Easter, Brickyard, Be Responsible, Stay Home and Stay Safe

My Dad got a visit 2 days ago from The Easter Bunny.  Dad is 94 and is living in an assisted living center.  Despite being on lock down during the Covid period, the staff has really gone out of their way to bridge the gap for residents and their families who can't get together for visits.  Loved the teeth on her mask.

So you can see her full costume.  Pretty cute, don't ya think!  They passed out puzzles, coloring pages, and some Easter Candy.  I'm sure most of the residents got a nice lift from seeing the bunny.  I happened to be doing a video chat with my Dad on Facetime when she happened into the room, so I got to see.  Then nabbed these pictures from their FB page.  Despite being busy, the staff is willing to set up video chats for families who can't visit.  My Dad doesn't have a phone in his room.  Having a phone earlier caused him great confusion, so we removed it.  The video chat is initiated by the staff on a cell phone or ipad.  

Did you know how the Easter Bunny came to be a part of Easter?  In the 1700's German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought their tradition with them.  An egg laying hare called "Osterhase" or Oschter Haws visited nests that children in the various villages made and left eggs.

In the 19th century it was common that rabbits gave birth to litters of kittens, (baby rabbits) thought to be a symbol of new life.  The eggs they laid were also symbolic of new life and thus the tradition of bunnies, and eggs, and Easter.

Brickyard is completed.  It's laid out here drying and being blocked, after being laundered.  It will soon be donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.

Haven't yet decided which project to work on next.  Took some time earlier today to watch some video's of a possible knit stitch I might like to use as well as a crocheted one; but.........I also still have many project bags with pieces parts and yarn to join, sooooooooo we'll see what I feel like when I get this up and folded after it dries.

I liked this chalk art, but blocked out the face of the artist, as she's a teen and I don't know her to know how she would feel about her picture being out there.  Please stay at home as the orders indicate for everyone's safety.  Only leave for essential grocery shopping etc.  AND make sure your trip is in fact, essential.  Minimize your time away, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

This is NOT the way to wear a mask.  Wearing one correctly is imperative.  If you're not familiar, please google or search u-tube video's.  If you're not wearing correctly, you're not protecting yourself or anyone else.

PLEASE!! Don't be self absorbed and think the rules are for everyone but you.  PLEASE stay home, you put yourself, your friends, your neighbors, and your family's at risk when you ignore the rules/laws/orders.  AND then you shop for groceries and put all those in the store also at risk.  

Memories of Mom and Typing About Easter

Though this story is about typing, I can't really say the typewriter was this kind, though Mom loved the color turquoise and I think the time frame is fairly correct. 

It's been awhile since I've shared an alphabetical memory of Mom.

(Mom in purple on my wedding day, 1972)
But, with this weekend being Easter, memories of her come flooding back.  She was admitted to the hospital on Ash Wednesday back in 2009 and had emergency surgery in the wee hours of the following morning.  It was a long and difficult period in all of our lives, testing our resolve; as well as her's.  She died on what we kids always called Easter Monday.  I guess we always called it that because long before kids got a spring break, we got Good Friday and Easter Monday off from school.  And so with today being Good Friday, I find myself reading about the stages of The Cross, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and of course Easter Sunday, and remembering  Mom as well.

There's more to the connection, but for now ...typing.  Mom was a strong, very determined woman.  She made things work, whatever was needed; though some of  her "I can do anything attitude" diminished as she aged; that is truly the way I remember her most.  And in fact, the minister at her funeral told this story.

Mom interviewed and got a job which required that she type.  She told a little white lie telling them she could type...oophs.  But, she was determine to get the job, and confident that she could do it.  When I arrived home from school, she told me I needed to teach her to type and we had about a week to do it.  LOL  This is before computer keyboards mind you.  Heck, most of my typing class used standard non electric typewriters...the few electric were reserved for those who were speedy at it...I was not among that group.  It's also pertinent to add...we did not have a type writer at home in order to teach her.  But, that didn't stop her/us.  We fashioned a cardboard keyboard on the dining room table and propped up my high school typing book.  Thinking that still makes me smile.  Yes, she did learn to type in the short amount of time she had, and yes she was successful in her new job...the job she retired from many years later.

( Mom and Dad at a nephews wedding.)

Mom at 16 in a gorgeous dress she made herself from dotted swiss, as was my wedding dress that she also made.

The family in 2007, at Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.  Younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, and older brother Chuck.

Mom had grown up a Lutheran, sang in the church choir but after she and Dad got married they became members of The Methodist Church.  In those final hours, she squeezed my hand as I recited the 23rd Psalm.  Later when she opened her eyes (briefly and the first time in a couple of days), looking towards heaven she reached up, smiled, and crossed herself.  Lent is 46 days (bout 7wks), and that was how long Mom was in the hospital, most of it in ICU.  She bore her final days with bravery while the rest of us had tears.

Mom's name was Miriam, I read today that is a Hebrew name that means 'wise woman or lady'.  I read that Mary is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Miriam while reading about Mary in connection to the Easter Story.

Miss you Mom
Happy Easter All

Working on Iris and Lillies on the Wednesday Before Easter

Am making good progress after the frogging of a group of 4 squares (1 block).  Top two blocks are attached, and am working on the 4th block which will get attached to the 3rd block, which will then get attached to the top rectangle piece.  LOL...Makes you think the hip bones connected to the thigh bone...blah

Normally, I edge the individual squares ( which I did in purple first) and tie them together and join in one long row, working across and then up and down.  But,  these squares needed a little more help with getting to the same size so (enter the mellow yellow) they're not all edge with the same number of rows, or even the same stitches; and I wanted a bit more width then the 4 squares across would give.  This seems to accomplish both of those goals, AND it's a bit less on your lap to work with therefore making it a bit more portable.  Currently the mellow yellow joining and edging of the block of 4 squares is muting the bright yellow a smedge which is helping to blend...I think the more mellow yellow in the variegated squares.

I'll be looking through my stash once this is all 1 piece to see about an appropriate purple to edge the whole thing with.

This is another of the ghans assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond which will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation. 

I hope this Wednesday finds you happily busy.  Those who are traveling for the up coming holiday, please be safe and enjoy your time with loved ones.

(13) Work in Progress Wednesday badges and links in meme tab above.

Hospice

Ash Wednesday is the night Mom went into the hospital and had emergency surgery, a few days ago Good Friday the doctor told us she would not heal. I asked if hospice was appropiate and his answer-- we've crossed the line where we're preventing her death instead of prolonging her life. We consulted Hospice and today Easter Sunday will be her first day under full Hospice Care. Once papers were signed yesterday it took til 8:30 last night to physically get the move done. She is very much at peace with this decision; though it was a difficult one for the family to come together on. I take comfort in knowing her decision is the right decision; though I say it with a heavy heart.

I hope each and everyone of you spend this special day with loved ones.