WWQP Bulletin Board Chat

Forgive me the length but

2009-07-01T08:56:00.003-05:00

This was sent to me by a friend in the United States, a retired Air Canada pilot and displaced Canadian, the length of which, I ask for patience but it says a lot about our cross-border connections. And Jane, yes, I bought TWO containers of peanute butter (without the darned icing sugar that mainstream companies put into their peanut butter...now to see if Missy Sarah will eat. Grandpa Jock has promised to make macaroni & cheeze, but like me, refuses to spend the money on Kraft Dinner.

And here it is........................................................................ from Rosey, in Canada................
One American's View - DavidMeadows is a retired US Navy Captain. This message was on theU.S. Military.Com website. April 27, 2006

On April 22, 2006 four Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Respects and heartfelt sadness go to thefamilies of those heroes who stand alongside the U.S. In the LongWar half a world away. While we focus on the war in Iraq, thefighting continues in Afghanistan where side-by-side the U.S. and one of its most loyal allies, Canada, engage the re-emergence of the Taliban.

Canada is like a close unclewho constantly argues, badgers, andcomplains about what you are doing, but when help is truly needed, you can't keep him away: he's right there alongside you. Wehave a unique relationship with Canada. We have different politicalpositions on many issues, but our unique friendship has weathered world wars,global crises, and the ever-so-often neighborhood disagreement.

Canada has been with us sincethe beginning of the Global War onTerrorism. In February 2006, without fanfare Canada, leading amultinational force combating growing Taliban insurgency, increasedtroop strength in Afghanistan to 2,300. With the American militarystretched thin against rising instability in both Iraq and Afghanistan, an ally that increases its troop strength is inspiring and deserves our respect.

Katrina was another exampleof our close family-like relationship.Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. Two days later, the Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue Team rushed from British Columbia, Canada to Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana. In thisParish of 68,000 Americans, the first responders were Canadians. Overall,within the devastated Gulf Coast area, it appears Canada was the first responder outside of local efforts. They worked 18-hourdays, going door-to-door alongside Louisiana State Troopers, rescuing 119Americans. While FEMA ramped up to surge into the catastrophe; while the administration and Louisiana fought for the politically correct way to respond; Canadian aid was already at work.

The Canadian Forces JointTask Group 306 consisting of the warships HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Toronto, NSMC Ville de Quebec, and CCGC William Alexander sailed to the Gulf Coast to deliver humanitariansupplies. They stayed, working alongside U.S. Navy and Mexican warships, to provide aid to Katrina victims.

Katrina was not an anomaly ofour close relationship. When Hurricane Ivan devastated Pensacola, Florida in October 2004 Canadianhumanitarian help was there also. Canadian power trucks roamed thestreets and countryside helping restore electricity where Americans had a unique experience of running into workmen who only spoke French.Canada took a lot of undeserved flak for failing to leap into Operation Iraqi Freedom when our administration sent us galloping across the desert. But Canada remains one of our staunchest allies inthe war.

When United States militaryforces were fighting up the highways inOperation Iraqi Freedom, Canada quietly increased troop numbers inAfghanistan and continued Naval operations with U.S. Warships in thePersian Gulf.

I was at the Pentagon on9/11, stationed on the Joint Staff. During the early hours after the attack, the United States closed its air space andordered every aircraft within our borders to land immediately at the nearest airfield. Canada immediately stood up an Operations Support Post. With civil aviation grounded, aircraft destined for theUnited States were forced elsewhere. Most landed in Canada.

Re-routed travelers andflight crews were hosted at Canadian Forcesfacilities in Goose Bay, Gander, and Stephenville, Newfoundland;Halifax, Shearwater, and Aldershot, Nova Scotia; Winnipeg, Manitoba;and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Canada rapidly mobilized itsforces. Within hours, the Canadian Navy was on alert with ships preparing to cast off immediately for any U.S. Port to help victims of the 9/11 attacks. Canada'sDisaster Assistance Response Team prepared to deploy from Trenton, Ontario.

Canada dispersed CF-18fighter aircraft to strategic locations throughout Canada. Nopolitics. No negotiating. No questions. They were just there. Canada would have fought any adversary that approached the United States that day.

Canada has been such anintegral partner with the United States in the Global War on Terrorism that on December 7, 2004 when President Bush awardedthe Presidential Unit Citation to Commander Joint Force South for combat success in Afghanistan, he was also recognizing the secretiveCanadian Joint Task Force 2 commando counter-terrorism unit.

The U.S. Department ofDefense has awarded 30 Bronze Star medals for heroism in combat to Canadian Forces personnel. Some of those30 died in action. Many of the others were wounded. These Canadiansearned this American medal for heroism fighting alongside Americans. Whenwe recall our own dead heroes, we must remember that these warriors gave their lives not only for Canada, but also for the United States.

Canada is more than aneighbor. It is a close family member with the gumption to disagree with its brother to the south but always be there when disaster strikes and America needs help. For that, Isalute you, Canada, and extend my respect for the sacrifices given by members of the Canadian Forces. What an awesome Country you are Canada!

Hippy Canada? that sounds like fun

2009-07-01T08:43:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone.
Getting ready to go on VACATION, or holiday as the case may be.
This time we are taking our little dog with us, which should be interesting.
My DH's buddy from H.S. and college and his wife and dog are going also.
Hopefully the dogs get along. They have a 65 lb. dalmation who is well trained, but full of energy.
They will stop by about 2:00 today and let the dogs romp, if it isn't raining. They they will drive on, we will follow them tomorrow.
This guy likes to take vacation over the 4th of July so he can have fewer "vacation" days from his work. I hate driving at that time of year, as so many people are on the road, and lots of drinking going on.
Oh well, DH has been working 15 hr. days in the A/C business, hot as H--- here, good for the $$, but hard on the body and mind. He needs a vacation!
I'm going to quilt, shop, go to dog parks, and generally relax.
Have a happy Canada day, safe 4th, and will "talk" to you in about 12 days.
Sara in Fla.

FINALLY!!

2009-07-01T07:01:00.003-05:00

Picky Eaters

2009-07-01T06:44:00.003-05:00

ROSEY, you can always do what I did. First, consider their likes, don't ask what they want and if they don't like what's on the menu refer them to the peanut butter jar. My grands, all rapidly growing adolescents and athletes to boot will eat heartily anything that doesn't have hair on it or move on the plate. Here is a picture of a sign that I think I bought at a quilt shop because I couldn't resist it. At least I hope I succed in the posting process.

Perfect day yesterday, rainy this AM but predicted to return to perfection this afternoon.

Jane in NC

H*ppy Canada Day

2009-07-01T05:49:00.002-05:00

It came out without the 'a' and looked like it could be 'hippy' which sounded fun too. This is our Canada Day celebration day. I am in ignorance of what it truly means...celebrating the fact that Canada became Canada and not the United States? Who needs a border between our countries? But then, we have all those lovely natural resources, including what is beneath the sea in the Arctic Ocean and this will be our next frontier over which Russia, Canada, the US, Denmark/Greenland & Norway will be jockeying into position with the Northwest Passage.

Kathi, enjoy Sisters & please report your impressions...a trip, I'd love to take one day.

It has been rainy and will continue over today and tomorrow and today, my grands arrive for however long they are not bored in Grandma's company. The pool is the draw; not grandma...plus the prospect of a movie or two. And what will little Miss Sarah eat? That is the big question. A seven year old with a very picky appetite; her sister will eat anything. Kraft dinner and yogurt I'm told. And I am feeding B&B guests the whole time they are here. A bit of juggling to do.

Happy 4th of July to the US'ers, here.

Rosey

Sisters, anyone????

2009-06-29T22:44:00.002-05:00

We will be at Sisters for the show. Will anyone else be there? Is the meeting place still behind the ice cream parlor at 2 PM?
I have two quilts entered in the show. This is the first time in several years that I've exhibited anything. It's fun to wander through town and look for your own quilt.
Kathi

I'm still around

2009-06-27T18:17:00.002-05:00

but it has been a long time since I posted. I try to keep up with the posts and all the news. It has been very busy but I am finally catching up. I wonder for how long. Many commitments are now done so that feels real good and it is finally summer . We had quite a hot week here but now it is terrific.
We've at last decided that it is safe to go to Southern Ontario for a visit.LOL so that is where my focus is now.
I was reading another quilt page when I came across this, and I felt so bad that I decided I needed to post the following. Just in case.

This is an email that was posted on Karolina Kwilters today - worthy of passing along to help find the owner....------------ --------- --------- ------On Sunday, June 21st, one of my neighbors found a quilt on the westbound lane of Hwy 64 near Tarboro, NC. She says the quilt was wrapped in one of those plastic blanket packages. The quilt appears to be newly made, in wonderful condition.She says it is hand and machine quilting. There is no label attached and she cannot find a signature. She wants to return it to its owner, as she is a needleworker, and says she would be sick if she lost one of her works.Please pass this email around and if anyone knows anything, call Alison Boyette (252-813-1594) or email me at mom4matkat@...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a happy ending to this story, mmmmm I hear noises coming from my kitchen so I better go and check
Have a great evening if it is evening where you are.Otherwise have a good day
Grace in On

Just checking in!

2009-06-26T21:47:00.002-05:00

Wednesday and Thursday this week, I gave a talk on quilting at the library for their story hour. I did a trunk show, read them "The Quiltmakers Gift", and then had them color a quilt block. Both groups seemed to enjoy it, and so did I. I just love to share my quilting! DS, Isaac who is now 6 just had to go with me both days. He is quite the talker, so I had to threaten him that it was my program, not his. He was really proud to show off his quilt made of blocks made by his "Cyber Aunties" when he was born.

We are in the middle of wheat harvest here. So far so good. I'm holding my breath till it's all cut and out of the fields. Last year our whole crop was destroyed by hail.

One of my nieces was chosen to be Kansas Junior Miss back in May. She is now in Alabama for the America's Junior Miss program. Finals are tomorrow night. I'm so excited for her! If she wins, I'll have to come up with some kind of special quilt for her.

Good to see a little more action on this board lately. I really miss our old chat board where you had to read every day or you would miss some of it.

Happy Quilting!
Karen in KS

Beautiful

2009-06-26T16:09:00.001-05:00

Donna, absolutely beautiful. I have always wanted to make a neutral quilt ,now I think I definately will. Many hugs Bee in NZ.

Friday afternoon and it's hot

2009-06-26T15:25:00.002-05:00

Good Friday afternoon to everyone. It's been a wierd week here in N.E. Fla.
HOT. That means my DH is working hard and making $$. A good thing, however he doesn't get home till about 9:30 PM, with the cell phone still in his ear. I know that he is "making hay while the sun shines" but it does get tiring eating alone every night. One night I took sandwiches over to his office so we could eat, he would eat, and we had a bit of a visit.
It's been in the high 90's and 100 two time this past week.
JANE-You didn't get what you went after, but you are getting a custom made outfit for DD's wedding. Bespoke, as they say in the mystery books.
DIY Blog cabin-is again building a house in the Ashville, N. C. area. I plan to enter the contest every day once they allow it. Aug. 12th I think. Would love to have a vacation home in the mountains.
I've done too much lifting of mulch bags, etc. in the yard this week. This afternoon lay down with an ice pack on my back for about 1 hr. and fell asleep.
Good news on the right eye. Our friends call us directly when their A/C is out, so this time DH said--call in your markers, and contact your GF and get her husband to give you an appt. Well, I did! Monday afternoon at 1:45 will get to see him, until waiting 2 weeks. Seems there is a bubble on the retnia, a result of the catarac surgery and laser surgery. This person is a retnia specialist, and they are good friends, so I'll go.
The regular eye Dr. said it is a condition treated with special eye drops and we are going to Charleston and Myrtle Beach S. C. from the 2nd to the 12th of July. I wanted to be able to treat the eye while I'm away and not wait until I got back.
Yes! S. C. in the heat of the summer. I think it's even hotter there than here. DH and his best buddy want to play golf. I'm taking my portable machine to do some quilt binding.
The thunder just started, so I'll sign off now. Waiting for a good soaking storm.
Sara in Fla.

AAARGH!!!

2009-06-23T08:37:00.002-05:00

I made the trip to Asheville based on the co-owner's assurance last week on phone that the machine was ready to go. Her husband, the other owner who is the fixer was out at the time. Well, you guessed it. Got there and neither of the responsible parties was in and an employee and I sifted through the junk and machines in the little work shop room and mine hadn't been touched. The lady who helped me was mortified when she learned how far I had come. Unfortunately that shop is the nearest dealer but next time I'll just ship it. I should have done that anyway as the Juki people say that if there isn't a dealer within 50 miles they pay the shipping charges. Now I wish I'd just brought it back with me. You are all familiar with the old saying, "old too soon, smart to late".

This is not a quilt shop but has a collection of veddy expensive silks, wools and some cottons for $18/yd up to $30/yd. There are at least three seamstresses there who make custom clothing some of which I've seen and is great. You guessed it, even as I have been looking around in mid priced department stores lately for something tailored in linen or cotton to wear for DD's rehearsal dinner which will be held out of doors at 5:30 in southern CA in which would require natural fibers with no poly because of the heat, I got to looking around and ended up spending more money I can ill afford by buying a linen/rayon blend for pants and a cotton tweedy looking stuff for a jacket and being measured by the seamstress who'd been helping me. The linen blend was less than $9/yd but the cotton is $18. Both fabrics are 52" wide. At least it's not silk for $28! She says the labor will be in range of $140. At least I know it will fit. (It had better or she'll not get her $140!) She will also send me home with the pattern. I can make an outfit but can't make it fit since my old age heft has outgrown my size 8 skeleton. I'm not having it lined as I don't want to sweat through the proceedings. I'm wearing a previously worn silk outfit for the wedding which will be out of doors at the same hour.

DORIS, your Cavalier is adorable. I guess that's the only spaniel which isn't a hunter but a wonderful family dog which prefers the human lap to any other environment. If you look at portraits of English royalty from early 18th C. and perhaps earlier, there is frequently a Cavalier in the area, particularly when children are portrayed.

DOGS: DD asked me the other day if I want another dog. She is half serious. Her fiance has one that she described as ancient, very sweet but needs a home as her cat, whom she says doesn't like anybody, and the dog can't coexist even if there were more space. My initial response was horror at the idea that the two step daughters shouldn't losing a dog they've had most of their lives in favor of a cat that doesn't like anybody. She agrees that it's very strange but they don't seem to be too attached. I also said I was not prepared to pay to ship the poor old girl but I'm already looking forward to meeting her along with the rest of his clan. I think any kid who has lived with a sweet, gentle dog as described must be missing a piece and I wonder if DD isn't just trying to justify her cat to the detriment of the dog. Quien sabe? A blended family does create its problems and I'm glad I don't have to solve them.

Time for the gym and spray the weeds in my shrubbery beds and the lawn that is spreading into the gravel driveway.

Jane in NC

checking in....

2009-06-22T13:27:00.002-05:00

JEAN IN MILL BAY - what a wonderful experience to see the baby twins. Good to see you post!

JANE IN NC - I'm so happy that you are able to make that walk to your mailbox and back, after all you've been through with the knee.

WHAT'S NEW .... not much but we'll have a new A/C system upstairs in a week or two. Staycation it is this year, and now I'm glad for it. The heat is 91F -- summer arrived early! -- and DH and I are sick of it already.

Sophie is now almost seven months old and still growing. We discovered a house with three Cavaliers this morning, in the subdivision behind ours. Lots of tail wagging as they all introduced themselves. (LOL) I'll try to post a picture here and let's hope it works.

Hugs to everyone!
Doris

PERFECT MOMENTS

2009-06-22T08:57:00.003-05:00

This is too wonderful a topic to hide in "comments". What a day brightener, JEAN. One who was in my company last September as you were would not guess that I am capable of having or noticing such a moment but I've come a long way since then.

A few hours ago during my power walk down and then back up my .4 mile driveway which has a serious grade I took note of the avian symphony in the surrounding woods. I am very partial to the wood thrush, an "LBJ", little brown jobbie", type bird. One seldom sees them as they like the heavily wooded areas. But, once you hear one in the early morning and early evening one never forgets. It's a very complex flute like song and quite beautiful. I was also treated to rufous sided towhees who were telling me "drink your teeeeea." Along with their call, "towheeeee". There were other musicians in the background which were less distinctive which means I can't identify them.

Unfortunately my Juki is in the shop in Asheville, seventy five miles distant and I need to make the trip to pick it up. It's a wonderful week on my calendar for the first time in over a year in which nothing appears but a weight watcher meeting and the ongoing need to get to the gym and Friday's very social hand quilting at the frame and lunch with friends, often including new friends.

Off to the shower and into the car for the 1.5 hour drive each way.

Jane

Wonderful world...

2009-06-21T22:15:00.003-05:00

Hello, all!
It has been a very long time since I posted here, although I read every day. Life has continued to be extremely busy, although I am getting to enjoy some gardening and other hobbies more than I have for a few years. Still not getting much quilting done, but I have certainly filled the time with my volunteering with feral cat rescue. I presently have about 30 foster kitties in the house. Many of them will be leaving for the pet store or for other foster homes in the next week and then maybe I can finish some of my innumerable UFOs.

In the meantime I wanted to share an absolutely perfect experience with you all. A few days ago I was driving a narrow and winding back road, on my way to pick up some cats, and I saw a bit of movement on the side of the road ahead of me. I braked nicely in time to see a tiny spotted fawn step out into the road, closely followed by its twin. I came to a full stop and they stood in the middle of the road, about six feet in front of me, looking at me and the van with the biggest eyes! After several minutes of this I shooed them off the road and carried on. During this entire event the radio was playing Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" -- the perfect soundtrack for a perfect moment!

Is anyone else having perfect moments this summer?

Jean

Book Recommendation

2009-06-20T20:46:00.002-05:00

A friend recommended author Joanne Fluke last winter and I'm addicted. All book titles include food - Fudge Cupcake Murder, Lemon Meringue Pie Murder, Blueberry Muffin Murder etc. because the main character in the book owns the bakery/coffee shop in small town Minnesota. There are between 9 and 12 recipes in each book that are served in her bake shop. Another book I recently read was A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick and I noticed her next book is at the book store.

Happy reading/Happy quilting, Phyllis in Minnesota

Earlene Fowler's latest book

2009-06-18T10:49:00.002-05:00

Sara, have just finished Love Mercy and as much as I initially find Earlene Fowler's writing less than, for example, the exquisite writing of Louise Penny, I am always quickly taken into her story line and her writing, which to me is honest, straightforward and very warm. I did not want to put it down and did not want to finish it. I can readily recommend it.

Nice to hear book recommendations, thanks folks.

Rosey (never sure who I am on any given day..!)

The Lost Quilter

2009-06-17T22:59:00.002-05:00

I just finished this book not too long ago. I really enjoyed it. I was lucky that my library got it. They are pretty good about getting the new books for the authors I like.

Almost doing a snoopy dance here. I'm half way through quilting a quilt that has been "In Progress" for several years. It was the project that was in the box to take to our Quilt Guilds Sew Days when I didn't have anything else I needed to work on. I finished the top at sew day on Saturday, and have been working on quilting it whenever I get a chance. I just love the way it looks.

more books

2009-06-17T22:25:00.002-05:00

I recently read "Prayers for Sale" about quilting ladies in
a small Colorado mining town.
I forgot the author, think it's the Persian Pickle Club author??
It was delightful! A great summer read.

The Lost Quilter

2009-06-17T16:37:00.001-05:00

I just started listening to "The Lost Quilter" on CD in my car. I've only heard part of the first cd, but it seems to be as good as her previous books so far.

books with a quilt theme

2009-06-17T13:26:00.003-05:00

Hi everybody. It's hot here in Fla. too. We had a doozie of a storm last night sometime about 1:00 AM.
Has anyone read "The Lost Quilter "by Jennifr Chiaverini, or "LoveMercy", by Earlene Fowler? My local library doesn't have either one and before I plunk down $$ for one I want to see if anyone else has read them, or liked them. I was so dissapointed with the last Diane Mott Davidson book. I waited for a year for her to write a new one. It wasn't worth the wait. Sigh. . . .
It's too hot to do anything, so I thought curl up with a glass of iced tea and a good book.
Sara in Fla.

As Granny P's mother would say....

2009-06-16T20:20:00.002-05:00

"I don't care what you say; my mind is made up and it will take more than facts to change it".

I do NOT like machinery...except when it works and it's easy to run with pictures that show me, not tell me, how to run it.

And all this talk about chocolate, which doesn't sit well in my tummy even without dairy in it...I stopped at the health food store this afternoon and bought a container of my Rice dream Vanilla 'Ice' cream and shaved the remainer of my 70% Camino dark chocolate bar on top for supper tonight. In fact, I ate more than half the container; my tummy is bloated to 4 months pregnancy. All this talk about chocolate and see what happens. I do NOT intend to learn how to melt chocolate to dip my strawberries in. You are a bad influence on me, you guys.

Rosey

Like VCR's

2009-06-16T15:58:00.003-05:00

every brand of microwave is different. To get low power on mine, I have to put in the time and then hit the power button repeatedly until I get it down to a low setting. Fortunately, mine has a "melt" button. Remember when people couldn't figure out how to program their VCR's? Microwaves are not quite as bad, but ...
I love technology, but there are 16 text messages on my cell phone, and I haven't a clue how to access them. Since everyone I know is aware that I don't text, I'm relatively sure that all of them are "junk."
Fortunately, the DVR on the satellite is user friendly, as is my new toy, the Garmin Nuvi 205W GPS unit, which I put in my car to help keep me from getting totally lost as I go out of town to workshops and competitions.
I'm usually pretty good with computers, as I had a lab full of them and use them in teaching, but forget the fancy new cell phones that do everything a computer can do. Good grief!
We've had a relatively cool spring, with reasonable rain. Today it is hot, but I can't complain. I live in Alabama. It is supposed to be hot here in June. Fortunately, we seem to be back in the "usual" summer rain pattern, with scattered afternoon thundershowers frequently, so the drought conditions are finally over.
I've finally convinced DH that I really want to be able to park my compact sports car in the garage. Since we have a two car garage, and a separate shop, that is not an unreasonable request. He has filled the garage with junk, and is finally making motions about throwing some of it away. Maybe in a week or two, since he doesn't want to have to pay someone to haul it all away, so it has to go in the garbage a little at a time.

HORSE & BUGGY ROSEY

2009-06-16T08:01:00.002-05:00

Aw, c'mon Rosey, need help with that marvel of 20th century engineering? Look at the panel on the microwave. Digits 0-9 appear. Also when setting the "instructions" it asks for power setting which, when no choice is made defaults at max, to wit: 9. Just hit 1 or 2 for very low power and Voila!! You have your semi sweet or dark chocolate liquidated. I hope I have successfully cleared the path to sin and pleasure for you. I share your pain.

Love and kisses,
Jane

Whew !

2009-06-15T12:02:00.002-05:00

Dodged that bullet, Laura..I don't know how to set my microwave on low heat. I could heat the chocolate for just a very few seconds, though, like I do my butter. I don't need any more help in my diet of not eating sweets. Once I start in on 70% dark chocolate (without dairy) I can't stop. I'm not going to even look to see if my microwave has this low heat feature..

Rosey

Chocolate warning

2009-06-14T06:58:00.001-05:00

Use a really low power setting on your microwave. The chocolate is really nasty and grainy when it overheats. Ask me how I know!