Catching Up for June and July

 As the days on my calendar zoom past, I still like to write a little report of what I've been up to--if for nothing else than to help me remember. After the four-month exhibit of Linda's and my quilting art at OLLI was over, taking a break from big projects seemed in order, and I have settled into a very relaxed routine. I even read Jane Eyre along with several much shorter books.

I had my yard guy plant caladiums about May 1 and these have performed just as I had hoped. I ordered from Caladium World in Florida, 50 green/white Aaron and 50 green/red Royal Flush. The green/white ones are taller than the reds. They came up about mid-May and have been beautiful through this writing (end of July). 

I enjoyed hosting the international college students in my home for one of their monthly socials. Rahrah tried out all the laps, while Elizabeth took a nap. While some played table games, three of them finished a large puzzle of Massachusetts logos that had been on my card table a couple of months.

I met a friend's new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at her house. Then I visited a precious little house panther at Southern Pines Animal Shelter who needs a foster home and then a permanent one. He has a mid-length tail with a little crook at the end of it. So tempting, but my 11-1/2 year old girls would have none of it. They still hiss at Lacey, the outdoor cat. 

Sir Lancelot

I'm a soft touch for black cats

Dr Ed Hafer, USM associate professor of music, taught an interesting Italian cooking class at OLLI, featuring an asparagus Ravioli with an egg inside. It was fun watching him prepare and roll out the pasta and fill the pieces, but I'll have to depend on a restaurant for this meal again.

Dr Ed Hafer rolling out pasta dough

Ready for cooking in the pasta water

Dr Hafer with Burrata fresh mozzarella cheese 
on tomato slices

There were lots of afternoons reading on the front porch. 

View from my front porch

May Busy-ness

After the excitement and enjoyment of the four-month exhibit at OLLI, May seemed a good time to step back and savor the remarks and visits about the quilted pieces. Thinking about the art that found new homes makes me smile. 

People ask, "What are you working on now?" "What's your next project?" I must admit that more down time is needed, and the cats and I are reading more than we used to. There are always simple stitching projects to work on, such as these little swaddle bands Forrest General's NICU asked for. Sometimes a baby will be more comfortable if he can move his hands with some limitation, so these simple 4" wide x 20" long bands were made.

Swaddle Bands

I also enjoyed repairing and extending the life of a treasured family quilt that was being passed down. It was made in the 1940s and had some worn-through fabrics in spite of having been well cared for. (See the red check patches marked with safety pins.) These and others were covered with hand appliqued patches of feed sack or other vintage fabrics.  A label was made to document the quilt's story from grandmother to mother to daughter. 

The next Meistersingers concert will be Sunday, June 1, at the beginning of FestivalSouth. What a follow-up to our Beatles music! This is called Majesty of the Opera, featuring soloists for arias and the chorus for some favorites like The Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, Toreador from Carmen, The Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly, and The Triumphal March from Aida. It's a ticketed event at 3:00 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church.

May flowers are opening and are so welcome. We've had enough rain that watering has not been necessary yet. I had my yard guy plant caladium bulbs around May 1, so they will be my reward when the ground gets warm enough.

Creeping Jenny (common name)

Gerbera Daisies

Hydrangeas, side yard

Hydrangea, back yard

Gerbera Daisies

Butterfly bush

April and End of Exhibit

Spring is in the air and Holy Week and Easter services and pleasant temperatures help take my mind off the troubling political climate. These yucca plants rode in my car for several days until I got someone to lift them out. Now to get my yard guy to plant them. 

I've enjoyed more recitals and concerts at USM. The last symphony of this season will be this week, along with a production of Sense and Sensibility by the theatre department. Dr. Gregory Wolynec, newly appointed Director of Orchestral Activities and symphony conductor, presented excellent mini-seminars at OLLI as previews to enhance our appreciation of the programs. 

With Daniel Margueles after his recital

Dr Gregory Wolynec, USM Symphony Conductor

Having Linda's and my quilt and fiber art exhibit at OLLI for these four months has been an ongoing pleasure, sparking many conversations and shared family quilt stories. We also taught another class we called "Round 3" to add to the other two we taught last year. Several pieces will go to new homes when we dismantle the exhibit next week.

Linda drove us to Dallas for my son's retirement party. It was fun getting to see five granddaughters and their husbands and children--ten, I think. Sewing has been mainly making small projects like flannel blankets for Southern Pines Animal Shelter, zipper bags and walker totes. I took a stack of the little zipper bags for the girls. These are such fun to make and I have fabric of every imaginable theme.

Walker totes

Zipper bags

My outdoor kitty, Lacey, was very affectionate this afternoon when I was in the yard. She got on my lap and accepted lots of petting and scratching before settling down for a short nap. Elizabeth had walked out to join me but was quite unhappy to see Lacey on my lap. She gave a hiss and glare before going back in.

Music, Music, Music, and the Best of the Beatles

 March was alive with Music! The Meistersingers presented their spring concert March 2, "The Best of the Beatles." My granddaughters get a chuckle thinking about me learning and singing Beatles songs!

The Best of the Beatles concert

Then the March USM Symphony program featured some outstanding students, winners of the annual William T. Gower Competition. See Daniel Petrocelli, guitarist, after the flower pictures. 

Nick Ciraldo and the Guitar Studio at USM held a Screamin' Eagles Guitarfest with lots of impressive talent on display. Many performers enjoy activities and Wednesday night potluck suppers at University Baptist Church, and these talented students presented a Thank You concert in Back Door Coffeehouse fashion. 

Several students held recitals this month in fulfillment of requirements for degrees. I attend as many of these as I can, and am so grateful for the privilege. 

USM Symphony

The Thank You Concert Team
with David W Walker and Linda Ginn

L-R Joao Vitor Gonzaga, Sofia Araujo, Renata Andrade,
Gabriel Barros, Marcus Silva

L-R Joao Vitor Gonzaga, Sofia Araujo, Renata Andrade,
Gabriel Barros, Marcus Silva

The azaleas are blooming, making any driving in town pure pleasure. My front porch is a great place to read or eat breakfast. We have had a couple of rain days, which beats down the blossoms, but more come to take up the show. 

Daniel Petrocelli (one of the William T. Gower winners) 
at the Thank You Concert at University Baptist

Pictures at OLLI Art Reception

My OLLI friends really know how to put on a reception for the art exhibits. They rotate the art exhibits on a four month basis, and a reception is scheduled sometime during the exhibit. Linda and I brought a few sewing supplies to add to the flower arrangement that was planned, and the art committee and members always bring tasty food. 

Dean Pennington prepared a slide show which ran continuously on two large TVs, showing a variety of our quilts which were not in the exhibit. Viewers especially enjoyed the videos of us doing free-motion quilting. In our talks we fielded questions about how we decided on designs (computer programs? no), how we bought and stored fabric, and some background stories.

Theresa Ratti prepared four large posters to publicize the exhibits. (Sorry for the glare from the glass.) The quilts will be on exhibit through April. The building is open Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00.