Sunlight and Shadow

 

I just finished the novel I’ve been reading. I’ve got plenty of great books worth a second (or third or fourth) read, but I’m enjoying the convenience of an e-book. I can adjust the font (no reading glasses), and the screen is backlit (no itty-bitty book light). Lately I’ve been wading through murder mysteries and classics. What I need right now is a really funny book; one to make me laugh out loud. Here are some I’m considering:

A Walk in the Woods – Bill Bryson

The Best of Me – David Sedaris

The Princess Bride – William Goldman

A Long Way from Chicago – Richard Peck

One More Thing – B. J. Novak

Me Talk Pretty One Day – David Sedaris

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

I Feel Bad About My Neck – Nora Ephron

If you know of a book that belongs on this list, I’d love to hear about it.

Green Maple Leaf

 

Victor Lustig was born in Bohemia in 1890. His father was a salesman who frequently brought Victor along on business trips across Europe. His school career was less than stellar, but he was fluent in six languages, including English, French, Italian, and Hungarian. Victor became a con man operating on ocean liners between France and New York. Sometimes he’d pose as a music director seeking investors for a Broadway production. Victor’s most infamous scam was selling the Eiffel tower. Twice. In 1925, he invited a group of scrap metal dealers to a meeting where he informed them the famous tower was crumbling and repairs were too expensive. Paris wanted it discretely removed, and Victor would be accepting bids. He pocketed the largest check (70,000 francs) and fled to Austria. The crazy thing is, as soon as he realized he’d gotten away with it, he pulled the same trick again with a different group of patsies.

Sixteen Kitty Cats

In 1916, fourteen-year-old Antonio Gentile submitted a drawing for a design contest to create a mascot for Planter’s Nut and Chocolate Company. His sketch of a peanut with arms and legs was selected, and Antonio won five dollars. Andrew S. Wallach – a commercial artist – added white gloves, a monocle, top hat, spats and a cane to create the Mr. Peanut that is still on every package. But the founder of Planter’s, Amedeo Obici, (Right now, are you asking yourself why his name wasn’t Planter, or why the company isn’t called Obici’s?) didn’t just hand the teen a five-dollar bill and move on. He became close with the Gentile family. He paid for Antonio’s education. He even footed the bill for schooling four of Antonio’s siblings. Antonio eventually became a doctor. His original crayon drawings of Mr. Peanut sat in a drawer for nearly a century until someone rediscovered them and donated them to the Smithsonian in 2014.

Golden Checkerboard

 

“Young men and women are peacemakers when they forgo the temporary pleasure of self-gratifying activities and involve themselves in service projects and other acts of kindness. Persons who seek to reduce human suffering and persons who work to promote understanding among different peoples are also important workers for peace. So are faithful mothers and fathers who lovingly care for their own children or shelter foster children and raise them in righteousness rather than leave them to be scarred and twisted by the sins of others. Our missionaries seek to be peacemakers. By inviting all to repent and come unto Christ, our missionaries are working for peace. As followers of Christ, let us follow Him by forgoing contention and by using the language and methods of peacemakers. In our families and other personal relationships, let us avoid what is harsh and hateful. Let us seek to be holy, like our Savior.” – President Dallin H. Oaks

Green Marble Frog

There are lots of unwritten rules that we follow, because our moms raised us that way, because it’s good manners, or because we’d rather not get punched in the face. Here are some:

Never use your speaker phone in public. Sharing the audio from your game or video at full volume is also considered rude.

Wash hands when using the bathroom. Be sure to shower regularly, too. Your nose is not designed to smell YOU, so it’s safe to assume you stink and act accordingly.

When entering a train, bus or elevator, let the people who are ON get off first.

Remember “please” and “thank you.” They really are magic words.

Don’t let your kids scream and run amok in public. We’re more likely to think your children are adorable if they’re also quiet and well-behaved.

There are more, but they all boil down to: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." – Luke 6:31

Night Music

 I think most people are aware John Wayne’s real name was Marion Robert Morrison, that Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortensen, and that Cary Grant was really Archibald Alec Leach. But did you know Cher is short for Cheryl Sarkisian and Sonny was really Salvatore Phillip Bono? Vin Diesel’s real name – Mark Sinclair – makes him sound like such a milquetoast. So does Whoopi Goldberg’s (Caryn Elaine Johnson) and Elton John’s (Reginald Kenneth Dwight). Post Malone sounds like the kind of guy who’d cover himself with tattoos. Austin Richard Post does not. When Katy Perry started her singing career, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, because Kate Hudson was already taken. David Tennant changed his name from David McDonald at age sixteen, because there was already a British actor by that name. Albert Brooks’ parents named him Albert Lawrence Einstein in 1947, even though the other Albert Einstein had been world-famous since 1919.

Sixteen 2026 Challenge Blocks

 

I’ve followed the Riley Blake annual quilt block challenge since 2021. (I could have used a quilt block challenge the previous year, when all my in-person block-of-the-month classes disappeared forever. Better late than never, right?) So far, all the challenges have involved sets of sixteen 10” quilt blocks with patterns released almost every week – there’s a break to catch up the last week of each month – between January and May. At the end of the challenge, we’re given a finishing plan to use the blocks. Sometimes I use their plan, and sometimes I make my own. I usually make extra blocks. The most elegant 10” blocks are designed on a 4-patch or 5-patch grid. Anything else just ends up looking clumsy. A couple of this year’s blocks are prime examples. I do hope there will be a quilt block challenge in 2027. But it might be time to consider a different block size.

Eight Split Four-Patches

 

When the game Monopoly first appeared, it didn’t have tokens. Players used buttons, coins or whatever was on hand. The game was purchased by Parker Brothers in 1935, and the tokens were a battleship, a boot, a cannon, a thimble, an iron and a top hat. I don’t play it much these days, but I could be convinced to try if you let me pick the Scottie dog. I’m not an enthusiastic Monopoly fan because it’s the opposite of what a board game should be. It doesn’t bring people together. And that’s by design. Its whole purpose was to teach the evils of unregulated capitalism. Once a player pulls ahead, he’ll just get richer while everyone else slowly goes bankrupt. The winner is usually the most ruthless player. That guy who always insists on being the banker? Yeah, him. If you’ve ever seen a game of Monopoly end in tears or a broken friendship, now you know why.

Fourteen Kitty Cats

 

In patchwork quilting, the most important skill to learn is the scant quarter inch seam, meaning you sew slightly less (the width of two threads) than a quarter inch from the fabric’s edge. The word “scant” is there because when the seam is sewn and the fabric is pressed, the fold “eats” a tiny, almost imperceptible amount of cloth. If your seam is ever so slightly off in either direction, your finished block will be “off.” It will cause no end of frustration when you try to set it with other “off” blocks in a quilt. One way to check your seam allowance is to cut three pieces of fabric exactly 1.5 inches wide. The length doesn’t matter, but three or four inches will do. Stitch them together, then press and measure again. If the width is 3.5 inches, bravo! If it’s wider, your seam allowance is too small. Narrower, the allowance is too big.

Grandma's Dishes

 

“In the perilous times in which we live, the rising generation needs a defense and refuge from the storm. We can contribute to this effort by investing time and teaching. There is no greater need and no greater return on this investment than when it is made with Primary children, young men, young women, and young adults. President Uchtdorf has promised as we do our part in teaching, nurturing, and then trusting in God to work His miracles, ‘the result will be more beautiful and more stunning and more joyful than anything you could accomplish just by yourself.’ How do we do this? By motivating, teaching, and encouraging young people to receive the holy name of Jesus Christ in their hearts and minds, to joyfully take up the cross of Christ, and to walk in holiness as His disciples and emissaries.” – Elder Gary E. Stevenson

July Star

 

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” – Albert Einstein

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.” – Ronald Reagan

"Just found out that every Fourth of July, the British celebrate, ‘We Dodged a Bullet Day.’" — Conan O’Brien

Friendship Star

 

Some of my favorite movies are hiding bible verses:

National Treasure: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21

Footloose: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, a time to heal; a time to break down, a time to build up; a time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

San Andreas: “God is our refuge and strength.” – Psalms 46:1

Steel Magnolias: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” – Job 1:21

Ben Hur: “He was wounded for our transgressions.” – Isaiah 53:5

Pay It Forward: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31

Titanic: “The Lord is my shepherd.” – Psalm 23

Double Square

 

Secrets to a Happy Life:

Focus on positive thinking. Look for the silver lining.

Celebrate little victories. Notice the small wins.

Find your work-life balance; stick with it.

Practice mindfulness. Be present and aware.

Be creative. Cook something. Grow something. Build something.

Accept imperfection. Embrace your humanity.

Do what you love. Find your true passion.

Spend wisely. Accumulate memories, not stuff.

Learn from the past, but live in the moment.

Cultivate gratitude. There’s always something to be thankful for.

Give back. The happiest people are generous.

Surprise yourself. Try new things.

Listen to and engage with music.

Be yourself. Don’t fret about others’ approval.

Build meaningful relationships.

Stop comparing yourself to others, especially on social media.

Worry can’t stop bad things from happening. It prevents you enjoying good things.

Hang out with happy people. Turns out, happiness is contagious.

Spend time in nature. Touch grass.

Reminisce over happy memories. Make new ones.

Four Split Four-Patches

 

Without much conscious effort on my part, my sewing room is looking very patriotic. It started when Quilts of Valor presented the Echo block and asked for donations. I rummaged through my scraps and quickly whipped up 49 of the simple blocks. Then our quilt guild selected the United quilt from Gigi’s Thimble for this year’s scrappy joint project, and I combed through the same red, white and blue prints to make over 100 7-inch American flags. Bonnie and Camille’s Early Bird quilt and Sparrows from Pen & Paper Patterns both employ other colors, but they’re still mostly red and blue. And then there’s this little project. It doesn’t really have a pattern. I haven’t done a postage stamp quilt in a while, and with all these red and white and blue scraps floating about, it just sort of happened. It might be time to clean the sewing room and move on.

One Dozen Kitty Cats

 

Today’s the 181st day of the year, with 184 days left. It’s not EXACTLY the midpoint of the year, but as it’s the last day of the sixth month, with six months left, it’ll do. The United Nations declared June 30 International Asteroid Day, as the infamous Tunguska event occurred on this day in 1908. They said the day was to “raise awareness of asteroid impact hazards,” but it isn’t clear what we’re meant to DO about it. This is also the anniversary of the day the Republic of Congo gained independence after decades of brutal colonial rule by Belgium (1960), and of the Night of the Long Knives (1934), when Hitler purged members of his own Nazi party. Today is swimmer Michael Phelps’ 41st birthday, and its boxer Mike Tyson’s 60th. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is 67 today. So, I’m exactly a month older than the guy who plays Kingpin. But I still have my hair. 

Community

 

“After His Resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke records that when they reached their destination, the Savior ‘made as though he would have gone further. But the two disciples constrained him, saying, Abide with us.’ Those disciples invited the resurrected Savior to abide with them. Without first the desire and then the invitation, their hearts would not have been transformed, their eyes would not have been opened to recognize Him, and they would not have returned to Jerusalem to bear witness of the living Christ—the True Vine. My beloved brothers and sisters, in a world of many voices, remaining connected to the True Vine is not merely desirable; it is essential to our spiritual survival. Those who abide in Jesus Christ come to recognize and trust His voice, especially as it is spoken through those He has called to represent Him.” – Elder Ulisses Soares

Louisiana Without Borders

 

I couldn’t be happier that Utah’s governor has banned the use of consumer fireworks for the next week or so. We already live in a desert, and this year it’s hotter, dryer and windier than it’s ever been. Large chunks of the state are already burning, and our firefighters are already stretched thin. It’s a stupid time to play with explosives. I know at least a few of my neighbors will disregard the ban. They already treat most laws as helpful suggestions really meant for other people. But I suspect most of the people in my neighborhood will take this seriously, which should give my home a fighting chance of still being here by the end of July. Just in case I’m wrong, it’s a good time to prepare for possible evacuation. No one's asking me, but I believe the only appropriate firework holidays are New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year, and Utah’s Statehood Day: January 4. Or any Disney vacation.

Berry Cool

 

The day before yesterday I walked into my bathroom and grabbed a Kleenex to blow my nose. (I don’t have a cold, and it isn’t allergies. There are wildfires burning upwind from my neighborhood, and the air quality has everyone dealing with headaches, sore throats, sinus issues and worse.) I raised the tissue to my face and – just in the nick of time – realized there was a large earwig clinging to the middle of it. I really dislike earwigs. I panicked. I may even have screamed. I dropped the tissue, earwig and all, and stomped on it several times, then flushed what remained down the toilet. That particular earwig is no longer a threat. But now I’m imagining hidden earwigs EVERYWHERE. The bathroom has no windows and is nowhere near any exterior door. How did the little beast get so far into my house completely unseen? And where can I move that’s completely earwig free?

Rock Garden

 

In 1807, Napoleon signed the Treaties of Tilsit, ending the war between France and Russia. To celebrate, Napoleon organized a rabbit hunt at the estate of his chief of staff, Alexandre Berthier. Berthier arranged for hundreds, perhaps thousands of rabbits (some accounts say up to 3,000) to be released on the grounds, expecting them to scatter and be hunted as part of the festivities. But these weren’t wild-caught rabbits. They were purchased from local farmers. Instead of fleeing from humans, they ran straight at them, expecting to be fed. The hungry bunnies swarmed Napoleon and his men, causing them to make a hasty retreat. This story reminds me of an incident in April, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter was fishing. A rabbit swam towards his boat, "hissing menacingly, its teeth flashing and nostrils flared." The President panicked and splashed at the scary beast with his paddle. There were no reported casualties.

Split Four-Patch

 

If you ever find yourself supremely bored with an Internet connection, Google the infamous Roman Emperor Caligula. If only a small fraction of the things that have been written about him are true, he’d still be one of the weirdest humans who ever walked the earth. He only ruled four years – from 37 to 41 A.D. – but his short reign was marked by extravagance and cruelty. His real name was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Caligula (which means “Little Boot”) was a childhood nickname given him by his father’s soldiers. According to one story, Caligula was on his way to invade Britain when he came to the northern coast. He called off the invasion and decided to make war on the sea. He ordered his soldiers to repeatedly stab the waves so the god Neptune would be offended. Then, he had them fill their helmets with seashells as spoils of war.

Ten Kitty Cats

 

“I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.” – Rodney Dangerfield

“My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.” – Woody Allen

“A cannibal is a person who walks into a restaurant and orders a waiter.” – Morey Amsterdam

“New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.” – David Letterman

“I was such an ugly kid, when I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up.” – Rodney Dangerfield

“Big families are like waterbed stores. They used to be everywhere, and now they’re just weird.” – Jim Gaffigan

“I stayed up one night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died.” – Steven Wright

“Congress is the finest group . . . money can buy.” – Morey Amsterdam

"I haven’t spoken to my wife in years. I didn’t want to interrupt her.” – Rodney Dangerfield

Kaleidoscope Star

 

“Ministering by the Spirit invites the Savior’s healing into our lives and the lives of those we minister to. I often find peace, clarity, healing, and purpose when I minister. I find the Savior when I minister. This is by divine design. Ministering is truly loving and caring for others as the Savior would. It is a way of being; it is the way of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is not a program or a checklist; ministering is the essence of who God is and who we can become as we follow Him. We are not called to or released from ministering. It is part of fulfilling the covenants we made at baptism and in the temple. We covenanted to take upon us the Savior’s name—becoming as He is as we sacrifice and consecrate our lives to Him. When we minister as He would, we begin to think, feel, and love as He would.” – Kristin M. Yee

Father's Choice

 

"My father always provided me a safe place to land and a hard place from which to launch." – Chelsea Clinton

"Most parents hope their children are happy, funny, well-adjusted and have a passion for something in their lives." – Tom Hanks

"No man I ever met was my father's equal, and I never loved any other man as much." – Hedy Lamarr

"I've said it before, but it's absolutely true: My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future." – Liza Minnelli

"I am my father's daughter and not afraid of anything." – Queen Elizabeth II

"A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad." – Steven Spielberg

"Any fool can have a child. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." – Barack Obama

Four Strawberries

 

In 1969, Carroll Spinney performed at a Puppeteers of America festival in Salt Lake City. He’d put together an ambitious show, combining live actors, puppets and animated backgrounds. The show was ruined by an errant spotlight that washed out the backgrounds. It was a miserable failure and the show just fell apart. Afterwards, Jim Henson came up to Carroll and said, “I liked what you were trying to do.” Jim wanted Carroll to come to New York with him, to play a large yellow bird that was part puppet, part costume. Carroll played both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch in Sesame Street for over 50 years: 4,400 episodes. Carroll Spinney always said it was his own good fortune to play the two very best Muppets. And he got the chance because somehow, Jim Henson saw something he liked in a show that failed miserably. 

Spooky Moon

 

I learned a new word last week: paronychia. It’s an inflammation of the skin surrounding a fingernail or toenail due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It can occur after excessive or aggressive manicuring. (Not me. My last real manicure was nearly 12 years ago.) It’s often caused by thumb-sucking, nail-biting, or pulling hangnails. (Also, not me.) It can also be caused by trauma, like when you sew through your own finger. (Okay, that might be me.) My finger started hurting about two weeks ago, but I ignored it. I assumed it was because I’d been practicing the piano more than I usually do. But then the fingertip began to swell. My finger started running its own personal fever. A thin, red line appeared near my wrist, indicating the infection was traveling. I visited the doctor, who drained the site and prescribed antibiotics. And just like that, I felt so much better. What did people do before antibiotics?

Sixteen Hit or Miss Blocks

 

In a New Orleans classroom in 1945, sixteen-year-old Gwendolyn was taught Black people were inferior. She knew it was a lie, and spent her whole life dismantling it. At seventeen, Gwendolyn joined the New Orleans Youth Council. She marched, organized, and was arrested. She kept going. In the 1980s, Hall was conducting research when she opened a ledger from the 18^th century. Inside, she found names of hundreds of enslaved Africans, along with important details: origins, skills, and family relationships. Gwendolyn spent years between archives in Louisiana, France, and Spain, pulling fragments together. She built the Louisiana Slave Database: a searchable record of over 107,000 enslaved individuals, documented by name, ethnicity, occupation, family connection, and place of origin. Gwendolyn Midlo Hall died in 2022 at age 93. She began by refusing to accept a lie told in a classroom. She ended having returned names, histories, and dignity to over a hundred thousand people.

Nine Kitty Cats

 

In 2009, Warren and Maureen Nyerges bought a home in Naples, Florida, using cash. The home was a foreclosure that sold for $165,000. But in 2010, the Bank of America tried to foreclose on the couple. They’d confused Warren and Maureen with the previous owner who’d defaulted on a loan. For months, the Nyerges’ begged the bank to fix their mistake. No one replied to their calls or letters. They were forced to hire a lawyer to get the foreclosure dismissed. The judge ordered the bank to repay over $2,500 in legal fees for the wrongful foreclosure. The bank simply ignored the court order for five more months. That’s when Warren and Maureen showed up at a Bank of America branch with a moving van, two sheriff’s deputies and a writ of execution allowing them to seize the bank’s assets: computers, printers, cash drawers, etc. Within an hour, the bank manager cut them a check for $5772.

Center of Attention

 

“The scriptural phrase ‘come unto me’ is the Savior’s introductory invitation to learn and act in His doctrine and begin a process of spiritual rebirth. The scriptural phrase ‘endure to the end’ is a repeated reminder of the mighty spiritual change in our hearts that should be ongoing throughout our lives; it also is His promise of what we may become if we truly are possessed of the pure love of Christ. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, ‘All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ I joyfully witness that each of us, with the Lord’s grace and mercy, can believe all things, hope all things, and endure valiantly all things.” – Elder David A. Bednar

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!

 

Two Strawberries

 

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
and before the street begins,
and there the grass grows soft and white,
and there the sun burns crimson bright,
and there the moon-bird rests from his flight
to cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
and the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow
and watch where the chalk-white arrows go
to the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
the place where the sidewalk ends. - Shel Silverstein

Economy Block

 

History repeats itself, whether you’re paying attention or not. Two years ago, I wrote in this space about John F. Kennedy’s first political campaign. It was a congressional race in 1946, and Kennedy was the new kid on the block, running against eight competitors. One of them was Joe Russo, a well-known candidate and one of the first Italian immigrants to hold office in Boston. J.F.K.’s campaign manager found another Joe Russo – a janitor – and convinced him to join the race to confuse voters. Kennedy did win. Eight decades later, the same story’s playing out in Alaska. The incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan is running against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who hopes to help her party regain a senate majority this year. Enter Dan Sullivan #2, a school teacher who’s thrown his hat in the ring. Will two Dan Sullivans on the ballot give Mary an edge? No idea. Can’t wait to find out. 

Four Hit or Miss Blocks

 

More fun, weird facts:

In the 1960’s, the CIA tried using cats as spies by fitting them with tiny microphones and sending them where they might record sensitive conversations. They gave up when they realized cats don’t care what you want.

Germany has almost twice as many castles as the US has McDonalds.

The mantis shrimp can throw punches up to 50 mph; enough to break a glass enclosure. There’s a mantis shrimp at our local aquarium. I try not to annoy him.

Twice monthly, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport brings in miniature ponies to calm nervous fliers. I should find out when to book a layover there.

There are more fake flamingoes in the world than real ones.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. I remember this every time I get my teeth cleaned.

From 1912 to 1948, competitive arts were part of the Olympic games. Artists could earn medals for painting, architecture, sculpting, and music.

Seven Kitty Cats

 

In May 2016, 33 passengers from the Disney Magic were stranded in Dublin. They were on a Disney-sponsored excursion that failed to return to the dock in time because of heavy traffic. For decades, DCL has urged guests not to book with third-party vendors, as there’s no guarantee the ship will wait for you if you’re late. Disney Magic would have waited for the 33 guests, except Dublin is a tidal port. Its operation is determined by the rise and fall of tides in Dublin Bay. The ship had to leave to avoid being stranded – high and dry – for at least 16 hours. When the 33 guests finally arrived at the pier, the ship was gone, but a cast member waited for them. They were treated to a pub dinner, then ferried overnight to Liverpool, which was the Disney Magic’s next port. Disney cruises may be pricey, but they will take good care of you.

Another Pinwheel Pop

 

“Early on that Sunday morning Mary and a small group of friends who, despite grief, fear, and unanswered questions, encountered the empty tomb and learned for themselves the glorious truth of His Resurrection. It began that Easter morning when these women became the world’s first witnesses of the greatest event in the history of this world. We must all do the same. We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means, and, share that witness with others. Though centuries separate us from that holy day, we are among those who Jesus referred to when He said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ The Savior has entrusted each of us personally with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge. Because of those experiences, we can see for ourselves the meaning of the empty tomb: that Jesus Christ lives and is actively blessing all who seek Him.” – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cupcake

 

Tomorrow is my birthday. It isn’t a scary one with a zero at the end, but still. I’d be upset if anyone referred to me as “elderly,” but I can no longer legitimately call myself “middle-aged.” If anyone asks my age, I plan to say I’m “well-seasoned.”

"At age 20, we worry what others think of us. At age 40, we don't care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all." – Ann Landers

"Nice to be here? At my age it's nice to be anywhere." – George Burns

"Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!" – Source Unknown

"Life would be infinitely happier if we could be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." – Mark Twain

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” – Ingrid Bergman

Striped Strawberry

 

The vending machine was invented in Ancient Egypt, by a Greek mathematician/engineer. It was designed to dispense holy water inside Egyptian temples. In the 1600’s, small machines in English pubs exchanged tobacco for coins. The country best known for its love of vending machines is Japan, which boasts a machine for every 23 people. Japanese buy hot and cold beverages from vending machines; sometimes both are available from the same unit. They can purchase hot foods like burgers, soba noodles, and curry; refrigerated items like sweet potatoes, sushi and bananas; or frozen treats like mochi, ice cream or popsicles. Their use isn’t limited to food and beverages. In airports, train stations and hotels, vending machines sell face masks, hand sanitizer, and toothbrush/toothpaste kits. And in business districts, there are machines offering socks, neckties, dress shirts and deodorant. There are even solar-powered or hand-crank vending machines for use when the power goes out.

Duck and Ducklings

 

I found this recipe while searching for a side dish to go with our Sunday dinner of chicken kebabs. But the rule of thumb for Sundays here is, “Keep it simple, stupid.” And two dishes – the kebabs and a layered salad – were already on the labor-intensive side. So, I opted for a Caesar salad and veggies with ranch dressing instead. I'll save this for a weeknight instead.

 

Garlic Butter Rice Pilaf

 

1 cup jasmine rice

2 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

 

Rinse rice in a mesh sieve until the water runs clear; drain. Place rice, broth, butter, oil, garlic and thyme in rice cooker. Close and set to “white rice.” When cooker has finished, transfer to serving bowl and garnish with fresh parsley. Serves four.

Hit or Miss

 

Here are a few weird but fun facts to ponder:

The Eiffel Tower can be up to six inches taller in summer, as heat makes the iron expand.

The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, not counting sandbars that emerge during low tide.

Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she’s from Willows, Wisconsin.

When lightning strikes sand, the heat can create glass structures called fulgurite.

Your circulatory system – veins, arteries and capillaries – is more than 60,000 miles long.

71% of Earth is covered with water, but only 2.5% of that is fresh water. And only 1% of that is accessible, with the rest bound in glaciers and polar ice caps.

Beavers have transparent third eyelids that let them see underwater while protecting their eyes.

There are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt, with roughly 250 compared to about 100.

Dead skin cells are a major ingredient in household dust. We shed around 200 million per hour.

Orange House

 

I was ten or eleven when I read Hey, What's Wrong with This One? by Maia Wojciechowska. A lot of years have gone by and I’ve read hundreds of books since then, but this one has stuck with me. It’s about three brothers – Harley, Davidson and Mott – trying to cope with their mother’s absence. One thing they learn is casseroles are good things: easy on the cook and on the dishwasher. Some, like this one, can be comfort food, too.

 

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

 

4 cups cooked shredded chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup bacon crumbles

1 teaspoon Cholula

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

1/2 cup butter, melted

 

Preheat oven to 375F. Coat 9x13” pan with cooking spray. Add first 7 ingredients to pan; stir. In a small bowl, mix together crackers and butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake 35 minutes.

Flower Show

 

“Do you remember learning about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people? Jesus had been teaching people all day, and they were hungry. Somewhere in this large group there was a young boy who had five loaves of bread and two small fishes. He knew that this food could not feed very many people, but he decided to give Jesus what he had. Jesus took the food and thanked Heavenly Father for it. That food fed thousands of people! Just as the young boy did not have to figure out how a small amount of bread and fish could feed so many people, you do not need to worry about fixing all the problems around you. Heavenly Father can provide miracles when you simply offer what you have. When you say, ‘Here am I, send me,’ Heavenly Father can take something small and simple and make it great!” – President Susan H. Porter

Forty-Eight Louisiana Blocks

 

I did an inventory in my sewing room this week, and discovered I have seventeen different sets of quilt blocks that are ready for sashing and/or borders. Seventeen. That doesn’t count the tops that are ready to be quilted or the quilts that are waiting to be bound. It’s just blocks. Some are in plastic bins and some are in cardboard boxes. Some are in zipper bags and some in paper grocery sacks. Seventeen is just too many, so I set to work on clearing the backlog. I made the first of these red, cream and blue blocks in November 2022. I didn’t follow a pattern. I was just using up leftover scraps from other projects. If I stitch these blocks together without sashing, add a 2” blue stop border and a 4” red outer border, it would make an excellent donation to Quilts of Valor. One down, sixteen to go.

Midnight Blue Pinwheel

 

We went to a potluck picnic last night, and had a marvelous time. I brought my spicy English layer salad. If you’re interested, the recipe is here: https://mombowe.blogspot.com/2016/06/four-teacups.html

It’s one of my favorite dishes, but it can be a bit of work. I really should have made grape jelly meatballs. There are only three ingredients; no slicing, grating, chopping, or julienning. (I looked it up. That really is a word.) In a slow cooker, dump ten ounces of grape jelly. (Smuckers is okay, Bonne Maman is amazing, but usually I just use my own.) Add 12 ounces of Heinz chili sauce and stir. (There are other brands, but they might change the taste.) Add 32 ounces of fully cooked, frozen meatballs. (You could make your own, but that’s extra work.) Cover and cook 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. If you take this to a potluck, be sure to bring toothpicks for serving.

Brimming Basket

 

I learned a new term (well, new to me) this month: Maycember. If it isn’t obvious, Maycember is a combination of May and December. It refers to the absolute mayhem that happens at the end of every school year. This time of year, calendars are just as jam-packed as they are during the holiday season, without the benefit of gift-giving, festive decorations, or the cultural permission to slow down. So far, we’ve had two school band concerts, a choir concert, a piano recital, a dance recital, an amusement park field trip, two fund-raising carnivals, and several end-of-year farewell parties. As if that wasn’t bad enough, some of these events occur at the same time on the same day, so there’s literally no way to attend them all. The good news is summer break starts a week from tomorrow. Then there’s a whole week of relative peace and quiet before the summer musical starts.