Saturday, April 6, 2013

Author Jacqueline Winspear 04-06-13

Yorba Linda, which adjoins Placentia to the northeast, participates in the One Book, One City program and the current book is "Maisie Dobbs" by Jacqueline Winspear.  I have read all nine of the series and now own the latest, published last week, " Leaving Everything Most Loved".  Today Jacqueline did a "Meet the Author" program at the Yorba Linda Library and had a full house.  Liz and I went early because I have heard that these events are popular.  Since we were early we had front row seats which is a good place to sit and not have distractions from other members of the audience. 


The current book was for sale, thanks to Barnes and Noble, although it is only hardback.  Soft cover will take a few months.
 

The librarian had a list of questions and Jacqueline was very good at answering them, and those submitted by audience members.

She didn't talk much about her private life, but was very articulate about the way she does research and about what she has learned about the era the books are set it - immediately after the" Great War" - 1918 and continuing. We think of it as WWI, but the British have an entirely different take on that event and the resulting massive changes in their society. The "Great War" is still a part of the curriculum in their schools, whereas I doubt that there is more than a sentence or two in schools here in the USA.
 

I especially enjoyed her story about the first time she decided she would be a writer, when she was about six years old and already an avid reader.  With her mother she regularly rode a double decked bus along the same route.  Sitting so high she could look down into the houses along the way.  One in particular was near a bus stop and the room she could see was lined with books and had a black manual typewriter on a table, along with paper and books and sometimes a cup and saucer.  She asked her mother who lived in that house and her mother suggested it might be a writer.  Jacquelyn decided she wanted a room like that so she would have to become a writer.  She didn't start writing until later in her life after a career in education.  And then it was because she was recuperating from an injury and couldn't be active.  She is a good story teller and a good story writer.  Her character Maisie Dobbs is someone I have gotten to know and like, almost like a friend I can visit only every year or so.   Some of you may have also met her in your reading journey.
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Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Feet 04-05-13

Sometimes I ask people if I can take a picture of their feet, telling them I do a Blog with a "Friday Feet" feature.  I've not had anyone say no, but most think I am very strange!  However, most of the time I don't ask, but have a hard time getting a focused shot because the feet keep moving! 


These are wonderful boots on a lady wearing a fringed-all-over coat, but she was on the move all the time. 
 

Here you can see the side of one boot - cool, eh?  But just as I hit the button she turned away from me and moved on.  Two other pictures were just blurs.  She looked great, but I was hesitant to ask her to "Please, stand still for a minute."  Guess I need a paparazzi camera.
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Corky at Camp Del 04-02-13

Yes, the little guy was with me over the weekend.  He hasn't been here for some weeks, so we had a nice doggy/nanny love-in. 

 
Mostly he sleeps anymore, but he will be 17 in July, so I guess he is tired. 
But he is still a sweet little guy and very smart in getting his way with his Auntie Del and his parents.
 
 
It is always amusing to see the strange positions dogs get into when they sleep.  This seems to be one of his favorites. 
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Monday Browsing 04-01-13

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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Ruth B. McDowell quilt in TCQC 03-31-13

Ruth McDowell may be retired from teaching (and happily so), but she is still making quilts.  She just finished a large new quilt "Orion" which you can see on her website:  http://www.ruthbmcdowell.com/

She made several duck quilts last year and I added this one to Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection.  You can see the others on the sold page of her website: http://www.ruthbmcdowell.com


"Duck, Weeding" Ruth B. McDowell - Colrain, MA   2012  18"W x 20.5L
Cotton fabric, thread, batting.  Machine pieced and quilted.
This is what Ruth says about this quilt: 
"Bright spring green reminds me of duckweed on a pond. Quite a collection of fabrics in this one, 1980’s Marimekko scrap, piece of shorts from Sylvia Einstein, piece of a dress from Kathleen Butts, contemporary fabrics from Jane Sassaman and Westminster, and some batik among others. Great fun!"
 
I always like to see little bits of traditional patchwork patterns in a contemporary quilt - a reference to the quiltmakers of the past.  These four patches and square in the middle are printed, but they still take me back.   

 
Lovely feet.  Ruth always does great feet - along with great everything else.
 

What great fabric selections, that come from everywhere.
 

A wonderful Marimekko fabric on the back which allows us the see the quilting better.
And a fancy sleeve of Jane Sassaman fabric.
 

And the hand-lettered label with the basic info: Title, Artist, Date, Contact.
 
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