Yin-Yang

You know the concept of yin and yang? In the most simplistic of definitions: Opposing forces creating balance or chi? Neither defined as good or evil, black or white. Pollyanna, may her soul rest in peace, may have been a follower. She seemed always to find something good in the rough spots. Unfortunately, I think she got a bad rep for it. Why? Because misery loves company, and not generally a chirper.

Well, I had my own yin-yang experience last week while I was lying on the couch all week, unable to walk around. The good parts were lots of rest, unending movie viewing, and contemplation, my own assistant, cook and butler, and time for more projects. This time the thought of crocheting was calling me. And once again, we have Audrey (or should I say Rachel?) to thank for this. I found some yarn and a hook and started crocheting sweaters. I liked the first one enough to tackle a 2nd one for Dahlia. I am contemplating a 3rd one for Fallie. Here's a picture of them.

The funny thing was the crocheting didn't take nearly as long as the assembling of the pieces. And it wasn't until they were both completely sewn together that I realized why I didn't like the sleeves. They were too wide and not long enough. And then it dawned on me I put them in wrong. I had to remove all 4 sleeves and turn them lengthwise so they could be narrow and long, not wide and short! You can be sure that I made a notation on the instructions about that for the next one!

Anyhow, I like them. And forced into stillness, it was easy enough to sit and crochet for hours. I think they took about 12-15 hours each. Their creation is the yang of the yin I was in! :)

Going to Pieces!

In the course of unpacking I had a decision to make about all the fabric on my front porch. Keep it, throw it out, or give it away? In the end, I did all three. I threw out the ugly and unusable stuff. I donated the unfriendly or itchy stuff. And I kept what I thought still had some life in it. The one thing I was on the fence about was the multitude of squares.

Squares? Yep. Grandma/Dora cut out hundreds of squares for her patchworking. I mean, 2 suitcases full! I just couldn't see tossing them. So I started piecing them together. First though I squared them all up--they were a bit uneven--and then I stitched them, and stitched them, and stitched them. The first batch was made up of 6 inch squares and, once pieced together, made a quilt top big enough for a full size bed...and because it was mostly reds and pinks, is destined to belong to Katie. The oldest of the grandgirls!

Still more, the next batch of squares consisted of 5 inch squares of various floral designs. From that I have pieced together a blanket for Fallon, and one for Dahlia, and one for Audrey! And I still have enough left over for a throw. As I don't know who will want it, I'll keep it until someone claims it.

This really all began because Audrey is coming. I knew I had some flannel in those boxes outside and new babies deserve soft flannel receiving blankets. Don't you think that's a fun description of a blanket...a receiving blanket? It describes those early small first blankets when the babies are so tiny and you've just received them, like a precious gift.

Well, I had flannel, but some pieces were small scraps. So I started out piecing her receiving blankets together, and that was so much fun, that I became enamored with the whole idea of putting fabric puzzles together. And, well, it just got out of hand. So far I have made 4 receiving blankets and 5 quilts for Audrey. As well as one each for my other darling ggirls. And I am studying the quilt books (also, originally Grandma's) as I consider tackling something more interesting than squares. Anybody remember tangrams? Triangles and reectangles and interesting patterns are calling me.

Hip Hop

I thought you'd like to know that I finally dragged myself off the couch and visited the local chiropractor. I should have gone last Tuesday, as soon as I felt the pain...but what do I know. Anyway, I feel so much better today. My hips were out of whack...and by that very specific medical terminology, I mean uneven to the degree that one leg was "shorter" than the other. Not actually shorter--I got scared when I thought they actually and truly might be uneven--but that I was standing and sitting and walking and sleeping unevenly. And consequently the uneven distribution of my weight was throwing me out of sync, my joint was experiencing trauma, and my nerves experienced sporadic shooting pains.

I felt like I was the one with the trauma, but then how does one separate herself from her body in actuality? Stuck like glue we are through thick and thin. And I do mean that quite literally, unfortunately. (I always did prefer the thin...though when you think about it I think the originators of that expression meant for the good times to be thick and the bad times to be thin.) But I digress.

So, you might ask (if you've made it this far) how did this happen to my dear friend and/or Mother? Good question. The chiropractor certainly didn't care. He was a fix it guy. My kind of guy. The past is past. But he did recommend that I desist from moving queen size mattresses and box springs, and lifting heavy objects and walking on uneven surfaces and doing any jumping or running for the next little while. All right by me. And probably if I'm going to do any Zumba, just do the arm movements. Funny, huh? If you know anything about Zumba it's all about the hips. I'd look pretty funny standing still and waving my arms about. Not that I don't look funny trying to keep up with the little Zumba ibot or icon or whatever you call her. Glad I didn't pay for the class.

Barry's Landing

Hi Everyone!  Aunt Grace was in the mood for a trip down memory lane.  Geared up for a drive out to Dryhead where she and Dad and Grandpa used to trail the cows.  Where is Dryhead?  It's past Barry's Landing which is pretty much the end of the road and then some.  She and Jeff picked us up, bringing a few sandwiches, chips and pop and we had a lovely drive.  Here are some of the pics I took.

Eating lunch at the little campground just outside Barry's Landing. We think it would be a great place for an overnight campout for company. It even has a stream and it's not too far from home.

The Bigh Horn River is high and we talked about the idea of getting enough family together to rent a tour boat to take a boat ride up Devil's Canyon. Jeff's 50th class reunion did that this weekend and they said it was really beautiful.

Here's a better picture of the camping area. We were surprised there were no campers. We had the area all to ourselves.

Spending the week with Julia Child

I tweaked my leg somehow earlier this week.  Consequently I have not left the house for the last 4 days.  I can barely walk from the bedroom to the living room without shooting pain.  What would you do if you were confined to the house?  (Rachel, you don't have to answer...I already know.)  Well, lucky for me Martha sent me a DVD I was wishing for and I have spent the week watching Julia Child cook.  I am loving it!

 I counted them and "The Way to Cook" has 175 cooking demonstrations!  Maybe by the time you come to visit me I'll be able to cook you something really fabulous!  I may turn into a cook!

Guests Welcome!

Saturday we went garage saling in Powell and Lovell.  We were on the hunt for a Queen size bed.  But no luck.  I said to myself, well, we still have 6 weeks until Richard comes up.  With luck we should be able to find one by then.
Monday when Dad came in to tell me we were going to Billings to get parts for the tractors I got online and looked at the Billings Gazette classified ads on the off chance that I could find a bed for sale.  Lucky me!  The Howard Johnson hotel ad ran on Sunday.  They were practically giving away all of their bed sets.  Doubles for $25 and Queens for $40.   Of course we did the only intelligent thing--we hopped in the truck and drove 100 miles to get a Queen size bed for our guest bedroom. 
Hooray!  We now have a nice big bed for your visit!  I hope you are making plans.  Nothing makes me happier than having company.

Wii Play

I imagine you will be surprised to learn that we have joined the ranks of Wii.  Thanks to Ebay we got a great deal on a Wii system + a couple of games.  Since that purchase we have learned how to golf, shoot pool and bowl without ever leaving the comfort of our living room!  We also enjoy a little target practice, aiming our controllers at unsuspecting geese and alien spaceships.

The other night (9:30 p.m.) when Em called on Father's day we were bowling.  Naturally Dad told her we were down at the bowling alley.  "Your Mother just bowled a strike!"  She said, "Isn't it a little late?"  I don't think he ever told her the truth.  He likes his little jokes.

Rain, rain...go away

It's been raining so much that the ground has been too wet to plant.  The farmers are late putting in their fields and we are late putting in the garden!  I hope we have a long summer, so the hay will grow and our tomatoes will ripen and we can enjoy the produce.  Soon we will plant the last of the seeds -- the radishes, carrots, beets, beans, and peas are not yet in the ground! Two weeks ago I shot a video of the garden.  The narration is out of sync with the pictures...so you have to be patient and let the video catch up.   Anyway, it will give you a sense of the size of our garden and our surroundings.  I haven't been able to go out and help Grover finish planting.  I am hoping he will do it without me.

Here's the video...hope it doesn't put you to sleep.  :)

Keeping up with Emily

Well, have you all been reading Emily's new New York post?  If not, click on my blog links under Emily in NY.  And then tell me....do you think she is having enough fun???  Reading it makes my life even paler than I thought it was.  And it was pale to begin with!  

Seriously, I love reading it.  It makes me want to jazz up this blog of mine!  How can I even begin to compete with that???   It will take some doing, but keeping up with Emily is going to have to be my new goal.  And it's obvious that I'm  going to have to be on the lookout for some material--some video or clips.  Mustang Days is next week.  What do you think?  How about a clip of the Dolly's Follies?

I bet you can hardly wait.