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Thursday, April 17, 2025

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?




 

44 comments:

  1. I have added those books to my reading list. I so understand the not wanting to do anything because of the reading of news. I have now made a deal with myself that I will only read the news every second day. I just can't take it any longer.

    God bless.

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    1. That's not a bad idea. I have limited myself a little bit, in that I let my NYT subscription go by the way side, and kept the Washington Post, so am reading a bit less news, plus our local paper; but...some days.

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  2. I'm quite frighten about this adminstrain.

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    1. Many of us are, truly frightened. ((HUGS))

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  3. I remember the painted rocks were quite popular here during Covid. One of the bright spots during one of the most ridiculous things we were put through.

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    1. I didn't come across any during Covid; but I do remember people posting about doing that. It does put a smile on your face to find one.

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  4. You always find some interesting books. Thanks for sharing. Another nice afghan, it's a beauty. Have a Happy Easter.

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    1. I do, and so many things we just didn't learn about in school.

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  5. Your Fall afghan is lovely! Definitely fall-like!

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    1. Thank you Bless. I like some better than others, and this one will be one of my favorites. It turned out better than I thought it would.

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  6. I love the Autumn themed afghan!! And those pink blossoms are so pretty. So much to admire at this time of the year.
    I was disappointed to find that our local library doesn't have any of Jean Graingers books.
    I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

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    1. Thanks so much regarding the afghan. I was very pleased with this one. Sorry to hear your library doesn't have any Jean Grainger's books. Would think they could borrow from another library?

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  7. Your afghan is delightful.
    Your reading list is interesting. I fear for your country and hope my fears prove unfounded.

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    1. Thank you for the nice compliment on the afghan. I also fear for my country, and fear you're right. Every single day it's something.

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  8. The 'Fall' afghan is another lovely one.
    There are some seriously scary people out there and I have to limit my exposure to the news to protect myself. However, there are also a lot of good people doing good things, we just don't hear about them so much.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. I understand limiting the news. I have done that; but still read a good deal of it, just less than I did during his first term. Are there people doing good things? I love to know, would be helpful for us to know, I think. Thank you on the afghan.

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  9. Thank you so much for the comment! Oh, I am glad you are taking so much in stride! I love your projects. Thanks for posting about the worries that are bothering many of us with what is going on in the states. I hope you have a blissful Easter with family. Thanks so much for being here 💕🌸💗💛💗🌸💕

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    1. Thanks so much for your thoughtful words, I truly appreciate them.

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  10. ..that pink azalea in Hilton Head was a show stopper. These days I was that I wasn't such a political nerd, or I wish that more where. Resist!!!

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    1. There's so much going on, it's hard not to be a political nerd. Resist!! Many are, but is it enough? I don't know. Hoping for the best.

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  11. You did an amazing job with that afghan! I watched the movie they made out of the book "Monument Men" and it was okay but a little slow. It appalls me to see MAGA Trump dismantling due process, one of the absolute cornerstones of democracy and freedom. We all know he will use those stormtroopers and concentration camps against all his enemies one day if he is not stopped soon.

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    1. Thank you Debra, it was one of the more tedious afghans to put together. I agree with everything you've said about him and it is very frightening.

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  12. Love your afghan. The different sized blocks just add to the impact.
    I read. Always. Education and/or escape.
    And I watch the news from your side of the world in horror.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments about my craft, much appreciated. And thank you for watching and knowing about our side of the world, it's truly horrible.

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  13. Hi, the afghan is beautiful. I love the colors.
    I read The Monuments Men, I was so thankful to learn all that I did... because I had no idea.
    Happy Spring!!! I think... ;-) it was snowing here this morning.

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    1. I found the book fascinating, because I did not know it either. Thank you, this afghan was a bit more tedious to work on, but I was very pleased with the result.

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  14. Beautiful Autumn Afghan, ready for someone to enjoy. I haven't read the Monuments Men book, but I was aware of the actions of these men to preserve and hide important artefacts from the Nazis.
    I like the idea of leaving a pretty painted rock for someone else to find and enjoy. Sending warm wishes from the UK x

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    1. Thanks for the warm wishes and kind words, much appreciated.

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  15. Sandy I always enjoy your beautiful Afghans...
    Hugs Cecilia

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    1. Thanks so much, appreciate it.

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  16. I love it when I find a painted rock! I think they are so cool and I always feel like a little kid when my eyes spot one. I actually love to paint them as well. A few years ago, I joined a group on rock painting and have so enjoyed it. One thing I really like doing is leaving a painted Texas A&M rock in other states when we travel. Have a good one and enjoy the rest of your week.

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    1. Agreed, finding the pretty rocks is fun. I would like to paint some, but am not talented that way. Gonna follow up with you about painting. Maybe you'll have some ideas that are easy for someone without talent.

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  17. How interesting you found the painted rock and a few of them over the last years..

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  18. Love that your crocheted afghan is finished: such a creative venture to adapt all those blocks and coordinate them together. I hope you feel good about that and the fact that you are reading. News is news, and what makes me so frustrated is the rash twists and turns that feels more like a roller coaster than a cohesive plan to improve and aide our country.

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    1. Thank you on the afghan, much appreciated. Very pleased with how it turned out, was one of the more tedious ones to work on of late. Roller coaster for sure...tariffs, no tariffs, changing his mind about really important matters, not listening to the economist...the experts, disobeyer the courts. It's all really too much. Never in my life did I think we as a country would have stooped as low as he has gone.

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  19. Another lovely afghan, this one looks very autumnal. My soon to be daughter-in-law is American, she has dual citizenship now and lives here but she doesn't want to go back to see her family because of what's happening, it's scary. I saw a lot of those painted stones during Covid lockdown. It seemed to be a thing that people would paint them and leave them for people to find to bring a smile, it's a lovely idea.

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    1. The painted stones are indeed a lovely idea. Thanks so much, appreciate your kind words about the afghan. I understand where your soon to be daughter-in-law is coming from. It is very very scary. I keep hoping each day we'll find out someone has talked some sense into him, but no...that's not happened. He committing horrible acts, illegal acts, defies the courts and seems to get away with it. I just don't understand.

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  20. I occasionally see painted rocks on my trails, especially in Wisconsin. I love finding them. There are some 'leave no trace purists', however, who don't agree. Why can't we all get along?

    Speaking of that, I'm trying to limit my exposure to the news. I like to stay up to date, but every day brings more chaos and it's starting to take a toll. Which I think is the master plan, to wear us all down. I do enjoy all the memes that people are creating. It helps me to keep a sense of humor! They can't take that away, right?

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    1. I hear ya about the news, I do stay well informed; but have made a point this time around not to read news hour after hour like I did during his first go round. I'm trying hard to do things to get distracted, but even though I know it helps; I find myself waking up at night wondering what the hell he's going to do or say the following day. Not good for my BP. We must keep our sense of humor and I too love the meme's. Fingers crossed if we continue to work at it, they can't take away our sense of humor. I love finding the painting rocks, and really can't see how a little cute rock would bother even the purist; but I've come across a few as well. Insert eye roll.

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  21. Nice and colourful Afghan.

    God bless.

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  22. Your latest afghan looks wonderful. Nicely done. And it is quite scary what the current administration is doing to folks especially no due process. I am going on more walks with my dogs to help clear my head and avoid the news. Speaking of walking, congrats on a good month in March. Keep it up.

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  23. Your afghan is beautiful Sandy. I am back to blogging after spending time with my visiting family. We were so busy we didn’t turn the TV on once and it was wonderful. No social media either. I felt like I was breathing fresh air again, at least for a while. I do believe it is a ploy to bombard us with all this outrageousness, so that we will be so overwhelmed that we will throw our hands up and surrender. The protests give me hope!

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