlando. Also, since it's a paperback, it will be a good one to take with me on the plane. I've read the dedication though:
For Tristan Robin Blakeman
Artist
Director
Actor
Poet
Renaissance Man

You have brought the Renaissance
to my heart and soul.

Wow! What a dedication. Tristan said this was his favorite book, and I can see why. If anyone dedicated a book to me, I'd be thrilled, but a dedication like that would be awesome.

Also received the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon and Natural Impressions by Carolyn A. Dahl.

Push Hands

Nina gave me two really good articles on push hands. They make excellent sense; however, the ability to apply the knowledge currently escapes me.

My new uniform just arrived. Haven't even taken it out yet.

Finished edging and mowing front and back yards. Hot!!!

Now that I've completed all of the unpleasant things on my "To Do" list, I'm ready to sew. Finish the quilt tops or play with scraps? Post cards or pins?

more garden pics

3 back and 1 front yard

Weather Paintings

http://tinyurl.com/a8r52 This is a neat site.

Some words to live by:

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.
And if you can't help them,
at least don't hurt them. --Dalai Lama

Presents

Mila and Erin; Mila's birthday

Interview

Erin just called and sent me a link to a Baton Rouge television web site (WAFB.com) because she had been interviewed, and the station had a video archived on the web. My computer's sound isn't working, so I couldn't hear what she was saying, but it was neat watching her in her lawyer garb. She said Mila came running into the room when she heard her mother's voice.

tangled roses, phlox, verbena 

"the tower" 

another view 

pond, chimes, eucalyptus 

girl with kite 

uh, out of focus... 

painted, beaded muslin; batting sticking out on sides; haven't finished beading 

crochet hat, knitted shawl, needle felted flower pins 

tiny needle felted pin cushions; wool is excellent for pins, needles 

"Spring Rain" hundreds of beads that don't show 

For some reason, the pictures I just posted from Mila's fabric book, posted in the opposite order in which I sent them. Have no idea how to correct that, so it will stand.

I want to figure out how to get more of pictures to Picasa. Fingers crossed that I will succeed where I've failed before.

last one

wrote the little bits of text

another page

many pages use scraps from things I've made her

pages from fabric book made for Mila last year

Finally figured out how to post pictures. Mila's Caterpillar was done after I took her "original" artwork (since she just turned two, she did have a little help) , traced the little hands, and used the original for placement and colors. Gave this to Erin last weekend. The purse is a fabric collage using upholstery fabrics that were given to me in small squares. Various quilt tops in progress while I decide what else to do with them. Leaves in Wind uses some of the discharged fabric I've been working on. The "fleurs," pins, and amulet bags are mostly 3" or less in size.

Haven't figured out how to load some of my pictures. Why some were easy and others were not is beyond me.

Nine more days until Orlando.

Mila's Caterpillar 

purse 

Elephant Walk 

Leaves in Wind 

Australian Waters 

quilts in various degrees of completion 

pin 

Geometric Brights (unfinished top) 

blue bag and pin 

"fleurs," amulet bags, doll 

I'm trying to figure all of this out. Following directions intimidates me.