Shut the front door

 Pick a color first.

Still haven't decided what to do next on this project, or just set it aside.  House and roof are complete, door may be the gray at bottom with the pink stripes as the original.

I went through Mom's large plastic sewing chest that Carole had, found vintage items I remember using during my high school years of sewing.  Sears electric scissors, an odd green magnetic pin holder, perfect fat spool for a stitchery wrap, and very fine elastic thread on bobbins.  An A&P needle packet to add to my collection.

Leaving soon for my cardio appointment, not looking forward to seeing the doctors that were treating (not) Carole.  So many questions I need answers to, but I doubt I will get them.

Tracy came home yesterday, Sophia still has a fever and they need to take her to urgent care TODAY.  Her brother had a fever for five days two weeks ago, no openings with doc.   Chris returned to light duty, three employees are out with .... pneumonia.  What the hell is happening?

Have a good day, be safe.  Be well.

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It wasn't my fault

when the ballot machine jammed and caused a line to form.  I don't think I've ever had that many eyes on me.

The bottom of the machine is locked, inside is a removable box with lid into which the scanned ballots fall.  Lid was closed causing crinkled and strewn ballots to pile up.  All were retrieved and put into the box, scan was accepted.  I am in PA but not Cambria County which has software issues preventing ballots to be scanned at multiple locations.  They are tested before election day, so why not working today?  Paper ballots are filled out and handed in for poll workers to scan .... when?  Not folded, the voters' choices are easily viewed.

Tracy is still in, sepsis is resolved, pneumonia is improving.  Sophia (so sensitive) is having a difficult time because she was there when her g-gram was taken to the hospital, never to return.  She is closer to Tracy than her mother, totally understandable.  Matt has a distant relationship with his mother because of the same issues.

If you like sausage gravy on biscuits, head to Wendy's in the mornings.  Wonderful biscuits, gravy is peppery, very reasonable and always so good.  I don't know why they don't advertise that offer more, maybe not available at all locations.

Thursday cardiologist, lung doctor following week, dentist several times before year's end.  My advantage plan is cutting many benefits in half or more, co-pays are increasing.  I expected the enticing offer of get more and pay less to be a scheme to get Medicare rolls reduced.  Once removed, getting back on it with a supplement is near impossible.  Preexisting illness forgiveness does not apply to seniors and a supplement to basic Medicare will be extremely costly, if you are even accepted.  I was not.  Advantage plans are still the best option for most seniors without pensions.

Beautiful very warm temps today.  Finished washing outsides of windows, still picking up leaves.  No real desire to get moving and dust inside.  I ordered two styles of washable microfiber covers for the dust mop, swiffer cloths don't impress me at all.

Have a good evening.  Stay safe.

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How far will I go?

This large house has been an easy, no chart required, boring fill.  But anything else would not be tolerated.  The red is complete, second cross of the ecru just starting.  I usually stitch the first half of the cross when a placement error would be much easier to remove.  

Have not decided on door color, chimneys or not (roof was changed), or whether to stitch the second vase on the house's right side.  Doing so would be good proportion for a drum, but is that large house awkward for such a finish?  Do I care?  Not really.

But since so much time has been invested, I will complete the ecru.  Do I want to?  Not really!  I'm forcing myself to stitch, flosstube and new purchases are not even interesting right now.  But Lori's little folks are winking at me, and after mentioning them I received her Santa as a gift from a sweet friend.

And yes, I used to knit, even made my home ec teacher a fully fashioned cardigan with double placket, buttonholes, and two inset pockets.  That was ninth grade (and an A).

Heartache is worse at times as you all know too well.  Illness continues at her house, and no doubt it's covid again.  New home tests are not showing positive, but the symptoms and fevers don't lie.  My three tests two years ago at urgent care were all negative before the er visit where the swab went much deeper.  

EDIT - Just got a call that Tracy is in hospital, fever reached 104, tested negative.

I hope everyone is healthy and doing well.  Hard to believe this is November.

Thanks for visiting.

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The Sick Call set

 An explanation.

Years ago, Anointing of the Sick was called Extreme Unction and it was only administered to those who were in danger of death, or known to be dying. Sacraments and prayers together were—and still are—called "Last Rites" and they prepared the soul for the death of the body.

The Catholic custom of the sick call set developed long ago, when most people died in their homes. Catholics kept these special sets on hand to provide everything necessary for the Anointing of the Sick.  A sick call set consists of a wooden Crucifix, with hollowed spaces in the interior. Sliding the lid downward reveals the interior compartments which hold white taper candles and a holy water bottle all stored in preparation for a "sick call."  Candles are inserted into the base and the holy water is used to anoint the sick, or if a priest is present will use oil.

The Sick Call Crucifix is often stored but also hung on the wall of a bedroom.  The thickness of the wood makes it recognizable as a Sick Call set.  The one found at Carole's is from early 1910, the back of the base has a latch and inside is stored a silver dish, linen cloth, candles, and holy water or oil.  The base is wood and a metal embossed Last Supper scene covers the front.  Once all the metal parts are cleaned, they have a pewter/silver finish. I know it was given to her but as happens with all my family, questions come too late for answers.

To the elders and worshippers, this tradition was often performed on their ancestors and offers comfort and peace to the dying and their loved ones as their spirit is released.

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A few finds

 One month since she left.  

Having a more difficult time as time passes.

No stitching at all, but will have to order Notforgotten Farm's darling littles soon. I don't have to work on them now, but I can add them.

Continuing to help with sorting through her things, and finding so much that holds no sentiment or even reason to keep.  The books and clothing will be maybe two more trips to donation centers.  

I found these tiny very old books, with such sweet stories and charming illustrations.  Bunny the Bold, A Good Little Goose, Cheeps the Chicken, A Kind Little Kitten.  They will be kept.

Also, behind oil lamps and several angel figurines, this antique sick call box is complete with crucifix.  My mom's was different, who gave this to her?

I found very few like this, two on Ebay, none had the crucifix.  Our church closed, Carole had a difficult time with stairs, and did not transfer to another church.  Shortly after, the PAD limited her walking even more, and then loosing her legs and being in a facility until returning home almost two years ago.  When we requested last rites from any priests at the hospital that day, we found that is no longer offered.  With so few churches left, they do not visit hospitals, and then covid made that permanent.  There was a minister visiting someone else in ICU, passed by her room, heard her crying out for help and that she did not want to die, asked us if he could come in to say a prayer over her.  This and the holy water for the font were at her home, we had no reason to believe she would not return.

I really need to catch up but two months worth may be difficult.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Stay safe.

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Less is plenty

 Just can't manage the entire project.  I love this, but have no desire to attempt those motifs or continue counting/misaligning floral stems and leaves.

I could end it with a large bird above the flowers, or set it aside.  I know Anne would not be picked up again, so a decision needs made.  

Not feeling needle love, but knitting neck warmers or embroidering a Kathy Schmitz design may be interesting, also have loads of sewing waiting.   A simple marking sampler?  

Looking for a painter to do our walls, I have no ambition regarding the entire kitchen cabinets either.  Seriously considering the Krylon chalk finish spray that matches the White Dove for the first coat on the doors.

One of Carole's friends that calls has dealt with a drug addicted son for years who stole their savings, his two daughters both had babies before age 17, caregiver to stroke disabled husband, and her daughter who had breast and ovarian cancer at the same time years ago, is no longer in remission.  And she would still ask if there is something she could do for you.  Cries all the time, terrible stress and heartache for many years.  

Chris is doing well with recovery, anxious to return to work.  We are still going through clothes and such.  Carole's pacemaker monitor was notified of her passing, yet a few days ago, police and ambulance rushed to her house at 3 am.  Scared everyone of course, and explained they were notified about a patient in cardiac distress at her address.  Really?  She has not been within range or monitored since september 5, and been listed as deceased for weeks.

Hope everyone is doing well.

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