Neglecting feelings

Today is a quiet day, everyone is settled at the park and I decided I would check out exactly what I had written regarding the passing of my very best friend last year.  I wrote absolutely nothing; in fact our blog has a gap of almost a year.  I knew I did not write much last year but I never realized how little I did write.  I guess putting anything to paper just made the reality of losing Myrna too much for me to handle and now facing Ray’s death is bringing back memories but I am able to actually face them now a little better.  Myrna told at the Family Gathering in 2010 that she feared she had cancer and then it was confirmed in August, there was no cure, chemo and radiation would prolong her life but not cure her cancer.  I noticed I did not mention how we all missed Myrna at the Family Gathering this year either, interesting how I neglected to mention that in my post yet we all talked about missing her at the gathering, I guess that was just another way I was trying hard not to deal with my feelings!  Shall I go back and add to my blog or leave it blank, I cannot decide.  I was also writing the story of my life for my children and I have not written a word since Myrna’s death, I guess a piece of me was just lost for awhile and I did not even realize it even though I felt something was not quit right I did not understand until now.  Ray, in your death you gave me something I did not even know I needed, thank you. 

Busy weekend

Yesterday before we got the news of Ray’s passing Woody was busy with park tasks and I took advantage of the time he was out to sew up all the blocks I cut yesterday (I can only sew when he is not watching TV as I sit at the table right in his way) and unless he is working on a leather project he is watching TV when he is home.  I then pressed all the blocks and laid them out the way I think I want them.  At first I thought I had made an error as I had too many of one combo and not enough of the other combo, how can that be, I was sure I had counted correctly.  I picked them all up and started over, laying out each side at the same time one block at a time and sure enough I had just the right amount, I had laid the blocks out in a different pattern the first try! Now I will sew them together, cut out the lining and the batting, then quilt the 3 layers together!

The park is full, some folks came in yesterday and the rest today, it is a large group and they have rented the whole campground, Woody had to remind them to keep their dogs leashed while in the park, they are allowed to let them run loose on the trails but not in the camping area.  Some thought they could let their dogs run loose because they rented the whole campground, the problem with letting them run loose is the doggie doo they leave behind, who wants to step in that and most of the group thanked Woody for setting down the rule. 

Cannot quit thinking about Ray and how his family must be feeling, I know they understand that he is in a better place but that does not make it any easier to deal with. 

Lost a friend

We got news this afternoon that Ray passed yesterday, so he is in a better place now but his family is left without this vibrant, loving, awesome person in their life as are his friends.  Prayers for his family in their time of need, life is not fair that is for sure!

Ray

Dale and Ray

The pictures are some we took last year when he and friend Dale played music at our family gathering, they have played music together since they were young.  Dale and Ray have been friends since childhood and played music for various events for years, they are very good musicians, now I wish we would have done videotaping at our gathering but at least we do have some pictures. Ray was only 64!

Goodbye Ray, you will be missed by so many, we were blessed to have known you and to call you our friend!

A New Project

I started a new sewing project today, took me awhile to decide what I wanted to create.  I like to make items that are useful or that I can give as gifts, I kept looking at all the sewing patterns that I have saved and finally choose a “Casserole Tote”.  We attend many potlucks while at our winter home so having a tote will be handy.  I have not made this before so it will be interesting and a challenge.  I am using material that was given to me by our friend Cheri in AZ and decided I would do a patchwork instead of using one colour material.  I choose the patchwork pattern which I thought would work, next challenge was creating the paper pattern, instructions directed me to create a circle with a 17 ½ “ diameter, that is a test in itself, I used some scrap paper taped together, Woody’s compass a string and pencil drawing half the circle then moving the paper to draw the other half due to the small space I have to work in.  With Woody’s help I made cardboard pattern pieces for the patchwork, cut out and sewed up some squares.  I decided that each seam will have to sewn twice, one straight then go over all edges with a zigzag stitch as the one material I am using frays very easily and even though the tote will be quilted and lined I don’t want to chance the seams coming apart when washed, that would be a disaster, all the work for not!  There will be some waste using patch worked blocks but I’ll try to keep it to a minimum and keep any worthy scraps for other projects.  I always have to stay patient when I am creating something and remind myself that taking my time pays in the long run, I am always tempted to short cut even though it usually makes more work in the end.  I managed to get some blocks cut, sewn and pressed today, a great start!!

While sewing today pine cones were dropping on the roof of the fifth wheel making a loud noise, the first one startled me and scared the dogs, Muffin ran and hid, Cookie came and cowered under my chair, poor puppies.  It was not windy so I suspected a squirrel was at work, I went outside and sure enough there was a squirrel in the pine tree on the limbs that hangs over the fifth wheel, I watched him tug at the pine cones and run across the limb, down the tree to hide the cone.  The little guy was also loosening some and dropping them, which landed on our roof.  I came in a grabbed the camera but could not get a good picture of him he is so quick, but it sure was fun to watch!

Bagpipe Concert

This morning Woody was taking care of some tasks in the park and the young bagpiper was playing some tunes.  After completing the tasks Woody stopped by to congratulate the young man on his spectacular playing and thank him for the concert.  Turns out the young man’s father was in the Army in Afghanistan was injured there and sent to Scotland to recover, while there his family flew over to be with him, his son heard and fell in love with bagpipes, he has only been playing for two years but his Dad said he cannot hardly put them down.  I was amazed that he had only been playing for two years; he plays them like a professional!

No change in Ray’s condition, prayers for him and his family. 

Up and Down

Today was not a real good day, a friend (Ray) had a massive stroke Friday evening and was taken off life support today, no chance he will make it, he is only 64 and a super nice person, just doesn’t seem right that he should be taken from his family.  I cannot imagine what his wife and family are going through, can only pray for them. 

On a bright note we are being serenaded by a bagpiper in the park this evening, he can play them very well, he is wandering about playing, it is so cool.  As a young person I did not appreciate bagpipes but now I really enjoy them when played well.  Oh wow he is now playing Amazing Grace which was a favourite of my Dad’s, it surely does bring tears to my eyes thinking of my Dad and of course our friend and his family. 

Please say a prayer for Ray’s family in Alberta tonight. I don't know what else to say, life is so fragile and this is reminder to enjoy each day, as it really is a gift.  

              

A little bag

I finally finished a tote bag for daughter Michelle today and I am very pleased with the result.  I offered to make her a bag a few weeks ago after she came over with some extra items in a plastic grocery bag.  I had scraps of material from other projects which I dug out and Michelle picked out the colours she wanted plus we spent time on the internet picking out a pattern for a bag.  We made a trip to town to purchase the material for the lining and the concho for clasp a few days later.  She didn’t want the scraps arranged symmetrical which I thought was cool and turned out to be a challenge for my little brain!  I really thought it would be easier as I would not have to worry about matching seams and making perfect points but found out my mind wanted to work in symmetrical patterns, so I had to force my mind to “think outside the box”.  I really did enjoy the challenge and process of choosing the pieces of fabric, deciding how to put them together and seeing the bag come together piece by piece. 

Michelle is thrilled with the bag and it is just right for her lunch, bottle of water and other items she wants or needs to carry with her.

Dimensions are 17" wide 10 " high shoulder strap 28" and it has an inside pocket

Nasty Storm

A storm hit Onoway today including a small Tornado.  The wind ripped a corner of the roof off the school gym scattering the insulation and other debris on the grounds and over the fence onto the road.

Trees around town were damaged as well as some signs as you can see below, luckly no one was hurt.



Interesting at the park just 7 km east of Onoway we only had a thunder shower and some wind. 

Happy Birthday Tracy and other stuff

Today is daughter Tracy’s birthday, she and family are on vacation so I hope she has a very special birthday celebration!!!  Happy Birthday Tracy, much love from Mom and Dad see you when you return. 

The wildfires in northern Alberta are now out, the evacuation notice was lifted July 20^th and I cannot imagine how happy the residents are to be home.  The large fire near Zama Lake (901+ km/559+ miles) north of us decimated over 253000 hectares (625000 acres) of forest and as far as I know no buildings were burned which is awesome.  Many species of wildlife lost their habitat and of course many species of wildlife lost their lives, it will take many years for the forest to recoup but recoup it will!

The bear situation here has not changed, we have two bears a male and female, the male has been feeding on 2 very large ant hills in the trees just off the walking path which leads to the Watchable Wildlife Building on the shore of Devil’s Lake as well of course on the berries.  We are hopeful the bear will move on when the berries are gone.  We have tons of wild strawberries, raspberries, saskatoons, and other wild berries that bears will eat but we don’t.  We have been very diligent regarding warning folks who come to the park to pick berries and hike; we do not want any incidents.  Many of the trails are not passable now due to all the rain, some portions of some trails are totally under water, knee deep water.  Earlier this summer we had many hikers come to the park daily but the word has gotten around and very few people are frequenting the trails now. 

We are doing well, keeping busy and enjoying our summer in the park.  I do love the long daylight hours although they are noticeably shorter already but still light long after 10 pm.  There has been lots of wild weather in Alberta this year and a few tornados touched down, no major damage so far and we have been very lucky to avoid damaging hail which has fallen around us.     What can I say, we are feeling very lucky and blessed!

I am sharing an email I received from a friend, I utterly love the play on words and hope you enjoy as much as we did.

The last sentence is not a play on words but absolutely priceless!   I printed this and hung it on our Bullentin Board so we can have the pleasure of reading it every day!

My Inconclusive Travel Plans for 2012

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.

I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty well in mine!