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 same day, and everyone is having fun. I can play both, but I personally prefer Chinese mahjongg.

I didn't take any trips this summer mostly because my back has been bothering me. I've been dealing with the intermittent pain for over a decade and have tried everything imaginable (acupuncture, physical therapy, cold laser treatments, and medication) to lessen it, but nothing has made a significant difference in the pain level. Finally, I determined that I'd had enough and scheduled an appointment with a spinal pain specialist. I've had x-rays, and this week I am having a myelogram CT scan to determine the cause. Hopefully, I can get some answers and some relief.