In Dad's Memory

Dad died six years ago today.

Christmas Party at St. Lucian's 1999

As the younger of his two daughters, he liked to introduce me to people as his baby.  One of my earliest memories is of him holding me in his arms and introducing me, as his baby of course, to Myron Kokocinski who worked behind the meat counter at Thrifty Supermarket.

ca. 1955  Dad and his baby

As I grew older, the opportunities for Dad to introduce me became few and far between.  In my 20s I remember feeling mildly annoyed and even a little embarassed when such occasions arose. 

ca. 1978 - baby on the right

By my 30s, I felt vaguely insulted when I was introduced as his baby--after all, I was a competent adult with babies of my own.  But by my mid-forties when dad was living in a nearby retirement home, I finally recognized the unique nature of our bond and the specialness of being his baby.  Yes, I was a wife, mother, sister, aunt, etc.--but no one else in the whole world could claim me as their baby.  With dad in his mid-eighties, I also realized that the time left for him to call me his baby was growing shorter and shorter--and it was indeed a label and part of my identity that I would miss. 

Christmas 2002 with his grandkids

My father was always a deeply religious man, so today of all days, I hope he's up in heaven watching over his family.  And by the way, Daddy, your baby says Hi!

A Study in Contrasts

When this is outside:

It's so nice to see this inside:

Have a fabulous Friday!

First Snow of the Season!

I never realized how hard it is to photograph snow as it falls at night--maybe because I've never tried before!

Here it is accumulating on the grill cover.  The deck is already slippery but we're only supposed to get half of an inch overnight.  I'm not ready for this!

A Favorite Quilt

This quilt design of colorful leaves was hard to photograph because there was usually a crowd of people admiring it!

It was also one of the largest quilts at the show.

I really enjoy inspecting quilts up close to see how they are pieced or appliqued and then quilted.  This really is beautiful work!

Quilt Show Continued

There was one monochromatic quilt that made us do a doubletake:

If you google "one block wonder quilts" you'll find other photos of this design and even the books that made these quilts popular.  Basically, the border is the pictorial fabric that is cut to make the hexagons that are in the center of the quilt.

Isn't the closeup view amazing?  I've seen these quilts using very colorful fabrics at other shows, but I thought this black-and-white fabric had a wonderfully graphic effect.

The quilter told us that she made this for her young son.  His favorite part?  The "Three Stooges" fabric she used for the backing!

Walking Kita

I think the swan has taken up residence in the lower reservoir--it's been there every time I've walked Kita for the past week.

Yesterday afternoon the high clouds and weak sunlight made the shadows softer than usual at 3:30 in the afternoon.

With a high of 58 degrees at noon today, Kita and I headed north to the part of the rails-to-trails section that borders the river.

This kind of weather makes my heart sing--the air is clear and crisp with a stiff breeze.  Kita was happy too and I had to walk as fast as I possibly could to keep up with her.

With a few exceptions, our foliage is less than spectacular this year.

Leaves are covering the driveway but some trees are still green.  Others are already bare from recent rains and wind.

Fall is still my favorite season!

Recent Reads

I recently finished Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes, and I highly recommend it.  Marlantes, a decorated Vietnam veteran, has received a lot of positive press lately for his new nonfiction book What It Is Like to Go to War, so I thought I would read his previous book first.

Highly regarded by critics and veterans alike for its accuracy and attention to detail, at the beginning I felt this was a "real man's book".  I persisted in reading this lengthy story (500+ pages) and soon became very involved in the characters' lives and experiences.  This book gave me a real sense of the futility of war in the same way that the movie Das Boot does.  I passed it along to Ross and I'm curious what he will think about it.

And now for something completely different:  a couple of years ago I enjoyed reading Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan so I picked up a copy of her recent Shanghai Girls.

This story of two sisters from China and their new lives in America is fast-paced and full of action.  I learned a lot about Chinese history and culture in an entertaining way, and I look forward to reading its sequel, Dreams of Joy. Is it Literature with a capital L?  Probably not, but it's a good story!  Right now critics are raving about Haruki Murakami's books and the way he is taking the novel in new directions--but I hated his The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and have no interest in reading anything else by him.  So what do I know?  I know a good story when I find one! 

Halloween Minigolf

Although it was too crowded and cold to play, we stopped by the local minigolf with Ross and Malima for ice cream this afternoon.  (I can eat ice cream no matter the weather!)  For these last two weekends in October, the course is decorated with all kinds of Halloween motifs.

Some of the decorations are huge and not so scary.

I thought the fog machine was a nice touch and probably looks kinda creepy in the dark.

One of the owners posed with Ross and Malima.  We've been regulars since Dawn and Ross were little.  Heck, Mark was a regular when he was little!

I think I know what Mark and I will be doing for entertainment some evening next weekend!

More Greenhouse Magic

Blooming this week is the lovely Blc. Color Magic 'Mendenhall', a Brassolaeliocatttleya (Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia)--now there's a mouthful!

This is the first blooming of Miltassia (Miltonia x Brassia) Charles M. Fitch 'Izumi', which reminds me of an insect with its long petals.

Both of these orchids are clones of plants which received the Award of Merit from the American Orchid Society.  Now the orchids are Mark's hobby, but even I know this award is very special.  Mark likes to buy the clones as small plants (which cost less) and nurse them along until they are blooming size.

Antiquing Adventure

It was time for Dorine and me to head off on another adventure today!  We went to Antiques on the Farmington, a multi-dealer space in the old Collins Axe Company factory in the Collinsville section of Canton.

Because her mother was in the antiques business, Dorine is very knowledgeable and I can really trust her judgment when we poke around these places.  Neither one of us is in the market to collect anything more for our homes, but if something special turns up at the right price...who knows what we might do!

After a few hours of "window shopping", we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the nearby Crown & Hammer to get reenergized before continuing our adventure.

The two partners-in-crime plotting their next move!

Next destination: The Pink House where Dorine channeled Cruella De Vil--she even found a black cardigan with faux Dalmatian collar and cuffs!  Lots of possibilities for costumes and real clothes here.  Our next excursion will include a return visit to Antiques on the Farmington to check out the section we missed today.  I can't wait!

Cute Quilt

Back to Sunday's quilt show!  A local quilter adapted a dollhouse quilt design to pretend that stuffed animals came alive in this house.

Her use of color really fits the subject.

The animals are just adorable--I can't help but smile when I look at this quilt!

Swan Lake

Yesterday afternoon as Kita and I were walking across the causeway at the reservoir, I noticed a big white blob floating on the water in the distance.  Although it was moving away from us, as soon as it raised its long slender neck I realized it was a swan!

Kita and I hurried along the road and caught up with the swan at a nearby picnic area.  There are plenty of Canada geese and mallards at the reservoir but this is the first time I remember ever seeing a swan there. 

At 3:30 in the afternoon the shadows are long and dark.  Walking back into sunlight momentarily blinds you.  We're still waiting for more leaves to change color but are appreciating the cooler temperatures.

Wind Sculptures

When I stopped at the Hill-Stead Museum gift shop one day last week to buy a postcard, I ran into Sharon, my former supervisor when I was a guide there years ago.  As we caught up on what's been happening in our lives, I told her I was currently unemployed.  Next thing I knew, Sharon had me agreeing to come for today's guide training!

There is a temporary exhibit of wind sculptures on the museum grounds between the parking area and the house.  These are for sale and I think I figured out the difference between wind sculptures and whirligigs or wind spinners:  price.  These beautiful sculptures start at $800 depending upon complexity of the design and the size, and the museum receives a percentage of the sale.

This sculpture is the same design as the one on the far right in the first photo.  I love the way it changes shape as the wind blows.

This helix design has a beautiful spiraling motion in the lightest of breezes.  Hmm, maybe someday I will learn how to make a video to post on this blog so you can see it in action.

The next training session is in two weeks and Sharon sent me home with all the updated information to study.  I'm really looking forward to guiding there again even though guides are now strictly volunteers.  It's wonderful to be surrounded by beautiful art in a beautiful setting--right in our town!

Quilt Show

Just a quick update on last night's party--the evening went well and I think everyone had an enjoyable time.  Fortunately Kita went for a sleepover so we were able to finish the dishes and get to bed shortly after midnight, and then we were able to sleep in a little this morning.

Every two years our local quilt guild has a show where its members display their finished projects, so Mark and I headed over to the University of Hartford late this morning.  I always have such mixed feelings when I see all these fabulous quilts.  Some make me think, "I can do that!"  Others make me feel that I could never ever do something so intricate and original, thereby paralyzing me from even trying.

Mark and I both took lots of photos so different quilts will be featured on my blog in the upcoming days.

We were fascinated by all the different angles and interlocking design of this one.  Each quilt is hung in front of ivory curtains with a tag bearing information about the pattern, quilter, etc.  It must be quite a production to get them all displayed properly for the opening of the show!



Party Prep

This evening we'll be having a dozen neighbors here for a little get-together.  Here's the menu:

Cheese & crackers with grapes
Stuffed mushrooms
Mini quiches and spinach triangles
Shrimp ring
Mozzarella balls with basil and cherry tomatoes
Chicken satay chunks
Teriyaki beef on skewers
Bread with artichoke spread
Sweet potato chunks
surprise appetizer from a neighbor
Edible Arrangements fruit basket
Cranberry pecan oatmeal bars
Pecan bars
Pumpkin bread with pumpkin cream cheese
Cookies from the Italian bakery

Wines & Coffee
Juices & Apple Cider

I wish I felt as relaxed as Amber!  Can't sit--cleaning and cooking to do!

Mmm...Mums

On a gray drizzly day like today, it's good to revisit our trip to the cider mill.

These bright mums echo the colors of the foliage.  There's nothing like fluorescent orange and sunshine yellow to brighten things up!

The gourds are gorgeous too.  I think I'll buy some today to decorate for the neighborhood party tomorrow night.  Wishing you a fabulous Friday!

Thought for the Day

This was just one of many notes left at the Apple store in Palo Alto, CA after the death of Steve Jobs:

"Three apples changed the world,

Adam's apple, Newton's apple, Steve's apple"

Interesting thought, isn't it?
Only time will tell...

Fall Foliage

Is there a prettier place on the planet than New England in Autumn?

Well yes, there probably is...but as someone who has lived in New England my whole life, I'm not willing to concede the point.

Beauty surrounds us.  And it doesn't cost a dollar.  (I think the saying used to be "cost a dime" but inflation affects everything!)   

Cooler temperatures and recent rains keep the grass green this time of year.  The horse farm is just a fast 15-minute walk from our home.  Hope you will be able to enjoy some fresh air today, wherever you are!