Unusual Log Cabin Quilt Design

One of the first quilts I ever made was a log cabin quilt... long, thin "log" strips of fabric sewn around a central square "chimney." Traditionally, two sides of each square have darker colored "logs" than the other two lighter colored ones. Like a "log cabin" in the sunlight - two sides are in the light and two are in the shade. These light-dark "log cabin" squares can be placed in interesting patterns to make a lovely quilt.

I was surprised, however, when I saw a totally different kind of "log cabin" on the cover of this book... Modern Log Cabin Quilting by Susan Beal: How were these "log cabin" crosses created?! 

Fortunately our public library had the book and I was able to borrow it... It turns out that each cross is made of four identical log cabin squares... placed in such a way that they form a cross. Really different!

A second log cabin design really intrigued me: This blue and yellow pillow: Yellow "chimney" squares surrounded by strips of blue.

These are two patterns I'd really like to try!

Do I Need a Hearing Aid?!

A few weeks ago, I had a hearing test - not because I felt I was hard of hearing, but because Terry had had one. He had been told (much to my surprise!) that his hearing was perfect... Mine must be perfect, too!

You have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears, the audio technician told me. It's good to get a hearing aid before the loss is too great. Otherwise, the brain adjusts to the loss and it's harder to correct.

You could try a hearing aid for two weeks and see if you feel it makes a difference...

I was very surprised - and a little disappointed... I really can't believe that his hearing is better than mine - even though, sometimes at night, he does hear sounds that I don't hear.

So I'm going to try it for this two-week trial period and see if it does make a difference.

But I still can't believe that his hearing is better than mine!!

Volunteering in Retirement

Before I retired, I thought I might like to volunteer at the library second hand book store. That way I could keep an eye on their used book selection...

But when I inquired, I was told that a six-month commitment was needed... 

But I like to travel and go away from time to time. I can't plan ahead for six months... 

So I didn't sign up...

Terry, a retired social worker, loves to volunteer... He attends local community meetings where he's been able to find occasional volunteer opportunities - like this Christmas breakfast put on by our community association at a local school.

After serving the staff and students, the volunteers had breakfast, too.

I'm glad he's found volunteering opportunities that meet his interests, no long-term commitment required.

White Christmas

A few days ago, it snowed again...

My outdoor walking days are over for a while. Knowing that they were a limited-time treat, I did my best to enjoy them.

I expect  we’ll be having a “white Christmas”!

Downtown Construction

Last Wednesday Terry and I took the bus and rapid transit downtown.

On Wednesdays (and Sundays) the bus system is free for seniors. A lot of us take advantage of this when the weather is nice...

There was a brisk wind, so downtown streets weren't busy.

As we walked past Parliament Hill, we noticed a lot of construction going on.

Old buildings need to be repaired.

Below, the senate building is wrapped in plastic so that they can work in all kinds of weather.

A while back, we talked to a stone mason who had come from Ireland with his family to work on these buildings. Is stone masonry a trade that isn't taught in Canada anymore?

There are a lot of old buildings in need of repair. He expected to have work here in Canada for quite a few years.

Across the street from the parliament buildings, we noticed this wooden structure. Not sure what it is - but it has an interesting shape.

By the time we got home, the sun was setting - and my feet were sore. According to the app on my phone, I had walked more than 20,000 steps.

A "Senior" Problem...!!

I overheard the following comment at a "seniors' breakfast":

The problem with trying to remembering your age is that - about the time you remember it - along comes another birthday, and the number changes... Then  you have to start all over again, trying to remember the new number!

I can identify!!

Long before I became a "senior," one year - for some reason - I was under the impression that I was a  year older than my real age! I'm not sure how that happened...

When my next birthday came around and I realized my error, I felt a profound sadness of having lost a year of my youth... which, of course, is quite silly! I had enjoyed every single day!

Looking Forward to Spring!

This flower banner reminds me that...

... even in winter, gardeners are still thinking about spring!