Crazy House

 

A ticket for a single day at Disneyland – without park hopper tickets or Disney Genie Plus – is $184. On opening day in 1955, you could get into Disneyland for just a dollar; 50 cents if you were a child. Of course, tickets for the rides were extra then. But you could pretty much ride everything for under $10 seventy years ago. If a dollar in 1955 would be worth $12.14 today, I guess you could say the price of a Disney trip has more than kept pace with inflation. A day ticket to the Magic Kingdom in Florida is even more: $194. I guess that makes sense. Disneyland covers 85 acres, while the Magic Kingdom is 107. A day at Disneyland Paris is $133 in US dollars. Hong Kong Disneyland is $91, Shanghai Disneyland is $74, and Tokyo Disneyland is only $59. Suddenly it occurs to me – I’ve already visited the three most expensive Disney parks.

Three Strawberries

 

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but I do know that someone does. If it’s you, I hope you’ll read these words and come to believe them. If it isn’t, I hope you’ll share them with someone who does. “Your impact on other people is much bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said once. Someone still smiles when they think of that lovely compliment you gave them that one time. Someone silently admires you. The gentle advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you’ve offered has made someone’s day. Your input and your opinions have made someone think twice. You are not insignificant or forgotten. Your existence makes a positive difference, whether you see it or not.” – Author Unknown

Crystal Star

 

When I was in fifth grade, our school librarian read Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to us. We sat on the Persian rug in front of her as she filled our heads with Oompa Loompas, Gobstoppers and Fizzy Lifting Drinks. She told us about the movie that was soon to be released, and we were beyond excited. When the movie finally hit theaters, it was – of course – a disappointment. No movie can hold a candle to the one that runs inside your head while you’re reading the book. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was released fifty-five years ago this month, which is probably why Murray Arts Council chose to stage the musical now. Tomorrow is opening night, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to perform with an audience. I wholeheartedly recommend seeing this show, or better yet, reading the book. Because as magical as this play is, the one in your head will still be better.

Nine Hit or Miss Blocks

 

Never Have I Ever, Quilter’s Version:

1.      Cut myself with a rotary cutter.

2.      Sewn a block together incorrectly.

3.      Broken a needle.

4.      Made a quilt entirely by hand.

5.      Yelled at someone for using fabric scissors.

6.      Bought too little fabric.

7.      Driven past a quilt shop without stopping.

8.      Worked on a project in a waiting room.

9.      Found a mistake in a finished quilt.

10.  Sewn through a pin.

11.  Quilted at 3:00 a.m.

12.  Stepped on a pin or needle.

13.  Measured something WRONG.

14.  Bought more fabric than I needed.

15.  Attended a guild meeting.

16.  Used a seam ripper.

17.  Left a needle or pin in a finished quilt.

18.  Given away a quilt.

19.  Entered a quilt in a show.

Eight Kitty Cats

 

Somehow, I never saw Amy Smart’s Notting Hill fabric in the quilt shop. If I had, I’d have snapped it up right away. When I found it online, it was out of print and discounted. I bought a fat quarter bundle and a banner kit in time to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth. Some of the prints have sketches of London landmarks, like Tower Bridge and Big Ben. Others are plaids, checks, polka-dots, roses and union flags, large and small. I quickly used up the larger prints and the ones with higher values. I had no plan for the rest, but couldn’t toss them. Then I found this Kitty Cat quilt pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew. I’ve used their patterns before and been really happy with them. They’re well-written: easy to read and to follow. They’re a bit on the modern side, but a fun way to use up scraps of any sort. 

Majestic View

 

“You might serve in a very visible role for a time, only later to be called to quiet, unseen service—or to support those with less experience. When callings change in ways that deeply impact you or your family, it can require great faith and trust in the Lord while you adjust. Our service is a choice, an offering to God, and a blessing. We know prayer, study of scripture, and worship at church and in the temple are critical to the development of our faith. Have we also come to see our callings as having a foundational role in the expansion of our faith? Callings from the Lord are tailor-made for our growth, as we humble ourselves, look outward, and learn that, indeed, when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are in fact in the service of our God. It really isn’t where we serve but how that matters to the Lord.” – Elder Patrick Kearon

Checkerboard

International Tabletop Day is celebrated the first Saturday in June. It was founded in 2013 by the creators of Geek and Sundry, a commercial YouTube channel and multimedia production company. You could join the celebration at organized events sponsored by libraries or local game shops, or you can host a game night in your own home. Break out the chess board or a deck of cards. Dust off your old Parcheesi or Scrabble or Monopoly board. Invite a few friends over for Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Dungeons and Dragons. Show the kids how to play some of your old favorites, like Chutes and Ladders, Uno, Mouse Trap or Candy Land. Don’t forget to provide snacks, but steer clear of really messy foods. It won’t do to spill smoothies on your Trivial Pursuit board, or to get sticky barbecue sauce on your Rook cards. Get out there and roll the dice, shuffle the cards and have fun!