TA DAH, Blue Bird is finished, Audio Books, Meme Dump

 

Ta Dah, another afghan finish.  Had a few ideas as to the name for this, but had initially thought I would use both blue and pink/mauve to size (edge) and join the squares.  Changed my mind and went with all blue.  It's such a pretty shade of blue so have named this one Blue Bird.  Anyone immediately singing Mr. Blue Bird on my shoulder?

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual.....and so it goes.  A Disney classic for sure.

I added a little scalloped edge to the afghan on this one.  A little different than the ruffle on Peppermint the previous afghan.  You might need to click on the picture to enlarge it to see the scalloped edge.

Christmas is past, but this meme still seemed appropriate to share.

Oh how I wish I could say this wasn't true, but sadly this is right on the mark.

This one just made me laugh.

107 Days by Kamala Harris.  I LOVED this book.  And the fact that the audio book is read by her made it even better.  Her code name was Pioneer, seems most appropriate as she is the ONLY woman to ever be elected as Vice President.  She is the ONLY person ever to have ONLY 107 to campaign for the Presidency.  I can't help but think, if Biden had made the decision earlier, she could have won and we would have had the FIRST Woman President EVER.  AND aside from all the historic importance of that, we would not be dealing with the world hating us, we would not be having sleepless nights from fear and worry about the horrible state of things.    I gave this book 5 stars and Goodreads average rating currently is 4.30.

You all know by now I like books with strong female characters, and boy does Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray hit the mark!  Frances Perkins changed history.  She was the first woman Cabinet Member and the longest serving Labor Secretary.  She worked with children in Hells Kitchen, she was active in Greenwich Village and met lots of influential politicians and artist.  She had a 20 year friendship with FDR and was his most trusted lieutenant .  I gave this book 5 stars and it's current average on Goodreads is 4.45

This book Cultish by Amanda Montell was recommended when I listed I had read The Cult of Trump in a Libby Group on FB.  So I nabbed it right after finishing The Cult of Trump.  I found this book a bit disappointing though it did have lots of information about cults in general., and what makes something a cult.  She discussed things like Amway, brand type cults, Scientology, and of course the trump cult.  I found some of her statements rather dismissive about the dangers of cults.  She seemed to think it was pretty common for people to fall into them.  I'm not sure I agree with that premise.  I gave the book 3 stars, it's Goodreads current average is 3.80.

I LOVED this book, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is fun and funny, but at the same time hits on a very series problem which seems so appropriate to read right now with the influx in book banning by the far right.  I gave it 5 stars and Goodreads is 4.05.

**Seems I rated 3 of these 4 books higher than Goodreads, so if you read any of them, you'll have to let me know if you agree with my ratings or theirs.

I stand with Minnesota, not ICE

I stand with Ukraine not Russia

Impeach Noam and trump the FELON!!

**No exercise stats, as I've not done any calculations and haven't done of good job of recording, so need to see what I have.

Recently had a nice Chocolate Martini at one of favorite restaurants, CQ's here on Hilton Head Island in Harbor Town.  YUM!!

Some pretty flowers from awhile ago, that I kept forgetting to share with you from Dear Hubby.

January, Projects, Books, Memes and Stuff

 

Not sure why the colors on this are so off.  I tried to edit it but, that didn't help.  It looks like there's orange and yellow in the squares.  This is Peppermint that you probably remember from my previous post.

These are the true colors.  The pictures are oriented differently, as the 1st picture is on a twin bed, and I'm limited with space.  The mint green yarn I'm edging with those is really pulling it all together.  I plan to do a large border around it, as it's a bit on the smaller size, and perhaps end with a ruffled or scalloped edge........will see how the volumn of yarn holds out.

These colors are a little off too, but not much.  It's just a bit darker in this picture.  We're having a very cloudy day here, so guess that makes since.  When I posted this corner to corner project last it measured 26 in diameter and it now measures 41 inches.  I had 83 stitches on the needles in the previous picture and now have 138....so, some good progress.  You can see the darker ball of yarn which if this becomes an afghan will be the middle section.  My plan is to continue with the lighter version and see how big it is before deciding if it will be a shawl with just the current lighter version or an afghan blending the 2.

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know Goodreads had these cute graphics with ones stats at the end of the year.  As many years as I've been using Goodreads, I never looked.  I've not yet made a goal for this year, trying to decide if I want to or not.

This was probably the best one in that it shows you your reading pattern?  I thought perhaps I should get a lottery ticket with my double numbers, lol.

This was a short read, only 3 hours for the audible version, which I highly recommend, as it's read by the author and she has a really lovely voice.  I found, We Should All Be Feminists extremely interesting.  Would love to know if any of you have read it and what you thought.

I've read a good number of serious/heavy topic books of late and decided I needed a little fluff to clear my head.  Yes this is a beachy, love story........but, the twist is the baggage many families carry.  Highly recommend this book who's back story is long long standing friendship and Invitro, and cancer.  So...not really a total fluff book.

Told you I had been reading serious content of late.  This is a true story folks.  I've read a lot about WWII, the war, the camps, the Nazi's, women code breakers; but didn't know much about the Dutch Resistance.  "Seducing and Killing Nazis" by Sophie Polderman is a very interesting and educational read.  I highly recommend it.

Bimbo Barbie is truly disgusting.

AND some memes I thought worth sharing.  AND Where are the EPSTEIN files!!

I stand with Ukraine and Greenland!

The end of Christmas, packing stuff up for another year.  All of this took place before we left town for the winter, so my post is not in chronological order.

Christmas in Pictures, Colorful Veggies, and The Free Store

 

When Darling Daughter was home over Thanksgiving, we made a run to the Free Store.  Believe we had 13 afghans, a spread, duvet, drapes, and personal care items.  Normally I've made Homeless Families Foundation as our primary charity to support; but a friend was telling me about the Free Store, they serve a very underserved population of folks in need in a different area of the city.  They were appreciative of the donation.  I encourage you all to see if your local has a Free Store.  You've seen the pictures of the afghans throughout the year.  I generally make deliveries in the fall or early winter when things like that are in need.

The veggies I took to the family Thanksgiving gathering.  Always think they're so colorful before you cook them.  They loose some of their brightness after cooking.  Brussel Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and a tart apple make a really cook mix.

Gearing up for Christmas, no doubt many of you are as well.  Many of our ornaments have been purchased during our travels, so it's always fun to remember our trips as I unwrap and place them on the tree.

A Christmas long ago, when both hubby and I had full heads of dark hair, and our Darling Daughter still believed.

Still pictures from the way back machine.

We're getting older

Mother and daughter sweaters on Christmas morning.

Christmas quilt I made for Mom, many many years ago.  She's been gone a long time, I now put the quilt on the sofa back during the holidays.  She loved Poinsettias.  

The photo's aren't in date order, obviously.

And in the truly way way back machine.  Check out the old tv in the background.  I'm not sure how old I was here, but maybe 3.

Merry Christmas to you all.  And if you're traveling for the holiday, safe travels.

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.