Something to Make You Smile

With so much on our minds lately, I thought I would enliven things by sharing a couple more photos from the horse show.

Here's another picture of Topper in the tack stall. I don't think he's ever had so many pictures taken of him as I did at the show!
What happens when you are short--and your arms are short--and you want to take a picture of yourself and a horse? Well, take a look:

Can anyone working that hard at a horse show and being so darn happy be in their right mind? OKAY...down in the cheap seats! It was a rhetorical question! Because the answer is a resounding YES!

Today I spent time grooming the 24 year old mare Electra. She stood so still and enjoyed her spa day so much--I even combed out her tail again. She carries it so elegantly and it looks like falling water when it is combed out. Someday maybe I can get a pictures of her to share with you. Of course, the other horses were looking on and wondering when their turn would come! I assured all of them that their turn would come. All the horses' coats are thick and soft--I sure hope that is not a sign of a really cold winter. (No wooly-bear sightings to confirm my suspicions.)

Okay, enough for tonight. I hope you had a good laugh--we all needed one.

Hugs,

Sharon

Bittersweet

It has been a bittersweet day. Earlier today I learned that one of my favorite students passed away from breast cancer. She was such a vibrant, happy woman--she will be sorely missed by so many. She and her daughter-in-law took my Monthly Bliss classes for the past two years--always smiling, always a great sense of humor. Regina, I miss you already.

This evening was like a mini reunion with Carol, Jay, Marion, Nancy, Karen and Rose. Karen and Rose drove down from Skaneateles (over an hour away) and Jay comes from an hour away. We had a great time looking at old quilts I got last week (I'll post pictures some day--don't hold your breath!), looking at applique quilts and refreshing some fine points on applique and hand quilting. Marion is working on crazy quilt blocks--she's going to try to not repeat any of the hand embroidery stitches! Carol was working on a quilt-as-you-go tablerunner as a gift and it wasn't going well. We think we got things figured out so she can finish--I told her to name it "Easy--NOT" or "Tablerunner from Hades". The pleasure of being surrounded by like-minded people in an atmosphere of sharing and stitching. Who could ask for more?

As this day ends, I am again reflecting on how uncertain life is and how we should not take a single moment for granted. What seems so terrible this minute will seem like nothing tomorrow. Have you told someone today that you love them? Have you done something nice just for you today? As I always tell my mom: "You have to put your oxygen mask on first--before you help someone else." So please put your oxygen mask on and breathe deeply. And, again...can you feel the calm coming over you?

You are each special--spread that specialness around.

Hugs to you all,
Sharon

Catching Up

Time sure flies when you're having fun--so I must be ecstatic! Last week I made a quick trip to Rutland, Vermont, to lecture for the Maple Leaf Quilters. While I had high hopes that the leaves would be at peak, it was not to be. Most of the trees were bare. I had a great time with the Maple Leaf quilters--they have the coolest name badges--all based on maple leaves, of course!

The view from my window was this:

Snow! But only on the higher elevations, thank goodness! Here is the same mountain in the morning, when almost everything was shrouded in fog.

Pretty, isn't it?

On the way home, I was able to snap this:

I made a stop in Gloversville at the quilt shop and when I came out, my tires were covered by these beetles (I think they are beetles!). Almost prehistoric looking and the ground was covered with them! I'm surprised they survived the frost!

Now it has been back to work locally. Lots of classes with students eager to learn the correct way to rotary cut, machine piece and press. Next week is filled with handwork!

I went to an auction tonight and my magic did not work. I believe it was because I only waved one hand over the items as I repeated "these are mine". Pink depression glass salt and pepper shakers, a covered condiment dish and a bowl. The bidding was fierce, but I always set a limit on what I will spend and these went higher. Oh, well...there's always next time! And I did get 21 rows knitted on the foot of a sock--so all was not lost.

If you felt the earth move earlier in the week, it is because I washed all my windows and the curtains. I also had the irresistible urge to...vacuum! So I did. I try never to ignore the urge to clean as it comes infrequently.

Remember the unfortunate deer incident? $2200 in damages. My repair guy is the best--had it done in 3 days and it looks better than new. Thanks, Dave--you rock!

And, for those of you who have heard the rumors that Bud, my go-to guy for Featherweights, is retiring--the rumors are false!!!! I talked with Bud directly and he said he plans to die at 94 and they will have to pry the sewing machine from his cold dead hands!!!! So he will be fixing machines for many years to come. You can't imagine how relieved I am to know that.

Okay, I think that catches you up to date. Did you miss me?

Hugs to all,

Sharon