Gearing up with Projects Galore, 2025 Has Arrived

 

The color on this ghan is a bit off.  I brightened the picture as it was a dark gloomy day and there just wasn't enough light to get a good picture.  The squares are sized, edged and tied together.  I just need to crochet it all together.  Should get it finished in a day or two.  Calling this one Crayons.  The teal looking squares in the picture are actually Kelly Green

This ghan is knitted, the yarn is called Pastel Tulips, so I guess I'll use that name for it.  It's hard to see the colors in this yarn, believe the colors will show up better as the afghan grows.  It's currently 7 inches in depth and I've used 5 or 6 of these little skeins.  Doing the math, I hope I have enough to make this a square afghan.  It's super bulky yarn so it quite solid in it's feel.  I'm using a size 10 needle, probably could have gone with a size or two higher; but went with what I had on hand, as I was beginning to pack for our winter away.  Started this in the car so I would have a small project that suited car travel.  I plan to work on it in between working on assembling the afghans (pieces parts) I brought for the duration.  Both ghans will be donated to Homeless Families Shelter.

This is book #6 in The Bess Crawford Series.  Home on leave, Bess is asked to accompany a solider to Buckingham Palace to assist in his care in the wheelchair.  Is he faking his injury?  Has he simply vanished, or was he kidnapped.

Book #7 isn't available as an audio book, and it's quite small.  I didn't see it listed until I was several books beyond this point.  The Maharanr's Pearls.  In retrospect, it didn't seem like I missed anything, as there are references enough in each of her books to things that happened before in the series.

This is book #8.  Visiting a family friend Bess is met with open hostility, but why?  100 men were killed in a mill explosion years before, but why now are people being blamed?  Pitting neighbors against each other, a man is arrested......but is it the right man?

Book #9 A  badly wounded solider is found wearing such a tattered uniform no one can tell if he's English, French, or German.  He doesn't speak, but one night making her rounds, he screams out in a dream.  Bess thinks it sounds like he's speaking German.  But, how will they find out who this solider is?

If you're my age, you well remember this horrific day in Ohio.  And depending on your political views at the time there are several views about what happened that fateful day.  AND remember news wasn't 24 x 7 back then; nor were there as many options for getting your news.  To this day, I still get cold chills and will NEVER be able to forgive Governor Rhodes for sending armed guards to the University.  I've often wondered if the person who fired the first shot ever admitted to himself that he did it.  Did those around him know who fired the first shot and never came clean?  Did they band together to cover it up, like so often happens today with good cops covering for bad cops?  May 4, 1970, I was just out of high school, now as a 70+ adult, I found this an important read.  I had friends, and classmates that attended Kent State.  

• I hope everyone had a good holiday season.  Our daughter was able to come home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we had good visits.  There were large family gatherings for both occasions.  Including a visit from family living in Paris.
• I was so saddened with President Jimmy Carter's passing.  What a true servant of the people he was.  I believe history will remember him for a long time to come as a good, kind and decent man who accomplished a lot.
• I'm dreading beyond words to express, how I loath the fact that it's almost time for a convicted criminal to take the oath of office.  How far we've come from Jimmy Carter to the orange nightmare.  I will NOT be watching the Inaugural.  I believe this will be remembered as a very dark day in the history of our nation.

Go Buckeyes beat Notre Dame!  This was our set up for one of the cold tailgates awhile back.  Inside our partial enclosure is a propane heater.  The last couple of games in the playoffs have been fun to watch, as well as bit nerve racking.  National Championship Playoffs...one game to go.

• I've restarted doing planks, wow really starting over after too long.  I started with 30 seconds x 3 repeats with 6 seconds between, and have in recent days been able to up it to 30 seconds x 4 repeats, but I did increase the rest period between to 12 seconds.
• I'm back to doing my leg lifts 50 x 2, and hope to raise that to 3 repeats in a few more days.
• I have planned to get back into walking, but frankly the weather has been an issue.  Even though we left Ohio for the winter, this cold snap across the country has hit SC.  Hoping that passes soon

KKK, Neo Nazi, Tweedy Afghan is Finished, Bess Crawford Series

 

Tweedy is done, finally.  This was one of the more difficult ghans to put together.  The squares and rectangles were so different in size, and I had to take apart and remake 3 or 4 squares because they just wouldn't fit.  I thought I had enough of the tweedy (see tan ish edge) to size and join; but didn't.  I had 3 skeins and by the time I had worked on 7 of the 25 squares I was out of skein one and knew the remaining 2 wouldn't be enough, as I had smaller squares left which would take more yarn to properly size.  Soooooooo, I found more black and and added some of mint green to help size the squares, then joined in black.  I think it ended up far more colorful then before introducing other colors.

Here's a reminder before sizing and adding black and mint green.

In my previous post, I posted a picture of Neo-Nazi parading through a neighborhood 15 ish minutes from my home.  It was sickening.  This book read by the author in the audio version must be moved to the top of everyone's to read list.  This is not pretend or make believe; but very very real and beyond scary.  This is a warning of what The KKK, The 3 Percenters, The Proud Boys, and the Oath Keepers and their ilk want to turn our country into.  This has long been the plan, and they were able to escalate under the first trumpie dump administration.  To say he has given them a green light would be a HUGE understatement.  In this up coming scary 2nd administration the guard rails in place with some real Republicans are gone.  What is planned with only his MAGA cult loyalist around him is beyond disturbing.  PLEASE read this book and tell all you know about it.  Joe Moore infiltrated the KKK not once, but twice.  This whole book is first hand knowledge and experiences.

Book #4 in the Bess Crawford series.  She's a Nursing Sister In WWI.  She saves lives and solves mysteries.  The audio version is read by a lady with a marvelous British Accent, the books truly come alive.

Book #5, The War is technical over, but maybe not for many of the soldiers trying to adjust to the aftermath of the War.  Bess deals withtheir injuries; and the people wanting to kill them.

A Canadian friend sent me this, thought I'd share it.  Our allies are indeed concerned for us.

In light of the election and the dread many of us see coming, it's important to share beauty, thus the pretty roses Dear Hubby got me.  I LOVE the color.

It's About Time for Another Finish! Exercise, Birthday, Afghans. OH NO Neo-Nazi's

 

Pink Petals is finally completed!  I say finally, because it took longer than normal.  I had it edged and tied together before we left for Sicily.  Then on return it was several weeks before I could begin working on it again.  Fall clean up in the yard needed my full attention.  It's here drying/blocking after it was laundered.  The light pink did tone down the super bright pink, and it's edged with one single row of light gray.

Here's the before.

Next up is Tweedy?  Anyone have other thoughts on a name for this one?

The variegated squares and rectangles made me think of tweedy.  And the beige yarn I'll be sizing them with looks sorta tweedy to me..  To liven it up a bit, I'm planning on crocheting it together with black.  I think the contrast will be helpful..  I might try to do a single crochet edge around them in black for a wider black border before joining....if I have enough black yarn.  We'll see how that goes.

Hubby bought these happy yellow roses for me for my BD which was just 2 days ago.  They're just starting to open up.  I love yellow and think they're beautiful.

One of my blog friends indicated she had reached her yearly goal mileage wise and was pretty excited by it.  She got me wondering what my yearly miles had been.  I've always looked at daily and monthly steps and miles; but never looked at yearly stats.  I started walking for fitness, and to relieve the swelling in my knees caused by arthritis back in 2014, when I bought my first of many Fitbits.  So in these 11 years my lowest miles is 1.106.07 for the current year (2024), averaging 3.46 miles per day.  My highest was back in 2016 with 2,050.8 miles for an average of 5.6. miles.  My total mileage for these 11 years is 16,178.86 which averages out to 1,470.86.  So, it looks like I'm fairly consistent; but am behind yet for this year on a average.  With bad weather upon us, and holidays closing in I'm not sure I'll be able to get up to my average; but hopefully I can get closer.

Set in WWII, but not Europe  A Malayan housewife becomes a spy, hides her daughter to keep her from being forced into service during the Japanese occupation at the "comfort stations".  She knows it's  her fault that her family is now in danger, but can she fix things?  A part of the war less known to most of us.  Japanese were terribly brutal, it wasn't just the Nazi that were horrible.

A while back I started another series.  Book #1 I already blogged about, "A Duty to the Dead".  Charles Todd has written The Bess Crawford Series.  She's a nurse in WWI.  Sometimes in France, sometimes in England; and sometimes at the front at a forward station.  Book 2 takes place in England, involving The Scotland Yard, a soldier burned beyond recognition.----but what's his wife up to?  I sorta liken Bess Crawford to an adult Nancy Drew; but she's so much more, given she does her sleuthing during a terrible war.

#3 A Bitter Truth is full of intrigue.  Bess trying to help a troubled woman and ends up accused of murder herself!

I'm enjoying this series immensely and highly recommend them.  They're both entertaining and educational with regards to learning about the conditions in WWI, and how difficult the nurses training was.  Nurses are referred to as Nursing Sisters and are highly regarded..

A Canadian friend of mine sent me this meme a few days before the election to try and bolster my spirits.  The day after the election, she texted me with sincere condolences.  I'm trying hard not to let it consume me; but I fear it's going to be a very ugly time in the history of our nation.

These Masked Neo Nazi's carrying Swastika's marched through a neighborhood about 15-20 minutes from my home just 2 days ago.  This has been happening quite a bit leading up to the election; and now with a green light of White Supremacy, from trump and his MAGA cult, I fear we will be witnesses an increase in this type of behavior.  They insulted all people they passed of color, yelled profanities about Jewish people and scared all who were unfortunate to witness this disgusting behavior.  There were no arrest made.  It seems to me, questions as to whether or not they had a permit to assemble should be answered, and it appears they did not have a permit.  IMHO I think they should be arrested, if their marching without the permit.  Sadly they achieved their goal to frighten people, to bully and intimate people.  And them with their faces covered...--so brave.

No Longer MIA, I'm Back in Town, Pink Petals and More

 

Pink Petals is ready to be joined.  Squares are all sized, and edged and the squares are tied together.  I had to put this away as we prepared to leave for a tour of Sicily.  Then after return the massive job of fall clean up of all the flower beds awaited.  So, am finally pulling this back out in hopes of crocheting it together in the coming week.

Sicily was fantastic.  I'm blogging about our tour, HERE.

Because we don't want to go crazy we need humor.

Saw this the other day during one of my walks, and couldn't resist not taking a picture.

While this is humorous, his rant about Arnold Palmer was pretty disgusting.

The Orphan Collector takes place in the slums of Philly in 1918.  This German immigrant faces anti-immigrant sentiment alone, as her father is off to war (to prove his allegiance to his new country), the Spanish flu hits.  One day she's a young girl, the next she is charged with caring for her baby brother.  So much turmoil, so much growing up to do over night.  Her spirit is truly amazing. 

The Phoenix Crown takes place in San Francisco.  The paths of two unlikely subjects, Gemma a soprano and Suling a Chinatown embroideress amid the confusion and destruction of the San Francisco Earthquake.  Toss in some romance with a railroad magnet and you have lots of excitement and intrigue.

Another fun Elin Hilderbrand book.  I'm soon going to have non left to read which makes me sad.  But, summer has come to an end so perhaps the timing is right.  You might recognize this title, as there was a movie with Nicole Kidman.  I read/listened to the book long before watching the movie and I thought the movie left out some very good background.  A wedding, expensive beach front venue......but a body is discovered.  So many suspects, and who's sleeping with who exactly?

Writers block, bills piling up, overly friendly landscaper, Fast Eddie with money problems, rumors and gossip galore.  Sides drawn in friendships and families.  A lot to unpack here.

Yes, really 6th wedding for him....doesn't that intrigue you enough without knowing anything else?  Short read.

Read this before you read the Matchmaker.  It wasn't listed that way when I got my copy of all her books, so I read them out of order...which wasn't a big deal; but I think less enjoyable than it could have been.  Young college kids, two different schools...sparks or not?

To the best of my knowledge that's the end of her books.  My understanding is her next one due out shortly will not be about Nantucket and all the familiar places and people.  I don't know if that's going to work or not.  You get these places and people in your brain.  We'll see how it goes.

With all the changes I've mentioned on fitbit, I'm not able to list things as I did in the past.  I know I did more walking than normal when we were in Sicily, because many of our tours were walking tours.  I can tell I had several days over 14.000 steps and it looks like most of those days were 11-12K.  I can tell thus far this year it says my daily average number of steps is 8,412, with February being the highest at 10,597 and August being the lowest at 6,908 (4.39miles and 2.81 miles).  So far this month I'm at 3.4 miles and September was 3.5.  So, ups and downs.  These past 2 weeks, I've mowed a few times, took a walk a few times, but mostly it's been yard work which though exhausting doesn't give you many steps.

And with that, I'm going to put on my walking shoes and take myself out for a spin, lol.  Then I'll start catching up with you all by blog walking.

Afghans Galore, What's Happening in Sprinfield, Audio Books, Nantucket and The Philippines Audiobooks.

 

Pink Petals is coming along, a bit slower than I like but headway is being made.  I usually don't add as wide of a border to squares when I'm making them all the same size, I thought more of the light pink was needed to help tone down how bright this was.  As a result, it's taking me longer, using more yarn (which ok, since I'm trying to use up my stash), and requires more crocheting.  

This was one of the piles of squares I had to lay out and design afghans and then search my stash for what yarn might work with edging to size and joining them.  Once I do that I put the designed afghan in a project bag and then they go on my shelves in the basement.  Most are named at that time, but sometimes I change my mind as I start working on them.  From memory I think I have somewhere around 30; not counting the ones I've already made.  Been at this for years and have made 81 so far, I think.  Just tried to count my files

You've no doubt seen a large number of meme's after the debate.  There have been some good ones, so thought I'd share these with you.

Another fun batch of Elin Hilderbrand books.  The island has the usual fun romance to it, but ventures away a bit from Nantucket to the remote secluded island of Tuckernuck.  Sorta roughing it 3 family members get their lives back in order after a canceled wedding, a broken heart, and a tragedy.  Good reads rating for this book is 3.89...I gave it 5 stars, but then I think I've given all her books, or certainly the majority of them 5's.  I just find them so enjoyable.

 Love Season has more mystery to it, then some of her books.  Mystery around a death and who's at fault.  Going against Dad's rules to seek out a forbidden aunt.  Good Reads has this one rated 3.69

The Matchmaker is a bit different, romance of course is involved, as are family secrets; but does she have the gift of 3rd sight/seeing into future.  42 Happy Couples think so.  This one is rated 3.90

WWII, The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese bombing of Luzon, the last stand at Bataan, the largest surrender in US history, The horrific Bataan Death March.  3 young friends wanted adventure when they left home before Pearl Harbor have many trials as they fight to survive.  This book is not a documentary, but is inspired by true stories.  It was rated 4.56.  I think in general people know less about this part of the war then what took place in Europe.  We never really held The Japanese accountable like we did The Germans.  They was no Nuremberg equivalent.  

Afghan, Books, Movies, and Roses oh My!

 

Here is Firecracker done, being blocked/drying here as we speak.  I was pleased when I found more black yarn so was able to edge each square with black after getting everything sized with the red.  And then edged in black as well.

And here it was in the beginning.

And next up Pink Petals.  Some of the pink here is quite bright as you can see...sorta like the hideous pink car I posted previously.  So, am bringing squares to size in the light pink which I think will tone things down.  I may join in the same pink, or perhaps find a contrasting color...will see as it progresses what I think.

Hubby and I recently attending ball game, such a fun summer thing to do.  It was a beautiful night and our home team won.  Not something we do often,  maybe once or twice a summer.  Don't think we made it at all last summer.

There were places in the book where I definitely disagreed with trumpie's Press Secretary, Stephanie Grisham; but found the book still quite interesting.  It points out, as many of his former cabinet and staff books have, that most of them thought they were doing the right thing........initially, then when they realized otherwise they were in too deep and or had become addicted to power and excitement of being there.  But, she was the first to resign after Jan 6th, when 45 and his gang/cult tried to over throw the government.  She recently spoke at the Democratic Convention throwing her support completely behind The  Kamala Harris Ticket.  It takes a big person to say, I was wrong and now am fighting for the other side. Recommended.

But, one can't read just heavy duty books.  One still needs the entertainment of the Elin Hilderbrand books.  Catch up with the characters from The Summer of 69 (the year I graduated from HS), 10 years later.

Bonfire at the beach to celebrate graduating from High School.  Drinking, cars, anger, young love........so much going on.  And the subsequent police investigation.

When summer jobs at the club change peoples lives, and coming of age.

*I continue to enjoy and recommend all the Elin Hilderbrand books.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it.  I watched it on Prime.

LOVED this movie.  I've always been a huge fan of Eleanor Roosevelt, what a remarkable woman she was.  The time frame of this story about her is right after her husband passed and how she got on with her life.  Jean Stapleton did a magnificent job portraying her.  Highly recommend this.  This too was on Prime.

Meh....very disappointed in this.  It had gotten such rave reviews when it and the silly Barbie movie came out at the same time in the theaters.  Can't recommend this, even though I'm probably out numbered on this opinion.

Gorgeous dark red/burgundy roses tinged with grayish.  Hubby brought these home for me a few days ago.  I've never seen any quite like this before.