miscellaneous nonsense

Storker creates some interesting projects. All kinds of street installations. I love these carousel horses.


Here are some funnies for you, Erin:

The following quotations are taken from official court records across the nation, showing how funny and embarrassing it is that recorders operate at all times in courts of law, so that even the slightest inadvertence is preserved for posterity.

* Lawyer: "Was that the same nose you broke as a child?"
* Witness: "I only have one, you know."

* Lawyer: "Now, Mrs. Johnson, how was your first marriage terminated?"
* Witness: "By death."
* Lawyer: "And by whose death was it terminated?"

* Accused, Defending His Own Case: "Did you get a good look at my face when I took your purse?"

The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in jail.

* Lawyer: "What is your date of birth?"
* Witness: "July 15th."
* Lawyer: "What year?"
* Witness: "Every year."

* Lawyer: "Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?"
* Witness: "No."
* Lawyer: "Did you check for blood pressure?"
* Witness: "No."
* Lawyer: "Did you check for breathing?"
* Witness: "No."
* Lawyer: "So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?"
* Witness: "No."
* Lawyer: "How can you be so sure, Doctor?"
* Witness: "Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar."
* Lawyer: "But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?"
* Witness: "Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere."

Here is the link for more Courtroom Quotes.

One night in a restaurant about 3 weeks ago, a man left his tip for the waitress looking like this. She was very pleased with it and brought it out to show several people. I didn't see it up close, so don't know what the bill was; it could have been a five...

Here is a link to creating your own shirt.

Sunday

Sunshine again today! It is getting colder, though. This winter has been characterized by extremes. Warm days, then cold, then warm again. These old scales we bought in St. Francisville a couple of years ago seem perfect to illustrate this winter's balance of days.



And here is St. Francis himself as he overlooks the garden. I need to get a better picture of him, but he manages to protect the birds, rabbits, and squirrels that visit throughout the year.

I didn't get home until about 9:00 last night, but I was so close to finishing the biography of Anne Boleyn that I gladly devoted myself to reading.

My gosh, January has simply flown by! All my good intentions have drifted to the wayside, and I'm going to have to review my standing in a few days with little to show. But February is a new month! I can simply begin again and hope to achieve a bit more.

To add a little quilt-related interest, check out the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival!

Whew!

This past week has been long and hard, and I've been feeling overwhelmed. I seem to spend most of my time in doctors offices...you know, the sort of thing you dread: sitting, sitting, sitting, waiting, waiting, waiting. Thank heavens for books, a portable escape.

Things are looking up, however; we have some help lined up now in caring for Dad. He has previously refused to move in with us or to get an apartment in an assisted-living facility close by, so my brothers and I have been frantic trying to see that he is cared for, fed, transported, entertained, etc. I know he has been afraid of losing the little independence he has and of losing the familarity of his own home, but through some excellent recommendations we have someone who will be able to come in the morning, make breakfast, see that he gets his meds, and drive him to work. My brother will take him home, and K. will return and see to supper, meds, etc. He was amenable to K. and showed her (in great detail) how to get the laundry detergent out of the box and which settings of the washer and dryer to use. We have great hopes that this will improve the quality of his life and reduce the immense stress of trying to make sure he is safe, occupied, and comfortable!

There are still several more appointments for the next few weeks, but I'm beginning to unclench and feel more hopeful. I'm determined to get my house cleaned up and get back into a more normal routine.

miscellaneous

Not much out of the ordinary going on around here.


More cardinal pics in the messy garden. I'm in the midst of a very slow clean up.












No quilting.

Some reading.

I've got several books started, but I'm spending most of my reading time on a new biography of Anne Boleyn. I'm not much impressed with this biographer; although her bibliography is excellent, her opinions are expressed as fact. She has some information I've never seen before and some new ways of looking at things, but she has a very obvious agenda. Even if I may come to the same conclusion, her opinions go beyond what the historical documents state. If she just would say, "It seems probable that ...," or "It is likely that...," but no, she states it as absolute truth-- without evidence to back it up. I'm ranting and reading and flagging pages so that when I finish and review it on my book blog, I can do it with some accuracy.

I've always loved Anne Boleyn and am quite ready to see her in a sympathetic light, but I'm not impressed with the author's method.

The last non-fiction I read on this general subject was The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser (YEARS ago, I admit) which I thought excellent. There are major discrepancies in interpretation between the two works. Not in fact, necessarily, but in presentation.

Sorry, I've no creative or quilty progress and am reduced to rambling. :)

Now, I'm off to get ready to take Laddie to the latest appointment.

I know you want me to stop, but

Some more information on MBTI personality type descriptions:

"This is the simple model. In fact, the Myers Briggs model is much more complicated than this - it is a dynamic model:
the preferences change and develop throughout life
the preferences interact with each other "

One area that I've questioned and see that others have as well is Judging. Mine was 11, which surprised me until I found this:

Judging and Perceiving
Judging and Perceiving preferences, within the context of personality types, refers to our attitude towards the external world, and how we live our lives on a day-to-day basis. People with the Judging preference want things to be neat, orderly and established. The Perceiving preference wants things to be flexible and spontaneous. Judgers want things settled, Perceivers want thing open-ended.

We are using Judging when we:

Make a list of things to do
Schedule things in advance
Form and express judgments
Bring closure to an issue so that we can move on

We are using Perceiving when we:

Postpone decisions to see what other options are available
Act spontaneously
Decide what to do as we do it, rather than forming a plan ahead of time
Do things at the last minute
We all use both Judging and Perceiving as we live our day-to-day life. Within the context of personality type, the important distinction is which way of life do we lean towards, and are more comfortable with.

The differences between Judging and Perceiving are probably the most marked differences of all the four preferences. People with strong Judging preferences might have a hard time accepting people with strong Perceiving preferences, and vice-versa. On the other hand, a "mixed" couple (one Perceiving and one Judging) can complement each other very well, if they have developed themselves enough to be able to accept each other's differences.

I do make lists, but I also postpone decisions. I schedule things, but then act spontaneously. I form and express opinions, but often decide what to do as I do it (especially with quilting). I love bringing closure so I can move on, but often put it off until the last minute. No wonder the J was only 11%

More here and
here
and this one is very good.

Egrets and cardinals

Only an egret today. Fee tells me that the bluish grey one I was calling a crane is probably a heron, but that one wasn't around today. I did manage to get some pictures, though.

Egrets are endangered and the Audubon Society and National Wildlife are working to provide successful habitats.





And this cheerful bit of red in a somber looking wood. I couldn't really get close enough to either to get good pictures.

How about this tree texture?

Once again, the rain held off until around 6:30 when I was on my way home.




Laddie had on his mud boots, but I managed to make a mess of my shoes because I couldn't resist checking out several areas that looked firmer than they were.

I finished Maximum City, really an excellent look at Bombay. I'm often amazed at how littleI know about other countries. Suketu Mehta makes this work read almost like fiction. Reviewed here on my book blog.

Reviewing Goals and Seeking Inspiration

Well, I'm trying to climb back on the Temperance wagon. Last weekend, I fell off and began grazing on anything that wouldn't eat me first. I mean cobbler and ice cream is simply beyond by ability to resist.

Not doing too well on Order either, but have made some attempts at getting things put away in the right places.

And Tranquillity (sp.) - just what does Franklin mean by "be not disturbed at trifles"? I'm mean, what is a trifle? One woman's molehill may be another's mountain, right? Anyway, while not totally successful, I'm trying to keep referring to Franklin's list of Virtues and just being aware of them seems to be helpful. :)

As far as quilting goes, I'm certainly in a dry spell. Can't seem to finish anything. Can't seem to begin anything new. Fingers crossed that this drought will soon pass. Haven't touched WIP girl, but have finished the binding on the table topper and am doing some embellishment.

It isn't that I can't think of anything...more that there are so many things I'd like to do that right now they overwhelm me.

I'm looking at the productivity of so many of you right now and am so impressed. Love this one by Debby. And everyone over at Quiltstudio is busy, creative, productive.

M-B Revisited (a few more)

Just to update The Meyer-Briggs Test results from this post :

Kim - classic INTJ
Sassenach - INTJ
Delta - ISFP
Jules - INFP
Debby - ISFJ
Debra - ISFJ
ACey - ENTP
Thomas - INFJ

and

Jeri - ISFJ
Granny Fran - INFJ
Rissa - INFJ
Rian - INFJ
Kay - INTJ
Patti - INFJ
Lori -INTJ


I loved reading the comments as you explained yourselves., and most of you seemed to think the test gave a pretty accurate result.

My original post was on the book blog, and the results were similar (although there was one slightly expressed E on each list). Not that it is a great surprise that both quilters and readers are going to be somewhat introverted. In fact, many quilters are readers (who frequently, but not always, own cats).

Book connections

In connection to the link to placeblogger which I mentioned the other day, I was catching up on NPR's Smart City as I did some hand sewing and placeblogger was mentioned there as well. All that sychronicity goes further as I found a blog in Bombay/Mumbai that fit in with Maximum City through placeblogger and on Smart City, a mention to the Cholera Epidemic in 1854 in London that relates to the novel The Great Stink. Not that I particularly enjoyed TGS, but it was educational. Steven Johnson was interviewed on Smart City and was talking about his new book The Ghost Map which details how the source of the cholera was eventually traced.

Baby, it's cold outside!

I've enjoyed reading where all of you fall in the personality types! (see post below) It is really enlightening to be able to connect blog personalities and acronyms.

Today, I've managed to avoid going out in the cold and have got the binding on the taple topper (ready for hand sewing), played around with some other ideas, straightened up my sewing room a bit (looking for an item I've yet to find...but I will, eventually), packed up some crocheted hats for Annieelf and destined for children in Afghanistan, now it is about time to read a bit more in Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found which I've talked about some here. Ignoring the cold world, as I make myself comfortable with a cup of hot tea and a good book.

The hats I'm sending to Annieelf are not wool because in our climate "wool days" are few, but there are 14 or 15 hats that last year I was working on with the idea of donating them to hospitals for pediatric chemo patients. Somehow all of them ended up in a big shopping bag and forgotten about. Still they should be of some benefit in keeping little heads warmer. Annie got the idea after reading about Frida's visit to an Afghan orphanage where she was expecting 30 children and found 300. As usual, my discovery was a circuitous route beginning with ART TEA LIFE.

cross-posting

The Meyer-Briggs test for personality type is making the rounds on several lists. My results were, predictably, INFJ. Even after answering in my most social mood, my results are 89% introverted. That sounds worse that it is. Here are different profiles of the INFJ type. I'd bet that most readers and book lovers fall into this category although with various per centages.

Take the test and let me know where you fall. I'm nosy. And I do bet that the majority of you are introverted to some degree. :)

Orange you glad...

A new entry in my blogging world is placeblogger discovered by way of Time Goes By.


These oranges brighten the inside of my refrigerator. They make up for the rest of the mess!

Saturday, I got this catalog from Hancock's of Paducah in the mail. Not sure why, as I don't remember ordering it, but what fun to browse through!

Now, off through the rain and cold to a meeting downtown. Then at 2:00, another meeting. Of all days to have to be out and about! It could have been last week when the temperatures were in the 70's. But no, as fate would have it...

Cranes

Still pouring rain here. Yesterday, it held off while Laddie and I took our country tour. First, down to the Lake Bisineau tract, where we found that the deer had evidently had a convention around the new pond. Tracks crisscrossing all over the place. We didn't stay long as too many of the "roads" were muddy, and I wasn't about to get stuck a mile or so back in the woods.

So we moved on to Raft Bayou and watched cranes (herons, egrets?) on the expanse of water that last week shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight, but on this overcast day, seemed quietly reflective. I think they are Sandhill Cranes, but I'm not sure. There is a grey one that keeps far away from the other two, the white ones, and he is much more skittish, flying off after watching the car creep down the road for a few minutes. He did this last week, too. Cranes, herons, and egrets are often confused, so I'm not sure if they are all even the same, since the other two are white.

Their flight is impressive and graceful, for they are such large birds and their legs are so long; but once they spread those great wings, they seem even more spectacular as they lift slowy from the water.

This information comes from Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge:

Cranes are unique and are among the most spectacular of the bird families. In fact, they have captured the human imagination as few other birds have. Famed naturalist and pioneering wildlife biologist Aldo Leopold called them, "nobility in the midst of mediocrity."

Cranes live a very long time, maybe 15-20 years or more in the wild and much more in captivity (a captive Siberian crane lived more than 80 years). Cranes are serially monogamous, meaning they have very strong pair bonds and "mate for life."

Cranes dance! Alone or in groups, cranes will bow their heads, leap in the air, and throw sticks or other "nesting material." Cranes also perform many interesting threat displays and other ritualized postures.

Because of these behaviors, their stately beauty, and their haunting calls, cranes are featured in the folklore of many cultures. They are symbols of a happy marriage and long life in the Far East. Any art museum with an Asian theme would likely have crane art. The royal courts of many countries kept captive cranes as status symbols. Crane postures have been captured in the moves of modern dance as well as ancient martial arts. The crane is the national bird of South Africa and other countries.

There are 15 species of cranes in the world, found on all continents except South America and Antarctica. Besides being one of the most interesting bird families, cranes are among the most endangered. Eleven of the 15 are considered at risk of extinction. Two crane species are found in North America, the endangered whooping crane and the wide-ranging sandhill cranes.

Here is a link to a National Geographic site with some gorgeous pictures.

The rain held off while we returned to town and went to dinner, and the down pour didn't start until I was almost home. It was a good day.

Mostly Links

I've been an infrequent blogger lately, for one reason or another. I'm trying to keep up with Tai Chi, both classes and park; I've been reading a fascinating biography of Voltaire; I've tons of new books; I've been to see my grandchildren; I've been catching up on chores and errands and phone calls and doctor appointments and meetings and.... As it is for everyone, periods that feel relaxed and leisurely are often followed by a storm of activities and necessary tasks.

Returning from my weekend in Baton Rouge, I was met with more decisions, questions, frustrations that have kept me busy and frantic. Our meeting this morning with the nurse practioner of a Geriatric Psychiatrist went very well, I think. New options, a more informed opinion, possibilites for improvement in certain areas. I'm more hopeful. One problem that she hit on is that older people often have trouble getting "bundled" sleep - they sleep in fits and starts, without getting the 6-8 hours needed rest in one bundle. This was one of our major concerns, and I feel more hopeful on this score. I'm grateful that this is a family affair; my brothers have been marvelous, and although it will never be an easy task, I feel so sorry for people who have no family members to help them.

Talking to someone who loves her work and has more to offer than commiseration is a remarkably encouraging experience. My brothers and I came away feeling less stressed and more prepared - well, at least I did!

Deb at DebGeyerQuilts has a post about a children's book about quilting, Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria. I found it a timely post as I've been "collecting" posts about quilting with children recently (and wish I could remember all of the posts on the topic I've seen in the last year or two).

Sooo...I'm going to share some of the links:

Most recently, and I love the pictures in these, Nellie of Nellie's Needles posted pictures of "quilters in training." And Joyce shared these pictures of her grandchildren. Gerrie over at http://www.thecraftstudio.com/qwc/
http://www.thecraftstudio.com/qwc/picture.htm

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/435402578MWADsA
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_blocks/article/0,,HGTV_3299_1371590,00.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltingKids/
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/quilts.html
http://www.mcps.org/linkous/creativity/quilting/
Some examples of classroom quilts:
http://www.mcps.org/linkous/creativity/LiteraryQuilt.html
http://www.mcps.org/linkous/creativity/quilting/Bates.html
http://www.mcps.org/linkous/creativity/quilting/Guinn.html
http://www.mcps.org/linkous/creativity/quilting/Stith.html
Simply Quilts has done several fascinating shows on the topic, and Alex has a book, too.
http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Start-Quilting-Alex-Anderson/dp/1571201416
http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/keepingquilt.html


I love keeping up with Fast Friday Fabric Challenge. Their latest challenge references the first or last line of a book, but all of them have been interesting, creative, innovative.

Back Home

Got back yesterday afternoon after having a delightful time playing with the grandchildren in Baton Rouge. Thomas dropped me off at Erin's on Saturday afternoon and went on to his meeting in New Orleans. I had a nice visit with my red-head and her family, marveling at Max's good nature and Mila's energy. Sunday, Thomas picked me up, and we headed back to Shreveport-Bossier. His meeting went well. My visit went well. Now, back to the dictates of the daily schedule.

Today, I plan to catch up on email and blog-reading, make some phone calls, try to get back on track.

Short Trip

I'm going to make a quick trip to Baton Rouge tomorrow to see Erin. My friend Thomas has a meeting in New Orleans and asked if I'd like to ride along and stay with Erin in B.R. while he goes on to New Orleans. Wasn't sure if it would work out, but fortunately, things came together, and I'll be able to spend the night, play with Mila and Max, and visit with Erin and Eric. Thomas will pick me up on his way back on Sunday. :)

Looking past the clouds

ChAoS has returned and been brought back under control for a while, I think. One can never be certain, and although I can't control the situations, controlling my reactions to them is my goal.

Alzheimer's is dreadful, hateful, despicable disease.

On the bright side, I'm continuing to refer to Franklin's Virtues; I've taken Laddie on a long country tour. Attended Tai Chi in the park and two night classes this week. Have practiced a couple of hour long Yoga sessions. Have made some progress on the Voltaire biography. Finished the blanket stitch around appliques and made the quilt sandwich for the table topper. Put away all Christmas decorations. Made copies of old pictures and mailed them to my niece. I've visited an open house (way, way out of the range of what I'd ever spend even if I had the money) and drooled over the beauty of the light and the courtyard. I've made progress in understanding how to resize and post pictures. Started an "uberlist." Haven't worried too much about my messy house and sewing room. Not too bad for the first week of a new year.

Speaking of Virtues, Kim at SkybelleArts has done her Friday Collage using the Nine Noble Virtues. What a great way to post the qualities one aspires to!

W.I.P

It is still WIP Wednesday, so I'm going to post these two projects that have been hanging around.

The girl has around for about 2 months, the table topper has been neglected since before Christmas. They WILL be completed before I begin anything else.

I've gotten quite a lot out of the way today and managed to get to the park for Tai Chi as well. My surprise was that Beth had brought a small wooden quilting frame for me! She is a bit of a collector of old things, too. I'm so glad I showed up.

On Franklin's Virtues and Carl's Uberlist

I've continued to think about Franklin's Virtues (that I wrote about in this post) and the idea of working on them one at a time. A few things have become evident to me:

1. My original choice was to begin working on "Tranquillity," but I'm realizing that perhaps Franklin had it posted close to the bottom for good reason. Achieving tranquility may, perhaps, require more effort and take a longer time than some of the others. In fact, many of the previous virtues are the kind of thing that if practiced, can lead to tranquility.

2. On New Year's Eve, I practiced "Temperance" - I didn't empty the basket of homemade bread. I didn't eat every bite of that delicious cannelloni. Strangely, it wasn't a terrible effort, but it is unusual for me to stop before finishing anything that tastes good. One glass of wine. I was proud of myself (did I mention how good the cannelloni was?) and since it was New Year's Eve it seemed a bit symbolic.

New Year's Day found me perfectly willing to quit after just one helping. I love blackeyed peas, pot liquor, and corn bread. Even more than that I love peach cobbler and ice cream. Only one serving. What has come over me? I would usually eat half the cobbler with a pint of ice cream...

Temperance, therefore, is my virtue of the month. Interesting that Franklin lists it first.

3. I've noticed that other "virtues" keep popping in my mind. "Speak not but what may benefit others" is one. "Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty" - the second part is a huge failing. I can't think that the first part is much of a problem, but the failure to do some things that I should is.

4. Now, I'm still only going to worry about temperance this month, but does it hurt that some of the other things are echoing in my consciousness? Maybe the beauty of Franklin's list is that they do work together, are mutually beneficial, each virtue forming a kind of basis for future virtues.

The peach cobbler is still in the refrigerator and the Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla is in the freezer. One small helping at a time.

I have done as many of you suggested and printed a copy to post to my bulletin board. The list of Virtues will be my major goal. I've read that it takes 2 weeks to establish a new habit...the problem is that it takes much less than that to break a habit. Yet, even if I have to start over frequently, I'm going to make the effort.

This doesn't mean that I am not making an "uberlist" of things that I'd like to see accomplished this year. Big things and little things. There is even an Uberlist Site with lists and updates by various individuals. Thanks to Carl for this idea. I love looking at other people's lists.

For me, this is not the same as making RESOLUTIONS, but a reminder of things that need to be done or that I would like to accomplish. Something to refer to, a reminder - not a requirement. I'm working on it, adding things as I think of them, sorting them into categories.

I went to Tai Chi last night. Left the house just after 6:30 and didn't get home until nearly 10:00. Getting back into my schedule with Tai Chi is one important item on my "uberlist." It helps lead to tranquility and gives me mental energy (something I've been lacking lately). If at the end of the quarter, I've made this a habit again, it won't matter if I've accomplished anything else on the list - I'll be satisfied.

Oh, things are looking up...

My friend Thomas emailed me some tips on what to look for. I opened the pictures in another editor and resized them. Things are looking up. Thanks, Thomas!

Chris and Mila Max

His name is Max, not Mac, as I, uh, said in previous post. Mila is so sweet to her baby brother.

Here's Mila with her Dad, Eric.

Slow...

but pictures! I managed to get two pictures up last night and two more this morning. There are so many more that I want to share, but it just takes so long. Some that I tried wouldn't work at all, but I'm going to be satisfied for now.

Sisters: Amela and Erin

Laddie and I pose on Christmas Eve.

Proud Grandpa! Mac and Fee enjoy a bonding moment. Duh! MAX, the baby is MAX. I know, Erin, I really do.

Megan and Amelia: cousins

Thanks!

Thanks to all of you have responded with your experiences with other blogging homes. When I've had time in the last few days, I've been either working on a Wordpress blog or trying to figure out what the heck happened to my cosy little set-up here.

Deb G., Deb R. and Jane Ann have great looking blogs at Wordpress (thanks, guys, for giving me some extra details), and they seem happy to have made the switch - even if it was a bit of trouble initially. Right now, WP says it can't transfer archives from New Blogger, but that may change.

ACey thanks for the email with more about what your switch entailed and further information about Typepad.

Shelina, I know what you mean. I don't want to switch. I just want to be able to post pictures! But in the last 3 weeks, I've only been able to do that twice - and by such circuitous routes that the steps are still a mystery. Funny, even though I enjoy looking at pictures on other blogs, I had no idea how important it was to my experience of creating a post for my own blog. The ability to add pictures (especially when you can do so easily) is a major part of the pleasure of blogging.

And if Debra has even a small difficulty with her computer knowledge, well....

Helen Suzanne - thanks for the offer, and I may take you up on it. I do think now that the problem originates with Picasa, but who knows? And btw, your new blog look is so soothing and sea-like, very appropriate!