Wyoming Breezes

current knitting projects  May 2022 Last week was busy: filled with appointments, errands, volunteering, and reading. My old dental work (circa 1970s) is beginning to show its age. Recently, an old crown come off and part of the tooth with it. Thankfully, the tooth had a root canal years ago, and I didn't have any pain. The pain is going to be in my wallet as I don't have dental insurance. I'll have the tooth prepped for a new crown this week. I volunteered at the Eppson Center (senior center) last week, too. The morning receptionist asked me to substitute so she could attend her granddaughter's music performance. Thinking I might have time to sneak in some knitting, I grabbed the basket containing my current projects. Sadly, I didn't have time to even pick up the needles.  Most of my evenings last week were spent listening to an audiobook: This Will Not Pass  by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. It is a fairly balanced account of the events leading up to the 202...

Even though I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, I haven't been idle. I volunteered to work at the reception desk at the Eppson Center (senior center) three days for an employee who was on vacation. The mornings I worked at the desk were busy with individuals coming in for tax preparation, with phone calls to schedule tax appointments and others asking to speak to various employees at the center. I had a few calls asking for general information, and even a gentleman who needed a recommendation for a plumber.  I did manage to squeeze in some knitting during my morning shifts. On Monday, I finished the sock cuff, on Tuesday, I worked on the heel flap and heel turn as well as picking up the gusset stitches. Wednesday, I finished the gusset decreases. Several people stopped by the desk to see what I was knitting and some even asked questions.  I was pleased with the progress of the sock, and once the gusset was completed, the rest of the foot was a breeze.  socks completed...

an afternoon of multi-tasking December 2021 Bonnie called Monday and asked if I would be available to be a substitute receptionist yesterday. I told her my schedule was open. Since the center has cut back on activities due to COVID, it was a quiet afternoon. I answered the phone, took messages, and transferred calls. There was a LOT of time for knitting.  I finished the cuff, the heel flap, the heel turn, and the gusset during my shift. The prospect of having this pair finished by the end of the year looks promising. 

One hundred forty-seven Quilts of Valor waiting to be selected by a veteran Riverton, WY November 1, 2016 Last Tuesday, I joined numerous volunteers, families, friends, and veterans for a large Quilt of Valor presentation. I haven't heard an official number on how many quilts were presented, but I'm guessing it was over 80 (some veterans were unable to attend, so their QOV were presented to family members). The Quilts of Valor (made and quilted by volunteers) were placed on the bleachers, and the veterans were asked to select the quilt that spoke to them. The display of quilts was breath-taking. With military precision, the event started promptly at 7 PM with the presentation of the Colors. The military history of each veteran was read as he/she walked to the front. The QOV they selected was displayed for everyone to see, the quilt was wrapped around the shoulders of each veteran, and the presenter gave the honoree a "welcome home" hug. I was happy to see bo...

Quilt of Valor Sew-in Sept/Oct 2016 Hudson, WY Friday evening, Sheri and I went to the Quilt of Valor Sew-in, held in the Hudson Town Hall. We selected kits from the table and settled down to sew. Another friend, Katheryn came from Lander to help: she pressed and cut for both Sheri and me. It was a welcome treat and helped us get more accomplished. Saturday morning QOV volunteers October 1, 2016 Hudson, WY Saturday morning, I was at my machine again along with a growing crowd of wonderful ladies and a couple of men. By afternoon, even more quilters arrived. Friends, Jeni and Mary came to press on Saturday afternoon, and they were kept busy.  In the morning, the cutting station was clear, but by afternoon, more volunteers had arrived so table space was at a premium. raffle quilt a fund-raising project for the local QOV group Isn't this raffle quilt a beauty? Of course, I purchased some tickets. Working with other volunteers was great fun and inspiring: I will...

Phases I and II of my Secret Project are complete, and many of your guesses were pretty close. The hospital has a door decoration contest, and I was "volunteered" to create one for the Gift Shop door. The manager selected one of the gifts from the shop (a Jim Shore musical snowman) and asked me to create the shop door decoration using that object. I started by taking a photo of the snowman, and then printed a transparency. Oddly, the hardest part was finding an overhead projector. I went to the library and asked if I could use their overhead for an hour, and the young librarian's mouth dropped open and said, "What do you need? I've never heard of it." I tell you, that made me feel ancient. Finally, I  found an overhead in the hospital classroom. The image was traced on plain paper, and I spent a fun evening coloring the snowman to match the photograph. Glitter was applied to the gingerbread man and house and the white area of the snowman. The pro...

I'm working on a secret project for the hospital auxiliary. Can you guess what I am making? Hint : So far, I have used a camera, a computer, an overhead projector (yes, they still exist), pencils, crayons, and a vacuum.

Nearly every Monday morning, I sit at the front lobby desk and look into the hospital Gift Shop. From this desk, I direct patients and visitors to the proper areas (admissions, radiology, medical records, out-patient surgery, and patient rooms). My volunteer shift is 3.5 hours, and when I am not assisting patients and visitors, I knit. I've discovered that by knitting, I make others feel comfortable. Sometimes people start conversations about my projects or about their own knitting or crochet projects. Yesterday, I worked the afternoon shift in the Gift Shop for another auxiliary member. This is the view from the Gift Shop office and shows most of the tiny shop. Even though the economy is having a devastating effect, I had two customers who made large purchases. Gift Shop's sales fund three nursing scholarships each year.