Good Things Come in Little Packages

I grew up in Southern Utah where the deer hunt was a big deal. Hunters would come up from California, hunt in our beautiful mountains, and take home their kill. It was a common sight to see hunters cruising along with a big buck tied to the back bumper. When I was a teenager I saw a cartoon that I thought was hysterical. It showed a car with California license plates, and strapped to the back bumper was a jack rabbit. Better small than nothing, right?!

So this is sort of my "jack rabbit" from the quilting retreat. It's small, but hey, it's done! And don't think it wasn't a challenge for my poor little left hand to manipulate those tiny pieces. They aren't perfect, but as my teacher said, "If a man on a fast horse wouldn't notice it, it's good enough."

Please Join Us For Leftovers

A few months Randy and I arranged separate rides to meet at the temple. The brother at the recommend desk was one of our high councilors. When I arrived I inquired if Randy had already arrived. He said, "Randy who?" I realized that he definitely knows Randy, but had no idea in the world who I am. I told Randy that we need to get the high councilors and their wives into our home where we can get better acquainted. We divided the group into three and had the first group over last night. It was a lovely evening (and I assure you, the photo is not a good one. The silver had been polished!).

We had a lot of food left over, and I thought it would be a shame to have dinner alone today, but how do you call someone and invite them over for leftovers? Rulon and Barbara graciously accepted, fussed over the delicious food, and even took seconds. That's what I call real friends!

Under the Weather

Sniff, Sniff! Cough, Cough! Sneeze! Sneeze! Sneeze! Sneeze! Sneeze! Sniff, Sniff! How depressing!

Remembering

Today is the second anniversary of a very tragic event for our daughter-in-law's family. Two years ago today, Judianne's niece and two of her nephews were riding to school with two of their friends when their car slid off an icy road into a reservoir. All five of the teenagers drowned. This was quite a blow to the community, and an incomprehensible loss to the Walker and Probst families. Each year on the 27th of February, the residents of Sweet, Idaho remember these five children by tying balloons to their mailboxes -- one for the favorite color of each child. We wanted to add our balloons to the hundreds of others that will be flying today in memory of Megan, Kyle, and Tyler. We have not forgotten!

Persian Pickles

Tonight was our book club. We read The Persian Pickle Club. I've read the book many times, and love it each time I read it. It's a wonderful story of friendship, loyalty, and "real" life. I think our group is a lot like the Persian Pickles. Some of us have been coming for at least 30 years, and there's a great feeling of love and support.

Barbara led the discussion. She put together a little quilt. We all signed it and made it into a "Celebrity" quilt. We raffled it off and guess who got the quilt -- I DID.

It was during last month's book club that I had my stroke. This was certainly a better night for me! Love you, Pickles!

The Retreat

Hi, Everyone! I'm home from the Retreat. I had such a wonderful time and there is so much to show and tell, but for some reason I'm so tired that I'm having a hard time wanting to write about it. I guess getting back to regular life is more taxing than I imagined.

I joined my sister and her five daughters. We shared two adjoining rooms at Ruby's Inn (near the entrance to Bryce Canyon). Our little rooms were a bevy of activity, as you can see from the picture. We set up seven sewing machines, two ironing boards, and everywhere you looked there were cutting boards, rulers, beautiful fabrics, and fun projects. Sleep was almost impossible, as every bed was covered with quilt blocks being laid out into patterns. Here is one of the projects that I finished.

Dictionaries

I’m a person who has always liked words. One of my favorite books is Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader, by Anne Fadiman. Ex Libris literally means “from books.” I wish I were better at using words – then I would do a better job of communicating how much I appreciate all the kind things others have done for me over the past few weeks.

For example, just today three different friends have extended themselves to me. One dear friend came first thing this morning to help me mark my quilt fabric. Another friend took me to run errands this afternoon. A third friend invited us to have dinner with them this evening. I feel so spoiled. Isn’t there anyone out there who could peel me a grape?!

Last night when Randy and I arrived home late there was a gift bag by the back door. Inside was a book that I am so excited about – Language of the Mormon Pioneers, by George W. Givens. Did you know that a Furlong is equal to 40 poles (rods) or 660 feet. The term is still used in England, but is obsolete in ordinary language in the U.S. George Q. Cannon described the attack on the Prophet Joseph at the Johnson home in 1832: “Then they seized his throat and choked him until he ceased to breathe. When he recovered his senses from this inhuman attack he was nearly a furlong from the house.”

Another recent gift I am loving is the 1828 edition of Noah Webster’s Dictionary. I use it regularly while reading my scriptures and find it very helpful So if you happen to need to know the meaning of a mizzy, or plashing, or furbelows, just give me a call.