Mid month applique update!

 

Good morning to all!    At last, I figured out the latest Microsoft update...it really messed up where my pictures are stored.  Here is my latest block for Karen and my progress, "The Farmhouse Sampler, " an applique quilt.  I really like this block!  Whimsical and with feathery leaves...what is not to love!  

Here is my progress on the entire sampler.  Of course, it needs to be pressed within an inch of its life, and I totally missed the November block, as you can see in the the giant blank space. (just not enough hours in the day that month!)  But I am making progress, and that is a good thing!  On we go to the borders, and that missing block!

I have all the pieces cut out for Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt, " Grassy Creek."  I have some of them sewn.  Enough to make a squishy of the tiny slivers left over, destined for the trash...or not!  

I put a backing piece, layer a piece of batting next, (only cotton, no poly...it conducts heat!)  and stack the slivers of top of it all.  Spray starch on it heavily, and press!  Flat.  Then hope it all stays together, (it does just fine) and just sew back and forth all over the whole thing.  Then, I get a bowl from the cupboard and cut around it, making the circle.  Bind and use!  Or gift!  

Nothing to the landfill, at least not now.  Everything has a purpose and can be useful, right?  The circle...I often imagine there are a finite number of atoms on the earth, and the atoms are rearranged into different configurations...seeds, dirt and water to cotton cloth, for example!!  When the cloth is used and rotten, it returns to the earth and feeds more seeds to grow.

*********************Nurse's Notes*************************

THANK YOU for all your precious words and prayers for me, about  my last post.  You would think I would be a bit tougher, after decades of nursing, but I am tender and love my patients and want to do the best job I can; and I will, with or without hospital administrative support.  They are interested in money, the bottom line, the whiteboards updated, the scripts we are supposed to say to the patients every encounter.  All these things are OK, and should be done, but I am more about real love and reaching out, exploring what each person needs and providing that!!!!!!!!!  NURSING!!  

But hear this!  I WILL NOT LET this virus defeat me!  Although I have thoughts of us running off to the hills and being a quilting fishing hiking baking kind of gal, I will stick and stay, and HELP!  

I continue to have frightened moments...so I pray, and steel myself, plaster that smile on my face that no one can see, due to my mask, and forge ahead.  Isn't that what we are all really doing?  I think there are so many people, steadfastly going about their duties...garbage men, post office workers, just every single person is at risk, and I think that since I see the very worst of the viral sequelae, it makes me more afraid.  All I can do is my best, and that is what I will do, every single day.  Fear comes right from hades, I think.

By the way?  Since our heads are covered, and most of our face, we now wink, or tilt our heads...anyway to communicate well with our patients.  HOH people cannot hear our voices through the mask.  Communication is more challenging.  We use little white boards more and more, hearing aide batteries are now on our floor, (a few kinds only); we are just trying very hard to communicate well.  We have a language translator now, a computer on wheels that connects directly to 80 different languages and linguists!  Cool, huh?

We are making a little library on wheels, so we can take it around to all the rooms and share books.  Cleaning them first, of course!  Patient pillows there, too, to pass out.

ON THE OTHER HAND!  I think that a vacation is due for me, and some self care.  A good healthy diet, taking my vitamins, avoiding the donuts and junk at the hospital so lovingly brought to the nurses, exercise....some time off to fill up my tank so I can give back to others.  I cannot remember the last time I had some time, just for fun.  SO THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!  soon! So there!

I am glad, so glad for friends far and near, that are so loving and supportive.  Talking about all of you!

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Have a super day!

Julie