Irene is threatening the east coast of the United States. It is scheduled to hit the North Carolina coast and then move right up the coast possibly hitting seven states. This is the first hurricane since the 1930's to threaten New York City and the possiblites for disaster there are very different from threats to N.C. . Coastal areas in NC are seasoned in meeting this kind of threat. New York City is full of people with no cars and dependent on the "underground city" that supports the city above. Flooding, not winds are the threat to the island.
In any case we are blessed to have early warning systems that give days for preparation. If people will just refrain from being stubborn blowhards who feel they know better than the experts everyone can be safe.
I grew up in Florida in the 50's and 60's when we had much less warning and certainly less predictable forecasts.I remember being in a very sound structure boarded up, with lots of supplies, and being without power (to a child that reads -no TV). I remember the hard work I did boarding up.Kids used to help, and our parents were busy boarding up the business, I also remember the overwhelming clean up job after the storm. As a kid it all seemed quite exciting not scary.
Today homes are not built like that anymore even in Florida. A wood frame house just cannot withstand the same force of winds. Our house was concrete block and stucco, with stucco interior walls. The roof was built of barrel tile specificaly designed to stay through hurricanes. Our windows had custom designed plywood that screwed on with bolts and allowed windows to be opened on the side of the house that was away from the winds.
I was never afraid . I remember sitting at the window watching the police inspecting the road where an electric wire had come down.I thought it was great because my family had potato chips and soft drinks and other treats we rarely ate in those days. It was a family party and at least one time it got me out of taking a test at school.(It must have been Math if I remember it so joyfully)
Now I live safely in the Piedmont of NC and we rarely get more than heavy rains left over from hurricanes that have blown apart. Hugo was the big exception . It came right up through this part of the state and destroyed lots of big trees and some structures. It lives in infamy.
We used to really tease the poor girls who shared names with these storms. Now they are named for boys as well and the equally opportunity extends to all ethnic groups,giving some poor newsreaders and weathermen a difficult time properly pronouncing the storms. Irene is a good old fashioned name. It sounds so sweet and grandmotherly. Perhaps because it was my mother's middle name I feel this way and the the old song "Goodnight Irene" plays sweetly in my head every time they mention the storm. Let's hope Irene is a little less blowhard and a little more sweet as it hits our coastlines in the next few days.Stay safe wherever you are. One day the east coasters can tell their grandchildren about the week they experienced both an earthquake and a hurricane.
A blowhard is a boastful or talkative person according to the dictionary. Hmmm does that refer to the storm or this talkative blogger?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Maryland ,Murphy and
I am planning to go to Maryland soon to visit my sister Linda. It has been a year since I have seen my other sister (Sharon) too. Sharon lives in the same state I do but it is 4 1/2 hours away and in the middle of nowhere (Murphy NC). We planned to travel together to Maryland to see Linda. Sharon is younger than Linda and me so she still has a young family of 3 children (the ages of my grand children) Being a widow, Sharon has full responsibility for the kids and coordinating babysitters, housesitter, catsitter for her was a problem. She has vision problems so we also had to coordinate someone to drive her 1/2 way over to me so we could travel the train together. She lives two hours from everywhere. We looked for trains, planes and busses from Atlanta, Asheville, and Chattanooga. We finally decided on a train that will leave from my part of the state. While trying to coordinate Sharon's journey. I was having my own problems getting the trip together. I have had a cat that has been sick and it is important that he get his meds and eat. I have worried about leaving him. His sistercat is a hog who pushes him out of the way and eats his food if I am not there to keep her away. My oldest son can always be counted on to drive me to the train 1 1/2-2 hrs away and he will be in Utah. Everyone else needs to be at work that early in the AM. I finally just decided to get my own ticket and pray. Almost immediately everything fell in place. cat sitters, babysitters housesitters, rides for both Sharon and me.
This next week should be full. I will enjoy my grandchildren's visit and we plan to sew. Tuesday we will go pick up Sharon in Asheville, NC. She has not been over in this part of the state for a few years. We have a lot to catch up on before we meet up with Linda in Maryland.
Before I go I want to get some bracelet packets together so I can knit on the 10 hour trip to Baltimore . It is easier to string the beads when I am not on a moving train. I am sure I won't need as much distraction on the trip since Sharon will be with me this time but I enjoy knitting to pass the time.
We plan to stay a week which is why housesitting was necessary. When we get to Linda's we are planning to help her get her house organized so it is easier for her to function. She has had 2 surgeries since April and even with a wonderful family who help out she would appreciate the help of her sisters. She said every trip to the hospital has brought more stuff into the house.
I am excited about spending some time with both of my sisters. When I return I will have very little time to get ready to return to school and in that time I have several appointments I must accomplish before I am back in the strict schedule of the school year.
This next week should be full. I will enjoy my grandchildren's visit and we plan to sew. Tuesday we will go pick up Sharon in Asheville, NC. She has not been over in this part of the state for a few years. We have a lot to catch up on before we meet up with Linda in Maryland.
Before I go I want to get some bracelet packets together so I can knit on the 10 hour trip to Baltimore . It is easier to string the beads when I am not on a moving train. I am sure I won't need as much distraction on the trip since Sharon will be with me this time but I enjoy knitting to pass the time.
We plan to stay a week which is why housesitting was necessary. When we get to Linda's we are planning to help her get her house organized so it is easier for her to function. She has had 2 surgeries since April and even with a wonderful family who help out she would appreciate the help of her sisters. She said every trip to the hospital has brought more stuff into the house.
I am excited about spending some time with both of my sisters. When I return I will have very little time to get ready to return to school and in that time I have several appointments I must accomplish before I am back in the strict schedule of the school year.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Children's Famine in the Horn of Africa- Knitting Projects
Last Wednesday started pleasantly by meeting my fellow teachers at a local bakery and catching up on each other's lives. This is a tradition that began years ago but it has become something to look forward to. One would think teachers wouldn't want to see each other over their short time off but it seems we share more interests than teaching. Many are crafters and bloggers and despite the various ages we have real friendships. We love to hear about the summer adventures each of us are having and the little vacations our families are taking. One of the ladies is pregnant so we are all involved in her baby's progress week to week. School matters come up sometimes because the recent budget changes have caused job losses and necessarily new assignments for some teachers. We support each other. Today's meeting was the first one I attended for a couple of weeks because I have had a seriously sick cat. He is progressing great so I allowed myself to be gone for several hours today. We met near a craft shop so two of us went over afterward to see what they had that was new. I promised myself not to spend money (or at least not much). I found a new kind of yarn by Bernat that promises $30,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure from the purchase. Visit Bernat Yarn to learn more about how they help various charities.How could I resist buying it? It was a clever new yarn that looked fun to knit and it also donated to a favorite charity.
You may know, if you read an earlier blog, that my sister in Maryland had a mastectomy in April. Our mother also had breast cancer so it is a charity that is close to my heart. I listed a pink bracelet on my etsy shop at that time with a donation of all profit to Susan G. Komen. You can see it here My cancer awareness bracelet.
When I came home with my purchase I completely ignored the crochet project I was working on during our chat at the bakery, and I got out my brand new pink yarn, read the directions, and got started, of course I adjusted what I was making to my own pattern. I was planning how I would feature this as an item with proceeds going to SGK. Since the yarn manufacturer had already donated I could add even more by donating the profit from my project. I was well into the knitting when a news report came on the TV about the Children's Famine in the Horn of Africa.
Two million children are at risk. I was reminded of the money I spent on a delightful pastry and special coffee this AM when we met to talk. Think how that money could have been better used for a child who was starving. Shaking off guilt and determining to just move forward I came up with a plan. My mind went to the possibilities of getting the word out through this blog and my etsy connections. I began planning a treasury on etsy that would feature only shops that have an item that has proceeds going to charities and maybe I can convince some people to feature the children if they don't already have a charity in mind. So the next step is to post a discussion thread on my teams asking for only items that give the profit to charity. From those items I will create a treasury that will be seen by many people , this will encourage sales on items that give up the profit and even people who don't buy will be reminded of the fact that they can help and they may donate to a charity of choice.
Knitting and crocheting are hobbies for me . Over the years I have made many prayer shawls and donated them to people needing a blessing for something in their lives. Making things for charity comes naturally. The etsy shop was created so I could keep enough funds coming in to keep up my hobbies. I feel something handmade is twice blessed. Once in the making and once in the giving.
If you are a beginning knitter or crocheter you might give some of your practice projects to the local animal shelter. I am told dogs love to have hand knit blankets. The softness of the blanket protects them from the cold damp floor and it is infused with the human smell from your handling it while creating it. They don't mind missed stitches, unevenness or even unmatched yarns. If you are an animal lover consider this.Knitting love for animals.
I hope that reading this you have been reminded of the blessings you have and some ways to share your bounty. Many etsy shops have the giving attitude. If you buy an item from one of these shops you can be reminded every time you look at the beautiful handmade creation that you are blessing and giving someone in need. It seems like a win-win scenario. Show the world you care today and leave a comment to encourage others to do the same.
Here is a treasury featuring artists who are donating proceeds to many important causes. Find a beautiful item or two and give to a great cause. Giving-treasury
You may know, if you read an earlier blog, that my sister in Maryland had a mastectomy in April. Our mother also had breast cancer so it is a charity that is close to my heart. I listed a pink bracelet on my etsy shop at that time with a donation of all profit to Susan G. Komen. You can see it here My cancer awareness bracelet.
When I came home with my purchase I completely ignored the crochet project I was working on during our chat at the bakery, and I got out my brand new pink yarn, read the directions, and got started, of course I adjusted what I was making to my own pattern. I was planning how I would feature this as an item with proceeds going to SGK. Since the yarn manufacturer had already donated I could add even more by donating the profit from my project. I was well into the knitting when a news report came on the TV about the Children's Famine in the Horn of Africa.
Two million children are at risk. I was reminded of the money I spent on a delightful pastry and special coffee this AM when we met to talk. Think how that money could have been better used for a child who was starving. Shaking off guilt and determining to just move forward I came up with a plan. My mind went to the possibilities of getting the word out through this blog and my etsy connections. I began planning a treasury on etsy that would feature only shops that have an item that has proceeds going to charities and maybe I can convince some people to feature the children if they don't already have a charity in mind. So the next step is to post a discussion thread on my teams asking for only items that give the profit to charity. From those items I will create a treasury that will be seen by many people , this will encourage sales on items that give up the profit and even people who don't buy will be reminded of the fact that they can help and they may donate to a charity of choice.
Knitting and crocheting are hobbies for me . Over the years I have made many prayer shawls and donated them to people needing a blessing for something in their lives. Making things for charity comes naturally. The etsy shop was created so I could keep enough funds coming in to keep up my hobbies. I feel something handmade is twice blessed. Once in the making and once in the giving.
If you are a beginning knitter or crocheter you might give some of your practice projects to the local animal shelter. I am told dogs love to have hand knit blankets. The softness of the blanket protects them from the cold damp floor and it is infused with the human smell from your handling it while creating it. They don't mind missed stitches, unevenness or even unmatched yarns. If you are an animal lover consider this.Knitting love for animals.
I hope that reading this you have been reminded of the blessings you have and some ways to share your bounty. Many etsy shops have the giving attitude. If you buy an item from one of these shops you can be reminded every time you look at the beautiful handmade creation that you are blessing and giving someone in need. It seems like a win-win scenario. Show the world you care today and leave a comment to encourage others to do the same.
Here is a treasury featuring artists who are donating proceeds to many important causes. Find a beautiful item or two and give to a great cause. Giving-treasury
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Friday Favorites
I would like to start posting some favorite items here each Friday so you can see some of the great talent from etsy click here to see Friday's treasury.
Friday's Treasury
Friday's Treasury
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Facebook,Games,Etsy,Blog,What is Next?
It started so innocently I started a facebook page to catch up with my high school friends before our 45th reunion. I was unable to attend because it was after school started and I would be teaching.Facebook was a great experience and I reconnected with some wonderful people.Soon facebook grew with my former students becoming friends. Later I added a facebook page for my classroom so my present students could keep up with assignments. Facebook became a part of my life.
At first when I started facebook I thought people on the games were wasting their time. I ignored all game requests. then one day I went to Farmville just to see what all these seeeming normal people were spending time on.I began building a virtual farm. It was fun and time consuming. It was especially fun on snow days when everyone was home and we were sending virtual pets to each other and I was building a bigger farm. I learned some things about economics that I never would have learned in real life because I cannot afford to gamble the assets in real life.
The next adventure in the techno sphere was to open an etsy shop. I had discovered etsy for buying some Christmas items on, so I was familiar with the site. My crafting friends at school sat me down and showed me how. My friend Bev had a shop called The Square Grammy. She features crocheted items she makes:
Like this great applique and cute little amigurumi
like this adorable bunny
We created my shop name together and when my photos were under par Becky got out her good camera and we learned together how to improve them. She has been photographing all of my jewelry items.
To my surprise my items started showing up on treasuries, which means someone (a curator) had chosen my item along with 15 other items to feature for people to view.
Suddenly I decided it is wiser to spend time on etsy than on virtual games. Reality won again.
I discovered treasury making as you can read on a an earlier blog.Now I can be a curator. It is like window shopping. Pick out your favorite items in a theme or color and post it for the world to see. To learn more about etsy shops and promoting my shop I joined teams. Teams are groups of people who have something in common and they have discussion pages that have threads discussing everything from the weather to tips on selling or creating. Some of the teams are very formal while others are very friendly. Two of my favorite teams are Baby Boomers and Blogging Grannies. I have met some wonderful people on these teams and it enriches my life to interact with these people. I will feature some of these people on future blogs.
Speaking of blogging, - most of these teams people were discussing how it is essential to have a blog to promote your shop, however most of the people discovered they were continuing to blog because it was a great outlet sort of a variation on journal writing. I have begun to follow a lot of blogs and it is an informative and varied experience. My venture into the blogphere has been interesting. Today I was fortunate enough to be featured on a Blog created by a new friend in the Blogging Grannies Team. She did a wonderful job promoting my shop.
Boomer Babies Upcycles
This is a wonderful article.
What is next? My friend Ruth is Tweeting now and she has suggested I try that. It seems I barely get one skill set started when I jump into the next one. I think I should learn more about what I am doing on my blog first. No promises though. I certainly didn't master the other things before jumping forward.
Who would guess that the grannies of the world are immersed in the techno sphere? I bet more of us are living out there than most people would guess.I admit it never would have happened with out the encouragement and help of younger people, my son ,daughters in law and younger teachers from school.
It started so innocently I started a facebook page to catch up with my high school friends before our 45th reunion. I was unable to attend because it was after school started and I would be teaching.Facebook was a great experience and I reconnected with some wonderful people.Soon facebook grew with my former students becoming friends. Later I added a facebook page for my classroom so my present students could keep up with assignments. Facebook became a part of my life.
At first when I started facebook I thought people on the games were wasting their time. I ignored all game requests. then one day I went to Farmville just to see what all these seeeming normal people were spending time on.I began building a virtual farm. It was fun and time consuming. It was especially fun on snow days when everyone was home and we were sending virtual pets to each other and I was building a bigger farm. I learned some things about economics that I never would have learned in real life because I cannot afford to gamble the assets in real life.
The next adventure in the techno sphere was to open an etsy shop. I had discovered etsy for buying some Christmas items on, so I was familiar with the site. My crafting friends at school sat me down and showed me how. My friend Bev had a shop called The Square Grammy. She features crocheted items she makes:
Like this great applique and cute little amigurumi
We created my shop name together and when my photos were under par Becky got out her good camera and we learned together how to improve them. She has been photographing all of my jewelry items.
To my surprise my items started showing up on treasuries, which means someone (a curator) had chosen my item along with 15 other items to feature for people to view.
Suddenly I decided it is wiser to spend time on etsy than on virtual games. Reality won again.
I discovered treasury making as you can read on a an earlier blog.Now I can be a curator. It is like window shopping. Pick out your favorite items in a theme or color and post it for the world to see. To learn more about etsy shops and promoting my shop I joined teams. Teams are groups of people who have something in common and they have discussion pages that have threads discussing everything from the weather to tips on selling or creating. Some of the teams are very formal while others are very friendly. Two of my favorite teams are Baby Boomers and Blogging Grannies. I have met some wonderful people on these teams and it enriches my life to interact with these people. I will feature some of these people on future blogs.
Speaking of blogging, - most of these teams people were discussing how it is essential to have a blog to promote your shop, however most of the people discovered they were continuing to blog because it was a great outlet sort of a variation on journal writing. I have begun to follow a lot of blogs and it is an informative and varied experience. My venture into the blogphere has been interesting. Today I was fortunate enough to be featured on a Blog created by a new friend in the Blogging Grannies Team. She did a wonderful job promoting my shop.
Boomer Babies Upcycles
This is a wonderful article.
What is next? My friend Ruth is Tweeting now and she has suggested I try that. It seems I barely get one skill set started when I jump into the next one. I think I should learn more about what I am doing on my blog first. No promises though. I certainly didn't master the other things before jumping forward.
Who would guess that the grannies of the world are immersed in the techno sphere? I bet more of us are living out there than most people would guess.I admit it never would have happened with out the encouragement and help of younger people, my son ,daughters in law and younger teachers from school.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Make some time to view this.
I found this on another blog. I almost didn't view it because it is 19 min. I am grateful I did. It has much to say about Creativity especially as education affects it. As a teacher and someone who holds creativity in high regard I think it is worth watching. I hope you leave comments afterward.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang///id/66
Life's Artistry
Today I was helping my friend Ruth set up her blog. This is truly the techno inept encouraging the equally inept. I confess I needed help setting my own blog and still rely on my DIL to help me out occassionally.
We spent a long time coming up with the name of her blog considering the purpose and fumbling through the set- up over the phone. The purpose of the blog is to speak about life as a retired mother of a handicapped child (grown but living at home)and fitting in time to create. She has an etsy site she would like to promote too .http://www.etsy.com/shop/RArtsyDesigns
Ruth and I talk frequently about the art of life' balance, keeping things in harmony and how this is more art than science. We both do many crafts and artistic pursuits. She is braver and goes right for the hardest projects while I prefer things that show immediate gratification.We have similar taste in color and we rely on each other when making choices in design for our homes and art projects. She is trained in the arts while I am self trained.
The other thing we have in common is our relentless pursuit of getting this "life thing" balanced. Time management, and organization are challenges for both of us. We often call each other to encourage or otherwise force each other forward on projects whether it be an art project or a closet that needs cleaning. We both have other disractions stealing our interest and time. It is really good to have friends who keep us honest with ourselves about our own issues and bad habits. This is what we are.
Life is an art, a balancing act and an experiment which sometimes needs tweeking on a minute by minute basis. I am learning there are no rules except the ones I make (just like design). It can be colorful or dull. I can stay inside the lines or draw my own. Just so it is pleasing to me. When it isn't pleasing I can remake it or adjust it to make it more pleasing.
We decided her blog should be LIFE's ARTISTY, I hope you will go and read her blog and follow. I guarantee you will laugh and maybe occassionally mist up a bit as you follow her life as a newly retired baby boomer whose life is dominated by crafting and caring for a grown handicapped child.
I hope as you work on this project, called life ,you will gain by reading our blogs and enjoying the beauty we create in spite of life's many challenges.
Follow Ruth's blog at: rartsydesigns.blogspot.com
Here is an example of her work
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77312816/silver-pearl-and-crystal-necklace
We spent a long time coming up with the name of her blog considering the purpose and fumbling through the set- up over the phone. The purpose of the blog is to speak about life as a retired mother of a handicapped child (grown but living at home)and fitting in time to create. She has an etsy site she would like to promote too .http://www.etsy.com/shop/RArtsyDesigns
Ruth and I talk frequently about the art of life' balance, keeping things in harmony and how this is more art than science. We both do many crafts and artistic pursuits. She is braver and goes right for the hardest projects while I prefer things that show immediate gratification.We have similar taste in color and we rely on each other when making choices in design for our homes and art projects. She is trained in the arts while I am self trained.
The other thing we have in common is our relentless pursuit of getting this "life thing" balanced. Time management, and organization are challenges for both of us. We often call each other to encourage or otherwise force each other forward on projects whether it be an art project or a closet that needs cleaning. We both have other disractions stealing our interest and time. It is really good to have friends who keep us honest with ourselves about our own issues and bad habits. This is what we are.
Life is an art, a balancing act and an experiment which sometimes needs tweeking on a minute by minute basis. I am learning there are no rules except the ones I make (just like design). It can be colorful or dull. I can stay inside the lines or draw my own. Just so it is pleasing to me. When it isn't pleasing I can remake it or adjust it to make it more pleasing.
We decided her blog should be LIFE's ARTISTY, I hope you will go and read her blog and follow. I guarantee you will laugh and maybe occassionally mist up a bit as you follow her life as a newly retired baby boomer whose life is dominated by crafting and caring for a grown handicapped child.
I hope as you work on this project, called life ,you will gain by reading our blogs and enjoying the beauty we create in spite of life's many challenges.
Follow Ruth's blog at: rartsydesigns.blogspot.com
Here is an example of her work
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77312816/silver-pearl-and-crystal-necklace
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