Green

 Two of them are completed from page one, moving on to the trees.  I will decide on the colors in the floral border later.  

Not much green here.  Days and days of sudden rains and now all day rains.  Very cool nights, we had no summer.  And it's over.  No landscaping, no workers.  Dollar General is closing at 5pm because ... no workers.  I waited forever in line for a store pickup at JCP, no workers.  

I finally spoke with a very pleasant employee about the Medicaid denial.  She said it's routine.  To discourage application?  She said it will be a long time before approval because there should be the standard four workers in this department, and there was one for a long time, and now only she and one other.  Why?  Because just as with federal jobs, you can't be fired and really don't need to show up.  She has 42 cases, ordinarily 12 - 15.  So I have to file an appeal and have a hearing, they have 93 days to respond.  My question .... why deny applicants that are obvious approvals which creates a backlog and double work?  Oh wait, it's government.  I plan to express my gratitude that this employee is doing a great job.

Trying to create solutions for the difficulties of being bedridden has become a satisfying task.  I have a pink cushioned pouch (for laptop) and after purchasing a few adult coloring books and new pen set, thought this would be a perfect size to store it all for Carole.  It's a challenge to get containers and baskets sized to hold her essentials that are easily accessible.  As I picked up my stitching, there it was.  A large ring fit nicely on the zipper clasp and the grabber can pull the pouch from the bookcase. We're tried so many grabber tools, and this one by Jellas (got the two pack on Amazon) is great.  Non slip grip, and a rounded center for bottles.  But Covid lockdown will prevent us from getting it there.  She is negative but not right, seeing spots, and mixing words again.  They are so busy with testing all residents (the case is in a different building but they take no chances), am sure they will keep an eye on her this evening.

Hope you have sun.

Wish we did.

*************************

Sunday

Two new linens, Seraphim Antique Lace and Stephanie's Toasted Almond.  I switched Rachel to Winter Brew and back.  If I need to use white in place of the lightest thread, fine.  But I don't want her on a linen with much color so she's staying where she is.

Here's that petunia that was the victim of my wrath.  This is a large laundry tub and it's overflowing.

And another that I destroyed 9 days ago.

And a few other flowers .

Why is Facebook now "suggesting for me" entertainment site posts for every two stitching posts?  Do they think I give a bird's beak about what these people think?  With all the 10 bedroom homes and several vacation compounds, why not open your doors and shelter these homeless instead of preaching?  You have the resources, the space, the money, everything they need.  So open your homes.  Or shut your mouth.  Done.

Here is the winner of Fancy, back in 2014!  I have not recovered the chart but being such a simple design, I just recreated onto graph paper following my largest finish on Davos.

https://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/2014/06/winner_27.html

Going back to the nursing home this afternoon, told her I am not going to be visiting several times a week any longer.  I have two weeks left to summer and I need a break before the surgeries and recovery.  Between phone calls, and paperwork, and getting things for her whether at her home or requiring purchase, and the hour long trips every other day, no longer renewing my ticket for the guilt trip.  I know how it would be if our positions were reversed.  You don't base your actions on what others would do, you do what you feel is right.  I have and will continue, do not need someone to make me feel it should be even more.

August 15th.

Son on a bitch.

**********************

That disappearing act

 Again.  I've always loved this cat pillow and have stitched quite a few in various cat colors.  Stitches from the Heartland chart from 1984.  This smaller one was made for a giveaway and I was surprised at the low number of entries since I love this. The last cat was on a higher count and really small, I must have given it away also.  This large original and another in gray are on 18 -20 count.  I think it was called Basic Cloth by Back Street from decades ago, beautiful texture, but I do like the reduced size of higher counts.

Another frustrating day dealing with a doctor's office staff, for an expensive, uncomfortable, unnecessary transport.  You wouldn't believe it if I told you, and I won't.  I wanted a familiar, easy, mindless stitch that evening but instead had a tantrum about not finding the chart so I picked up Rachel as she tried to ignore the obscenities.  

My Rachel border has had two florals removed because of the color not showing, so I'm moving on to the greenery while I decide on a change.  Now starting over again because the 934 and 520 are similar, and I used the wrong one for the stems and leaves.  The charted 3047 doesn't work, and this Ecru isn't either (as you can't see). I'll probably continue with the correct green and work on the trees and alpha for now.   Maybe start fresh on a darker linen?  

There is a tiny one room schoolhouse turned shop that is closing across from the facility, so we stopped in.  Bought a newer crock in a small size, glass ornament, antique cobbler shoe form, and this tiny hinged box with glass, all for less than $10 (50% off until closed). I can stitch something for this, would make a nice gift.  She has loads of doilies and linens, various cups and dishes of china patterns, most vintage.  Not my thing, but a sweet little shop.

Happy Saturday half way through August.

Source of increased crabassiness.

And a hidden Cat chart.

**************************

Iron spittle

 For the first time, my iron spit up.  On my new Winter Brew!  The fold crease does not want to go away, and I guess the hot plate didn't like sitting in the same spot for that long and spit at me.  R&R is not washable, and I've never had a problem before, but that one fat drop landed and it was too late.  The dye ran to edge and left a ring, the other drop removed the color without leaving a ring.

I used a damp terry cloth and gently tied to blend it but once that dye ring is there, any additional moisture could create a larger ring.  I wasn't too concerned about the lighter spot but wanted to break the outline of the ring, and it seemed to do that.

Being in the middle of the fabric, it would most likely be covered by enough stitching and not be noticed at all.  I wondered if the eraser on a Frixion pen would work, or any eraser.  Gently, I followed the weave just enough to soften and blend.  That seemed to help.  Some fuzzies were pilling slightly but really not hurting the linen at all.  So I also tried this on the crease which is lighter and a straight line.  Usually I will pat a tiny bit of Ranger ink from a pad to break up that line but I don't have a color this light.  The eraser trick worked just enough to break that line in a few spots.

Several online sites instruct to never store hand dyed linens in plastic bags because of possible chemical reactions.  Mine are but are not sealed and have a sachet inside.  I'm still airing this piece and used the lavender freshener again. 

If you are interested in the excellent facility I talk about, click on any of their listed communities/services and see a short video.  The skilled is The Villas with several sections, and where she is.  In the Colony video, you can see the wood working shop, the sewing room, and craft room in the activity building offered to those that want to continue their hobbies after downsizing. The memory unit is separate, secure, and all private rooms. Plus they offer guest accommodations for family visiting from out of town and would like to stay.  As we were leaving today, pork with a special sauce, sweet potatoes, and apple strudel were on her tray.  Carole is an excellent cook and has raved about their food from day one, even though sodium restricted. 

https://www.stpauls1867.org/services

I'm going to be making zucchini breads for freezing, not many, garden was a disaster this year.  A few basic and a few lemon, no Death by Chocolate this year.

Have a good day tomorrow.

**************

Tiny but mighty

 Good mail day, more to come.  I'm glad I ordered Fraktur Friends, even if I never stitch it.  What is it about having a loved design in hand to read, study, and then store?  The need to add some projects to our stash with no intention of ever stitching is not much different than collecting recipes we know we'll never prepare.  But after seeing this chart in person, I would love to attempt it.  The BBD book was much smaller than expected, four of the six berries will be stitched.

This Winter Brew has more color that previous pieces, very nice.  This is the first time the variations were diagonal which will add interest to the entire width, not just limited areas.  I like it.  But the odor was never experienced before.  Wow.  I usually choke when any type of air freshener is sprayed, maybe my dryness promotes irritation from such items.  

Carole asked me for a room spray and she loves lavender so I purchased plain and Mediterranean, both wonderful and light.  Wood is not Patchouli but similar.  I of course tried them here first and ... no choking!  So I've been happily spraying the kitchen after cooking and also spritzed over the linen.  A light mist settled from above so as not to wet the fabric, but enough to rid the odd scent.  

And about the tiny.  We took turns sealing the deck in this heat (yay!) and on my break, I sipped iced coffee while enjoying a swing. The lid is quite tight and holds the straw perfectly upright.  The third time I indulged, I thought a piece of glass was in my purchased drink.  What pain!  I removed the source from my mouth and realized my ever burning and fissured tongue was stung.  Holy bee butt.  Not on my arm or leg like most, but my most vulnerable and painful area! Tiny little thing, now deceased, not sure what it was but it got me as soon as it entered my mouth on my tongue's edge, the most painful part.  Who would think a little bastard would enter your drink through a straw?  Damn skippy.  

Nursing home tomorrow afternoon.  We took her friend over the weekend who visits others in three local facilities and she was floored.  She said this is a fancy hotel!  Could not believe the ingenious floor plans, decor, cleanliness, amount of outdoor areas. the semi private rooms separated by interior wall so you never see your roommate, windows in your room that open for air, and each resident has their own room temperature controls.  She is telling her friends to ask for transfers there.

Stopped at the cardio office with letters and test info this morning, have not heard anything, hopefully tomorrow.

I just found a boatload of comment emails that blogger sent to my spam folder.  I think it may be all of them for the last few months, don't know why, never ended up there before.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

*****************

On edge

 Selvage edge that is.  I am too tired, too lazy, and too ornery to dance with Google so I come to you with a query.  I knew the answer at some point but it escaped to make room for usable excuses that I can blame on aging.

This PTP piece sized at 17 x 28 has the selvage on the side (28") not the 17" top.  I'm having a hard time visualizing how that cut is made.  Usually not something I pay attention to, but I thought that edge is on top of most projects.  Why am I questioning?  My stitches are fat.  They just seem wider than they are taller (I'm both).  Is this my imagination or does it make a difference?  36 threads to the inch should be either direction, no?  If it was, I doubt I would notice stitches appearing to be wider.  So tell me please, does it matter?  

Today, on this black chair, a fat hairy black spider camouflaged himself.  So difficult to find once I jumped up so this chair will never be sat on again.

Lots of phone calls and errands tomorrow.  None of my orders shipped since it was the weekend but I am really anxious to get them.  Am I going to attempt Fraktur Friends?  Maybe one day.  I still remember Carol's finish on Camofudge.  

Hope Monday is good - one week closer to Fall.

AUGH!!!!!!!!

************************