I need  to clean up the kitchen.  Yep. But I’d much rather write to you, hence the procrastination in the title. I thought I’d write about it first and get it out of the way. Is it still procrastination, then?

I just got a new washing machine because the old one was on its last legs, we had someone to help move the old one out of the basement and the new one down into said basement, and we, at that time anyway, could still get the trailer out of the backyard to pick up and drop off old and new machines.

The new washer is High Efficiency and takes different laundry soap. So, I have half a big box of Tide powder, an almost full bottle of Cold Water Tide liquid, and an almost full bottle of Dreft liquid.  The management tells me that I need to move these items out of the garage by next Monday.  Anybody want them? Remember, click on the title and the comment box automatically appears at the bottom.

There was a raffle for some very expensive sewing machines every night at the Sewing Expo. I attended the first and third nights. On the second night I was resting up between my two three hour classes. but what I observed on those first and third nights was remarkable.

The room with the big brass raffle drum sat about 150-175 with others standing around the perimeter. There were easily another hundred in the outside hallway and in the next room.  When he would announce a name, women at intervals repeated the name so that all could hear. It was like an echo.

These were women who had either taken class or shopped all day or a combination of the two.  They were beat. Tired feet, tired eyes, sore backs.  Bags of projects, fabric, notions at their feet.  Some rocked back and forth like they did when soothing  their babies at the checkout.  Gone was the excited chatter that marked the beginning of the day eight hours earlier.

And yet they hoped.  Maybe this would be the time their ticket would be pulled for the brand new sewing machine.

But for most, it was not to be. This did not, however, make for bitterness. When a name was called and another woman squeaked, “OH!  That’s me!” there was genuine celebration, happy smiles, applause and cheers for the winner.

It was uplifting to see and be a part of, even though my back was sore, my eyes and feet hurt.  It was the best part of humanity surrounding us all in a hug.

And, now I’ll share with you the picture of what the Blue Heron will look like when it’s finished.

It’s about 2 feet by 4 feet in size.

Here’s the background that I finished in class.  Note that the straight sky pieces are sewn on backwards. I fixed that on Sunday.

These are the pieces of the heron and the water grasses that now need to be cut out and pressed onto the various fabrics.  Hope I don’t press and stick them onto the ironing board!

 

I’ll send a pic of what I get done after I clean up the kitchen!

Love,

Janet