After Fred died, we said we weren't going to get another cat. I really enjoyed not sharing the bathroom. I noticed that it really was easier to keep the house clean. We held out for 4 months. Meet the new cat at our house -- he came with the very appropriate name Leon.
Leon first belonged to a neighbor. We fed him for her several times when she traveled. He was young, playful, neater than many cats. Neighbor had to move and find a new home for Leon. We couldn't take him because Fred was so pathetic. So Leon went to someone else, and I recently heard thru the grapevine that his new home wasn't working out very well. We had the chance to take him in and pretty easily made the decision to have him.
He's a noble looking beast, isn't he? Really large (fits right in at our house) -- 24 pounds. I think he is 4 years old. The longer he's here, he is relaxing some and becoming very playful again. A real romper and stomper!
This lovely quilt showed up on Facebook and I'm struck by how much it looks like our new boy..
We're home from a fun trip down to Florida to see Spring Training baseball. It was too far to go to Arizona to see my beloved Cubbies, so we settled for a few random games in the Grapefruit League. Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa -- then up to Tarpon Springs to see friends there.
In Sarasota, we went to a night game -- Orioles vs Tampa Bay at Ed Smith Stadium. Tampa Bay outplayed Baltimore but I could see why they all need a few weeks of practice before the season starts. Lots of missed opportunities on both sides.
Sunday was an afternoon game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros in Bradenton at McKechnie Field.
McKechnie Field was pretty small, but it had a great atmosphere. Maybe because it was Sunday afternoon there were lots of families there. The concessions were outside and there was a lawn area where people were chilling out in chaise lounges and playing with the kids who were too little or just tired of the game.
This guy sat in front of us and kept score. His dad said he had is own set of metrics. According to our pastor who is a huge Cardinals fan and preaches a baseball sermon every summer, this is what it's all about -- kids growing up with the game.
Here's a Pirate at bat.
Day Three -- We fought the traffic into Tampa to see the Yankees play the Astros at George Steinbrenner Field. Compared to the other stadiums we went to, this one was super delux!
It was the prettiest field, but most boring game we saw. The score ended up Astros -1, Yankees - 0. It seemed all the hits were pop flys or outs on first.
It was a fun time. This was our Christmas present to each other. I like it a lot more than a sweater.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
A friend has talked me into going to a week-long yoga retreat at the end of April. It sounds like a good idea -- a great way to relax and rejuvenate after tax season wraps up. It would be grand, except I have gotten so very out of shape, I'm not sure I can keep up even with the first-time ever beginners. Oh well, I've never been to yoga class yet that didn't tell you to stretch to your own limit, and not to worry about what everyone else is doing, so I'm taking that to heart. Still, I'm trying to get a little more flexible before I go.Trying, trying, trying to just go take a walk most days -- not the gym, just take a walk. Some weeks are better than others.
Today, I was on the West Ashley Greenway -- and came upon this spectacular display of winter leaving/spring coming that was just exploding and spilling over the fence in someone's backyard.
It's going to be a little easier to walk, if I can watch spring marching in.
Mom said "$6 down the drain." She's right, but still it gave us a couple of days of wild dreaming. (We were going to be generous and do good in the world.)
It is January again. Another fresh new start. I love them. Here are some sweet little things that are currently surrounding me.
Debbie gave me the Ling Chang desk calendar years ago and I've continued to get the refills every year since. I have old folders back to 2002. Plus, I have a group of sister-like people I give this to every year. I especially like this January's pansies.
Before Christmas, I went to a pop-up art show where some of my Fiber Guild friends had work. I bought for myself, this lovely little accordion book, handmade by Kris Westerson. It is all handmade paper, including the cover which I'll show you in a minute. The quote says "Change is law and no amount of pretending will alter that reality. -- Socrates" -- and she drew the zentangles.
Here is the front of the book. I love handmade art books. I love the lovely pages, and the clever designs. There are so many bindings. If I had it all to do over again. . . but at this point, I'm just going to enjoy the ones others make.
Sandy Witman sent me this sweet set of envelopes, made by a friend out of calendar pages, pages from found children's books and other random sources. I want to learn how!!
This is one of my favorite sweet little vignettes of the holiday season -- At Mom's --this lovely camellia from her neighbor's bush that reminds me of Daddy -- and then Mom reminded me that Marie Mauney gave her this pretty vase. What a sweet and simple way to keep loved ones close during the holidays.
and speaking of camellias -- here is my own Lady Clare -- a variety that Daddy did have in our yard in Raleigh, holding it's own in my border here in Charleston.
Cynthia Hurd, age 54, a library manager whose life was dedicated to books, children, and church.
Susie Jackson, age 87, a mother figure to generations in her family.
Ethel Lance, age 70, a church custodian who found strength in a gospel song to overcome life's challenges.
DePayne Middleton Doctor, age 49, a minister whose angelic voice could heal troubled hearts.
Clementa Pinckney, age 41, a pastor and state senator who lent his booming voice to the voiceless.
Tywanza Sanders, age 26, a barber, poet, and aspiring entrepreneur ready to take the world by storm.
Daniel L. Simmons Sr., age 74, a minister who served as a model of endurance and service to God.
Sharonda Singleton, age 45, a pastor and a high school track coach who became her runners' biggest cheerleader, on & off the track.
Myra Thompson, age 59, a builder of faith who worked to restore her beloved church's properties to their full glory.
Sunday morning, June 21
Four days after their minister and eight other members were shot to death at a Wednesday night Bible study, the historic Emanuel AME Church held Sunday services with a full church and overflow crowds standing in the street outside to witness this congregation's grace and strength.
Sunday evening, June 21 on the Ravanel Bridge
A "Bridge to Peace" Unity Chain on the Ravelnel Bridge Sunday night.
Thursday, June 24, 2015
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act - again
Friday, June 26 at the funeral service for Rev. Clementa Pinckney
Friday, June 26
And just before Obama arrived to speak at the funeral service, the Supreme Court once again made history and decided in favor of gay marriage.
Friday, July 7, The Confederate Flag is removed from the state house grounds in Columbia, SC.
