Finding Calm, Feelings, String Quilts-Old and New, Applique Too

 I was just getting used to it being June and now it is July. I feel like I've been very busy. Tony had his drivers' license renewal which, being over 80, meant he had to go to the office and do the testing which he aced. I find it odd they don't check how your feet or any reflexes are. Shouldn't that be as important as knowing how to draw a clock face to include 10 past 10. However, I've read seniors still have the least accidents of all age groups, so maybe it's all okay. 

Here is Petey pointing out my current book, Louise Erdrich's The Sentence which I'm enjoying now after an iffy start but I'm at page 37 and it's growing on me...the good writing is drawing me in. 

That was one of my two very enjoyable outings last week. The library was extra busy with two groups of children, one tiny tots and the other middle school aged teenagers, there for activities. The sounds of all their voices...the older ones discussing a book and the little ones being read to by a very enthusiastic volunteer were just awesome. 

I saw this book and took a picture. Cross Stitch = Calm   Yes, so true and HERE is a link to Leah's book to purchase which features 40 patterns to help you de-stress.

Acceptance versus Giving In

How are you doing with the calming bit? I know I'm not the only one struggling with achieving that. But I'm doing all I can to keep the big bad thoughts at bay...these weeks are having their ups and downs, that's for sure. And we are having ongoing discussions surrounding the difference between giving in/up and acceptance. I think acceptance is positive overall and that is what Tony should strive for. But he sees any move in that direction as giving up. And who knows, if in his shoes and feeling weaker by the day, I really don't know how I'd feel. I am a solutions/plans kind of thinker so perhaps would want to keep up the search too. I just don't know. What do you think? 

I'm looking forward to a sit down with our gp soon...he's a good listener and chatterer and good with Tony too. But Tony has another scheduled test before that will happen. 

Meanwhile, the sewing, swimming, constant dog walks and ball playing-all things I love- are great and very positive distractions for me. 

Speaking of ball playing...One sunny evening this week, we went to watch Robbie's baseball game. We brought our chairs to one of the five baseball diamonds the local town has; they are all named and the one we were at is called Brickdust Field. Like the hockey, boys and girls play together which is nice to see. Baseball games are long...about two hours, but they moved it right along so there was always action. I like how sports teach kids rules, not only about the game, but about their behaviour too. The spirit of fair play and especially respect for each other is paramount. I liked how the coaches called out  encouraging words to each and every player no matter how they played. 

Writing that just made me think of the song What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love. That was Burt Bacharach's wonderful music composed when the U.S. and the world were so divided over the Vietnam war. Amazing how the words still very much apply. "Not just for some, but for everyone." 

I'm finding my own kind of calm in the sewing room and enjoying sewing what I know will be the last of the blue strings blocks. Truthfully, I find these a little boring but it's not the strings fault. And I'm pleased with how the blocks are piling up. I found a bag of men's handkerchiefs, you know the very flimsy kind, I'd bought at a thrift store and decided to try them for the backings.

  I did read that it would be good to provide a sort of stabilizer for these very thin fabrics. This starch below was recommended and when searching online to buy it, I found it was available at my local Walmart.  I also use this Dollar Store spray bottle to help iron out wrinkles and spray my indoor plants in wintertime.  Do you starch your fabrics? I've never done it.                                       

 I was poking around in the old sewing room where I have a number of projects pinned to the wall and noticed this one. That's Tony's kangaroo there from his time in Australia, just one of his world wide work adventures.

I took it out in the light of day and thought I really should finish this one. It has scrappy strings in neutrals for the backgrounds.

And simple applique.

I wonder where that idea came from as I surely would have seen it somewhere online. If you know, please remind me.

I've rambled on too long and that happens when I don't write for a few days. Next time I'll share my bread machine review- yes, we are enjoying homemade egg bread!

Take care all of you!

Happy to share this post with linky parties at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Songbird Designs, The Inquiring Quilter, Alycia Quilts, Kathy's Quilts and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework. Thank you ladies all for hosting!