Friday, September 11, 2015

Spring in Australia

PAT: That is so sad about your close friend; as you say, his death was totally unnecessary. We still see people every day with their phones to their ear, which is bad enough. Texting is downright dangerous.

MARYJO: I do hope you had a lovely time at your re-union lunch.

SARA:  What decisions did you make re your sick dog and your flooring?  Did she go to your grandson, as you mentioned? Is she better now?

MARION: So sorry to hear that you have lost several of your close friends recently. xxx

ROSEYP: Congratulations on having your quilt chosen for the quilt tour. And thanks for the invite re a stop-over in Toronto.  We haven't started planning our trip yet. Have just had Shannon and his wife over for 5 days to stay in our new home. On the Saturday we hosted a family farewell (his aunts, uncles, cousins and their children, as well as Darren's family).  It was a good way to also invite everyone to see our house as well.

Shannon leaves in 2 weeks' time for England, and starts work on Oct 1st. He has a fortnight to pack up their belongings because his wife will then move to stay with a friend for the 6 months she'll stay behind (for work and visa reasons.)  They brought their cat over with them - we are now a cat and dog family.  Aston has taken to us really well but had never met a dog before, being an inside cat. Kody, on the other hand, was brought up with 3 cats, so is very interested in a relationship :-)  It might take some time, but I think they'll learn to live with each other happily enough.

We love our little house; most of our furniture found a new niche or even a different role - we only lost a desk, a QB and 2 armchairs for lack of room.  We have built ourselves a bookshelf all along one wall to fit our 1,000+ novels, most of which had been stashed away for the past 9 years or so. Except for one spare BR which is chocker-block with items we still have to find a home for, the place is obviously ready for visitors or get-togethers.

Apparently, though, all the work of moving, cleaning, organising and worrying whether everything would be ready for our visitors in time took its toll, and the day they left I was diagnosed with shingles (after putting up with terrible backache all weekend).  Hopefully the anti-viral meds I'm taking will ensure that it doesn't take too long to recover. With the painkillers I'm taking, I am spending almost as much time sleeping at the moment, as the cat and dog do!!

'Bye for now,
Fran in Sth Aus.


posted by Fran (Sth Aust) @ 7:37 PM 1 Comments

Sunday, September 6, 2015

From Mary Jo

Rosey's posting service includes being able to tag onto Mary Jo's posting.  Her question regarding Electronic Intrusion, which I took down today because I was tired of looking at it and hoped someone would post to lower it down the list, but they didn't.  It is travelling with the Mancuso shows now until next January.  I am privileged they accepted it as part of the World Quilt exhibit (from Canada).
Now to Mary Jo's note:
 
What a meaningful quilt.  Death is an unapproachable subject for many which makes it brave of you to post it.  Working on it must have been an exercise in both creativity and acceptance.  You are an amazing quilt artist.  Why did you take it down?  Hope the dog attacker has not been up to more trouble.  
We are seeing the beginnings of fall quite early.  Welcome though because of the many fires.  Idaho has the greatest number of fires in the US at my last look.  They still are raging in the western states but small amounts of rain are helping control them.  Our nearest is now 30% contained.  Smoke is no longer a problem with the cooler weather.  My daughter and son report less improvement north of us.  They live in Lewiston, ID and Pullman, WA.  Unfortunately, they've had thunderstorms with lightning strikes and more fires.
I'm flying to Oregon for a reunion luncheon of three high school classes.  Nice to have them lumped together; more to see.  The girls have a luncheon every fall.  Have not been for ten years because of John's limitations.  Did not go last year as grief was so difficult.  It is better but a long process.  My NP says it is a three year journey so I am half way there.
The Summer Garden quilt (New York Beauty) just came back from the quilter.  She did a wonderful job on it.  Am adding borders which will be quilted before attaching them to the quilt.  Will cover the seams with a bias strip, quilt as you go.  Will use twin needles to do a simple column quilting.  Decided to make it to fit my bed.  The quilting is lovely.
The board is slow.  Feel free to post this if you want.  Eliminate the beginning if you need to.  Thanks.
Thinking of you,
MaryJo

posted by RoseyP @ 3:04 PM 0 Comments