Crocheting with Thanksgiving

In September, I happened to see an Instagram post by Debbie @bluebellrighthandworks. She shared pics of a fuchsia-colored Crochet Lacy Motif Top that she'd made. I was smitten. 

After ordering Bernat Softee Cotton Yarn from Herrschners, I got started. It was a great project to work on while sitting with Dad in a rehab center. After spending considerable time trying to work out the stitches and motif, I got pretty good at them after making 65 squares. Each square took 20 to 30 minutes to crochet. 

While going to/from Kansas City for our family gathering and Dad's funeral, I spent car time productively burying starting and ending yarn tails

Upon returning home, I spent several days pinning, steaming and blocking each piece, eight at a time. 

After laying a warm wet towel over blocks, and holding heat over them... 

I left them to to cool and dry for hours, or overnight. 

Sixty-five squares and six half-square triangles - ready to be joined.

I've joined the front.

The back is ready to be joined.

Then, I'll join squares to make two sleeves. Following that is joining the parts and crocheting around the edges. I have no doubt that when wearing this top, I'll be remembering my last days with Dad, and grieving that followed. 

Diamond painting is coming along and I'm about two-thirds done with this palm tree ocean sunset.

Though I'm enjoying working on it while listening to an audiobook, the quality of this kit isn't very good. Not only are many diamonds misshapen, but numerous diamonds have fallen off after being pressed-on, and rolled with a wallpaper roller. I have to glue them back on. That tells me the canvas adhesive isn't the best. Though it's a pretty design, you who diamond paint might want to steer clear of ordering kits from an Etsy shop. 

During my Tuesday morning walk I crossed paths with sandhill cranes. 

They're always seen in pairs, but this time there were four of them! They stroll through yards and across driveways like they're residents. 

Tomorrow, Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving. We will honor tradition with a homemade meal of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie.

Gratefulness is in my heart for God's unfailing love and goodness. I also appreciate the beautiful place we live. This foggy morning photo with our plumbago in the foreground was taken out our front door.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Linda

Journaling

Since Dad's death on November 5, life hasn't been normal. While trying not to feel guilty about not making that last phone call to Dad, and thinking about him dying alone, I've been working through my emotions through Scripture-reading and spiritual reflection. 

One activity that was previously on my schedule was to go to a Junk Journaling club meeting with my 4-H Club volunteer-friend, Karen C. I had thought not to go because Dad had died two days before, but I was encouraged to do something to take my mind off my sadness. I'm glad I did. Making these journals proved therapeutic, as I made them for family I saw while in Kansas City for Dad's funeral. 

I made six journals. The first one was for myself - top right, with my initial "L." I used a plain aqua 12" X 12" sheet, and glued fabric scraps to it. 

Though I've been calling these junk journals, in fact the YouTube video about how to make them is: Quick Journals Using 12 X 12 Paper by Natasha of Treasure Books. Her instructions are excellent.

I have very little in the way of paper supplies, so a couple 12" X 12" sheets from Michael's, a few more sheets from a paper-craft estate sale, and a few pieces from Karen (she was formerly a Creative Memories consultant) gave me plenty of exterior cover stock to work with. 

You can see the inside of each journal has a front and back pocket, so it's extra nice if you can make the journal with two-sided stock.

The interior is made with 10 sheets of paper called "the signature." When each sheet is folded in half, then stitched into the ¼"-wide cover spine (your #8 perle cotton stash will come in handy), the journal has a total of 40 pages to write on. 

For the signature, I used what I could come up with here at home - several sizes of graph paper, construction paper, transparency paper, and of course printer paper. I didn't buy anything. It was fun to choose papers for each journal. 

I recently learned about Lectio Divina, a four-step method for reading Scripture and understanding a "divine reading." It's been helpful during quiet time with God, and my journal is where I'm taking notes. 

I'm slowly moving forward on other incomplete projects, and that's providing peace too. Linda

In Memoriam of Dad

On Wednesday, in the early morning, my dear 95 year-old Dad died quietly in bed, in his assisted living apartment. 

From September 28 to October 9, I visited him in rehab and through his return to assisted living. I'm so glad I did. As challenging as those days were, I have wonderful memories because of the time we spent together, generally chatting and visiting throughout each day.

The past week has been difficult, though every person I've been in contact with has been supportive. Just don't be too nice to me, or I will cry more, as I did when my virtual Bible study sisters (we meet weekly on Zoom) at Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, Iowa) sent this bouquet Wednesday afternoon. So thoughtful, and tear-inducing. 

Though I've felt conflicted about whether to write about my Dad in a blog post, I also want to honor him here because he was a loyal FlourishingPalms blog-reader. When we chatted every Sunday afternoon, he would sometimes remark about something I posted about, and we'd talk about it. Several years ago he told me:

"I know more about quilting than most men!"

Dad, you make me laugh. 

Most often our conversations revolved around books. When his vision began failing, several years ago I encouraged him to get a public library card and begin listening to books. From that point on, he listened to audiobooks on his computer, finishing each title at a rapid rate. I would often suggest titles and authors he might like; he didn't care for storylines that jumped around, like from "now" to "then." He particularly enjoyed two authors: Spencer Quinn who wrote the "Chet and Bernie" stories (about a dog and a detective); and every book written by William Kent Krueger. I think Dad liked WKK books because many take place in an area of Minnesota Dad was familiar with, from his days working in agriculture sales for Monsanto. 

Dad enjoyed watching vlogs (YouTube video blogs) about agriculture and farming, and subscribed to several of them. I sometimes knew more about happenings with the Millennial Farmer and Welker family than I did about our own family!

Having similar political views, Dad and I would amicably talk about politics. He also liked talking about his favorite football team, The Ohio State Buckeyes. Being an OSU graduate, he was a lifelong fan. He only despaired about my lack of interest in the Buckeyes, or any football games. He would often say:

"I don't know where your Mother and I went wrong."

I am the oldest of us three "kids" and have many good memories. As well, I have an insider's view of his entire life, having been Dad's editor when he decided to write and publish his autobiography in 2020. 

This saying rings true, and makes us glad Dad wrote about himself.  

When you're young, your grandparents try to tell you their history, and you don't care because it doesn't interest you at the time. Later on, you wish you'd written down what they said. 

I wrote Dad's obituary. 

After many months of declining health, and him knowing his physical body was failing him (his mind never failed), I am grateful Dad is at peace now.

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest," said Jesus. "... and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 

I am also imagining the reunion between Dad and Mother, who passed away 23 years ago. Maybe Mother is saying, "I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?!" 

Still, losing him is painful. 

Linda