Challenged

Well, I am appalled at myself!! Really! I fancy myself an avid reader. See all those books there! I read only two! For the Summer Reading Challenge 2006 as shown on a side bar button, I decided to set three books per month as my goal. Doesn't sound like much, I know! However, my thinking was that with teaching a 10-week summer session and doing course development, I probably wouldn't have much time for leisurely reading. So, as you can see, I was not being easy on myself. You can see that, can't you?

Moving right along, the books that I finished are

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn
and
The Columnist by Jeffrey Frank.

Now, there is this squeaker, which really doesn't qualify in my mind, but here I am mentioning it. I began to read Digging to America by Anne Tyler on May 26, which technically is before the official starting date. I read much of it in June, but I can hear the voices in my head yelling, "No fair!"

So there you have it--the saga of reaching 2/3 of my June book challenge goal. Beware!! On July 1st I'm going to dive into a new book and not come up for air until I have read--and thoroughly enjoyed--at least three books. I am just sayin' .

Goals are dreams with deadlines. --- Diana Scharf Hunt

Secret Emissary Arrives

Buzzy Bee arrived as a special emissary from my SP8 to deliver chocolate covered cream filled wafers for my treat. Such sweetness! Thank you, SP!! Buzzy also serves as a tape measure. He's so talented. I especially appreciated the lovely note that my SP enclosed. Thank you for making my day!

The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give. --Walt Whitman

Wobble Not Waddle!

Here's what I've been knitting of late. Yes, wool! Lambs Pride wool which I knit while seated directly in front of the air conditioner! This is side two for the Wobbly Tote KAL. Check the side bar for the link button.

The perfectly innocent front side

Reality check on the reverse side

I do enjoy intarsia. This is a fun project which will be felted. Side One is posted in a previous entry. The pattern is the same, but done with different color combos. This will be going to live with my sister in San Francisco.

Never position a rock near a hard place. ---Rohan Candappa

What do you see?

Here's a simple meme that I saw at http://www.wbnm.typepad.com . If you're reading this, you're tagged! Take a look around you. Other than your computer, peripherals, a desk/table, and chair--- what are the five things nearest to you right now?

1. A note pad
2. My grading sheet for my online students
3. Post It notes
4. My glasses -- not on my nose, on the desk! :)
5. A coaster (without the usual water bottle at the moment)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. --- Matthew 11:28-30

Operation Purple Heart

The tote bag arrived today from the maker so I am ready to send it off with the Comfort Ghan to the parents of a 25-year-old Army Staff Sgt. who was killed on November 28, 2004, when his unit was conducting a dismounted patrol and encountered enemy forces using small-arms fire in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, Korea.

Please remember this family in your prayers.

I assembled the ghan using squares sent by members of Heartmade Blessings. www.heartmadeblessings.org

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
--- Jeremiah 17:7

Crowns

It was jubilation and praise and Hallelujah and Southern Gospel music when I went to the musical Crowns at the Denver Center Theatre on Saturday.

To quote from the program, "The unique legacy of African American women and their church hats is at the heart of Regina Taylor's gospel-infused musical." The costuming, the more than fabulous hats--their crowns--and musical talent on display makes this an experience of worship as well as seeing an outstanding production. If you have an opportunity to see this play, by all means do!!

Here are some of the sculptures outside the theatre complex. Unfortunately, they were taken with my phone-cam.

The bright light in the background is obscuring the grand view of the mountains. Darn! Trust me, the mountains are there! Really! :)

We're talkin' a hunk-o-man here!!

Wait! There's Mrs. Hunk!!

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. ---Ps 103:4

Stripping for HMB

Today I've been joining squares to make strips and strips to make a comfort ghan for Heart Made Blessings. Then I need to make a border and a nice finished edging. I haven't quite decided how I will do that yet, though I do know I want a touch of the amethyst in a white border.

I finished reading The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn and must say that the best reading is the last third of the book. This author's wit and clever writing is a joy!

I then started to read The Columnist by Jeffrey Frank. Even though I'm only a few pages into the story, I know already that this is going to an enjoyable read.

We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer. ---Proverbs 16:1

Knocked Down Again

Another virus has taken hold, so I haven't been doing much knitting. I had been working on my Wobbly Tote (see side bar link) until the piece got big enough that I was too warm with all that wool! I am working on a new Comfort ghan for survivors of a soldier who died in the war. (See Heartmade Blessings in side bar.)

Summer semester has begun, so most of my energy goes to teaching time. I am going to do some course development this summer, but haven't been able to concentrate long enough to work on it at all.

I am currently reading The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn, a frivolous but well-written novel about the pampered New York socialites who eagerly draw blood just to get their children enrolled in the most fashionable schools. Gripping, I know!

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
~~~Henry Ford

Thanks to my SP8!

Receiving the first package in the Secret Pal 8 exchange was exciting! Thanks to my SP for the box of surprises which included Sugar n Cream cotton yarn, DP needle holders, small bird house chimes, a sewing kit, candy, and a few other items. After putting everything away, it hit me! I didn't take a picture! Duh! So, trust me here, the gifts and the clever storage box that held them are very thoughtful items from my delightful SP!

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes. ---Andrew Carnegie

Bloomination!

My auto-immune disease likes to surprise me frequently by knocking me flat on my back. The last week or so has been like that. However, I am walking upright now, so that's a plus! :) While I've been sleeping my days away, the flowers have been gloriously brightening our yard.
The peonies have, in fact, bloomed!

The ravishing petunias are filling the planters on our deck. Aren't they gorgeous?

Of course keeping the finch feeder stocked can be challenging, but I love attracting the goldfinches to come and dine near my office window. The hanging baskets have revived now that I've been able to water them again. I didn't even think about asking DH to do it for me. In fact, I didn't think of it at all!What's that to the left of the picture? Why, yes! That IS my favorite reading spot right there in the back yard!

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ---Walt Streightiff