Summer days 05-16-08

Most of the west coast is experiencing a heat wave. Over a hundred in my backyard yesterday and well into the 90s from Portland south to the Mexican border. I didn't look at temperatures in Mexico. Oddly enough it was hotter here than in Lake Havasu City - nearby Needles is frequently one of the hottest spots in the country. I hope this doesn't preview a terribly hot summer. Wild fires already!

Corky stayed with me for six nights and days while his daddy was in the hospital for surgery. I can't blame the little guy, but I never seem to accomplish much while he is here. I did a little sewing, but I don't do that well when I am interrupted by Corky's needs! His daddy is home now and doing well, so I took Corky home on Thursday afternoon. I am always amazed at how quickly I learn to listen for him, night and day! I have been waking up a couple times each night with the thought, "Where is Corky?", and during the day my mind is distracted because I think I hear him in the house somewhere. One of these days when I am not traveling so much I would like to have a little guy of my own. At the price of gas that day may come sooner than I expected.

More sewing today. Perhaps I will have something to post before I go to bed tonight.

Charlotte Bird 05-14-08

One of the important parts of my life is the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection. I didn't realize in the late 1980s that I was starting a collection, but it has been said, "Two is a pair, three is a collection." After buying the first quilt it wasn't long before I had two and then three and now about ninety.

I collect what "speaks" to me, what I can afford, what I have space to store and each quilt is one that I want to look at for the rest of my life. I will occasionally share one on this blog.

Here is Charlotte Bird with her award winning quilt at Visions-2004. It is "Porous Square" (2003) 38" x 37"

It is one of a series she has done with these little 'stones' or 'pebbles' - all of them are quite fascinating.

http://www.birdworks-fiberarts.com/index.htm

Many of the Visions quilts are for sale, you just need to ask at the desk for a price list.

Orchid Tree 05-13-08

This is a Bauhinia, or Hong Kong Orchid Tree.

The flowers are rather orchid like.

It is sometimes planted as a street tree, but it has these bean like pods which fall and make a mess of the sidewalk. The tree doesn't have a beautiful shape and the flowers are not fragrant, so its only redeeming feature are the wonderful abundant blossoms in the springtime.

Walks in the Park w/Corky 05-12-08

Corky and I walked in the park on Mother's Day and again today. Mother's Day brought out a lot of families - having picnics, playing ball, fishing - there were more people there than I have seen previously.

On Sunday I saw this family of ducks, but have no way of knowing if they are 'my' ducks. The ducklings are about the right size. There seem to be three duck families in the park at this time.

Today I saw this Momma duck and eight juveniles with a goose who apparently is their protector. The picture is blurred because I hied myself and Corky out of his reach since he was eyeing us and getting his dander up. Goose attacks can be painful.

I haven't seen small sailboats like these for quite a long while. They were radio controlled by two guys with an older woman and man sitting on a bench. How nice that they took their parents along to watch them sail their boats. The picnic area in the background was completely filled.

This picture is looking across the lake to the north. To the right there is a wooden bridge which gives access to an island which the fishing people favor. Nice reflections.

I tried to take a picture of three pre-teen girls riding these odd looking scooters. But they went by very fast and all I got was the head of one and the back of another. So, I trapped this image from Amazon, where they are for sale for $99.99. http://tinyurl.com/697adr They do look like great fun and they come in adult sizes! Dare I? Naaah! I'm so uncoordinated I'd surely fall off and break something - been there, done that!

Another trash can 05-11-08

I seem to be having a 'thing' with trashcans! Remember this one from March?

http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2008/03/fairy-in-my-trash-can-03-28-08.html

Now my friend Barbara has sent pictures she took on a trip to China and among them is this great visual.

Translations into English are so tricky!