N.........ote Cards

It is always a joy for me to receive a quick note in the mail, an act that is rapidly becoming passe. Today I would like to share the story of a wonderful friend who is fondly known as "The Postcard Lady." Whenever she feels that someone could use cheering up...for what ever reason, she sends them a series of postcards with encouraging words or silly jokes. I know those cards were very helpful to me a while back when I was going through a hard loss. Her simple act of kindness has inspired so many people! Here are some of the cards I have created for various occasions that will be posted for sale on my ETSY site soon.

D.........aughters

"A son is a son 'til he gets him a wife; a daughter's a daughter for the rest of your life!" Thank goodness for our daughters. We had occasion to deal with two daughters and a niece yesterday and it was fabulous. My older daughter drove up to visit and we worked out a lovely summer outing at The American Player's Theater to see "Ah, Wilderness", and stay at a nearby hotel. Then we went to see David's sister's daughter who is here in Wisconsin visiting from Atlanta with her adorable five-year-old son. This was the first time I met her and she is a lovely, charming girl whom I hope to see more often. When we got home, there was a message from my younger daughter, with ideas for our short trip to Los Angeles the end of May when we see her receive her master's degree. There are times when life is so full and it's not possible to feel enough gratitude!

S.........pring!

Today I put out the hummingbird feeder! That might not seems like a big deal to many, but to me it's a sure sign of spring. After a very hard winter here in Wisconsin, we can finally prepare the garden beds and can see signs of birds returning and tulips popping up. This lovely feeder was a gift from my daughters and the little garden angel from our dear neighbors.
Of course, this close to Lake Michigan, our weather forecasters are always saying, "Cooler by the lake." Therefore the following rhyme overheard on a college campus many years ago, fits perfectly:

"Spring has sprung,
Winter has fell,
Upon my word,
It's colder than could be expected!"

Notice that I said I overheard it; I don't necessarily agree with the grammar!

S.........crubbie/dishcloth Part 1:

For many years, I have loved using handmade dishcloths and nylon net scrubbies. Finally, it hit me that I could combine them and make the most useful dishcloth ever! For those of you who crochet, this mini-tutorial may give you all the directions you need. The complete pattern and finished dishcloths are also available on my etsy site in the right hand column.You need about 7 yards of nylon netting cut into two inch strips. One purchase of the netting which is 72" wide will give you many scrubbies. With an "I" crochet hook make a loop. I crochet loosely, so you may want a "J" or "K" hook. Single crochet three rows, increasing as needed to lie flat. It should be about 3" in diameter. Finish off. You now have a very useful scrubbie as is. If you wish to continue with the dishcloth, see the post below!

S.........crubbie/dishcloth part 2:

Once you've decided to continue with the dishcloth, using the same size hook, crochet a row of single crochet around, using cotton yarn in a variegated color, increasing as needed to stay flat. Then add three rows of double crochet, again, increasing as needed. Then with a solid color, add a row of single crochet, also increasing, and finish with a final row of loops of chain stitches and single crochet. You have produced a scrubbie/dishcloth that can be machine washed and dried that will serve you for a long time, getting dishes ready for the dishwasher, cleaning tables and counters, and doing dishes by hand, getting off stuck on food while not scratching dishes!

P.........art 3:

Between the Barbara Walters Special and the hype over John Ratey's book, "Spark", aging and exercising is becoming fashionable! From this wonderful group of participants in both, whose average age is just under 70, comes more inspiration to get going and keep going. Biking is another popular activity which is followed by stretching. In this post, and the last two, remember that ages here run from 52 to 85. Can you spot the 85-year-olds?

P.........art 2!

Here are additional activities that the exercise group enjoys at 7:00am! (Just don't tell the rest of the world that we're already zoned out by 7:00pm.). One particularly good activity is working with balance cushions. As we age our sense of balance can be compromised, so we work at it on these lovely blue cushions that help us strengthen muscles that can be of great help to us later. Of course, as my friends and family will tell you, I'm a little off balance normally! The final segement of this series premieres tomorrow when you will see more "instruments of torture"!