Block #10

 

“A testimony is not given for temporary use. This gift from our loving Heavenly Father is meant to be eternal because the giver is eternal. A testimony should not have an expiration date. It should not weaken or diminish because something in my life has changed or something in the world has changed. It should get stronger because, like the servant’s talents in the parable of the talents, my testimony is a gift to be multiplied—not buried. Looking back on the difficult days of testing and persecution I went through as a child has helped me get to the place where I now know for myself. I not only believe, hope, or trust, even though these are significant particles of faith on the pathway to a sure witness. I commend you for making your own way by asking questions, studying, praying, fasting, and pondering. Please don’t stop. It is worth every effort to pursue this path to testimony.” – Elder Kevin G. Brown

Chain Block

 

Today’s story is about an interesting woman – Oberon Sinclair. Until I discovered her, I’d only known Oberon as king of the fairies in Midsummer Night’s Dream, the last name of the actress who starred in the REAL Wuthering Heights, and Uranus’ outermost moon. Oberon Sinclair is a publicist. Apparently, one morning in 2011 she woke up and said, “I think I’ll get everyone to eat kale.” Until she did, I don’t think anyone ate kale. Ever. Remember when Pizza Hut was a dine-in restaurant with a salad bar? Kale was the decorative green cardboard stuff they crammed between the ice and the actual food. Ms. Sinclair invented the non-existent “American Kale Association.” Now suddenly it’s posh to nosh kale. It went from an inedible weed to a luxury superfood. People whip it up in smoothies. They bake crispy kale chips. They sneak kale into salads, muffins, and omelets. Amazing what the right PR campaign can do.

Thirty-Six Flags

 

The game of backgammon has been around for nearly 5000 years. It’s one of the world’s oldest games, and is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia. During the 16th century, the Catholic church banned the game, which instantly made it much more popular. People played in secret, and made foldable boards that could hide in plain sight. The name of the game may refer to the fact checkers can be “sent back,” or it may come from some very old words meaning, “game on a table.” The twenty-four points on the backgammon board represent twenty-four hours in a day, while thirty checkers (fifteen for each player) represent the thirty days of the month. Famous people who’ve loved playing backgammon include Lucille Ball, Omar Sharif, Hugh Hefner, Taylor Swift, Leo DiCaprio, Kiera Knightley, Chris Rock, and Toby MacGuire. I learned to play while I was still in my teens, and seldom go twenty-four hours without a game.

Kitty Cat

 

Quilt Etc. in Sandy did a block-of-the-month class the first Saturday every month. They started in 2003, but I didn’t join until the following year. I made every block, even while we lived overseas. I’d still be at it, if COVID hadn’t killed it in 2020. I was happy to find the Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge in 2001. There were free downloadable patterns for 16 blocks per year, all of them ten inches finished. There was a pattern for completing each sixteen-block quilt, but I was usually happier to design my own settings. The sampler quilts I made over the past five years were beautiful. The block challenge didn’t quite replace Quilt Etc.’s monthly classes, but almost. Until this year. I’ve been unhappy with all the blocks in the 2026 challenge. They’re uninspired and uninspiring. They’re unnecessarily busy, and the colors bicker with each other. They lack elegance, and I don’t know how to fix this.

Center Pieces

 

“How do we become and help one another become devoted disciples of Jesus Christ? We minister to the one. Ministering in the Savior’s way involves compassion, kindness, patience, and love without judgment. As we minister to the one, we invite the one to come unto Christ and to worship in the house of the Lord to receive of His redeeming power. In other words, we help one another become devoted disciples as we minister to the one in ways that lead to the house of the Lord. We learn from Jesus Christ the power of ministering to the one with love and without judgment. You remember the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman may have felt unimportant, alone, discouraged, and unseen. She may have felt she did not belong. Yet she was one of the first to whom Jesus Christ declared He was the Messiah. To Him, this woman was a daughter of God.” – Elder Peter M. Johnson

Eight Dancing Stars Plus One

 

The third Saturday of March is National Quilting Day. This year, it’s today: Saturday March 21. National Quilting Day is set aside to appreciate quilters, their skills, and the art of quilting. The holiday was the brainchild in 1992 of the National Quilting Association. Before it became known as National Quilting Day, it was called “Quilter’s Day Out,” founded by the Kentucky Quilting Association. Although it’s called “National,” this is really a global event, involving workshops, trunk shows, and the sharing of stories behind generations of handmade quilts. You can celebrate by visiting a quilting museum, or any museum where quilts are on display. You can share photos and stories of the quilts handed down in your own family with younger family members or on social media. You can sign up for a quilting class, air out the quilts in your cupboard, or rotate the quilts in your home. Or simply spend the day sewing. I won’t judge.

Twenty-Five Rail Fence Blocks

 

Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make Yourself Happier:

Spend money on other people. The happiest people are givers.

Try something new; a new route, a new hobby, a new passion. Shake things up.

Expose yourself to more blue. The color blue boosts confidence and cuts stress.

Stop defending your point of view. Even if you convince the other guy (and you won't) it won’t make you happy.

Go to church. People who attend regularly are more contented and more stable.

Sleep at least six hours at night.

Slash your commute to 20 minutes. Find a job near home or a house nearer work.

Make sure you can count at least 10 friends. Real friends, not just the facebook variety.

Fake it until you make it. Smile. It really will make you feel better.

Find yourself a romantic relationship. If you’re already in a relationship, simply add more romance. – from Meredith Galante of Business Insider