Surfside Quilters Guild - San Clemente, CA 04-14-22

Although I belong to a number of different guilds I only go to Surfside Quilters Guild.  It is at least an hour's drive, but it is the only daytime guild around.  And, though I hate to accept it, I just don't enjoy driving at night so much anymore.  And it once was my favorite time to be on the road.  Anyway, the guild meeting  was Tuesday and it was also the annual business session.  We had a quorum (maybe 70 in attendance), so it went quickly because the officers in charge were so organized. I am the "official" photographer, which isn't an office, but just a volunteer thing I do.  I finally bought a new phone/camera and have been doing a little experimenting to see what new I need to learn.  Not much, thank the goddess, it is essentially a newer version of my old Samsung Galaxy, so the learning curve is gentle.  Although I am struggling with pictures. Nothing new about that. .  

Surfside's membership is about 170 now, but before Covid it was a little over 200 and we had a hundred plus members at meetings.  Our membership is generally older, I suppose because we have daytime meetings which eliminates many quilters who have day jobs.  Ten years ago when the guild was formed the main impetus was the increasing need to not drive at night as we were all ageing, but still quilting!!  

We do a "Block a month" project where everyone who wants to participate makes a the block from a pattern available at meetings.  At the end of the year each person puts their blocks together in their own layout and a drawing is held for prizes at the April meeting.  There were a lot of finished tops/quilts this year and it was fun to see the different colors and settings.  Here they are on the tables and few being held up for the audience to see. 

Block of the Month quilts on display.

Block of the Month quilts on display.

Our very efficient president, Mary Arter, accomplishes so much I doubt that she sleeps.  She did both of these using the monthly patterns.

Wendy McCalley's name was drawn for the $100 cash prize.   Love those blues! 

The co-chairs of the Block of the Month created their own versions.  

Holly Betz (left) and Judy Kamman (right).

Our speaker this month was Dora Cary, quilter, designer, and owner of Orange Dot Quilts shop in Paso Robles, CA.  Interesting lady, lovely quilts, and many ideas and patterns.  Her designs are sort of traditional with a twist.  

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Things Change 07-17-17

It is, I suppose, a part of aging when things seem to change too fast to keep up with them.  Living in a suburban town, I rarely am out among the movers and shakers of the world.  The world moves outside my safe haven in Placentia, California.  I do get out, but not usually to urban places.  I have a friend whose idea of vacation is to be in a city with music, fine dining, museums, art galleries... well, all that.  Whereas my idea of vacation is away from all of that and in a place with quiet, trees, flowers, birds, animals, open skies, mountains or seashores.  Lately I have been exposed to some more urban adventures which can be very tiring.  Some are interesting, some just mystifying.  I'll start a recurring series about these changes I observe or that impact my life. 

CELL PHONES   They are everywhere, aren't they?  How frightening it is to see people walking down the street and stepping off a curb without looking up from their phones.  And then there are times that one wonders who they are talking to.  Like this postman talking to the mailbox.  I can only guess that he has a wire to his phone.  Or maybe he really is talking to the mailbox.  How can one tell? 

 

 

TRAFFIC  During my four hour drive to San Diego on Saturday I thought about how much heavier the traffic is these days.  I expected the drive to be slow on Saturday, it was a glorious weekend and there were many events in SDiego including the Gay Pride parade which I understand is the biggest anywhere.  But I don't think that has anything to do with drivers passing on the right on the shoulder, something that occurred more than once this trip.  So, use caution, watch for illegal passing and, especially, motorcycles who seem to drive wherever they choose. 

 

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Where have I been? 01-12-14

My world has been an electronic disaster!  At least my car is functioning - last time I checked!  I was in San Diego for the weekend and did not take my laptop with me because it is ailing again and not be be depended on.  Whilst I was having a good time doing tours of the exhibit and dining "high on the hog", my cell phone died.  Completely.  Wouldn't take a charge on either house or car chargers.  The real disaster part was that I did not have access to phone numbers or addresses or the Internet.  The only phone numbers I have in my purse are the emergency numbers that go with my drivers license.  I had directions printed from Google to find the location where my group was meeting, so I decided to just go there and apologize to the friend I was supposed to take with me.  She did drive herself (along with the delicious lemon cake she was bringing for coffee break) and, I hope, has forgiven me for standing her up.  The moral to this story is that one should carry a variety of numbers in one's purse or vehicle.  Despite being a complete wreck (what happened to the Del who is Calm in Chaos?) I enjoyed the meeting and am excited about being a member of such a productive and knowledgeable group of art quilters. 

When I returned from SDiego yesterday I unloaded my car and went directly to Verizon where I spent about two hours buying a new phone and having everything transferred from old to new.  And, since I was just sitting there, I also bought an iPad Mini.  Of course, at this point all I can do is turn it off and on!  So, I am on a double learning curve with lots of bumpy spots and detours, but, like Terry Grant, I believe that old dogs and old ladies can learn new tricks.  However, my memory has a hard time with the new stuff, so it might take a long time before I can depend on my phone and my iPad.

Meanwhile, I will miss some postings and have trouble posting images.  But I'll work it out and keep in touch.  Thanks to those of you who were concerned that I had not posted for so many days.  I'll try to not leave you all dangling.  If I can post pictures we might have a week of Wordless Days!

Kangaroo Paw plant 08-14-10

Kangaroo Paw plant is one of my favorites. This is the 'old-fashioned' yellow variety. I showed a newer red variety in my post with pictures from Sherman Library and Gardens:

http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2010/05/kangaroo-paw-05-07-10.html

I'm gradually learning how to use my Droid (when I type it I can hear the sort of gong-like, echoing sound they use in the TV ads), but if you call me, be patient because it takes lots of rings for me to answer! Leave a message - I WILL find it and open it and call you back!!

Another resting day 08-13-10

It was a gorgeous California day and only 84F here in Placentia. This image was taken from the car while we were in line at Starbuck's drive-thru.

I used the excuse of the dental surgery to do a lot of resting today. Sort of cheating because I don't have any pain and not much swelling. I iced it a few times this morning and, of course, I have only been eating soft foods - soft boiled eggs, carrot/squash soup, milk, soft cheese, slightly toasted bread. And then Corky and I drove to Starbuck's for a Caramel Frappachino. I always have them put the caramel drizzle UNDER the whipped cream, because I don't want Corky to have rotten teeth. He only gets the very top of the whipped cream - a very special treat.

He has been a very loving companion and even did some more snuggling while I was "icing". I told his mommy that I wished I had a video camera just to record his antics when he wants his dinner. He starts with sneezing two or three times and follows that up with whining, barking, choking as though he has something stuck in his throat (he doesn't), moaning and 'warbling'. It is an entire routine - he should take it on the road. Letterman? Oprah? His mommy advised that with my new Droid I have the ability to take videos. Not yet - I'll put it on the bottom of the list of things I need to learn about the Droid. First I would like to just be able to hang up a call without shutting the thing down completely. Woe is I!!

Another Learning Curve 08-12-10

A new computer and now a new cell phone. I made this same double 'curve' about six years ago, you would think I had learned my lesson, eh? I've written about the computer problems I have been suffering, so the new computer is understandable. But I haven't said anything about the trouble I've had keeping my cell charged. I could, of course, buy a new battery and it may yet come to that.

For those not familiar with the very latest technology from Verizon, this is the up-to-date Android. The Poodle Parents both bought Droids in May and they are already out-of-date. Mine is the very latest model. . . until next month, I suppose. The PParents frequently change phones, so I thought they would be able to help me learn a new system. She went with me to deal with the slick dudes at the Verizon store and she was a big help - I would probably have dissolved into tears without her intervention.

The problem is that they live in Long Beach and I live in Placentia (about 30 miles). I finally figured out how to call out, but ran into a problem trying to hang-up. The first three people I called received a "Del echo" when I accidentally redialed their numbers when trying to get back to the contacts list. Worse than that, I had deciphered the method to add a number to my list and successfully added it. Later when I was trying to call someone else, the phone dialed that number and I was connected with the woman's husband - very difficult to explain to him what the heck I was up to. At least he recognized my name. I thought I would send the wife an e-mail explaining what was going on, but gave up because as I wrote I began to sound as if I had escaped from a padded cell. So, Sharon, if you read this you'll know that your husband was telling the truth about the crazy lady who couldn't control her cell phone.

The dude at Verizon told me there were lessons available on the website to help people (he didn't say ssllooooww people) learn to use their Droid. There is an instruction book in the box - about 3"square and 1/4" thick, containing both an English and a Spanish version. For my eyesight a very strong magnifying glass is necessary and even then it is a strain. I've looked at the website a bit to find a lesson or two, however I have been busy doing other things. Like having dental surgery today to put in the post for my imitation tooth. This is such a long process that I'm surprised that so many people opt to have the procedure. Tooth pulled in February, impressions taken in June, post inserted in August and the new tooth goes in mid-November - all to the tune of about $3000. I am supposed to recline a lot today with an ice pack on my face and repeat this tomorrow. I've done fairly well, but couldn't resist the call of my computer. Fortunately, I am not alone - Corky is here until Tuesday morning. He knows something is different and actually laid next to me on the bed and snuggled. Corky is a very special guy, but under normal circumstances he is not a cuddly guy. So, it is a comfort to know that he cares!