Author: Claire Allan

After the death of her father Annabelle and her mother, Stella, make a spontaneous trip to Ireland. Stella hasn’t been back home since she moved to American almost 50 years previous and Stella has never met her family. But Stella hasn’t been entirely truthful about her reasons for returning or, in fact, for her reason for leaving in the first place.

The story takes place in Derry (Londonderry). When Pat and I were in Ireland we walked from the bus station to the train station but that is about all we saw of the City.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Saturday, April 16, 2022

I really wanted to get a quilt sandwiched yesterday but it didn’t happen so I was determined to get it done today. It was chilly out this morning so while I waited for the temperature to warm up I finished off my last April card; I still need to finish hand stitching the binding but that doesn’t take long.

I took care of my cleaning tasks and while I was taking a break (i.e. playing Candy Crush) a friend stopped in to help us with a task that needed a special tool. I bought a new shower head for Pat for his birthday but we couldn’t get the old one off. Geoff came by with a pipe wrench and had it off in no time and then he stopped for tea and a visit. It was almost two before we finished lunch and I got out on the deck.

I was using a new technique for sandwiching but I’m not sure I like it. I rolled each of my layers onto a board, laid them out on the table and then unrolled a bit of each one so it could be pinned. The backing isn’t maybe as tight as it would have been had I taped it but I think it will be okay for quilting. I mainly had small pins so there was a lot of pinning involved and my back and fingers are feeling the pain. I think it would be a good method if I were spay basting and the whole quilt didn’t fit on the table. In this case it was a small quilt and taping the backing probably would have given me better results. At any rate I’ll be ready to start quilting tomorrow. Next time I’ll remember to “borrow” the leg extensions from the Guild and save myself some back pain. And hopefully some spray baste will have made its way to Powell River from wherever it comes from.

We are having our Easter dinner tonight. Pat bought a nice big ham and I have scalloped potatoes ready to go into the microwave. Pat is performing at an on-line event tomorrow night so it would have been harder to fit in a big dinner. We still have birthday cake for dessert so it will be an easy meal and clean up.

Friday, April 15, 2022

ICBC called me yesterday afternoon when I was out. I didn’t get home until almost five so I wasn’t going to call them back but Pat said they were open 24×7 so I thought I’d try before supper. The wait was going to be 45 minutes and, since supper was ready, I decided I’d try again before bed. When I checked around ten the wait was still 35 minutes so I gave up.

I was up early and managed to get my call in (after waiting 20 minutes); I’m not sure why I needed to call because they didn’t really have any questions that I hadn’t answered on my online claim. I don’t need to do anything until I hear from the adjuster in about five days. I wondered if I had to report to the RCMP since my witness had but they said no. I’m not to wash my car until after the adjuster has seen the damage; I didn’t tell her that I haven’t washed the car in over ten years!

I’m not sure where the morning went but before I knew it we were heading out for lunch – my treat for Pat’s birthday. One of our favourite places (before Covid) is offering their lunch menu at 50% off for the month; Pat stopped in once while I was away but he tried something different today.

Although it wasn’t really warm or sunny, after lunch we planted the dahlia’s that I brought home from Calgary. It felt good to put on my gardening shoes, gloves and jacket; hopefully I’ll be motivated to get out there on an almost-daily basis. The cushions for the outdoor furniture are out of storage but so far we’ve not used them.

I have my April quilting project ready for sandwiching. I’m going to try using a new method to sandwich, although I may lose my nerve and go back to the usual method. I don’t have any spray baste so it will have to be done with pins. I don’t have very many large pins but I have quite a few small ones; it will take awhile to get it done and I didn’t think I’d have time for it today so I left it.

I’ll spend a bit of time with my cross stitching before supper (and cake).

Thursday, April 14, 2022

A little excitement goes a long way. Last night while I was at the Hall taking tickets someone backed into the front of my car. One of our ticket holders saw it happen and took photos as well as got the licence plate of the driver. The passenger in the vehicle got out, took a look, and decided there was no damage and drove away. The damage is slight but the witness filed a police report and I started a claim with ICBC. More work than damage no doubt but I guess I have to go through the motions.

I was off to my Thursday sewing group this afternoon. I was able to start a new project today and it has been awhile since I did that. I have 2 blocks (of 9) finished; although I’ll get more done before the end of the month it is doubtful I will finish more than those 9 blocks. I left the bin at Gail’s as I can’t see that I’ll have any time in the next week to work on it.

I’m not sure why but my back is really sore so I think I’ll take something and lay down until supper.