Shadows 01-30-21

We went a little later for our walk today, so the sun was well up in the sky and very bright.  I have always been interested in shadows; they come in different colors and "thicknesses" depending on the light that is casting the shadow.  

This is a crape myrtle tree in the strip between street and sidewalk.  It is one of the few really healthy ones left from those that were originally planted some 50 years ago.  Many were taken out because they were in an inconvenient spot or the homeowner didn't like them.  Ours lost a limb that was ripped off by a big truck, so it is a little lopsided and anyway not as large as this one.  I love the bark, or lack thereof, and the soft lavendar blossoms in the summer.  It makes a lovely shadow, I think. 

Of course, KoKo and I also cast a shadow.  Not nearly as interesting as a tree, though!

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KoKo and exercise 01-29-21

 

I am so lax at doing the Physical Therapy exercises, even though I am sure that they help my body.  So, I made a pledge to Sharon, my physical therapist, that I would do the exercises once a day for a week and send her an e-mail assuring her I had done them. And maybe I will make the pledge weekly until my time runs out.  On Wednesday I did the exercises, but couldn't find her card with the e-address!  I greeted her on Thursday with "I'm hope you didn't lay awake all night waiting to hear if I kept my pledge."  As if I am the most important patient she has!!  She had a laugh.  I do my exercises on the double bed in the guest room because if I get down on the floor I can't get up again!  KoKo is not accustomed to seeing me on that bed, so he has to get up there and "supervise".  Mostly by sitting on my stomach and staring into my face.  I'm hoping he gets tired of that in a few days.  Since I have a big soft stomach he is not very stable, which is why he is leaning in the lower image.  It is the end of the month (already?) and he needs a trip to the groomer this next week.  I rather like him with this shaggy look, but there has to be a regular trim or he is soon too shaggy.  He is such a good dog. 

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Dancing water bottles! 01-28-21

Just a short explanation about the "dancing water bottles".  Thanks to Shasta for that delightful title!   In January I check my "emergency supplies", which are not very extensive, but stored water is one of the necessities.  I didn't mark the date on these bottles, don't know why not, I usually do.  And I have never had the bottles collapse like this.  It would have to be temperature related, but these were stored where I always store them, which is inside the house rather than in the garage.  They are kind of whimsical, aren't they?   The water is fine and I am using them up now.  New bottles in the same cabinet, but with the date on them. 

It was a gorgeous day with just a slight wind and lots of blue sky.  In the distance the mountains were snow covered and topped with bright white clouds.  About 9:30p it started to rain, but soon petered out.  Hope we get some more during the night and/or tomorrow.  It has been so dry for so long.  

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Wordless Wednesday 01-27-21

 

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"Cactus Flower" quilt 01-26-21

 

"Cactus Flower"  Del Thomas 2000   61"W X 48"L   Machine pieced using Ruth B. McDowell's techniques.  Free Motion machine quilted.  Commercial and hand dyed cotton fabrics and batik fabrics.  Paint used in center of flowers.  

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More rain? 01-25-21

The weather guys predicted 100% chance of rain, but we didn't have any today.  Lots of clouds, brisk wind, and only 54F.  Not many days since it was 92F!!   

Looking west from our front porch just after sunset tonight.   Those are clouds just above the houses and trees.  And twenty miles from here to the Pacific Ocean.

 

A couple days ago I posted about a virtual quilt show that includes a couple of my quilts.  Today I was notified that my quilt "Cactus Flower" won 2nd place and I will receive a $200 gift card.  I was surprised because I hadn't paid attention to the fact that there were prizes!   This is one of my favorite quilts I have made, so it is nice to know that others like it.  You can check out the exhibit and see the other two winners at https://galleryq.org/featured-art-works/

The first prize winner is Meg Monahan's "Queen's Cross".  "Convolutions" by Carol Nilsen is the third place winner.   

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