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.

Projects, Finishes and Work in Progress...and!

 

Bright Jewel was designed some time back and has been in a project bag waiting it's turn to be be worked on.

Here it is in the works.  These squares are more unform then many I work with, so sizing/edging these is going quickly; as you can see.  The white space is where the last square was being worked on.  Stay tuned.  I wasn't sure how large this would be with less edging then I sometimes use, but also wasn't sure how much lavender I had to do the edging, so kept it limited.  The plan was to finish them all in terms of sizing and limited edging, then see how much yarn I had to determine whether or not to edge more.

This was the original design of Crayon, but I needed 5 squares from this design to help complete an additional afghan.

Here it is sized and edged (same picture as previous post), and tied ready to stitch together.

Here it is completed.  It's been laundered and is drying.

And now, Bright Jewels is drying/being blocked.  I started this post a day or so ago, and in the meantime was able to complete this ghan.  Very happy with how it turned out.  Instead of adding more edging to each square, as I was anticipated doing,  I added multiple rows in the border and then a scalloped edge.  Click the picture to enlarge it to see the scalloped edge.  As always all the afghans will be donated to a family shelter.

Pastel Tulips has grown from 7 inches in the last picture to 10 inches here.  I work on this in-between the other afghan progjects.

Books 10, 11, and 12 in the series.  "A Casualty of War", the war is close to over; but the aid stations are still over run with badly injuried men.  One of Bess's patients thinks his cousin tried to kill him...Bess is put in harms way as she tries to unravel the mystery.  He says he's not crazy, but Bess maybe the only one who believes him.

"A Forgotten Place", The Armistice has been signed, but not the Peace Treaty; so injuries and death are still happening.  Bess tried to aid an Welsh amputee patient by going to a small Welsh mining town where mysterious murders are taking place; and she's smack dab in the middle of it.

"A Cruel Deception, people gather in Paris to try and hammer out the Peace Treaty, but Bess is sent on a secret and highly personal mission that puts her in harms way with a dangerous murderer/drug addict.

• Exercising is coming along, not great but better than last month so that's a plus.
• Can't believe we had snow here in South Carolina, geesh we left Ohio for the winter to escape the cold and snow.  Things were closed down for several days, and it took a whole week for the golf courses to open again.
• We've enjoyed meeting up with a good number of people from other years, have had social gatherings, and gone out to dinner.  So, having a good time despite the colder than normal weather that everyone seems to be experiencing.

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.