Gearing up with Projects Galore, 2025 Has Arrived

 

The color on this ghan is a bit off.  I brightened the picture as it was a dark gloomy day and there just wasn't enough light to get a good picture.  The squares are sized, edged and tied together.  I just need to crochet it all together.  Should get it finished in a day or two.  Calling this one Crayons.  The teal looking squares in the picture are actually Kelly Green

This ghan is knitted, the yarn is called Pastel Tulips, so I guess I'll use that name for it.  It's hard to see the colors in this yarn, believe the colors will show up better as the afghan grows.  It's currently 7 inches in depth and I've used 5 or 6 of these little skeins.  Doing the math, I hope I have enough to make this a square afghan.  It's super bulky yarn so it quite solid in it's feel.  I'm using a size 10 needle, probably could have gone with a size or two higher; but went with what I had on hand, as I was beginning to pack for our winter away.  Started this in the car so I would have a small project that suited car travel.  I plan to work on it in between working on assembling the afghans (pieces parts) I brought for the duration.  Both ghans will be donated to Homeless Families Shelter.

This is book #6 in The Bess Crawford Series.  Home on leave, Bess is asked to accompany a solider to Buckingham Palace to assist in his care in the wheelchair.  Is he faking his injury?  Has he simply vanished, or was he kidnapped.

Book #7 isn't available as an audio book, and it's quite small.  I didn't see it listed until I was several books beyond this point.  The Maharanr's Pearls.  In retrospect, it didn't seem like I missed anything, as there are references enough in each of her books to things that happened before in the series.

This is book #8.  Visiting a family friend Bess is met with open hostility, but why?  100 men were killed in a mill explosion years before, but why now are people being blamed?  Pitting neighbors against each other, a man is arrested......but is it the right man?

Book #9 A  badly wounded solider is found wearing such a tattered uniform no one can tell if he's English, French, or German.  He doesn't speak, but one night making her rounds, he screams out in a dream.  Bess thinks it sounds like he's speaking German.  But, how will they find out who this solider is?

If you're my age, you well remember this horrific day in Ohio.  And depending on your political views at the time there are several views about what happened that fateful day.  AND remember news wasn't 24 x 7 back then; nor were there as many options for getting your news.  To this day, I still get cold chills and will NEVER be able to forgive Governor Rhodes for sending armed guards to the University.  I've often wondered if the person who fired the first shot ever admitted to himself that he did it.  Did those around him know who fired the first shot and never came clean?  Did they band together to cover it up, like so often happens today with good cops covering for bad cops?  May 4, 1970, I was just out of high school, now as a 70+ adult, I found this an important read.  I had friends, and classmates that attended Kent State.  

• I hope everyone had a good holiday season.  Our daughter was able to come home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we had good visits.  There were large family gatherings for both occasions.  Including a visit from family living in Paris.
• I was so saddened with President Jimmy Carter's passing.  What a true servant of the people he was.  I believe history will remember him for a long time to come as a good, kind and decent man who accomplished a lot.
• I'm dreading beyond words to express, how I loath the fact that it's almost time for a convicted criminal to take the oath of office.  How far we've come from Jimmy Carter to the orange nightmare.  I will NOT be watching the Inaugural.  I believe this will be remembered as a very dark day in the history of our nation.

Go Buckeyes beat Notre Dame!  This was our set up for one of the cold tailgates awhile back.  Inside our partial enclosure is a propane heater.  The last couple of games in the playoffs have been fun to watch, as well as bit nerve racking.  National Championship Playoffs...one game to go.

• I've restarted doing planks, wow really starting over after too long.  I started with 30 seconds x 3 repeats with 6 seconds between, and have in recent days been able to up it to 30 seconds x 4 repeats, but I did increase the rest period between to 12 seconds.
• I'm back to doing my leg lifts 50 x 2, and hope to raise that to 3 repeats in a few more days.
• I have planned to get back into walking, but frankly the weather has been an issue.  Even though we left Ohio for the winter, this cold snap across the country has hit SC.  Hoping that passes soon

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.

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.  

Afghan, Books, Movies, and Roses oh My!

 

Here is Firecracker done, being blocked/drying here as we speak.  I was pleased when I found more black yarn so was able to edge each square with black after getting everything sized with the red.  And then edged in black as well.

And here it was in the beginning.

And next up Pink Petals.  Some of the pink here is quite bright as you can see...sorta like the hideous pink car I posted previously.  So, am bringing squares to size in the light pink which I think will tone things down.  I may join in the same pink, or perhaps find a contrasting color...will see as it progresses what I think.

Hubby and I recently attending ball game, such a fun summer thing to do.  It was a beautiful night and our home team won.  Not something we do often,  maybe once or twice a summer.  Don't think we made it at all last summer.

There were places in the book where I definitely disagreed with trumpie's Press Secretary, Stephanie Grisham; but found the book still quite interesting.  It points out, as many of his former cabinet and staff books have, that most of them thought they were doing the right thing........initially, then when they realized otherwise they were in too deep and or had become addicted to power and excitement of being there.  But, she was the first to resign after Jan 6th, when 45 and his gang/cult tried to over throw the government.  She recently spoke at the Democratic Convention throwing her support completely behind The  Kamala Harris Ticket.  It takes a big person to say, I was wrong and now am fighting for the other side. Recommended.

But, one can't read just heavy duty books.  One still needs the entertainment of the Elin Hilderbrand books.  Catch up with the characters from The Summer of 69 (the year I graduated from HS), 10 years later.

Bonfire at the beach to celebrate graduating from High School.  Drinking, cars, anger, young love........so much going on.  And the subsequent police investigation.

When summer jobs at the club change peoples lives, and coming of age.

*I continue to enjoy and recommend all the Elin Hilderbrand books.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it.  I watched it on Prime.

LOVED this movie.  I've always been a huge fan of Eleanor Roosevelt, what a remarkable woman she was.  The time frame of this story about her is right after her husband passed and how she got on with her life.  Jean Stapleton did a magnificent job portraying her.  Highly recommend this.  This too was on Prime.

Meh....very disappointed in this.  It had gotten such rave reviews when it and the silly Barbie movie came out at the same time in the theaters.  Can't recommend this, even though I'm probably out numbered on this opinion.

Gorgeous dark red/burgundy roses tinged with grayish.  Hubby brought these home for me a few days ago.  I've never seen any quite like this before.

Filling My Summer Days with Crocheting, Audio Books, and Walking

 

Fire cracker in the works.  I'm over half done with sizing the squares, so it's coming alone.

One twin lives on Nantucket, one on Martha's Vineyard.  These two take sibling rivalry to a whole new level.  Does a family emergency bring them together...or not?

The wild night life associated with fast money in the restaurant/bar business.  Love vs friendship.  The gamesmanship of who sits where and why, money talks.

The year I graduated from high school, so naturally I had to read this one.  The story of the chaos of the times experienced through one family.  Oldest granddaughter pregnant with twins stranded in Boston, 2nd granddaughter in the midst of civil rights demonstrations, the only grandson fighting in Vietnam, and the youngest grandchild at age 13 lonely and angry and coming of age.  Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick.  Perhaps no other year in history experienced so much.

Recommend all 3 of these Elin Hilderbrand books.

You're not in Kansas anymore Todo.  Failed marriage...maybe?  Corruption and lust in a small town, government only for a few.  Who's having an affair with who?  Lots of action.  I rated this book a 3 out of 5.  It's a summer read, as it takes place at the beach.  I wouldn't put it tops on your list; but if you're running out of summer books for fun.

Super disappointed in this book.  It received The Good Reads Choice Award, but I don't know why.  As I read the reviews, people either gave it a 5 or a 1.  I gave it a 1 because I couldn't give it a zero.  James McBride sees love in this book and the people in the neighborhood.  I saw deceit, lies, violence and all around shameful behavior on almost everyone's part.  I forced myself to finish the book, even though I didn't want to.  I kept thinking it was rated well, won awards, perhaps it will get better.  From my perspective, it did NOT!.

I thought this was a powerful meme.  

During one of my walks through the neighborhood to a park, I spotted this hideous Pepto Bismol pink car.  I've never seen anything like it and wonder why anyone would buy and drive it.  I've seen some pink Mary Kay cars, but they weren't like this.

Speaking about walking, July's average miles per day is 3.73 which is down slightly from June at 3.85.  My best day was July 4th with 8.20 miles.  I mentioned Fitbit has ruined the webpage by removing the dashboard and the backlash is huge.  The number of complaints in the forum grows daily.  It remains to be seen if they will make their people happy but bringing it back, or sending the people to other platforms like Garman, Apple Watch, and or Samsung Watch.  Many have said they will leave Fitbit if it's not reinstated.

I've been removing some folks from my blog list.  Some that don't seem active any longer, and others who don't return blog visit.  But, I happily have added some new bloggers to the list as well.  I find it fun to meet new bloggers.

Knitting, Crocheting, Audio Books, and Fitbit

 Another Afghan in the works.  Calling this one Fresh Mint.  As you can I have some really different sized squares and rectangles.  I've used this mint green to edge previously and since I'm trying to use up stash, decided I would use the mint green to bring the squares to size, but join them with light gray.  I don't normally join before edging every square, but was having a hard time reaching the rows above, so thought I could join the 3 rows, then move everything down to make reaching things easier.

Here it is before I started edging.  Plus, you can probably tell I moved a few squares around.  Had all the bright yellows at the top and the muted yellows at the bottom for one.

I've made some good headway with my shawl.  When Last I photographed it, I was working on the first green section, and am now on the 2nd green section.  As the triangle gets wider, the number of stitches per row really increases.  Make it seem slower for sure.

Three more Elin Hilderbrand books....sorta.  I didn't really care for Reunion Beach, as the Hilderbrand area was a book I had already enjoyed, and I didn't think much of the others.  The book is an apparent tribute to Dorothea Benton Frank.  I think I read one of hers years ago, but don't remember which one.  I've searched my 5 Libraries and haven't found any of hers as audio books, so probably won't pursue her books.  I did enjoy the first 2 Elin Hilderbrand books though, so put those on your list.

Camera Girl was fascinating.  I was a young girl when Jackie was the first lady, so didn't really know much about her.  This book covers her early years, prior being Mrs. John F. Kennedy.  She was quite accomplished, intelligent, and very full of life.

A story about a woman who defies social norms, her rich parents and follows her heart.  Inspired by the real life story of Samuel Bellamy of the high seas.  Pirates, adventure, and of course love!  Enjoy.

It's been so long since I've recorded my activity that Fitbit, the webpage apparently no longer exists.  I was floored.  You get a message that says you can check your dashboard in the app.  Well the format on the app is not nearly as good as what the  webpage was.  So, The only thing I seem to be able to find is daily averages for each month in miles or steps.  The webpage gave totals for the month which I preferred.  So it looks like the last time I recorded anything here was Dec of 2023.

Jan I averaged 3.85 miles per day

Feb 4.57

March 3.97

April 2.84 (the month I had my dental surgery)

May 2.94

June 3.85.   I don't know when the last time was I recorded planks, so I guess I need to start over on that.

Ukraine hasn't been in the headlines much lately, but I was please to see this sign of support on one of my recent walks through the neighborhood.