tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40242005597369965342024-03-12T17:08:05.305-06:00The Zees Go West<b>A New Englander moves to New Mexico</b>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.comBlogger1192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-20349041395000422232024-01-06T12:23:00.004-07:002024-01-06T12:23:00.133-07:00Gift socks Knit for Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Giving the gift of cozy feet...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVkRVFUgJhfafh4VCoZkyleiZe7xtNBzJAMPslY9NmhWq4E2wFZn09VO_LL99YIRhmUv9arlLCoRnVVigcgo1GNhQlhzmJhaXm8Tcy8F22W4gszNW0MZsoimuGA92y-3XlioIWXya3-mQLnsrRDNhxbGl8ztZ5_F63YSKkEgVBvO0zCQeJwf7QQqv57t0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVkRVFUgJhfafh4VCoZkyleiZe7xtNBzJAMPslY9NmhWq4E2wFZn09VO_LL99YIRhmUv9arlLCoRnVVigcgo1GNhQlhzmJhaXm8Tcy8F22W4gszNW0MZsoimuGA92y-3XlioIWXya3-mQLnsrRDNhxbGl8ztZ5_F63YSKkEgVBvO0zCQeJwf7QQqv57t0=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtxea708n017c3chR2dwhm8n0-fuqaK7xrgZLYB3se3bKxybAHLvEup4iEF-ysdwksnWQq8B65Vk6jEsngZGxE6nWxC9S0hrmAOFkNUE58JwUBQjVWdPE0Q6cSx2fc4eJevWMSchVopf8zRSf0qZsf7j2TW4AbsCsGrbCvObseUfvO8SQfFI1Eq9BHO4s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtxea708n017c3chR2dwhm8n0-fuqaK7xrgZLYB3se3bKxybAHLvEup4iEF-ysdwksnWQq8B65Vk6jEsngZGxE6nWxC9S0hrmAOFkNUE58JwUBQjVWdPE0Q6cSx2fc4eJevWMSchVopf8zRSf0qZsf7j2TW4AbsCsGrbCvObseUfvO8SQfFI1Eq9BHO4s=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-31064280819250850962024-01-05T11:42:00.003-07:002024-01-05T11:42:34.741-07:00Hats for the Homeless, 2023<p> 30+ hand knitted hats donated to the homeless shelter last year. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCXFwMNQo7CYwEsBNU2sCOQXm8fmyTjQyCs3j5p-SMDLEcqpqFoa1u94-Mb7AoHq1KRPqXH6r41W2jsVme3nRBc9qj0BgjYEfgrhqE6gay1N7dMT528r9ZvPdV67OijvpsAwb_MDlcEo8htWnA-gORTQb2N4DxxBcHsw6NHsvYjYwP56d4MWuPOtyJ_VM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCXFwMNQo7CYwEsBNU2sCOQXm8fmyTjQyCs3j5p-SMDLEcqpqFoa1u94-Mb7AoHq1KRPqXH6r41W2jsVme3nRBc9qj0BgjYEfgrhqE6gay1N7dMT528r9ZvPdV67OijvpsAwb_MDlcEo8htWnA-gORTQb2N4DxxBcHsw6NHsvYjYwP56d4MWuPOtyJ_VM=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTCmvD2s0WLgQ4BBAShRy-Zu5xT1CgAxiLV-ghuln-4dSQeF_g-2kYDLYe9QsCCpcaCupwtSArOmXblD1hMjMWePJbxJ1gLmY-ZVXp-R0bv3kNNq4h8R7Oi6TxYSl4vI-pwYCmp3vttrj7ZlNFZgWyHJTSKRBGwo1EQ9XT7wPEFaWpV0tz9ivWVPyf5-Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTCmvD2s0WLgQ4BBAShRy-Zu5xT1CgAxiLV-ghuln-4dSQeF_g-2kYDLYe9QsCCpcaCupwtSArOmXblD1hMjMWePJbxJ1gLmY-ZVXp-R0bv3kNNq4h8R7Oi6TxYSl4vI-pwYCmp3vttrj7ZlNFZgWyHJTSKRBGwo1EQ9XT7wPEFaWpV0tz9ivWVPyf5-Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmbWYqjrh5z5_vHZbun8iVFNVvtcKQnqRPgmoch7FkVRUvzqybj6pVRYM5QbDXXQbH75vRzKqL8dpxy_X1Z-Hkp-XG4CwOm8ryaAI8bRXzHFmNyVbwv8hgbs1vJI1ysd4oT9VH5K7KDLALeSQNCbXlmCkiULZlYgKS-cNE--jlsXfTS6QsGmRE0gH21bM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmbWYqjrh5z5_vHZbun8iVFNVvtcKQnqRPgmoch7FkVRUvzqybj6pVRYM5QbDXXQbH75vRzKqL8dpxy_X1Z-Hkp-XG4CwOm8ryaAI8bRXzHFmNyVbwv8hgbs1vJI1ysd4oT9VH5K7KDLALeSQNCbXlmCkiULZlYgKS-cNE--jlsXfTS6QsGmRE0gH21bM=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgchk_WABCXpVX1wObcwaGwrGnBqK5PXoR_oMsbVJ2o9fPKoI7SsglK3CcsRyW4paPyy9Q-FH7yFYapwPEbozKw7CvpMpDY9FeBZDQBlm70d9YSJXY0anhZKXYN9mRBe9JaE-5OepUlvR2QXpuuz305I39Qlq69C4LTH3Bw6Pzy31uZTTXorIVgcMlenK4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgchk_WABCXpVX1wObcwaGwrGnBqK5PXoR_oMsbVJ2o9fPKoI7SsglK3CcsRyW4paPyy9Q-FH7yFYapwPEbozKw7CvpMpDY9FeBZDQBlm70d9YSJXY0anhZKXYN9mRBe9JaE-5OepUlvR2QXpuuz305I39Qlq69C4LTH3Bw6Pzy31uZTTXorIVgcMlenK4=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoDXtS_6ClFuJK4A7RBanPMVtCpsAG4MyFWgcV4aHv1Ejj-Nluu_a7WRnQlFTcjvUzQTm_297_Bm585tMrWvWX5ZFKCpd7eBkbHdIuwcbzaVfRTbiPagJhfx6C4ViFFblyUFH1Zpp6TCQWXc2Vfbc7yGr-SWIF882lkieIeBPAmDg4wHn2uLG478XT9rQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoDXtS_6ClFuJK4A7RBanPMVtCpsAG4MyFWgcV4aHv1Ejj-Nluu_a7WRnQlFTcjvUzQTm_297_Bm585tMrWvWX5ZFKCpd7eBkbHdIuwcbzaVfRTbiPagJhfx6C4ViFFblyUFH1Zpp6TCQWXc2Vfbc7yGr-SWIF882lkieIeBPAmDg4wHn2uLG478XT9rQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-15852892221155588892023-11-22T10:07:00.002-07:002023-11-22T10:07:09.486-07:00Porch Pansies<p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> <i>There is nothing at all ordinary about ordinary life.<br /></i><i> </i>~Elizabeth Berg in <i>Make Someone Happy</i></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy_tH8J_m7LEsOo4sSxBru-7d6_FGfVzpih4g4X1fvnMbPSydSmaI5fNcsNFtMa32p5iQiiMIKQ616tPIKWZxOd0RVmoQLEcCyOHeeIXUHGgM-wws_LTV-ajavPeqzAnDV0weeQhVSri-l3-tqpUzJqMKrU5rdnZGIy3JYaZKQmzgBT8AWHNI_L7KglY/s4032/pansy%20far.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy_tH8J_m7LEsOo4sSxBru-7d6_FGfVzpih4g4X1fvnMbPSydSmaI5fNcsNFtMa32p5iQiiMIKQ616tPIKWZxOd0RVmoQLEcCyOHeeIXUHGgM-wws_LTV-ajavPeqzAnDV0weeQhVSri-l3-tqpUzJqMKrU5rdnZGIy3JYaZKQmzgBT8AWHNI_L7KglY/w300-h400/pansy%20far.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I planted the porch pansies today. Oh, I looked at more exotic plants at the garden center, but in the end I stayed with my tried-and-true and much beloved pansies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When they are first transplanted, they lie down for a day or two, and then they perk right up and get on with business. I understand, because when we moved to the desert from New Hampshire it took me a while to feel at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They will bloom on the porch all during this, my 80th winter. They will show their colors right where I can see them from my knitting and reading chair. Even when the mountains in the distance are dusted with snow, they will bloom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love their colors and their little faces. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFonZRA5XLxbhgbKQ0jfIe25PwOrOj6hvLrL17dBjS0NtnG-aPxuehXVoTPkqvEElHNnEr-GJFUgojCQx_kFKDgyAxE2bpSTS3VOZxOtXs14P-c0aSSE8nxbyJeTYxBKw6DnHDk7MahXQNHFBsEDV2zX0nKeaSxqyAdak2dKLFY8Ve_cAT5ylu-WBIhV4/s4032/IMG_2291%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFonZRA5XLxbhgbKQ0jfIe25PwOrOj6hvLrL17dBjS0NtnG-aPxuehXVoTPkqvEElHNnEr-GJFUgojCQx_kFKDgyAxE2bpSTS3VOZxOtXs14P-c0aSSE8nxbyJeTYxBKw6DnHDk7MahXQNHFBsEDV2zX0nKeaSxqyAdak2dKLFY8Ve_cAT5ylu-WBIhV4/w300-h400/IMG_2291%20(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-82771431477205863902023-11-04T10:32:00.005-06:002024-01-03T08:12:37.119-07:00What Happened in Blarney<p> In <a href="https://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/2023/09/blarney.html" target="_blank">the previous post</a>, Sharon and I had just finished our lunch in the little town of Blarney, Ireland. On the way back we wanted to take time to do some people watching in the little park that we had passed earlier, where there had been plenty of empty picnic tables. To our disappointment, all the tables were now occupied. After dithering about for a bit, we approached one where a young man was working on his laptop, and asked if we might opposite him. He kindly welcomed us, and we gratefully sat down, fully intending to be quiet and not bother him. </p><p>However, the young man closed his laptop, smiled, and asked where we were from. We were soon deep in conversation, and he told us that he had been born in the next town over, and now lived in Blarney, where his wife had been born. Just then, a young woman approached and smiling, said (in the loveliest Irish accent you can imagine) something like: "Ah, I can't leave you for even a wee moment and ye're off chatting up the ladies!" We all laughed, and she joined in the conversation. She introduced herself as Sharon (pronounced very differently from my friend Sharon's name, more like this: <a href="https://youtu.be/ZzGUoSNVrxc" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/ZzGUoSNVrxc</a>), and her husband was Peter (pronounced Pee-tah). </p><p>Peter said that he worked at Johnson & Johnson (the prescription drug industry is very big in Ireland). They had never wanted to leave the place where they had grown up, and we wondered why anyone would ever want to. The village and surrounding countryside were so lovely and we were lucky enough to and have yet another sunny day, possibly not the usual kind of weather there. </p><p>When I asked if they were bothered by all the busloads of tourists descending on their town, they laughed and said they enjoyed coming into town and meeting people from all over the world, who added to the culture of the place.</p><p>I can't tell you how thrilled we were to meet "real" Irish people. Cruising is fun and relaxing, and the onshore bus tours are always interesting, but we might have done the whole trip surrounded only by Americans and Canadians. We felt so lucky to be able to spend some relaxing time just chatting about life in general with the people who actually lived in the places we had traveled to see. </p><p>We reluctantly said goodbye because we had to board the bus back to the ship. I am sorry I didn't ask them for a photo, but we will always remember these kind people who took the time to talk with two elderly ladies from far away. </p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-29554503494907943482023-09-24T12:02:00.003-06:002023-11-04T10:34:50.303-06:00Blarney<p>When our cruise ship anchored at Cobh in the Republic of Ireland, we were looking forward to seeing some of the Irish countryside. Because my friend, Sharon, was walking with a cane and sometimes a walker, and because I was with her, we were always given a reserved front seat on every tour bus. We were treated so tenderly and often felt a little like frauds because we didn't really feel like delicate old ladies inside of ourselves. However, we accepted all kindnesses and especially the superb view. </p><p>Here is what Google has to say about our destination, Blarney Village:</p><p><i><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px;">Blarney is a village just outside the city of Cork, in southwestern Ireland. Its 15th-century Blarney Castle is home to the legendary Blarney Stone, said to give the "gift of the gab" to those who kiss it. Extensive parkland surrounding the castle features a network of trails, themed gardens and the large, turreted Blarney House. A 19th-century building in the village centre houses the former Blarney Woollen Mills.</span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px;"><span class="eHaQD" style="color: #70757a;"> ― Google</span></span></i></p><p>We were headed to the village, but passed by the castle on the way. Most of our fellow tourists went straight to the <a href="https://www.blarney.com/" target="_blank">Blarney Woolen Mills</a> for shopping and souvenir hunting, but we were on a quest for a nice glass of Guinness. Along the way, our driver, who was out for a walk, strongly recommended that instead of Guinness we ask for a half pint of the local brew. We weren't sure exactly what the name was (that lovely Irish accent, you know), but we did our best approximation and the barman at <a href="https://www.blarneywoollenmillshotel.com/en/bar/" target="_blank">Christy's Bar</a> knew exactly what we meant. </p><p>Here is the lunch we feasted on: Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas and Tartar Sauce (kid's size, as recommended for us by the barman), with that delicious mystery ale. Which was cold, by the way, and I had expected that all drinks there would be served at room temperature. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hRKk7Zf__zgqNBAHm3RDOjFJ1UReRng7AUGN5CsZrejtYgx8viLP6LVi_FJp5iQcYUwYhOA_rgUQYLRQ97PJ2GHYfq5McKfnp1VsDhyHw2j9ROHPMk8KOI54B0lSX10CIY4JRw6e0ON5N9y6DH67fXU2wI86PzzYLUNBkisodZ9fFrnJlDA8R1HkVag/s4032/IMG-2122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hRKk7Zf__zgqNBAHm3RDOjFJ1UReRng7AUGN5CsZrejtYgx8viLP6LVi_FJp5iQcYUwYhOA_rgUQYLRQ97PJ2GHYfq5McKfnp1VsDhyHw2j9ROHPMk8KOI54B0lSX10CIY4JRw6e0ON5N9y6DH67fXU2wI86PzzYLUNBkisodZ9fFrnJlDA8R1HkVag/w400-h300/IMG-2122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pub itself was modern and not the ancient dark and smoky beamed village pub I had in mind. However, it was a lovely, friendly place and we greatly enjoyed our delicious Irish pub fare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAU7RhXVyvdqDGyWx12KVqBdXg1IbfQvhOzGGkVc7niEPS72z-GiWms2CLGQInHqCPpJIJpN2Z-9YT494qTgzGziHdUiGqbfhJf6U44sTfI4LIHhOxNkxf4Wi5uuB2ZF10vZ2Ev0DbT0GsdMNzAgiQQpEou_Vn8h7NXPJUi6zUZwCnNlF-oCA0EBcH9w0/s4032/IMG-2123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAU7RhXVyvdqDGyWx12KVqBdXg1IbfQvhOzGGkVc7niEPS72z-GiWms2CLGQInHqCPpJIJpN2Z-9YT494qTgzGziHdUiGqbfhJf6U44sTfI4LIHhOxNkxf4Wi5uuB2ZF10vZ2Ev0DbT0GsdMNzAgiQQpEou_Vn8h7NXPJUi6zUZwCnNlF-oCA0EBcH9w0/w400-h300/IMG-2123.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After lunch, we made our slow way back to a little park near where the buses were parked. And there, a very magical thing happened.... <a href="https://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/2023/11/what-happened-in-blarney.html" target="_blank">(to be continued).</a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-35731118302340384662023-09-18T12:01:00.001-06:002023-09-18T12:02:33.955-06:00Stonehenge <p>I have always wanted to visit Stonehenge. I just never expected to do it as part of a cruise/bus tour when I was 78, but though the trip was not the one I would have made in my younger days, I am so glad to have seen this strange and mysterious place. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_QUp-ASk8Dcol8vRszrfdv9UvPEOh0E00h1JQlCsViJ1CmZa4sTjP36odkvMW6KM8HXmevOfYrbiuTuBveGiAN00RCqQEtF-zjwEHhcU0riw2RdN9sBGC1hT-hORqV770yoe-kbfFUU7bZcK4O0wHCidBR7rzLm3dujLvwpk4aoFNGOrLA0_8erCBck/s4026/IMG-2105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="4026" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_QUp-ASk8Dcol8vRszrfdv9UvPEOh0E00h1JQlCsViJ1CmZa4sTjP36odkvMW6KM8HXmevOfYrbiuTuBveGiAN00RCqQEtF-zjwEHhcU0riw2RdN9sBGC1hT-hORqV770yoe-kbfFUU7bZcK4O0wHCidBR7rzLm3dujLvwpk4aoFNGOrLA0_8erCBck/w400-h276/IMG-2105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stones were smaller than I expected, but as amazing as I'd hoped they be. Built 4500 years ago, before the wheel was discovered, they are now a World Heritage Site</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXiFR55P2am1e8ArsCOGkUS1LZwv8DvngJ47GLpqzclZs-TPpQYFzO4kRLhPcu9yCllF4p-MYEJ0V7DLhxzwz63zOqFDvNRmBSBD40taz6HqZiMEvhqwJ9_kENUqdqkWNYzYyLVGDZ5uAUhEd4oAKVjbGgwXgOwCqgu4c3M01BR-zMKC_S-ddHoGcj4c/s4032/IMG-2107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXiFR55P2am1e8ArsCOGkUS1LZwv8DvngJ47GLpqzclZs-TPpQYFzO4kRLhPcu9yCllF4p-MYEJ0V7DLhxzwz63zOqFDvNRmBSBD40taz6HqZiMEvhqwJ9_kENUqdqkWNYzYyLVGDZ5uAUhEd4oAKVjbGgwXgOwCqgu4c3M01BR-zMKC_S-ddHoGcj4c/w300-h400/IMG-2107.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bird was enjoying the view of the tourists</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINxFMoCM3ApbKqikq3oCrs-77gx6DnMpAFLN4fsizArTtkIZ_BHe6w6G3cWU2TgeQpqOe5JtlSmbZQ37JW18NAB14hZiP8ymsqiMXKLuhP93uwnYiAP8HG1hOX_1pWEjODaUfJW1Po6mzbCxeMVkmCB7jHNmECL1W8lwyXiU4muN3AZsPMxFLWMDzW0Q/s4032/IMG-2100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINxFMoCM3ApbKqikq3oCrs-77gx6DnMpAFLN4fsizArTtkIZ_BHe6w6G3cWU2TgeQpqOe5JtlSmbZQ37JW18NAB14hZiP8ymsqiMXKLuhP93uwnYiAP8HG1hOX_1pWEjODaUfJW1Po6mzbCxeMVkmCB7jHNmECL1W8lwyXiU4muN3AZsPMxFLWMDzW0Q/w400-h300/IMG-2100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbors to the stones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi6J2Mp63BOfw8OWBCcUZcjGXQa6enMgabFIb_pKRYjOd_MkAohAzRhKCToSW59QeRyESex3xF7XqZNnFR5YSiispeicV6Zkw__FzxYb8P-9Bpa8zRkoZnpjSDGFBJb2Tq5L-xczRLpxN9JrjPJCc6GZILBiSZsuCoKq_GhgQXU-frvhSqKWWfdDzJV0/s4032/IMG-2101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi6J2Mp63BOfw8OWBCcUZcjGXQa6enMgabFIb_pKRYjOd_MkAohAzRhKCToSW59QeRyESex3xF7XqZNnFR5YSiispeicV6Zkw__FzxYb8P-9Bpa8zRkoZnpjSDGFBJb2Tq5L-xczRLpxN9JrjPJCc6GZILBiSZsuCoKq_GhgQXU-frvhSqKWWfdDzJV0/w400-h300/IMG-2101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reality of visiting the stones on a rare sunny day--lots and lots of other people<br />were also fulfilling<i> their </i>lifelong dream</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_TF7-f0_DDQnve9zlN5-J9Y2Urmgg_nyenPsp05Mqj0tiqvgxEJnrHPUP16OnT6tBMdVYSCoX3O10ToFzXEDU1Yj5sFVrlKZgQQVBB9mW8b78r0ucSeCT1GLx8uZdhRW7QR4AuU0o6mjOdpJIcmo3vdSoxjgig72UWhQilnCr0vinioxfEWiglqCrZg/s4032/IMG-2102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_TF7-f0_DDQnve9zlN5-J9Y2Urmgg_nyenPsp05Mqj0tiqvgxEJnrHPUP16OnT6tBMdVYSCoX3O10ToFzXEDU1Yj5sFVrlKZgQQVBB9mW8b78r0ucSeCT1GLx8uZdhRW7QR4AuU0o6mjOdpJIcmo3vdSoxjgig72UWhQilnCr0vinioxfEWiglqCrZg/w300-h400/IMG-2102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was the line to get back on the shuttle <br />that took us back to the line to get onto the bus <br />that took us back to the line to get back on the ship<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While standing in the various lines under that gorgeous blue sky, we had time to admire the lovely native shrubs that grew between fields and along pathways. The birds and insects <i>loved</i> them and so did we</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDzN5yCKNKYiwlRjVyM-MiFXBnWL4wXYk4tBZCqhJQ-gc6svGp6vTmMOeyPxoaBaALB8ukTcbMt8_RlpI3saXPbu5Vn0wESjZ6lf0xIMD_qetZEeIktIhi274xOlmj2k01uWLB0O-m6xii3BNsWlhn7RwpGETa2vz5WyNebT1UgLxA8c68QdSghDuhE4/s4032/IMG-2098.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDzN5yCKNKYiwlRjVyM-MiFXBnWL4wXYk4tBZCqhJQ-gc6svGp6vTmMOeyPxoaBaALB8ukTcbMt8_RlpI3saXPbu5Vn0wESjZ6lf0xIMD_qetZEeIktIhi274xOlmj2k01uWLB0O-m6xii3BNsWlhn7RwpGETa2vz5WyNebT1UgLxA8c68QdSghDuhE4/w300-h400/IMG-2098.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe a highbush cranberry?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9omi_1FGDHDshKHIL3kTbaIoYNQOjmKaJ6WbVGbfGRahTS_oSce0bNv3whzPi-6kVvEfIDBSKiV_Ir_WKjGPB7hVc5V5LAD1bQ7L10DsDYHip9vL1gZfmSKlgA1WPQOCqC8X9cbAQLFtOpEK6CjcVKdPgq04OUMOCHsb0lv5SDnp_eEw90hriVin_JXs/s4032/IMG-2099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9omi_1FGDHDshKHIL3kTbaIoYNQOjmKaJ6WbVGbfGRahTS_oSce0bNv3whzPi-6kVvEfIDBSKiV_Ir_WKjGPB7hVc5V5LAD1bQ7L10DsDYHip9vL1gZfmSKlgA1WPQOCqC8X9cbAQLFtOpEK6CjcVKdPgq04OUMOCHsb0lv5SDnp_eEw90hriVin_JXs/w300-h400/IMG-2099.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderberry?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-39110940818284015762023-08-27T15:19:00.004-06:002023-08-28T11:24:17.895-06:00Visiting Central Portugal<p>Here are some photos from my recent trip to Portugal, where I stayed with friends. The property originally contained two stone ruins, and they had to build on those foundations. These pictures are from the main house. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwN4Eh0UcCQ8wzEPM5QrS6CTf08gSL4R94sVG57XR06abFIq3gnExK7MPfVZ4PdUVouO52BC9ru7zsWMI7G0QZlGfS17PiNV9DrI-TB6AlsCwC_a_s9CoZvOLqraHMTmJzIWh8iGHWctH0dPP2u4KQStGQgHBresZr9DcFoO95U1tXNIO6uxpYKsptis/s4032/IMG-1912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwN4Eh0UcCQ8wzEPM5QrS6CTf08gSL4R94sVG57XR06abFIq3gnExK7MPfVZ4PdUVouO52BC9ru7zsWMI7G0QZlGfS17PiNV9DrI-TB6AlsCwC_a_s9CoZvOLqraHMTmJzIWh8iGHWctH0dPP2u4KQStGQgHBresZr9DcFoO95U1tXNIO6uxpYKsptis/w400-h300/IMG-1912.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the kitchen/dining room on a foggy morning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u8MfckF2ZgEJh1NlQLfDkocxrg6YRdVTQqYcFm1QiG4DatGan-3f_b9I2FyNyqVR4jrxpiwUkpnc8ifF-pV4lcUiSp3uwk5xE9-nZBYLdNKk1aHfZopsU0j-Hn34jdeqEi4pwQStOC6jTpuQFY9QoNT2FP7F8PCEm4LTMp2gPPymBRh8cKw3YLL1hhg/s4032/IMG-1911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u8MfckF2ZgEJh1NlQLfDkocxrg6YRdVTQqYcFm1QiG4DatGan-3f_b9I2FyNyqVR4jrxpiwUkpnc8ifF-pV4lcUiSp3uwk5xE9-nZBYLdNKk1aHfZopsU0j-Hn34jdeqEi4pwQStOC6jTpuQFY9QoNT2FP7F8PCEm4LTMp2gPPymBRh8cKw3YLL1hhg/w400-h300/IMG-1911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The windows wrapped around the corner of the room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEaXmW0yLdtRFYKu3gTXC-vcMp6zLYYD1V8CEGv_90eyf823IKzUgTy4KNTVTm0GMouszgBjmm86BLoGV2h4mKKCngSV8nh3hdiGsIB651F2mVzIwWqGv5lsriZE3V9QTlidNUq2pSFiFEgTiy8dQnR2EUeBedPpS9q0p4_guu-72Gohn4zP98tsx3Dw/s4032/IMG-1945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEaXmW0yLdtRFYKu3gTXC-vcMp6zLYYD1V8CEGv_90eyf823IKzUgTy4KNTVTm0GMouszgBjmm86BLoGV2h4mKKCngSV8nh3hdiGsIB651F2mVzIwWqGv5lsriZE3V9QTlidNUq2pSFiFEgTiy8dQnR2EUeBedPpS9q0p4_guu-72Gohn4zP98tsx3Dw/w400-h300/IMG-1945.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the same room later in the day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-54849791691066147622023-04-06T09:31:00.003-06:002023-06-06T15:09:13.926-06:00So Many Socks!<p> Why knit so many socks? What is the appeal? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For a knitter, there are great long bits of mindless knitting down the leg (unless you do fancy cables, which I do not do), then a fiddly bit that you have to concentrate on to make the heel and gusset, then some more mindless knitting in the round until you reach the toe. For me, that's a perfect combination of easy and more difficult.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For the recipient, handknit wool socks are a way to have warm feet and fun colors that can show or not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you can see, I have a lot of orange shades to use up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGu2RpMWvtKISZZge4lm6FodXMJgWE8sI5moA0jfLu4uvjiGBWY0PU53jzNuR7RKNMBEvOKshx5mwrMpK1r9Rp2yT12ygCZbZ3QTPePb1Ig3mmEGonPaNQcWQBnzQgvUh2WL6JJfR7CIeYJGEGLZBIlk74sXmil738EAoOTaDnIZz15PgQ6hZmYjYtVg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2961" data-original-width="3320" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGu2RpMWvtKISZZge4lm6FodXMJgWE8sI5moA0jfLu4uvjiGBWY0PU53jzNuR7RKNMBEvOKshx5mwrMpK1r9Rp2yT12ygCZbZ3QTPePb1Ig3mmEGonPaNQcWQBnzQgvUh2WL6JJfR7CIeYJGEGLZBIlk74sXmil738EAoOTaDnIZz15PgQ6hZmYjYtVg=w400-h357" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gift socks (two pairs)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtWLlqk5GAKpwqHvw1BhwrQ6w83VFk2HWllBwpFVjpnhicXZ_mlhVo264-h0ZMOwsmB03ZZvllRkjiCjxZDgPJqfE5BCn-dbiSdjVGRj0YNXMAmtHPSc7Bc5qolPwNGwqsidAfymVeRPNocnbZB1SfEQjyeaTUIZj5lR2j7wLfIDpGMZtN8iG-wXq_0A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3238" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtWLlqk5GAKpwqHvw1BhwrQ6w83VFk2HWllBwpFVjpnhicXZ_mlhVo264-h0ZMOwsmB03ZZvllRkjiCjxZDgPJqfE5BCn-dbiSdjVGRj0YNXMAmtHPSc7Bc5qolPwNGwqsidAfymVeRPNocnbZB1SfEQjyeaTUIZj5lR2j7wLfIDpGMZtN8iG-wXq_0A=w400-h374" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two more pairs, both for me</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghg9O9AsSjoKsjMzrcUfMze-0F2Tuxizy4TWRGPXnRYv-HQvt4xPjZwN6gCZ1D-SGa6ZJAcfRijTTjv_O-aymO7cw7eohyMsaCMs0jm-pQWIVaGZsZY20qQhHRjDF2u4X9pfax8ZDLiV4kMcAXoWBTXFlqOh1-IgRZraAzu4oJyxUSC1CUxKZ7E8dL3g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghg9O9AsSjoKsjMzrcUfMze-0F2Tuxizy4TWRGPXnRYv-HQvt4xPjZwN6gCZ1D-SGa6ZJAcfRijTTjv_O-aymO7cw7eohyMsaCMs0jm-pQWIVaGZsZY20qQhHRjDF2u4X9pfax8ZDLiV4kMcAXoWBTXFlqOh1-IgRZraAzu4oJyxUSC1CUxKZ7E8dL3g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More gift socks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqqBZYQvR1voZzeO1YEVkglwpkrRjRprSQmJqLDMTVZKgsWfAajTkjoZHp1N5ZldSkChgbELmjvVFz-e9D0Kt4nnJLL_fzLnuQwloP3Fllf8vYnkB7DPKQ5kXb3sTGjc4VTqOYee8HeMaT_KMXS9PYnlnQdXhEtI1txns75GQUEscD16-hYLPg_xWJbA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqqBZYQvR1voZzeO1YEVkglwpkrRjRprSQmJqLDMTVZKgsWfAajTkjoZHp1N5ZldSkChgbELmjvVFz-e9D0Kt4nnJLL_fzLnuQwloP3Fllf8vYnkB7DPKQ5kXb3sTGjc4VTqOYee8HeMaT_KMXS9PYnlnQdXhEtI1txns75GQUEscD16-hYLPg_xWJbA" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another orange pair for me...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheM-NSAViEdcXm7_MrL7wtoP8pdt0U3P9b-gL7Ct7AF6C7hKKrqiIoeCa1wA3aUP9IhUK4ajcOjesu-33m3F0WcEynD_YhDfVobcTX50JUbM48mPSe6MMmdK3ByYOq52jB7ucN6jst8QNg4NesBiJMPer4f4jWxx10sdoK03I2FC0-XMawaGTHxnWTuw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheM-NSAViEdcXm7_MrL7wtoP8pdt0U3P9b-gL7Ct7AF6C7hKKrqiIoeCa1wA3aUP9IhUK4ajcOjesu-33m3F0WcEynD_YhDfVobcTX50JUbM48mPSe6MMmdK3ByYOq52jB7ucN6jst8QNg4NesBiJMPer4f4jWxx10sdoK03I2FC0-XMawaGTHxnWTuw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...and another pair for me</div><br /><br /></div><br /> clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-18434800317225770792022-11-12T10:14:00.000-07:002022-11-12T10:14:11.549-07:00Horse Rescue<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Do inanimate objects have souls?</i></p><p><br /></p><p>For many years now, I've watched the decline of this poor horse in the yard of an abandoned house. From the road he looked like one of those mechanical horses outside supermarkets that kids would ride for a quarter. I used to dream of rescuing the poor thing. </p><p>This year, as a birthday wish, I gave a sort of hero's quest to my son and husband. Please, please, rescue that horse from that terrible neglect and let me give him a home. </p><p>They actually did it! They found the property owner and made sure they would be able to "rescue" the horse. Then they discovered something--this was no mechanical horse on a base that would stand on the ground--this was a horse <b>made of cement! </b>He was extremely heavy and his poor legs were broken off. He needed me more than ever. </p><p>My son gathered a bunch of big burly friends. They brought trucks. They brought work gloves. This morning they went to get my boy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkX0nvwRYE2abLL-LawP0S_2VZla0A_a8eqaamO236D15I3F8gXnwRAD56UvZmD45tx-6_MXm2qVah96WuddpJc79VTr21yn1rNqQU7gBeQn0bwnxVLVsCqveapETG_TzI7i8bOXrNcJPIFw4rTGT5rB50u3OCrWwCKTrK2An0UKBCcnR5qkr6007/s4032/IMG-1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkX0nvwRYE2abLL-LawP0S_2VZla0A_a8eqaamO236D15I3F8gXnwRAD56UvZmD45tx-6_MXm2qVah96WuddpJc79VTr21yn1rNqQU7gBeQn0bwnxVLVsCqveapETG_TzI7i8bOXrNcJPIFw4rTGT5rB50u3OCrWwCKTrK2An0UKBCcnR5qkr6007/w400-h300/IMG-1748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He was in tough shape, and so heavy the rebar bent when they tried to stand him up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfnkMr6C_Dh_bwrPFObMKzsFBrxpUHK5dJ2WMApRsaLMqZuKNYHbIS6hudwmbW49z-tPs4MzcGahg6DhHUZCrDgqLXst4rAz4DktdZ_vnb-P8kMnPhdZmqRsgmoh8yHhZ2cdR0TCrXdMEqDGsiylilJzPK3R2pijTm5JNbtSgghkSEFFoJeZJ-koj/s4032/IMG-1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfnkMr6C_Dh_bwrPFObMKzsFBrxpUHK5dJ2WMApRsaLMqZuKNYHbIS6hudwmbW49z-tPs4MzcGahg6DhHUZCrDgqLXst4rAz4DktdZ_vnb-P8kMnPhdZmqRsgmoh8yHhZ2cdR0TCrXdMEqDGsiylilJzPK3R2pijTm5JNbtSgghkSEFFoJeZJ-koj/w300-h400/IMG-1750.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took a lot of strength to move him into place</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvMiWMErSwKQkA28MLd2pgZJwMNRMF-uOh5j0jE8XO6PivAUPcBbsd6ANXoameTb-zuGkr5V97y4eD2pvP8WN6Rx5h3nSqrsb5ngUjL14qh0t8dvzmZKOJzc64T60fNAL081ePQ4y2rYZUpP_krsXFT3WdvIE1ZvwWfGq8CpAXF6ohS137uMx1gta/s4032/IMG-1752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvMiWMErSwKQkA28MLd2pgZJwMNRMF-uOh5j0jE8XO6PivAUPcBbsd6ANXoameTb-zuGkr5V97y4eD2pvP8WN6Rx5h3nSqrsb5ngUjL14qh0t8dvzmZKOJzc64T60fNAL081ePQ4y2rYZUpP_krsXFT3WdvIE1ZvwWfGq8CpAXF6ohS137uMx1gta/w406-h541/IMG-1752.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here he is, upright once again after all those years of lying in the dirt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His name is Chauncey, after the pony that "belonged" to me on a ranch in Arizona I once visited as a child. You can read about that visit, that pony, and the cowboy who gave him to me here in the post called <a href="https://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/2008/05/tenderfeet.html" target="_blank">Tenderfeet. </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-86177057019902830992022-08-21T10:46:00.005-06:002022-08-21T10:48:22.868-06:00The Story of Little Toad<p>Our town has a Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) program that encourages people to capture "community," or free roaming unowned cats. The cats are then taken to the local shelter and neutered or spayed, then released back to where they have been living. The hope is that this program will eventually and humanely reduce the population of feral cats. </p><p>Cats are apparently marked after the process by having their ears tipped, so they can be easily identified from a distance as already neutered. </p><p>I know that this program has been in place for many years--sometimes with government funding and sometimes through the goodness of private citizens. </p><p>One little guy who was the recipient of this free service was a young gray and white cat. He was so friendly and sociable that folks wanted to have him taken in by one of the many no-kill shelters here and offered for adoption, but at the time there just wasn't any room for any more cats. So he was released back into "the wild"--his neighborhood near the downtown plaza. </p><p>Then fate took a hand. One evening, the director of one of the most successful shelters was dining out with friends at the Little Toad Creek Brewery downtown when the gray and white cat came up and "spoke" to them. They knew he was asking for a home so they took him along, named him Little Toad, and featured him as the <a href="https://apalascruces.org/" target="_blank">Action Programs for Animals</a> Pet of the Week. </p><p>I saw his story on Facebook in mid-July and couldn't believe that he was not adopted immediately. Two weeks later, he joined our family. He made himself at home immediately. He wasn't bothered by the cats or the dogs. He isn't at all shy and greets visitors at the door and shows them to a comfy chair, just like a little maitre d'. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSNMQ2qgG9L_9V_zKEXjdb1_pw28rgcBYhrjINBt94NGYpLzhql91dlR4myTgv-pJKqzn1jKOILo99B5XLaSBheAUb9RHykUI2I7Flmgf8VS9uXI9XmyZMkdPCWnS_nvrHdgw66ljAXQic_q8aequPdPcB6ntwczFWKu5B5Uvq563MZpsCDrupSbV/s1024/294800078_420242543479473_6058529453154146750_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSNMQ2qgG9L_9V_zKEXjdb1_pw28rgcBYhrjINBt94NGYpLzhql91dlR4myTgv-pJKqzn1jKOILo99B5XLaSBheAUb9RHykUI2I7Flmgf8VS9uXI9XmyZMkdPCWnS_nvrHdgw66ljAXQic_q8aequPdPcB6ntwczFWKu5B5Uvq563MZpsCDrupSbV/w303-h404/294800078_420242543479473_6058529453154146750_n.jpeg" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Toad at the shelter, waiting...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizqbFGgdFYq6sAGb0ws4S453lcq25SStO3-aJBgcl60P0w4BDrjczNYv-lB59ryszkmsxpE6Qr09xxSwprtZC6zHg1fdZwkqSa2B3N4COiMgKRQ-k3TkttGLhuypcF1Kyo4kAwTB73A2TgpnDEdjw8Yt4t2KrXdUPmG0RuXg-iZ9G3R5GZoxEH-5kA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizqbFGgdFYq6sAGb0ws4S453lcq25SStO3-aJBgcl60P0w4BDrjczNYv-lB59ryszkmsxpE6Qr09xxSwprtZC6zHg1fdZwkqSa2B3N4COiMgKRQ-k3TkttGLhuypcF1Kyo4kAwTB73A2TgpnDEdjw8Yt4t2KrXdUPmG0RuXg-iZ9G3R5GZoxEH-5kA=w385-h289" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home at last; best friends with Minky (whose shelter name was Butch Cassidy)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio87kxaMRc3Q8tSpg1EzbTy82mCV3e4IKZ5B-isQklxjZs6mDStGiM2eMMcXscMmSZrYuzqSayY56MfExUFfXvAUW5lk7E4o-RB50_PEE49yxhr8INOmwjA4cxznHdfzp8IR-Fig6TCCidsOLBKnPcD2B3jy2g2TOnnLZk8uwDu_NfUwuueM-5nKkC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3700" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio87kxaMRc3Q8tSpg1EzbTy82mCV3e4IKZ5B-isQklxjZs6mDStGiM2eMMcXscMmSZrYuzqSayY56MfExUFfXvAUW5lk7E4o-RB50_PEE49yxhr8INOmwjA4cxznHdfzp8IR-Fig6TCCidsOLBKnPcD2B3jy2g2TOnnLZk8uwDu_NfUwuueM-5nKkC=w450-h290" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone gets along. L to R: Little Toad, Henry (shelter name Jupiter), and Minky</div><br /><br /></div></div>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-76012987613682148662022-07-04T10:36:00.006-06:002022-07-08T15:25:38.908-06:00Hats for the Homeless Shelters<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been knitting these hats in odd moments--while watching the [mostly terrible] news, listening to Congressional hearings, or during the scary bits in <i>Killing Eve </i>that I don't want to see. Almost all of my backlog of acrylic yarn has been used up now. The hats will go to our public library in November, to be distributed among the homeless shelters in town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BOaGcdJZ7ZkebAJ2Lr4fq5zfYe1YxuCsSoMDwndrqcuIzjNtG_qVoa4rsoKRa4QydzJjAYRg0HgbWu94VqsPUVpUnraoOyjWBYsRU9Ebkn-xKTwwSozks_l5GkGlCnF_JFJrVwnruksgxwcxoA98lBv-VD2E0pb2liqDWjdiCwRit3C_hCia2nSp/s4032/IMG-1530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BOaGcdJZ7ZkebAJ2Lr4fq5zfYe1YxuCsSoMDwndrqcuIzjNtG_qVoa4rsoKRa4QydzJjAYRg0HgbWu94VqsPUVpUnraoOyjWBYsRU9Ebkn-xKTwwSozks_l5GkGlCnF_JFJrVwnruksgxwcxoA98lBv-VD2E0pb2liqDWjdiCwRit3C_hCia2nSp/w400-h300/IMG-1530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5txoolzrmo0avJVKMWsVc1yyVgEHCq5EViamoG5yNxIuTH6jqvIYvCAGuHvZr5CK_rPFZVOYspFLGKx6mjzyUBoPaaEr9MPsw8ycrSS-f__xmMY5E2dLwFApCIq6aDrUkme76D5Ii1B02Uxu69bsu6GH7Bh5aD1gUPvOFzG1XFS_SHBzp1fopr3YE/s4032/IMG-1531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5txoolzrmo0avJVKMWsVc1yyVgEHCq5EViamoG5yNxIuTH6jqvIYvCAGuHvZr5CK_rPFZVOYspFLGKx6mjzyUBoPaaEr9MPsw8ycrSS-f__xmMY5E2dLwFApCIq6aDrUkme76D5Ii1B02Uxu69bsu6GH7Bh5aD1gUPvOFzG1XFS_SHBzp1fopr3YE/w400-h300/IMG-1531.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1A-0RHwuYjDXyD46uOqg0IWTVzud0LEHXl8aGADHK95v2cTQWGycYYELO9d7dQl_VTnfb28G4pPEcKxFZEFT3bEf5nNM1LRKZDa3xtnqGwuvhxkPjqjCowdOvpEp0DT6AZ4lPnwmSKLuMj0w5_msqhdqFT-ShX2deDpkxeM_oiM_KwffF49PZqV/s4032/IMG-1532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1A-0RHwuYjDXyD46uOqg0IWTVzud0LEHXl8aGADHK95v2cTQWGycYYELO9d7dQl_VTnfb28G4pPEcKxFZEFT3bEf5nNM1LRKZDa3xtnqGwuvhxkPjqjCowdOvpEp0DT6AZ4lPnwmSKLuMj0w5_msqhdqFT-ShX2deDpkxeM_oiM_KwffF49PZqV/w400-h300/IMG-1532.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sror54CCJoouayrPcaqYh-yiq0STW2haKILwn7x4_yPUOtbabp1HU7kPKhDe7decjeXT-voUG_z6U1vopmW-NdpRIsfy-otx15k_unr0wmZ0fp3k0gJY2WDOKmybrM_JtdRVPJq4JPYaqqv6P3oheCD5r6lFzubpJehh9ygUty1dNQgRe5NvdAAQ/s4032/IMG-1533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sror54CCJoouayrPcaqYh-yiq0STW2haKILwn7x4_yPUOtbabp1HU7kPKhDe7decjeXT-voUG_z6U1vopmW-NdpRIsfy-otx15k_unr0wmZ0fp3k0gJY2WDOKmybrM_JtdRVPJq4JPYaqqv6P3oheCD5r6lFzubpJehh9ygUty1dNQgRe5NvdAAQ/w400-h300/IMG-1533.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-30435313870532081012022-02-18T10:58:00.002-07:002022-02-18T10:58:11.627-07:00More Socks<p> One last pair of gift socks. I think I have reached the saturation point with family members. Our sock drawers are bulging!</p><p>Those of you with keen eyes will spot the color mistake I made while knitting and watching TV at the same time.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJc422kHvxV_qwv4LXmgleGa0D8Ny6VLodcTyAnIvSahgdXLsX_j2YYfku39yyl_XPwavkGBSmZ1CY_YswW-teWYEn03G9g0qGvhSKWeBAi4ftsL7k8I_KJR86CmXZ1tA3N8cuK25RC5PV3T1-zc4PXbn5legIt0xCiZOJZ8SgAHKZMJR9SfaQag0Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="3555" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJc422kHvxV_qwv4LXmgleGa0D8Ny6VLodcTyAnIvSahgdXLsX_j2YYfku39yyl_XPwavkGBSmZ1CY_YswW-teWYEn03G9g0qGvhSKWeBAi4ftsL7k8I_KJR86CmXZ1tA3N8cuK25RC5PV3T1-zc4PXbn5legIt0xCiZOJZ8SgAHKZMJR9SfaQag0Q=w426-h355" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-67407858152023258752022-01-22T14:31:00.006-07:002022-01-22T14:32:31.735-07:00Late Gift for Christmas<p> Handknit from Knit Picks Static yarn, Rooster colorway</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR3czFru1i7iY9iT2dD04sBaLMHAcujtyfFmijzQG-Woo5jzUyhFM6Bresoxly77418N-qpBmS6Nwa-P0sLiqt0EZBGd7F1jvMduu6O55583wBFw_pQSsOuTLqRioUbi-Wgjg2FTnQV_XDNQ0FuMrk-4AkTL3-QkcZ9R1osTZ0CaHYwZ-9jqMV5A7w=s3651" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3651" data-original-width="2956" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR3czFru1i7iY9iT2dD04sBaLMHAcujtyfFmijzQG-Woo5jzUyhFM6Bresoxly77418N-qpBmS6Nwa-P0sLiqt0EZBGd7F1jvMduu6O55583wBFw_pQSsOuTLqRioUbi-Wgjg2FTnQV_XDNQ0FuMrk-4AkTL3-QkcZ9R1osTZ0CaHYwZ-9jqMV5A7w=w324-h400" width="324" /></a></div><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-44330212106733688932022-01-22T14:26:00.006-07:002022-01-22T14:33:19.452-07:0039 Hats for the Homeless Shelter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knit these over the summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJDNMaMzZ7ZIQ0oBMfPgqJ8BcQALppN_yBD2l436elWZg_gFCDxf3KWF5jCIf_nJG2_XLRkorGu-9t075MW8iRgCiweZKNx9o2OyrA8K4gcoNABQadBKTWUM0_U5WI5PqduyXTm0yhUfkxMnCnv-c80S7ZQFqmbF4j6GVLY-3t7DLhN5tMKQkWZ7i=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJDNMaMzZ7ZIQ0oBMfPgqJ8BcQALppN_yBD2l436elWZg_gFCDxf3KWF5jCIf_nJG2_XLRkorGu-9t075MW8iRgCiweZKNx9o2OyrA8K4gcoNABQadBKTWUM0_U5WI5PqduyXTm0yhUfkxMnCnv-c80S7ZQFqmbF4j6GVLY-3t7DLhN5tMKQkWZ7i=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAgCC-Zsg1hly95K2SDncd_crwUNe6E8baw6QelLlf-4Lx01ET0yjYFZOVeSwOy4u0P0aEIjno81If3SNX3hcpsQO93jafbiguz6dlu85_qD-uaTiew9nDu0GoZFL40pioMmz-ARfGy0CXbvJc_MspOtVT_wBAVxs32RWuV0XXwQ5egB-RRV_k_rM=s3313" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3313" data-original-width="3008" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAgCC-Zsg1hly95K2SDncd_crwUNe6E8baw6QelLlf-4Lx01ET0yjYFZOVeSwOy4u0P0aEIjno81If3SNX3hcpsQO93jafbiguz6dlu85_qD-uaTiew9nDu0GoZFL40pioMmz-ARfGy0CXbvJc_MspOtVT_wBAVxs32RWuV0XXwQ5egB-RRV_k_rM=w364-h400" width="364" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-61455214990124840882022-01-22T14:20:00.003-07:002022-01-22T14:20:45.815-07:00Socks Knit for Christmas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXwxZ_UoV5hgIsJK3FU7p3Hr0kfwo21G3hdlPHtpci7iIhNJ-co_yW_WChZOVe8VMm1Y5XUNXSyfCwflwQTZrRTWC-oPfFFT7TvWum5I9AsMtoAdMxWkPZLntKs3qf0ZBUAKcAV9MhjgLeC_ymx-B1CwCQ1twxEGJI72fxp11H6t9lqqp8UTZyFjbw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXwxZ_UoV5hgIsJK3FU7p3Hr0kfwo21G3hdlPHtpci7iIhNJ-co_yW_WChZOVe8VMm1Y5XUNXSyfCwflwQTZrRTWC-oPfFFT7TvWum5I9AsMtoAdMxWkPZLntKs3qf0ZBUAKcAV9MhjgLeC_ymx-B1CwCQ1twxEGJI72fxp11H6t9lqqp8UTZyFjbw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk9gLe6ItUha6a1AWESXhvqEfgR4Eag-N6gxiiBjObP0u6pI-JjR37XR37lTx2hPkw4VFa-6SRTCbijkSR5KaVpV5BWG-M5IqRHUsyVV85RnA7e6v8001agddQjr-u0r4Llfa6KqBqC5OyA1DjYBzcfWir3a41kIrbIn2NpLJcPZbwCXWbArlesAP_=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk9gLe6ItUha6a1AWESXhvqEfgR4Eag-N6gxiiBjObP0u6pI-JjR37XR37lTx2hPkw4VFa-6SRTCbijkSR5KaVpV5BWG-M5IqRHUsyVV85RnA7e6v8001agddQjr-u0r4Llfa6KqBqC5OyA1DjYBzcfWir3a41kIrbIn2NpLJcPZbwCXWbArlesAP_=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJL018UrL-iC0mr-UN8PQLE57KRiIOefMrXzAdXvUwrhfviSNa8yVr9RFKqPHdWWsikqBJ3uqQUhiOmljUhW2eq7dafcbc_bdh24O5AhMIJmDsPeqZ_65KqJHG-IhB2LQKgYCpZyr_GzoxtVV5i8kJbLI4DvmDXlCyWbiROd1hGEe2D_awp85lB6WA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJL018UrL-iC0mr-UN8PQLE57KRiIOefMrXzAdXvUwrhfviSNa8yVr9RFKqPHdWWsikqBJ3uqQUhiOmljUhW2eq7dafcbc_bdh24O5AhMIJmDsPeqZ_65KqJHG-IhB2LQKgYCpZyr_GzoxtVV5i8kJbLI4DvmDXlCyWbiROd1hGEe2D_awp85lB6WA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-21745784703740175262021-12-03T06:37:00.001-07:002021-12-03T06:37:40.457-07:00Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I donated my well-loved and well-used Ashford spinning wheel to the thrift shop today. I seemed to have lost the knack for spinning and my kids--although they had fond memories of this wheel--had no place for it. Besides, it really needed a home where it would be used for spinning, and not just for display. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite local thrift/charity shop, <a href="https://rockofagesthrift.com/" target="_blank">Rock of Ages</a>, agreed to take the wheel, all my spinning tools, and three large bags of wool, silk, angora, llama, and alpaca fibers. I hope that someone will buy it all and will use the wheel for many years. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift for the right person.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuzkV8GUHTYeyDdr6-5WrwLdGSJ6o_5URNvBH7VLFAPvtraS2My6NwtCZR1yDdTR1T8FhA1p2YKLpJRp_zDHIytOPy8HiwUG3sVWoUPyv8B1MXn0q9emkpsm-X4SC6rVdjU0HtK-K0qI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1851" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuzkV8GUHTYeyDdr6-5WrwLdGSJ6o_5URNvBH7VLFAPvtraS2My6NwtCZR1yDdTR1T8FhA1p2YKLpJRp_zDHIytOPy8HiwUG3sVWoUPyv8B1MXn0q9emkpsm-X4SC6rVdjU0HtK-K0qI/w400-h300/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ordered the wheel in 1975 from the Ashford Company in New Zealand. It came as a kit which I put together myself. It was a great learning experience and I was always glad that I knew every part of my wheel, its name and function and how everything went together. I kept the directions all these many years. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcIGQXWZ-61q8FsmNTheomIKEk0HxLiAHTPMyEM3KpOeDcssdyejDTCWp1-vdrGOnsfkv5zXnoo4iBZ3cJ6Tkfc9cryLgKiAadPlXPZ05gE4x86dvcM1MVuVXYGYDT07qrSiPk0k0A9k/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcIGQXWZ-61q8FsmNTheomIKEk0HxLiAHTPMyEM3KpOeDcssdyejDTCWp1-vdrGOnsfkv5zXnoo4iBZ3cJ6Tkfc9cryLgKiAadPlXPZ05gE4x86dvcM1MVuVXYGYDT07qrSiPk0k0A9k/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here I am, back in the day, spinning with a group in a park in Sumner, Washington. At that time, I was an early member of The Moonspinners, a spinning guild that met in the evenings. I also co-owned (with my friend, Marj) a spinning and weaving shop in Sumner called The Country Weaver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBXM1xDatOFosU9pzPROMAovefA_duFuvbI3YAH-pd8Fd54PdMVP1hIDG0DnipDwsJ1io9dL0p2WEBUUrvDcv3mfCwAOdOCS_2u9gB8Lc9UfdmXNitS8XcNEFcsChURRfATe9qoUx-UE/s550/spinning.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBXM1xDatOFosU9pzPROMAovefA_duFuvbI3YAH-pd8Fd54PdMVP1hIDG0DnipDwsJ1io9dL0p2WEBUUrvDcv3mfCwAOdOCS_2u9gB8Lc9UfdmXNitS8XcNEFcsChURRfATe9qoUx-UE/w400-h400/spinning.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This shawl was my last big project--hand spun, hand dyed, and knit of soft wool. You can follow the whole process in this post, <a href="https://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/2018/09/from-sheep-to-shawl.html" target="_blank">From Sheep to Shawl.</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wm1t15kFGURIAl3_bWinjiOk73SSyZkEn9GNB2lvSljcNyhTA5zVfd0vvGHf9p4jPh2LiL4yQd2AQpFN1KiVquQyE6FjwvT9x-RCDvtaTS3j_VfaaLuG0ZrQlC8SG0i2U10sO_Mdy0Q/s400/shawl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wm1t15kFGURIAl3_bWinjiOk73SSyZkEn9GNB2lvSljcNyhTA5zVfd0vvGHf9p4jPh2LiL4yQd2AQpFN1KiVquQyE6FjwvT9x-RCDvtaTS3j_VfaaLuG0ZrQlC8SG0i2U10sO_Mdy0Q/w400-h300/shawl.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-16761546222406062782021-07-11T11:54:00.002-06:002021-07-11T11:54:55.905-06:00Thank You For Your Kindness<p><i>As I was lacing up my sneakers for my morning walk today, I realized that the very people who had helped me so much had last seen me in severe pain, but had never heard the rest of the story--the story that they had set in motion through an act of kindness. This post is a thank you to them and a reminder to us all that what might seem like a small kindness can change someone else's life.</i></p><p>Back in 2007 when I was 62 and still working, I was in so much foot and knee pain that walking was becoming more and more difficult. I had even cancelled out on our proposed 25th anniversary trip to Italy the year before--we had a family trip to Yellowstone instead, where I was wheeled around in a rented wheelchair by my cheerful son, Ben, who made wheelchairing fun. </p><p>I had come to believe that joint pain was a part of growing older. As I limped through each day, I was resigned but sad to be missing out on so much.</p><p>One day, while walking down the hall at the school where I was librarian, I was hit with such severe knee pain that I grabbed at the wall for support. I hadn't realized that one of my fellow teachers was walking behind me and saw my agony. Di, an occupational therapist, took me by the elbow, saying "You are going to the principal's office with me, NOW."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQOHA85HbtbIngE0FUagOhgUeLKINpZ9WIn8l855JQsAzAuBCwRb-w8nrrdELg0m48FyzDJREqKxEkbjSbWrstMuvrpUi12Aq6rEwjT8nFEjE-T4_RYKSESRIT7KqO05gh5su6wd5cKw/s298/Principal_office_TV.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQOHA85HbtbIngE0FUagOhgUeLKINpZ9WIn8l855JQsAzAuBCwRb-w8nrrdELg0m48FyzDJREqKxEkbjSbWrstMuvrpUi12Aq6rEwjT8nFEjE-T4_RYKSESRIT7KqO05gh5su6wd5cKw/s0/Principal_office_TV.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>It turned out that the principal had a wonderful orthopedic surgeon. She handed me the phone number and these two good samaritans stood over me while I phoned and made an appointment. I will thank both of these women to the end of my days!</p><p>Within a week, I got a shot in my knee that gave instant relief that lasted several months. I met with my own doctor and we mapped out a plan to deal with my bad joints starting with the ground up. I had foot surgery as soon as it could be scheduled, which meant that I had to retire before the end of the year as originally planned. </p><p>Once I had healed, we moved cross country to New Mexico. I had my right knee replaced in April 2008 and the left one replaced on November 8th of the same year. </p><p>People talk about life-changing events, and now I know just what they mean. Because of the kindness of two women (and the expertise of medical specialists) I can walk without pain. I'm 76 now and, since those surgeries, have been to France and Iceland. I've hiked in many amazing places around New Mexico and the Southwest. I walk six days a week through pecan orchards and along irrigation canals with my friend Florence, who is five years older than me and who inspires me every day. </p><p>Thank you to the friends who saw me in pain and found a way to help. You made such a difference in my life.</p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-66106054377355204682021-07-08T06:31:00.001-06:002021-07-08T06:31:12.996-06:00July Morning<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4iFPDttNQkoE2XrDs2pUHhkpEE3mfF6XEiRU9atAvSzHEp1_hHAbDEm-eZgWI7dAdlyD5nRrhupmqZ5X_sYIaOVPbYxQJWoyYf_0gdUiaFJOLFAZEZvfZChxCEDwbXw_QxLE1Cl21Ro/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4iFPDttNQkoE2XrDs2pUHhkpEE3mfF6XEiRU9atAvSzHEp1_hHAbDEm-eZgWI7dAdlyD5nRrhupmqZ5X_sYIaOVPbYxQJWoyYf_0gdUiaFJOLFAZEZvfZChxCEDwbXw_QxLE1Cl21Ro/w400-h300/210171012_10220220851134964_2403149641354730574_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is that morning, the one where there is some indefinable something in the air that promises that autumn will come. Is it the coolness, the dew (so rare in the desert), the sound of the owls hunting in the orchard? Autumn is still months away and the day will soon be blazing. But, still. This is that morning.</span></h3>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-27775415116365488752021-04-11T11:54:00.001-06:002021-04-30T05:12:02.775-06:00Thinking About San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbenEi-na7rBaC2m1NVkFvVbaD7BHDWwaxVzuY3jGjuozc_OyoUT_uj6lNlf9y0-IOZ_FRhkJrH63rAPAcqF7kiNmkHBU6a_wC5sbiJtldO5SAaFz0Qp6-zJIZcEVBfV2u99zoz8YeRQ/s1500/A1guRfYtrLL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1484" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbenEi-na7rBaC2m1NVkFvVbaD7BHDWwaxVzuY3jGjuozc_OyoUT_uj6lNlf9y0-IOZ_FRhkJrH63rAPAcqF7kiNmkHBU6a_wC5sbiJtldO5SAaFz0Qp6-zJIZcEVBfV2u99zoz8YeRQ/w396-h400/A1guRfYtrLL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div> I'm working on this puzzle and it's bringing back so many memories of my childhood in San Francisco--waking up to the sound of foghorns and seagulls, riding my bike around the block in the fog, going by streetcar to the children's room in the big library on 19th Ave., getting lost in Golden Gate Park, going to Fisherman's Wharf with my parents for fresh crabs (and later sneaking the stinky shells into the trash cans down by Ocean Beach).<div><br /></div><div>We lived in San Francisco from 1945 to 1956. I arrived as an infant in a little Ford with my parents who had driven cross country from Maine. At first we lived in housing for naval workers at Hunter's Point. At some point my parents were able to purchase a house on 48th Ave., just one block from the beach. When I was five, my little sister was born. (Note: My parents sold that house in 1956 for $11,000. Houses in that neighborhood are priced in the $750K's now!).</div><div><br /></div><div>It was such a different time for a child. I rode my bike anywhere on the block as long as I didn't cross any streets. There were three taverns on that block and I would hold my breath as I passed to avoid the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke. There was also a lady who lured children into her house to teach us Bible stories with a felt board. I went for the felt board, which fascinated me. I don't think I ever mentioned this adventure at home--not because I was being naughty, but just because kids' activities weren't generally a part of our dinner table conversations. </div><div><br /></div><div>A neighborhood friend and I took her doddering old grandpa on a walk to nearby Golden Gate Park where we all got turned around for a bit before finding our way home again. I wonder if my parents even knew we had gone. We were probably around seven at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKXE__7csMfvgag5WtguCVFxO6xWaWbyny69FLWOw9abCW9-vvHcysyDkAKRFDynTqUwQmunn23M6Hg-A5ayAbS_vyersgN1L0EblghrdfqaXz_n7EyoM4rRPC5seT3I2dJl4Zv1vr6E/s320/FSKOriginal.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="320" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKXE__7csMfvgag5WtguCVFxO6xWaWbyny69FLWOw9abCW9-vvHcysyDkAKRFDynTqUwQmunn23M6Hg-A5ayAbS_vyersgN1L0EblghrdfqaXz_n7EyoM4rRPC5seT3I2dJl4Zv1vr6E/w400-h279/FSKOriginal.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Francis Scott Key Elementary School, opened in 1908. In the late 1930s a more modern FSK school opened, but this old building, known as "The Annex" when I attended K-3, was still in use in the late 1940s </span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>When I was ready to go to kindergarten, my bachelor uncle (unfamiliar with children, I imagine) walked me there on the first day--down 48th Ave. to Judah Street, then up Judah to 43rd Ave. The second day he sent me to walk there on my own. To my credit, when they eventually found me, I was standing in front a big house painted in the same brown and yellow colors, but many blocks away.</div><div><br /></div><div>I walked a couple of blocks down 48th Ave. when I was probably in 4th grade, to a skating rink to take ice skating lessons. Once again, by myself. No one hovered in those days, and the term "helicopter parent" had yet to be invented. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually I was allowed to go on the streetcar by myself to the library--what an adventure! I would take out as many books as the librarians would let me pile up and would start reading on the way home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to work on my puzzle now.</div><div><br /></div>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-67920899304274786812021-01-14T09:21:00.002-07:002021-01-14T09:22:53.119-07:00Audrey Gets Dressed Up For the New Year<p style="text-align: center;">Here is Audrey on November 1</p><p style="text-align: center;">She is a Turken or Naked Neck chicken, but when she is molting she is naked all over in patches. </p><p style="text-align: center;">What a mess!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO-N96TS8VFFUBZJ1vAlDn5TaM1xW3pF6JSybf0j1qddzPuF4K36HP-OjmhvE1agXHpDK87wlhJxmpjIkYdS4g76bz9WBDIcchv4yceIkjQOT1SAByxE1b3AFtNdBPjU52ZTTDF92hWE/s2048/IMG-0934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO-N96TS8VFFUBZJ1vAlDn5TaM1xW3pF6JSybf0j1qddzPuF4K36HP-OjmhvE1agXHpDK87wlhJxmpjIkYdS4g76bz9WBDIcchv4yceIkjQOT1SAByxE1b3AFtNdBPjU52ZTTDF92hWE/w400-h300/IMG-0934.jpg" width="400" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIljWEIjGqA03Y1s5QsxxXcmf69Sbn2_jxXKYHxjZJgIzbRih56OLwROG7Zej4EKfqcCBGAX2bhDyrsud1jXp2Hwl6Bcf-7DbqIbejNz23UzdC9Y-bcpPhb7sMFV92B2zckWrUPbgYU/s2048/IMG-0935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIljWEIjGqA03Y1s5QsxxXcmf69Sbn2_jxXKYHxjZJgIzbRih56OLwROG7Zej4EKfqcCBGAX2bhDyrsud1jXp2Hwl6Bcf-7DbqIbejNz23UzdC9Y-bcpPhb7sMFV92B2zckWrUPbgYU/w400-h300/IMG-0935.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">By November 18, you can see that Audrey has begun the (painful-looking) process of growing out new feathers. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuLo1GxS8GGewCWYXC8_eBESHuWG_CQG-9lXmR7tbKx557rDRBv0gKDCHV1c_CWjdnVdsDLlcZWnthJ9cCIJ0DS47IoLF1j1b3w7UG4AKpObQ21eKFm_-UQWB3jVeQcY6EU4wNG2ReOk/s2048/IMG-0944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuLo1GxS8GGewCWYXC8_eBESHuWG_CQG-9lXmR7tbKx557rDRBv0gKDCHV1c_CWjdnVdsDLlcZWnthJ9cCIJ0DS47IoLF1j1b3w7UG4AKpObQ21eKFm_-UQWB3jVeQcY6EU4wNG2ReOk/w400-h300/IMG-0944.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NYf1Hd63gg5IlYT4CV-oJTVIO3WD-KIP6yry0UkqvIYsL-hdjdPTR0oC0KpicTxdTBmw3ZENdgv_fYOW0uIcIi74A_t8G8BanccLEBngOn79Lzif4ABjqLmM6ENeWczO38-jAZzhY2k/s2048/IMG-0943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NYf1Hd63gg5IlYT4CV-oJTVIO3WD-KIP6yry0UkqvIYsL-hdjdPTR0oC0KpicTxdTBmw3ZENdgv_fYOW0uIcIi74A_t8G8BanccLEBngOn79Lzif4ABjqLmM6ENeWczO38-jAZzhY2k/w300-h400/IMG-0943.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is a graphic illustration of what is happening. The whole technical explanation that goes with it can be found on the Cornell University Bird Academy's page <a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/">"Everything You Need to Know About Feathers."</a> It's really worth your time to look at this beautifully illustrated article.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT2_FTini5_3TyfOb6-eZ24h8vh0QDn48ojdFcqzB6BThY_WuzynrAdeWnCE0Fj_cvuKjA52DSmP8wjp9QuPAhGtQOm-ZwwYbE6yjwMU7he9NJJau2qV-li-kN2R2qiwRXroA0A9vPU0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="2048" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT2_FTini5_3TyfOb6-eZ24h8vh0QDn48ojdFcqzB6BThY_WuzynrAdeWnCE0Fj_cvuKjA52DSmP8wjp9QuPAhGtQOm-ZwwYbE6yjwMU7he9NJJau2qV-li-kN2R2qiwRXroA0A9vPU0/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">And here is Audrey today, January 14, in all her iridescent splendor. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmSLXE8EPDSTDiFI6_bmQt0CIFl1CvRDwhM220IPKlZyTMydRJTYqw_Fo2TY2rUOup4zi_9QYfiubkH46heQFhXntd3DAOTm3NbFBMmLHpSZqfYJ4H_UFzevvG0TZFuwtf7C7cMHi1JQ/s2048/IMG-0974+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmSLXE8EPDSTDiFI6_bmQt0CIFl1CvRDwhM220IPKlZyTMydRJTYqw_Fo2TY2rUOup4zi_9QYfiubkH46heQFhXntd3DAOTm3NbFBMmLHpSZqfYJ4H_UFzevvG0TZFuwtf7C7cMHi1JQ/w400-h300/IMG-0974+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LscAc-u19KwKV4ZgNRmph8iz_3JuTcgseqrx8EO70vylnZZGi94h-hEBBYO22zg0TE6enpwxOBp9qx7RGymF6-dE5Il93yWGmFMo8m-xKFq_cy5pjRWJNpTJjbUZNNdmiTyz2Xv5I20/s2048/IMG-0975+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LscAc-u19KwKV4ZgNRmph8iz_3JuTcgseqrx8EO70vylnZZGi94h-hEBBYO22zg0TE6enpwxOBp9qx7RGymF6-dE5Il93yWGmFMo8m-xKFq_cy5pjRWJNpTJjbUZNNdmiTyz2Xv5I20/w300-h400/IMG-0975+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-89107940706545471782021-01-05T14:11:00.100-07:002021-12-27T20:27:26.304-07:00Books Read in 2021<p>This list will be added to during the year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Backman: <i>Anxious People </i>Audio</p><p>Bharara: <i>Doing Justice; A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law</i></p><p>Box: <i>Dark Sky </i>(Joe Pickett #21) Audio</p><p>Brown: <i>Inferno</i> (Robert Langdon #4)</p><p>Brown: <i>The Lost Symbol </i>(Robert Langdon #3)</p><p>Brown: <i>Origin</i> (Robert Langdon #5)</p><p>Cameron: <i>Bone Rattle </i>(Arliss Cutter #3)</p><p>Cameron: <i>Open Carry </i>(Arliss Cutter #1) Audio</p><p>Cameron: <i>Stone Cross </i>(Arliss Cutter #3)</p><p>Church: <i>The House at Otowi Bridge</i></p><p>Cleeves: <i>The Crow Trap </i>(Vera Stanhope #1)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>The Darkest Evening </i>(Vera Stanhope #9)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>The Glass Room </i>(Vera Stanhope #5)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>Harbour Street </i>(Vera Stanhope #6)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>The Moth Catcher </i>(Vera Stanhope #7)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>Raven Black </i>9 (Shetland Island #1) Audio</p><p>Cleeves: <i>Red Bones </i>(Shetland Island #3)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>Silent Voices </i>(Vera Stanhope #4)</p><p>Cleeves: <i>White Nights </i>(Shetland Island #2)</p><p>Clinton: <i>The President is Missing.</i> Audio</p><p>Conroy: <i>The Water is Wide</i></p><p>Doerr: <i>Cloud Cuckoo Land</i></p><p>Evanovich: <i>Eleven on Top </i>(Stephanie Plum #11) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Fortune and Glory </i>(Stephanie Plum #27) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Hard Core Twenty-Four </i>(Stephanie Plum #24) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Top Secret Twenty-One </i>(Stephanie Plum #26) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Tricky Twenty-Two </i>(Stephanie Plum #22) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Turbo Twenty-Three </i>(Stephanie Plum #23) Audio</p><p>Evanovich: <i>Twisted Twenty-Six </i>(Stephanie Plum #26) Audio</p><p>Grafton: <i>W is for Wasted </i>(Kinsey Millhone #23)</p><p>Grafton: <i>Y is for Yesterday </i>(Kinsey Millhone #25)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>Camino Island </i>(Camino Island #1)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>Camino Winds </i>(Camino Island #2)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Chamber</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Confession</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Firm</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Guardians</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>A Painted House</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Pelican Brief</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Racketeer</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Reckoning</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>Rogue Lawyer</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Rooster Bar</i></p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>Sycamore Row </i>(Jake Brigance #2)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>A Time for Mercy </i>(Jake Brigance #3)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>A Time to Kill </i>(Jake Brigance #1)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>The Whistler </i>(The Whistler #1)</p><p>Grisham, J.: <i>Witness to a Trial </i>(The Whistler #0.5)</p><p>Grisham, S.: <i>I'll Take Your Questions Now</i></p><p>Haig: <i>The Midnight Library </i>Audio</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Blood is the Sky </i>(Alex McKnight #5)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>A Cold Day in Paradise </i>(Alex McKnight #1)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Die a Stranger </i>(Alex McKnight #9)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>The Hunting Wind </i>(Alex McKnight #3)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Ice Run </i>(Alex McKnight #6)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Let it Burn </i>(Alex McKnight #10)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Misery Bay </i>(Alex McKnight #8)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>North of Nowhere</i> (Alex McKnight #4)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>The Second Life of Nick Mason </i>(Nick Mason #1) Audio</p><p>Hamilton: <i>A Stolen Season </i>(Alex McKnight #7)</p><p>Hamilton: <i>Winter of the Wolf Moon </i>(Alex McKnight #2)</p><p>Hannah: <i>The Four Winds</i></p><p>Hiaasen: <i>Strip Tease. </i>Audio</p><p>Hoffman: <i>Magic Lessons </i>(Practical Magic #0.1)</p><p>Johnson: <i>Daughter of the Morning Star </i>(Walt Longmire #17)</p><p>Johnson: <i>Next to Last Stand </i>(Walt Longmire #16)</p><p>Johnson: <i>Now in November</i></p><p>Mandel: <i>Station Eleven. </i>Audio</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>Chance Developments </i>Audio</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>The Colors of All the Cattle </i>(No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #19)</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>The Department of Sensitive Crimes </i>(Detective Varg #1) Audio</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>The House of Unexpected Sisters </i>(No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #18) Audio</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>How to Raise an Elephant </i>(No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #21)</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>The Miracle at Speedy Motors </i>(No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency #9). Audio</p><p>McCall Smith: <i>To the Land of Long Lost Friends </i>(No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency #20) Audio</p><p>Meltzer: <i>The Escape Artist </i>(Escape Artist #1) Audio</p><p>Millet: <i>The Children's Bible</i></p><p>Montgomery: <i>The Soul of an Octopus</i></p><p>Morgenstern: <i>The Starless Sea. </i>Audio</p><p>Moriarty: <i>The Husband's Secret</i></p><p>Newman: <i>Falling. </i>Audio</p><p>O'Farrell: <i> Hamnet. </i>Audio</p><p>Patchett: <i>The Dutch House. </i>Audio</p><p>Patterson: <i>Cross My Heart </i>(Alex Cross #21)</p><p>Patterson: <i>1st Case </i></p><p>Patterson: <i>The Summer House</i></p><p>Pears: <i>Arcadia</i></p><p>Pears: <i>The Raphael Affair </i>((Jonathan Argyll #1) Audio</p><p>Picoult: <i>The Book of Two Ways. </i>Audio</p><p>Raden: <i>The Truth About Lies; The Illusion of Honesty and the Evolution of Deceit</i></p><p>Shipman: <i>The Charm Bracelet</i></p><p>Smiley: <i>At Paradise Gate </i>Audio</p><p>Smiley: <i>Some Luck </i>(Last Hundred Years, A Family Saga #1) Audio</p><p>Waters: <i>The Woman at Otowi Crossing</i></p><p>Winton: <i>Dirt Music</i></p><p>Winton: <i>The Riders</i></p><p>Wolff: <i>Landslide; The Final Days of the Trump Presidency</i></p><p>Woodward<i>: Peril</i></p>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-3562241830284939372020-10-04T12:23:00.000-06:002020-10-04T12:23:01.449-06:00Mending a Memory<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">My mother must have made this quilt for me some time in the 1940s, as I remember it being on my bed when I was quite small. Over the years it had gotten worn and was mended by some clumsy hand stitching (probably mine when I was a teenager). When the quilt was too far gone for further use, it was put away in a cedar chest, where it lay folded for decades. </span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">This is what much of it looked like:</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRiQMBWZLBFfrdmH5ZJRbjtBWJ0ht9Ikd-IxpecTnXDdNzftegiRHb9TLeg5PP0iwnoz3dNnCLhJLP5X8Bgzta6t_fkhGwuuzRApZDZYiCE1HvPhOvfC8LzQzoIX07ku7fV261ncFPD75/s2048/IMG-0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33aaff; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRiQMBWZLBFfrdmH5ZJRbjtBWJ0ht9Ikd-IxpecTnXDdNzftegiRHb9TLeg5PP0iwnoz3dNnCLhJLP5X8Bgzta6t_fkhGwuuzRApZDZYiCE1HvPhOvfC8LzQzoIX07ku7fV261ncFPD75/w300-h400/IMG-0873.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">After much thought (years and years of thought!) I finally decided I was brave enough to try to save what was salvageable. I cut off the two sides that were in the worst shape, added binding to the cut edges, and then took out the awkward old hand stitched mending. This made all the tears and worn spots visible and ready to be dealt with. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Next, I used fusible interfacing, cut into tiny pieces and inserted into large rips and into small places where the fabric was worn. It was painstaking work, just perfect for this terrible pandemic year. When a piece of interfacing was set in place--sometimes with tweezers-- between the two layers of ancient fabric, I used a damp pressing cloth and a steam iron to fuse the three layers together. Tiny scissors trimmed away stray threads. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">And here it is: Faded, worn, and somewhat smaller than it used to be--but it is hanging where I can see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night, just the way I remember seeing it when I was a child. </div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr1fWZdqBz8kpHL4PakqwiidHiHXcekEtOdIL185UojqrHzpduP5egZFp5IsldOUb360FmIIFf3NSXgJ3uk1frWklday0MmxRrvIrXj2CPc7wMJaVwJ0No6OMYp4lFQ2vvUsvLupniKjQ/s2048/IMG-0902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33aaff; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr1fWZdqBz8kpHL4PakqwiidHiHXcekEtOdIL185UojqrHzpduP5egZFp5IsldOUb360FmIIFf3NSXgJ3uk1frWklday0MmxRrvIrXj2CPc7wMJaVwJ0No6OMYp4lFQ2vvUsvLupniKjQ/w400-h384/IMG-0902.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Unwc5SJo3mTFW5Dp952kUPpscGkqQpqPADDeuTRLHPW-GmxE0Qm3P1jFU4s5aHBYERcV1BcBFf7YsGg9_DiIRMDNHdd63MYYx3HZtBt1kX6Igbm43FNkxS3cDPZnd7Pyw55svRoJbEkg/s2048/IMG-0903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33aaff; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="2048" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Unwc5SJo3mTFW5Dp952kUPpscGkqQpqPADDeuTRLHPW-GmxE0Qm3P1jFU4s5aHBYERcV1BcBFf7YsGg9_DiIRMDNHdd63MYYx3HZtBt1kX6Igbm43FNkxS3cDPZnd7Pyw55svRoJbEkg/w400-h318/IMG-0903.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-60734323941605098012020-06-08T21:46:00.000-06:002020-06-08T21:48:55.784-06:00Morning WalkThis was my walk this morning--past horses, onion fields, an irrigation ditch, and a pecan orchard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Horses at the neighbors' place</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Field of onions being harvested. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Planted last fall, each onion is now the size of a large grapefruit</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This field was quiet and empty two days ago. Now it is filled with kneeling workers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">carefully picking onions and placing them into the big crates. A forklift works day and night, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">loading the containers onto trucks.</span></td></tr>
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Irrigation water flowing down from the Elephant Butte Dam, about 80 miles to the north</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVusmWTiOBqprYFoL_lAGYWJtd2ZjP98Bw3X1iNg3qVGP58JkllgbunPZ2greqyhNt5anoHuBMSLIIhJQuplh9sK2lUFUzw8770pGqS8h-OrWcvdBl7lp9ESL-zmO4mq0OiR6kgmBKwE/s4032/IMG-0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVusmWTiOBqprYFoL_lAGYWJtd2ZjP98Bw3X1iNg3qVGP58JkllgbunPZ2greqyhNt5anoHuBMSLIIhJQuplh9sK2lUFUzw8770pGqS8h-OrWcvdBl7lp9ESL-zmO4mq0OiR6kgmBKwE/w300-h400/IMG-0829.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pecan trees. The dust in the distance is from the onion harvesting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The soil under the pecan trees looks like this between flooding by irrigation</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back home again to the big scary cactus, started with just two pads 11 years </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">ago and now about 9 feet tall.</span></td></tr>
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clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-45721460795322179732020-03-20T19:19:00.002-06:002020-03-22T22:05:52.738-06:00PandemicThese are worrisome and anxious times, what with the whole world experiencing the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to put some links here so that we would know what to do if one of us falls ill.<br />
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As of today there are 43 cases in New Mexico, and one case in Dona Ana County. The first tests were made available today and ran out in 2 hours. More tests will be available on Monday.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">General Information and a Counter (more up to date than the CDC site below)</span></b><br />
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<i>Johns Hopkins Coronovirus Resource Center</i>: <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/">https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Keeping Track of the Spread of the Coronavirus, Staying Up to Date on Advisories and Closures</span></b><br />
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<i>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</i>--Number of cases in the U.S., number of deaths, source of exposure (updated at noon each day): <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcases-in-us.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcases-in-us.html</a><br />
<i><br /></i><i>New Mexico Dept. of Health--</i>Number of cases in New Mexico, number of tests given, cases by county, and <b>links to testing sites</b>: <a href="https://cv.nmhealth.org/">https://cv.nmhealth.org/</a><br />
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<i>City of Las Cruces, COVID-19 Alerts</i>--updated daily, local closures, <b>where to get tested</b>, community resources: <a href="http://las-cruces.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Access-Local-Coronavirus-Updates-here-74">http://las-cruces.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Access-Local-Coronavirus-Updates-here-74</a><br />
Note: Be sure to click on "view all updates" (in red and on the right in the center column) to see all of the prior updates. There is a lot of information here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">More Information From the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention</span></b><br />
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<i>Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)</i>--How to protect yourself, symptoms, who is at risk, and general resources. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html</a><br />
<i><br /></i><i>What to Do If You Are Sick</i>--if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or if you have symptoms, these are the steps to take. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html</a><br />
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<i>Disinfecting Your Home if Someone is Sick</i>--How to clean and disinfect surfaces in your home, how to launder items, etc. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html?fbclid=IwAR1nbuAmHd81W9xThTtbpOX_b_YZIijOsqivtQEwB4x7d1kvXKjtgao-yMA">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html?fbclid=IwAR1nbuAmHd81W9xThTtbpOX_b_YZIijOsqivtQEwB4x7d1kvXKjtgao-yMA</a><br />
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I probably will add to this list as I think of more questions.clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024200559736996534.post-26133416713476195792020-03-08T11:02:00.000-06:002020-03-08T11:02:49.740-06:00More Sweaters for Refugee Babies<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">A friend in my knitting group has offered to deliver baby sweaters and hats to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><a href="https://salaamculturalmuseum.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1d2129; text-decoration-line: none;">Salaam Cultural Museum</a> <span style="color: #444444;">in Seattle for shipping to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan. The folks at the museum will add the baby garments to boxes made up for new mothers. The boxes also include blankets, diapers, and other baby necessities; then the boxes themselves serve as baby beds. </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my latest contributions:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnbelvLVKDfVWuhouT1KhLiOpTbXdMUod_UL218a1L-WSXfNDNqboVBFd2zAwOgU3RmQdTEyErLBejgHgqzU9-jqI1oyAQzVYOx07Ia8Yej7itmgcJkLLMsqTliopP1vQ5hv7QIeL-mM/s1600/IMG-0742.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnbelvLVKDfVWuhouT1KhLiOpTbXdMUod_UL218a1L-WSXfNDNqboVBFd2zAwOgU3RmQdTEyErLBejgHgqzU9-jqI1oyAQzVYOx07Ia8Yej7itmgcJkLLMsqTliopP1vQ5hv7QIeL-mM/s400/IMG-0742.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-OG1gLpPW6xUuShgHuEUDONs8qW6UXy_PhdGnh_Q53rl9ueDI64ngIY0_0ZlFoMgH_GL0_cxnhNVCr21opAcIGodA5I3EmodMu3b76DDNpER0nJYx0ps8E1KZI9vZq632KV-D_a7MH4/s1600/IMG-0743.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-OG1gLpPW6xUuShgHuEUDONs8qW6UXy_PhdGnh_Q53rl9ueDI64ngIY0_0ZlFoMgH_GL0_cxnhNVCr21opAcIGodA5I3EmodMu3b76DDNpER0nJYx0ps8E1KZI9vZq632KV-D_a7MH4/s400/IMG-0743.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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clairzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.com0