tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59868128820476142352024-03-14T21:29:21.350-04:00Chaotically Precise: Life, Love, and MelanomaThe story of living in spite of melanoma, CLND (X 2!), metastasis, vaccines, anti-PD-1, lung removal, and stereotactic radiation. (With a little adenocarcinoma ex-goblet cell carcinoid thrown in!!!) The story of life with family and friends. {Posts under ~ Sew Chaotically, Travel Chaotically, and Chaotic Cookery also housed within! A girl's gotta have fun!}Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.comBlogger1663125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-77800185312916318302024-03-13T19:30:00.001-04:002024-03-13T19:39:25.639-04:00Chaotically Wonderful Words ~ Anais Nin<p> </p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I strive to be the same real person in my interactions with everyone. And I think I do. And I think that is good. Still, I think it is also true that a friendship really does become a world of its own, where you become more of yourself and create a special combined entity with your friend that can never be completely shared with anyone else. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I remain ever grateful to all of you - far and near - who have melded their world with mine.</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> ~ les</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-1350538213563005462024-03-06T11:05:00.001-05:002024-03-06T11:05:35.699-05:00March Fourth!!!! And...Chaotically Wonderful Words ~ Topher Kearby<p> </p><p>While I may not have posted on my favorite day - it did not go unnoticed!!! I have been more than blessed and especially on that special day by the remembrance and celebration of it by my fav girls!! My dear sweet Roo and Tam Bo and Danita were just three of my wonderful peeps who went above and beyond to let me know they were right there with me - Marching Fourth!!!! Mother Nature did her part, too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbRF6IGymgvbaVnrAgK8tsiQ-m4m0JC2rZ7OuH-w1m89L5MlNHb40NHD_CViye5Y6ry2unHw-xaLcWtb3ykc6nQREjRiQSPvqdameaGtuAqr_E2DhqjwimrXycTI4NIE_Ycrdjor8ZG8iSyhtbkK6Ddc9Cc8FDfmlIDrcsbx8SbFwtz8vhCPojJz7OXY/s943/hellebores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="943" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbRF6IGymgvbaVnrAgK8tsiQ-m4m0JC2rZ7OuH-w1m89L5MlNHb40NHD_CViye5Y6ry2unHw-xaLcWtb3ykc6nQREjRiQSPvqdameaGtuAqr_E2DhqjwimrXycTI4NIE_Ycrdjor8ZG8iSyhtbkK6Ddc9Cc8FDfmlIDrcsbx8SbFwtz8vhCPojJz7OXY/w400-h201/hellebores.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>In celebrating all that is in my heart, through the words of others and in honor of Marching Fourth, I am starting a new bit on this old blog - <b>Chaotically Wonderful Words.</b> I thought these were an apt beginning...</p><p><br /></p><p><i><b>I</b></i><b><i> am thankful for this wild heart and this creative mind. </i></b></p><p><b><i>for they allow me to see past the limitations of this moment.</i></b></p><p><b><i>and look ahead to a future filled with endless potential and infinite possibilities.</i></b></p><p> ~ Topher Kearby</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3gd_dbjR1TrlQaks8u6rAZrHIwuhsaAcKZxiPVg2x2mpFN3rfPqaJgb8V2DtLFYwUMi9G0nygMcuXR1zsvnNgb8ZupoEDrMhePXshRdHyzmCAIU-FxQFnjBdrsugfyvumQCISZHoXz6jqrAGpJwCEZfnYTl1non5Y_CkWguYhvFysvuzoyBzU1x968I/s1250/crocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3gd_dbjR1TrlQaks8u6rAZrHIwuhsaAcKZxiPVg2x2mpFN3rfPqaJgb8V2DtLFYwUMi9G0nygMcuXR1zsvnNgb8ZupoEDrMhePXshRdHyzmCAIU-FxQFnjBdrsugfyvumQCISZHoXz6jqrAGpJwCEZfnYTl1non5Y_CkWguYhvFysvuzoyBzU1x968I/w345-h400/crocus.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br /><p>Wishing you every joy and simple beauty as you March Fourth. Les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-51337848051450982312024-01-20T23:47:00.001-05:002024-01-20T23:47:17.624-05:00November/December Reads<p> <u><b>November ~ </b></u></p><p><b>The Tea Planter's Wife </b>- Dinah Jefferies. I almost put this one down. Something I have a history of NEVER doing, but lately have decided that if it's not worth my time - it is not worth my time!! However, it was mildly diverting in a Harlequin Romance sort of way, though I think some of those are better written. Sorry, but MEH.</p><p><b>Clock Dance</b> - Anne Tyler. Willa, 61, gets a phone call that her son's ex-girlfriend needs help taking care of her child (no relation to Willa's son) due to a hospitalization following an accident. Against everything that seems reasonable, she goes to help out. And seems to realize that her sons and second husband are not really part of HER real life. While I disliked many of the characters, which then makes liking the book difficult for me, many were compelling and it made you recognize the importance of seeing your life and the people you choose to share it with as they really are. </p><p><b>Small Things Like These </b>- Claire Keegan. The story of a man, who grew up never knowing his father's identity, makes several discoveries about himself, his marriage, his community, a convent, and the strength require to do what he believes is right. Reminded me a great deal of The Haptic and Hue podcast, <a href="https://hapticandhue.com/fabric-and-foundlings/">Fabric and Foundlings</a> that I spoke of and quoted from in this <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2022/06/may-reads.html">post</a> as it related at that time to <b>Little Fires Everywhere</b>. Much to think about - How we treat others. What are we willing to risk in taking a stand for those in need?</p><p><b>The Alice Network</b> - Kate Quinn. Based on the true story of a ring of female spies who did incredible work and experienced the horrors of war during World War I was hard to read but even harder to put down. A true testament both to the depravity and cruelty of man but also an ode to bravery against all odds and the love, loyalty, and strength of the human spirit.</p><p><b>Lessons in Chemistry</b> - Bonnie Garmus. Well written, but not (for me) quite up to the hype it has been lauded. I love a true love story. I love mothers who come in all stripes who adore their children. I love strong women with focus. All of that was there and demands the praise it has been given. However, much like the actress who plays Elizabeth Gott in the film mentioned in an interview, I wish the main character had had just a tad more humor and emotion as it would have made her more real and relatable. But, maybe that's just me.</p><p><b><u>December ~</u></b><b>The Miniaturist </b>- Jessie Burton. Meh. Trying to give <b>Rebecca </b>and <b>Jane Erye</b> vibes but not getting there. A diversion. Not much more. </p><p><b>Foster</b> - Claire Keegan. Beautifully touching story of foster care. And the sad truth, that some 'parents' are better than the ones to which you were born.</p><p><b>These Silent Woods</b> - Kimi Cunningham Grant. Cooper and his daughter Finch have lived 8 years off the grid fleeing his past. Keeps your attention well enough. But, just okay as the story often falls beyond the plausible.</p><p><b>Biography of X</b> - Catherine Lacey. Almost didn't finish this one and probably shouldn't have. However, sometimes distractions are needed. After the death of her wife, the narrator seeks to discover and share the story of who her wife really was...though we never really know and by the end, I didn't really care! Plus, the imagined historical events from the south were just weird. The true history and current reality is more than enough.</p><p><b>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</b> - Taylor Jenkins Reid. While much better than the prior two, it didn't quite live up to what I had been led to believe by some reviews. Still, it was well written and did include some human moments, though by the end the final 'twist' was rather clear.</p><p>Some months of reading are better than others, but stories can almost always offer us something!!</p><p>Read and love chaotically! ~ les</p><p><br /></p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-75914625622549945132024-01-12T09:21:00.000-05:002024-01-12T09:21:08.043-05:00Blessed with fun makes and lovely holidays ~<p><br /></p><p>Holidays are so very special when shared with dear ones. Over the past few weeks I was blessed to experience multiple visits and festivities with those very special people in my life. Thanks for sharing you with me - one and all! These magical occasions are even more incredible when you are granted a view from the eyes of a child. My dear Jam you are a joy and a blessing to all of us. Your beautiful spirit, big heart, incredible memory, bright intellect, gigantic winsome smile and sheer enthusiasm for life brighten my every minute. I love you ever so much, lil bug!!! </p><p>It was a lot of fun for all of us to enjoy our old traditions and ornaments while adding a few things that were new. It was such a pleasure to add the ornaments Roo and I made last year using Jam's handprint and our thumb prints to a new, smaller tree, while still using the crocheted snow flakes Granny made and ornaments the kids used and created over the years. It was Jam's tree! He helped decorate it and thoroughly adored every bit of it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1lsMCNcHbMGRzsNSGA90yejZSqFEryhkevsrkLwfvpQDYLzXV-e_NwAIpwFzSlY0eJkDuiLKHz8zvtK80x2tQypKbzBMIQDtRUQQzRbdCAKuU8JIskFpvf0J5O1D9EG362xqCh7Xu3Sb7detSHLnI-5AyISw-EN9GE27fpmFYobSGgHyWlK5ZIQjvU/s1080/stockings%20home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="1080" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs1lsMCNcHbMGRzsNSGA90yejZSqFEryhkevsrkLwfvpQDYLzXV-e_NwAIpwFzSlY0eJkDuiLKHz8zvtK80x2tQypKbzBMIQDtRUQQzRbdCAKuU8JIskFpvf0J5O1D9EG362xqCh7Xu3Sb7detSHLnI-5AyISw-EN9GE27fpmFYobSGgHyWlK5ZIQjvU/w400-h194/stockings%20home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7aHiC4sVD4Ko5fy9WlcCrneVG4TG8NgGSIu0oQaPdqC8ihyZOqhpvWVD_2IKVdj_gNqTPmMJfwnb_Ctm58dmA1B09LB7G0dWkOh2YE0ebAMIwJGqPJ36bRVbeLhpuC8tfS-2Bj5zCvHfAcElA6WxJhbfXBD3XBg1hUk7Kl9wn81BCQr5p2_J10iZ5cQ/s1080/stockings%20home%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> <img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1080" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7aHiC4sVD4Ko5fy9WlcCrneVG4TG8NgGSIu0oQaPdqC8ihyZOqhpvWVD_2IKVdj_gNqTPmMJfwnb_Ctm58dmA1B09LB7G0dWkOh2YE0ebAMIwJGqPJ36bRVbeLhpuC8tfS-2Bj5zCvHfAcElA6WxJhbfXBD3XBg1hUk7Kl9wn81BCQr5p2_J10iZ5cQ/w413-h211/stockings%20home%203.jpg" width="413" /></a></div><br /><p> And sew - that brings us to stockings!!!!!</p><p>Stockings have always been a big deal in our family. Over the past few years I've been a bit lazy and used bags to contain the "stocking presents"!!! But this year I made Irina and Jam their own to match the more than 30 year old ones that the rest of us have always used!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihp-Aa-veh3U72w8qFLjYWW3KIFgcIGwikEG6FvW5mbPMeGKhFnNCviE7T1zjWUh6cTqtIaYUZaTdhUvv3OfS4BdZOtauqIMErRZz2yw5HIq88cxt622ZZHWl2-HmLwyThL80XxKJfVB6LrLWTlYYJ_3Cl4CgpPUTcKGyFqNhxCpqV3mF0srr6BK6xFMo/s1080/stockings%20home%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1080" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihp-Aa-veh3U72w8qFLjYWW3KIFgcIGwikEG6FvW5mbPMeGKhFnNCviE7T1zjWUh6cTqtIaYUZaTdhUvv3OfS4BdZOtauqIMErRZz2yw5HIq88cxt622ZZHWl2-HmLwyThL80XxKJfVB6LrLWTlYYJ_3Cl4CgpPUTcKGyFqNhxCpqV3mF0srr6BK6xFMo/w400-h249/stockings%20home%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then, using fabric Irina gifted me some time ago, I put together stockings for Roo to use for her and Jam in her home. Plus, she had another brilliant and fun "stocking" plan!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMXT3PkojXRE_yeosQ-4otqmQo2h8QFeUYkM5zi57cZM1T64Ri3J3EmTM9xVhoLUXR0sntTfwMV_xi3z_1nNtrZuovCSUsGpma_rLEF_nH-HX67TD0j0JuPN0ePf-rJxfEjN9HSrLYKquqhyphenhyphenAb5GfuYH6NrMWJroBP67mBwyvFcjxr9mglB8d0MvH_GM/s1282/stockings%20rose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMXT3PkojXRE_yeosQ-4otqmQo2h8QFeUYkM5zi57cZM1T64Ri3J3EmTM9xVhoLUXR0sntTfwMV_xi3z_1nNtrZuovCSUsGpma_rLEF_nH-HX67TD0j0JuPN0ePf-rJxfEjN9HSrLYKquqhyphenhyphenAb5GfuYH6NrMWJroBP67mBwyvFcjxr9mglB8d0MvH_GM/w338-h400/stockings%20rose.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleRtwt37PvmbqQ2bxXx2Q4vntYWEX_LEm3_Flt6PVcu_93tQ-fxcgmng883of2Uqqhyd023xCMopRn6lBhamQPQVVRAvyQJXE2NZ8WdntcfNO6U-9O5rES0FRhiA_6Jv4OLBwG3TDoC2wRe1S17Iazpm_QLq_oREW-Kaa8Hgl5ZLAExkGh43oCbz4QvA/s2371/stocklings%20rose%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2371" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleRtwt37PvmbqQ2bxXx2Q4vntYWEX_LEm3_Flt6PVcu_93tQ-fxcgmng883of2Uqqhyd023xCMopRn6lBhamQPQVVRAvyQJXE2NZ8WdntcfNO6U-9O5rES0FRhiA_6Jv4OLBwG3TDoC2wRe1S17Iazpm_QLq_oREW-Kaa8Hgl5ZLAExkGh43oCbz4QvA/w183-h400/stocklings%20rose%202.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><br /><p>Rather than put up a Christmas tree at her house this year, since Jam was getting to experience one at mine, she envisioned a decorative garland and stockings across the entry to his playroom at her place. She crocheted a lovely garland (unfortunately obscured by the tinsel one) to which I attached little socks Jam has outgrown that were stuffed with fabric scraps and stitched closed across the top. Such a clever and sweet idea!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXefuGpnK1xG9RVRdhReDc93LIxmv4G7-YQlTHB4zwCvrrSMRqN3ErIBefvk1_kQ5wCAzQZEa4g6KCUd44TS3Xcxx8xdVZ32-_AkS42-nai9MAxAfxCVygzR0AvbAwtmEtGwuNV0QiR3EV3r1cQJLJLjv59P6Q0_8olLowF7FF6qZWBQ4IWuKz6ptCw0/s1800/stockings%20rose%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXefuGpnK1xG9RVRdhReDc93LIxmv4G7-YQlTHB4zwCvrrSMRqN3ErIBefvk1_kQ5wCAzQZEa4g6KCUd44TS3Xcxx8xdVZ32-_AkS42-nai9MAxAfxCVygzR0AvbAwtmEtGwuNV0QiR3EV3r1cQJLJLjv59P6Q0_8olLowF7FF6qZWBQ4IWuKz6ptCw0/w240-h400/stockings%20rose%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then, Christmas baubles were added. It turned out so well. I just love it!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4p8YC7F_HG10Ft5vcVDIEHlo-20Kf04EWL6_DN9i_Lb_4aEoAMavAed7_DSjd_bPXfpmRPByRnKnwTjmfhwOq5KEHQVBoPvWUVQJD2QIZjA4HbVx6yJ7WrN5xZrjYM9DBU9zXLFNqIcZcAdUxhog-lXOKbQ2l7l_YQcH-dE-VYMicTQKUQHmYY5ICyE/s1080/stockings%20rose%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1080" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4p8YC7F_HG10Ft5vcVDIEHlo-20Kf04EWL6_DN9i_Lb_4aEoAMavAed7_DSjd_bPXfpmRPByRnKnwTjmfhwOq5KEHQVBoPvWUVQJD2QIZjA4HbVx6yJ7WrN5xZrjYM9DBU9zXLFNqIcZcAdUxhog-lXOKbQ2l7l_YQcH-dE-VYMicTQKUQHmYY5ICyE/w400-h215/stockings%20rose%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I hope the holidays were times of joy for each of you. May 2024 bring you many vibrant and quiet days and adventures, while I carry on with my dear ones who understand and allow me to embrace the chaotically precise nature of my existence. Much love, les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-24272467136889628932023-12-08T09:20:00.000-05:002023-12-08T09:20:04.344-05:00Sew Chaotically! ~ A bit of embroidery for my Dear Danita...<p>I have never known a sweeter soul than my dear Danita. Seriously. She is kind even when one could argue she shouldn't be!!! But, no one has been a greater recipient of her gentle heart than me and mine. She was a fabulous nurse to work with as no job was too hard, too menial or too time consuming. As a friend she is ALWAYS there - a compassionate, caring soul who is forever in my corner. I treasure the many serious and laughter filled talks we have shared. The many covert texts over lunches!!! Just thinking of her laugh makes me smile as I write this. </p><p>Plus she is game for any adventure we (I!! HA!) come up with!!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3-FYMUuQ9qJ6p3uKpltI8et5oNw-cpGEyfQyeu2Ufc0Ca3TzSvlTChuAV7OOFfipJRo-lAKxO677u3yxUxATpy7cZ0Tw7LC6JLsyOddk_RHrdv87a6MmDw-7fEIUQUKJkVILvYg0jYJr74uPciPRv2sQX14B4AI3RmpXN8fR7s2Kd4w8RJV_jWuJwSw/s320/danita%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3-FYMUuQ9qJ6p3uKpltI8et5oNw-cpGEyfQyeu2Ufc0Ca3TzSvlTChuAV7OOFfipJRo-lAKxO677u3yxUxATpy7cZ0Tw7LC6JLsyOddk_RHrdv87a6MmDw-7fEIUQUKJkVILvYg0jYJr74uPciPRv2sQX14B4AI3RmpXN8fR7s2Kd4w8RJV_jWuJwSw/w432-h640/danita%203.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><p>There she is. At the mountain top. Smiling right across from me!</p><p>When I learned she was redecorating some bedrooms in her home, I got her to send me some color info and a snap of the quilt she would be using. I came up with this, as a bit of my love for her new space. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxiSD5QzUyIp2MCpXvIon329RmE0swbNQqz3wakjFEegZN7yw3tbJ44csV4BUlqeVvjTbATjrt_nMt5jjf9wfw4TDee9cSHNVTk8z6H-6p2EeQFyAC5M5BfS8kWRfeOh7EQivQdWGLL3fz2NB9v8UvsaPhz_6kK6TpIdQRsQy5x7sLxnE8IWpO3QwIs/s1080/d%20finished.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxiSD5QzUyIp2MCpXvIon329RmE0swbNQqz3wakjFEegZN7yw3tbJ44csV4BUlqeVvjTbATjrt_nMt5jjf9wfw4TDee9cSHNVTk8z6H-6p2EeQFyAC5M5BfS8kWRfeOh7EQivQdWGLL3fz2NB9v8UvsaPhz_6kK6TpIdQRsQy5x7sLxnE8IWpO3QwIs/w400-h398/d%20finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The design is from Freesia Embroidery, but I changed up the colors and stitches to try to coordinate with her quilt as much as possible. The background fabric is a pale gray quilting cotton to match her newly painted walls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCf_H39QJ4E_-W07N8DzYCXp_DyPbym1I5wj_k-AMMbnkNYQzKF0KYSpSO669A1oCWcl3Vq-LNzzQcHw-eN5rf-xbxGbNlv4uxNA8dJfOy2Pc8s6HCDDLfhxlmB-fD5td7w31Kpy5IHwp4-W_1w9EljERLZdW-A0cN7W6Ka9tW4tc7wXo_NSPcSKVQEM/s701/d%20with%20quilt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCf_H39QJ4E_-W07N8DzYCXp_DyPbym1I5wj_k-AMMbnkNYQzKF0KYSpSO669A1oCWcl3Vq-LNzzQcHw-eN5rf-xbxGbNlv4uxNA8dJfOy2Pc8s6HCDDLfhxlmB-fD5td7w31Kpy5IHwp4-W_1w9EljERLZdW-A0cN7W6Ka9tW4tc7wXo_NSPcSKVQEM/w363-h400/d%20with%20quilt.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><p>This is how it looks along side her quilt!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsAoDTFAS2xnMv-o9sCvrLrIiAI1pHMSQBNCrIQpQGOv8IfYPy6hTyi8KzRuQJFUVvsP0mbZZQEOXhFHlkDBl5JZAzIwAwtK2i0IAoKzLzjeC-kEA-SsB0XITbazhccG2eQfcOVFiqvOZ9TIhMVALSDqhzmC1zEicw8aIsPjjifCr7NQeoCZGJ1tYs5Q/s1080/danita%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsAoDTFAS2xnMv-o9sCvrLrIiAI1pHMSQBNCrIQpQGOv8IfYPy6hTyi8KzRuQJFUVvsP0mbZZQEOXhFHlkDBl5JZAzIwAwtK2i0IAoKzLzjeC-kEA-SsB0XITbazhccG2eQfcOVFiqvOZ9TIhMVALSDqhzmC1zEicw8aIsPjjifCr7NQeoCZGJ1tYs5Q/w400-h396/danita%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;">And here she is on her beautiful side table. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p>My dear Danita, you are truly a steel magnolia. I am blessed to have you in my life. May your freshened rooms bring you joy and peace. </p><p>Love always my sweet friend, celeste</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-461959531738440582023-12-02T22:41:00.000-05:002023-12-02T22:41:02.802-05:00Sew Chaotically! ~ Quilt #7!!! A 9 patch for dear Tam-bo!<p>You probably remember my dear bestie, Tammy! She is one of the best nurses I have ever known. She has stuck by me through thick and thin - work and play - sickness and health. Her generosity and kindness combined with her wit and love are nothing short of amazing. Her potty pics brought me laughs when struggling through crazy melanoma treatments. She's wonderful!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien0omshv4eefDbC0rTB3nbItC6fPO7U5IRF9m99LIqZQBlaZ8-wHXvLaMF8yuR7BUAgAsuEDAlqd4RFpRTH5ifR3FVQdEfD_TXysHeWRcYoXUcjx-lH7uhLnK86VBsBg_ZXv39kiXL6z0a-yA8WlV050Ra_PhYNgktmMPNGt6e5U-Xwzqz04PE2A8/s320/tb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien0omshv4eefDbC0rTB3nbItC6fPO7U5IRF9m99LIqZQBlaZ8-wHXvLaMF8yuR7BUAgAsuEDAlqd4RFpRTH5ifR3FVQdEfD_TXysHeWRcYoXUcjx-lH7uhLnK86VBsBg_ZXv39kiXL6z0a-yA8WlV050Ra_PhYNgktmMPNGt6e5U-Xwzqz04PE2A8/s1600/tb.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On top of all of that, she is a self made woman who has seen her own way through all manner of things including home ownership!!!! Bottom line, she was well overdue for her very own quilt! Sew.... I quizzed her on fav colors. Roo helped design several 9-patch options...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSu8Wqh39eLoRuQH5Y1tWipHlIGNgVHlO4JfbkaCoO_LZGBuILrEm0aqjv8yBWqALcn9bjQ5fMuwswP-vbxtCifTQq6rVMATo6dOOzaj4Gxvsis3pK2ISa0sI9I-MQEg5JrYIdzpaF5HOjIhGdJRNm0IlBYql-7AWcItICRabb7-F5t62t8KXP2Jh/s1080/t%20quilt%20start.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="1080" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSu8Wqh39eLoRuQH5Y1tWipHlIGNgVHlO4JfbkaCoO_LZGBuILrEm0aqjv8yBWqALcn9bjQ5fMuwswP-vbxtCifTQq6rVMATo6dOOzaj4Gxvsis3pK2ISa0sI9I-MQEg5JrYIdzpaF5HOjIhGdJRNm0IlBYql-7AWcItICRabb7-F5t62t8KXP2Jh/w400-h126/t%20quilt%20start.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Once Tammy made her pick - I got to work, cutting and piecing</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuPwbYFDPxNvUSnPAlH_RZyzBo7x0p_Luf1KnN53gL8U4QRcXijj_8ma6YVHU8U2h3piZWq5zQgE4EDQH1kX0lJ5gumhHFEGEZ8geV_hYACkhNccgB0hK4b5-6oMdcIXODlAJx2NGmN7vmyRiIbJJKiXhD-ygIYTavC0sG95j6jeE0GC5T9SfrxUH/s1080/t%20quilt%20method.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1080" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuPwbYFDPxNvUSnPAlH_RZyzBo7x0p_Luf1KnN53gL8U4QRcXijj_8ma6YVHU8U2h3piZWq5zQgE4EDQH1kX0lJ5gumhHFEGEZ8geV_hYACkhNccgB0hK4b5-6oMdcIXODlAJx2NGmN7vmyRiIbJJKiXhD-ygIYTavC0sG95j6jeE0GC5T9SfrxUH/s320/t%20quilt%20method.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Finished quilt top....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYZJZQHncIMw8o8LJmQ4XEvaZCy4d7qZ7VuW1AYdiDTflctnV_0cgcJawnzjxBFG_aVKk2j_l2Ht4__GztK4XE8m4aC5in_pPZ_1NKjPh1_GN3SwVLAF-mlEOEX7MKp1vhq_W2OFzBMduI1UERrgLAmcVi3w2Vwpi9Z_BbZxGLK2E7fbSJwIJLebF/s1080/t%20quilt%20pieced.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1080" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYZJZQHncIMw8o8LJmQ4XEvaZCy4d7qZ7VuW1AYdiDTflctnV_0cgcJawnzjxBFG_aVKk2j_l2Ht4__GztK4XE8m4aC5in_pPZ_1NKjPh1_GN3SwVLAF-mlEOEX7MKp1vhq_W2OFzBMduI1UERrgLAmcVi3w2Vwpi9Z_BbZxGLK2E7fbSJwIJLebF/s320/t%20quilt%20pieced.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Ready for quilting on the rack...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRRGO7zM6c5L0tq_zz849xitfobekz-bR2HsbRC896QAhmgivYSpSUtVQMzMKsoYUho1wJDSZuEZ3r0LXdPBiBw4jHshLwOS5oGkmklF6IBaSyyYVweEg2cTdlzDlWyT8L_GcfQ2MUBS_7XSr6N10jhjbsIBgY_usZYOLiCMQryz7QekjqaiP3Ewq/s1981/t%20quilt%20racked.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRRGO7zM6c5L0tq_zz849xitfobekz-bR2HsbRC896QAhmgivYSpSUtVQMzMKsoYUho1wJDSZuEZ3r0LXdPBiBw4jHshLwOS5oGkmklF6IBaSyyYVweEg2cTdlzDlWyT8L_GcfQ2MUBS_7XSr6N10jhjbsIBgY_usZYOLiCMQryz7QekjqaiP3Ewq/s320/t%20quilt%20racked.jpg" width="174" /></a></div><br /><p>She's DONE!!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuh26WwOlAsHjhRZvc-yWQaJ4SN72eS5ajS38gRf9UvXCANp3KyuODfzDA_htsPzy8Q2KsxC8Tbu3yNcSx6ZDgTZ7CxjV72RvJflsifxN3hyYSeaQrR3nsfq2BNWEseAPHCTIxgyrc1drHFWbk0Gth1S2xr12niJjUlXpgn3aHwo-LtsSVd53WE-2FHQ/s1080/T%20QUILT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuh26WwOlAsHjhRZvc-yWQaJ4SN72eS5ajS38gRf9UvXCANp3KyuODfzDA_htsPzy8Q2KsxC8Tbu3yNcSx6ZDgTZ7CxjV72RvJflsifxN3hyYSeaQrR3nsfq2BNWEseAPHCTIxgyrc1drHFWbk0Gth1S2xr12niJjUlXpgn3aHwo-LtsSVd53WE-2FHQ/w400-h380/T%20QUILT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hSnyYCdvJReKvuECbhSms74A_lcjzgsYVUL_2GzzsrAFGM_0dSWiyms2RhICZBqm9sjBaJdzD8H1zca3w3zsQ6RAyHyinWAfAlSPUtBbwAUSIkzg6gAs8nkyYc44sSgSjEuuW3j-ATd2VDL16mIn5txFtvRC40q06YtOxXxIvtguwqG26n2bzohzzDU/s1080/T%20QUILT%20BACK%20TOTAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1080" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hSnyYCdvJReKvuECbhSms74A_lcjzgsYVUL_2GzzsrAFGM_0dSWiyms2RhICZBqm9sjBaJdzD8H1zca3w3zsQ6RAyHyinWAfAlSPUtBbwAUSIkzg6gAs8nkyYc44sSgSjEuuW3j-ATd2VDL16mIn5txFtvRC40q06YtOxXxIvtguwqG26n2bzohzzDU/s320/T%20QUILT%20BACK%20TOTAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pFdx3FtFfeqY26fJxKVlJBpi9-BHmwcN_3XKETodLis6rE5OZICq2Z05tCXmugaOlScsdgh9_T5oOU8JVl9eRghszzvrSfq7a0ahQabwSmjZ1JS3L8JNgIc_LrjFgesD4CfvcRz6MJ1Wv-ORY7TBKluHB35OMcb0hkos6Me1gcdsaVg4oIqIvTGrNs/s1288/T%20QUILT%20BACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pFdx3FtFfeqY26fJxKVlJBpi9-BHmwcN_3XKETodLis6rE5OZICq2Z05tCXmugaOlScsdgh9_T5oOU8JVl9eRghszzvrSfq7a0ahQabwSmjZ1JS3L8JNgIc_LrjFgesD4CfvcRz6MJ1Wv-ORY7TBKluHB35OMcb0hkos6Me1gcdsaVg4oIqIvTGrNs/w335-h400/T%20QUILT%20BACK.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br /><p>Decided some pillows would be fun!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1d0U9aQCPIlIf6pSHEI6HQTTVoBB7aGYvZN1Z1L4ybVLm358mKKtP-LRs5mJNZQ3ueSyeSIxPxjQHbOY0LV0h0vG2F86AsMEJF-neA5lJo79uhIvxyEP-K3-2aSvjxgMXgmJ458OconSQ7L9ITrAzNbhWPZ4NNRrd9irJ1HBQKA_aSYb0Qags0JAVDI/s1080/T%20QUILT%20FRONT%20PILLOWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1d0U9aQCPIlIf6pSHEI6HQTTVoBB7aGYvZN1Z1L4ybVLm358mKKtP-LRs5mJNZQ3ueSyeSIxPxjQHbOY0LV0h0vG2F86AsMEJF-neA5lJo79uhIvxyEP-K3-2aSvjxgMXgmJ458OconSQ7L9ITrAzNbhWPZ4NNRrd9irJ1HBQKA_aSYb0Qags0JAVDI/w400-h180/T%20QUILT%20FRONT%20PILLOWS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4MlWXeI4mFHkFReYIlMFurItnq0D7aZ1LmpGmBR_JiwmbRjS4VV-6Qn51UBvUx11pts8VDJHpaCGQCoFQg5obIHXRfjhejGNk2FM3HhjLB7hS0Krlzsyy__n8NHBWBDK4Z2J0hWuoSFwOQlx6E22ifoYtzUlGq8FP67gaNOyVZXERBbjcroH2nzPMWA/s1080/T%20QUILT%20BACK%20PILLOWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1080" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4MlWXeI4mFHkFReYIlMFurItnq0D7aZ1LmpGmBR_JiwmbRjS4VV-6Qn51UBvUx11pts8VDJHpaCGQCoFQg5obIHXRfjhejGNk2FM3HhjLB7hS0Krlzsyy__n8NHBWBDK4Z2J0hWuoSFwOQlx6E22ifoYtzUlGq8FP67gaNOyVZXERBbjcroH2nzPMWA/w400-h183/T%20QUILT%20BACK%20PILLOWS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>And FINALLY!!! Despite being finished for a bit - she made it to her new home with Tam-bo! Dallas seems to like her, too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI0LXDTN6gSh-T3PAfk0p-NDXv6ZYBDGQOsR1YM5S-hj7oxd4xB4k9v2jCsRixuO5JF4cnX3d_yjTsP9QyUfORpmwyJ9P5qVKWesKhyphenhyphenEHf2fTNzUStOCIkUcfiR0HuevYn3kRI4-KAfUMDsH0swVPOhlEs1uvRk2Y2yu5Id1p7xzJ-V5HSilm5vUdSH0/s1179/t%20quilt%20at%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="957" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI0LXDTN6gSh-T3PAfk0p-NDXv6ZYBDGQOsR1YM5S-hj7oxd4xB4k9v2jCsRixuO5JF4cnX3d_yjTsP9QyUfORpmwyJ9P5qVKWesKhyphenhyphenEHf2fTNzUStOCIkUcfiR0HuevYn3kRI4-KAfUMDsH0swVPOhlEs1uvRk2Y2yu5Id1p7xzJ-V5HSilm5vUdSH0/s320/t%20quilt%20at%20home.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p>Cheers, dear friend, raising a glass of local cider! Thanks for being you and all your many kindnesses to me and mine. May this little quilt keep you (and Dallas) warm and cozy with a big hug from me.</p><p>Much love, les</p></div>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-47628996137709362362023-11-11T13:03:00.000-05:002023-11-11T13:03:02.401-05:00Sew Chaotically ~ Jam Fits for fall and winter!!!<p>The Jammer has grown so much and is such a blessing to our lives. He is such a joyous loving soul. But the busy lil man needed some new togs for fall and winter, so Les les had to get busy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkTAqZPnYgaUZhf_rC7bf5BdiV5r6tQbMrCLDUPrsxt_o4nxBANyxMa2U6j38Nggzq9Y_ON0nbKhSEMRl8yvbxJwKMFIx2PC6CV-82O9FXBZTnvDcEB6Ys20fOof6QQ0u_XxZvkmAmm5lrFYQr0dEWRpGDOX7krN4KtkZcxx60EleDVX75mnEWRl7hqs/s1080/jam%20play%20pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1080" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkTAqZPnYgaUZhf_rC7bf5BdiV5r6tQbMrCLDUPrsxt_o4nxBANyxMa2U6j38Nggzq9Y_ON0nbKhSEMRl8yvbxJwKMFIx2PC6CV-82O9FXBZTnvDcEB6Ys20fOof6QQ0u_XxZvkmAmm5lrFYQr0dEWRpGDOX7krN4KtkZcxx60EleDVX75mnEWRl7hqs/w400-h278/jam%20play%20pants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I started with these little pants from a bizarre print a neighbor had pawned off and some nice stretchy denim that had unfortunately faded when stored. Still they worked out well for wearable toils! The pattern is Simplicity S9023. While the pattern does not call for elastic at the ankle, I added it to be able to provide extra length without Lil Man tripping over it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmr48sPaQiwgTbKwhaDmH3NUyF9n-R4M44iQ0549_F0U4PBApPebXX7jq2A3yrF8ADJ0FYVChpDuwvC_fN0K6xLxB901Um7Twg12jRlHZKS8wgb_1fY8F_ndNyLt5rb3wRs5_sXkZsIt4kQe4TcyxMyG_ANL-P5M4bjV2v2t-71AxC-eS00-Tchff804/s1080/jam%20joggers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1080" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmr48sPaQiwgTbKwhaDmH3NUyF9n-R4M44iQ0549_F0U4PBApPebXX7jq2A3yrF8ADJ0FYVChpDuwvC_fN0K6xLxB901Um7Twg12jRlHZKS8wgb_1fY8F_ndNyLt5rb3wRs5_sXkZsIt4kQe4TcyxMyG_ANL-P5M4bjV2v2t-71AxC-eS00-Tchff804/w400-h221/jam%20joggers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9iSivlP1ZRMZyhkqTrBbHyVKtndZmUkTtCTgElYGsk0jcLpvP3qgCHc51LUdwuEcS11QfPg4pLTYOoFctnZ2OhoiTWlFNuHyxtEW3M36A-4P9PmN21H3_Nkk51U2WKBQh6yK_eKDFsyNkZAWahmLryw1nEZeJqVmgF1f2nW9ik7Bwlq_fwCzAmZdZ2k/s1080/jam%20pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1080" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9iSivlP1ZRMZyhkqTrBbHyVKtndZmUkTtCTgElYGsk0jcLpvP3qgCHc51LUdwuEcS11QfPg4pLTYOoFctnZ2OhoiTWlFNuHyxtEW3M36A-4P9PmN21H3_Nkk51U2WKBQh6yK_eKDFsyNkZAWahmLryw1nEZeJqVmgF1f2nW9ik7Bwlq_fwCzAmZdZ2k/w400-h284/jam%20pants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Three knit pairs followed, then two cords and a denim. Though the knits were purchased with Jam in mind, the others were made from remnants in my stash. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCtJDgOFmGCUKlfquPtcwDBD_Lv42bixN2nABbGt1KzjWzymUY-NRVunwPMchc-0aKCHLHe-1o47jV31SWXXhDF1DQjdhw3ImgSGfawrl96DaZ2RRmL5c5tdAeuxB4odngrqDefvmC1LK6tEsglg3rvwoR2cbwmUqpU72xlU0nfsVhan5c2e_BWb6lw8/s1080/TOPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1080" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCtJDgOFmGCUKlfquPtcwDBD_Lv42bixN2nABbGt1KzjWzymUY-NRVunwPMchc-0aKCHLHe-1o47jV31SWXXhDF1DQjdhw3ImgSGfawrl96DaZ2RRmL5c5tdAeuxB4odngrqDefvmC1LK6tEsglg3rvwoR2cbwmUqpU72xlU0nfsVhan5c2e_BWb6lw8/w400-h341/TOPS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up were some tops. This Brindille &Twig (19) lap neck tee goes together perfectly!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOxteAgDRlcW-Y2xRU05mFEFsF7m-2FxFyzVv7R2lW2lOTzZG2nPaHKi0XitXCWyg2V4y3xYf4mVeV4NOJZvGVCWppwNJt0CU9en2dSgdGm7KpHQeq46LVOGbM0w8DCCQJmLsH8j2tCt8g4qjA0G1xmtvXR1KR2Eb38CGPDyC121KJFQ5Cz_WKc886-M/s1080/rugbies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1080" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOxteAgDRlcW-Y2xRU05mFEFsF7m-2FxFyzVv7R2lW2lOTzZG2nPaHKi0XitXCWyg2V4y3xYf4mVeV4NOJZvGVCWppwNJt0CU9en2dSgdGm7KpHQeq46LVOGbM0w8DCCQJmLsH8j2tCt8g4qjA0G1xmtvXR1KR2Eb38CGPDyC121KJFQ5Cz_WKc886-M/w400-h348/rugbies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlkTFuz6uULy8qiMc5xQg9knIrjQog2FF_XFI6_j4MTbNrO0NZr-qaS3DJr5YRHa9zPh2DcsA3nXL_ELGDTRK7pAj8GKlj5kX0oFRarKtWKWDnKapDo6jUY8uoTkJZhHqeRoOkV2l7AajTim0Xv65xllXGaCosggeC-IPeef-eOMto6vNvWqnOCAUqX4/s1772/snaps%20behind%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlkTFuz6uULy8qiMc5xQg9knIrjQog2FF_XFI6_j4MTbNrO0NZr-qaS3DJr5YRHa9zPh2DcsA3nXL_ELGDTRK7pAj8GKlj5kX0oFRarKtWKWDnKapDo6jUY8uoTkJZhHqeRoOkV2l7AajTim0Xv65xllXGaCosggeC-IPeef-eOMto6vNvWqnOCAUqX4/w244-h400/snaps%20behind%201.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUg_LYgpjZ_8bHZQFnxl3T1F7S24mnYRoT0TTEpzKEUeVj5gGjDvwngl9xGVOVlYBDXLNR6OkPcUbid-YGQmK1WLHHJp8FfaiEgqsE7iX0-LPMfdp-3EhZSYtSatvneCMFWpBa5FFalFK_8NfyxHPc0-9xxHNlUdpvxzaezBKyVZeclNN1953HZt_6Lg/s1189/snaps%20behind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUg_LYgpjZ_8bHZQFnxl3T1F7S24mnYRoT0TTEpzKEUeVj5gGjDvwngl9xGVOVlYBDXLNR6OkPcUbid-YGQmK1WLHHJp8FfaiEgqsE7iX0-LPMfdp-3EhZSYtSatvneCMFWpBa5FFalFK_8NfyxHPc0-9xxHNlUdpvxzaezBKyVZeclNN1953HZt_6Lg/w364-h400/snaps%20behind.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Little rugby tops made from scraps using the Brindille & Twig (127) henley pattern were next. I've found that the snaps I have used before on his baby clothes that are pressed in place with snap pliers do not hold very well. So for these, I used buttons for cuteness with sewn-on snaps beneath.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1pWtDAmuzi1zmHNXJuCU6e20RR68TRxhuiucMTPwGh2HVB17W0g3pfSbbOBF8sFH56qfMtvYXeXT70HI-S684wjkbOFpNGag63y8NWgKBey8q_Yb_OBUPNzIt9CII9z2gemppjdCoYxn-nXw-k2kJSUlyh0jwo8ArCElp8pcBCHlBEM5j_KIM0Zsy5c/s1080/blue%20jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1080" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1pWtDAmuzi1zmHNXJuCU6e20RR68TRxhuiucMTPwGh2HVB17W0g3pfSbbOBF8sFH56qfMtvYXeXT70HI-S684wjkbOFpNGag63y8NWgKBey8q_Yb_OBUPNzIt9CII9z2gemppjdCoYxn-nXw-k2kJSUlyh0jwo8ArCElp8pcBCHlBEM5j_KIM0Zsy5c/w400-h316/blue%20jacket.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More scrap busting here using McCalls M7827 for a little comfy cozy jacket!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1pWtDAmuzi1zmHNXJuCU6e20RR68TRxhuiucMTPwGh2HVB17W0g3pfSbbOBF8sFH56qfMtvYXeXT70HI-S684wjkbOFpNGag63y8NWgKBey8q_Yb_OBUPNzIt9CII9z2gemppjdCoYxn-nXw-k2kJSUlyh0jwo8ArCElp8pcBCHlBEM5j_KIM0Zsy5c/s1080/blue%20jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqRnIXPGJOtPwBZlrJNoIL9H18R9YpeB8ejx0DJE-_-gpEQwOxUXeSQqec02o0U4MFo4Jcsd9ryX3YORDVQEk7EDS7YGoy3dy2IskU57r55vFQw-D3tcvfqBQ9LCx1_XUi4c_zPQIJDd0UPDyBuOs8SgQNAViL9QVOKCwDw6pVuStRXeKVzsx8Bu6hZc/s1080/fox%20jacket%20front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqRnIXPGJOtPwBZlrJNoIL9H18R9YpeB8ejx0DJE-_-gpEQwOxUXeSQqec02o0U4MFo4Jcsd9ryX3YORDVQEk7EDS7YGoy3dy2IskU57r55vFQw-D3tcvfqBQ9LCx1_XUi4c_zPQIJDd0UPDyBuOs8SgQNAViL9QVOKCwDw6pVuStRXeKVzsx8Bu6hZc/w400-h398/fox%20jacket%20front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d6lShaTzxlU7L0u7LPK1827bxqeRbm4h4PnT5Fwv1ssyhlkDe_6riEAVx94LwrSGJR8xHF6zww1hxmYyuO-4rDn6tvCiML2xe9uRCP1PvqoWObCo0nwifJLj6kA1I_GGpT20xlv8IXYKeNZtOBlf7IDvs4SBaDYONf5Rv-p4_x5FM2MoKGk6yt7h0ko/s1080/fox%20jacket%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1080" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1d6lShaTzxlU7L0u7LPK1827bxqeRbm4h4PnT5Fwv1ssyhlkDe_6riEAVx94LwrSGJR8xHF6zww1hxmYyuO-4rDn6tvCiML2xe9uRCP1PvqoWObCo0nwifJLj6kA1I_GGpT20xlv8IXYKeNZtOBlf7IDvs4SBaDYONf5Rv-p4_x5FM2MoKGk6yt7h0ko/w400-h391/fox%20jacket%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqOTkiLp0IG2XvHcRDtLPpplf1ri2LI9VB6mN8ocUUFIjaarSqm78MijV66B5V3_Tactry5fU8iV98OVP1pQxUIs0Ji8U0kr56YeW_bup9em6LbgbEn1dCHtpsKxx1jwPHmkvmZ8e77nO8mcOsK_rcvKsr9Qv3wsGkkgsrhX-WSRwcJtre7V-wN3xeis/s1186/bear%20vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqOTkiLp0IG2XvHcRDtLPpplf1ri2LI9VB6mN8ocUUFIjaarSqm78MijV66B5V3_Tactry5fU8iV98OVP1pQxUIs0Ji8U0kr56YeW_bup9em6LbgbEn1dCHtpsKxx1jwPHmkvmZ8e77nO8mcOsK_rcvKsr9Qv3wsGkkgsrhX-WSRwcJtre7V-wN3xeis/w364-h400/bear%20vest.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ImbOLqvludZ6ilkBhdm-okhsFIKAqxhCAu_nkEYkZ9Dyt6RO6_551cOYujNKuOm7Viekh7Zlj2oPiCgmoKPf3qEfz0Tww54Rzv_ENi6f56f5eTo_bwTJH7083EcT9BxbshKl0COx238z4g9wdUv2negODYdbPprfrwY6VraYjKFY0VsG4J389ugZ_o/s1202/bear%20vest%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ImbOLqvludZ6ilkBhdm-okhsFIKAqxhCAu_nkEYkZ9Dyt6RO6_551cOYujNKuOm7Viekh7Zlj2oPiCgmoKPf3qEfz0Tww54Rzv_ENi6f56f5eTo_bwTJH7083EcT9BxbshKl0COx238z4g9wdUv2negODYdbPprfrwY6VraYjKFY0VsG4J389ugZ_o/w360-h400/bear%20vest%20back.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I used the last bits of his knits combined with corduroy used in his pants to create a little jacket and vest using the Brindille & Twig (98) retro cardigan pattern. I thought they turned out really well and he likes wearing them as they are easy and comfortable getting off and on.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFPwmVDy4aik1DA11PCVX3XI2k_rXar9AMoSwuwW_rge0hlIyMRDU9A0_mZgCwZdHa3-_HUO3QC9E5Z0vQdEaySVmpSLI_DkkJB1G8LWmwCI22KUC3MRDSrVoox5Az1Etd2ZINaTwtbVvx_oSMBqU1V12fQN9odReGZvFguN44kyWGE6OrBDSV3scSfU/s1080/dino%20top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFPwmVDy4aik1DA11PCVX3XI2k_rXar9AMoSwuwW_rge0hlIyMRDU9A0_mZgCwZdHa3-_HUO3QC9E5Z0vQdEaySVmpSLI_DkkJB1G8LWmwCI22KUC3MRDSrVoox5Az1Etd2ZINaTwtbVvx_oSMBqU1V12fQN9odReGZvFguN44kyWGE6OrBDSV3scSfU/w400-h261/dino%20top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuD0r0ORrfyvFfRRM0J-uOZpYct50eGAt9WGC79R7juJ5_eqvHPXp3GLe9g5hEcZx7rkxGhN1OrJoLOIjqm6oOLj7zqTNufndNPIWXIx4BT90M7b_gZiljLo_1EM9bJaT53_Bw-u_CLl3mmx-34Ym_dbUzMt5nxwuUC4LDnvUKcB2t7dh8D26f44sKtw/s1153/dino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuD0r0ORrfyvFfRRM0J-uOZpYct50eGAt9WGC79R7juJ5_eqvHPXp3GLe9g5hEcZx7rkxGhN1OrJoLOIjqm6oOLj7zqTNufndNPIWXIx4BT90M7b_gZiljLo_1EM9bJaT53_Bw-u_CLl3mmx-34Ym_dbUzMt5nxwuUC4LDnvUKcB2t7dh8D26f44sKtw/w375-h400/dino.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><p>And finally in this set, I had fun making this little sweat shirt, using knits I had left over from some batch sewing of circle skirts using my tried and true pattern, the Veronika Skirt from Megan Neilson, for Roo. The sweatshirt pattern (along with a little dress) is included in the S9023 pattern. I thought it was pretty cute with the addition of some embroidery! So happy with how his little duds turned out and glad to find ways to have them all mix and match!</p><p>So much fun!!! Live, sew and love chaotically!! - love, les</p></div>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-77842347406645105222023-11-09T21:50:00.002-05:002023-11-09T22:36:25.640-05:00September/October - Two months blessed with worthy reads!<p><b>September ~ </b></p><p><b>Demon Copperhead </b>- Barbara Kingsolver. Very well written and brave story telling to show a sad but very real - esp in my neck of the woods - (though likely across this land) and honest telling of the drug abuse that is rampant. Thanks to the desperation in human's lives, the Sackler family, Big Pharma, and hospitals/medical corporations/providers/JCAH who were all so complicit in accepting the pharmaceutical companies' insistence that we were not following and addressing our patients' pain adequately and appropriately. The pain scales that were adopted as a requirement in daily patient evaluations were, and continue to be, completely BOGUS!!! They provide no real information and all reasonable providers were already accessing and treating pain in far better ways and continue to do so with little help from said pain scales though insurance now requires that they be completed. Back to the story ~ Bit of a tough read to say the least, given the vivid portrait of the down hill spiral created by drug abuse and foster care, especially coming to my reading on the heels of <b>Young Mungo</b>, but with important characters you care about - even when you want to ring their necks.</p><p><b>Clytemnestra</b> - Costanza Casati. <i><b>"Human lives are based on pain. But to have a few moments of happiness, lightnings tearing the darkness of the sky, that is worth it." </b> </i>The story of Clytemnestra, sister to Helen and wife of Agamemnon. While it did not reach as high as <b>Circe </b>did for me, it is well written and demonstrates the lives of strong women who faced motherhood, abuse, love, horrible choices, and unfaithful partners/friends with resilience, strength, and grace.</p><p><b>Afterlife</b> - Julia Alverez. Unlike old me who would read any book I started, or finish any movie - somehow believing it would get better, is not how I roll these days. The blurbs made this sound like a book I would enjoy. Was interested in the topic of undocumented immigrants from an author who immigrated to the US from the DR at the age of ten, but I just couldn't get past the start. Probably my mood at the time, but there you have it.</p><p><b>The Covenant of Water</b> - Abraham Verghese. I loved <b>Cutting for Stone</b> so very much! It probably falls among my favorite top ten of all novels I have read! Sadly, for me, this work did not reach those heights. Ranging from 1900 to 1977 from Scotland to Kerala. Topics ranging from medicine (including historical surgical techniques, untreated neonatal hypothyroidism, leprosy, difficult childbirth, deafness, depression, drug addiction) to Indian culture (including marriage practices, caste system, clothing, farming, politics) - WHEW!!! It was a lot. Most characters were well drawn and interesting. I guess my biggest problems with the book were the occasional preachy dissertations regarding Indian life, politics and history, while important, combined with the fact that some important events occurred far too easily and conveniently, while others were too complicated - all conspired to burst your bubble of happily suspended disbelief which I found to be unsettling. So, while there were characters and stories here that I shall never forget, and therefore a very worthy read, it did not rise to the level of <b>Cutting for Stone</b> for me. Sorry, Oprah. Yet, with appreciation, Mr. Verghese.</p><p><b>October ~</b></p><p><b>This Must be the Place </b>- Maggie O'Farrell. Along the same lines - <b>LOVED Hamnet, </b>so... perhaps unduly high expectations were in place here. A good read, with well drawn characters. However, none I particularly connected with. Kudos for addressing eczema in a well informed way. Events were often a bit too far fetched for me. And while I dealt with it - the seemingly excessive and unnecessary jumping back and forth in time and between characters was not particularly appealing. The hopping from one character, in different times to others in other moments made the story line somewhat needlessly difficult to follow (from one who has never published a book much less several excellent ones!!!) and made the similar presentation utilized in <b>Fried Green Tomatoes </b>and <b>Cloud Atlas </b>a walk in the park!</p><p><b>There There </b>- Tommy Orange. While the topics (the treatment of American Indians, drug use, alcoholism, gun violence, marginalized communities) are so incredibly sad, relevant, important, in dire need of recognition and redress - I had a hard time loving the way this book was written. I wanted to get to know and understand the characters better and had trouble doing it in the way they were shared in snippets that came and went. Still, there was lots to think about within.</p><p><b>The House by the Cerulean Sea</b> - T.J.Klune. I loved this book, though this sort of fantasy (children with strange/magical/unworldly gifts and abilities) is not my usual jam, the writer made them such real children (who to my mind all possess amazing gifts and abilities - though some have had them beaten out of them, forgotten them, or simply abandoned them as adults) that it was simply a beautiful tale of what love and support can do for all of us. Definitely recommend!</p><p>Happy chaotic reading! - les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-61949620145024281752023-09-24T00:20:00.000-04:002023-09-24T00:20:00.686-04:00Ocean waves and true love ~<p><br /></p><p>Life is like the ocean's waves. Beautiful. Dangerous. Sparkling. Mysterious. Far larger and deeper than any part we may play or space we can really comprehend. As likely to rock you gently in her cerulean arms as to cast you onto rocky shores. Our joys and sorrows wax and wane much like the tide. Yet, despite the complicated and meandering currents of life, I have been blessed with a constant beacon. Love from the kindest, most generous soul has kept me strong when I was weak. Brought me smiles when I was sad. Shared my joys and lifted me higher.</p><p>Even today, there was this ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIECqmTenQV7B0W_LBs4zRMVruQZqcr3kldQgvpgMIxzAEbitl7S4nn6rX07Dagmty30dHbaZdmWVSDpI5h1RdcKXjk5oFTzEXUIZjbd6jD5KcVs-nZC5vFAmJMe0SaUQumH1t2z7x01mpOW8VfQDyEo6CAwf4wNB1S4f8EockMXpULypID37I5HUiz0g/s2179/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2179" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIECqmTenQV7B0W_LBs4zRMVruQZqcr3kldQgvpgMIxzAEbitl7S4nn6rX07Dagmty30dHbaZdmWVSDpI5h1RdcKXjk5oFTzEXUIZjbd6jD5KcVs-nZC5vFAmJMe0SaUQumH1t2z7x01mpOW8VfQDyEo6CAwf4wNB1S4f8EockMXpULypID37I5HUiz0g/w318-h640/flowers.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><p>For reference:</p><p>The vase: <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2011/10/most-romantic-dateever.html">The most romantic date....EVER!!!!</a></p><p>The red bug: <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2011/10/driving-towards-park.html">Driving toward the park</a></p><p>Thanks for loving me, my dear sweet B. I am forever your girl. Love, les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-40020823377894181702023-09-06T08:09:00.001-04:002023-09-06T08:09:16.110-04:00April/May/June/July and August Reads!<p><u>April:</u><b> </b></p><p><b>Prodigal Summer</b> - Barbara Kingsolver. Strong women with personal quirks, environmental preservation, the fleeting nature of love and the unpredictability of ones future are classic Kingsolver themes told in her amazing voice. Not <i>Poisonwood Bible,</i> but a worthy read with memorable characters. </p><p><u>May:</u></p><p><b>Unsheltered</b> - Barbara Kingsolver. Loved this one! Two stories running parallel about two women I could admire and identify with. </p><p><b>The Marriage Portrait</b> - Maggie O'Farrell. Engaging story of Renaissance Italy in the 1550's and the story of Lucrezia du' Medici as interpreted by the author. Keeps you thinking but not in the league of <b>Hamnet</b> to me.</p><p><b>Euphoria</b> - Lily King. The story of three anthropologists caught up in their work and each other in the 1930's as they study the South Pacific tribes of New Guinea. Drawn to it because of my dear Jonathan and his early work. But these characters were something else. Hmmm...</p><p><b>The Thing about Jellyfish</b> - Ali Benjamin. When 12 year old Suzy losses her best friend in a drowning accident, she struggles to make sense of her last months with her friend and the reason for her death. A story and character that really touches your soul - in the vein of <b>A Bridge to Terabithia</b> and others. </p><p><b>The Secret Life of Bees</b> - Sue Monk Kidd. A re-read. An affirmation of how women can support one another - no matter their race, position, or beliefs. </p><p><u>June:</u></p><p><b>The Song of Achilles</b> - Madeline Miller. Oh, Patroclus. What a dear friend you were. The story of Achilles and the siege of Troy, perhaps as it should always have been told. Well done!</p><p><b>Circe</b> - Madeline Miller. I loved this one so much!!! My heart ached for her, but I feel blessed to have known her. Motherhood and true love were described as I have felt them to be.</p><p><u>July:</u></p><p><b>The Penelopiad</b> - Margaret Atwood. A re-read. But, needed to review Atwood's version after the roles Penelope and Odysseus played in Circe!</p><p><b>Young Mungo</b> - Douglas Stewart. A hard tale to take. But a vivid and unflinching portrait of life in the tenements, project, public housing, schemes - whatever your town calls it - and all that can be lost there.</p><p><u>August:</u>! </p><p><b>Interpreter of Maladies</b> - Jhumpa Lahiri. The hands down best collection of short stories I have read in some time - perhaps ever! The characters are real and complete with vivid compelling stories you remember long after their brief pages have been read.</p><p><b>The Namesake</b> - Jhumpa Lahiri. I didn't love it as much as I had hoped, given how much I thought of Lahiri's short stories. Still, a good read with lots to think about.</p><p><b>Remarkably Bright Creatures</b> - Shelby Van Pelt. Really liked this one, which surprised me given that one of the main characters (and one of my three favs) is an octopus. </p><p>Read and live chaotically!!! - les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-51312012097649773582023-08-30T19:26:00.000-04:002023-08-30T19:26:52.743-04:00Sew Chaotically! More Giraffes for sweet Jam ~<p>I love doing a bit of handwork and especially enjoyed making this trio for Jam's room!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzK0WOurCxdK0RqGhU9zDmAyxnz_slM1yhUSBlZUw8suMSeS4h3GPoYhAq3cKhFV1BaqRwixNJDcSAUREKF8gDZn3m85PQXMFut_qsCqMidABSNO4WJX30pYZdJ0bwxhsJMwmvkayc4pMQfx-13z3vWey_lkUPGxC8mSV_cHddnc6zfSjsdRYwD5K5kg/s1080/jam%20giraffes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1080" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzK0WOurCxdK0RqGhU9zDmAyxnz_slM1yhUSBlZUw8suMSeS4h3GPoYhAq3cKhFV1BaqRwixNJDcSAUREKF8gDZn3m85PQXMFut_qsCqMidABSNO4WJX30pYZdJ0bwxhsJMwmvkayc4pMQfx-13z3vWey_lkUPGxC8mSV_cHddnc6zfSjsdRYwD5K5kg/w400-h351/jam%20giraffes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This pattern is "Giraffe" from Jessica Long.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvQfv84OCqrFQRGUsjZ89LRIChMkwhwY2QDUjbGC6AL3oogN4yKIGp7N7sH0NuOURw8pZwcN--5Q7Qj-j3Cxo48fBxaJWLAhD4ELpdZv5wDugKHtI-XGe1GJMOBklBajAiKbzL0i_OCMmPjHyPS9qLtWvtS7qQVnEBd1iJmbs6hO2MuXoPT_jIkMWW1E/s1129/jam%20g%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvQfv84OCqrFQRGUsjZ89LRIChMkwhwY2QDUjbGC6AL3oogN4yKIGp7N7sH0NuOURw8pZwcN--5Q7Qj-j3Cxo48fBxaJWLAhD4ELpdZv5wDugKHtI-XGe1GJMOBklBajAiKbzL0i_OCMmPjHyPS9qLtWvtS7qQVnEBd1iJmbs6hO2MuXoPT_jIkMWW1E/w383-h400/jam%20g%201.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><p> This - "George the Giraffe" from Hoop dee doo</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmnYvDKWI2I-Y518Eln58ihr4hVUkwphXoSFTOlu2K1XnN7xGK_WaQXvEpp9rRpGPCvmpAhJmZ-H_H-FY0WI-nQRAyXb3o1QGKqY9UFs2r91fXd3-Bn2XCWgxfvyphvY9ESTJJjY8YX_JnH133YFL78HsmywXCurNRDtJZSZKAZi7LVuMs1Clp0uAm7s/s1120/jam%20g%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmnYvDKWI2I-Y518Eln58ihr4hVUkwphXoSFTOlu2K1XnN7xGK_WaQXvEpp9rRpGPCvmpAhJmZ-H_H-FY0WI-nQRAyXb3o1QGKqY9UFs2r91fXd3-Bn2XCWgxfvyphvY9ESTJJjY8YX_JnH133YFL78HsmywXCurNRDtJZSZKAZi7LVuMs1Clp0uAm7s/w386-h400/jam%20g%202.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><p>Finally, "Safari" by Lynny Lou Crafts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh_Ai8WA-uC8QglcLAUP1ESAul3N1SVSpKR1jqTX6krx7Avt_eCUHj8SAWgzCMDxq3YMK65xp4L-_F-wik7Og5HYtLvtcA4PQtwT4_xa1zTPRsTtgjiTrzWTgyJeCNOHijYHrOUsufK9Og8ocMiLTUtqNSDJxuF80uK-TC9WtTlYEaY_kZ0fVeUqdKzM/s1107/jam%20g%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh_Ai8WA-uC8QglcLAUP1ESAul3N1SVSpKR1jqTX6krx7Avt_eCUHj8SAWgzCMDxq3YMK65xp4L-_F-wik7Og5HYtLvtcA4PQtwT4_xa1zTPRsTtgjiTrzWTgyJeCNOHijYHrOUsufK9Og8ocMiLTUtqNSDJxuF80uK-TC9WtTlYEaY_kZ0fVeUqdKzM/w390-h400/jam%20g%203.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><p>For all these pieces I used the colors noted on the patterns as inspiration, but used only embroidery floss I had on hand. Similarly, I used some of the advised stitches and improvised my own when I wished. I traced the patterns on water-soluble fabric for embroidery. It worked really well; remaining stable while working on the pieces and dissolving completely and easily once finished. The only draw back was the thread used for the 'rose' George holds in his mouth faded onto the fabric when exposed to water!!! What the???? I got most of it out and afterwards realized that in using my scrap/stash of embroidery floss, that bit had probably come from a kit Roo used to make bracelets with as a kid, picked by me because of the color, and was not DMC brand, while all the others were. Lesson learned!!! It was a fun project for me and has provided a lot of smiles and smelling of flowers for the most precious little guy! </p><p>Sew and stitch and love chaotically! ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-46769559237262607052023-08-26T11:06:00.000-04:002023-08-26T11:06:29.107-04:00For my B ~<p><br /></p><p>I wish I could say all the things, do all the things, that could make you understand just how wonderful my life with you has been. But, because I fear I shall fall far short in using my own words, I offer these...</p><p><i><b>"... I have remained in this new world for nearly thirty years</b></i> [35 years for us, my love!]. <b><i>I know that my achievement is quite ordinary. I am not the only man to seek his fortune far from his home, and certainly I am not the first. Still, there are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept. As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination."</i></b> </p><p> ~ From: <b><i>The Third and Final Continent</i></b> included in <u>The Interpreter of Maladies</u>, by Jhumpa Lahiri </p><p><span>While not exactly the author's intention, on reading this passage, I immediately thought of you my love; of our life together. Though in many ways ever so ordinary - getting to know one another completely, sharing meals (my first hummus, fresh asparagus, Greek and Cuban foods), seeing bits of the world through the eyes of the other, helping each other grow, building a family, a home, a life - it has been the most spectacular existence I could ever have imagined for myself. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyjwfI3WyUrMrU7rSOg4L_t2bcxa8bTw6p7WKuGWnT5HEIANjT3cT6f50SHdmbGjihC1j69DNwDlUdA-zxtm91oJ6xF0QQHO4OHHQ7bgzh7brFicQiCr9hEWaqBhaOCEOAQF6AWJc0St7TUxiO8w84d-nOqdiPPIVaTMKG0g2xlT3G59qw_rWYr7DrNs/s270/love%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="228" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyjwfI3WyUrMrU7rSOg4L_t2bcxa8bTw6p7WKuGWnT5HEIANjT3cT6f50SHdmbGjihC1j69DNwDlUdA-zxtm91oJ6xF0QQHO4OHHQ7bgzh7brFicQiCr9hEWaqBhaOCEOAQF6AWJc0St7TUxiO8w84d-nOqdiPPIVaTMKG0g2xlT3G59qw_rWYr7DrNs/w338-h400/love%202.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><p>Likewise, from the first time I ever heard it, Jewel's song expressed exactly what it feels like to have your love, your physical presence in my life:</p><p></p><pre class="lyric-body wselect-cnt" data-lang="en" dir="ltr" id="lyric-body-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: alias; font-family: Oxygen, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; text-wrap: wrap; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><span style="color: #111111;">Running fast </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/through" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">through</a><span style="color: #111111;"> a </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/fairy" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">fairy</a><span style="color: #111111;"> tale
Dark woods; </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/starless" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">starless</a><span style="color: #111111;"> night
Feel cold air in my lungs
Full moon, you </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/follow" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">follow</a><span style="color: #111111;"> me-you say
"Why do </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/hearts" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">hearts</a><span style="color: #111111;"> so </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/often" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">often</a><span style="color: #111111;"> stray?"
You </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/pierce" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">pierce</a><span style="color: #111111;"> me like an arrow
Beneath the </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/blanket" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">blanket</a><span style="color: #111111;"> of night
Longing for flight
When you fall into me
It </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/feels" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">feels</a><span style="color: #111111;"> so sweet, like dreaming
Press </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/yourself" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">yourself</a><span style="color: #111111;"> into me
Let me feel your breathing
There's a </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/voice" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">voice</a><span style="color: #111111;"> in your heart
Softly calling
Come to me you will see, just give in
To this </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sweet" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">sweet</a><span style="color: #111111;"> temptation
I awake, do a </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/double" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">double</a><span style="color: #111111;"> take to see
Where it is that I lay-it </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/could" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">could</a><span style="color: #111111;"> be
Day or night, I'm not </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/quite" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">quite</a><span style="color: #111111;"> sure
Your </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/absence" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">absence</a><span style="color: #111111;"> is a thorn
</span><span style="color: red;">Your flesh, your skin
Is the only flag there is to believe in</span><span style="color: #111111;">
I can love you like </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/nobody" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">nobody</a><span style="color: #111111;"> else
When you fall into me
It </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/feels" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">feels</a><span style="color: #111111;"> so sweet, like dreaming
Press </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/yourself" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">yourself</a><span style="color: #111111;"> into me
Let me feel your breathing
There's a </span><a href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/voice" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; text-decoration-line: none;">voice</a><span style="color: #111111;"> in your heart
Softly calling</span></b></i></span></pre><p><span> ~ Sweet Temptation, Jewel</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH8Z5-3Pn_2Lz6QV6RT7sLoY_POEThBq5MKq168jfFhGCV2kuBMhuWdC4bJGKqXdx7-l58L7Uv1eD6mrs3JaOHhlf_g3GHa_l1l4xyrTFPd7I3UYsR1NKkmwZ3UAI8fP-iMTYZyNWSZLkXuJH6i15z2GMG-cSJsVO6oHGtH8ELY-6z-iVCB-S92OWGPs/s1080/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="1080" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH8Z5-3Pn_2Lz6QV6RT7sLoY_POEThBq5MKq168jfFhGCV2kuBMhuWdC4bJGKqXdx7-l58L7Uv1eD6mrs3JaOHhlf_g3GHa_l1l4xyrTFPd7I3UYsR1NKkmwZ3UAI8fP-iMTYZyNWSZLkXuJH6i15z2GMG-cSJsVO6oHGtH8ELY-6z-iVCB-S92OWGPs/w400-h186/love.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>YOU have loved me like nobody else. YOU have always been my very best friend, my biggest cheerleader, my fearless (and relentless) advocate, my lover, my all. Even though I am the planner, you have never failed to remember and create amazing moments no matter the crazy we may be struggling through - a hot air balloon ride on my 30th birthday, flowers at my table in our fav Italian restaurant (even if it is in San Francisco!!!), and all that is silly and wonderful today. Thank you on this most special of our days, and on all the others in between, for being you; my beautiful boy. For loving me.</p><p></p><p>I love you with all that I am ~ for always. your les.</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-60609386581371873712023-08-18T20:40:00.000-04:002023-08-18T20:40:19.121-04:00The good wolf...<p> </p><p>I thought this little allegory spoke volumes....</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: none;"><em style="outline: none;"><b>A grandfather is talking with his grandson. The grandfather says, “In life, there are two wolves inside of us which are always at battle. One is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf which represents things like greed, hatred, and fear.”</b></em></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: none;"><em style="outline: none;"><b>The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second, then he looks up at his grandfather and says, “Grandfather, which one wins?”</b></em></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: none;"><em style="outline: none;"><b>The grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”</b></em></p><p>Who do I feed? Who do you? Society? As Jam says, "Hmmmm..." </p><p>Live and think chaotically! ~ les</p><p><br /></p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-91038753922669130082023-08-12T10:45:00.001-04:002023-08-12T10:45:55.277-04:00A message of comfort....<p> </p><p> <b><i> "Self definition is the first step toward self control - and peace."</i></b></p><p> ~ James McBride.</p><p>This little fellow may help a bit as well -</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKWfP-JdSoEqXLoUK1rUpvPM70q-okHjA-YAV_voXe1bdu2PHb9wTR-Mwm7TfDIzAdpoSoBN0_0CTco8InTaBwI6P0JPb9bWFpqEBZNNEU24FRiokEOYguC272K7SiDaexPInBSOyUUju5xgysqRC0CmiHfb1Ql3K9mXvNyjJ5IaxCvZ46AGsACxS7OE/s1680/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKWfP-JdSoEqXLoUK1rUpvPM70q-okHjA-YAV_voXe1bdu2PHb9wTR-Mwm7TfDIzAdpoSoBN0_0CTco8InTaBwI6P0JPb9bWFpqEBZNNEU24FRiokEOYguC272K7SiDaexPInBSOyUUju5xgysqRC0CmiHfb1Ql3K9mXvNyjJ5IaxCvZ46AGsACxS7OE/w258-h400/deer.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><p>My heart aches for those suffering in Maui and elsewhere. Much love, les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-57967362811748256852023-08-05T11:07:00.000-04:002023-08-05T11:07:03.511-04:00Sew Chaotically! ~ Quilt #6 - An Everyday Quilt<p> I love the <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/07/sew-chaotically-quilt-2-sashiko-crazy.html">sashiko patchwork quilt</a> I made for our bed. However, it is heavy and very warm for summer, so I decided to put together a simple one out of scraps I had from Freddo's and other bits and bobs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhXjrlXIdx1gxE5DeErqF0gY24au0U4vb2gEuftJAO45io9kVHnpgIMZX6YsSpJJEMYT6XgVPlsk_LueNvhqprrN7457umvvFx1xfwoaCHcomxCNGrezwqdjIHAW0ezKAySy8M5XCTMCvjU4muEePU1Jsu6VpZuKPqqfkBayv-gA5q_O_VlzTF2mD/s1080/day%20quilt%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhXjrlXIdx1gxE5DeErqF0gY24au0U4vb2gEuftJAO45io9kVHnpgIMZX6YsSpJJEMYT6XgVPlsk_LueNvhqprrN7457umvvFx1xfwoaCHcomxCNGrezwqdjIHAW0ezKAySy8M5XCTMCvjU4muEePU1Jsu6VpZuKPqqfkBayv-gA5q_O_VlzTF2mD/w400-h254/day%20quilt%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think the colors and pattern turned out really well for the room and what was in my head. It was easy and quick to stitch the top together.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AkFQsxRdbQ9UBCIeI8-vXRe5QWn2CaWZceOIjwARIYEKBvE6uqJHzLciKVMl0tbkLWZnqRE1_Dsv56vWr9k4rNXusMHl03ifo9LdAxRQbQv4iNWBxIOXUNtjLUuU2Gwz1FXhlZncfPwIDArKXIvWI_DZjn2aKjqhFPbrU4cUcQ4iCDsrkb_7FDEf/s1080/day%20quilt%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1080" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AkFQsxRdbQ9UBCIeI8-vXRe5QWn2CaWZceOIjwARIYEKBvE6uqJHzLciKVMl0tbkLWZnqRE1_Dsv56vWr9k4rNXusMHl03ifo9LdAxRQbQv4iNWBxIOXUNtjLUuU2Gwz1FXhlZncfPwIDArKXIvWI_DZjn2aKjqhFPbrU4cUcQ4iCDsrkb_7FDEf/w400-h385/day%20quilt%203.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I made binding for the edges. The quilting was simple and linear. I was a bit worried about tunneling given that pattern but it has been washed several times and hasn't been an issue. Still, lessons were learned!!! I used an old sheet for the backing. Lots of quilters love using them. Perhaps their sheets are better than mine, but I will not be doing that again. It didn't give me the extra space to manipulate the backing as I would have liked and it was not easy to keep smooth. Finally, I will NEVER use Hobbs Heirloom batting ever, ever again!!! It comes in a roll and when you roll it out flat it is all warped with bulges and stretched wonky from being wound tightly upon itself. Plus it was not one piece, but a patchwork of irregularly shaped pieces the factory had smished together. All this combined to make a smooth layer almost impossible!!! Not a fan! (Much prefer Quilter's Dream, both the 80/20 poly/cotton and the bamboo/silk blends!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BQe2wZZTgbpKvYdyLroUEUdElhtQ3R3FWSC5-qCFdpxqmomVrV9-bqKRtQn_XUGqATN6UhH0FMZQVAki-kdN98I6TAm1fe4ClQn3F1dAwjWg_8Zh9QV4JkoGLz_eobc_7yrJ_q6bb2Sk67gkSZIOId1mRS3UEHi__xhXWN9iIZfaSu4ggfGa_Xnd/s1402/day%20quilt%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BQe2wZZTgbpKvYdyLroUEUdElhtQ3R3FWSC5-qCFdpxqmomVrV9-bqKRtQn_XUGqATN6UhH0FMZQVAki-kdN98I6TAm1fe4ClQn3F1dAwjWg_8Zh9QV4JkoGLz_eobc_7yrJ_q6bb2Sk67gkSZIOId1mRS3UEHi__xhXWN9iIZfaSu4ggfGa_Xnd/w309-h400/day%20quilt%202.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p>Still, we have enjoyed it this summer and I am very happy with how it turned out!!! Now on to the next one! Sew and live chaotically! - love, les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-42253740223144936512023-07-02T11:43:00.004-04:002023-07-02T11:43:46.497-04:00For sweet Jam!!!!<p> I have picked so many dandelions in the past few months!!!! It has been WONDERFUL!!! So when I saw this on IG, it was perfect!!!!</p><p><br /></p><p>headspace-hotel ~</p><p><i><b>Dandelions symbolize everything I want to be in life.</b></i></p><p>Main-river ~</p><p><i><b>Fluffy and dead with a gust of wind?</b></i></p><p>Headspace-hotel ~</p><p><i><b>Unapologetic. Hard to kill. Feral, filled with sunlight, bright, beautiful in a way that the conventional and controlling hate but cannot ever fully destroy. Stubborn. Happy. Bastardous. Friends with bees. Highly disapproving of lawns. Full of wishes that will be carried far after I die.</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p>May your day be filled with puffers and those who love them. </p><p>Les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-32205625823799188432023-06-13T21:01:00.000-04:002023-06-13T21:01:12.018-04:00Sew Chaotically! ~ Quilt #5 - The Colors of Water<p>Quilt #5 for Freddo and Irina!!! My first quilt went to <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/02/sew-chaotically-shes-done-bs-valentine.html">Bentie, in 2021.</a> Then there was <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/07/sew-chaotically-quilt-2-sashiko-crazy.html">Sashiko Ta-dah</a> for our queen bed! The third was a special celebration of home <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/08/sew-chaotically-ooops-i-did-it-again.html">for dear Jo Jo!</a> Such sweet fun went into my fourth quilt, made for precious <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/12/sew-chaotically-quilt-4-jams-giraffes.html">Jam!</a> Part of the fun of quilt making for me is trying to embrace the personality and style of the user. For Fred and Irina, I checked in for fav colors and styles and came up with this chunky abstract pieced queen sized top... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5so4OjDjE_8AQn5PJQLV8N7kfSF-0GayZKL9J0elQXtIXnD5Fh2JnQmNWCiBeXqtnQzbzxufObr3oLRRoAEjlMMSf4qIIMiBG4VyppoOdgQljuE5sgZY7UltbRkKpPlCJXTbeo6OjuUIxNhFDjBxX0iG7MQI36KJ63reh1LjY_teftgZgkGm-ums=s1586" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1586" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5so4OjDjE_8AQn5PJQLV8N7kfSF-0GayZKL9J0elQXtIXnD5Fh2JnQmNWCiBeXqtnQzbzxufObr3oLRRoAEjlMMSf4qIIMiBG4VyppoOdgQljuE5sgZY7UltbRkKpPlCJXTbeo6OjuUIxNhFDjBxX0iG7MQI36KJ63reh1LjY_teftgZgkGm-ums=w400-h380" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqLhvh5wfyX42WClmGou_8Vf3JlldKS_zOKrdP2oD87g681v76N1vRN-GHnPPypXDsdVheixy3_9JZ6OfMnFV6o2oiQuRavcKkDTLo2Pbij_N9GExTB8-JZj1Ef-6ePeyNpLOj4yPmSemW-BZU8bMVwkXkMjD7Hr8JZSST6vbalWYwRnYV01GfL8aL=s1873" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1873" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqLhvh5wfyX42WClmGou_8Vf3JlldKS_zOKrdP2oD87g681v76N1vRN-GHnPPypXDsdVheixy3_9JZ6OfMnFV6o2oiQuRavcKkDTLo2Pbij_N9GExTB8-JZj1Ef-6ePeyNpLOj4yPmSemW-BZU8bMVwkXkMjD7Hr8JZSST6vbalWYwRnYV01GfL8aL=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2cGwYynQjV1kQ5pCYAfSLHH4pqnzG6Ec_Nw1bnpGiqnBpkpJbTFI_xMuHWA0lS2u6LjhVamYlC9Pq8HWa2_WrPFuDC33xKREJJmdSu8yjqPvZul5xk4R-99C9FHWcWevuH77G_u5bPPDHZ0XIO6lh3RkG-upzjvHr3tVFo4OBbpKcgG26OmUNVNw7=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="2048" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2cGwYynQjV1kQ5pCYAfSLHH4pqnzG6Ec_Nw1bnpGiqnBpkpJbTFI_xMuHWA0lS2u6LjhVamYlC9Pq8HWa2_WrPFuDC33xKREJJmdSu8yjqPvZul5xk4R-99C9FHWcWevuH77G_u5bPPDHZ0XIO6lh3RkG-upzjvHr3tVFo4OBbpKcgG26OmUNVNw7=w400-h204" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>She was a big girl!!! But, with B's help, I got her racked and ready!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTYvNjMs9AuVjgO9unOc-CngEACgsr9yMDBx2hWeoqUi4WZuU6pNz1xZblxKZA8_MJb64LVEpG_PuMoRNUZrTwBgFM_F5GmLxKG1SPKh-uUn065Kut5IKmk1rvzLHprP7fYWnP9mK4xbmG08Xi0YwncfC2PvyK953b11m_VpgZnaSAlFkxEPYzaHs3=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTYvNjMs9AuVjgO9unOc-CngEACgsr9yMDBx2hWeoqUi4WZuU6pNz1xZblxKZA8_MJb64LVEpG_PuMoRNUZrTwBgFM_F5GmLxKG1SPKh-uUn065Kut5IKmk1rvzLHprP7fYWnP9mK4xbmG08Xi0YwncfC2PvyK953b11m_VpgZnaSAlFkxEPYzaHs3=w380-h400" width="380" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjBtd52OdxMBTYKAm3wJtSkkAbqjxM_y6qMMFFtAC57PvRIgiapsYb-Gz8EI75s3aqACgLXHAcEfhLeHipMWDl7dpt6L4UnwipXmQFicle4XNb22nKRqAv0M0rNw6t2Kv7hiC1LcmQcgs4rso8aGMzSGx3uNFnOVDc4wsKddrgo6Stv0Y3VQyE1wQj=s1440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjBtd52OdxMBTYKAm3wJtSkkAbqjxM_y6qMMFFtAC57PvRIgiapsYb-Gz8EI75s3aqACgLXHAcEfhLeHipMWDl7dpt6L4UnwipXmQFicle4XNb22nKRqAv0M0rNw6t2Kv7hiC1LcmQcgs4rso8aGMzSGx3uNFnOVDc4wsKddrgo6Stv0Y3VQyE1wQj=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the linear lines and varied blues, I thought wavy visible quilting lines would make a nice contrast.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi22xtTyVoUUMOz_pr86OTC9dA5HLxFH2a-_fTiNfjXJYiAPhDjesYL0MjjkSnDckuGVwozEYxKiyWZTF3dbxS7kQg09iwh0VIYX-t7oCoJeJtgc0_mdb_XFR7xUe25YNjDyBIQLjxCbpeDUp8YK6ZYDyTe39DlTzlz1Mt_izTFy80LMEeom411I2Cu=s1718" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1718" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi22xtTyVoUUMOz_pr86OTC9dA5HLxFH2a-_fTiNfjXJYiAPhDjesYL0MjjkSnDckuGVwozEYxKiyWZTF3dbxS7kQg09iwh0VIYX-t7oCoJeJtgc0_mdb_XFR7xUe25YNjDyBIQLjxCbpeDUp8YK6ZYDyTe39DlTzlz1Mt_izTFy80LMEeom411I2Cu=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIdbkiJmeaM-cP9ORDXQpo661UaCYt5RF2RCnNEOCnBodb2Rjj4ajbNlpyP5015Hy-n1qqpHV3wTcnv2BKWXBF2uoIXzO5X0YzJ58ssnMEH8vN5dd_wo9vhfNr7hWZkxPUvljsktAceuIYsZfwWdSyL_VyYMEGQ_L-ffDQuOrT4i-G7ehRt8wFQW1i=s2002" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="2002" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIdbkiJmeaM-cP9ORDXQpo661UaCYt5RF2RCnNEOCnBodb2Rjj4ajbNlpyP5015Hy-n1qqpHV3wTcnv2BKWXBF2uoIXzO5X0YzJ58ssnMEH8vN5dd_wo9vhfNr7hWZkxPUvljsktAceuIYsZfwWdSyL_VyYMEGQ_L-ffDQuOrT4i-G7ehRt8wFQW1i=w400-h217" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was such a pleasant quilt to stitch through the cold months of 2022, plus I had the best supervisor ever!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzsl6lEcemkocbHOINt07EiDFwW-9FX7l9TvpbSTbhZjEEj8DGTTLP6GPzVJqtKKFdVGVymXGcN5ArRtJC3fUvusbAdWo0zymZkCyjiOUy-bYOZ9VF1aY9iSu88BSmNydAyD87WAqgmbx2q-yjDz8Z1fcTbwKhyT__lrWYdiSPQuIU5T0cQwEq4jNz=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzsl6lEcemkocbHOINt07EiDFwW-9FX7l9TvpbSTbhZjEEj8DGTTLP6GPzVJqtKKFdVGVymXGcN5ArRtJC3fUvusbAdWo0zymZkCyjiOUy-bYOZ9VF1aY9iSu88BSmNydAyD87WAqgmbx2q-yjDz8Z1fcTbwKhyT__lrWYdiSPQuIU5T0cQwEq4jNz=w275-h400" width="275" /></a></div><p>I was able to pass it on to its owners for Christmas this past year. It was fun to add some contrasting quilted pillow covers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnyjoG-LS-KUHgTxdImtKK3LlSL_Zscy4wmxJVOyC5PrQfgfnKAVOd0NpbnWPy93RQqDbsHQitBN_uV4a8K4MWtGRXO0pJhL_zAWrWDiMUI3iPoxZ-Oh5VKLdzdbWAx35fYPzYwjnAx6ZrTpKA1e9RynuiGeuUZVyIov9BuCT2cuogN0YOaTbm_Qa/s1080/final%20fred%20quilt%20close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnyjoG-LS-KUHgTxdImtKK3LlSL_Zscy4wmxJVOyC5PrQfgfnKAVOd0NpbnWPy93RQqDbsHQitBN_uV4a8K4MWtGRXO0pJhL_zAWrWDiMUI3iPoxZ-Oh5VKLdzdbWAx35fYPzYwjnAx6ZrTpKA1e9RynuiGeuUZVyIov9BuCT2cuogN0YOaTbm_Qa/w400-h320/final%20fred%20quilt%20close.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNB7h-TvdYNgFdSRdJJ_LPeXzBlwrSO0jLLjRYZnJj_lrj5BW3LTHxgUsw7CywQTFYQEj4BAG0qu2yCtA3TXPGlc91Rz1UdbulZLVXmrdFtqJYZf_946vDzz2wmKaQZtjjtDnMRp8wwgCXy5O4G8vyH3KiGltjBPZqRXZuZgKw5p9enwzzPBMM2j6/s1080/final%20fred%20quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1080" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNB7h-TvdYNgFdSRdJJ_LPeXzBlwrSO0jLLjRYZnJj_lrj5BW3LTHxgUsw7CywQTFYQEj4BAG0qu2yCtA3TXPGlc91Rz1UdbulZLVXmrdFtqJYZf_946vDzz2wmKaQZtjjtDnMRp8wwgCXy5O4G8vyH3KiGltjBPZqRXZuZgKw5p9enwzzPBMM2j6/w400-h280/final%20fred%20quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I hope it feels like a hug with a zillion stitches of love. Sew Chaotically!! ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-18013036836675050832023-06-04T10:27:00.000-04:002023-06-04T10:27:01.565-04:00December/January/ February/March Reads<p><b>December:</b> </p><p><b>The Book Thief</b> - Markus Zusak. 1939. Nazi Germany. At her brother's grave, Liesel finds and keeps, The Gravedigger's Handbook, beginning her fascination with books and reading. Her story of living with a foster family, their harboring of a Jewish man, her friendships, how they and others resist and comply with Nazi rule are an intense and poignant telling of the events and that moment in time, but speak volumes for us today. I found Death as a character, while crucial in giving scope and providing narration, strange and disruptive at times. However, it is a book that stays with you forever ~ and should. </p><p><b>January:</b></p><p><b>The Dressmakers of Auschwitz</b> - Lucy Adlington. True story of amazing women and the horrors of those able to use others so completely. Difficult to read in many ways. But, apart from the absolute cruelty man is able inflict that others are miraculously able to withstand, the telling could get repetitive and disjointed at times as the author would interject each woman's arrival no matter the time or events surrounding it, rather than provide a cohesively linear story. Not at all saying I could have done any better and I am sure the method was rooted in the desire to maintain facts and authenticity based on papers and interviews that had been used, which I really do appreciate.</p><p><b>February:</b></p><p><b>The Librarian of Auschwitz - </b>Antonio Iturbe. Based on the true story of Dita Kraus. I will never understand how cruel some humans can be. I cannot imagine living through such things.</p><p><b>World Travel, An Irreverent Guide - </b>Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever. Not the book I thought it would be. More of a list of cities/countries with a bit of travel data and Anthony's comments lifted from prior shows and books with no new material from Anthony. Still, it is always nice to hear his voice.</p><p><b>March:</b></p><p><b>Resistance Women </b>- Jennifer Chiaverini. I wanted to love this more than I did. It was a LONG haul. While I was thrilled it was a real accounting of brave strong women during unspeakable times - it often felt trite and repetitious. Through the lives of the characters - Mildred Fish, an American married to Avrid Harnack - a German economist who returned to Germany before all the horrors began; Martha Dodd, daughter of the American Ambassador to Germany; Greta Kuckoff a German and aspiring writer; and the only fictional composite - Sara Weitz, German, Jewish student - we get lots of details but I never felt I knew the women. Perhaps, simply my own fault, but it felt more like reading a report than a novel into which you breathe with the characters. Still - filled as it was with details of these incredible women and their group of resistance fighters - it gives the obviously damning and horrible view of those who committed atrocities but almost more horrible - the inaction of those who stood quietly, and therefore complicitly, by - doing nothing - while their neighbors and friends were removed from their jobs, homes, families - first to undesirable areas in town, then tenements, to compounds, to camps. Much like <i>The Dressmakers of Auschwitz </i>- making it clear that while hatred and prejudice were key in the events of Hitler's Germany - basic greed combined with the desperate economic conditions of the depression - fueled many of Hitler's directives and the willingness of the populace to follow them. Removing Jews from their jobs opened up positions for other Germans. Their removal from their homes and the distribution of their possessions directly benefited those ruling and the citizenry as well.</p><p><span style="color: red;">Heavy reads in these months. They were painful, so the going was slow. Due to my own poor education in these matters, I had rather missed how large a role financial greed, obviously combined with the desire for power and general racist hatred, played in Nazi Germany. There is so much to learn from Germany's Nazi past as well as how it has risen from such horrors. Despite pushback from right wing extremists in recent years, Germany has laws against promoting Nazi sentiment on-line and off, wearing the SS uniform, supporting Hitler, using swastikas and hate speech, as well as publicly denying the Holocaust. So much we could learn here... </span><span style="color: red;">Man's incessant need for power and to tear down others is incomprehensible to me. </span></p><p>Wishing you all the freedom to be who you are, love who you wish, worship as you desire, and tend to your own damn business. I know I got enough on my plate without worrying about what somebody else has on theirs!!!</p><p>Live kindly if chaotically! ~ les </p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-59243380455796449742023-05-25T21:43:00.000-04:002023-05-25T21:43:26.410-04:00Across 13 Aprils!!!<p> Yes, it's been a minute, but I'm still here and doing well! Thanks to all you sweet peeps who have stayed in touch and checked in despite my silence here. Thirteen years since a brain met was zapped and the right upper lobe of my lung was removed due to Stage IV melanoma! Time goes by in a blink doesn't it? Yet, my peeps and I are here - living and loving together! For some melanoma intel and general past April info you can check out this link (with more within) from last year, if you like ~ <a href="http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2022/05/across-12-aprils.html">Across 12 Aprils!</a> </p><p>And, since it's been a bit, this updated "count up" (That's better than 'count down', don't you think???!) may help give some perspective to these Aprils for old and new peeps alike - here you go:</p><p><b>I am now:</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">236 months (19 1/2 YEARS!!!!) post my original melanoma diagnosis in 2003 at the age of 39</b><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">156 months Stage IV (13 years!!!)</b><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">150 months NED (12.5 years - well....for melanoma at least)</b><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">148 months after starting nivo (Opdivo)</b><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">118 months (almost 10 years) AFTER my last nivo infusion in June 2013.</b><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><b style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><span face="Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b;"></span><span face="Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b;"><b>I am also: </b></span><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><span face="Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b;"><b>56 months (4.6 years) post my diagnosis of adenocarcinoma ex-goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) and the removal of my appendix with its 10.5 cm tumor, my ascending colon including ileocecal valve, gall bladder and ovaries</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;" /><span face="Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b;"><b>53 months (4.4 years!) post completion of 3 months adjuvant CAPOX chemo for same</b></span></p><p>Despite all the crazy, a great deal of beautiful and vibrant life has been lived in the past 19 plus years with so much more to come! But moving on to April... Fall and winter on the mountain were harsh this year! Temps dropped below zero, followed by the coldest spring we've had in a while! I feel blessed to have lost only 2 rosemary bushes and 3 azaleas, though the fig, a couple of hydrangeas, the Camila, and the nandinas are having to start from the bottom up. While flowers may not have been as brilliant and bountiful as in Aprils past as we all work hard to shake off winter's insults and repair ourselves, beauty remains easy to find. </p><p>From my mountain garden to yours ~</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqV2yz69w2a4dGMWLgoRHh3A1v4OD6sFNnUr98ajPAn-OC8u0SZP2-m3BIMWnzwgN_Z5VNqfN2fK0u_Zf6HmUMpZB2tRWXIr-wi1_8a8-Bec9EJ7q-OccerE_PY_ojjmNsJQcLgjaRkhpbbuT2DDwrN3UK8u9MneuMTb6f9cafwRimedNv0yalD4T/s1324/crocus%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqV2yz69w2a4dGMWLgoRHh3A1v4OD6sFNnUr98ajPAn-OC8u0SZP2-m3BIMWnzwgN_Z5VNqfN2fK0u_Zf6HmUMpZB2tRWXIr-wi1_8a8-Bec9EJ7q-OccerE_PY_ojjmNsJQcLgjaRkhpbbuT2DDwrN3UK8u9MneuMTb6f9cafwRimedNv0yalD4T/s320/crocus%202.jpg" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The crocus brought spring in - whether she liked it or not - with their delicate beauty.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC1QQMU1dApCpLLbvCTVkdvoVchug-x3MgSz2b5bf-RpQaycxGKynAFxHdZZ1N3go7unCbREfDttUH_VUPoC-vq7llNEQa6RFOO6YsXzFOiUALbsr3Xhzut6yGwWhRk6UA1tf-hC3zFu8TvHJkVqf_AJ7gXZm0jtvY8ngVYnVx_GR5RoSE16h9xeb/s1034/trout%20lilie%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC1QQMU1dApCpLLbvCTVkdvoVchug-x3MgSz2b5bf-RpQaycxGKynAFxHdZZ1N3go7unCbREfDttUH_VUPoC-vq7llNEQa6RFOO6YsXzFOiUALbsr3Xhzut6yGwWhRk6UA1tf-hC3zFu8TvHJkVqf_AJ7gXZm0jtvY8ngVYnVx_GR5RoSE16h9xeb/w223-h400/trout%20lilie%202.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My trout lilies bloomed for the first time this year!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv-xRbs8RHN2IfodGcdmzoEHgFK2Jut3qwZx1i3VRywetjnObrTx2PNn4PEokbC8V40EF2zreCCFmgOV_8oUzAhmxZbDQ6CnCDYL1nhSjumrZCUWRrqKzJHzW1cpAQso-PHkrwxcV7nezZ8zJ-orbQa7NrFQxMUXdvLugXpjI5OMIAHKtqDsy7EUr/s1080/trout%20lilies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1080" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv-xRbs8RHN2IfodGcdmzoEHgFK2Jut3qwZx1i3VRywetjnObrTx2PNn4PEokbC8V40EF2zreCCFmgOV_8oUzAhmxZbDQ6CnCDYL1nhSjumrZCUWRrqKzJHzW1cpAQso-PHkrwxcV7nezZ8zJ-orbQa7NrFQxMUXdvLugXpjI5OMIAHKtqDsy7EUr/s320/trout%20lilies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their speckled leaves give them their name.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO8otZIYR0WYfBTWENuIpJE_i7kqM4m_xTItjmCRr5qXHT6P-154O5hclZhn64pmjwkNYdSEwWU-DxNZsEQuvWWlMpLlQEmp6SuXpgIGPZNllZLzEITaU_H8UVoszUOGNtZc8Xow_x9_-_zduHWR50A1jx1qwcfPNmlHodWy8lE2Dry8gjzCJ08lh/s1080/trillium.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1080" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO8otZIYR0WYfBTWENuIpJE_i7kqM4m_xTItjmCRr5qXHT6P-154O5hclZhn64pmjwkNYdSEwWU-DxNZsEQuvWWlMpLlQEmp6SuXpgIGPZNllZLzEITaU_H8UVoszUOGNtZc8Xow_x9_-_zduHWR50A1jx1qwcfPNmlHodWy8lE2Dry8gjzCJ08lh/s320/trillium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trillium of all sorts were really lovely.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLe0MmZmwDHvRfubjxr5RO9kKWTE3_6DFKHmlbEnZDEjWcTJVR0n7E1c9MwY-j-i6CG81ipeq8HNwZVFk8iLFBtpn2w27RiHIL6cKLEwtVk686WwztG8DgNWsz9xjbK8WfmVFgynwOID9AcmsS4leO8wGp9SpVKsN0PK9yGKi__Zo5kGMm9pQ7AA7/s1080/rhodie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1080" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLe0MmZmwDHvRfubjxr5RO9kKWTE3_6DFKHmlbEnZDEjWcTJVR0n7E1c9MwY-j-i6CG81ipeq8HNwZVFk8iLFBtpn2w27RiHIL6cKLEwtVk686WwztG8DgNWsz9xjbK8WfmVFgynwOID9AcmsS4leO8wGp9SpVKsN0PK9yGKi__Zo5kGMm9pQ7AA7/s320/rhodie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The rhodies may not have been the huge bank of blossoms that they are in some years, but they were still amazing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_y6p5SfO9r8ex-6T-smmbcP4VIaVzEKA3WmpQ8nLFLmfQWqXT4BTso2rAFO-5bjf-Wah0Y4On6sRRMOuS671MyDMyzWSOqxpagsmthIoukDA5Dl9QVNfGIdJPrVt_SAD7KJc1Z_bW7ri50Sjd8D2_f4b06MLtWf0bPr__JAERWbAlpFe4M8bpvHW/s1080/w%20azalea%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1080" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_y6p5SfO9r8ex-6T-smmbcP4VIaVzEKA3WmpQ8nLFLmfQWqXT4BTso2rAFO-5bjf-Wah0Y4On6sRRMOuS671MyDMyzWSOqxpagsmthIoukDA5Dl9QVNfGIdJPrVt_SAD7KJc1Z_bW7ri50Sjd8D2_f4b06MLtWf0bPr__JAERWbAlpFe4M8bpvHW/s320/w%20azalea%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The wild azaleas were just incredible!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGL_HlvN6BafeNaEUdSB2DKYnEjB-iGfAm8sZpwmWcb2b_qUM36gL2U-_P59xc4CW5I9kmxNWL-L-SiYqqIFjFhPL9nMoJdUOPoc2m_xoyjm1AZnMBjm9HWdcUIp8Bl0Ev_zUVjq89gE_-EGYu-g75MPk-je_fN9nAhL5bQ-CBjqLBtBwY-pzSMZC/s1961/w%20azalea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGL_HlvN6BafeNaEUdSB2DKYnEjB-iGfAm8sZpwmWcb2b_qUM36gL2U-_P59xc4CW5I9kmxNWL-L-SiYqqIFjFhPL9nMoJdUOPoc2m_xoyjm1AZnMBjm9HWdcUIp8Bl0Ev_zUVjq89gE_-EGYu-g75MPk-je_fN9nAhL5bQ-CBjqLBtBwY-pzSMZC/w352-h640/w%20azalea.jpg" width="352" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My Biddy Buddy and I smelled them all!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsdsj3IHt38SQea68mAl3PLnk2hKfm3nJz3LjGcs1kup8uC-recU71nWEtlaXqAuPnxd3gQ2WAzc9lH0UNC050iATREBBTGCgrViCr37FS4St_DyVIrw11wKdnf3gm-x5rRSYWXU4MMj6B87Dt-pnPZjO16mBPfw2pc6OjuzUtpWXl32H4k0sT3nN/s1620/biddy%20buddy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsdsj3IHt38SQea68mAl3PLnk2hKfm3nJz3LjGcs1kup8uC-recU71nWEtlaXqAuPnxd3gQ2WAzc9lH0UNC050iATREBBTGCgrViCr37FS4St_DyVIrw11wKdnf3gm-x5rRSYWXU4MMj6B87Dt-pnPZjO16mBPfw2pc6OjuzUtpWXl32H4k0sT3nN/w266-h400/biddy%20buddy.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bridges from last year have been duly tromped!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDdZkJoRypSUzvVkiPow2ixvUPbIzCe2ass7cg8H2ZHRYzKI0oUUowVOymVmahrTDZ3FlonW9b0KizlpuslwW3b813DZdWrAsP6qwKO6VuQ3RPEXmNJY4aByl4rJVLMqje5WCN4bXqNOvkVdB63QkAHzzldbU2zOU0mp6Vi7yHAWgeybAUIE2px4c/s2007/buddies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDdZkJoRypSUzvVkiPow2ixvUPbIzCe2ass7cg8H2ZHRYzKI0oUUowVOymVmahrTDZ3FlonW9b0KizlpuslwW3b813DZdWrAsP6qwKO6VuQ3RPEXmNJY4aByl4rJVLMqje5WCN4bXqNOvkVdB63QkAHzzldbU2zOU0mp6Vi7yHAWgeybAUIE2px4c/w215-h400/buddies.jpg" width="215" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many walks of wonder taken!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQnIx-AkXYMVyE-Sf-BEKcDXE4uPi7hq-1PG28UKjb8gobbImMgGcQjXnp-czIEuAZqwkIJoFVuSMCYG4xW2ssYMdOxh79BP37VnTPHL8pF840Coh5svuV8lSjfB3VtWnIdZWDRDLGx_GRgCcyPj9nQO1C_JwGJlRRIQOtksblgObqQVBjX1yLmod/s1742/teveo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQnIx-AkXYMVyE-Sf-BEKcDXE4uPi7hq-1PG28UKjb8gobbImMgGcQjXnp-czIEuAZqwkIJoFVuSMCYG4xW2ssYMdOxh79BP37VnTPHL8pF840Coh5svuV8lSjfB3VtWnIdZWDRDLGx_GRgCcyPj9nQO1C_JwGJlRRIQOtksblgObqQVBjX1yLmod/s320/teveo.jpg" width="198" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All under the very protective and watchful eye of Teveo!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbmiFBqrQV4pQpymmFOsaSvzj8tiaHYMGfHr_fKS-unpDIC43mKT4ippTzfkU6zO7WIIQYwv2itXueZHWTc-Tyhw37yE0xx3VVYqmLVLNpT8D7Np10Tp8tKeW9OWB9ZMwGn1DJGIlxhD75RZK1R8GmK_bZn-fRmEho8f6KTHC0jHtg6y03j14qGcG/s983/crocus%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="672" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbmiFBqrQV4pQpymmFOsaSvzj8tiaHYMGfHr_fKS-unpDIC43mKT4ippTzfkU6zO7WIIQYwv2itXueZHWTc-Tyhw37yE0xx3VVYqmLVLNpT8D7Np10Tp8tKeW9OWB9ZMwGn1DJGIlxhD75RZK1R8GmK_bZn-fRmEho8f6KTHC0jHtg6y03j14qGcG/s320/crocus%203.jpg" width="219" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sending much love and warm wishes for a happy spring and beyond to each of you!! <br />Live and love chaotically!<br />~ Les</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-66221198184713044432022-12-12T08:35:00.001-05:002022-12-12T08:35:45.875-05:00October/November Reads ~<p> October: </p><p><b>The Night Portrait</b> - Laura Morelli. The story of Leonardo Da Vinci's painting <b><i>Lady with an Ermine</i></b> shared in two story lines: In 1492 Milan, sixteen year old Cecilia, newly positioned as mistress of the Duke, sits before Da Vinci to be painted. In 1940's Munich newly engaged Edith, who cares for her ailing father while working as an art conservator, is retained by the German government to assist in the capture and cataloguing of art for the Nazi regime. The lives of both women, along with the true story of the painting and the efforts of The Monuments Men, come to life despite the occasionally stilted writing and wholly unnecessary contrived links between chapters in which the last sentence of one may be - <i>"the paper flutters from Da Vinci's hand..."</i> while the first sentence of the next reads <i>"the paper flutters from her hand as Edith ..." </i> Oh well. Who am I who has never written to write a critique?</p><p><b>The Lost Apothecary</b> - Sarah Penner. I REALLY enjoyed this book!!! It was a quick engaging read but still had lots to say and provided much to think about. Set simultaneously in current and 1790's London, through Nella, Eliza, and Carolina we face the reality of the lives of women across the centuries. The pages are filled with history, fate, friendships, and poisons. I wish Dame Agatha could have read it. I think she would approve.</p><p><b>The Nightingale</b> - Kristin Hannah. While clunky in places, the flow developed and the story of occupied France during World War II, along with the efforts of the French resistance, many of them women - leading downed Allied airman to safety in Spain and protecting Jewish children from being deported to concentration camps - becomes clear and heart rending. Hannah's characters shine a bright light on the best of human impulses ~ and the worst.</p><p><b>The Last Bookshop in London</b> - Madeline Martin. This time, World War II, the British perspective, particularly from London. Through the story of two girls who moved to London just before the war we experience blackouts, the blitz, nights spent sheltering in the tube line (reminding me of <b>Lady Clementine</b>, by Marie Benedict - the story of Churchill's wife), the power of small kindnesses and unknown strengths, as well as the value of words and stories to get us through.</p><p>November:</p><p><b>All the Light We Cannot See</b> - Anthony Doerr. Probably the best juxtaposition of both sides of the participants/victims of World War II that I have read. Marie Laure, blind, living in Paris near the Museum of Natural History where her father works, flees with him to Saint Malo as the Germans occupy France, to the home of her uncle who remains traumatized by his experiences in World War I, when she is 12. Meanwhile, an incredibly bright child, Werner Pfennig, lives with his sister in an orphanage in a poor mining town in Germany. His fate is dramatically changed when recruited by The Hitler Youth where his talents are used as a radio builder/operator during the war, ending up on Saint Malo as it was bombarded by the Allies once occupied by the Germans. Perhaps, not entirely worthy of the hype, but a valuable read.</p><p>Mixed with pages and pages of articles covering everything from encephalopathy, child abuse, SIADH, refugee children, blood transfusions, racial disparities, myocarditis, the needs of homeless children as well as those in military families, food insecurity, care of adoptees and foster children... Whew! Important stuff! Plus, recertification accomplished.</p><p>Read and live chaotically! ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-60698470464960100622022-11-02T10:29:00.000-04:002022-11-02T10:29:42.141-04:00Fall in my little corner...<p> All the seasons come with beautiful blessings here on the mountain ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo2nZw5mimnqUJQyPXmgqAQB4kICCgFbyXFlg_0MKkHTZkiPHvwwnyQMQg7tEFUBfTJZpXnvp3c-EB1FDyc5525Qe25NmEBpIVeJONY0DR6A6g_MM-5YLynYmPs0GWo0PFj0vHOcY_BRsiYII9NINxDyApNIOSylkdQSNEpyazsbxLTGvcDL7PQb5/s960/fall%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo2nZw5mimnqUJQyPXmgqAQB4kICCgFbyXFlg_0MKkHTZkiPHvwwnyQMQg7tEFUBfTJZpXnvp3c-EB1FDyc5525Qe25NmEBpIVeJONY0DR6A6g_MM-5YLynYmPs0GWo0PFj0vHOcY_BRsiYII9NINxDyApNIOSylkdQSNEpyazsbxLTGvcDL7PQb5/w249-h400/fall%201.jpeg" width="249" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJgu4XjdHBj8l1skekb-xrQZJJY4TLzmQFIRxTxxT6dGfaTKgTaP5U-4oMWzlYZW7lneAF675OEo1_oavP8Nlg2ANr-mHNGY0jHZ0CNCdx9Ru-zMY-8s218Xvbb-aj-lLzGRsD5yOWDzp6eGU8kPM3OPaty502AJAztGvFtDjW28PN5QRt6Zg0WQs/s960/fall%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="586" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJgu4XjdHBj8l1skekb-xrQZJJY4TLzmQFIRxTxxT6dGfaTKgTaP5U-4oMWzlYZW7lneAF675OEo1_oavP8Nlg2ANr-mHNGY0jHZ0CNCdx9Ru-zMY-8s218Xvbb-aj-lLzGRsD5yOWDzp6eGU8kPM3OPaty502AJAztGvFtDjW28PN5QRt6Zg0WQs/w390-h640/fall%202.jpeg" width="390" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfryTJuDo7O7XLPTBBbD1YSU-RDhH_wHYjfLsLk_ewHgHlWTks7x6kRI5ffnkapMbIq7qe-X8CexxyGjUlSViBrqGKfK9nEJ6-KyKW1qe4JPwh-A8Iea6OIMPhgHOfq5JE4M-ur7CeKWr3bc19C7f6ViBjXUXi9WLqx73QC4bTKnY4m-0pC0rgVEYk/s960/fall%204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfryTJuDo7O7XLPTBBbD1YSU-RDhH_wHYjfLsLk_ewHgHlWTks7x6kRI5ffnkapMbIq7qe-X8CexxyGjUlSViBrqGKfK9nEJ6-KyKW1qe4JPwh-A8Iea6OIMPhgHOfq5JE4M-ur7CeKWr3bc19C7f6ViBjXUXi9WLqx73QC4bTKnY4m-0pC0rgVEYk/w300-h400/fall%204.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYXlBtyrbsRVVavMMsMgU4Q2wQSP692ElcFhcsAnJlyxNt11fzAh1VWYT-KGJOUaCn3t9bdEUoHGDHaXCEmMEL47rShl7RcD79GmqJGhFPBXVP33axI3WCCboOdGg0Vb0IEtvICv1x0iKcWvaw7O-YByQqYpe7Ge2VkQZt_e2vrEacz6lyMW_0pEI/s960/fall%205.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYXlBtyrbsRVVavMMsMgU4Q2wQSP692ElcFhcsAnJlyxNt11fzAh1VWYT-KGJOUaCn3t9bdEUoHGDHaXCEmMEL47rShl7RcD79GmqJGhFPBXVP33axI3WCCboOdGg0Vb0IEtvICv1x0iKcWvaw7O-YByQqYpe7Ge2VkQZt_e2vrEacz6lyMW_0pEI/w306-h640/fall%205.jpeg" width="306" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSprTlMzgQgwhonvqn78zytWoUeCLSQcsdumS5iNkqfII-0RbPUtIydgx4-6IqvsGndBFiQ7_XgKOhCLjnsqLn1sGDY2A51TmEvRZKUwvCuDlU7RuMpYQtYnAY1JVJhi5GvaF4pVfQzb26Fd_90V9BYp0QIiFq52WOrW2jGhbxCrJY4bkZUG5Kn_i-/s960/fall%206.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSprTlMzgQgwhonvqn78zytWoUeCLSQcsdumS5iNkqfII-0RbPUtIydgx4-6IqvsGndBFiQ7_XgKOhCLjnsqLn1sGDY2A51TmEvRZKUwvCuDlU7RuMpYQtYnAY1JVJhi5GvaF4pVfQzb26Fd_90V9BYp0QIiFq52WOrW2jGhbxCrJY4bkZUG5Kn_i-/w205-h400/fall%206.jpeg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS30iPZHJ8C0J7ZctFAgsMJx1GjQ3swm8P7jcj2lOyElV50gftpUf4AdY6uT9eu-4ERSGiAkMm2s4Z6FogE8TVFgX7O-j-SifV8-rf_SsYhsNKcj8GuIl26lbp5N8DwwAZBDdvXdYS9phKtWmFJHfO0dhVp4mPhxfG44a4uxcHFnIrKRmLYmkRF99/s960/fall%203.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS30iPZHJ8C0J7ZctFAgsMJx1GjQ3swm8P7jcj2lOyElV50gftpUf4AdY6uT9eu-4ERSGiAkMm2s4Z6FogE8TVFgX7O-j-SifV8-rf_SsYhsNKcj8GuIl26lbp5N8DwwAZBDdvXdYS9phKtWmFJHfO0dhVp4mPhxfG44a4uxcHFnIrKRmLYmkRF99/w510-h640/fall%203.jpeg" width="510" /></a></div><p>Perhaps fall's beauty is so poignant because it requires that we simultaneously let go of the past, enjoy what we can in fleeting moments, and look to the future with hope ~ much like life. May your days be filled with joys and golden light! But even when they aren't, know that brighter days will come. ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-26878502783254546992022-10-27T10:18:00.000-04:002022-10-27T10:18:06.868-04:00Sew Chaotically! ~ Fall Linen <p>In further sewing room clean up, I found a remnant of this lux linen, purchased from B&J on a lovely trip to New York a few years ago and partially used creating this Japanese Sewing Pattern top, I never got around to blogging about almost a year ago ~ The top is nice and has had good wear. The material turned out to be a little thick for the gathers along the collar and I would make the placket differently were I to sew up another. Also, beware the narrowness of the arm cuffs. They are close to being too tight on me and I don't think I have particularly large arms!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5LaS8dI2amQdEOf9vDT7qW6OhTMHTirNMWjxwur1FGv_FsX6u3A5_Fm-AAhNv_sMi6EUu91RV78jH_Ok9BGWkRlrN-w0WBDPY1ODSvriNFAzkirvtAHQF6Y3A-l0ZkcjKeGrbV1iNsQPsZkiFkAyseUOJBb19IZluk65Zw6vZiZ15I_Hoxa3qJ56/s1080/jap%20top.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5LaS8dI2amQdEOf9vDT7qW6OhTMHTirNMWjxwur1FGv_FsX6u3A5_Fm-AAhNv_sMi6EUu91RV78jH_Ok9BGWkRlrN-w0WBDPY1ODSvriNFAzkirvtAHQF6Y3A-l0ZkcjKeGrbV1iNsQPsZkiFkAyseUOJBb19IZluk65Zw6vZiZ15I_Hoxa3qJ56/w400-h400/jap%20top.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The material is almost iridescent, with a bronzy brown thread running through several shades of green. I found I had just enough to stitch up the Teddy Top from Style Arc. I made a size 10 with no modifications. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrKYN9dCQ79GgDPFs6dR75_9KQ-P7vGHt-iLZqm30fYyt_SFMYQanmRjwQGnMwHCi9S_x1baMRZta-rkWtrFKrQ3hzmoJ_puFMuq0aQu8_3q1HAEaKUTFP745JjP-l-MSLC6CmblgrwxN49PK3sv_knvs3Y15ib_9lQHJdgDzYP4bqGK_YLoHwyQE/s960/linen%20front.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="867" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrKYN9dCQ79GgDPFs6dR75_9KQ-P7vGHt-iLZqm30fYyt_SFMYQanmRjwQGnMwHCi9S_x1baMRZta-rkWtrFKrQ3hzmoJ_puFMuq0aQu8_3q1HAEaKUTFP745JjP-l-MSLC6CmblgrwxN49PK3sv_knvs3Y15ib_9lQHJdgDzYP4bqGK_YLoHwyQE/w361-h400/linen%20front.jpeg" width="361" /></a></div><p>The pattern went together well. I had no trouble with the collar or front neckline as some reviews had mentioned. However, the instructions are SPARSE!!! Because of this, these patterns may not be the best choice for a beginning sewist!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSjwxuv7MLo__U7CPp6D_j-9QdRQ83EL0Yn5613538dFQawbqRIpPpGUFTtNHkBkIYK-omPkR9SbtqMX5S4JqGWj8FCbiJWKr3XQ46XBFmqARvDrXm0Kf-VbSIcz7vih4m2HxsVvPY2ZB-vYSUe3lOX24j3qaHMx8VltNeRC7mZE7hdFbhFpjTiM7/s960/linen%20back.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="671" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSjwxuv7MLo__U7CPp6D_j-9QdRQ83EL0Yn5613538dFQawbqRIpPpGUFTtNHkBkIYK-omPkR9SbtqMX5S4JqGWj8FCbiJWKr3XQ46XBFmqARvDrXm0Kf-VbSIcz7vih4m2HxsVvPY2ZB-vYSUe3lOX24j3qaHMx8VltNeRC7mZE7hdFbhFpjTiM7/w280-h400/linen%20back.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I like that there is a graceful swing to the back of the garment without a lot of extra fabric in the front.<div><br /></div><div><br /><p>Speaking of linen and patterns perfectly suited for it ~ there are many free and really great patterns available from FABRICS-STORE.com with good information on their blog, <a href="https://blog.fabrics-store.com/">The ---------- Thread</a>, not to mention their selection of incredible linen!!! I have loved their Mariana Jacket, both in the wearing and the making, that I stitched up back in 2019.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNgRYGRTd5csjGbUiYJ4ylvHJf_6qbuE1YvpmVNj4MV8LABDtzFkLZWyxGP7SgHL9LAZCLQeGYWaxuCQ4immwWxRmZldC1WbTCuvMBmcRj-Q0Bv0a1Vx4HdrMAIbR5_tw7ERBHbzicF2JZEL4Zb5BfAEA8rXEplBbf_vWmqLKZfrWuHjWb0n-sPop/s1146/linen%20jacket%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNgRYGRTd5csjGbUiYJ4ylvHJf_6qbuE1YvpmVNj4MV8LABDtzFkLZWyxGP7SgHL9LAZCLQeGYWaxuCQ4immwWxRmZldC1WbTCuvMBmcRj-Q0Bv0a1Vx4HdrMAIbR5_tw7ERBHbzicF2JZEL4Zb5BfAEA8rXEplBbf_vWmqLKZfrWuHjWb0n-sPop/w359-h400/linen%20jacket%201.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX7T8T7eKrG9Yi6s3U-CzyNf2XBcRZ8uWETCLnHYV-Fq9nFU3FHfJXL6lWGAUl5dEC13BR_qbAWM78c81q5Jr-roPGDySMg0oQjwpd2F16kYCSAcmBMIoD8Nfy9OXa0YH8ySdnzt9TEQy1fRgQZWUuMjtEBp09dvCEovx1m8fDAxbt9iDPaMlM0zZ/s1600/linen%20jacket%20welt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="835" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX7T8T7eKrG9Yi6s3U-CzyNf2XBcRZ8uWETCLnHYV-Fq9nFU3FHfJXL6lWGAUl5dEC13BR_qbAWM78c81q5Jr-roPGDySMg0oQjwpd2F16kYCSAcmBMIoD8Nfy9OXa0YH8ySdnzt9TEQy1fRgQZWUuMjtEBp09dvCEovx1m8fDAxbt9iDPaMlM0zZ/w209-h400/linen%20jacket%20welt.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check that welt pocket detail! Pretty impressive for a free pattern, no?</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <div>Early last spring I made two <a href="https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/03/19/paola-workwear-jacket-tutorial/">Paola Workwear Jackets</a>, another of their free patterns. One in a very durable medium weight linen and another in a rather odd brocade (?) that for reasons I am now a bit unclear about, caught my eye when shopping in <a href="https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/09/travel-chaotically-london-and-cotswolds.html">Walthamstow</a> back in 2017. As per their name, these jackets are more of a Worker Jacket style. I adjusted the size and placement of the pockets to suit my fancy. They stitched up easily. In fact, the instructions for both these patterns, which include plenty of clear pictures on the blog, are aces! Much better than anything offered by Style Arc, for which you pay $14 to $18. Just say'n!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdd_EyH53uC0SDEpdSlXpjlIZ8F7z5kTu7AA7QU6Q4p9LQR5oNhpG1yr19CqNDhPWCYahQhN4GjmeEGVUBz6eHPRxtOm3AqTzHRq5fXi-4WnWPEaBJVO3rhBz3tfTuLhJdBE27zHVMvZOIrys9zwvgdrRzu9pTQ1hYfot5BthPMoDSUNJrhed9kxV/s2397/jackets%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="2397" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdd_EyH53uC0SDEpdSlXpjlIZ8F7z5kTu7AA7QU6Q4p9LQR5oNhpG1yr19CqNDhPWCYahQhN4GjmeEGVUBz6eHPRxtOm3AqTzHRq5fXi-4WnWPEaBJVO3rhBz3tfTuLhJdBE27zHVMvZOIrys9zwvgdrRzu9pTQ1hYfot5BthPMoDSUNJrhed9kxV/w400-h297/jackets%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Happy chaotic fall sewing! - les</p></div></div>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-15100464603867727742022-10-19T09:36:00.000-04:002022-10-19T09:36:07.835-04:00Fall on the mountain and in the valley!<p> Sharing a bit of my weekend...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa3zE2YM0jlTN1yPZq0aL7I46Miy71fBoB8QVJVwVtvLpnMIta9VbymgmN6qLtw1NU652irgkjNyidXeIyyksMfNMUx6SupI-LVy84cWxFrHFa6pVVDRVzUh3i6ywM7AZtdEvpkbKYf7baqZrAv62lqVuIIy5PErpEeo96AodxWgJ5p-Cs2Fv2CzW/s960/r%20end%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa3zE2YM0jlTN1yPZq0aL7I46Miy71fBoB8QVJVwVtvLpnMIta9VbymgmN6qLtw1NU652irgkjNyidXeIyyksMfNMUx6SupI-LVy84cWxFrHFa6pVVDRVzUh3i6ywM7AZtdEvpkbKYf7baqZrAv62lqVuIIy5PErpEeo96AodxWgJ5p-Cs2Fv2CzW/w288-h640/r%20end%201.jpeg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My photog, always part of my view!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20IV3jPg8gO2yI7vLvNcYfkb6yx4gtPvmJcXOQ2Uq2yoHhx1zKrUif7KTml6qMiTUKyi9N4K9JGx3iB4BCtzHkGGYfRu62EyQBUMooDhDFff2-SkyeVVrgwbwUjBjNj9j6zuYgrXE7pzzQ1_r0-3cOwBGepsRbB6KhmyOFuj2HXf8ux7XJPhoFKh9/s960/r%20end%203.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20IV3jPg8gO2yI7vLvNcYfkb6yx4gtPvmJcXOQ2Uq2yoHhx1zKrUif7KTml6qMiTUKyi9N4K9JGx3iB4BCtzHkGGYfRu62EyQBUMooDhDFff2-SkyeVVrgwbwUjBjNj9j6zuYgrXE7pzzQ1_r0-3cOwBGepsRbB6KhmyOFuj2HXf8ux7XJPhoFKh9/w288-h640/r%20end%203.jpeg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ridge along Lookout Mountain.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhGTHaT1Dj7GrDQxSu_HQRFoNffD9LlOdN4ttqqTejXOj9oI0ZaJ-uoqdtyjwYlOWBXz3HR9iRBKb92I4F4DaWK5HJdnAv0GO3lMj6VBRXJabcRm9qdTm_y0ya6UW0GtPtLbcJvhYydRRcBfcVSQtSjZ35V_NBYEfcXg4shtRPWz2BX501NpR_i87/s960/r%20end%204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="459" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhGTHaT1Dj7GrDQxSu_HQRFoNffD9LlOdN4ttqqTejXOj9oI0ZaJ-uoqdtyjwYlOWBXz3HR9iRBKb92I4F4DaWK5HJdnAv0GO3lMj6VBRXJabcRm9qdTm_y0ya6UW0GtPtLbcJvhYydRRcBfcVSQtSjZ35V_NBYEfcXg4shtRPWz2BX501NpR_i87/w306-h640/r%20end%204.jpeg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Color, sneaking in.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32tV1LE_Q3PAgv7IoL5IMwRjyQulMvRlzt5RyeB7ktyZCa87iJMW1MEt5qn5N67QWZXvOwV3Sl4aKO2cf5wXULuZw54yYkUWWgnxMHdiMDs-wmD6Vr5G5YrPNLl017RLTZ2AYpfEoezrQuvn5Fy_5fhE1gsDvRryTy0BCMm2nXL9txVKu2IrJQzu/s960/r%20end%206.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32tV1LE_Q3PAgv7IoL5IMwRjyQulMvRlzt5RyeB7ktyZCa87iJMW1MEt5qn5N67QWZXvOwV3Sl4aKO2cf5wXULuZw54yYkUWWgnxMHdiMDs-wmD6Vr5G5YrPNLl017RLTZ2AYpfEoezrQuvn5Fy_5fhE1gsDvRryTy0BCMm2nXL9txVKu2IrJQzu/w288-h640/r%20end%206.jpeg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPTSf1NB3JUj18LCDF9nvJ2hzy3wzgfUyGE0VeoSxVuUdA-5Ou8sShk3Jj8kvsK5zO1RwKSCwGSZODzP5qkNqvtN4YgQ8lihGArnHzXLIAxx7SVp2W9PFjMH3q6dbXLiENNJaGkTvpOddS3NXugftM_SasvkASbADhTuWbFibJutrvKSH3nob6k2W/s960/r%20end%208.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPTSf1NB3JUj18LCDF9nvJ2hzy3wzgfUyGE0VeoSxVuUdA-5Ou8sShk3Jj8kvsK5zO1RwKSCwGSZODzP5qkNqvtN4YgQ8lihGArnHzXLIAxx7SVp2W9PFjMH3q6dbXLiENNJaGkTvpOddS3NXugftM_SasvkASbADhTuWbFibJutrvKSH3nob6k2W/w354-h640/r%20end%208.jpeg" width="354" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting ready for next year...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrnAQ0aZOZDD98ymr5otGH_EgXF-J94XRbkvTbuoefSNVm3tSsOIyMuSlWG3gVmuOkhM3EOtA1oT9f-GiCSponBQjJjON5cuaYD3pUhCxKBGcpr1EJrtNCZA8THs4h54d-5F4uiaBDF513HL2ZbKE8uyjGv4azrscpXhVc5iT0HptXMnX-QNI5W5Q/s960/r%20end%2011.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="881" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrnAQ0aZOZDD98ymr5otGH_EgXF-J94XRbkvTbuoefSNVm3tSsOIyMuSlWG3gVmuOkhM3EOtA1oT9f-GiCSponBQjJjON5cuaYD3pUhCxKBGcpr1EJrtNCZA8THs4h54d-5F4uiaBDF513HL2ZbKE8uyjGv4azrscpXhVc5iT0HptXMnX-QNI5W5Q/s320/r%20end%2011.jpeg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_VsodpUYshfsykIFA1pmsiuhYpvEBwcbtEukgW0vTuA3nzwEy7Gqae--BhpeqmdHZFc9ysyruCnUjEG_e8sgLs_zIdmHG46vq0ScKqpBbo9kM0HBGhi5KAU7qvbkZZAzGmqjRoHL3CXHQL0wvO0EanGVuBWOISiO4ZLTwp7BYUUV84Kqtu5SC7Ky/s960/r%20end%2012.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_VsodpUYshfsykIFA1pmsiuhYpvEBwcbtEukgW0vTuA3nzwEy7Gqae--BhpeqmdHZFc9ysyruCnUjEG_e8sgLs_zIdmHG46vq0ScKqpBbo9kM0HBGhi5KAU7qvbkZZAzGmqjRoHL3CXHQL0wvO0EanGVuBWOISiO4ZLTwp7BYUUV84Kqtu5SC7Ky/w384-h640/r%20end%2012.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWr1haT_pa8pj1xlxO7mKSRlg5zArIuEUKbgQATcJBDInyZC3pwl78AvTpWySvb3QAtMvzJ2WbHN1eMZR8R2-855GVTfMHYOl0CAwlFtBj8Bgpg1o5eyNsUb84Zbnj8LP1LVsSnHAcUi9-oGEpulltNySvK-mKZr4At5eXIYNq96xrp01KcjQBbHm/s960/r%20end%2013.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="823" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWr1haT_pa8pj1xlxO7mKSRlg5zArIuEUKbgQATcJBDInyZC3pwl78AvTpWySvb3QAtMvzJ2WbHN1eMZR8R2-855GVTfMHYOl0CAwlFtBj8Bgpg1o5eyNsUb84Zbnj8LP1LVsSnHAcUi9-oGEpulltNySvK-mKZr4At5eXIYNq96xrp01KcjQBbHm/s320/r%20end%2013.jpeg" width="274" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzo6GPbbfeJzkUwR1VnDjx9eJgIfPSHlFWs1Ie4tddZ13Hf0QjmIESiGeroBiWA7ZxNrzBIWb3w4DqMgcWe-CInQiMoMf6ZzlB-y2KXW1bLrwxBe82k16BNpPoH3brONqX3n9jHgiQqYPlCzzte3iTMoSp58zLOQhI5y1CkNo3QHX4aB_LOpcIJy3/s949/r%20end%2016.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="725" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzo6GPbbfeJzkUwR1VnDjx9eJgIfPSHlFWs1Ie4tddZ13Hf0QjmIESiGeroBiWA7ZxNrzBIWb3w4DqMgcWe-CInQiMoMf6ZzlB-y2KXW1bLrwxBe82k16BNpPoH3brONqX3n9jHgiQqYPlCzzte3iTMoSp58zLOQhI5y1CkNo3QHX4aB_LOpcIJy3/w305-h400/r%20end%2016.jpeg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gs4yIDmfqOElVYbQjT9gx1ZPjabOLjBSgS6ATCAdybj-d9qmvlDi45ZL4vMxE7HFNu8Yh_JwyTo0Zt0wRjX7lF3Rb3Qk3Kj-8JhKJHzvFwzvMbRE53cxEB7dBhtEcLZ0aULiWEhfCvII6tVH880NgdZD9MVbHuTzynTR4ab0Pw3JgqhRAtE0-FXC/s960/r%20end%2017.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="724" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gs4yIDmfqOElVYbQjT9gx1ZPjabOLjBSgS6ATCAdybj-d9qmvlDi45ZL4vMxE7HFNu8Yh_JwyTo0Zt0wRjX7lF3Rb3Qk3Kj-8JhKJHzvFwzvMbRE53cxEB7dBhtEcLZ0aULiWEhfCvII6tVH880NgdZD9MVbHuTzynTR4ab0Pw3JgqhRAtE0-FXC/w301-h400/r%20end%2017.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6GUNAeurtXNG_k3X_vv_voERKAcEK0u9Io3uDVBHFhw0mIxZ_7bL1ZQmEmRi6cf_jOzVTB4PMbFm9Xeac8CLoh7d0Fx41GFOY4AfSglq3CnzG7y3jEA4UJDHfXyhm_vqjd9U9mpnBdcVkeTHOJfnARTB4EpnanrZiowJt9jPfkcgfJAsdF-0Vfr2/s960/r%20end%2019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6GUNAeurtXNG_k3X_vv_voERKAcEK0u9Io3uDVBHFhw0mIxZ_7bL1ZQmEmRi6cf_jOzVTB4PMbFm9Xeac8CLoh7d0Fx41GFOY4AfSglq3CnzG7y3jEA4UJDHfXyhm_vqjd9U9mpnBdcVkeTHOJfnARTB4EpnanrZiowJt9jPfkcgfJAsdF-0Vfr2/w416-h640/r%20end%2019.jpeg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP5VegAN1vrv0N2lhQkEaxiTqRWfH2jq5EuGdxqfiGYAk3CS0M70ddGSv0LhLCz3gjFoyJB4Uu68-NAk9RtmYl0wxbjF4YGmBBUtVcZRn-qJD1VsmzUthGtUVzkjS_l60s3Sz2uZZRTpuSyDbpQkdZU9fdUJuP5P8tnO2MIiSVH61U0PNQA_qtfYI/s960/r%20end%2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="867" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP5VegAN1vrv0N2lhQkEaxiTqRWfH2jq5EuGdxqfiGYAk3CS0M70ddGSv0LhLCz3gjFoyJB4Uu68-NAk9RtmYl0wxbjF4YGmBBUtVcZRn-qJD1VsmzUthGtUVzkjS_l60s3Sz2uZZRTpuSyDbpQkdZU9fdUJuP5P8tnO2MIiSVH61U0PNQA_qtfYI/w361-h400/r%20end%2020.jpeg" width="361" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Drying sage, thyme and basil before the first freeze.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27MS9SilVjOvAelhFhmL0UT92Rp8AGwFE9wmTHo9IeytZ_W9tQM7rpFqUSBSHcCbMXYsSVdpDBe0GHqicbFRYvqFPBkWOo6iart_wYLwCmjIXn4zeqrbAXLd_src-UWSl-SyvXdeNfY1grrdRzYD0dAvGgGe3qLujJLGJqb4gaTBBhFt4LD_5d6zV/s1280/r%20end%2021.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1280" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27MS9SilVjOvAelhFhmL0UT92Rp8AGwFE9wmTHo9IeytZ_W9tQM7rpFqUSBSHcCbMXYsSVdpDBe0GHqicbFRYvqFPBkWOo6iart_wYLwCmjIXn4zeqrbAXLd_src-UWSl-SyvXdeNfY1grrdRzYD0dAvGgGe3qLujJLGJqb4gaTBBhFt4LD_5d6zV/w400-h211/r%20end%2021.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mise en place! A little effort now to keep the week easy.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtJ50tbXXeNYMX3S4_7VqlaGyqVWLYFs_B5oXHzubXKNcCmx92GqNEQjZDYmqI9bHyg-MNro3Zrh_7Z-YuV2lwanXRUYOAo4Pvda6tH3bHYPrj1rCjMQLsU4Pej_XFSI-iTZr7tLyjb3KHuWmNSVulsG_g0zKx7oW7WmhORwNg107MRzX-P4LAjSE/s960/r%20end%2022.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtJ50tbXXeNYMX3S4_7VqlaGyqVWLYFs_B5oXHzubXKNcCmx92GqNEQjZDYmqI9bHyg-MNro3Zrh_7Z-YuV2lwanXRUYOAo4Pvda6tH3bHYPrj1rCjMQLsU4Pej_XFSI-iTZr7tLyjb3KHuWmNSVulsG_g0zKx7oW7WmhORwNg107MRzX-P4LAjSE/w446-h640/r%20end%2022.jpeg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sneaky kitty testing out Fred's quilt while the binding is being attached!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2pl5WaEYoM5h8nR9R1EuYvClpz15Tbrv-dxoZ6OjfRwwxkcoxsm4NTkiT-m6JOyiF9gMpmDe7Fbfn4UDPp3_iwBIahH5-W4UayG3Mkf2c8AOTmMB91-VvUfRTWlwHybI9N3jW__xYahmi8FjTl4czB6GXnc6Zg2vnmXw5fOU5_qYfz1vhm7I7Fx9/s996/r%20end%2018.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="996" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2pl5WaEYoM5h8nR9R1EuYvClpz15Tbrv-dxoZ6OjfRwwxkcoxsm4NTkiT-m6JOyiF9gMpmDe7Fbfn4UDPp3_iwBIahH5-W4UayG3Mkf2c8AOTmMB91-VvUfRTWlwHybI9N3jW__xYahmi8FjTl4czB6GXnc6Zg2vnmXw5fOU5_qYfz1vhm7I7Fx9/w400-h385/r%20end%2018.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be yourself...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E7e_hliwMZd00Nzb8In2KQRWDkBT5RA0a0KArj_t5fox6iV4PK9sIglS_gAjyMkO7gKGX35noXW1xKiYjtYSBNSXkoUOpbwvE_Metu10-04pg_cHEf2sReyxIEg_A12F6GMF7C-IMcireBoDf5FeWHVhByJnrkQynrqTiu0fHvVvbYYJktelFREI/s960/r%20end%2023.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E7e_hliwMZd00Nzb8In2KQRWDkBT5RA0a0KArj_t5fox6iV4PK9sIglS_gAjyMkO7gKGX35noXW1xKiYjtYSBNSXkoUOpbwvE_Metu10-04pg_cHEf2sReyxIEg_A12F6GMF7C-IMcireBoDf5FeWHVhByJnrkQynrqTiu0fHvVvbYYJktelFREI/w414-h640/r%20end%2023.jpeg" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">...while having a buddy alongside! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Happy Fall Y'all! Don't forget to get your flu shot!!!! ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-69520297960534745312022-10-12T10:27:00.000-04:002022-10-12T10:27:37.252-04:00September Reads ~<p><b>The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock</b> - Imogene Hermes Gowar. A very strange tale! The story of Jonah Hancock, a shipping merchant, intertwined with the life of Angelica Neal, a famous courtesan, and the spell of a mermaid. Though fickle and flawed, the characters get under your skin, causing you to believe and root for them. The historical vision of London whose modern streets I have walked was a bonus.</p><p><b>Castle Shade</b> - Laurie R. King. Had put this one of King's stories of Holmes and Russel aside due to a concern that it would be marred by vampires. Didn't feel that Sherlock would fall for such. No need to fear! It was fun and a nice break from some of my heavier recent reads.</p><p><b>Lincoln in the Bardo</b> - George Saunders. The most original and strange format for a historical novel (or any novel really!!!) I have EVER read, capturing at least some of the horror and pain of America's Civil War, but mostly - through an incredible cast of characters whose lives (and deaths) - confirm the beauty that is life and love. (Made B read it!) Thinking about it still...</p><p><b>Sherlock Holmes</b> - various stories - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Re-reads. Just needed a little Sherlock. He never disappoints!</p><p><b>Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows</b> - Balli Kour Jaswal. Brilliant. Yet another incredibly different format for story telling (a theme this month???) but extremely effective and perfect. Nikki, daughter of Indian immigrants, born in London - law school drop out, working as a bar tender - takes a job teaching creative writing at the local community center in the heart of London's Punjabi community. It turns out that neither the job nor the students are what they at first appear. However, through erotic tales, the Punjabi widows share the stories of their lives - or the lives they wish they'd had. In doing so, revealing their true selves and their community, becoming a threat to the secrets and authority of the Brotherhood. Incredibly well written with lots to say about community, women, and religion. The fact that I have been to and enjoyed a wonderful day <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5986812882047614235/6952029796053474531">on Goldhawk Road and Shepherd's Bush</a> made it even more special.</p><p><b>Book Lovers</b> - Emily Henry. A bit clichéd, but a fun and absorbing read of star crossed lovers who are a bit uptight and stand in their own way - for a minute. Henry's characters are real and multifaceted. I immediately wanted to read another of her books, but paused, fearing it might simply be a rerun. Unfair assumption not having read them. I am sure I will capitulate in time. As always, books about books are forever fun. </p><p>A good month of reads - slightly frivolous but engaging stories that still had wonderful well developed characters combined with more thoughtful and important works. Perfection. </p><p>Read and live chaotically! ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986812882047614235.post-26996280791129792022022-10-09T10:04:00.000-04:002022-10-09T10:04:09.446-04:00Read and love and live - chaotically! ~ How to be Perfect, by Ron Padgett<p> I did not write this. I do not even have permission to publish it. Which is wrong. But, I love it and wanted to share it with you:</p><p></p><div class="o-grid" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="o-grid-col o-grid-col_10of12" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 638.362px;"></div></div><p></p><div class="o-vr o-vr_12x" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 60px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="c-feature" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.231; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="c-feature-hd" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 class="c-hdgSans c-hdgSans_2 c-mix-hdgSans_inline" style="border: 0px; color: black; display: inline; font-family: canada-type-gibson, "Gill Sans", "Gill Sans MT", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 1.75rem; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.231; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Be Perfect</h1></div><div class="c-feature-sub c-feature-sub_vast" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="c-txt c-txt_attribution" style="border: 0px; color: #494949; display: inline-block; font-family: canada-type-gibson, "Gill Sans", "Gill Sans MT", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 1.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">BY<span> </span><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ron-padgett" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; transition: color 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.215, 0.61, 0.355, 1) 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">RON PADGETT</a></span></div></div><div class="c-feature-bd" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="o-poem isActive" data-view="PoemView" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="o-vr o-vr_6x" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="c-epigraph" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i>Everything is perfect, dear friend.</i></b><br /><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: inherit;"> —</span></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">KEROUAC</span></p></div><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Get some sleep.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't give advice.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Take care of your teeth and gums.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't be afraid of anything beyond your control. Don't be afraid, for<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>instance, that the building will collapse as you sleep, or that someone<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>you love will suddenly drop dead.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Eat an orange every morning.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be friendly. It will help make you happy.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Raise your pulse rate to 120 beats per minute for 20 straight minutes<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>four or five times a week doing anything you enjoy.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Hope for everything. Expect nothing.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>before you save the world. Then save the world.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Know that the desire to be perfect is probably the veiled expression<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>of another desire—to be loved, perhaps, or not to die.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Make eye contact with a tree.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be skeptical about all opinions, but try to see some value in each of<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>them.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Dress in a way that pleases both you and those around you.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not speak quickly.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Learn something every day. (<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dzien dobre!</em>)<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be nice to people before they have a chance to behave badly.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't stay angry about anything for more than a week, but don't<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>forget what made you angry. Hold your anger out at arm's length<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>and look at it, as if it were a glass ball. Then add it to your glass ball<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>collection.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be loyal.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Wear comfortable shoes.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Design your activities so that they show a pleasing balance<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>and variety.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be kind to old people, even when they are obnoxious. When you<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>become old, be kind to young people. Do not throw your cane at<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>them when they call you Grandpa. They are your grandchildren!<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Live with an animal.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not spend too much time with large groups of people.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>If you need help, ask for it.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Cultivate good posture until it becomes natural.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>If someone murders your child, get a shotgun and blow his head off.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Plan your day so you never have to rush.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Show your appreciation to people who do things for you, even if you<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>have paid them, even if they do favors you don't want.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not waste money you could be giving to those who need it.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Expect society to be defective. Then weep when you find that it is far<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>more defective than you imagined.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>When you borrow something, return it in an even better condition.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>As much as possible, use wooden objects instead of plastic or metal<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>ones.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Look at that bird over there.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>After dinner, wash the dishes.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Calm down.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Visit foreign countries, except those whose inhabitants have<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>expressed a desire to kill you.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't expect your children to love you, so they can, if they want to.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Meditate on the spiritual. Then go a little further, if you feel like it.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>What is out (in) there?<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Sing, every once in a while.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be on time, but if you are late do not give a detailed and lengthy<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>excuse.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't be too self-critical or too self-congratulatory.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't think that progress exists. It doesn't.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Walk upstairs.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not practice cannibalism.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Imagine what you would like to see happen, and then don't do<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>anything to make it impossible.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Take your phone off the hook at least twice a week.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Keep your windows clean.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Extirpate all traces of personal ambitiousness.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't use the word<span> </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">extirpate</em><span> </span>too often.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not possible, go<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>to another one.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>If you feel tired, rest.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Grow something.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not wander through train stations muttering, "We're all going to<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>die!"<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Count among your true friends people of various stations of life.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Appreciate simple pleasures, such as the pleasure of chewing, the<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>pleasure of warm water running down your back, the pleasure of a<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>cool breeze, the pleasure of falling asleep.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not exclaim, "Isn't technology wonderful!"<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Learn how to stretch your muscles. Stretch them every day.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't be depressed about growing older. It will make you feel even<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>older. Which is depressing.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do one thing at a time.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>If you burn your finger, put it in cold water immediately. If you bang<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for twenty<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>minutes. You will be surprised by the curative powers of coldness and<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>gravity.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Learn how to whistle at earsplitting volume.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be calm in a crisis. The more critical the situation, the calmer you<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>should be.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Enjoy sex, but don't become obsessed with it. Except for brief periods<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>in your adolescence, youth, middle age, and old age.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Contemplate everything's opposite.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>If you're struck with the fear that you've swum out too far in the<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>ocean, turn around and go back to the lifeboat.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Keep your childish self alive.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Answer letters promptly. Use attractive stamps, like the one with a<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>tornado on it.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Cry every once in a while, but only when alone. Then appreciate<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>how much better you feel. Don't be embarrassed about feeling better.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not inhale smoke.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Take a deep breath.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not smart off to a policeman.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not step off the curb until you can walk all the way across the<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>street. From the curb you can study the pedestrians who are trapped<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>in the middle of the crazed and roaring traffic.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be good.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Walk down different streets.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Backwards.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Remember beauty, which exists, and truth, which does not. Notice<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>that the idea of truth is just as powerful as the idea of beauty.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Stay out of jail.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>In later life, become a mystic.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Use Colgate toothpaste in the new Tartar Control formula.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Visit friends and acquaintances in the hospital. When you feel it is<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>time to leave, do so.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Do not go crazy a lot. It's a waste of time.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Read and reread great books.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Dig a hole with a shovel.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>In winter, before you go to bed, humidify your bedroom.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Know that the only perfect things are a 300 game in bowling and a<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>27-batter, 27-out game in baseball.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Drink plenty of water. When asked what you would like to drink,<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>say, "Water, please."<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Ask "Where is the loo?" but not "Where can I urinate?"<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be kind to physical objects.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Beginning at age forty, get a complete "physical" every few years<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>from a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Don't read the newspaper more than once a year.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Learn how to say "hello," "thank you," and "chopsticks"<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>in Mandarin.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Belch and fart, but quietly.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be especially cordial to foreigners.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>See shadow puppet plays and imagine that you are one of the<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>characters. Or all of them.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Take out the trash.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Love life.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Use exact change.<br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>When there's shooting in the street, don't go near the window.</b><br /></div></div></div></div></div><p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: canada-type-gibson, "Gill Sans", "Gill Sans MT", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Source: </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #767676; font-family: canada-type-gibson, "Gill Sans", "Gill Sans MT", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Collected Poems</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: canada-type-gibson, "Gill Sans", "Gill Sans MT", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> (Coffee House Press, 2013)</span> </p><p>Yes. May your days and weeks be filled with these things and whatever makes you smile and makes sense for you. ~ les</p>Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07988740020076170293noreply@blogger.com2