Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Ooh, I liked this book! It might be my new favorite by Sandra Dallas. She is a great storyteller, and this book is no exception.

It's the story of two women friends during the depression in a mining town in Colorado - one is old, one is young.

The Body in the Snowdrift by Katherine Hall Page

I finished this book on the plane yesterday. Mysteries are great books to travel with.

Getting ready

Yesterday we flew into Seattle (by the way, there are still some dogwoods in bloom!!). We checked one bag that had all our stuff for the week. Then we (and by we, I mean Ray) carried on all the motorcycle gear - that way it was sure to arrive with us. This is a lousy picture, but the black bag at the foot of the bed was one of the carry-ons. It is almost as wide as the bed, which is a queen size. It was full. Ray walked through security with it and another bag that had our helmets while I was checking in our one suitcase. No one blinked an eye. Then he walked right on the plane with it, and not one comment or glance at it then. That man manages to get anything on a plane. Debby said he's the airline employee whisperer.

Here's a shot of the bike we're riding this weekend. My dad took the picture while we were out running some other errands. Candy apple red - you can't go wrong with that!

Ray and I went for a ride to make sure our helmet to helmet communication system works. It works great, so I can just chat away the whole time, and the poor man will be forced to listen to me (I hold the controls in my pocket). My dad took these picture when we got back. Helmet hair and all. We're going to have a great time!

Hell has frozen over

Yes, the River Styx is abounding in icebergs.

Ray and I are leaving to go on a motorcycle trip. Something I swore I would never do. This is what happens when a low adventure girl marries a high adventure boy. Eventually he breaks down some of her barriers. That, coupled with a high desire to socialize with my friends who invited us to join them on this trip, caused me to cave.

We're flying into Seattle today, then we'll join up with six other couples, and drive up through Canada, just past Vancouver, then on over to Vancouver island, and back down to Seattle. Over four days.

I'm all set. Ray got me all the gear I need. I even practiced wearing my helmet so that I might lose some of the claustrophobic feeling it gives me (the same feeling I get when using SCUBA gear). I've suggested Ray ask Dave for some drug that will give him patience with me (for Ray). Ray laughed and said any pills that would help in that way would make it unsafe for him to drive.

I'm taking the camera. I'll try to get lots of pictures. Here's Ray by the kind of motorcycle we'll be riding on (Honda Goldwing):

I wouldn't mind a few prayers sent on our behalf... (we leave Thursday morning at the crack o' dawn).

Quilting projects

I've been going great guns with my quilting. I have now completed all the quilts that I had that were partially done when I moved (three years ago this week). Now I just have a giant pile of projects that I've purchased but haven't yet begun...

Two quilts that I've finished I'm having my friend Valerie quilt. One is for Audrey, and it's big. The other is a sampler I finished, and it's so pretty that I want it done specially. I'll post pictures when I get them back. Valerie says Audrey's is next up for her to do. I just gave her my sampler yesterday, so it might be awhile before I get it back.

Meanwhile I got sidetracked from bigger quilt projects by this little one I saw on the internet in the Moda Bake Shop. It's called a bookkeeper. The girl that designed it made it so it would hold her Kindle. It can serve a myriad of functions. It can hold a paperback book that you are trying to keep nice in your purse (or hide). It can hold a couple of diapers and some wipes. It can hold power cords when you travel. Use your imagination.

Here are the first two I made, using scraps from my sampler quilt:

Then I decided to make one as a gift for a friend:

Then I lost all control, and made several more to give away (some of them I gave before I took a picture):

It's a quick and easy project, and a great way to use up scraps. Audrey has helped me coordinate fabrics, and even helped as my quilting maid (ironing and some cutting) so I could get some of these done on time.

More 4th of July

After the breakfast yesterday, I spent the day finishing a few projects, with Audrey's help (see future blog post...). Then in the afternoon we headed to Austin and Jen's with the whole Linford clan. I love it when we all get together. It's a big bonus of living here. Everyone played in the pool, and we had lots of good food to eat. Family on the Fourth - that's the way it should be.

Audrey's holding Madeleine

Debra and Madeleine

The Hanks family - Audrey, Elizabeth, Matthew, Austin, Joseph

I only took a few pictures. I get engrossed in other things and forget to take photos. And I'm not a great photographer.

The Fourth of July

This morning we had a neighborhood 4th of July celebration. We all met in front of the Tillman's house. Jared Gorringe gave a speech, Andrea Reynolds sang The Star-spangled Banner (I want to be her when I grow up), Ray O. played reveille, and the scouts raised the flag. I cried.

After the flag raising we had a little parade down the street - a small fire engine led the way, followed by decorated bicycles and pedestrians. We ended at a pancake breakfast in front of the Gorringes. Lots of people came, and I think everyone had a good time.

I am thankful to live in the United States of America. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than most of the other options in the world. I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy.

God bless America. Please.

Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy

I fell in love with Maeve Binchy's writing when I read Circle of Friends. I think I've read every one of her books to date. I really liked almost all of them. There were just a couple I didn't like as much.

Binchy has a way of making her characters seem very real. We all know people like the people in her books. She is witty and concise in her writing. To my American mind and ears, her dialogue seems very Irish. That's particularly fun for me.

Binchy's later books have a few characters that float from book to book. They are featured in one book, then show up as a supporting cast in other books. It is not at all necessary to read them in a certain order.

This book is about the staff and patients of a heart clinic in Dublin. I really liked it.

(I bought the book in hardback. I think I actually completed it before it came out in paperback - a goal rarely accomplished.)