Jammin'!

What a day... I feel so refreshed... tired, but refreshed.

I helped hubby for a bit on the yard, but my wrist and neck were not digging the act of mowing the lawn. Sweet hubby took over, I came in and popped some ice on both and all was good. While sitting and letting everything calm down.  I did a little searching on the web... I had lots of blackberry's and peaches to use today...

Peaking out the door and I saw the hubby across the street.  The neighbor had some serious growth he was trying to trim back and Hubs was standing on the ladder wielding a chain saw.

Quickly closed the door on that... Anyone that knows hubby, knows that kind of activity has a high possibility of not ending well. We've picked him up off of mirrors that miraculously didn't break when he fell on them, rushed him to the hospital when he decided to fix my closet under the influence of pain killers for a back injury and almost amputated his finger.  Hubby has a lot in common with Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor. And they know him well in the ER, although it's been a good run since the last visit.

Today was no different, although this time, it really wasn't his fault.  He evidently swiped that chainsaw right through a hornets nest and a really angry guy decided his eyelid looked like the perfect spot to exact vengeance.  By the time he arrived home, he was already looking like he'd gone a rough round with Rocky.

After nursing him, tea bag for swelling and benedryl, it was looking a bit better...

I decided to make some jams... blackberry and peach... I haven't made blackberry since I lived in Washington state.  My landlady and her brother owned some property with tons of blackberry bushes and I was able to pick to my hearts content.  Mary and Carl loved the jam on homemade bread, so did I.  They are both gone now, and I am sure when I crack open that first jar, I will remember those wonderful days and miss them both.  Mary was the first one to encourage and teach me to can and make jams and jellies.  I learned so much from her.

As the day has progressed I discovered that $20 in fruit will yield 13 pints of jam, a cobbler, and snacks for six.  Pretty awesome stuff.  I love the colors and fragrances.  The pints are pinging, that is one of the sweetest sounds.  As fall and winter approaches and I no longer have fresh fruits in my kitchen, we will open those jars one at a time and savor the taste of summer on our biscuits and bread.  It will be time to start baking the breads that I love and remember...

Hubs is sleeping again, the Benedryl is making him so snoozy.  I bet he doesn't wake up again tonight.  Hopefully tomorrow he won't be so swollen and sore.  And I am heading into the kitchen to finish making both people and puppy jerky...

I love spending a day taking care of my home...

Last night I held my breath...

I felt the sharp intake of breath when the verdict was read.  I wasn't part of the jury, I didn't hear all the information they heard.  I have no idea what all they knew.  I cannot fathom how hard it was to be a juror in that case. I can't imagine that it was an easy decision or that it was taken casually.  I can't imagine that doing their civic duty didn't change those six women forever.

My feelings are so mixed. I do not know how it became a national media circus and that is what it is. As I listen to the news this morning, I am wishing they would simply stop.  A young man is dead.  Another man's life is altered forever. Six women, had to make a decision that will forever be part of their lives.  No one won, everyone lost.

Yes, he was 17, but was he the cute cherub the media kept showing us when they displayed only the picture of the 12 year old little boy?  Or was he more like your typical teen?  I have seen other pictures of him, that aren't nearly as adorable (shirtless, middle finger up, glaring at the camera - in that standard young adult showing the world how tough they are pose).  Why didn't the media pick that picture?

And there is a grown man whose life will never be the same.  Ironically the media only chose stoic pictures of him to show us, to portray a cold person, where is the picture of him with a smile or looking carefree?

It's amazing how the arm chair attorney's, jurors, judges and media can sit there and second guess.  No one has those facts.  None of us will truly know what happened that night.

If the young man was like so many that I meet on a daily basis, the media did the country a huge injustice.  They are sweet, kind, courteous and caring around their mama, daddy and family, but when with their friends or solo a totally different person emerges.

In fact I think the media and so many others did this country a huge injustice. 

I never really understood how a tragic incident was being manipulated into a nationwide display of right and wrong.  Everyday hundreds of people young and old are killed. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern... so many... and many of those deaths involve young people.  Why are those not highlighted?

We definitely have a problem in this country, people don't value life, people bully and harm others to get their own way or simply for the fun of it.  And if it goes horribly wrong, it isn't their fault it is always the other person's fault.  

We have a problem with responsibility in this country. Listening to the news, talking gun laws, it wouldn't have happened if they were stronger, etc (wanna see that one proven wrong - check out the statistics in Chicago).  It can't be that we aren't educating any longer can it?  I played with toy guns when I was little, I had cap guns, I had water guns.  At no point did it occur to me to shoot a person with a real gun.  I was taught by my parents and family to value life and not to harm others.  I was taught right from wrong.  It had nothing to do with my "gun". Now they are teaching children that it is the gun's fault.  No it isn't.  That is a tool, it is the person behind the gun that has to make a choice.

We have a problem with race in this country.  We are all American's.  It doesn't matter what color the wrapping is, we are one people.  And sadly too many people want to break everything down to race. It seems designed to keep us separate. When you hear a news story, it always starts with "a young black man", "a white woman", "________ (fill in the blank) man, woman, child"... Would this incredibly sad and heart-wrenching story ever have made national attention if it had said "a young man was shot tonight in apparent self-defense". 

No, I don't believe it would.  There are similar crimes every day in neighborhoods in the cities near me.  Just about a month ago, in one week there were 15 people shot, some died, in 5 or 6 separate instances.  There were youngsters, there were older adults involved, and there was no media circus.   Why was that?  Did it not further the hatred agenda that they were all the same race?  News bulletin, we are all the same race... the Human Race!

I can understand how it happened.  I have seen young people trying to be tough, I have seen other people refuse to be bullied any more.

My heart breaks for Trayvon Martin's parents, family and community.  I am sorry that they didn't get the resolution they wanted.  I would think for those 6 women to make the decision they did, they must have known more than we did. 

I am equally sad for George Zimmerman, he took a life, intentional or not.  That is something that he will have to live with forever.  I didn't see any look of joy on his face when the verdict was read.  He looked tired and apprehensive. 

And I am incredibly sad for all those people out there rallying to get the DOJ involved.  Our legal system did what it should do.  It looked at the facts presented to it and made a fair and reasoned decision.  Never is everyone happy with the outcome of a trial.  Never will both sides be happy. 

But before you change the laws, before you demand a different outcome, stop... think... Someday, you might be George Zimmerman, some day there might be a Trayvon Martin in your life, someday you may need those very laws to see the whole story, not bits and pieces.  A law that allows for fair and reasonable thought to prevail, not that fits what the mob mentality wants.  Lady Justice is blind folded for a reason...

I started breathing this morning when I heard the news.  There weren't horrid riots.  Common sense might be prevailing.  We won't always like the outcomes, it's how we handle our feelings that make us better human beings. 

Thrifting... Saturday morning with Hubby and friends...

Today dawned crisp and bright.  I know, crisp is not a word usually associated with the Midwest in mid-July. But it was... At 6:30 am when we left to go to the flea market with our friends, jeans and a sweater were almost the uniform of the day.  Brrr... OUTSTANDING!  I love those kind of mornings.  Not hot, not cold, just wonderful!

There is a flea market/garage sale(?)  I guess you would call it at a local food pantry once a month.  All the proceeds go towards stocking the pantry and you never know what you will find Usually, I simply find nothing to my liking or needs, although Hubby did find me an awesome crock pot for soap making a few months ago.  Hubby is the thrift shopper... he loves resales shops and garage sales, he is always searching for a lost treasure.

Me... not so much a shopper, if I need something I want to shop, find and buy.  You will never find me deliberately cruising the mall, although I might hang out in a fabric/yarn/fiber store for a bit... and I have been known to meander through a quality wood shop searching for the perfect bit of wood for a project. But flea markets and stuff don't hold the same fascination.

Ah, but Hubby... he is a tinkerer, always on the look out, he loves gadgets and electronics, he is a radio fanatic and watches... oh my...  today he found some things that were really awesome.

We only intended to go to the flea market, he was going to come home and make some biscuits (he makes really yummy biscuits).  The flea market ended up yielding 2 boxes of mason jars (beautiful ones with sunflowers on the sides), a beautiful plate rack for the wall, a large cotton fabric perfect to back a quilt (queen size even) and a needlework piece (so pretty... I think it will eventually become a pillow) all of that was a whopping $3... can you believe it?

Heading home we decided to stop at Denny's... we haven't had time to hang out with our friends in far too long, so we decided instead of wasting time cooking we would enjoy eating breakfast and visiting.

At some point hubby decided to hijack the day, he was on a mission.  Next stop was several yard sales, an hour or so in Savers, and a serious score on quilt fabric.  Hubby also found a beautiful candle holder.

By noon we had been thrifting for almost 5 solid hours, but hubby hadn't run out of steam yet... We found a few more yard sales, hubby found a garden wagon for me (well, it wasn't originally one, but it definitely is now) and since free is one of my favorite prices, I was happy!

Ultimately we ended up at Eckerts, I have mixed feelings about Eckerts.  I love the fresh, pick your own, etc... but Eckerts to me is a bit too "commercial". I prefer to support local so that part works for me, but I also prefer smaller.  That being said, for a change Eckerts wasn't over priced, and I picked up a bushel of peaches (cobbler tonight... yum,yum...) and I also got a few pints of fresh picked blackberries, I am making some blackberry jam, my personal favorite!

The cool weather and the rains have made for some tasty peaches, and I will probably have plenty to either freeze or can.  Maybe... spiced peach sauce or butter....

It is definitely going to be a bit busy of a weekend, I enjoyed my morning junking and hanging out with hubby, the quality time with our friends, and now simply relaxing in my living room.  In a bit I will go and slice those peaches, make my jam, and then I want to start on a quilt that I have been commissioned to make.  I am so excited about these things.

Tomorrow will be another busy one... Hubby and I are heading down to our country place, lots of mowing, cleaning and tidying to do, we've finally made a decision about what we are going to do with it...

How are you spending your weekend??

This guy...

This guy is the oldest of my boys...

This boy loves this...

And this...

 
but he especially loves it when it becomes...

He is passionate about his Chicken Jerky! In fact I am fairly certain he sits in the kitchen all day while it is drying, simply waiting...

I am accused of spoiling him... how can you spoil a guy that gives you unconditional love, wags his tail every you come into a room, snuggles and kisses you. 

And gives you this look?

 

I am fairly sure he does not like to share with his brother...

But that guy... makes me deeply happy!  I love that little man!!  He is my baby...

I think I will continue to spoil him, love him, cuddle him, snuggle and adore him...

My Gator is the exact reason that I believe in rescues... they love unconditionally, and while you think you are saving their lives, they are saving yours!   By the way... I love the big, little brother too!  They are my boys!

Are you kidding me?

SSERIOUSLY????

Last night blew my mind... driving home we saw something that just defies words.  It defies even the thoughts it would take to make it make sense. I wish I had thought in those stunned seconds to take a picture.

When you get off the highway at our exit, you come up to a very busy, major intersection.  It brings you right to the merges for all the shopping areas and the main road through our town.  We've seen a few accidents in this intersection, its not one I would willingly get out of my car in.  Around here and particularly there a red light actually means speed up, no waiting for you, it's just that no one ever updated the drivers manuals.

Anyhow... as we pulled up to our red light to wait, both hubby and I realize there is a smallish white car in the middle of the road.  It hasn't been hit, it's just sitting there, almost like the guy tried to run the light and got caught.  Like he's waiting to get through when the traffic breaks.

A moment later, we realize his car has stalled out and he is actually blocking traffic and in a semi-dangerous position when he gets out of the car. Now hubby has a strong good Samaritan gene, and I could see him running out there to lend a hand.  Mind you it isn't that I don't have a strong one myself, but I worry about self-preservation too.  So I said to hubby, I don't want you going out there to push that car, it's too dangerous.  Before we could exchange more words, we see a female arm reach over and close the door - no she did not get into the drivers seat - and put her hand on the wheel...

Uh oh... this is not going to be pretty, right?  We are still thinking about this, it's only been seconds, when the guy who will not be able to drive due to being blocked gets out to help push.  Okay, two guys, a smallish car, yep... question answered, no more help is needed.  I know this from experience, being a single woman pushing a smallish car myself up an incline in a dress... that was a long brutal story. 

The car starts to move as our light turns, we are in the other lane in no danger of hitting them... just as I start to tell hubby why don't you pull over after we are out of the intersection t and we can help... the words FROZE in my throat...

The man that had gotten out of his car to help, was pushing this car up the hill, in 90+ degree heat... while the owner is walking along side with one hand holding up his pants (no, sagging is not cool nor attractive and the belt could have been tightened!) and the other barely has his fingers resting on the trunk.  I am sure the man helping could not see this, but I almost threw up!  And the female in the car, was barely steering from the passengers seat.

WHAT?  It's your car, why would you do that?  I can't comprehend it.  The older man was working so hard to help the young guy out, and the young, I'm too pretty to work, man was doing nothing to help himself.

It only took a second or two... the length of a light... what kind of society are we creating?  That is a dangerous intersection, the second man put his own life in danger to help the younger guy.  Cars were flying past coming up a blind hill, they could have been hit.  Maybe the young man's car ran out of gas, or his battery or alternator went out... or, or, or... But to allow another man to do all the work for you so you don't get your bright white shorts dirty, or break into a sweat? 

Disgusting, shocking and disturbing pretty much sum it up... what a nasty entitled group we have in this country.  To the older guy, that had to get back across that busy intersection at rush hour, I think you are amazing!!  Young man in the prissy white shorts afraid to get your hands dirty and own your own problems... Grow up, JERK!

I am thankful hubby didn't get out to help... I would probably be writing this from a jail cell if he had....

Rolling Thunder and Sunrises...

Thunder, lightening and sunshine??? oh my!

Coffee... Sunrise... and thunder?  Odd combination... The last thing I expected to see this early morning was a sunrise... I have been sitting here listening to the thunder and seeing the flashes of lightening... figured it was going to be a crazy, stormy morning when I finally looked out.

It's been a slow morning here.  For some reason I woke up around three and simply could not get back to sleep... I was laying there snuggling my old dog, and the silly brain just wouldn't stop.  I was thinking back to the quilting class last night, planning my day, day dreaming about what I could do with nice quiet day.... everything but sleeping.

I spent most of my free time yesterday trying to learn how to work my new phone.  I was not in the market for a new phone, in fact I absolutely love my old one.  Funny thing about phones is that they do not bounce well... in fact they really don't bounce at all.  And I dropped mine flat and shattered the screen.  They also don't work well when you drop them hard enough to shatter the screen.  So new phone it is.  I am not a technology fan, it simply isn't my thing.  It isn't that I can't, it's simply that I don't want to. Besides, I loved my Windows phone, it was so easy to use, and now I am being forced into the Droid seriously not sure how I feel about that.

I would much prefer to be fiddling with other things.  Like quilting, knitting, gardening, crocheting, etc... yep, that would be the old fashioned girl I am.  I really enjoyed last night.  It was the last class of this session.  The only one coming back next time is "S", and she is simply amazing!  She finished her table runner - it looks GREAT! I am amazed at her skill set, she is learning so quickly.  She started cutting out her next quilt.  It is one of my favorite patterns... sailboats.  I got to help her with cutting it out.  I can't wait until she gets started on piecing.  She is so talented I know that soon she will stop coming because her skill will be greater than my ability to teach her.  For now I will enjoy watching her talent grow!

We finally got to start tying "V"'s quilt... It is so awesome!  She is coming up on a hard deadline, the gift is going to be amazing!  I hope I get to see it when she is done. I also hope that the recipient loves it!  And realizes how much love and work has gone into the creation.  Both of hers are so lovely and special!  Helping her fold them last night, I was remembering back to the two big bags and all those shirts.  Maybe she will take another class later... if she never does, she will always have those two matching quilts to show for a few weeks work. I hope they will warm the heart like they will warm the body.  I will miss having her in class.

I am excited for the next class, although I need to get busy and find a few more people to fill them.  This next session I am starting a second one, hoping to get more folks interested, it will be during the day.  I think these will be the last two t-shirt classes, it's time to move on to something else. Maybe a fall pattern, so that as summer winds down and the chill moves in the participants will have their own quilt to curl up under.... yep... I am a bit of a dreamer can you tell?

Rain moving in...

That sunrise is finally being washed away... the rain promised earlier is coming down in buckets... I am okay with it.  It breaks the humidity that was lingering over us yesterday.  I hate humidity. I would like to stay home in my jammies and quilt today.  Probably take a nap too, but it isn't going to happen. 

Yep, the rain found us..

I think I will simply sip another cup of coffee and daydream, before I jump into this day... how are you starting it?

The story of Hubby...

What a great day it was... not only had we gotten so many of the regular chores done... but somewhere in the midst of cleaning out the clutter we got to walk through memories and ideals long since past.

1971 - 19 years old in Vietnam

Hubby pulled out some great pictures, ones he hadn't shown me before.  For the first time I got to see him in Vietnam, it was odd to see him looking so young.  He was only 19 when he went.  He looks like a little boy, dealing with stuff that no little boy should have to deal with.  He is everything from serious to silly.  Some photos have a cold stare.  His room was definitely what I expected, think 19, war zone, girls... yep now you got it.

Somewhere around 11 or 12

Saw pictures of him as a young child... too cute... simply cute.  That impish smile has always been there I guess...

A rare school picture from Parkside 11 years old

Moving on through his 20's, 30's and 40's... picture of our house and yard, long before me.  I had to giggle when I saw that huge maple in the front yard as a sapling... who could have imagined that huge old tree would come from that little stick. He and Dad looked so nice in that one... Both of them with their twinkling eyes and wry grins.  How anyone could have missed the similarities in them...

With Dad in front of our house - about 27 years old

HAIR!!!  about 27....

Spread throughout the years were pictures of family gone, family missing and family that chooses not to be.  I really enjoyed all the pictures of his eldest daughter.  She was the apple of his eye when she was little, it shows.  She has his smile and his way with animals.  Seeing her grin while snuggling up to the Rottweilers they used to breed... ah yes, you can see it.  They are kindred spirits, maybe one day...

when she was little....

I got to read the article written about his Grandpa Cook, killed in the line of duty for the St. Louis Police Department.  A motorcycle cop, back in the day.  Looking at the picture, I see my hubby's chin.  Although his eyes and nose are mirror images of his Dad.  Written so long ago...

I finally got to see pictures of all the people that I hear stories of all the time.  Grandma Lucille,  who never really got over the loss of her hubby so young, leaving her to raise his momma on her own.

His brother, playing his drums and sipping away.  They bear a strong resemblance to each other.  His sister is dark to their fair, a tiny beauty in between two men.  Watching the pictures transition... time changing, people leaving, coming and going...

I would have loved to see pictures of him when he was younger than ten, but if those exist we do not have any of them.  I bet he was a cutie...

Hubby and Jack at 11

The ponies and horses he grew up riding and raising. The pups that have traveled through his life with him... all of them wagging their tails at the rainbow bridge. Hotdog, Champ, Rena and Sampson... The stories came to life today... the past got to become real.

Me and the Hubby in Rothenberg last year... 60 looking good!