Pros and Cons of Retirement

Big changes are coming to my life–in a week. My husband is retiring! He worked a decade after most people hang it up. But he loved his job, until he didn’t. Folks are very gracious and he is feeling the love. But both of us are treading softly, not sure what new patterns will develop.Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Retirement”

Vacation Time

I spent last week in NOVA–Northern Virginia, visiting my daughter and son-in-law. Have you been there? It is an area of contrasts. There are many, many large buildings that house corporations and national headquarters of groups you would recognize. A majority of the family housing are condos, large apartment complexes and row homes. The populationContinue reading “Vacation Time”

Recycling vs Upcycling

What is the difference between “recycling” and “upcycling”? Both are good–but they are two very different methods of waste management. We are familiar with recycling–we automatically throw cereal boxes or soda cans in the recycle bin. . Recycled bottles, etc. are sorted and eventually broken down to their raw form for remanufacturing. I have tightsContinue reading “Recycling vs Upcycling”

Behind the Scenes

Sometimes life gets in the way of quilting. Anniversary trips to Europe, graduations, family health and medical issues–we have had them all! And it is summer time- Plus at times, quilts at the long arm quilters just have to wait their turn in the queue to be machine quilted. Not very many new finished projectsContinue reading “Behind the Scenes”

There is more to life than Quilting, Part 3

Remember when I wrote about my friend telling me I couldn’t spend all my time just quilting when I retired? Actually, it sounds like fun, but all the quilters I know–well, in our group at Quilters at First, have a variety of interests. Today I will introduce you to the Prairie Quilt Guild(PQG) Charity TeamContinue reading “There is more to life than Quilting, Part 3”

Add “Community” to my “Gratitude” list

My quilting hobby/passion/obsession is richer because I belong to a group. My group, Quilters at First, meets on Wednesday from 11ish to 4:30ish at First United Methodist Church on the third floor. I probably could get more quilting done if I stayed home in my dog walking clothes and sewed without distraction until 4 pm.Continue reading “Add “Community” to my “Gratitude” list”

Zero Waste

Have you watched the new documentary on Netflix –The Quilters? It is a 30 minute film about a group of men in a Missouri prison who make quilts to donate to foster children and special needs persons. These men certainly do not match the stereotype of quilters–“little old women”. These men are doing long orContinue reading “Zero Waste”