Wyoming Breezes

14th and Sheridan Laramie, WY I’ve seen more Halloween yard decorations this year than in previous years. This witch was lit at night, too, and was a fun display. clever idea for a healthy, Halloween treat

Quarter Log Cabin blocks made by Sherry G. in NY Thanks to Sherry's generous donation of premade quilt blocks for Quilts of Valor, I'm gradually getting back into my sewing room. Last week, I squared the remaining blocks Sherry sent in her first shipment. I have a layout percolating in my mind for these patriotic blocks. Hopefully, I'll have time this week to actually sew the blocks into rows. 

Golden Cottonwood trees 21st and Reynolds Laramie, WY Last Wednesday, I stopped to snap a quick photo of these golden trees. I knew the leaves would probably all be down after the snow storm, and I was correct. Wyoming doesn't have too many trees with russet, orange, or red leaves this time of year, but the golden ones do put on a spectacular show.  Soon, we will be entering days surrounded by brown, gray, and white, but for a short time before Winter settles in, Nature fills our community with gold.

October 12, 2023 photo "borrowed" online from Downtown Laramie Alliance As predicted, Thursday/Friday's storm dropped about three inches of snow on the area, and by Saturday it had all melted because the ground and streets were so warm. Even with that, Interstate 80 was closed for winter conditions Thursday night. It seems like people forget how to drive in snow/ice, and it takes them a while to remember.  It's pretty typical for this area to have a mid-October snow storm and then another around Halloween. I'm thrilled that this storm was here and gone in a couple of days.

Tierra y Libertad (Land and Liberty)  119 S. First Street, Laramie, WY  by Talal Cockar in 2011

Usually the weather service is reliable, so it’s time to pull out the sweaters and wool socks because ready or not winter weather is coming! 

tiny puzzle pieces Last month a friend introduced me to some small and challenging puzzles from Craft Hub. The puzzles are laser cut from wood and the image is painted. She loaned me a couple of her puzzles - a rooster and a turtle, and I was hooked.  The pieces are tiny (dime in the middle for size comparison) and either hook together or snug up against each other. I loved the challenge of working on something so small.  finished puzzle  approximately 5 x 5 inches I ordered several puzzles and sent them to friends whom I thought would enjoy the challenge. The eagle was sent to my niece, and she liked it.  back of the puzzle Brenda even snapped a photo of the back of the puzzle, and you can easily see the fun animal-shaped pieces.  Because the company is based in either China or Singapore, it took nearly a month for my order to reach Wyoming. The company also sells larger puzzles, but I love the small ones.  Have you enjoyed a new challenge recently?

Multi-device Charger Ivinson Hospital  Laramie, WY This charger in the waiting area of the hospital had several different plugs to accommodate a variety of digital devices - Apple and Android. I’ve seen chargers in public areas but they only had USB ports and not the plugs themselves.  Have you seen similar multi-device chargers in your community? 

Step Up 60 x 66 inches Quilt of Valor #241 The blocks for Step Up were made by Sherry G. in NY. She is a generous quilter who makes nearly 400 blocks a month for various veterans' projects. I was fortunate to connect with Sherry, and she sent 84 blocks to make two Quilts of Valor. Thanks to Sherry all I had to do was square the blocks and sew them into a top. Sherry surprised me with another package of blocks (90 in this shipment) last week. I need to find more time to sew to turn Sherry's blocks into more Quilts of Valor. Thank you, Sherry for your generosity! Update : October 2023 - Step Up was lost by the USPS                July 2024 - Step Up was returned by Nerstrand United Methodist Church (MN) after it                                    was donated to their group