Saturday, May 2, 2020

Welcome May!

Believe it or not, after all the trauma of April (and March, come to think of it), we are doing well here in our little corner of the world. Thank you to everyone who has so kindly sent messages of encouragement, support and friendship. We have been overwhelmed with messages of support in every form imaginable (even edible, LOL) and are are truly humbled and grateful.

Bruce is doing really well, and this is only a few days post-surgery. There is still wound care to deal with, and he says there is pain at the site where the right arm was amputated. He sometimes feels as though the arm is still there, although there is no phantom pain (which may mean there is no phantom pain YET). We’ll take it one week at a time. He returns to the surgeon in the coming week and for every week this month. Interspersed with that will be visits to the prosthetist to begin the preparation for an eventual artificial limb later this spring. Bruce’s sense of humor is intact, and life is continuing as normally as possible during this pandemic. We have no illusions that it will be 100% smooth sailing, but we certainly couldn’t have hoped for a better start to this new phase of life. We are counting our blessings.

Last Thursday, Hill Air Force Base did a state-wide flyover of four F-35A (Lightening 2) jets to honor the medical professionals and other front-line Covid-19 responders.  They were in our area about 1-ish in the afternoon, and many people in the neighborhood (including us) were out with chairs and cameras to take pictures and cheer. This isn’t the best picture, but it’s cropped from a larger one. It was nice to see and talk to neighbors - from a distance, naturally.

Spring has arrived, and the warm weather has meant that we can both enjoy sitting out on the patio, drinking our coffee (or whatever) and enjoying the fresh air, birds, garden. I’ve begun the arduous task of spring garden clean-up, but the sprinkler system is going, the patio is cleaned off and set up, and family is coming over (adults who will maintain 6’ social distancing) this weekend to help us in the vegetable garden. We will get it roto-tilled (we have a tiny one for raised beds), and then with Bruce supervising and directing, the drip irrigation will be set up. If we have time, we’ll plant the veggies. If not, I can do that on my own during the week.

The new May color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is dark greens. We did light and bright greens in January. I could do some dark greens strip blocks, but I’m not much  in the mood for dark anything. I was hoping we would have a refreshing, fun color to work on like Yellow! Or Pink! *sigh*  So I may work on my yellows or pinks anyway instead. Or in addition. I have enough of those colors to spread out over more than one month, and it will be cheerier than working on just green again so soon. And/or I may just work on finishing my previous RSC projects that are waiting in line. As you can see, I’m really decisive and focused... not.

Some sewing did get done this week. After I finished all my April light blue RSC blocks, I decided it was high time to use up the remnant chunks of the light blue impressionistic floral fabric I’ve used for 2 quilt backs. Since I was only up for mindless sewing, I decided to do 10” (finished size) Happy Blocks. The blocks will need to be sewn together, then this can be quilted and donated to Quilts for Kids.


And I’m not exaggerating when I said I was only up for mindless sewing. Over the last 2-3 weeks I’ve managed to make 2 other quilt tops for an upcoming (next week) blog hop I’m participating in. Both of those little quilts are Happy Blocks too. Simple and virtually brainless work (unless someone cuts strips in the wrong size. *cough*) One quilt is done. The other one is totally messed up. I tried a new quilting pattern (a simple Baptist fan variation that my friend Louise calls Unitarian fans). Mine turned out to be Satanic fans. After the first row, I decided to switch to simple inverted scallops. I was trying to channel my inner Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Or simple sunsets. La dee dah...The more I quilted, the worse they looked. Think nausea on heat-wavy pavement. It is truly worse than the very first quilt I ever free-motioned quilted (and I am NOT kidding). I gave up. Now I have half a quilt to unpick, but that will have to wait until my eyes unwonkify. That’s the technical term for what happens when your eyes unhook from your brain and go rogue; two of everything.

Alfie and Darla have been upset that I haven’t posted any pictures of them lately. I don’t want to displease the furry overlords, so here is a picture of them regally posed at the front door last evening. The birds were outdoors flying around paying their respects. Or maybe they were just taunting them, I can’t be sure.



20 comments:

  1. I am so relieved to hear that Bruce is home and that you're together. Despite all the anguish you've been through, being together has to be what you both need the most right now. Hopefully his pain will soon dissipate and he will heal quickly. Bless the people who are helping you with your garden and taking such good care of you - from a safe distance. Sending you both huge hugs and healing thoughts.

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  2. I was so hoping for a light, bright Spring-ey color, too. I have no dark greens worth
    working with; so I will be stepping aside this month and concentrating on finishing up the earlier months pieces.
    So good to hear that Bruce is mending and still keeps his sense of humor--how amazing is that;)))hope he continues to do well--AND I hope you are able to relax a bit and take some deep breaths after it all....
    ~ ~ ~ waving from afar Julierose

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  3. I'm voting for mutiny on the SS Scrappy Challenge!! Or... Maybe we can all make pink and yellow Happy Blocks with Dark GREEN centers. Yeh, that might work! :o))

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  4. Cathy, dear Cathy! And Bruce!!! My heart goes out to you both. I am glad Bruce is home and once again on the mend. You have both gone through so much and yet, I connect with your blog and you cheer me up!
    You are a strong couple, and I am so sure that strength comes from your deep love for one another.
    Alfie and Darla are adorable as usual while being entertained (taunted) by the birds outside. Speaking of which, I am happy to see that your spring has arrived and with that some help in your garden.
    Keep up the good smiles, please tell Bruce he is in my thoughts and prayers, as are you!

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  5. So glad to hear about Bruce. My prayers have been with him and your family. Sounds like you have this under control and that is a lot to say during all these crazy times. Have fun with family and let Bruce tell them all how to do the garden. He would anyway, wouldn't he? Blessing to all.

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  6. Glad things are going well for Bruce, and you, too! I'm sure you've already heard this, but people are doing amazing things with prosthetics these days, so there's lots of hope for Bruce's future. How wonderful to have some help with the garden this weekend, too! Those blue and pink blocks are going to make a very Happy quilt!

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  7. Hi again, Cathy! I adore Alfie and Darla - I am certain those birds were taunting them. I'll bet Alfie is more than ready for some lap time with Bruce. I am so thankful that the surgery is behind him and that he is able to convalesce AT HOME. It sounds to me like both of you have an upbeat attitude which helps a whole lot. I suspect you have a good support system for when you just need to cry and vent. I'll continue to keep you both in my prayers. How exciting that the garden, under careful Bruce supervision, will be going in this weekend. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  8. Your hubby has a great attitude after losing his arm, what a thing to have to go through. Very best wishes to you both from across the sea.

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  9. Aw, I'm sorry the fans weren't funs. I guess everyone has FMQ shapes that work for them and others, not so much. There are good Free Motions, bad Free Motions, Motion Sicknesses, and Paid-Dearly-For Motions. If its any consolation, I'm convinced that Quarantine Brain makes it all harder. I stitched some seriously jagged, uneven and just plain ugly stippling lately and declined to rip it out.

    But the news on the Bruce front is very good. If he's commanding gardening troops, I'm very encouraged with his recovery!

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  10. Wonderful news that Bruce is home and doing well. And having help with the garden prep is a godsend. I was working outside all day so I hadn't seen that RSC was dark green. Since I barely started anyway, this may be the year I take off and just try to finish some of the prior year projects. If spring sticks around (the forecast say NOT), I won't have as much time to sew anyway.
    Pat

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  11. Whoa, I am completely blown away by how positive and well adjusted you and Bruce are. Such a wonderful combination of productivity and optimism...so Molly suggested I get a hold of some of the pills you are having...

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  12. So glad that surgery is over! I think a lot of us are obly up for mindless sewing these days...

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  13. Wow, I had to go back to last week's post to catch up with you & Bruce. Unfortunately you know the story of my life with Fred lately so I'm sure you understand my lack last week. I like the positive, upbeat attitude. Obviously there will be less-than-stellar moments but it sounds like you both will get through this. This is the perfect time to get that garden planted. Nothing like playing in the dirt to get you grounded! Ha! Get it??!!?? Anyway, you & Bruce will both be in my thoughts this week and probably more. Hang in there! ((hugs))

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  14. How wonderful to hear Bruce is doing so well. Can't believe you got some Happy Blocks done too. They are so versatile, easy and do make for some neat quilts. I haven't tried any FMQ fans but want to one of these days. I have hand quilted many and just love how they look in a quilt.

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  15. So, so glad to know that Bruce is doing well. I've been thinking of you both.

    Mindless sewing sounds like just what the doctor would order for you! You had me laughing with Baptist, Unitarian, and Satanic fans!! :)

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  16. So glad there is mostly good news from your corner of the world. So many fly overs, but we are not near enough to get to see any! I love the idea though. I am amazed at all your good cheer and stamina. Doctors visits, gardening, sewing and no doubt all the other tasks necessary to keep a couple going. You know, laundry, food, house cleaning!
    Wow, you guys are amazing!

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  17. Thanks for the update; who says everything can't be smooth sailing? ;-) A positive attitude and sense of humor are great medicine! I think I will herewith call all fan quilting "Unitarian" - it's a perfect description! Take care and know I continue to send good thoughts your way.

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  18. I hope your sailing continues smooth for the next decade or so. Hugs (from a safe distance) to you both!
    Enjoy that happy gardening - sunshine and green plants work wonders!

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  19. Kudos to the warrior Bruce. May his spirits remain intact with his sense of humor. Wonky is the new normal - did you not get the news? Once it is washed and dried, it will be soft and fluffy and crinkly like you - just perfect. Please don't pick out the quilting - just my opinion. I would kill for some yellow or red or pink. Lots of Love to you.

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