Front Page

I opened the paper this morning to find most of the front page and most of page 4 covering The Cottages at the Glen and Alzheimer's related articles. I found this link to the article and then saw this video news link (click watch) - this program, that my brother saw on the news, is what instigated the investigation of The Cottages. Based on The Green House Model, the Cottages are by far the most social, pleasant, and interactive long-term care facility in the area. I'm afraid this is a subject that all of us are touched by, and we can only hope that progress will continue to be made in caring for the increasing numbers of us who will need special care.

Fee wanted "Her Mouth" framed, but since it is 9 x 15 1/2", it doesn't fit into a standard frame. I bought this cheap metal frame at Michael's, took out the glass, covered the cardboard with black fabric, and just pinned it on. Took the picture at a wonky angle; too lazy to do it again. I should also probably pay more attention to size when starting a small piece, in case I want to frame it. Another idea that I've seen is to use black foam board. Most of my things have a sleeve for hanging or are small enough to go with the clips, but Fee likes a frame.

How do you display pieces? I've seen some wonderful pieces in frames, so some people think ahead.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

To talk of many things. Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings--"

I did get busy and started a couple of new pieces, but I still have WIPs that should be taking priority; however, completing projects wasn't on the agenda. Have decided to forget the pieced border for the circles & squares and use what I've done on that border for something else.

Today, my computer is cooperating again. Gooood Computer.

My purple Henry Duelberg is sporting a sport, or spontaneous mutant...I'm really not sure why, but after years of being all purple, now there are a few white blossoms.

When we were in Natchez, the weekend before Memorial Day, we visited the National Cemetery there. I found it remarkably moving. Many of the soldiers were from the Civil War, but some were even earlier; and of course, the graves cover everything up to the present. The sight of so many elegantly simple headstones and the flags that had been placed beside each...was a somber and touching experience.
These are just a few of the pictures, I took from a couple of views; I was too lazy to change the lens. These shots don't show the expanse of the entire cemetery. It reminds me of the poem "In Flanders Fields."

Computer Woes

Have no idea what is wrong with this computer. It keeps freezing up. Sometimes I can reply to an email, then when I open the next, it freezes again. Even this short post is taking forever.

I'm going to work on my pieced border, which I may or may not use on the circles & squares piece. I'll also be trying to check out some of your blogs when the computer allows.

And so it goes...

After a week in the hospital, on May 25, the cardiologist put in a pacemaker. The surgery went well, and Laddie was released from the hospital on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. We had been scrambling to get him one of the last places available in The Cottage at the Glen, a fantastic Alzheimer's facility, so that we could avoid additional transitions. It worked well, and he left the hospital for The Cottage without a hitch. Dr. Liu and Dr. Davis told him it was for rehab, and Laddie accepted that. He does receive both physical and occupational therapy 2-3 times a week.

The Cottage is a fantastic facility (and we've looked at everything that the Shreveport/Bossier area has to offer). I posted about it on my book blog, so I won't go into it here, but I feel better than I've felt in years! My stress level has plummeted, and I'm smiling almost all the time.

My sincere thanks to all of you who have commented or emailed me! Your support and good thoughts have been a great comfort.

My computer has given me fits for a week (Fee was out of town), but when he finally came in, he did something (?!), and I now have access again to the blog world.

For the last 6 weeks, things have been so hectic; 3 weeks of taking Laddie to the doctor again and again and x rays and CT scans, then the nearly 2 week hospitalization, and this past week of sometimes twice daily visits to the Cottage (which is 30 min. from here at good traffic times). Now, I'm busy playing catch up on chores, cleaning, gardening, etc., but I'm also back at Tai Chi and am walking for 3o minutes each morning and doing little things to pamper myself.

Quilting will be happening soon!