Waiting for Spring!

We have just returned from a few days enjoying the sun and warmth of Phoenix and Las Vegas. It is nearly "summer" there-but here it is still windy, damp, and chilly. We had a nice visit with friends and family in AZ. And a change of scene brings a freshness to our point of view. We hope seeing the highways and stores filled with people means that our economy is getting better. We slept a bit later than usual, ate to much good food, and did some shopping and left our donation to the Vegas economy! Now we are home and caught up with mail and house chores. We will share the Holiday dinner with our family at their home, so no cooking for me- Then Monday we will return to work. Perhaps next weekend will be warm and dry and we can do some work in our yard. The grass is turning green and the flowers are coming up! And it is almost May Day! So Spring and Summer can't be far. The mail just came and we have Easter greetings from several , so we will think of them and say a prayer for them, each time we walk past their cards on display.

EASTER

The season for reflections, Spring and Easter, life and death. The cycles of life. We bought hair ribbons and barrettes, and frosted animal crackers for three precious little girls in our town. Gifts from the Easter Bunny! Youngsters give us hope for the future.

A dear friend lost her Mother recently and an acquaintance in our town was buried yesterday. Two friends are having serious health issues. A look in the mirror reminds us of our own destiny. So we try to live in the moment. Enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Hug and pray for those we cherish. Wear the new piece of clothing. Eat the fattening dessert. Write a note to a friend. Forgive and try to make amends for our own shortfalls. Life truly is short and we should never put off to tomorrow, those things we really want to accomplish.

Ada's TREASURES

My husband's Grandmother made beautiful quilts. Over the years, she gave quilts to her 5 daughters, to her grandchildren and then provided baby quilts for the great grandchildren. These treasures were all hand pieced and hand quilted. A few years after her death, two of her grandsons gathered as many of her quilts as they could find and held a public display. There was a video done at the display and photographs were taken of each entry. Books were made for the 5 daughters and some of the family. One book was given to the Iowa County Historical Society.

After the display was over, one of the baby quilts was sent to the Iowa State Historical Society for possible acceptance for their collection. It had been finished in the early 1960s and was a gift to my husband, her grandson. It was a gift for our son, who was born a few weeks later on 19 January 1965. The quilt featured the "fan" pattern. We used it carefully. The quilt was accepted and a few years later it was one of the items chosen for a HEARTLAND show.

One of Ada's greatgrandsons, Chad was married a few years ago. His grandfather, a woodworker, made a beautiful quilt stand for Chad's home. We sent them one of his Great-great-grandmother's quilts to display on it. In a variation of the log cabin pattern, the 3/4 size quilt had been sewn in the 1950s and had never been used. Now, Chad's brother, P.J. is to be married in the Autumn of 2011. We have located another of Ada's quilts(unused) and it will be passed on to him.

SPRING!

We have had a "real" winter. After many years of rather warm and dry seasons, we have had lots of snow and several sieges of very cold weather. The added moisture should make our grass green and the wildflowers exceptional. Every cloud has a silver lining, if we only search for it. And those who have complained about the weather will voice additional laments when it gets very warm come summer. My husband says "Some people wouldn't be happy if you hung them with a new rope!"

A warm weekend gave us the opportunity to wash windows, inside and out, and to begin the chore of gathering up the leaves that the winter winds have packed in the corners of our yard and patio. No matter how well the yard is cleared in the Autumn, it needs a spring clearing as well. The light rains of the past two days have the grass beginning to turn and the flowers peeking thru. SPRING!!

Inside we are working at clearing and cleaning as well. Need to work quick, as once the days are warm, no one will care to stay inside. Each year we survey our kingdom with an eye to the future. Less is MORE. What was once a treasure may have lost its appeal. And a treasure to us may not to a treasure to those who come after. As we sort, we send packages off to others. Family photos are shared with the appropriate people, as are family "treasures". Fewer things are laid back for "some day". And everything is put to use,nothing is saved to be used for "good"! And still there is way to much! So an unending project.