Another Completed Afghan, Audio Books, Memes to Help Us Laugh

 

If you've seen many of my afghans, you know I rarely make one that has a pattern.  In part because I'm using up donated squares made from lots of different people and rarely have many of the same color or design.  This is obviously the exception to the norm.  They were squares from the different people, but I did have multiples of the color or similar color.  The pink in the right corner for example is lighter then the diagonal strip of dusty pink, but it works.  I also prefer working on ghans that aren't patterned.  Fits my personality better, lol.  

iT'S oriented differently here, but this is what it looked liked as I was designing it.  I've named this one Summers End.  Had a hard time coming up with a name; but thought the darker dusty rose, the darker green etc looked liked flowers at the end vs bright colors in spring when everything is new and fresh.  Like all the afghans it will donated to Home for Families.  Counting my pictures, it looks like I've made 106 of these over the years from donated squares, plus about a dozen that I made without donated squares.

 I've read several of Mary Trumps book and have enjoyed them all.  She really had to work at it coming from such a dysfunctional family.  Her father Freddy one of 5 children of Fred Trump's (Donald's Father), had only room for 1 winner in his family, so the kids were pitted against each other constantly.  Freddy was kind, sensitive and had his own interests other than his Father, Fred's obsession with real-estate.  He wasn't cutthroat and vicious enough to satisfy his father, so Mary grew up watching her Dad be constantly humiliated by his father.  That's what drove him to become an alcoholic.  Her parents divorced and she had to find her own way.  Much insight not just in retelling of her story (and The Felon's), but the added insight of a good behavioral psychiatrist.  A good read.

Some memes I thought worth sharing.

Some folks are so creative when they make the memes.

Lord knows we need to laugh so we don't loose our minds with all the horrible things going on.

And who doesn't LOVE Kermit!!

These are 2 books I recently returned to library without finishing.  I was 3 or 4 chapters in for both books, and just couldn't get into them.  I was tempted to force myself to finish the 2nd book, "The Serviceberry" as it's only a 2 hour book; but NO!  I see no reason spending time reading a book that's not enjoyable, or educational that you just can't get into.  Clearly my opinion does NOT match others, as the 1st book was rated 4.32, and the 2nd book rated 4.38 on Goodreads.  If you read either book, let me know what you're thoughts were.  I only rated each of these books a 1 star, because you can't give them a zero.

LOVED this book!  Put this on your list.  It's a fascinating story about a very strong woman who played an immensely important role in FDR's Presidency.  She was initially involved with FDR when he was The Governor of NY.  She was a Hungarian Jewish Immigrant who advised FDR and was The First Woman to be Assistant Secretary of Defense back in 1950.  This woman worked behind the scenes and accomplished so much for so many years, her story now needs to be known.  

On the blogging front, you may notice my blog log decreasing in size/or numbers of blog names listed.  as I've been deleted some folks from the list.  Why?  Because I like reciprocal blogging.  You visit and comment on my blog, I always visit your blog and return the favor.  In reverse, there are folks who no longer seem to be returning the favor when I visit them.  This does not include folks who are taking a break for health reasons etc.

Pink Lollipops, Civil War, World War II, Mothers Day

 

Pink Lollipops in the beginning.

Oriented differently due to the bed size (twin).  All squares edged to equalize sizing and tied ready to be joined.

Drying, click to enlarge to see the little scalloped edge.  The pictures for this ghan somehow ended up in the wrong folder on my computer, so not sure how long ago I made this one, but think it was last December.  So, a bit late sharing with you.

Two beautiful bouquets from my Darling Daughter for Mothers Day.

I thought maybe the florist had made a mistake when 2 boxes came, but she says no.  First one is displayed in the living room, and 2nd in the bedroom.  Aren't they gorgeous!  Hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day filled with love.

Some signs I've seen posted on social media around the country at various protests.  I thought they were worth sharing.  People are quite creative in their contempt for the many horrific things that have happened so far under this administration.

An interesting read, though not my favorite Ann Patchett book.  Lots of food for thought about the secrets of scientist living on the dime of drug companies doing their research in dangerous and unhealthy conditions in the Amazon.  Who's beholden to who?  Lots of mystery as this story unfolds.

The build up to the Civil War.  Once Lincoln was elected the turmoil started.  Some wanting war, some not wanting war, some thinking they could just vacate the union without consequences.  Inner turmoil, Major Robert Anderson a slave owner himself, but loyal to the union.  Big Ego's of too many men and the mistakes made that caused the worst war our country ever fought ....in terms of the death toll and the families torn apart fighting on opposite sides.  Highly recommend this book.

Mary Trump, the Felon's only niece is a highly qualified psychiatrist who explains how we're all suffering from PSTD from the 4 years of Donald J. Trump.  AND things are so much worse now, as this book was written about his first term.  She also discusses how we've got to come to grips about the things purposely done during and after slavery to keep an entire race down.  A very good read, put this on your list.

Back to my World War II genre, this book tells the story of 2 extremely different women who were war correspondents.  One is a follower, one a very strong woman.  One pushes Nazi propaganda.  Add this one to your list.

Stats are down on all fronts from March, steps are down 253,997 for an average of 8,466 per day, Miles  down 105.72 for an average of 3.5 miles per day.  Only 4 planks done for the month and likewise only 4 leg lifts.  Where did the month go?  Geesh.  I know I had a couple of appointments, and a couple of travel days, but still a very disappointing month.  Reporting this and I'm 12 days into May, which aren't looking better.  Must see what I can do the remainder of the month to bring things up a bit.

Spotted this t-shirt on Facebook, saved the image as I think it says it all.

Fall Afghan, Books, Flowers and More

Another afghan completed.  This one went through quite a transformation.  Again using yarn from my stash, green, orange, and black I mixed the yarns as I sized the squares.  In some cases I unraveled a few squares to redo them to get them to fit.  I used both orange and black to join them together and used all 3 colors to do the final boarder.  Am pleased with the final product, as I was pretty skeptical when I started on this one because the squares were so many different sizes.
 

This was early on, you can see the middle section had been worked on a bit.  Calling this one Fall.  It will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation, like all the others.  In the previous post you can see the very beginning of this project.

We spend the winter, or at least a good chunk of it in Hilton Head, so on one of my walks, I decided I needed to take a picture of this beautiful bush.  Isn't it gorgeous!  We don't have pretty blossom yet in cold Ohio.

Another day I spotted this painted rock.  I assume that's the name of the person who painted it?  I enjoyed it for a day, then took it with me on another walk to place elsewhere for someone else to find and enjoy.  This is the 3rd painted rock I've found while walking.  Found one last year at Hilton Head, and one in Williamsburg.  It's a fun thing that people do.  If I could paint, I would and place some around, but I'm no good at painting.

Once back home where they're aren't pretty flowers yet (too cold), I spotted this on one of my walks.  It was pretty windy so it's hard to see the flags, but the 1st one says deport elon, the 2nd one says America doesn't have kings, and the 3rd of course is the Ukrainian flag.  I appreciate seeing people standing up, even if the current administration isn't.  

I have been very disturbed by the actions of this administration.  Many of those deported were not criminals, and even those that perhaps are deserved to have due process.  Kilmar is not a criminal, and he was not here illegally.  He was not undocumented.  Despite knowing they made a mistake, despite being told by two courts (including trumps court), he remains in a concentration camp in El Salvatore.  People are being kidnapped off the streets, car windows being smashed to drag people from their cars.  I've seen many video's and read many stories about this happening to people who are here legally.  In all cases thus far, they are people of color.  

I know often when I post books I've read I see a fair number of comments that say I can't read that it's too much of what's going on now.  For me, that's the exact reason to read them.  I've wondered multiple times about The Orange Felons ties to Russia; but after reading this book...I have little doubt that he is, in fact a Russian Asset.  The detail given in this book is astounding even as much news as I've followed.  Truly astounding.  Please put it on your to read list.  And when you do read it, please let me know what you think.

Sometimes I have to clear my head and read a book just for fun.  I've read many of Jean Grainger's book and they're always a good read.  This one is a good mystery with lots of small town Irish flare.  Mags is the police sergeant and deals with being a woman in a mans world while still trying to solve a murder case.

World War II rages, the Nazi's are not only trying to take over other countries, but they're stealing treasures.  Art, money, and cataloguing art to steal the worlds cultures.  They're also destroying art they feel is unclean.  But, in the middle of all of this is a small very dedicated group of British and American soldiers who were museum directors, art historians, curators and the like who go behind enemy lines, often without arms to document, and move art to protect it from the Germans.  Their work focused on the period between D-Day and V-E Day.  I found the book fascinating.  I knew Hitler had an art collection that he had stolen; but did not know the hard work being done to protect the worlds treasures.

I was a young child when John F. Kennedy was President, and when The Situation Room first began.  George Stephanopoulos a former advisor to President Bill Clinton with 20 years of being an anchor of This Week and wo-anchor of Good Morning America brings lots of background and first hand experience of 12 different Presidents and how they used or didn't use the Situation Room.

March was a good month for me stepwise.  333,826 (up from 290,232) averaging 10,244 daily (up from 10,365).  Miles were also up 139.07 (from 126.03), averaging 4.48 miles daily.  I doubt April will be up, as we started having iffy weather while in Hilton Head, and once home nasty weather.  Planks were down as were leg lifts.  Planks 17 (down from 19), Leg Lifts 5 (down from 6).  Have not done well in April thus far, playing catch up with stuff around the house, and appointments.  Argh.  Must try to do better.

I'm also having a hard time being motivated, reading the news makes me not want to do anything.  Anyone else feeling this way?

 

This and That, Pieces Parts, Bits and Bobs, Deportation

 

This is the prettiest Chocolate Martini I've ever had.  It was also the most tasty!  A real work of art, don't ya think?  This was my desert a month or so back when hubby and I and good friends Elizabeth and Kevin enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Coastal Capri Restaurant 

These hideous pamphlets were distributed in Dayton, Ohio by The KKK.  Yes the KKK is alive and well and very active, as are many obnoxious White Supremacist Groups.  I've posted pictures of a march with White Supremacist that took place not far from my house recently.  The Orange Convicted FELON has green lighted this horrible behavior.  They yell anti Black, anti-Semantic Rants.  They take over streets, they bully and strike fear everywhere we go.  Currently this horrible Administration has deported people without trials, some that are people with green cards and some are US Citizens.  This should anger and frighten everyone. 

This is my 6th afghan project since January of this year.  I've had tons of squares, rectangles etc donated to me for years.  I had a grass roots charity called Bridge and Beyond for 14 years that benefited the Homeless Shelters in my area.  Several years ago I had to disband the charity; but have continued to work my way through my stash and donated pieces parts.    You see small squares, and large squares here.  This will be more tedious to work on than some of my more recent afghans.  Sizing this will be a challenge, and I don't have a lot of an appropriate color of yarn to pull this together.  Orange, Black, and Green, and not a full skein of any of them.  It's not a great picture, but turned it so it would be oriented the same as the picture below.

First thing I had to do was unravel several rows of the very large variegated square (3rd row in 2nd from the left side of the picture.  I was able to use some of that on a few of the other squares.  Likewise I unraveled the too large square top right 5th row in, as it wouldn't fit and was misshapen.  If I had more yarn to size, I might have left the large squares and made the others as large; but ...that's not what I have to work with, so adjustments are needed.  I've made headway, and see the need to unravel a row of the large orangish squares first row, 2nd square.  It's a process!  Might call this Autumn, or Fall, or Halloween, or Trick er Treat.  Will see how it comes along to determine.

The latest beautiful bouquet of flowers darling hubby got me.

Same bouquet, but the other side so you can see all the pretty colors, and the variety of the flowers.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.  I don't want to say much, as I don't want to give away much about the book; but fun, interesting, sad here and there.  Strong women often have a hard time of things.  Not all women were born wanting to be housewives and mothers.

A true story, lost at sea on a secret mission.  Was it so secret no one knew where they were?  A battle of wills, who's in charge.  Full of suspense and courage and desperate measures.

Vietnam Vet, living off the grid.  An abusive situation for both the wife and daughter.  How does one find their way under such horrible circumstances.

I may be one of a few who has NOT seen the show.  I purposely avoided it wanting to read the book first.  Not sure why I waited so long to read/listen to this.  Frightening and the parallels with what this current far right swing is trying to do to our country should make everyone wonder why anyone would have voted for The FELON and JD Vance.  If I hear Vance say one more time women should stay in an abusive relationship, women without children aren't an important part of our society etc.  I'm going to scream from the rooftops.

Crafting, Flying Flags, Audio Books and more

 

Desert Nights is the name I came up with for this one.   Colors change in the desert based on the light and time of the day, oranges various shades of dark dark red,, brown and sky.  I;m pretty sure I don't have enough of any of the 3 colors that go with these squares/pieces parts.  On the left is a very dark maroon, a teal-ish blue, and tangerine.  There are 30 squares, so my plan is to edge for size 10 squares in each color, and then join with the teal-ish blue, as I have the most of it.

The plan of 10 squares with each color worked.  It's now drying/being blocked after being laundered.  I ended up laundering it twice, as some of this yarn wasn't all that soft.  Figured laundering would help to soften it a bit.  This is the 5th one I've put together since January.  I brought one more pile of squares to work on while we're wintering away.  

In these crazy times, I had to get this picture of hope.  The American and Canadian flag being flown at the same establishment.  This is a small bike shop here on Hilton Head Island.  With all the crap The FELON has been doing, some of our Canadian friends were feeling very unwanted here.  They've been coming here for many many years and typically spend about 5 weeks here in the winter months.  They were bad mouth by a couple of loud mouth MAGA cult members during one of our wine and cheese socials a few weeks back which upset many of us.  When it was time for them to return home, they indicated they might not return next year.  This makes me very sad.  The MAGA cult people are very narrow minded and bigoted in my opinion.  I spotted these flags just a few days later.  It made me smile and gives me hope.  So, I sent the picture to my Canadian friend.

I want to encourage you all to read this book.  The audio version is read by the author, Tia Levings.  This is her true story.  A perfect example of how horrible the far right is, is my opinion.  Her escape from Christian Patriarchy.  She was physically and mentally abused in a cult disguised as religion.  In this terrible times of the far right trying to take over our government, our daily lives, our media etc, the book is quite compelling.  It made me wonder if this isn't part of the reason The FELON was elected.  Some of these far right cult groups do not permit their wives to vote, or only permit them to vote if they vote the way the husband tells them to.  I can't help but wonder how many women fall into this category..  I also wonder how anyone feels this is any different than men controlling woman in the Middle East.

Another Kristin Hannah book to put on your list.  A shaky marriage is tested further when the wife is deployed to a war zone.  The husband has never been proud of his wives service, part of the reason the marriage has gotten of the rails..  Also, another example of how men are deemed heroic but when a woman does the same thing, they're not treated equally.

While I've known the name James Patterson, I've not read one of his books before.  Also, mysteries aren't my usual choice of genre to read.  However, I really enjoyed this book.  A good who dun it, within struggles of the rich and famous and those who aren't. 

Walking in February:  290,232 steps total (up from Jan 266,463).  Average 10,365 steps per day (up from 8595 in January).  I didn't add up miles in January, but did in February.  Miles total ws 126.03 for an average of 4.5 per day.  Am pleased I was able to get more walking in.  My best day was Feb 21st 17,433 steps, 7.36 miles.

Planks in February: 19 planks in February (up from 16 in January).

Leg lifts: Fell off, only 6 in Feb whereas I did them 10 days in January.

I am beyond disgusted with how President Zelensky was treated by The Hillbilly and The FELON.  I really do think there's something to the thought that The FELON is an agent for Russia.  I have the book, "American Kompromat" by Craig Unger on a hold through the Libby Library App.  Hope I don't have to wait too long to get it.