Birds 03-04-23

We heard a mockingbird yesterday.  Seems early for their return, especially with the cold, wet, windy weather we have been having.  They are usually here between April and November.  Always vocal, they command their territories with much screeching, singing, fluttering, and downright attacks on other birds; also cats, dogs, and even a squirrel.  For several years one chose our chimney for a territorial lookout and I swear, would holler down the chimney at me.  Anytime of day or night he would get wound up and keep at it all night.  I had  to wear earplugs!  

Northern  Mockingbird from Google.  

Although I have seen them in SCalifornia since I moved here in 1957 I had never observed their "flinging" habit until I saw one doing it in Baton Rouge, LA.  I was sitting on a bench on the university campus, just enjoying the lovely weather and the different trees and plants.  On top of one building is a pole with a round ball on top.  A mockingbird was singing and throwing himself in the air, coming down to land on the ball again and again and....  It was, of course, a courtship display and he kept at it all the time I was sitting there.  I have seen this routine many times since, but that first observation sticks in my memory.  It seemed so strange at the time.  

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Friday Feet 03-03-23

In the 20teens these fabric boots/shoes were sold at quilt shows and were very popular.  I could never quite convince myself they were meant for me.  Haven't seen any for years, but then I haven't been to many quilt shows lately.  I'll have to look at the Quilts, Inc. show in Long Beach this summer.   I don't know how these are connected to the original mola design/technique of the native work done on the San Blas Islands in SAmerica.   Can the fabric be hand stitched reverse applique?  

March 01, 2013

September 04, 2016

April 05, 2012

January 15, 2013

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Planets 03-02-23

Widely seen in the night sky, Venus and Jupiter appear to be aligned so closely that some viewers are concerned!!  The planets are not at all close to each other, but just positioned so they seem that way.  In reading posts on Next Door and Facebook I wonder if people realize they can check sites online that explain the view.  Some are worried about Chinese balloons, some about extra terrestrials, some about collisions in the sky.    I don't know much about planets and stars, but I know enough to find information online.  

I propped the cell phone on a lamp post to try to cut down on the wiggle.  This isn't bad, but a tripod would have been better.  

Anyway, it seems the storms have departed, for now, and the puddles are starting to be absorbed.  Guess I will have another burst of weeds in my yard.  Still looking for a gardener to mow and blow.  

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Wordless Wednesday 03-01-23

 

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Miscellaneous + Food 02-27-23

A mostly sunny day today, but still too cold - 55F - 41F.   There were a few showers that we managed to miss on our morning and evening walks.  Some neighbors took advantage of a little sunshine to walk their dogs in the park.  This seemed like an organized group so maybe there is such in the patio homes behind us.  There are quite a few regular dog walkers off and on all day, some just walk, others throw balls or frisbees.  It is more than a block from the busy Palm Drive to this end of the park and the dogs seem to stay with their people.  KoKo, I think, finds the park boring because there are only grass and tall trees, no small bushes he can smell and water.  We rarely go there, but walk on the sidewalks in the loop around our tract.  

From the lower right, our low back wall, our slope and iron fence, beyond which you can see the flood control channel, the chain link fence around the park and halfway up is the block wall around the patio home complex.  It is a nice view and usually it is deserted and quiet. 

Food

I do eat some unusual meals.  Mostly depending on what I have in the frig or the fruit/veggie bowl.  Tonight I had no bread, but a ripe avocado.  So, instead of avocado toast I had avocado frozen waffles!  Very tasty, perhaps better than avocado toast.  Just plain avocado with a little salt and a sprinkle of pepper.  I'll put this on my rotating menu.   By-the-way, I prefer Trader Joe's frozen waffles, they are gluten free, but much tastier than the super market brands.  

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Gillian Moss quilt in Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection 02-26-23

This quilt of fantastical flowers made in 2012 is very current because hand embroidery seems to be the "in" thing right now: Gillian was ten years ahead of the trend.  Lovely soft colors of thread against a screen printed square.  She made a good choice to use the same fabric for binding to blend in with the background.  The flowers seem ready to float off into the air.  

"Fantastical Garden"  Gillian Moss - La Jolla, CA  2012  

12" x 12"  Screen printing, hand embroidered, hand quilted.

Gillian says this piece started out as a pure experiment as she was thinking of doing something for the SAQA online auction. She worked on it in the evening while her husband watched TV and it became a special quilt with the colors and the thoughts that accompanied her stitching.
 

Many different colors of thread used and a signature done with fabric marker.
 

The screened background in green and blue allows areas for the flowers to bloom.
 

Straight stitches, cross stitches, back stitches, stem stitches, running stitches, fly stitches, single chain stitches - done in perle cotton and sewing cotton threads.

Gillian does very even, elegant stitching.
 

And she is not afraid to show the back of her emroidery work - hurrah, Gillian.
 

On her label she uses a hand cut stamp of a house resembling her home in Dublin, Ireland and hand prints the information needed - including her website URL.  A way for people interested in her work to contact her.  www.mossartquilts.com

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