World War I

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It seems to me that World War I is surprisingly present in my thoughts these days,so much so that I’d be interested to read more on the history of the time.  It started when I began watching the second season of “Downton Abbey.” The story opens with both servants and the upper class going off to war.  The Abbey is turned into a convalescent home, and the kitchen participates in a soup kitchen for soldiers who have returned and cannot support themselves.

World War I appeared the second time this month in the book “Fall of Giants,” by Ken Follett.  I’ve enjoyed his historical novels set in earlier centuries, so I thought I might like this story, which opens just prior to the start of the war.  It’s fascinating to read that the war could have easily been averted, but previous treaties funneled Europe and Russia into a conflagration that covered more than Europe.  I’m barely a third of the way into the book, and the war is about to start.  I’m confident that I will learn a lot about the war, and Follett may give me enough information to know what else I might want to read.

The last of the appearances of WW I came when my husband who is recuperating from knee surgery and trying to find something on TV that he can bear to watch, turned on “War Horse.”   It’s an amazing story, parts of which are very difficult to watch.  In one scene, the horse is tangled in concertina wire in the no-man’s land between the English and the Germans.

I wonder why there is so much focus on this period of history right now?

I hope, as I work my way into “retirement” that I will be able to make the time to read more history.  I’m particularly interested in the period from 1750 to WW II.  These fictional histories have whet my appetite for the information I missed when I studied history at school, low those many years ago.

Caroling

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I have not been caroling at Christmas for decades.  I love to sing carols, and have not been where I could join a group that planned to go caroling. I was moaning about this situation last year to a friend at exercise, and she remembered what I had said.

Jackie wondered why we couldn’t invite members of our  exercise class to join us.  Of the roughly 45 members of class, ten of us will go caroling Wednesday, right after class.  We’re going to visit class members who have had a difficult year, and are unable to be at class.  We’ve lucked out, and should be able to complete our rounds before the first snow of the season moves in.

One of the women suggested that we might take boxes of homemade cookies to share.  Even class members who will not be singing will be donating cookies, so we should have a lovely collection of cookies to share.

Do you have a favorite carol?  I love so many of them it’s difficult to choose one, but “Angels We Have Heard on High,” or “What Child Is This?”  are at the top of the list.  Invite me to join you caroling, and I’ll be happy to sing whatever you like, as long as it’s not “Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer!”

Merry Christmas, one and all!

Getting Ready for Christmas

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Or not….as the case may be.  As you know, we are planning to put our house on the market.  We were supposed to have it ready this past year, but a number of things interrupted our plans, including a new knee for Dear Husband.

When I thought the house would be on the market last summer, I boxed up all the winter clothes, the fall decorations and the Christmas decorations.  Boxes and boxes of things are stacked in the basement.  All that storage makes it a little more difficult to get to what I need.

I’d like to decorate the house so that every room looks gracious and festive, but it seems more prudent to follow the “less is more” philosophy this year.  I put up swags at the carriage lights, and a wreath at the front door.  I have wreaths up on both sides of the fireplace. I put a wreath covered with silk berries at the back door, and my Mother’s cute country “Welcome” wreath on the door to the studio.

I finally decided to use our  six-foot fake Sitka spruce tree as our Christmas tree this year.  My-Sister-The-Nurse and My-Niece-The-Artist put new lights on the tree for me and redecorated it last July, so it looks really lovely. I just need to put out the tree skirt.

I plan to bring things up for the mantle.  I have a man-made garland that is made of little red seeds that will compliment the wreath.  I’ll anchor it with candles in hurricanes, to be lit Christmas Eve.  And, I think I may decorate the chandelier in the dining room.

With a few poinsettias, and flower arrangements, we should be good to go.  I like the idea of a simpler look, that allows us to enjoy the holiday.  I’ll make a few cookies this week, and wrap gifts on Sunday, and we (I hope) will be good to go!  Merry Christmas, everyone!

I forgot…

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…to tell you.  Last Wednesday, December 12th, I was driving home and saw a HERON fly across my path.  I darned near had an accident watching that bird soar past!

Usually our herons and egrets have left for their winter homes by late October, or possibly into the beginning of November.  I have never seen one here so late.

It can be said that we have had an incredibly warm stretch of weather.  Perhaps this guy was the one elected to round up the stragglers and encourage them to make the trip home.

Role Reversal

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I’m aware this morning of all those years when I was the one who got to stay curled up in the covers as Dear Husband went off to work!

DH  and his partner owned a masonry business for more than a quarter of a century.  When he was younger he could sleep ’til the last moment and then make a run for it, but as we got older, and our bodies needed concessions, it got to the point where my husband was getting up at 4:30 in the morning to be able to be the first person on the job site.

As he left the dressing room for the day, he would walk to the bed, and either levitate me, or give me a morning kiss for the day.  He never fails to give me that quick smooch before parting for the day.  It had to be tough on him, expecially on winter mornings, when it was still dark out, and he knew he would be heading into terribly cold temperatures, to leave me curled up in the bed, but I think I can count the number of days he overslept on one hand.

So, now it’s my turn.  I have to get up between 6:15 and 6:30 to make it to exercise on time.  On the days that I lead exercise, I often get up much earlier so that I’m sure the classroom is ready and my notes are in place.  I thought about all those years Dear Husband was the one to rise early, and find I can’t begrudge him the chance to sleep in.

He was so cute this morning. *G*

Holiday Extravaganza!

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Dear Husband goes to the salon once a month to have a haircut and beard trim.  The young woman who takes care of him is like a family member to us.  She told DH that she was performing in a concert on Saturday, and he asked for information.  Cindy has been a part of the Sweet Adelines for ages.  She sings in the Melodeers Chorus, and they gave a performance in Lincolnshire at Stevenson High School.

We left home about an hour and a half before the performance.  We wanted to be sure to find the school in plenty of time, and not walk in late.  It took us about an hour to get there via tollways.  We walked in, and bought tickets, and were lucky to get two of the last few seats left.

The auditorium was slow to fill, and the concert was delayed by about ten minutes.  When they got started, we were absorbed in the performance and well entertained. Cindy was in the front row, smack in the center!  Five quartets sang, dispersed among songs sung by the chorus, which boasts 150 members.  The first half of the show featured popular Christmas tunes.  The second half was mostly traditional carols.  I was fascinated by the harmonies, chord progressions and arrangements, choreography and superb voices.

It was a wonderful way to get into the Christmas season, and to support Cindy.  I’m delighted to have had the chance to hear her sing.

Calendar

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This is the oddest December I can remember.  Usually I am running around trying to get the house decorated and making lists of cookies to be baked.  Dear Husband does the shopping for our granddaughters, and I try to take care of the rest.

But, this year we are focused on keeping to a schedule of physical therapy and doctor’s visits.  Monday, Wednesday and Friday are filled with notes on exercise and therapy, and Tuesday and Thursday we go to the doctor, do blood draws, and do the occasional salon trip.  We actually look forward to the weekend so that we can get a little rest from all the appointments!

Today, the nurse called to say that we need to stop by.  It’s not like we live next door to the doc.  This is a 20-25 minute trip.  I’m sure it must be important, or he wouldn’t have asked us to come it.  I’m concerned, worried that there is something going on that we’ve missed.  It would be nice to get GOOD news.

After the doc, Dear Husband gets his hair cut, and then we’ll do something about dinner.  I have two more squares to be crocheted by tomorrow, so I’ll need to have my fingers fly tonight!

Just in case you’re worried, I’m still thinking of lists of cookies to make. *G*

Responsibility

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Today, while I was waiting for Dear Husband at the doctor’s office, I was watching local news on the television.  At least three times, they showed video of a child at Sea World, feeding the dolphins, and what can go wrong when you do not pay attention.

This eight year old girl and her parents had paid to participate in the Dolphin Experience, where she would have the chance to feed the dolphins.  Her parents were busy video taping their daughter for posterity.  The girl had given her fish to the dolphins.  She had been warned NOT to pick up the white tray the fish came in, but she picked it up. As she turned to her parents, a dolphin lunged to get what it thought was more fish, wrapping it’s mouth around the girl’s hand.  When it realized there were no fish, the dolphin released her and slid back into the water.

Of course, her parents have shared the video with ABC, and it’s gone viral.  I have stopped listening, but by dinner time, I expect to hear of a lawsuit that will put Sea World out of business.

Personally, I think the parents should have been paying closer attention to their daughter.  If they have a child who is incapable of following instructions at eight, perhaps this was not the experience they should have signed up for.  The video I saw showed the girl’s hand following the “bite” and it looked as though there were marks, but very little damage otherwise.  I don’t think her skin was broken.

Prior to feeding the dolphins, instructions were given to all the participants, and they were clearly told, “Do not pick up the tray.  Leave the tray on the edge.”  The dolphins know that their meal arrives on these trays, and they will help themselves when they see the trays.

I’m sure opinion will be divided on this issue, but I think the parents needed to be more responsible  for their daughter.  Here’s the link to the video so that you can decide for yourself:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd_1Oyz_MPs

Outdoor Decorations

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I was supposed to do these yesterday.  I finally made myself do the stairs to the basement, to look for the bows I needed for the wreaths and swags.  I was so efficient boxing up Christmas last Spring to get it out of the way of our packing, that I can’t find a bin filled with burgundy bows!  So, I sulked and didn’t get anything done yesterday.

In a moment, I’ll be leaving the computer to make bows for three carriage lights and two wreaths.  This morning Dear Husband and I went out to Michael’s so that I could get the bows I needed.  Of course, those bows are no longer to be found on every end cap in the store, so I’ll have to make them.  Luckily, the ribbon was on sale, at half price.

I want to get the swags up at the carriage lamps, and the outdoor wreath in place this afternoon.  We have a little bit of rain coming in tomorrow, and I’d like to take advantage of our 62 degree temps!  I also need to trim some of our evergreens for branches to fill the container at the dining room windows.  I have tall, curvy twigs that will give the arrangement some height, and I picked up some fake red berries.  It remains to be seen if the squirrels will check out the berries while they look for places to hide black walnuts.  If it looks like they’ll be an attractive nuisance, I’ll find something safer to use.

So, I hope you’re all enjoying the day as much as I am.  Happy Holidays, and a Merry Christmas to you all!

 

Why is it…

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…that you get your best ideas just as you are on the brink of sleep.? Last night I managed to figure out a fabulous way to work out a problem on a project I’m working on, just as I was nodding off.  Unfortunately, I didn’t try to wake up and write it down, and this morning, not only can’t I remember the design solution, I can’t even remember what project I was thinking about.

Wait……it had to do with strip piecing fabric for drunkard’s paths blocks as the second border on the quilt I’m working on. YEAH!!! I just remembered.  I’ll have to take a look at it and see if that would work, or whether I just want to use straight forward un-pieced borders.  I had to make note of it, or I’d forget AGAIN!

At any rate, do you keep a notepad beside your bed for times like these?  Do you wake yourself up to make notes, or trust that you will remember?  There have been so many times I’ve said to Dear Husband as he was on his way out the door to work, “Remind me to tell you about my dream.”  It never works.  As soon as I’m awake the dream is gone.

At least I know what I want to try for my quilt!