I Sewed More Chairs

As you know -- my quest for the PERFECT CHAIRS to go around my perfect 100 year old 60" round table has been going on for 40 years.

Really. I LOVE the table. I bought it in 1977, right before we moved away from Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. Kathy and I were on one of our typical weekend treasure hunts -- and we found this beautiful round oak table in a barn on Sweet Arrow Lake Road. I paid $150, which was A LOT OF MONEY for me at the time.

When John and I built our house, I designed the kitchen to accommodate my table. Since June of 1981, every single family event has taken place in that kitchen -- sitting at that table. SO OF COURSE THE TABLE will be going with us when we move into the Co-op.

Two years ago -- I found THESE FOUR CHAIRS at a thrift store. $3 each. They were sturdy yet lightweight... and I knew I could funk them up with just the right Frankensewed t-shirts...

I blogged about that whole process..

This is the official 'BEFORE" picture.

I sewed four chairs, and Lilly helped me set up a "photo shoot""

I LOVE these chairs...but there were only four of them.

But, unfortunately, the Sarcasm chair broke. Ugh.

Lucky for me -- I FOUND MORE CHAIRS. My new chairs are similar in shape and style -- but with a very heavy-duty frame.

This is the official "before" picture...

I used the Sarcasm t-shirt from the broken chair...so it's actually a recycle of a recycle...

For the second chair, I decided to cut up a Mood t-shirt I bought in NYC in 2012 -- when I went there with my friend Marion.  Remember Swatch?

These are the legs from my first set of chairs (I now have 3 of them)

These are the much sturdier legs from my second set of chairs (I also have 3 of them)

I'm calling six chairs a COMPLETE SET. There are many times I have seven people sitting at my table -- but we just roll over an extra chair from the puzzle table. In our new home, we'll be doing the same thing.

Ann Pachett

This article from the New Yorker magazine squirted across my computer screen the other day -- AND IT WAS LIKE ANN PACHETT WAS LIVING IN MY HEAD.  

My sorting-and-packing job is, of course, still on-going.  I try never to make a trip down those steps without CARRYING something I've decided will NOT make the move.  This morning, I took down three lamps, a few knick-knacks, one of those bubble thermometers, four games the kids don't play anymore,  and a set of plastic glasses that never fit in...

On the one hand, I feel like I've got the time.  On the other hand -- THIS IS A REALLY BIG JOB...and I feel like I should pick up the pace...

But -- drawer by drawer....I'll get 'er done...

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/08/how-to-practice?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_030321&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5e8f2793b90c2f365c44adf8&cndid=60576495&hasha=d6e40b9d701034a4fde586d73b6e591a&hashb=06c4471cd67a5bb054c9cb7367fffa8636f052ce&hashc=9fc555a41ec3719a5262fdc4612d9034698ca059994dcf9eb5e01cec73649073&esrc=growler-free-covid&mbid=CRMNYR012019&utm_term=TNY_Daily

Nancy Zieman: Extraordinary Grace

Last weekend, I watched Wisconsin Public Television's tribute to Nancy Zieman. My local PBS station was using it for their annual fundraiser. Maybe this is happening in your area, too -- and you should do a search. It's called: 

Nancy Zieman, 

Extraordinary Grace. 

The show opens with Mary Mulari's voice -- and John sat right up in his chair.  Although he met Nancy and Rich several times in Beaver Dam, it was Mary's voice that connected with him.

The documentary was very well done.  Hearing my friends Mary, Eileen and Deanna talk about Nancy and what she meant to them -- and to all of us -- was very moving.  (I went through a whole box of Kleenex).  

Looking for a picture to put into this post, I ran across THIS blog that I wrote last year -- on March 3.  A week before the whole world shut down...

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DAY TRIP ALERT..!!!

Make plans this March to visit the Celebrating Nancy Zieman Fiber Arts Exhibit – hosted by the Dodge County Center for the Arts – DCCA, in Beaver Dam, Wis., February 28 through March 29, 2020. The Celebrating Nancy Zieman Exhibit features a large collection of original Landscape Wall Quilts designed and sewn by Nancy. In 1998, Nancy learned the art of landscape quilting from her longtime friend, Natalie Sewell, of Madison Wis.

Rhonda Pierce, me, Nancy and Deanna (in Houston -- ten years ago -- I wish I still had that jacket)

Deanna -- the hardest working woman I know!  STILL DOING IT...she runs Nancy Zieman Productions..carrying on Nancy's legacy.

Mary and Nancy -- KICKING IT UP A STITCH.What a hoot that night was! Remember??

I'm so glad Jackie got to come to Puyallup -- and meet Nancy!!

Nancy Zieman was an incredible woman, and we lost her way too soon. She did so many remarkable things to promote home sewing, we are all forever in her debt. And this exhibit looks like an amazing tribute...I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO GO..!!
http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-general/celebrating-nancy-zieman-fiber-arts-exhibit-on-display-this-march-in-wisconsin/

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Rhonda and I were planning to make a day trip up to Beaver Dam to see this exhibit -- but, of course, the whole world got sucked into the black hole that was the Coronavirus.

Now that we are beginning to see some light at the end of this bleak tunnel -- I wonder if they might do that exhibit again?  To coincide with the documentary.  Maybe it's all still sitting there, in the Fiber Arts Museum...untouched and undusted for an entire year??

Could we push the RESET button on this, Deanna??

Happy Birthday, Warren!!

On January 1st, Warren turned EIGHT YEARS OLD. I cannot remember what my world was like before he rocketed into it.

But, like all people with birthdays-on-holidays -- his actual birthDAY celebration is kind of anti-climactic.

With all the presents from Christmas -- thinking of a gift to buy for him just 7 days later is a losing proposition.

So, I started a tradition of taking him to a nice hotel WITH A POOL..

His 2021 birthday pool party JUST HAPPENED. (yes, it's almost March, I know...it's pitiful)...

Many hotel pools are not open -- or they have restrictions. OR -- the opposite problem -- they allow kid-birthday-parties...so there are way too many people in the pool. Like all-things-Covid, it's a confusing set of arbitrary protocols you must wade through...

And I can't spend the night with them this year -- so I had to draft Ross. Who is always a part of the celebration anyway.

I discovered that the Holiday Inn Express in LeClaire, Iowa had a lovely pool -- they do not allow parties -- and, hey -- it's only 15 minutes from my house!!

I booked a suite on the third floor -- with a VIEW OF THE MISSISSIPPI River...

Sitting on his balcony, Warren learned how to spell it...M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I...

Warren got to push the elevator button, then open the hotel door...and check out EVERY AMENITY...

He immediately pointed out the fact that there were THREE different ways to sleep on this couch.

Position #2

Position #3

It took all of five minutes for him to get dressed, ready for the Main Activity

INTO THE POOL...!! (John is sitting way off in the corner.)

I was in the water for about two hours -- then, THANK GOD -- Uncle Ross came to take over.

Internet sensation

This Feta Cheese Pasta bake squirted across my screen a couple of weeks ago...and, since I'm about a year behind when it comes to Tik-Tok videos...I COULD NOT BUY A BLOCK OF FETA CHEESE ANYWHERE..!! 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/02/11/baked-feta-pasta-recipe-tiktok/

I didn't have basil. so I subsitited spinach

And I had to settle for Feta crumbles

I would do this again...and I am still looking for a block of Feta!!

February 2021: The John Update

February 2021: In Review...

The big event was that John fell in the tub and I had to call 911. They took him to the hospital, where he spent 5 days in ICU, mostly because he tested positive for Covid. Although, he had no Covid symptoms and the speculation is that his test was a result of antigens...maybe he had it when I did last November? We'll never know.

When he came home from the hospital, they set us up with Visiting Nurses...for a few weeks anyway.

There's a nice young man (Marcus) who comes to do P.T., and another nice young man (Brian) who comes to do O.T. John is eager to show them both how well he can do...but, on the days they don't come, he refuses to do any of the exercises...ugh...

He had a follow up visit with his regular doctor -- Dr. Geick. He has been our family physician for over 15 years, and his own father died of Alzheimer's. Dr. G. went over the loooong list of medications the hospital sent John home with (14 of them) -- and he eliminated all but Metformin and insulin. "there's no point in fighting with John about taking pills that aren't going to help him, Rita"

Dr. G. asked if we had nursing home insurance (no). Then, he encouraged me to get John enrolled in the V.A....and he also urged me to contact and tour local nursing homes....so I "would have some knowledge" when the time comes...

Ugh.

Bathing is a problem. Although, I was pleasantly surprised on the day of John's doctor visit -- because John agreed to take a shower -- and I know he enjoyed it!! But, alas, that was an anomaly...

Also, this is the month John started to wear Depends without much of a complaint. AND I AM SO GRATEFUL for that. He gets up during the night a dozen different times. I'm right behind him every time -- as a clean up is often required. THANK GOD for paper towels, Febreeze and washing machines...

There were two big changes for me this month.

#1: After bringing John home from the hospital, I realized I can no longer leave him alone at the house. I knew that day was coming, but I'd hoped it was a little further down the road.

#2: This is the first month that I've had to give John his insulin shot every night. Even when things were bad for him, he could always manage to do his own shot...but that is no longer the case.

So -- HERE'S MY FEBRUARY EPIPHANY....

I can do this. I WANT to do this. The reality is -- I'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

Honestly -- it's exactly like babysitting for a toddler. I have to worry about all the same things...problems with language, baby gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep him from falling...potty training...diapers...odd sleeping habits...pee everywhere...and you can't leave them alone in the house for even a minute...

For crying out loud -- I figure between raising my own two boys, babysitting for various nieces and nephews -- then all the time I spent taking care of Lilly and Warren -- I'm giving myself credit for at least ten years of top-quality toddler babysitting....

But I cannot figure out how to keep John engaged...or busy...and even when I'm home with him all the time -- he's not interacting with me. I'm on my computer, or sewing, or working on a puzzle. He just sits and watches endless episodes of the Lone Ranger...

After our Dr.G. visit, I did make some phone calls...AND HERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS...

There is a non-profit organization in Davenport that runs a dementia daycare (Jane's Place). It's a family setting, with a living room, dining room, pool table. They are set up to handle Alzheimer's issues -- meds, help with toileting, etc. They have a varied schedule of activities, based on holidays and the participants interests. They have from 12 to 20 participants on most days. They are open M-F from 7-5.

They follow a schedule: 9:30 snacks....one hour of morning activities. Music, billiards, gardening, storytelling, exercising...12:00 -- hot lunch, one hour of rest. Another one hour afternoon activity session...snacks at 3:30...pick up at 5:00.

Although Jane's Place has been closed due to Covid -- they are re-opening on March 17th!!

OMG...OMG...OMG...

I talked to a very knowledgeable, compassionate young woman who told me if John qualifies for VA benefits, they would pay for 3 days a week. To get started, we can private pay -- the fee is only $75 per day!!

I cried when I hung up the phone.

So -- that's the March Mission. Get John signed up for the V.A....and make some new friends at Jane's Place.

A Herd of Deer

"It's been a LONG winter."

This is the lament heard in every Midwestern home at this time of year....

By the end of February, we are weary. Our backs ache from all the snow shoveling, we are tired of wearing big heavy parkas, sick to death of wet snow boots at the door, and dreading the next time we have to go out to warm up our car and scrape off layers of ice and/or snow.

I'm just saying -- winter ain't for pussies...

If winter is hard on humans -- imagine how difficult it is for the animals. There's no food...no water...

My brother Calvin and his wife Jeanne live just a few blocks from me -- on the edge of the woods. Every winter -- they feed the wildlife. It's kind of their full time job. They have a huge assortment of birdfeeders and squirrel feeders. And this year, they noticed the deer were hungry, too So they started to put out ear corn.

They have so many animals coming to eat -- they have to make weekly shopping trips for the corn, hay, and birdseed.

At this point, Cal takes his Gator to local farms to haul big loads of shell corn...

The other day (to keep John from going to bed at 4:00) -- we went up to their house for a cup of coffee....

And this happened...

Some nights, they get 20 deer at one time. We saw a herd of 13...and it was like watching theater. Just outside the dining room window...we watched them for an hour. They would come running over the hill...easily jump the fence (from a full stop)...then, tussle with each other -- two of them got up on their hind legs to have a boxing match.

Really...it was so entertaining -- they should be selling tickets!!