A New Project, Reading About the Past to Understand the Present!

 

Started this corner to corner project a few days ago, and I currently have 83 stitches on the needles and it measures 26 inches across.  LOVE the colors.  Have had this yarn probably 2 years?  My favorite local yarn shop was going out of business, so I purchased a fair amount of yarn with guesses about how much I needed and or what I would make with it.  It's called Marble.  I bought 3 large balls of this and 2 that seems similar to me, but darker in colors.  My initial thought is to start and end with this and use the darker blend for sections 2 and 4 and this lighter for section 3...so every other section.  But, I'm not sure if there's enough yarn to make an afghan, given the yardage on each ball.  Sooooooo, I'm knitting this to see how much I get from 1 ball, and may continue with that plan and or once I see how far this goes....it might become a trainangle shawl.  The colors and textures would well for a shawl, as well as an afghan.  Only time will tell.

Snow number 2!  This is about 4.5 inches, and as luck would have it this hit the day we left town for a couple of weeks in Hilton Head, just after the Thanksgiving weekend!!  I'm a happy camper to have missed it, since I'm not a fan of snow or cold or winter for that matter.  My neighbor across the street took the picture and said......you got out at a good time.  She knows me.

A fascinating read.  I had no idea we, the USA smuggled books into The Soviet Bloc during the Cold War to help mold descent among the peoples of the U.S.S.R.  The brave people involved were incredible.  10 million books were smuggled in.  To read about this when here in our country currently the far right is banning books every single day is extrodinary.  Please put this on your to read list.

A backward island,, a dysfunctional family, an alcholhic actress and hiden treasure linking the present with the past.  LOVED this book, very entertaining.  Oh and let;s not forget a love story!

Wow......a long book.  The audio of World Enemy No 1 is 17 hours.  A very interesting look at WWII and how Nazi Germany, and The Russian Bolshevik's manipulated their own people, as well as the rest of the world about who was the aggresor, who was the victim in WWII, who suffered more and who gave more.  Very insightful.  Quite a lot of history to absorb.  After reading this, I did some googling to understand better what I read/listened to.  Highly recommend this book.  trumpie dump is trying very hard to use the same playbook about manipulated public opinion.

84 Years ago yesterday.  A day to pause and remember!

Still standing with Ukraine.

Blogging about my French Adventure HERE!

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.

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.

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.