COMFORT AND OTHER SMALL PLEASURES

On one of those days when rain was clattering on our window pane, and the wood stove was snapping and popping burning embers, I pulled out some "comfort" clothes to wear!! One is an old cotton t-shirt--big enough to cover all the bumps and grinds, worn so thin that it's almost too obscene to wear, and solid as the Rock of Gibralter. The old t-shirt got me to thinking about comfort. Our life is so comfortable right now that it's almost hard to relate to all the turmoil of the world that's going on all around us.

Dad has his projects: Now it's new siding for the house. The windows are new; the siding is too. The old beige eaves will be covered with shingles soon. Lately, Dad stands often at the living room window, gazing out into the back yard. He tells me that he's envisioning now how he can build scaffolding so he can do the siding along the living room picture window. I think I'm going to go visit Susan or Darla or Grandma while he's doing that!!

I have my projects as well:

I've made 19 of the 20 blocks I need for Connor's quilt, and I have half of Tobin's quilt hand-quilted.

A week or so ago, we were traveling to Bremerton to see Grandma and had settled into our usual mode: engrossing book on cd entertaining us, our seat warmers at full blast, cups of pop, sugar free snacks, and a sewing project for me. Comfort, solidity--all's right with the world. I was reminded of a time in my youth when I was in third grade and called to the principal's office. I was terrified!! I was always a good girl and never got into trouble, so I didn't know what to expect. Following me down the hall were Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe--all looking as terrified and puzzled as I was!! At the office, we were greeted by Mama and Daddy. They never came to school in the middle of the day!! They were checking us out of school for a day or two and wore mysterious smiles. Really? I remember them pouring cups of coffee back and forth from Daddy's work thermos. Unheard of! The car was warm; the ambience one of confidence. Then, my dad did something really unpredictable; he pulled around a Detour sign, knocking a sawhorse down, and we proceeded to drive through a road construction are for several miles!! What a memorable trip. My dad even waved to a state patroman--who waved back! My dad had a job offer at OK Tire Welders in Hermiston, Oregon from one of his old CCC buddies, and we spent that day exploring the area around Hermiston which was booming because of the construction of McNary Dam. The memory of that trip and the two years we lived in Hermiston were some of the highlights of my young life--my time of comfort, growth, and coming of age!! Hope this little post finds all of you in a comfortable time in your life as well!! Love to All. Mom

SPRING IS SPRUNG...THE GRASS IS RIZ...

With the coming of spring to the Gorge, we're back in full swing into projects, trips, and the ordinary "stuff." Dad has remodeled the old shed. Although the new roof won't be on until fall, a beautiful little potting/storage shed has replaced the old eyesore. A window will be going into that blank wall next week. I'm not sure what Dad would do without his projects....

I have joined a quilting group. It's some ladies from church who've been friends for many years. We get together twice a month to share quilting techniques, make quilts for welfare projects, and we're each making our own quilt--two blocks a month. Lots of fun--gossiping, sewing, laughing, sharing. The quilt block you see is one that will be used in Connor's quilt.

We spent the later part of February on a fun road trip. Breakfast with Tobin and her family. Notice how bundled up Dad and I are compared to Tobin. She was acclimated to the frosty winter weather!!

We'd intended to head for the Hole-in-the-Rock area but didn't quite make it to that area!! Too much snow!! We did go through a lot of the area around Hole-in-the- Rock though. Dad took lots of pictures. We explored around some beautiful sites.

Very, very early in the morning, we stopped to take pictures of the Snowflake Temple. I always marvel at the desolate land here and think of the pioneers and cattlemen who were courageous enough to make the desert blossom. Kevin and Debbie have a ranch in Snowflake. The landscaping around the temple is in keeping with the surroundings.

We spent a fun day in Tombstone, Arizona. The cemetery in Tombstone is a national monument, and visitors are asked to respect the fact that it is a cemetery. That's a bit hard to do when one walks along the barren gravel paths in the cemetery and reads the epitaphs!!

I stayed in Mesa for a week to help Susan, and Dad drove to Santa Maria, California to visit DeAnne. Right now she's working on a set for "West Side Story" and designing a set for "Peter Pan."

Life is good....blessed....charmed. "All is well. All is well." Love, Mom