Wednesday, June 21, 2023

I’m having trouble settling into anything so I’ll get this journal entry off early. I was puttering while I waited for a phone appointment and now that it is over I’m tired of puttering but not really sure what I want to do.

Part of my puttering involved cleaning up in the room across the hall from my studio area. We purchased a number of things online in the last few weeks and the boxes and packing materials had all ended up in there. I can’t seem to throw away boxes, but yet I never seem to have a box in the right size or shape when I want to mail something. The boxes have all been broken down and the packing materials are in their appropriate bin.

I’ve been working on cards lately so I got them and some other packages ready for the mail. I’ll tag along with Pat to his afternoon concert and get some of them in the mail. I also have a book to pick up at the library (just across the street from the post office) so I’ll do that on my walk home.

I’ve also been collecting things to take across to Texada next week. I have (so far) one sewing project and three other projects that I need the design wall for. I’ve got a couple of cross stitch projects and a couple of books ready to go, as well as a bin of scraps that I’ll use to make a backing. I’ll also be taking a wool embroidery project with me; it is one that Stacia, Deloise and I are all doing. I’ve put my patterns for it away but it is going to take me some time to find where “away” is!

Sunday, June 18, 2023

I took Pat out for lunch today and on the way home we stopped at the sea walk. I wanted to get my steps in – I’ve increased my goal to 3500 steps a day.

I decided to try walking without my sticks and I made it all the way. I had to stop quite a few times on the way back though.

A small milestone perhaps but in my mind an accomplishment.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

The forecast was for rain this afternoon so while Pat did an open mic this morning I headed out to walk up to the dollar store. I needed a walk and I hate walking without a purpose so I decided I needed some wrapping paper.

On my way there I came across a garage sale so I stopped in to browse, knowing I should not be bringing anything home. But I found this! I paid for it ($4) then carried on up to the store. On the way back I picked it up and had to carry it home. It folded nicely and it was only about 400 steps until I got it home. There is enough room on it for three quilts; sadly I only have two that are finished at the moment. I thought I might take it to Texada but Pat thinks it will fit in a corner of the living room.

When I first headed out I saw a lot of cars up the street but I didn’t see any signs so didn’t pay much attention. When I got home I could see the sign and I thought it was at my friend Deb’s place; she owned a quilt shop at one time so I was sure there would be bargains and it would be worth the extra steps to get there.

As I approached I could see that the sale was next door to Deb but I carried on. And these are what I found! We’ll be heading over to Texada shortly so I’ll have lots of reading material for lazy afternoons in the hammock. I’m reading a “real” book just now after eight e-books and I’m really enjoying the experience.

I rearranged some fabric this morning and while I was pulling stuff from bins I set out enough fabric to complete the blocks I need for my Stash Buster quilt. I expect to get the pieces cut before we go but, if not, they will be easy enough to cut and put together over there.

I’m close to 5000 steps for the day so I may just sit outside and read for awhile. Pat is off to his gig at the Boardwalk this evening.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

I haven’t been writing daily posts as, most days, I don’t do anything worth writing about. I do some computer work in the morning and, if there is time, a bit of sewing. No projects completed or even nearing completion but I plug away at cards and a few of my monthly UFOs. In the afternoon I’ve been walking and, for the rest of the day, recovering!

Elizabeth bought me a step counter for Mother’s Day and I have really been enjoying it. It keeps me motivated. I started out hoping to do 3,000 steps a day and so far I’ve managed that and, on most days, I’ve exceeded it. My hope is that each week I’ll try to improve on the number of steps; I may never make it to 10,000 steps in a day but I’m okay with that.

I hoped that the crew would be here today to start on the yard work; in fact, I thought I heard them working outside when I was sitting at my computer. The owner makes his crew take a Covid test before setting out and today either not enough people showed up or not enough that were willing to be tested. I’m hoping it wasn’t because they were all down with the virus. They had planned to do one day of work this week and one day next week but he told Pat this morning that when they come next week they will work the days in a row and get it done.

Our neighbour across the street was chatting with Pat this morning and offered us some rhubarb; he just throws it away. Pat got a huge bag of it and I have four bags in the freezer and we’ll have a crisp for supper tonight. The previous owner of the house (who died) used to give us rhubarb and I’d make a crisp for him but I get the impression that this fellow wouldn’t necessarily appreciate that.

When they were picking the rhubarb Orst was going to leave the very tiny new shoot because, as he said, after they are peeled there isn’t much there. Have you ever heard of peeling rhubarb? Neither Pat nor I had. We took all of those tender bits.

Pat just called up to me to say that the high school jazz band were playing at the ferry terminal. We won’t go down to listen but he says we can hear it from the deck so that’s where I’m headed now.