June

 I don't know if the month will get better, but it's off to a rotten start.

I was getting within five feet of the little one, talking to him, feeding him (he ate SO much), sat on the deck until he wiggled into the shelter every night.  Tuesday morning at 6 am, he didn't come out.  We waited.  He was gone.  He cried every four hours for food, never went into the lawn, stayed within sight for days.  Missy was inside that evening and until long after we searched for him.  She was curious, not aggressive, but attacked another cat that came through we assumed was female last evening.   Maybe the mother?  Plans were not to adopt, instead hoping to find it a home, but it is still upsetting.

Bubblegum tunias, today they are getting their haircuts.  For $11, a real bargain because they have grown so much in two weeks.  You can see the cuttings on the bench from just one plant.  And what a mess this is from the sewer project.  No workers to help, at a point where I don't give a damn anymore.  I've been in a crabby funk and hope to have a peaceful hour on my swing remedy that.  Just like with babies, it also calms dementia patients. And crabasses.

I waited patiently for the garage door delivery, was to be at 1 pm.  And the paint to match the stained siding?  Was there ever any doubt.  I am sure they dread seeing me walk into their stores.  It's a curse.  A charcoal brown without green or red cast, is close to impossible.  The trick .... never put in the full amount of maroon and green tint. Start with 75%.  Add each tint in slowly, separately, getting close to 100% of formula.  Stop when the cast is acceptable and add no more.

Have not checked into a phone/plan yet, do not like the changes to Tracfone at all.  I only text and rarely use the phone for calling, no data needed.  I found that walmart (and others) offer a tracfone card adding 1000 texts for only $5.  Since I have service for several more months, a real deal for me.

No covid test, out of stock at local pharmacies, feeling better except for a 40# cold sore.  I ordered them online and by the time I get them, won't need them. 

No stitching.  I wanted to start Mary Bell on a light 40 count which I do not have.  I've grown tired of looking at Meg, and attempted to stitch her muted colors on a mottled darker linen, cannot see well enough.

  It's only Wednesday.  I have to wait until Sunday for Saltbox Stitcher?  I could go back and watch previous videos I guess.  Brenda directed us to Prims on Greenway which I had viewed a while back, and the latest #32 is chock full of goodies.   Mark won some $$ at golf so I ordered the applique book she mentioned. 

Well, my cold sore is now 43# so I'm calling it a night. Can't wait to look in the mirror tomorrow.

Stay safe, be well, find a swing.

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Remember .....

REMEMBER.

Whether resting at home or abroad.

 FROM THE FIRST TO THE LAST.

* * * * * * * * *

I'm testing for covid tomorrow.  

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No.

 No. No. No.

Tiniest little kitten, smart enough to shelter and hide from hawks, eating, his cry sounds like a barking crow.  Too young to be on its own.  Where are the littermates?  And Missy?  Her reaction was not good and I am keeping her inside.  We haven't touched the baby, hissing and attitude of course, but I believe food inside of a carrier would work.  

Our shelter is small and never has room for cats, I will call Angels for Animals in Ohio Tuesday.  Keep fingers crossed for me please.

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The 40 difference

 At 59:27 during Saltbox Stitcher's video, the BBD design of my last small sampler was shown. Her border was noticeable because she used a lighter linen and it looked much nicer.  The 407 is barely visible on my dark linen, so I am changing to the red.  Being three rows wide of alternating stitches, I could have just added the red and kept the 407 in place.  But it was too much so I removed it.  Carol's looked SO much better.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy her floss tube.  L.O.V.E. her.  I wish she was weekly. 

Now about Meg.  My cataracts are progressing and not near qualified for removal, but the linen had more to do with my frustration.  It took a while before realizing this.  Meg's simple border, as much as shown here, was two days of work.  Over and over, constant removal.  I used 40 count recently without a problem, yet I struggled with this one.  

Meg was put aside and I started on Mary Bell, another small sampler.  Same problem.  My stitches were in the wrong holes and I was struggling to see.  WTH???  Maybe I mottled the linen too much and it was throwing me off?  I decided to try another piece of my limited 40 count stash.  This new piece was not as troublesome.  I was actually in the right hole!  Both Meg's border and Mary's were easier.  Similar in color, both 40 count, same needle, same 4.0 mags.

But those first pieces were not Flax, they were Lambswool, and neither had the orange stripe.  That linen had finer threads resulting in a looser weave, yet I could not get those stitches in the proper hole.  Zweigart's orange stripe is a heavier thread, tighter weave, which I assumed would be more difficult to see. I guess I need to check for the selvage stripe, but most of my 40s are small cuts which may not always include it.  Probably not necessary since side by side I could see the difference.

Holding my breath, I can't tell you how many people have covid that I have been around.

Whatever you plan for this weekend, remember the reason.

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Meg

 Until I decide on the border of Kezia Turnock, Meg Adams seems to be a good choice.  The sampler is done over one on 28 count or over two on linen of your choice.  I tried over one on 28 and also 32 (see those tiny letters next to the 5.5" wide chart) for just a few letters, and know that the entire sampler in such would be a royal PITA for me.

I chose a neutral 40 count over two and hope to start this evening.

Possible color changes in this one, but won't know until the floss is tossed. 

Happy Monday as we close in on the end of May.  Already!  

Good grief.

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Rolling along

on a sweet cheese Nalesniki kind of day.  A short time before serving from the oven, we top with sour cream and a sprinkle of sugar.  

Terrible storm last night.  I move my flowers under the swings when heavy rain is predicted, but the wind actually knocked a few over.  My Grabber Buddy helped with the loads of fallen branches.

Sending a few crepes and other goodies to Carole along with some laundry.  Chris and Matt are taking it all up today for their visit.  This was one of the hankies being pressed, we love this black edging against the colors.  Wouldn't this make a great sampler border?  Pastels outlined with black is not in a design I remember seeing but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

Hope your week gets off to a good start.  Mine starts in the dental chair finally.  

Be well, stay safe!

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