Sunday, February 19, 2017

Hello

I realize I haven't been posting much lately. 

I am preoccupied by politics, and many of you would rather not hear about our current affairs coming out of Washington DC on another blog. There is plenty to take in, or avoid, as your choice may be, from news sources and social media. 

I will say that it has been a crazy four weeks since DJT took office. I can't see it getting much better, but I am still maintaining my activism.

Other than spending several hours a day reading political postings and on line news papers, I have been occupied with routine stuff. We walked almost every day this week, except when it was pouring down rain. We spent two evenings at the stadium downtown working on Sounders soccer stuff. We are making huge overhead banners, and I ran a serger, sewing seams 25 to 100 feet long. It was good to feel appreciated and to work with good people, all of whom are much younger than we are. 

Wednesday we went out to lunch with retired teachers from my former school, the McMicken Lunch Bunch. There were six of us this time, and it was fun to get together and catch up and visit and share laughs.  Friday mornings are always reserved for the Des Moines Breakfast club, with retired teachers from Tom's former school. 

At home I have worked on my ongoing sewing project, a quilt top made of hexagons. Today I finished the borders and the quilt top is finished. Here is a peak. 
Now I'll have to add the filling and the backing, quilt and bind it. I'll post more about the whole process at another time. It has been a fun project to work on during these winter days. 

Saturday, with Tom away at a family work weekend at the Rockaway Beach cabin, and Jill in the mountains teaching a Mountaineers class, I had charge of the kids. 

They wanted to go to Costco, and we all needed a few things, so we spent some time there. Irene found all the food samples. Then Isaac had to track down the latest set of Pokemon cards, and that search took us to several more stores. Back at home we had lunch and played a board game until it was time to go to Irene's basketball game. 

Irene's team has struggled, and has lost all of their games, but those girls really hustled and tried hard out on the court. I asked Irene later what she was thinking as she was out there, and she said she really didn't like it, and "I'm never going to do this again!"

I gave her credit for sticking it out through the season - this was the last game - and not giving up. And I told her I was quitting too. I was going to give tai chi three months and then decide, but I am quitting after just two months. At $66.00 a month, I'm not going to pay for something I am not enjoying or getting much out of. I'm sure if I practiced it for a year I might get to the point where I would see some gains, but it is just not for me. I'll keep on walking.

The kids and I went to Red Robin for dinner and topped our meal, and our day, off with mud pie. Yum!

20 comments:

  1. I had to take a break from politics for a few hours today. My tremors have been worse lately. I decided Trump stress might be a contributing factor. This afternoon I put away my iPad, took up my knitting, and listened to an audible book. The tremors improved. I'll be back at it tomorrow though. This is not the time to pull back. Now I'm pretty munched focused on Congress and what they're up to, letting the judicial system deal with Trump. Also trying to keep up with the various kinds of political activism.

    It's a wonderful rejuvenating experience to work with young people. Keeps us young in spirit. It seems to me walking is the best of exercising. I went for a walk this afternoon and it was wonderful. Your quilt project is lovely I'll enjoy seeing it finished. I no longer have my sewing machine. Daughter has it back in Texas. I'd rather knit than sew.

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  2. Your quilt top is WONDERFUL! Very sunny, bright and well planned.

    Political activism is making a lot of us stressed out but absolutely necessary. I personally believe not doing doing something to add to the activism pool would be stressful as well. These are not ordinary times and we have to learn to pace ourselves for the long haul.

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  3. I can tell the political situation is weighing people down. Trump seems to dig the hole deeper and deeper. there's never any good news about this guy.

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  4. We liked Tai Chi and still do some of it on a regular basis, you can find You Tubes online that are free. Our classes were free at the Senior Center but then one gal moved to AZ and one died.
    Your Quilt top is beautiful and so spring like!
    :)

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  5. Love your quilt top! I think we are all suffering from Trump related political stress. While it is great that you are staying politically active I hope you are giving yourself time away from it for your health and peace of mind! Just watching the news these days can wear on a person.

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  6. Beautiful quilt top, looking forward to seeing how you progress. The political situation is causing a lot of stress for a lot of people, we never seem to hear anything positive about him.

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  7. Your quilt top is looking gorgeous. We saw a piece on t.v. this morning about a group of men who gather weekly at a Seattle restaurant to knit. I noticed one was tatting and another was spinning, too!

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  8. I am also reading the news more than is good for me, but somehow my inherent optimism is holding steady. It helps a lot to have online friends to visit and see how other people are dealing with the stress. It's always good to hear from you. :-)

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  9. Since I live close to DC the political activism can be mind-boggling. I do a little here and there but mostly ease the guilt by making donations to causes that are fighting for the things that I believe in. That quilt is really beautiful and I can hardly wait to see the whole thing!

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  10. Food is always a nice way to end the day with your grandkids. Love mud pie.

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  11. It is hard for everyone to focus in our current political climate but we must move on...I got my ccomputer desk cleaned off last night and it's lovely to see the top of my desk...Your quilt is beautiful...hobbies can be healing and distracting...I do lots of family history.

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  12. I've never watched/listened to/ read so much news as lately. It's a crazy time. Your quilt top is gorgeous, full of foliage and flowers, just like your garden. Love them both!

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  13. I don't have TV and don't keep up with the news. I get my info from my friend who rants and raves enough for both of us, lol.
    Your quilt is exquisite. I love how it is free flowing, and not perfectly symmetrical, like nature.

    Had to laugh at your TaiChi decision. I have been taking it for 7 years - the first 5 were wasted since I didn't practice at home at all, and each week would show up like a preschooler to learn the same thing again. Finally, I determined to get it so it could be a daily exercise for my lazy body and I started to practice the steps that I had just learned, every day, so I was ready for the next step at the lessons. I am now 2/3 into the entire set. Maybe in 6 months, I will get to the point of being able to do the whole long form set. Maybe, and most likely.

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  14. There is a lot of Trump fatigue going around. Even my sister who is a supporter is suffering from the stress and her health is declining. I am relying on bugging my congressmen, his own self implosion and our system to see us through. You sure are keeping busy though and I think we will all feel better when we can get our hands in the real dirt--natures dirt. We are just days away here.

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  15. The quilt is absolutely beautiful. I have not been sewing lately because I have been painting. I can't do it all!!

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  16. That is an amazingly beautiful quilt top. It reminds me of looking through a kaleidoscope. You are such a good grandma.

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  17. I find it interesting that you didn't enjoy Tai Chi. I've thought about taking it because I've taken a few falls in the past years and would like to improve my balance. But I'm not a joiner. That's what has kept me back.
    Far Side mentioned Youtube videos and I might just try those.

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  18. I love the quilt top. The pattern and colors seem a balm, and don't we need that right now. Thank you for a bit of beauty and ordinary life.

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  19. That quilt top is incredible! You must be so pleased with it. I've never made one like that. I know it takes a lot of work! I'm avoiding the news lately. I get so frustrated, I decided it's healthier just not to be in the know! Enjoy your day! XO

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  20. Has it only been four weeks? Feels like forever... Arrrghhhh... Art laughs saying I was never paying attention to politics much until #45.

    Your quilt is absolutely awesome, Linda. You have such an artistic eye. That will be an heirloom for sure.

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