My mother’s cross-stitch projects — Part 3

A conversation between my sister and diem3 had me remember the photos I snapped of my mother’s cross-stitch projects.

I should clarify . . . in Part 1<<link, I identified her work as needlepoint, but it’s cross-stitch. I corrected that in Part 2<<link, but I repeat it here.

OK, cross-stitch . . . here’s a description (LINK) and here’s a bit of history (LINK) and some stitches (LINK).

The last cross-stitch post had mostly Christmas related projects . . . . not this time . . .

Again, it might be helpful to step back from the screen to appreciate the picture. Up close, you can see the stitches.

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My mother’s cross-stitch projects — Part 2

A conversation between my sister and diem3 had me remember the photos I snapped of my mother’s cross-stitch projects.

I should clarify . . . in Part 1, I identified her work as needlepoint, but it’s cross-stitch.

OK, cross-stitch . . . here’s a description (LINK) and here’s a bit of history (LINK) and some stitches (LINK).

The pieces I’m posting today are all Christmas related . . . and because I’m pressed for time, I’ll keep my brilliant commentary to a minimum (or completely absent).

Some of these have greetings in Italian; “Auguri” means Greetings . . . whereas Anguria means Watermelon. I know, it’s not relevant, but I wanted to put that out there for them who might be interested.

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My mother’s cross-stitch projects — Part 1

A conversation between my sister and diem3 had me remember the photos I snapped of my mother’s ~~needlepoint~~ cross-stitch projects.

I should clarify . . . photos of a small number of my mother’s ~~needlepoint~~ cross-stitch projects. So, here I am, finally posting the photos I took last September (and a few from 2017).

It’s worth noting just how much has happened in the past eleven months. The world has actually changed, and not for the better. On a personal note, we suffered the passing of my brother early in the year, something that still sucker-punches me.

I mention all this to underscore the importance — physical, mental, and emotional — of having a hobby or interest that offers an escape from the increasing bleakness of the human condition.

Hmm . . . all that seems a downer of an introduction. Let me recover . . . by telling a joke I recently read on a friend’s timeline (Facebook):

“I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather did. Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.”

OK, ~~needlepoint~~ cross-stitch . . . here’s a description (LINK) and here’s a bit of history (LINK) and some stitches (LINK).

And away we go!

Most of the ones I’m sharing are holiday-themed works, but not all.

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He yams what he yams

We love going on road trips.

. . . but COVID-19 has put a damper on the spur-of-the-moment-hop-in-the-car-with-a-bunch-of-coffee-and-snacks-and-head-out drives.

Now, we need to consider stops as necessary dangers because of ~~idiots~~ er, ~~stupid~~ er, ~~ignorant~~ er, ~~irresponsible~~ er, careless people who take no precautions when it comes to both their safety and those of others. Ergo, QED, summa cum laude, dominus Nabisco, we have a limit on both the distance and time of our drives.

A surprising feature has popped up in our planning . . . we look for Wal-Marts along our routes and at our destinations. That’s because Wal-Mart makes an effort to clean their bathrooms regularly . . . unlike gas stations. Rest areas are out of the question because, despite semi-regular maintenance, they are . . . ah . . . questionable even in the best of times.

. . . my experience points to people be having no regard for basic courtesy and hygiene when traveling.

Last week, while looking at the map of the area, I noticed that a little over an hour away from us, is Chester, Illinois. “What’s there?” you ask. Well, we get to see the Mississippi River. Did I snap a photo of it? Nope. There wasn’t anything interesting about it. Just water. No barges, no riverboats, no canoes . . . just water.

There was this . . .

Them be somewhat suspect representations of Lewis and Clark. <<<This is a link You see, they stopped here during their travels. Well, a nearby island, but close enough.

Let’s take a closer look . . .

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Round 2 “What’s that?” reveal and “K” stories voting reminder

The “K” stories voting period is at the halfway mark and it’s still going pretty slow. It’d be nice of people gave them a read (there’s at least one good one, I’d wager), and if you’ve read them, please vote for your favorite of the “Alphabet Challenge K-Stories” HERE.<<<This Is A Link

Clicking on the above link will take you to the post with the poll where you can cast your vote. The post also contains links to the individual stories. After voting, readers can — and some say “should” — spread the news about the stories to friends and family. Or, not. But, we hope for yes.

So . . . the Round 2 “what’s that?” reveal . . .

Yes, it’s a mushroom.

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Another “What’s that?” and “K” stories voting reminder

If you need a break from stuff, maybe the “K” stories are just what you need. Go ahead; give them a read (there’s at least one good one, I’d wager), and if you’ve read them, please vote for your favorite of the “Alphabet Challenge K-Stories” HERE.<<<This Is A Link

So . . . another “what’s that?” It seems the first one was enjoyed by ~~many~~ some, so I thought I’d do a Round 2. Here’s the first offering:

As before, leave a guess in the comments if you think you know (and feel like sharing).

Edited to add: if you want to play, guess before reading the comments (meaning, no peeking).

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The Two Faces of Bagel and “J” stories voting reminder

There are two days remaining to read and vote on the “J” stories that went up early last […]

Babies and teens and “I” stories voting reminder

Honest, given all that’s happening, it feels weird asking people to read and vote for one of the “Alphabet Challenge I-Stories” HERE.

That post has links to the individual stories and the poll where readers can click a box to indicate their appreciation for their favorite. And, after voting, readers can spread the news about the story to friends and family. Maybe.

I say ‘maybe’ because of all the stuff occupying people’s minds. Economy, riots, injustice, unemployment, pandemic, the breakdown of checks and balances in government, the threat of civil war, the imposition of religion by the government, and buffoons who want nothing more than for all of this to blow up and become chaos . . . how am I supposed to write fiction against this backdrop?

I mean, if someone six years ago would have described to me these conditions (including the fact we have an immature, semi-illiterate, and childish occupant in the Oval Office), I would have advised them that, as fiction, it was just too far-fetched . . . and yet, here we are.

Anyway, babies and teens . . . .

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Birds and the bees and “I” stories voting reminder

If you’re not anxious to exercise your right to go out in public, I have a suggestion: read the “I” Stories submissions. After, if receptive to the idea, the writers hope you’ll make the effort and vote for your favorite of the “Alphabet Challenge I-Stories” HERE.

So, birds . . .

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Eggs and birds updates and “I” stories voting reminder

I realize everyone is rushing out and hugging each other and coughing in each other’s faces, but when you come back in to your shelter, here’s something you could do: read the “I” Stories submissions. After, if receptive to the idea, the writers hope you’ll make the effort and vote for your favorite of the “Alphabet Challenge I-Stories” HERE.

So, eggs and birds . . . .

Some might remember these photos:

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Birds, more birds, and “G” stories voting reminder

The previous bird post covered the American robin. Today, I have a few more birds . . . but first a quick update on one of the robins. Remember I mentioned dI thought one of them was building a nest in the holly shrub? I looked a few times and despite the shrub being relatively small, I didn’t see anything . . . until the other day.

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Another “G” stories voting reminder and more Note 8 photos

So, again, if you’ve read them, the writers hope you voted for your favorite of the “Alphabet Challenge G-Stories” HERE. That’s also where you can find links to the stories so that — you know — if you’ve yet to read them, you can get to reading them before voting.

If you’ve already voted, thank you . . . and please consider making your friends aware of this great opportunity, especially if they like unknown authors in the chance one of them might someday be famous and your friend can then say “I knew it!”

So, more photos. Samsung Note 8 photos.

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The Cicada Files — Sept. 2019

For them not interested in reading, you can see the photos in THIS SmugMug Gallery.

For a SmugMug slideshow click HERE. When you click the link, it will open in a new window and you have two options:
1) Manually scroll through the photos by clicking the “<” and “>” symbols to the left or right of the photos.
2) There’s a PLAY/PAUSE button at the upper-left of the screen with the transition set at about 5 seconds. Note: clicking the PLAY arrow will run a full-screen slideshow. You can then still use the”<” and “>” symbols to the left or right of the photos as this will pause the slideshow.

If you want the full experience, keep reading.

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Quick NECA Cruise Update 06 – Food and St. John

It’s been a while and truth be told, this can’t be a continuation of my Quick NECA Cruise Update posts because it lacks the immediacy of the experience. Meaning, it’s a few months later and I’m a long way away from the locale and I’m using my PC instead of the phone.

But, you know, I should probably bookend the quick updates before I do more detailed posts with better-rendered photos of the experience . . . which I’ll do after I report on our January 2019 Panama Cruise . . . which takes a back seat to me reporting on our one week stay in Long Beach (also January) . . . which I’ll do once I finish recounting our experience on our 2017 Alaska Cruise.

Meaning, don’t hold your breath.

Right; on we go.

Most of the meals I ate consisted of nibbling on as many dishes that looked like foods I might like. Nothing adventuresome and mostly predictable.