Disturbing Week

For several reasons, the past six days have been disturbing. Happenings beyond my control relentlessly continue. COVID-19 is still rampant.

Friends here in Florida who received their first vaccination (for ages 65 and older) are learning that second doses aren’t available. They're justifiably very upset. 

News from overseas is that doctors are concerned about COVID-19 mutations that may potentially be more deadly than current vaccines can prevent.

And in my own community, on Tuesday a friend’s spouse died from COVID-19.

In a week of these and other discouraging happenings, it’s been difficult to be upbeat.

I’ve searched for refuge in the Word and unexpectedly found the word to adopt in 2021.

Late last spring I spent several weeks memorizing Psalm 91. It has repeatedly proven its relevance to these challenging times.

Verse 2: I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge, my God in whom I trust.” 

Also, Psalm 46:2 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

The Life Application Bible explains: God is our refuge in the face of total destruction. He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance.

"Total destruction." That's what this week has felt like. 

Refuge not only reminds me of who is most important, but also tangibly relates to my where - the physical refuge space of my sewing room.

As cluttered as my sewing room has lately been - more so because of sewing with scraps - this is where I read the Bible, pray, create, and escape into an audiobook or a movie. It's my refuge.  

This week's making felt plodding. I cut more pieces for Glitter blocks.

I hand-stitched the Kawandi that's nearing a finish.

And made progress on the scrappy inset circles quilt top. I forced myself to work on it, really not knowing how to proceed. 

All the scrappy circles and rings are now joined in one section. Next I'll add white scraps along both sides, asymmetrically, to fulfill the challenge requirement of "negative space." Then, I will figure out how to make the whole thing look cohesive, possibly by applying scrappy stripes. 

Whatever I do, the top must be off the design wall by next Thursday when I start my second virtual workshop with Maria Shell. It’s an in-depth, 12-hour course called “Asymmetyrical Symmetry.” I am very much looking forward to it. Openings are available, if you're interested. 

To add to my overall disappointing week, my Whist card-playing losses with hubs continue. He’s now 6:0. Sigh.

Book Recommendations

Two books I’ve listened to have been a welcome escape, especially since both of them took me back to Australia. I have visited Australia four times, and though I never made it to the Outback, it was pure pleasure to listen to stories about that region. Both books are narrated with Australian accents. 

The first book to recommend is The Lost Man, by Jane Harper, a story that opens with the hot sun on the body of a dead man, Cam. He's brother to the two men, Nathan and Bub, who find him lying near the grave stone of the stockman. It's incomprehensible that a man would leave his vehicle, loaded with water and provisions, to die in this lonely place. The story unfolds from Nathan's viewpoint, and through revelations about their shared backgrounds, a picture of life on a cattle station becomes clear.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope you’ll give it a listen.

Linda's score: 4.4/5.0

The second book to recommend is A Town Like Alice, by Nevil Shute. It was written in 1950, and adapted for a TV series in 1981. The story is timeless... about Jean Padget, a young British woman who finds herself in Malaysia during Japanese occupation. Jean, and 30 women and children, are taken prisoner and forced to walk across the country, towards a non-existent women's camp. After the war Jean returns to England to work as a shorthand typist, where she is contacted by a solicitor who informs her of an inheritance. This allows her visit Malaysia again, and go to Queensland, Australia to find Joe Harman, a prisoner she met during the war. This was an extremely engaging story about a woman's fortitude, independence and vision of what life can be. I couldn't stop listening!

Linda's score: 4.7/5.0

As far as I know, my (with Karen Foster and Jo Avery) MQG webinar about making a "Temperature Quilt" is still on for next Tuesday afternoon, January 26, though the MQG hasn't yet publicized it.

🤷 Linda