I'm Back!!!

Wow, it sure has been a long time since I've posted anything...

Life didn't get in the way, it just happened. Lost a parent. Changes with the kids. Life imitating art. You name it, and it probably didn't happen, it just felt like it.

I'm still quailing up a storm. I have been doing a series, well two wall pieces so far, but the rest will come. I'm calling these my "Art Shields" and I love how they are coming out. I'll post pix later this week or early next week. Quite out of the box for me, but I love them.

I've also been piecing tops and finishing quilts that I've made in the past. What is amazing is that I still like the tops that I'm quilting, even though I pieced them years ago. I've been having a ball making many, many quilts out of my scraps. But I do look into my very large closet in my sewing studio, with the hundreds and hundreds of yards of fabric, and wonder when I'll start using that.

Not much else happening. I still am loving my life as a semi-retired. I've gone back to my Paralegal services, which keeps my mind sharp and give me some traveling. I think it is very important to be using both sides of my brain. I don't want to lose it!!!!

Here's to me starting to post again. I must be feeling good!

Peace!

Social Media

I just really don't get the whole "social media" thing. What I see is a way to not have any social contact, other than one sided, linear, written contact. No voice. No interjections. No laughter. Nothing really personal, as in that nuance of the voice.

I've tried. I joined Facebook. I don't like what it has become. I don't like what I have become. I go there, hoping someone will have commented on something that I've posted. When no one does, I either delete it or go on, feeling like no one really cares. And then I wonder, is that what it is all about. Popularity?

I'm not one who needs hundreds of friends. If you are a friend on FB then usually I do know you. There are a couple of people that I admire and like seeing their posts, but for the most part, each person is someone that I do know.

But somehow the knowing for me is being diluted by having to post on FB what I am thinking. Will I offend? Will I inspire? Will I irritate? Does anyone really care?
And today I realized that that is it. NO one really cares. They care about posting, but this is not the way to show any true caring...

The younger generation may be all involved in their posting. They have experienced a very different world than one that I have matured in. To them this is nothing. But to me, I care. I want to know that I mean something. I take my words seriously. But I am not making any connection.

I'm done with Facebook. I'm tired of it taking my time, looking, waiting, posting, hoping that someone will respond and show me that I count. I think that is what the whole social media thing is about. Public Display showing that you Count! Well, I'm a very private person, always have been. I think and internalize a lot. I'm deep. And I guess I'm too deep to be what I feel is superficial, which is how I read "social media".

I don't have an iphone, ipad, cell service at my house. My cell is in the car, for me when I'm out and about. My convenience and safety net.

When I'm with others, I want to connect. But what I see is everyone else on their phones and pads and they are connecting outside, elsewhere, not being there. I have always taken to heart the statement by Marshall McLuhan "be here now". I live by that idea. Yes, I am still an old hippie, but I don't see a lot wrong with that.

So, if you want to connect with me, it won't be via Facebook. I am here, now, and open to communication. Real communication. No social media hype.

Peace!

Happy 4th of July

Sitting here in 92 degree heat, which is VERY warm for us on the Monterey Bay, I'm thinking about what the 4th means to me. I remember as a child the huge fireworks displays that we went to. As a member of our local Rotary Club, my dad was often the one who helped set off those big displays. We would go to family friends and have a b-b-q with the hot dogs and the kids running wild until all hours of the night.

Later it was partying with college friends and trying not to blow ourselves up as we lit whatever explosive device we could lay our hands on. Since I still have all five fingers and toes, I was very successful!

With our children we continued the tradition. Living in San Jose, CA there was a huge community-wide event downtown, with live bands and lots of fireworks. Often we'd take public transportation, anticipating the crowds which were huge. We would also have b-b-q's, again with our friends and their children, who would run wild but not all night! Fun and family and excitement for the day.

Moving to the coast we now have a different experience. No fireworks allowed. Too dangerous. We, though, often ignore the law and, listening to the police scanner, would have our own fireworks in the driveway. The beaches are war zones with out of towners coming over the hill and leaving the beaches trashed with firework debris. Not a pleasant sight, but always cleaned up the next morning by the locals.

We are lucky enough to have the World's Shortest 4th of July Parade here in Aptos. Short in walking length, long in endurance. Hokey. Very small town. We have the politicians, the little league teams, the high school spirit teams, the beach chair brigade, the dogs, the dance teams, the Klingons, and, again this year, the KPIG marching band, decked out in costume (pig noses), back after an absence of several years. It is fun and family oriented, and local and just a blast.

This year I created a couple of patriotic pieces. One for a couple who always hosts a party, usually a day or two before the 4th, and a table runner for me. I thought, why not. I'm usually making things for everyone else, this could be fun.

So, happy 4th to all of you. Keep safe and sane. Light some fireworks for me!

Peace

Why I Quilt

Asked recently on an art quilt list to which I belong was the question: What has quilting done for me?

What has quilting given me? LIFE!!!

I've always sewn but could not understand this idea of cutting little pieces of cloth and sewing them together into these strange patterns. My sister, also a quilter, kept pushing me. We'd shop for fabric, which of course I'd buy, and every once in a while I'd buy a magazine and check it out and put it aside.

It was during El Niño here at the coast: days and days of constant rain, gloom, and we'd just moved here so I thought we'd made a HUGE mistake with this really crappy weather. I had all the fireplaces (3) burning, all the lights on in the house, and then I came across that darn quilting magazine. I had fabric so I thought, what the heck!

And I haven't stopped since. That was 1997. I have that first quilt in my family room, visible each day to remind me of whence I began, because I'm very far from that first quilt pattern!

I've quilted, been a board member (several times) of our local guild, been in shows, had quilts travel and be shown in Europe, opened and, unfortunately, closed a quilt shop. But I still love it and it does keep me sane. I stitch every day, whether by machine or by hand. I must do it.

And I do both traditional and art pieces. LOVE this and have no plans to ever stop. And it helps my arthritic hands to keep them moving!

Piece On!

Lesson Learned

We don't always get our way. In fact, as we age, we get our way less and less. My last blog was full of optimism about my best friend and her expected recovery. I did not get my way. My sister for life passed away on March 28th, much too soon for her and for the rest of us.

I've taught my kids that life isn't fair. It often isn't. Carole lived a good life. Married to the love of her life, Bob. She took care of the dogs, turtles, yard, house, stray friends, family, anyone in need of a little TLC. She took good care of her body and soul. Her veins just gave out on her. This isn't fair. Why take her when the bad guys get to stay around. Life really isn't fair.

At my age it will be hard making a new best friend. I don't even know if I want to try. With Carole it came so easily. We were so alike in so many respects. And just enough unalike to make it interesting and give us something to talk about. You just can't make up all that history quickly, nor should you.

I miss her daily, hourly. I wonder when my heart will stop hurting.

Life will never be the same. It has been changed forever. I still look forward to what's coming next. It's just so hard that I can't lift up the phone and call her and tell her what it is...

Back to creating. Cutting up the cloth and sewing it back together in another way. Colors and patterns and ideas all meshing together. Each day a step in the right direction.

Carole. I miss you more than I can relate. You are in my heart forever.

Peace.

What Comes Next

Time flies like arrows, fruit flies like bananas, as the saying goes! Time has flown.

This last week was one of the longest in my life. On Monday we moved my parents into assisted living. This was a long time in coming, planning, cajoling, pleading, and then finally just putting the foot down and saying "it is time". But moving parents from their home to an apartment is an experience like no other. Paring down. Searching for the right place. Filling all the requirements. Packing. Picking. Packing some more. And then the physical moving. But we got it done.

Followed moving day with a seminar on asset protection, given by a local radio talking head. I had such high expectations. I guess I just needed some guidance from someone as to how to protect my parents, and then maybe I'd learn a bit to protect myself. What I found out is do not ever go to these things!!!! Never. It was merely a sales pitch for his firm. I shoulda known better! Actually I did, deep down, but I think I was too tired to listen.

Then daily visits to the "old folks" home, putting things away and making sure they were being taken care of. That all seemed to work and. luckily, continues to work. It really pays to do your homework!

Then, on Thursday, arriving home I was told that my best friend, my sister for life, was in the hospital with a brain aneurysm. What! How could this happen? Fear, terror for her, and a mad dash to the hospital many miles away. And this continues to go on and on.

I don't know what the final outcome will be but I have HOPE. She is strong, brave, stubborn, and strong-willed. Not much gets her down. She will make it through this. But the slow, daily progress, or lack of progress...

Going through this experience brings home the fact that we never know what will become of us. We are not in charge. Some things just happen.

She will survive, after all she is my sole-sister. The thirty some odd years that we've been friends is not for naught. It has been to build the foundation to keep it going. After all, we still have that time to look forward to, the time that she gave me in a gift, that showed us, in much later life, sipping martini's, together, and laughing. Yes, we still haven't done that yet. I have to get her use to martini's first!

Peace on in the world of ever changing outcomes!

Weather or Whether

It is almost obscene. The weather. Here. Like summer while the rest of the country digs out from under snow and ice. I feel blessed on one hand and bad on the other. What have we done to deserve this great weather?

Then I think of the weeks preceding this time of warmth. Rain. Flooding. Bitter cold, at least for us here on the Monterey Bay. I know we live here because we love the beauty of the area. However, I found myself, this morning as I got up, wishing that we were having something other than sunshine and warmth. What am I thinking!?

Is this the gentle introduction to global warming? Will the summer be cold and overcast, more than last year? Will the rest of the country freeze up and crack due to the brittleness of the earth? Or is this just our climate changing as it always has.

And then I remember. This is just the beginning of 2011. The year is new. We should have a lot to look forward to, at least I hope so.

Actually, as I sit here, I remember the bitterness of the shootings in Tucson. I fear for this country that has gotten so harsh with politics and armed crazy people. What type of a future will my adult children have? What type of a world is being created for them?

We grew up differently. The 50's. Rebelling against all that it meant. Vietnam. Our protests. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. It sure was different. We lived it. We grew within it. However, where are we now?

Facing social security. Living longer, but is it better. Retirement. Who wants that? My heart breaking at the cruelty that is growing up all around us. Where will we end up?

Whether we are involved personally or are just on the side-lines, what we create will effect us all. We must continue to be involved. And aware. Of all that is around us and can effect us.

Tonight the President will give his State of the Union. I still have faith. I look forward to hearing his words and wanting to continue to believe. I look forward to seeing the audience, people crossing party lines to sit with one another. Like a group of people rather than two opposing forces. People working together. I can only hope.

So here I am. Hoping for moving forward. And yes, even hoping for a little rain sometime in the near future...

Peace.

ONE

Today is 1-1-11. One. What a great way to start out a new year. At the beginning. Unencumbered. Ready to start at the beginning.

But really. Can we really start at the beginning? With all of that history? With our what's and wants and whys? I say, why not!

What matters is what we do, going forth, in our lives. The past is past. It may impact us, but we cannot erase it. Learn from it, yes. Repeat it if it works? Yes. But it is past. No back to the future here!

On-going. Out-going. Just get going. I look out my window and view natural beauty, not of my making, but for my enjoyment. What am I doing to contribute to the beauty of this world as I imagine it to be?

Driving twice last week from my home to Paso Robles I was taken in by the stunning beauty of the landscape. It was as if we were at the bottom of the sea, the earth pushing up through the water to make land masses. Some areas look so much like Maui that my mind was tricked into wanting to go back just to check the land forms.

The rounded stones. Large. Piled masses. Could only be formed by the ocean over millions of years. And yet, here we are, in our car, driving through the water to our destination.

I'm going to take the time to absorb the beauty and move to contribute to this world around me. Be it quilts, fiber art, new rose bushes planted, a big smile on my face, whatever it be, I want to be a contributor and not a taker.

Contribution. Yeah. I like the way that sounds.

Check back for my progress this year. Year of One!

Peace!

What to Try for Next Year

Really, what do I want to try for next year? I think that I am ready to expand my horizons and spread my wings in the world of art. Enter some other exhibits, some that are hard for me to venture toward, try some galleries, expand the fiber art. Oh my God! What am I thinking?!?

I think my husband is rubbing off on me. He is venturing forth, again, into the world of fine art. He is very good. I think he has a great chance of doing well. And he keeps telling me that I need to get out there. Try something new. Yikes!

The only problem with this is that I am a very private person. I like to keep to myself and am happy to be by myself. I enjoy others, but how much will I have to extend myself if I try out this new venture? Who will be there? What will they think? I guess that unless I try it, I'll never know.

So, 2011 will be the year to put it on the line. To put it out there. To stick my neck out. Enough platitudes. I'm going to jump on the roller coaster and take a ride.

I hope that you will jump on with me!

Peace

Wisdom

We strive to be wise, to do the right thing, to have our actions and thoughts reflect us in a higher value. When I reflect back on 2010 I wonder where and when I was wise, and what was the wisest decision that I made.

I think the wisest decision was moving my studio into my son's bedroom. He told us that he wasn't coming home for the summer from school. He didn't need to have the room preserved for him any longer. It could become something else.

My daughter and husband urged, pushed, cajoled me to move into that space. After all, it was twice the size of the room that I was using, and it had so much light and higher ceilings. It would be great for me.

So I began the move. This entailed my boxing up what he had left here, and putting those things that were precious to him in storage. What a journey that was. The legos from his childhood, notes and reports from high school. Equipment from his summer job as a beach lifeguard. Each box was an event.

I cried that I was ruining the chances that he would ever return. How could I take over his childhood room? It wasn't right.

But after a while, I began to see what I could have if I did move there. The light. The space. The windows. The new and ever changing view. Maybe this would be ok.

His first visit home after the move was a little weird. He was in the guest room, now a guest. He didn't mind. He said is was ok.

And then I began to really enjoy my new space. In fact I found that I loved it! Just really loved being in that room. Exploring. Creating. Growing. Maybe that is what it was all about. He grew here. I helped him. And now his space is helping me.

Wisdom. To accept change and growth. To continue to explore. And to know that, in reality, it really is just a room. The home is what we do in the building.

Peace

Party

Social gatherings. Who, what, when and where was the best gathering that rocked my socks in 2010? I've got to say that it was a wedding, the first of our kids friends to get married, and the first for our dear friends.

We've known the bride since we moved here in 1997. She and my son were almost instant friends in elementary school and that friendship still exists today. Her parents became our dear friends and we are together several times a year to celebrate such holidays as the World's Shortest 4th of July parade and the lowest tide of the year. You know, those common events.

But back to the wedding! What made this so special was that it was also our daughter's 21st birthday. She wasn't thrilled, at first, then realized that it was a great way to start her partying! My son was home for the wedding and brought his wonderful girlfriend. We were all ready to celebrate this joining of two really special people.

The weather was great, but had been preceded by days and days of overcast and cold. The wedding took place at one of our local lighthouses. On the Jetty. At the ocean. Spray flowing over all of us to help cool down the air and just add to the joyous occasion. A very small and intimate affair, followed by a reception at a local restaurant.

Free flowing spirits. Music. Laughter. Fabulous food. And we danced our butts off. All of us. Together, a dancing family of joy and happiness for our dear friend.

Weddings are by nature a happy event, but this one was over the top. It seemed every person in attendance was at the top of their game. Laughter was loud and often. Cheers abundant. Congratulations on every lip. We were HAPPY in the most basic sense. Just sheer happiness overall.

It is such a pleasure to join together with those that you love, and to share in such an intimate occasion. I will never forget how I felt that night when I finally dropped into bed. The kids, however, continued on until 4 am with their partying! Ah, to be young again!

Joyful Noise!

Different

What makes me beautifully different? Bottom line. I am different. I've always thought differently. My red hair makes me look different. Being different has always been a part of me.

Perhaps what people see is that I believe in consequences. I believe in redemption. I know we can be better, kinder, less focused on material goods and being "better" than others. I hope to be good, and am sometimes bad, but strive to do the right thing.

Doing the right thing, though, changes upon circumstance, environment, even day of the week. And sometimes even planning it, it turns out wrong, or rather, not right.

And I do wonder what impact this will have at the end of my life. Will my actions and thoughts really light others up? Will they be inspired? Will they remember me? Will there be light once again at the end of the tunnel?

But really, what counts, what is really important is what I do while I am here. There may be an after-life but I'm not counting on it. I don't look forward to "heaven" where everything is wonderful. I work to make my life here, on terra firma, as heavenly as I can, as fulfilled, as deep, as passionate as I can. I want there to be a mark when I'm gone: a scorch in the earth where my light once shined so brightly that it left a mark. Maybe that's what makes me different. This is what I have. This is who I am. I will be there for you, with you, looking forward to what is coming next. Lighting it up!

Different? Perhaps, but aren't we all just a bit different? Isn't that what lights us all up, keeps the flow going, inspires and tires us, and makes life interesting?

Make a difference. Make it count. We never know what it will end.

Peacefully.

Community

Where do we find our community? I've found mine here in Santa Cruz county, one of the most marvelous places to live! Wasn't born here but spent so much of my childhood here that it has always felt like home.

When we made the decision to move from San Jose to Aptos, it was hard leaving the community that I had always known. We were moving only 45 minutes away yet it seemed like a world away. I still see my dad's face as we pulled out of the driveway on our last load to the new house.

From metropolis to beach town. From Silicon Valley to the beach. Quite a difference.

I found community at first with the kids and their schools and all the activity that entails. Then it was the kids sports and that involvement. And along the way I became a quilter and fiber artist.

It happened because our first winter here it rained for 19 days in a row and I needed to do something new and fulfilling. My sister quilted and I never understood why you would cut fabric into small pieces and then sew it back together.

But now I get it. Boy do I get it. And I haven't stopped since 1997!

And along with this new love came a new community. We have here one of the most fabulous quilt guilds ever. From the newbies to world famous quilters and fiber artists, all coming together to share their knowledge and learn together.

After finding the guild I decided that I needed more and opened my own Quilt shop, full of rich colors, wonderful people, and constant sharing of ideas. A warm, loving, giving community which stretched around the world as I had customers from all over the world. And I loved this community.

But things change and the shop had to go. What remains are connections to that community, memories of these communities, and the willingness to continue to build new communities.

Reach out and become part of those opportunities for community that arise. You never know what will grow from the experience.

Peace.

Make

I've registered for this series in which we write daily based on a prompt. And post on our blogs. At least that is what I think I'm to do, so here goes...

Make. What was the last thing that I made?

I just finished a wall hanging for myself, based on a design that I have up for sale at etsy. It is holiday inspired, but personally felt.

For days and days, whenever I was driving I was thinking about a White Dove. What could I do with it? Why was I focused on a white dove? What did it mean? So I looked at images of doves, spotted one I liked, pulled fabric and got to work.

The first dove piece I made was for JOY, not a person, just the joy of making it. Upon finishing my husband asked if I had drawn the dove. I confessed that it was an image from a religious site that lets you use them if you sign up for their doctrine. I didn't sign but used the image with some changes. I don't do religion.

So he asked me to draw a dove if I was going to make any more pieces. I reminded him that I do not draw, and he volunteered to draw one for me (one of the reasons that I married him) that I could use. And that is the dove that I used for my PEACE wall piece.

I love making these wall quilts. It frees my spirit. It opens up possibilities. It uses up my stash. It pleases others. It's fun. Sometimes people buy them.

But most of all, I now know why I was thinking of white doves. It is the beginning of something that I'm not quite sure of yet, but am willing to go toward.

Peace!

Giving of Thanks

It is almost here, that day of self-indulgence, of being with as much of the family as you can gather, to eat, drink and be merry. I'm hosting the family again, and I'm looking forward to the drinking and being merry. This year I've asked those who want to help with the meal to bring whatever they want. I did not need to know. I did not care. And boy has this caused a some confusion.

I will make the turkey, dressing, potato dishes, cranberry sauce. That's what I like. And if we have 5 pies to go with this, who could be upset. Not a balanced meal? Who cares. No greens! Get enough of that the rest of the time.

My friend, Thom Akins, quilter and beader extrodinaire, told me that at their Thanksgiving meals all they have is turkey, cranberries, and pie. I love that. He said who cares about the rest, that's all that they like so they indulge! Life is too short.

So we shall see what walks in the door tomorrow! I did buy (I can't believe it but I did) a pumpkin pie for my wonderful husband because he was stressing that maybe no one would bring one. I told him we could have it for breakfast on Friday!

Here's to being with those who you love and who love you back. There are so many who don't have this luxury.

And for those of you who are into the indulgence of shopping: enjoy your Friday. I'll be with my kids and husband, feet up, good book and some sewing by my side. Really, I have enough. They have enough. None of us is wanting for anything. And, in my own little way, I'm trying to go back to the days when we got one gift under the tree. And we were happy!

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy.

Peace!

Our Veterans

I am one of the biggest Peace freaks around. I wear a peace symbol each and every day. I hate war. I hate fighting. But I support our military. I support each and every one of these fine men and women who have chosen to protect our country and others. I do not buy into what our military is doing right now. We must stop this war. We must leave. We cannot win. We have lost so many lives.

But last night I sat with my husband and watched something on the History channel about WWII. Wow. I've never studied war. I took to heart the hymn "Don't Study War No More" or whatever it is called. But I honestly did not realize how many people died in that war. How deeply brutal it was. My dad fought in that war but never, never spoke of it. And now he can't.

My nephew is in the Army as a Ranger. He knew I would be upset when he joined. I am very proud of him. And every time I see him, when we part I ask only that he return.

On this Veteran's Day we must honor those who have passed and those who currently served and those who still suffer the harshness of war. May we continue to work to honor and help all of those who come home, damaged, through no fault of their own. And work each day toward Peace.

SF Giants

I have been so caught up in this baseball team that I actually found myself making decisions around their post-season schedule! It all worked out as they are now the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!! And I love it! I rushed home yesterday from a grueling 7:45 am hearing in Oakland to watch the parade, looking for my daughter who was in the crowd (like I could really see her!) and just basking in the excitement that this team has brought all of us.

LOVE it.

On Tuesday I was in San Francisco at another hearing. The hearing location is actually right next to AT & T park. No game but the crowds were huge. Everybody buying memorabilia of the Giants. People waiting 3 hours in line! The parking lots full. Yikes. But actually pretty cool to see it all.

On leaving I met an 82 year old man in the parking structure who had just bought a t-shirt for his 10 year old son. We struck up a conversation (well, he actually just kept talking to me) and I found out a lot about him and his military duty and his history and where he lives and way too much but I was being kind and listening.

What really got me is this gentleman told me that in December of last year he was in Lake Tahoe, gambling, and on a whim bought a ticket, on a lark, that the SF Giants would win the World Series! On a lark! For $10. He was just thrilled to tell the tale. The sparkle in his eyes. The joy on his face. His 82 year old spirit lifted by his chance purchase. Now, if he could only remember where he put his ticket!!! Oh well. He was sure that he would find it before it expires in December. And his winnings? $10,000! Amazing! Love this story.

So, this week we have had Halloween, winning the World Series, the election, the World Series Parade, and today we are back to a normal day. Or is it?!?

Enjoy your day.

Peace!

Birthday Celebrations

Today marks the 24th day of birth for my son. Amazing. He has brought us such joy over the years. And some strife, too, after all, he did go through those wonderful years that I refer to as "testosterone surges"! The end result was well worth it.
Why am I thinking of him this day. Mostly because I can't talk to him and that is torture for me. He is in nursing school and today was the first day of three in a row where he is doing "clinicals" which means he is on the floor, on the ward, from 7 am until 7 pm. And then what follows is some paperwork prep for the next day. So his is really under the gun.

He has followed a different path. Graduated from UCLA with a major in Spanish. Traveled to Barcelona for a semester of school. Trained as a Firefighter. Trained as a Paramedic. Spent years as a Lifeguard on our local beaches. Saved lives. Controlled crowds. Directed the tourists. And now medical school. So he can work in the ER. Hopefully on to become a Flight Nurse. In a helicopter. Flying into the most damaged and doing repairs and saving lives. Who would have known! This Magic Card player, this Leggo worker, this Water Polo player, this Rugby player...we never know where they will land, do we. Land, water, fire. He has dabbled in a lot. I wish him the very best, because he deserves it. And I hope he has comfortable shoes for these three days!

Peace on!

Been a Long Time

Wow, it has been a long time since I've posted. Back in June we still had a kid in the house, and life was a bit different. Now with both of our kids out on their own, we are adjusting to a different life-style!

What is nice is that it gives me more time to make art or craft or whatever it is at the moment. I've been working on several art quilts, along with some quilts with my own patterns. I will post when they are done, or when I get around to doing the photography. That really seems to be the problem some days.

I did finally finish the Double Wedding Ring quilt. The first time I've done such a traditional pattern. And the first time I hand-pieced a quilt top, well, at least 95% of it is hand pieced. I did machine piece the border as I felt it needed some stability at that point. And even though the tradition is to hand-quilt, sorry, I sent it out to my friend, Mike, the golfing, surfing, quilter! I LOVE his work. He is just such a fabulous quilter, and a really great person on top of it all. If you ever want him to quilt something for you, let me know and I'll send his info out to you.

The wedding for which the Wedding Ring quilt was made was also a great experience. A beautiful day on the Monterey Bay, at one of our lighthouses, with the sea mist hanging over us all and mother nature all around us. The reception was fabulous, danced way too much for this old body, but had so much fun with my husband, kids, and their friends!

So, in between watching the SF Giants games, hand quilting some art pieces, and creating in the studio and doing actual work for money, life is good. Actually life is Great! The paralegal work I do is just enough to keep my right brain engaged so that my left brain can breathe. Or is it vice-versa? Whichever, both sides of the old brain are engaged and chugging on. Now back to quilting my latest piece.

Peace to all.

June and Father's Day

June is such a wonderful month, what with school ending for the kids, brides getting married, our wedding anniversary, and Father's Day! Both my husband and dad have June birthdays which further expands our celebratory dates. And, while most of the time my husband and I forget our anniversary, I think this year we might just remember. But what is really worth remembering is the marriage, which has been very good and just getting better. Who would have thought that I would be married for 28 years and counting! Wow!

With all the fun things that June brings, this Father's day also makes my heart break. My dad has Parkinson's Disease. I HATE PARKINSON'S. I hate what it does to productive people. I hate that it traps my dad in his body, preventing him from being the vibrant person that I catch glimpses of in his eyes. I hate that it has taken him from me.

But what I have decided to do, to combat this, is to remember who and what he was, and just relish those memories, and accept that he is who he is now. It's not his fault. It's just the luck of the draw. And I know in my heart and soul that I am learning something from this. I'm just now sure yet what it is. Yet, I still have him to love and hug and remind me that all good things come to pass.

My husband should be honored this Father's Day also. He has been a truly wonderful father. My 23 year old son just called him yesterday and told him that he now sees that his dad was "right" about so many things. That is an honor! And my husband deserves it.

We all had or have Dads. Let's lift a toast to them and all that they have taught us. I know not all dads are good. I know some should not even be honored. But somewhere in your heart there must be that man who did make a difference in your life. Let him know. He deserves it!

Now I'll head back to my sewing and quilting and waiting for my new embellishing machine. That's my little reward for the care-giving that I'm doing with the fossils (my parents) these days.

Peace to all of you.