Wyoming Breezes

Mail Room Door Local Community College March 2011 I'm sure the missing "L" in "bell" was scratched off of this sign, but I'm not sure what to make of the phrase "located inside wall." Does it mean the bell is on the inside wall or does it mean the bell is actually inside the wall?  How do you interpret this sign?

Susie's Summer House March block The Quilter's Neighborhood House by house the neighborhood is growing. April's block will feature Fall and complete the neighborhood houses. I was told the following four blocks will be trees of the four seasons. The previous houses can be found here: February block - Anna's Spring House January block - Mary's Winter House

Even though the  Monster Socks  used a lot of scrap yarn, I am not completely pleased with them. I don't like the way I carried the yarn on the inside - a technique that I definitely need to improve. Fair warning, if you make these socks with scrap yarn, be prepared to weave in a lot of loose ends. Made with fingering weight, superwash wool scraps on size 2 needles, these socks will go into the donation box.

Feeding deer Itsukushima Shrine Miyajimi Island, Japan April 1980 Deer freely roamed the shrine grounds and definitely enjoyed being pampered by the visitors.

An early morning dream prompted me to wake and look at my fire extinguisher in the hall closet. I am almost embarrassed to show you what I found. Do you see the date on the tag? The last time I had my extinguisher checked and recharged was November 2002. Today, I am taking it to be recharged and creating a yearly reminder on my computer calendar to check the extinguisher when I change the batteries in my smoke detectors. I have two extinguishers: one in the kitchen and one in the hall closet. Do you have an extinguisher in your home? If you do, please check it today. If you don't, go out and purchase one. It's important!

This pair of wool socks was finished on Friday and will ultimately be donated with some other items (yet to be knit) to Wool-Aid . These were knit using 100% wool and size 2 needles.

Here's another one of my favorites from the local guild's February show. I think this one was called Trading Places . The gorgeous floral fabric and the simple design drew me to this lap-sized quilt. Isn't it a beauty?

The only thing to do when the scrap sock yarn begins accumulating is to knit some monster socks. Of course the socks won't be duplicates because I am using scraps, but I hope to have enough of the dark blue for the pair. I am using this pattern  for the stripe arrangement; however, be aware that the pattern may have a typo in the heel-turn directions. After knitting and frogging, I used my tried and true rib-cuffed pattern for the heel-turn.

Slow but steady progress.  I still need to prepare the backing and binding, but Jack and Jill is essentially complete. The final border fabric was included in the kit with two matching charm packs, but the sashing and corner stones were plucked from my collection. Now, I'm looking through my minuscule stash for some appropriate binding fabric.

Floating Torii Gate Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Miyajima, Japan April 1980 This was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I visited in Southern Japan.

Elizabeth Hartman has posted a fund-raiser for Japan (through the Red Cross) on her quilting blog. Those who make a donation to the Red Cross and then post a part of their tracking number on her blog will be entered in a drawing for her fabulous quilt, Tokyo Subway Map  (pictured above). You only have until March 23, 2011, so don't delay. Jump over to her blog and follow the directions. While you're there, check out some of her other beautiful quilts. Mary Johnson is also offering a quilt (pictured above) for a donation to the Red Cross. Details are on her blog .

Courage is grace under pressure  ~ Ernest Hemingway ~ photo from msnbc.com Since last week, I've been glued to the TV and computer watching the news of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. I was horrified to see the tsunami rushing ashore, and indiscriminately destroying everything in its path. (Sendai is a mere 200 miles from Misawa where I lived in the late 70s.) photo from msnbc.com The images of the destruction are disturbing. The survivors have no idea if their family, neighbors or friends are even alive. They may never know. Yet, these grief-stricken people are patient. They patiently stand in lines for hours to use a phone, to purchase gasoline, to read the growing list of the deceased. Have you noticed the grace of the Japanese victims? We can learn a lot from these survivors. May God bless them today and in the difficult days, months, and years to come. You may also find this  CNN link  on the same topic interesting. It was sent to me by ...

Several weeks ago I attended a quilt show, hosted by the local quilt guild. This quilt was one of my favorites because of the contrast between the bright fabrics and black sashing. It's definitely a scrap-buster.

On the first Wednesday of every month the Friends of the Library host a sale of donated books and related items. Most months, I don't remember about the sale until Thursday; however, when I do remember, I like to browse through the donated LPs. This record caught my eye for three or four months until I decided it was time to be rescued. It is in really good condition considering its age and the distance it has traveled. Patrick Henry Junior High (now named Patrick Henry Middle School ) is located in Sioux Falls, SD. From my research, it appears this school has a strong music program for several decades. The selections on the rescued album were directed by Mrs. Glenya Hanson (1969-70), Mrs. Phyllis Hoiseth (1969-71) and Mrs. Ellan Muyskens (1970-71). These women dedicated the album to Mr. Oyan, one of the school's principals. Do you know someone who attended Patrick Henry at this time and who would like this album? Leave a comment or send me an email. It will be my ple...

Sashing and corner blocks were added to the Jack in the Box blocks in order to increase the size of the quilt. Another border will finish the quilt top. Since the pattern has changed, I've decided to call this little quilt, Jack and Jill .

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. Lily and Butterfly In Christian art, the lily signifies purity, innocence, heavenly bliss. The Madonna Lily is the one most commonly employed in presenting this symbol, especially in connection with the Annunciation. Perhaps, the most common understanding of the lily as a Christian symbol is its use as a symbol of Easter. The bulb decaying in the soil produces a new bulb, stem, leaves, and flowers, all rising in glory above the dark soil in which the process of death and the release of new life are inseparable; thus, signifying the attainment of immortal life through the body perish. The rainbow also has a deep meaning. After the flood, the Lord God made a Covenant, an agree...

Fast Food Restaurants  Bangkok, Thailand December 1979 Our tour guide advised us not to purchase the local fare from the sidewalk vendors, mostly because the water supply in 1979 was not that clean. However, many locals were giving these two ladies a lot of business. I am sure that a pole was inserted in the loops at the top of the baskets so they could transport their baskets to and from home. These women and many others were selling food in front of the temple. I didn't see many men selling food on the streets.

My knitting has slowed to a crawl, but I did manage to finish a pair of socks for myself. The size 10 socks have a 7-inch ribbed leg (cuff) for more coverage. Knit with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Select Semi-Solid (Slate) 100% superwash merino, using size 2 circular needles. The skein contained 420 yards, and the small ball is what remained. Hopefully, this finish will motivate me to knit some other projects.

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre-Auguste Renoir displayed at Riverton High School The mural-sized painting, mounted on the exterior of the local high school has been the topic of numerous Letters to the Editor in past weeks. Those who shared their views state this painting with wine bottles is not appropriate for a school that has zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Who knew that a painting created in the 1800s would cause such a controversy in 2011. Eventually, someone involved in the project wrote a response. She invited those who voiced their opinions to take a "Walk on the Art Side" and view the other works of art in the community, some of which I already featured here . The project has exposed the community to a diverse collection of art. They include: Pitcher with Bowl of Fruit by Pablo Picasso displayed at school district administrative office (the painting is hanging sideways for some reason) Pitcher with Bowl of Fruit by Pablo P...