Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tomorrow My Sister Graduates From University

Tomorrow my sister graduates from University.  We are going to be with her on this very special day.

Lynda


She was asked to write an essay about what graduation meant to her.  This is what she wrote.


Graduation is a magic word
"Graduation is a magic word. This June at the age of sixty-five I am finally completing my lifelong dream. I am graduating from University with a Bachelor of Arts. I graduated from Grade 12 when I was sixteen and immediately entered the working world. There were six children in the family – my parents couldn’t afford to give even one of us a higher education. Over the years I have often wanted to return to school and get a university degree. I knew that I could hold my own in most conversations, write a good report, read at a high level, answer the Jeopardy questions and win most of the time at Trivial Pursuit, but I wanted that elusive piece of paper that said I was educated.


Most people told me I was foolish, that I didn’t need it. But for almost fifty years it has niggled at the back of my mind. When I had the chance to return to school, I chose College as the less expensive and shorter alternative that could help me find a new career path. I was fifty at the time and I had a son to support so taking at least three years out of the work force and going deeply in debt seemed a huge barrier to going to University. I didn’t realize that it still was an ambition of mine until my younger sister earned her B.A. in her forties taking courses part-time. After I turned sixty I discovered that Laurentian would let me take my university degree from home while I worked and give me a reduction in tuition fee because of my age. They also gave me credits towards my degree for the college diplomas that I had earned.


Now I was in my glory. I investigated programs that intrigued me. I took courses in music, anthropology, classical studies, philosophy and psychology. I had professors tell me that I saw things from a different point of view. I finally settled on religious studies, not as a step towards the ministry but as a way to broaden my mind and learn more about people and the current pluralism in religion. I took courses in nature based religions, eastern religions, the Old and New Testament, new wave religion and the paranormal. My journey wasn’t always smooth. I switched jobs and got so far behind that I failed two courses. Old age kicked in and I went to an exam two days late and failed the course. All I could do was pick myself up and start over. I paced myself and set a plan of action to make sure I stayed on track and completed all the assignments on time. I worked on getting myself off academic probation and closer to my degree.


Now as I write this note, I know that I am only four assignments and two exams from my goal. I will succeed and I will graduate this spring. I am old enough to be the grandmother of many in my graduating class but I feel young again and I am looking forward to that day and I am so proud of myself. This will be a day I hold in my heart for the rest of my life."

We are going to take lots of pictures.

Peggy.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Possibilities Club

Last night was the Meeting of The Possibilities Club.  It is a group of quilters, mostly guild members who get together and share techniques and interesting websites or magazines that would be of interest to other quilters.

The meeting was held at the new quilt shop in town, "Circle of Friends Quilt Shop".  The presenters last night were Wendy and Betty Ann.

Here's Luci at the quilt show in her booth for
"Circle of Friends"


Wendy talked about Schnibbles.  I had heard of it before but have never looked into it.  She had made a few quilts using these patterns and passed around patterns for us to look at.  They are made with 5" charm squares.  These would be fast things for a new quilter to make and you could see your work completed quickly.

She also demonstrated a ruler for making flying geese.  This ruler looks very interesting.  There is a YouTube video on it also.  It is called the Wing Clipper Ruler.  A nice way to make flying geese with very little waste.

Betty Ann had lots of things to demonstrate.  She made pinwheels by using two squares of fabric and sewing around the outside of the square instead of using half-square triangles.  She brought rulers with her; Square in a Square, and The Binding Tool.  She made a drunkards path without sewing circles together and she talked about printing labels for your quilts using fabric sheets.  She likes Printed Treasures Inkjet printable fabric.

Alva brought her new Twister pattern completed.  It was a Christmas Wreath made with red & green Christmas fabric.  ( I forgot my camera duh!!!)

Lots of new information about quilting was presented last night. 

Peggy.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

At the Cabin

We were at the cabin on Thursday and Friday
and
while YKW was doing the gardening I was sewing.
He plants a few vegetables; peas, beans and
salad fixings.

The boards are still on the screen porch to keep the pollen out.
The trees are not in full leaf yet.
Another few weeks and we will take them off.

This is the mystery quilt I have been working on.
The stars are paper pieced.

The small ironing board and travel iron
sure come in handy for times
like this.

I have to use my old White sewing machine
as we have no hydro and we use a generator
for electricity.

I took a lot of projects with me and will get to them
next time.

Peggy.