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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PS #140

As always, not stitched completely as charted.  Since two have such limited allowance, I may topstitch alongside the border with matching linen on back and then fringe.  I struggled in her dark room, but should have seen this.

Attaching the mini poms would require too much fuss, but adding between the front and back fringe while topstitching, that may be tolerable.

I had Boo to You #156 ready to start, but I won't.  No desire to decorate for dreaded Fall or halloween. Christmas is everywhere and I can't even look at the offers.  Not unusual at all to feel guilt whether socializing or enjoying what I love to do.  It will pass as will time.  I can't go into a market, store, even Amazon without being faced with items routinely purchased for her.  I just wish her passing would have been quick and without weeks of suffering and anxiety.  There are several things I had to do those last two days that I will never stop doubting, adding to my guilt.  And I'm sure many of you experienced similar.

I still haven't caught up with blogs since early September, I enjoy that, therefore am avoiding it.  My sister was a confidante and good listener to her friends, who now have been contacting me.  I'm not Carole, and I feel terrible about their family troubles and children's health crises, so I will listen for a while.  They miss her too.

Be well.

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Flashback

Opening the car door at Home Depot without removing the keys started the ding of the alarm.  It was the same sound of the IVs in her room.  The same.  Exactly.  Like a brick to the chest.  Without tears, people see a twisted face and wonder if you have a nerve condition or are experiencing a tantrum.  If my advantage plan covers the Prokera lens I will do them again.  Doc said I am the driest patient he's ever seen.

This is the door change, was very easy to narrow, and I will probably do two colors horizontally, somewhat like the original.

Several asked about the saddle.  The website of American Molded Plastics in Ohio is here.  I purchased several leaf and floral picks at HL and will do so for each season during their sales.  I cut short and inserted in the dry foam (HL also), after wiring it to the base.  I also purchased a styrofoam glue at JoAnn fabric which sets the stems after 24 hours.  Will do that for heavier Christmas greens.  This is what I made, maybe stems need to be shorter.  You can barely see the little black feet that adjust over the stone with wing nuts in the center.

It's on the stone hidden behind that black one.

As for stolen memorials, typical these days isn't it?  You can wrap thin razor wire around the pots or any place that you would grab.  Take long pliers to place and remove on site.  We have a post and wrought iron hook at driveway, had a hole drilled into the iron hook, heavy wire through it and wrapped through the hanger of the baskets or lantern.  Must be untwisted over and over to get it off.  No grab and go is possible.  Personally, I would rather cut their fingers.

Keeping busy on these few warmer days, picking up the paint project where we left off end of August.  This is BMoore White Dove in eggshell, walls will be the same in flat. 

 The muntin bars, usually a royal PITA were done quickly with spray paint.  Krylon Chalky Finish in Classic White is so very close to White Dove, registers and window grills sprayed look identical.

That's it.  Can't find the PS finishes.  But will eventually.

Be well.

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A new leaf

 Carole and I loved sweet potato vines, that beautiful green mixed with bright flowers.  I considered a wet foam block for their stone's saddle filled with these vines, but realized a silk arrangement would be better.  The several cut from my plant and held in water, rooted very quickly.  I guess a pot and dirt are in order now, we'll see how long it lives indoors.  

Their stone is last row down a slope, impossible to see behind larger stones from the cemetery drive.  After finding a company (american molded plastic in ohio) that makes a headstone saddle held with wing nuts, wind is no longer an issue, nor is visibility. Foam blocks with different arrangements can be wired and removed as needed.  Sellers on amazon and etsy are double in price, I purchased directly from them which included shipping. 

Chris came home last night, surgery went well, doctor is confident the biopsy will be negative.  Four weeks off work when he needs to stay busy, will make it harder to deal with her not being there.  

Stitching on Anne is becoming a chore.  That door was so distracting and I could not envision this finished, doubt if that would be any different when the entire house is stitched.  So it will be changed.  

First, I'll test the color from 370 to 642, adding a window, or as drastic as narrowing it and extending the bricks.  Too much to think about.  Too much to change.  

But it may keep me interested. 

Next post will show how I screwed up the PS ornaments while stitching in the dark hospital room.

Thanks for sticking with me and your kind words.

Be well.

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