"DROP IT!"



"Drop it. Drop it. Drop it! .... DROP IT!"

If you train a parakeet, this might be what you awaken to in the wee hours of the morning. This is an example of how interesting our conversations were today at the Senior Center. We actually started with show and tell of things from the lace day on Saturday: pin cushions, bobbins, boxes, bags, fancy little cushions with the triangular sides, filled with crushed walnut shells (can't remember the name and it's too late to call anyone). Rhoda brought the bead order which included a "Boss Bag" (is that right??) for Betsy. It was filled with all sorts of treasures. We did eventually get down to work.

We filled the room with 5 lacers and 2 knitters. Prabha did both as she finished her Tenerife piece from the class at lace day and then got out her knitting. Kris worked on her wonderful travel pillow once again and then got out her latest hedgehog hat to knit while she enjoyed a cup of tea. Several women came into the room to investigate and were quite impressed with our work. Not one of them mentioned tatting. Caroline explained how to knit with fun fur to an experienced knitter.

There was discussion about the beach trip: a list of 73 rules were recorded and blood types were taken to optimize roommate options.   A whip will be used to assure maximum flexibility in attitude and work output.

Tidbits:

Cats can be trained to use the toilet, thus training their owners to pay exorbitant water bills.

"My brain said, 'Do it.' My body said, 'Don't!"

Rhoda thought she had the Houdini of mice in the laundry room.

Kris needs to find a name for Tux's tail as it clearly has a mind of it's own.

Grae's new dog is precious!

"I'm not a senior!" "No, you're a senorita!" :-)

As the afternoon ended, plans were made to meet for dinner before attending the EGA meeting to listen to Prabha's presentation on Indian Textiles.

Tea Kettle Pipes

This stunning antler basket was made by Prabha. She started it in a class last spring and with Carolyn's encouragement finished it recently. Her next conquest will be working with quills. While on talking of Prabha's accomplishments, the talk she will give to the Embroidery Guild is on Indian textiles and embroidery (everyone is welcome to come).

Today's work session was dominated by actual work and talk of the 1st annual beach trip. Bev decorated her pillow with the Torchon piece she'd been working on, giving it a very finished look. Betsy's round doily is looking beautiful - the thread she uses gives off a rich sheen and is the perfect weight. Carolyn is repairing the damage done to a stool cover by years of feasting moths. Prabha's length of her first scarf section grew by inches and inches...as we watched her unroll it. Kris discovered mistakes in her Binche butterfly that caused very nasty thoughts. At one point scissors were mentioned, but then she remembered what a wonderful brain exercise figuring out thread movement is...grrrrr. The growling did not bother Sally as her smile never wavered.

 (Information about the trip will be sent out today.) What will the sleeping arrangements be? (NO ONE is sleeping on the floor!) How many projects should make the trip? (To be able to switch off.) What time should we leave? (Check-in is 4, but it's fine if we arrive early.) Who will drive? (Good question.) What will our husbands do while we're gone? (Whatever they please!) What should the pin count be for "striving sips/glasses"? (N.B. reverse lacing counts for double pin count even if you haven't put them back in yet.)

Today's questions and tidbits:

The sweet and sour vegetable borscht was fabulous - kudos to the cook! (Next on the docket: 94/3.)

Is cohabitating advisable/desirable after 80?

Watch out for cats who take pins out! (It would be scarier if they were putting them in.)

Pipes at the CU Inn are sounding like Rhoda's tea kettle. (It does seem to depend on who's tuning them.)

Why is yawning catching? (Empathy? Mirror neurons? Ancestral necessity of group behavior?)

There is a great Bernina sewing machine for sale. (Carolyn's)

Families sharing a meal together was and is one of the most important parenting skills to master.

How easy/difficult would it be for a group of women to live together?

Travelling from "tudio" to "tudio" can make for a great Saturday outing.

Jan picked 22 pounds of apples in NYS AND brought them home with her. (YUM!)

Prabha has offered to be the next NCRL treasurer. (We'll see who reads this blog besides SWL.)

The Orange County Artist Guild Open Tour weekends are the first two in November.

Where is the tingling coming from?

Lace will be at Rhoda's next week since Kris will be teaching a beginners class in the mountains. Know of anyone who would like to join the class? (Was that someone saying, "ME!"?)

Toffee vs. Taffy

News of the day (Tues. September 3, 2013):  Prabha is back! Gone all summer, traipsing across the USA in her second home, she collected photos and stories to share. Her cross country adventures were not all good, but she smiled as she shared them with the group. Beyond the incredible parks, each one more spectacular than the last, the highlights of her trip with her husband were the interesting new friends they made and the renewed friendships with old friends. She brought several interesting books to share - basketry and quillwork. Her stories developed into a discussion concerning the continuing saga of American Indian communities.

As soft jazz filter through the room, making lace was the main focus of the day's work with very little other news. Show and tell included Kris' "Suzette Victoria" who is ready to join the other members of her nativity scene and the crazy hedgehog hat. After washing and drying it really does look more like an anemone hat which is what it is according to the pattern.

There were a few tidbits and questions of the day to share:

What's the difference between taffy and toffee?

answer: taffy is pulled and soft while toffee is boiled and hard.

AURAFIL is the sewing thread (size 28) that Betsy uses for making lace and it's beautiful.

Who has entered work at the State Fair? When is it, actually?

OIDFA covers are the same for each yearly issue.

Allergy season is in full bloom for some people.

What is "chenopod"?

answer: another cause of allergies! This is used to represent a whole slew of plant families - including amaranth and pigweed, lamb's quarters and russian thistle.

FOR SALE: bus style RV (Prabha's second home)

September 19 last day to give Rhoda your bead order.

September 24 everyone is invited to Embroidery Guild to hear Prabha

March 2014 is the next Tonder class (Rhoda and Prabha are taking it.)

Change is in the air! In demand: first floor master suites, no property maintenance issues.

What grain is used to make "Rajgira Chikki"?

answer: rajgira, the royal grain, used in making "Amaranthe Naugatine" which Prabha brought as a treat.

As a parting note, lost notes reappeared with two noteworthy bits:

"New jewelry calls for new clothes!" (Carolyn said regarding Bev's gorgeous work.)

Why do we experience reoccurring dreams now, at our age, about High School situations/stress?

THINK BEACH!

Crazy Daze of August!



This bloggster (new word) has been shirking her duties. (August 13 was at Kris's, the 20th at Rhoda's and the 27th at the Wake Forest Senior Center.) The whole underlining thing made her not want to try again, and she hasn't much to tell, and she has lost her notes which is a mystery. Oh, wait, mystery solved! The grandsons did it!

Everyone's lace projects are progressing nicely. (Doesn't that sound encouraging?) Rhoda finished  her latest Chantilly workshop piece. Carolyn and Bev are working on more tallies. What a good example they are for the rest of us - taking time to practice something that we all dread doing when we see it in a pattern. Imagine the pieces they'll be tackling and the tallies will be perfect! As a matter of fact, all tallies ARE perfect! Their shapes may differ now and then, but they're made by hand. If they all looked the same, you wouldn't be able to say, "That's the one I was making when the cat jumped on my lap," or "That's the one I was making when the ceiling started dripping on my head," or "That's the one I was making on the way to Hawaii and we hit turbulence at 35,000 feet."

Back to project progress! Sue finished the hankie edging (that might have been reported already) and has moved on to finish the square Torchon piece from Holly's workshop. Jan is knitting a beautiful, lacey hat. Betsy's has returned to her gorgeous circular piece. Her hand is almost back to normal and the other hand is so happy to have its pal back that it's working fine. Kris is loving her Finnish travel pillow. Suzette Victoria is almost ready to join the other members of the nativity scene. She's also making slow progress on the hankie edging that Holly thinks should already be finished.

There are no quotes or world problems which got solved from these last few weeks in August. Although several questions were raised: when/why/how/what with reference to interference  with a country like Syria; what is the nature of the relationship between talent and skill - same, different, related?

In closing, for those who weren't at the Senior Center, this is the story of the "Safety Fart:"

As a mom got out of her brand new car, her 8 1/2 year old son let a rather obnoxious fart fill the car before he undid his seat belt. "Oh, man! My car smelled so nice, son, couldn't you have waited until you were out of the car?" asked the mom. The quick thinking son assured her, "That was a safety fart in case someone should try to steal our new car!"

Watch Out For Flying Icecream Cones!

July 29 Blog

The morning turned into afternoon faster than normal. No one even sat down before we had to leave to meet at Alladin's. Worries of finding a table for 8 were needless since we were about the only patrons there. So we tried to make enough noise with our chatter and laughter to fill the void. If only there had been paper and pen handy to help recall what was said.... We thought about ordering Sally the hummus plate, but no one wanted to eat it. Sue wanted something small so she ordered the chicken salad filled pita which would have fed all seven of us.

Travel quests were shared:

Rhoda had a ball shopping at a mall in Toronto (NOT); enjoyed drinking and eating her way thru the weekend; will be knitting two more sweaters, however, they will be plain/boring; Rachel insisted that she get exact measurements and not just go with medium or large - we requested a video clip of the measurement taking.

Sue was wearing a lovely outfit bought especially for her trip to Phoenix. Her tan set off her beautiful silver jewelry that she convinced her family to buy her (last year).

Carolyn's trip to DC went well and she had a good time (hopefully - can't actually read the notes).

Kris was exceedingly proud of herself for having climbed a "fourteener" while in Colorado. If she had known what was actually going to be happening, she would have waited at the trail head and read a book. It's worthwhile to note here that Hugo has a new love: his trail runners.

It was great to have Betsy join us. She has the "pathetic invalid" act down to an art, as shown in the photo. The healing process on the outside is going well, but the inside nerves seem a bit confused. The other hand will need to wait. 

Discussions became pretty serious as the lace makers shared thoughts about governments roll in social issues: guns being allowed in restaurants that serve alcohol, drinking raw milk, using antibiotics in chicken feed. It was interesting to hear that the government required children to wear acidity bags when polio spreading.

Carolyn shared her experience of taking a "Drive Sharp" tutorial. The objective is to help you think fast, improve your peripheral vision and the elasticity of your brain. Carolyn has agreed to be our driver when we all flunk the tutorial.

Maybe she'll drive to the beach when we go on our 1st annual "Lace making at the beach" retreat. Information will follow about this. (Let KSC know if you'd be interested in joining.)

In closing, think about this: wouldn't it be interesting if there were driers that we could step into and come out wrinkle free, 2 sizes smaller, and smelling Downy fresh?

Flat Stanley

It was a small group that met at Kris’; no show and tell, green with and without and a surprise visitor => Flat Stanley. Opening discussions were again medical and all ears were on what nurse Trail had to say. This time it was herself that was of concern. A few minutes after sitting down, Kris was ready to wrap her in a fleece blanket because her feet were turning purple, which had nothing to do with Sally. She’ll let us know what the Dr. says. Betsy is having her surgury for her trigger happy left thumb - we sure hope her recovery is speedy.

The secret garden has taken on new meaning. Carolyn has created a garden of flowering pots outside her picture window.

Bev and Ron enjoyed the bead show over the weekend. Bev is going to learn how to bezel a big bead (or two) that Ron bought. Rhoda went also and is already looking forward to “Jane’s” in August. She vows to be there early with her long list. Walter will be giving over half of his closet to her as the jewelry closet is filled to capacity.

Prabha left on Monday to show Flat Sally the Mid West. Kris will be taking Flat Sally to Colorado to hike. She’ll fit nicely in the backpack as they hike at least one “14,000 footer.” Bev wants a report on the pine trees of CO – they were infested by nasty bugs that were killing them. Sally will take care of reporting back to her and will find out if NC has a similar issue.

Jan joined the quartet (Kris, Rhoda, Bev and Carolyn) for soup and spent the afternoon beading a project that has been patiently waiting for her attention.

To revisit the "Hon" discussion of last week: Kris was called "Babe" as she walked into a sporting good store. Lacking the quick tongue of Prabha and the nerve, she didn't say anything. BUT, as a foot note: she went back on Wed. and spoke with the assistant manager. It was not the first time, apparently, but I suspect it will be the last.

Conversation bits:

“Have you bezelled a tear drop?”

“2 balls is PLENTY!” (when talking about soup, but inferring quite something else)

“Oh, pretty!” (Master beader to student)

“Didn’t know this was going to be a group project.” (when ideas were flying around about how to finish the necklace)

“Everything is a group project the moment you walk through the door!”

“Your brain is my brain!” (Kris to everyone)

“I laughed so hard my tears were rolling down my legs.”

“Watch out for booby traps.” (when discussing necklace lengths)

Jan brought a needy beading project with her and left wearing it. It had an “eight-handed knot” in it that the master beader was quite adept at. Rhoda shared with everyone where “herring bone” stitch came from: in the belly. (I think there’s some commentary necessary on this point.)

Little known fact of the day: How was line dancing started? By a group of women waiting in line…! How clever we all are!

Pregnant Pillow...?

The ladies were back at Kris' for their day of making lace. Discussion went from talent, to drooling, to the affects of little blue pills, to if and why "Hon'" or "Honey" are acceptable. Show and tell was amazing when Bev and Prabha each pulled out their accomplishments from hours and hours of work. Technology talk didn't make an appearance until the end of the day when more blog work was necessary to allow viewers to add their comments. (Not 100% sure if it worked. Try it out and we'll see.)

First order of business went to Nurse Carolyn: Rhoda's arm was red, hot and swollen in two spots. Diagnosis: possible bites. Instructions: Benadryl. Not zzzzuch a good idea, but old Allegra is helping a bit. Last week she had one on her hand that did go away. Az Benadry talkz continued, Kriztin Zue admitted uzing it to help zzzleep. Our nurse shared AARP magazine (not to be confused with ART magazine - Kriztin Zue'z earz were ztill zleeping, perhapz) info that older people should NOT use Benadryl for sleeping as it can damage body parts that aren't already ailing.

Before hearing about the 7/9 work day, a few notes from the gathering at Sue's house on 7/2:

·         Prabha's sister, Gita, visited. She was at Prabha's for a week and is travelling now to visit other family members and other parts of the world before returning to India.

·         Sue's webcam in the blue bird house was not conducive to getting much work done, but was enjoyed by all.

·         The monthly Saturday lace gatherings will be held at Marie's on July6, Mary's on Aug. 3 and Liz's on Aug. 31.

As is evident from the last blog, Bev's interests are expanding. Her talents are many which she proved once again with her magnificent basket from a kit given to her from Carolyn. Carolyn was as proud as a momma peacock when she examined the perfect basket, Bev's first from a kit. Forty-plus hours of work and days on end of focus on the written instructions and she finished another project. She's getting quite a reputation. Prabha has agreed to make the beautiful shawl in the photo for each of us during her vacation out west. Sally will keep us up-to-date on her progress.

Notable quotes from the first part of the day:

"Why didn't you...?" (Bev to Carolyn regarding the basket kit)

"Give yourself credit!" (Us to Bev and Prabha)

"Drooling is unbecoming!" (Rhoda to Prabha)

Prabha brought a new book about the history and techniques of a regional Spanish lace. She saw the book some time ago and after lots of thought and saliva, ordered it from Holly and had it two days later. It's filled with interesting history with photos and has technical instructions for unique patterns. (Too bad I didn't write down the title - great spot for a comment from Prabha.)

Kris' time up north was fun, but with this mixed with great sadness. Sybil's father was operated on for a brain tumor and died the next day from unknown complications. Although the boys don't yet know (Sybil returns on 7/12), it's been difficult for Kim and she's dreading sharing the news. Difficult times.

Why do Southerners use the term "Hon" or "Honey" even when addressing strangers or in professional situations? The ladies couldn't figure out an answer, but shared experiences.

After enjoying "tomato soup with and without," the afternoon had a lively beginning with the appearance of a pregnant pillow - about 2 month, we figure. Grae worked hard the day before to get it just right. Success!

Fun news of the day: Grae and her husband are going on a Viking cruise up the Rhine from Budapest in Nov./Dec. She's very excited about visiting the Christmas markets and is already planning how to get everything back to the USA.

 Snippets of conversations:

"Lost my weaver!" Response: "You'll never know!"

"If you can't buck it, you can bed it!" In response to a questionable Bucks or Beds pattern.

"Don't ask. Don't tell." In response to  hearing the French word for lace - dentelle.

"I hear your kitty." In response to KC's squeaking chair.

"That's painful, isn't it?" Response: "DON'T ASK ME!" Don't recall how we got to this, but it was about the little blue pill.

The next time you're at Rhoda's Museum, be sure to ask to see the "Amazing Bowl!"

AMAZING? That's Sally!

June 25, 2013

Chair caning at Carolyn’s:

Carolyn taught Prabha to cane her chair starting bright and early at 9:00 am on Tuesday morning, June 25.

What a great teacher Carolyn is. She had all the necessary tools laid out on the table and the canes soaking even before Prabha arrived at her door step. Of course, Bev got her own private lessons the day before.

The plan was for everyone to have lunch at Carolyn’s after the caning session and before heading out to the Wake Forest Senior Center. Grae kindly offered to help Carolyn with the lunch. Luckily, Carolyn quickly set the record straight by telling her that she would welcome Grae’s help if she was preparing the lunch, but we were expected to brown bag it.

After lunch everyone headed out (caravan style) to the senior center where they were joined by Sue and Jan. The ladies at the senior center were very welcoming and the facilities were nice. Bev took such wonderful care of the group, making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. She made the coffee and was a very gracious hostess, even though we did not expect it of her – since we were at the senior center.

Many of the ladies dropped by in groups to ooh and aah at our work and then remark that she did not have the patience for this. So every time some one said this. Rhoda would role her eyes. After the 5^th person made this remark, she declared that she was going to scream when the next person said this. Prabha helped her out with a mild “scream” when that happened.

We did get one person evince an interest in learning to lace. Let us hope she will do so.

The group was rather well behaved – as we did not want to embarrass Bev.

HERPES?

"Guess what I got from my ... husband!"
"Herpes?"

We are a group of ladies who solve world problems, share life's experiences and make lace. On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, as usual, not much was accomplished before lunch. Hugo's soup was green, with (on the side for veggie people). Bev arrived just as we returned downstairs and that's when the serious discussions began. Carolyn was wondering about her annuities - how her divorce agreement would affect them and who would be the beneficiary if she died. We were very helpful. We volunteered and told her we would take a great vacation in her memory and that we would even take a flat Carolyn with us.

There were some frogs jumping about as mistakes were being made. Bev shared that she'd heard that common advice was not to take a ring out in tatting. Everyone agreed that when making a ring, don't make a mistake. So Bev said that all her rings were always perfect - except for the one she had just made. Ribbet, ribbet, ribbet ! RIP IT ! RIP IT ! RIP IT !

Everyone was very happy to hear that Carolyn is sleeping again. The noises of the evening that surrounded her in the past have disappeared as she has new neighbors. It's intuitively obvious to the most casual observer that three generations of women live about her and are ready to welcome her into their fold at any time. The youngest of the three has offered to help Carolyn any time she might need an extra hand.

Carolyn told us about cooking an especially interesting roast for company years ago at her (ex-)  husbands suggestion. She was willing, but not before checking with said company, " Would you be willing to eat bear?" At which point Rhoda, who had been very focused on her work (as we all usually are), offered their probably response, "No, I'm going to wear clothes."

A grandchild's joke gave us all an easy smile: Carolyn asked what kind of fish they caught during their special fishing trip with their grandfather. "The kind that swim."

There was discussion about when to get together for Prabha and Bev to learn how to cane. Carolyn suggested coming over early before lacing at the Senior Center. That will work out, but they'll need coffee at 9 a.m. No problem, Carolyn reassured them she would be on her second pot (of coffee). And, oh, if she didn't answer the door, she was still asleep. Talk got serious again as more details about caning were given by Carolyn. She admitted to not being a very good carver of handles for her woven (yes, caning leads to weaving) baskets. Rhoda un-invited her for Thanksgiving.

Did you know that "Flat" stories are being used in lots of different places? We like ours the best! Oh, the places Sally will go!

Tidbits:
Jan called to ask that her tea be ready by 3 o'clock for her brief visit.
Carolyn left her instructions home.
Kris suggested she study what she had done already and try to continue.
Carolyn gave Kris a very dirty look.
Prabha ruined Rhoda's coffee. She managed to put sugar (yellow) in both the low-test cups.
The Colorado fires were in the area that Bev had friends years ago.
Dave (Guy) turned 65 this week.
No one has heard if Tonya ordered the braclets or not.
Quills from road kill are waiting in Bev's stash to be cut up for beads. Wait, that deserves more detail:

Bev had read that porcupine quills could be gathered by flicking a towel at the dead (and smelly, which wasn't in the article) animal. The quills would stick to the towel and you could go home in your then smelly car to use them in crafts. You clean them up, dye them maybe, and cut them in the lengths you want. BEADS! Yes, they're hollow.

Techie lessons of the day: how to create a contact on your phone from a recent call; how to find where the Sept. lace day will be; HOW TO FIND THIS BLOG (the photo).  Next week: de-fragging!

While sharing weekend happenings, Carolyn's eyes grew wide and she said to Bev (she had told the rest of us already), "Guess what I got from my husband?" To which Bev said, "Herpes?" Bev probably couldn't hear the real answer through all the laughter. A hug.

And that's what we send to Sally!