Wyoming Breezes

Albany County Public Library July 2023 The large windows of the public library that face Grand Avenue are often painted to reflect the various programs held during the year. I loved the large reading tree that was on display most of the summer. 

Silver Lining Hat made with several scraps of sock yarn Summer 2023 Last night just before sunset, I snapped photos of the Silver Lining (reversible) hat which I knit this summer with several small bits of scrap sock yarn. Most of the knitting was done during Sunday Face Time calls with my nieces and my sister. The hat grew about two inches during each of the weekly video chats.  hat turned inside out The sun sets early this time of year, and the golden light quickly disappears. The hedge outside my front door turns a brilliant red when the conditions are right, and the transformation has begun. Many of the trees and shrubs around town are just beginning to change color. Morning temperatures have been in the mid to upper 30s, and daytime temperatures are now in the mid 70s. I hope this is an extended Fall, but I doubt that it will be. 

Huzzah 61 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #240 Huzzah is a twin to Stacked Star s , an earlier QOV. This QOV was also started while I was at my sister's house in April. The stars were finished at Marilyn's and all I needed to do was add the borders, but this easy quilt took months for me to complete. It's now at a longarmer and should be ready to present to a veteran in November.

Cowgirl Hat Ball  created by Terry Maker 2019 This summer, I went to the University of Wyoming Art Museum to specifically see this piece. I was not prepared for the visual impact it had in the round display area. The piece is made from over 500 straw cowgirl hats.  massive sphere constructed of wood and over  500 cowgirl hats photo to provide perspective as the sphere is about six foot in diameter No doubt it would be appropriate to say, "My hat is off to the artist for creating this fun artwork."

Criss Cross Stars 60 x 73 inches Quilt of Valor #239 Criss Cross is a twin to an earlier QOV  ( Sixteen-Patch Lattice ). Both quilts were started in April when I travelled to Denver to sew with Marilyn, my sister.  This quilt was stalled for a couple of months and taunted me from the design wall. I finally finished it in late July. Hopefully, it will be presented to a veteran in November at the Eppson Center veteran appreciation event.  Update : October 2023 - Criss Cross Stars was lost by the USPS                July 2024 -  Criss Cross Stars  was returned by Nerstrand United Methodist Church (MN) after it                                    was donated to their group 

I didn't intend for the break from blogging to last for nearly four months, but there is no denying that the blog was dormant. During that time, I read blogs and commented when I could.  I didn't do a lot of knitting, but I read several books and managed to finish a couple of Quilts of Valor that were started in April.  Photos coming soon. This summer was unusually rainy (I didn't water my flowers at all, and they flourished). At times I felt like I was living in the Pacific Northwest.  A woman who summers in Laramie (from Kansas) to spend time with her grandchildren wanted to find a mahjongg group. The Eppson Center (senior center) didn't offer that activity, so I partnered with her to start the group. Only a couple of those interested had ever played American Mahjongg, so the learning curve was steep for nearly all of us. Some ladies got frustrated with the game, so I suggested that group try the Chinese version: they loved it. Now, both versions are played on the sam