Thursday, September 23, 2021

Autumn Is Here

 

By hhc - fabric collage

HAPPY AUTUMN!

Summer is gone, where did it go?  Gone with the wind, to steal a phrase... 

by hhc - threads, pressed leaves
Some of my impressions include trees decked with glowing red or orange or golden yellow adornment, glowing in the amber sunlight.   Piles of crispy leaves scattering to swirl and dance in the wind.  The restless cries of migrating birds heading for warmer climates. 

hhc - rubber stamps, jute, pressed leaf

....Occasional frosts that outlined grasses with white, colorful pumpkins, squashes and gourds arranged for sale in roadside stands...  

Photo by hhc
Cider, definitely apple cider!  Best served with cinnamon sugared doughnuts, of course.  

By hhc - pressed leaf

This is my favorite season.  I feel most comfortable in cooler, less humid weather.  Let's see if we get snow in October!!!

Thursday, September 9, 2021

September 11th, We Still Remember... Updated


Civil servant putting up flag on that day...
"Hole in the Barn Door" quilt block

I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, (sitting on the couch watching the TV after receiving a phone call...) how I felt (in shock) 20 years ago today.  My wall quilt (pictured above) was the result.

It was made for a "Men's Choice" challenge in my quilt guild, and men were supposed to select the fabric for our quilts.  I couldn't help but think that the attacks on the World Trade Center and other locations were-   Some men's choice.


The airplane charm opens up to reveal the seats inside...

We will never forget.  Prayers go out for the families and loved ones of those who died- both the victims and the first responders, and those who live on with injuries and illnesses that resulted from their unexpected proximity to the buildings' collapse, and/or from their brave response to the call of danger.


Iwo Jima charm

Fireman's hat has an "11" on it, flowered fabric for remembrance...

My dear neighbor/friend Shirley A. composed these two poems (adhered to the back) a month later.  She is now gone. 



The words and music for this song came to me right after the Twin Trade Towers were reduced to rubble: 

The heart of the Father 
grieves today.
So any of His children
were blown away.
...So much death,
senseless pain and fear.
But we are not alone,
He is here...
hhc

and I was reminded of this verse found in 
Jeremiah Chapter 9 verse 1:

OH THAT MY HEAD WERE WATERS, AND MINE EYES A FOUNTAIN OF TEARS, THAT I MIGHT WEEP DAY AND NIGHT FOR THE SLAIN OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE!

...We will remember
one September...
mourning...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Contemplating An Aging Parent...

 Once upon a time I was a young adult visiting my mother.  Her favorite pastime was going to garage sales/lawn sales.  I wasn't even interested in thrift shops at that age!!!  (My, how things change...)

I remember the day I was riding in the front seat as she drove quite fervently from one sign to the next, punching the accelerator, hitting the brakes.  (Can you say "whip lash???")  

On one part of our adventure I happened to read this bumper sticker on the car ahead of us:  "LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO BE A PROBLEM TO YOUR CHILDREN."  I thought it was funny.  (Now, I don't...- in hindsight I think it should have read, "LIVE LONG ENOUGH FOR YOUR KIDS TO WORRY ABOUT YOU!!!"  Same difference???)

Through the years, she took care of us six kids (two sets of twins!!!) very sacrificially, only wanting what was best for each one of us, cheering us on.  I honestly don't know how she did it.  (Of course, being the eldest, I helped some...  And we all had assigned "chores" to do...)

Years later she told me about how some female shopper in a store had criticized my mother for using harnesses to keep track of my 2 - or 3-year-old brothers.  That was before the days of prevalent kidnappings, but hey- how was she supposed to chase both of them if they ran in opposite directions???

After following a recent medical emergency long-distance, I'm perhaps at the point of not only considering her mortality, but my own as well.

Don't get me wrong, I don't at all begrudge the visits, the bed-side vigil during various emergencies, the times I bite my tongue when she repeats repeats herself over the phone.  Or asks a question that seems irrelevant to me.  Or contradicts herself.  It is counterproductive to confront her about these occurrances.

I hope I have the wisdom to be patient with her, to not expect, or demand, perfection.  But most of all, I hope I'm mature enough to appreciate her while we still have her.  She was a blessing to our family all through the growing-up years, and she still is.

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful mother such as she is, and I am sincerely grateful for this gift.