Sorting through memories

My sisters, brother and I converged from around the country at my parents' house in California over the weekend to sort through things we want to keep before we put the house up for sale. It was a big trip down memory lane.

We found this photo of us as kids gathered around our dining room table in South Park Township outside of Pittsburgh. And here we are today (plus Terry's husband), gathered around a table at Eat At Joe's in Redondo Beach.

And here we are in my parents' kitchen sorting through dishes, and on the back patio.

This is my great aunt and great uncle's family cottage in northern Pennsylvania where we spent wonderful summer vacations running around the farm, fishing in the creek, shucking corn grown by Uncle John, running down to the outhouse and hauling water from the spring. The cottage had no electricity or running water, but as kids we didn't care! My aunt and uncle lived in their more modern home in Bradford, PA, but the farm stole my heart.

My sisters and I took a few photos of us. Do you see any resemblance to the photo of my mom in her much younger days? There was no date, but I'm guessing she was in her 30s or 40s and we're all in our 60s. It was the first time I had seen that photo of her.

Besides oodles of photos, we found this poem written by my paternal grandfather, who loved writing and painting. I'm wondering if he painted the background picture.

It was a quick trip, so one morning stroll by the water in Redondo Beach was as close as I got to doing any SoCal.

Have a colorful day

My quote collage books are done!

I finished my three sparkly little books 

of collaged quotes yesterday!

As I brushed the last scraps into the wastebasket I was sad to be ending this project, which I started months ago not sure how it would go. But I took the advice in these two quotes and forged ahead, making design decisions as it progressed and trusting that it would be fabulous.

"And suddenly you know: 

It's time to start something new 

and trust the magic of beginnings."

"Overcome fear, behold wonder."

The impetus for the project was an art show I'm going to be in with my sister in February. The theme is "Homegrown Stories," and my sister suggested that we each make an art book to go along with the "stories" part. I'd never made an art book before and spent a few months thinking about possibilities before coming up with the idea to do little collages featuring the inspirational quotes that I began collecting six years ago during a difficult time in my life.

Then the challenge became deciding which of my several hundred quotes to use! I ended up splitting them into three books with a total of 22 quotes. I could have made dozens more because it was so fun hand stitching the little bright bits of fabric. But I had to make myself stop so I can make big art for the show.

I like their little size and how soft and light they are in the hand. One reason I love working with fabric is because of its softness.

I was concerned that my machine wouldn't be able to get through all the layers to sew the book bindings on, but with a big jeans needle my trusty 35-year-old Bernina 1230 did the job effortlessly. It beautifully sewed through 16 layers of fabric plus the heat and bond in between the layers in the thickest book.

 

Have a colorful day

No Kings!!!

I went to the No Kings protest in Oro Valley (just north of Tucson) this morning and was elated at the huge crowd turnout. We lined Oracle, a major road through town, and it seemed as if nearly every passing car honked in support! 

It was joyful despite the seriousness of what we're protesting. And it felt so good to be surrounded by "my people," even though I didn't know them personally.

I bought a sign from this guy's trunk, and I filled out postcards to all three branches of government at the Oro Valley Democrats booth.

Some snapshots ...

Adelita Grijalva is Tucson's representative who Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to swear in. Lots of support for her here.

I started with my homemade sign, which is kindergarten level. Luckily I could buy a better one there:

I read that 7 million showed up to protest all over the United States, plus many more in other countries. Here's my sister at her protest in Port Townsend, WA. And my brother in law sent the next one from Chelsea, MI.

So proud of the big turnout in my hometown, Pittsburgh!

Have a colorful day

Back from visiting Mom

 

I just got back from helping to get Mom from the rehab facility back to her assisted living home. She was NOT happy about having to do her rehab exercises, above, and kept trying to get out of them.

She was in a little better mood after she got back to her own place. My brother in law Dennis showed her how to use her wheelchair. She's not supposed to put any weight on her broken hip side for at least a month, although she was caught a couple of times at the rehab center out of bed on her own and walking. Because of that we had to hire round-the-clock caregivers to make sure she doesn't pull that trick now that she's home. Her dementia makes it hard for her to understand why she shouldn't stand.

She's smiling here, but mostly she was not a happy camper. I can't blame her. She's sure not laughing and joking anymore like she was in the hospital.

I brought some stitching to keep me busy in the evenings at the hotel, but I don't think I spent more than 15 minutes on it. I was always so tired from dealing with insurance, hospital forms, the caregiver agency, transport drivers, trying to find clothes that went missing at the rehab center and trying to convince her that she couldn't stand that I mostly just collapsed back at the hotel. I'm really glad my brother in law flew out from Louisville to help with the financial side of things while I handled medical. And I was so glad he drove the rental car because the traffic in San Diego is too hectic for me.

Meanwhile, here's little Juniper smelling the roses in the same garden where her parents were married two years ago!

Have a colorful day

Desert flowers

Orange flowers and yellow fruit of the barrel cactus

Instead of colorful fall foliage, the desert has colorful flowers this time of year. Here are some from my walks in the desert and in my yard.

The hiking trail this morning was sprinkled with purple wildflowers ... 

... and these pretty yellow ones.

My Texas ranger burst into bloom again this week! It has soft fuzzy purple flowers and sage green leaves. Here's a closeup:

My orange and purple lantana bushes are also flourishing. They thrive on poor soil, sun and drought, so everyone has them here.

Below is the flashy Mexican bird of paradise, also a favorite here.

And Mom has flowers too -- my sisters and I sent her a bouquet this week. My brother, who lives nearby, keeps her supplied with roses. She's doing well at the rehab center, but no one knows where her outfit came from! It's not hers, but she looks good in it.

Have a colorful day