Quilting Inspiration

Haven't done much sewing or quilting this summer...

But every once in a while, inspiration comes to me, via Pinterest...

That's when I wonder: I have half a dozen (or more!) bundles of blocks and unfinished quilts upstairs in my sewing area...

Should I finish one of them?! Or should I start yet another?!

Looking Back... August 2004

I didn't start blogging until 2009. From then on, many of my photos - and stories - made it into the blog.

I recently came across a few pictures that didn't! They date back to the summer of 2004, the year one of our sons was living and working in Banff.

He was 22 years old. In August, he came home for a visit, and the two of us took a drive...

First to visit Grandma, who was then living in her own apartment.

Then on to Andrew Haydon Park...

... and some other favorite spots...

...like Merrickville...

... with its antique shops...

... and its canal lock...

A year later, he returned to Ottawa to live - but at this time, August 2004, he was nostalgically looking at the life he had left behind.

And I?...

I was sadly wondering if he had flown away for good!

Reading With Ivy

I don't remember what I read to my children when they were young. We all loved Dr. Seuss - and the wonderful books by Richard Scarry.

When my granddaughter visited recently, I read Goodnight Moon to her. It's a classic that dates back 60 years.

She's not quite three months old, so I didn't expect much of a reaction. So I was totally unprepared when she made a lunge for one colorful page, as though she wanted to pick up the colorful shapes.

Were the bright colors drawing her attention? I have no idea...

But seeing her get so into a book, I just couldn't stop laughing.

Welcome Summer Rain

It's been a lovely, hot summer...

From time to time we've also had rain.

Earlier this week, after a warm night, I felt the heaviness of an impending thunderstorm early in the morning...

That doesn't happen too often.

I closed all the windows...

When the thunder and lightning moved away, the gardener in me welcomed the gentle rain... which not only cleared the air, but watered the grass and flowers.

Baby in the House!

The past week and a half, we have enjoyed having a baby in the house.

Our visiting granddaughter... almost three months old, was in town for a visit!

Her parents had come for a wedding, then stayed to celebrate two family birthdays.

It was a lot of fun getting to know her better.

(A reminder of how small each of us arrives in this world.)

Enjoying the Flowers!

I've been enjoying the tiger lilies and other summer perennials currently in bloom in our yard...

What comes next?!

By the end of July, the showiest of the flowers are (unfortunately) gone!

This sad fact makes me feel that summer is drawing to an early end!

(Time to plant more fall blooms for next year!)

Changing the Guards

In all the thirty-some years I've lived in Ottawa, I've never watched the changing of the guards on Parliament Hill.

But when my daughter-in-law (and baby) were in town, recently, we happened to catch the show!

It's a summer event, replicating the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace in London, England.

Our Canadian "guards" are summer students.

The event began with bagpipes and a marching band.

We ended up our time on Parliament Hill at the statues of the 20th century suffragettes and their banner proclaiming that women are persons, too... a stark reminder that women's rights are relatively new, even in Canada.

Helpful... Or?

For years Terry has been telling me that I often come to the "rescue" of one of our children... By that, I assume he means that I "help" the person in ways that are ultimately not helpful to him or her, that I am keeping the person from maturing.

As a social worker, he is more educated in these matters, I guess. But quite frankly, as a parent, I often don't see it when my "help" is really unhelpful. So I was interested to come across this comment recently in one of the books I am reading, a book of sermons by Barbara Brown Taylor:

Sometimes our ownership of others' problems ends up crippling both them and us... When we make a habit of rescuing other people, we prevent them from learning about the consequences of their actions. We help them keep their illusions about themselves, and we get to be heroes in the bargain, but it is not good for them or for us. Everybody deserves a chance to fail. It is how we learn to be human.

But we also deserve to have someone in our lives who will... dive into the water when what is disappearing down the river happens to be us. That is not "co-dependence." That is agape, self-giving love...

These words don't help me gauge when my "help" is "unhelpful" - but they do remind me that some help is life-giving...

Garden in July

It's been a hot summer... (and I'm not complaining!)

The orange tiger lilies are dominating the yard these days. The white daisies (behind them) also stand out...

But, in the back yard, the purple clematis that blooms in June are now disappearing.

From mid-July on, the showiest of the flowers are starting to disappear. Others do replace them, here and there, but it's not the same!

Summer ends too quickly in my flower beds!!

Good Fitness Advice

I haven't attended Curves for several months now. My location unexpectedly closed their doors around the time my granddaughter was born. In the following weeks, trips to Toronto were more important than gym hunting, so my fitness routine has been neglected for several months.

Finally I began to visit the fitness facilities in my neighborhood, comparing them to the two remaining Curves locations - both of  which are in distant parts of town. Do I really want to drive that far to exercise in winter?!

I also check out fitness equipment for our basement. Terry and I saw one beautiful machine that does all the exercises I want to do... But it's very expensive... (Here is an online illustration.)

Would we use it enough to justify the cost?

Would you use a fitness machine if we bought it? I later asked my son.

No! He emphatically replied. And don't buy one. My two friends who have expensive fitness equipment never use it anymore.

Did they lose interest? I asked.

No, they injured themselves. Both of them have pain everywhere, so they can't work out.

Just go walking... That's what I do. It's the best exercise of all!

Margaret Meets Her Great-Granddaughter

Today is my mother's 97th birthday!

A few days ago, she met her two-and-a-half-month-old great-granddaughter for the first time. (She has three great-grandsons, but this is her first great-granddaughter.)

Put her on my lap, she said.

We gingerly placed the baby on my mother's lap as she sat in her wheelchair.

She can no longer see, but she felt the baby's head and marveled at her tiny hands and feet.

Talking about her upcoming birthday, I asked her what her wish was for in the coming year.

Without hesitation, she replied: Continued good health!

Trip Down Memory Lane

Today is my youngest son's birthday...

Here he is the day we brought him home from the hospital, three days old...

So new in the world - yet so amazingly perfect, from those tiny fingers and fingernails - to the complete head of hair!

I Remember You...!!

Every once in a while, I come across a plant that I used to have and love. I stop and stare... It's a little like meeting an old friend...

I recently stopped when I saw this plant. I had one like it years ago... But eventually it must have died... (I even had a special pot for it!)

Do I have room in the house for another (I have so many African Violets... Probably not!!)

Great Ribs!

Driving to Chautauqua, Terry was looking forward to stopping in Syracuse, NY, to eat at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que...

We arrived just after the noon rush, but the place was still busy.

Terry ordered his favorite - ribs and four sides - to share. We enjoyed the meal...

All too soon, it was time to continue on our way.

Chautauqua

The Chautauqua Institution is located in the small town of Chautauqua, NY...

... on the shores of Lake Chautauqua.

While there, we tried to get the "lay of the land" by exploring as much of the town as time permitted.

It is full of gracious old homes - some used as summer cottages, while others house residents all year long.

The beach is a beautiful spot...

This old hotel is part of the Institution.

(We tried to get a reservation there for a meal - but were out of luck.)

So we ate more humbly - once, in a church hall - a less expensive option.

Another time, in a cafe, entertained by local musicians.

We enjoyed wandering around, as time permitted. (There was so much to do!)

One interesting relic of an earlier era was the town post office...

















... with its original brass mail boxes!

The town square - another relic of the original institution - was a popular place to relax on a hot day.

In every way, a charming place to visit!

Visiting the Chautauqua Institution

A week ago Terry and I headed to the Chautauqua Institution - a "summer camp" for adults. It has been around since the 1800's.

Every year, dozens of famous speakers come to Chautauqua Institution to discuss the issues of the day.

There is a daily entrance fee to get into the grounds. Once inside, lectures are free.

We stayed a day and a half, but in that time we heard Steve Forbes, of Forbes Magazine, speak. The amphitheater was packed for his talk.

The following day we heard an aspiring politician speak about the necessity of US Senate reform. (She would like to see an end to the practice of lobbying.) Terry enjoyed both talks.

I had come to hear well-known writer and former Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor, whose books I enjoy. She was chaplain of the week in the church service that is held every day. In the end, I was not only able to hear her speak, but to meet her too, and have her sign one of my books.

A six hour drive from Ottawa, an hour and a half from Buffalo, NY, Chautauqua Institution is a unique, interesting (but not inexpensive) place to visit. But it does provide a rare opportunity to hear famous people speak, participating in "civil discourse" about issues of the day.

We'd definitely go back again - if speakers and the theme of the week were of interest to us.