tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78227125039597548892024-03-13T03:24:04.223-05:00LifeSpaceWhat do you need in your LifeSpace? Whether it's a lot or a little, join me in creating a personal LifeSpace that allows you to use your home or workplace as a tool for achieving what's truly important to you.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-78585180822225249062015-07-21T10:50:00.001-05:002015-07-21T10:50:29.041-05:00A Nice Surprise on a Hot Summer DayOne of my buddies called to let me know that an essay I wrote about my mom and sewing made it into today's local paper--yippee!<br />
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Here's the link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.richmond.com/life/article_b55393c0-82b9-5d76-82c5-c5c1b69d4bde.html">http://www.richmond.com/life/article_b55393c0-82b9-5d76-82c5-c5c1b69d4bde.html</a><br />
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And, here's a sample of her work (just the '70's dress, not the tux)<br />
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Thx to the Lord!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-3806148959051740362015-07-14T18:48:00.000-05:002015-07-15T13:23:50.541-05:00Mats, Frames, Blood, Sweat & No-TearsWhen I met Uncle Grumpy back in '76, he was transitioning from the photography business to the floor covering business. One of his many ploys for winning the hearts of impressionable young women was to take photos of single flowers, sleeping puppies or brooding forests and inscribe a Bible verse on the bottom of the framed picture, then give it as a "friendship" gift. It worked every time. I got wise to his ways when I began making friends here in RVA and noticed the same scribbly handwriting on the nature pictures adorning their apartments, many times over.<br />
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He still has his framing toolkit and it was put to good use yesterday: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEDXSBIS1xnBaY5eiaBjVieQK59pENcxa5KNA5P8e5Ta27H_4vuzeuuiSJDg_1Epjp_x7iMIwrx-VvKTZfQZw3WfLGpOcjbgvl-1k5WwmXoqdITrdZVj7Q3rdUcOuSKmNEmvNLVMrL241/s1600/SAM_2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEDXSBIS1xnBaY5eiaBjVieQK59pENcxa5KNA5P8e5Ta27H_4vuzeuuiSJDg_1Epjp_x7iMIwrx-VvKTZfQZw3WfLGpOcjbgvl-1k5WwmXoqdITrdZVj7Q3rdUcOuSKmNEmvNLVMrL241/s320/SAM_2824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Five years ago I bought a beautiful egg tempera print from Richard Toft <a href="http://www.toftstudio.com/">http://www.toftstudio.com/</a> He had a booth at the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts and I would have liked to have taken all of his prints home with me. Good thing I didn't because even this <u>one</u>, lonely print sat in the <em>waiting to be framed</em> station for a long time.<br />
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What spurred me on to finally frame it was the fact that I bought a second print from him just last May at the Arts in the Middle Show arts festival in Urbanna. <a href="http://www.artsinthemiddle.com/">http://www.artsinthemiddle.com/</a> Talking face-to-face with the artist and telling him how much I loved his work made me quite ashamed of not even having my first purchase up on the wall.<br />
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So, we pulled out the framing toolkit, all of my reclaimed mats and frames from the storage closet and set to work. If you ever wonder why custom framing costs so much at the store don't give it a second thought; it's worth every penny because of the <u>labor!</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEeITG_Ido3G2VWrefKO3YqKHIiUh4zYdiWVOTBDg_8Vgqy5Hrb3uR2gQKRNXfhPsr_vze2A-zl8Lk_8aeXJP6n4dxl6tUGyuVyfSahhu3vSD6Ib1UAyb4MZHgwiBf70FrRqzyQO6TQ8N/s1600/SAM_2819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEeITG_Ido3G2VWrefKO3YqKHIiUh4zYdiWVOTBDg_8Vgqy5Hrb3uR2gQKRNXfhPsr_vze2A-zl8Lk_8aeXJP6n4dxl6tUGyuVyfSahhu3vSD6Ib1UAyb4MZHgwiBf70FrRqzyQO6TQ8N/s320/SAM_2819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Only one mat worked for just one of the prints, out of my whole stash. Needless to say, the "vanilla" mats are going to the donation center this week. </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">7-15 Update: Those frames are available at Thrifty Quaker as of this morning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPZHypDO1He7fH1cSvP5Xq-SrQwSJ_6zRVoG8clpz1CdbGipysoLleKip9jSsW_yfTx2uk4dMUyY3br7IjX03lTMNwuqBv5tcoVz5UhV0zYFyya9Ed8De7QEvfMERpfin8dydl3oNn1w/s1600/SAM_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPZHypDO1He7fH1cSvP5Xq-SrQwSJ_6zRVoG8clpz1CdbGipysoLleKip9jSsW_yfTx2uk4dMUyY3br7IjX03lTMNwuqBv5tcoVz5UhV0zYFyya9Ed8De7QEvfMERpfin8dydl3oNn1w/s320/SAM_2820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbH01NWh69Px75BBf7x00Xws_oSVV9ie7pp-4GCK2yMfuQqgXfCfN72sfd1FIcItWnoNKWVEVzxZMPzm3_b59M6FKmo003-HTfOg2LKmOVfLXxkZegGuD9jtK5MWOv0Uj1Kh3Q1NZP8_Y/s1600/SAM_2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbH01NWh69Px75BBf7x00Xws_oSVV9ie7pp-4GCK2yMfuQqgXfCfN72sfd1FIcItWnoNKWVEVzxZMPzm3_b59M6FKmo003-HTfOg2LKmOVfLXxkZegGuD9jtK5MWOv0Uj1Kh3Q1NZP8_Y/s320/SAM_2825.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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We went to plan B for the print without a matching mat, using a smaller frame that suited the colors in the picture. All we had to do was carefully square up the print with the frame and cut off the excess background paper. Lots of careful measurements but minimal trimming.</div>
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We had a perfect double mat for my original purchase, but cutting through the joined double mat board was more than I could manage without excess slicing and dicing of the mat. Stand aside, Mr. Muscles to the rescue!</div>
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I think it turned out beautifully. Uncle Grumpy made the frame years ago, from reclaimed wood. It's a little rustic for this finely detailed print but they look beautiful together. Hmmm, rustic and rough-edged matched up with detailed and beautiful, what does that remind me of???</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Update 7-15: Two more framings completed; one for an original painting I've had since about 1970!</span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-64737937286549482312015-07-09T15:45:00.003-05:002015-07-09T15:45:58.543-05:00Cooling Off in the YardYesterday was too much of an "indoor" day so I planned to be outside as much as possible today. It was, however, quite stifling here in RVA. How to stay cool outside?<br />
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After following the shade with my trusty watering can for awhile I decided that the outdoor furniture and my smaller pet rock were greatly in need of a scrub.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QQb7ThoqZZMhU9hwD9SRVRnbogQuotYY8M5lKLBZmO83tKige-oiLzaRGGGOOMSut-OYK3EoM0WFh-lyr29wDcBPxH1RsDhjdB2Bh8Uk57YSaNS8McxoiZbmHgr1_mCbjmPFjUErsW2S/s1600/SAM_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QQb7ThoqZZMhU9hwD9SRVRnbogQuotYY8M5lKLBZmO83tKige-oiLzaRGGGOOMSut-OYK3EoM0WFh-lyr29wDcBPxH1RsDhjdB2Bh8Uk57YSaNS8McxoiZbmHgr1_mCbjmPFjUErsW2S/s400/SAM_2801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This rock has a built-in watering hole for the blue-tailed skinks </span><a href="http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/lizards/common-five-lined-skink/five-lined_skink.php"><span style="font-size: small;">skink stuff</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> that lurk in the shadows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Out of respect for my conservation friends, and because I felt so guilty for using water on such a hot day, I placed a few drop pans where I could to catch some grey water while rinsing off the suds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Uncle Grumpy was charmed into repairing a loose part of the chaise lounge seat, which was drooping lower and lower with each use.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-UFNz36lHxnKl4Bqttu91d7ZGRSkt8hXNOF1bYOAeY3zTNHfBudaF0D1Y49dLzX8qm1IaSKvuAm1t6Vp-FH5jHwAN9g5MgyPRz4VrFsRNLdwJ4nwxStHGMTwXZgPD7RJBjfpJ_DqUG3n/s1600/SAM_2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-UFNz36lHxnKl4Bqttu91d7ZGRSkt8hXNOF1bYOAeY3zTNHfBudaF0D1Y49dLzX8qm1IaSKvuAm1t6Vp-FH5jHwAN9g5MgyPRz4VrFsRNLdwJ4nwxStHGMTwXZgPD7RJBjfpJ_DqUG3n/s320/SAM_2807.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">First, procure the manly tools.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0ZXB23daT42tM9pY80Dcwbs_dprnBCiBun3kUgUvpIduLoR8i5ue-cuAzeBeUgTMUbr3ma3IO656f7RaX7VfS__-klvo2R14WexhbobMN4SK0ZNdqNyKmkcaxGhyEiV6YSeQKJjeVdk-/s1600/SAM_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0ZXB23daT42tM9pY80Dcwbs_dprnBCiBun3kUgUvpIduLoR8i5ue-cuAzeBeUgTMUbr3ma3IO656f7RaX7VfS__-klvo2R14WexhbobMN4SK0ZNdqNyKmkcaxGhyEiV6YSeQKJjeVdk-/s400/SAM_2808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Good as new.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It doesn't feel like 94 degrees when you're drenched with water and working in the shade.</span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-88008000340118110092015-07-08T17:45:00.001-05:002015-07-08T17:46:41.415-05:00Rock Hound HeavenMy good OT buddy, Betsy, told me a few weeks ago that she'd send me a few cuties from her rock-hunting collection. Well...there was a very heavy flat rate box from sunny California waiting for me on the steps this afternoon. What might be inside???<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDVq5MJAFTtnnhkVLMJO3u0Ie95mKsX-zXdNsKN-nxGIpc6nBjWCOwHcSqg2BJ7-74qumJVq030JtkELNKHYOYH86zpY-BLAFVBsPIOte69EtEleYGnJfaRZGNrn6SMAwY9Fuqzl9Z40J/s1600/SAM_2781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDVq5MJAFTtnnhkVLMJO3u0Ie95mKsX-zXdNsKN-nxGIpc6nBjWCOwHcSqg2BJ7-74qumJVq030JtkELNKHYOYH86zpY-BLAFVBsPIOte69EtEleYGnJfaRZGNrn6SMAwY9Fuqzl9Z40J/s320/SAM_2781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The unearthing begins:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyoofADD6NbfsgujM8REsco2OgM9Vttox_2h7SP2KtGb7j-ZihdbGwPaB0sLgP8M2OboIFd5UbnkDigHs4UxGh0ETdlbyIVgomHou27bOv2Krkluq0AMGK8E_swk8nckHhMQ0guzNTFIX/s1600/SAM_2782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyoofADD6NbfsgujM8REsco2OgM9Vttox_2h7SP2KtGb7j-ZihdbGwPaB0sLgP8M2OboIFd5UbnkDigHs4UxGh0ETdlbyIVgomHou27bOv2Krkluq0AMGK8E_swk8nckHhMQ0guzNTFIX/s320/SAM_2782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than half the rocks were nestled in little pieces of paper, describing their ID and where Betsy discovered them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fern green quartz in this is beautiful in the sunlight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9SXcjY6DuqVGURQIvgMWO0DYchF4kgRp2F6z6IxxxH90BsfIzK5zVbo8rQ5a731O5LzHxKs8J98Y-3i2Th3e3ZUodzYS-i3YlwNOfWu4C5JUhBaQ-cg4r8vH99wKJbdAjGNTLv-3-0lP/s1600/SAM_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9SXcjY6DuqVGURQIvgMWO0DYchF4kgRp2F6z6IxxxH90BsfIzK5zVbo8rQ5a731O5LzHxKs8J98Y-3i2Th3e3ZUodzYS-i3YlwNOfWu4C5JUhBaQ-cg4r8vH99wKJbdAjGNTLv-3-0lP/s320/SAM_2787.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love petrified wood!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEvh3scn-f2yGkyQbWTumgOhRi7Fv-PxM_Q6G0RmY8iYxyF-08Pry8W2uI_vv_hXpqmPSDPvMBGQ1LQhrlw9HU4_zk18NWMYK80FK1vqUM7SaO5Ww11Uotpplxjlg4kqBTu6fkEd9DqGq/s1600/SAM_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEvh3scn-f2yGkyQbWTumgOhRi7Fv-PxM_Q6G0RmY8iYxyF-08Pry8W2uI_vv_hXpqmPSDPvMBGQ1LQhrlw9HU4_zk18NWMYK80FK1vqUM7SaO5Ww11Uotpplxjlg4kqBTu6fkEd9DqGq/s320/SAM_2788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crumbly, just like salt--duh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2ETKHFxUwsOBSR2FZJ6vLGBhgr3Mby6KKEORbgv2wOKmTzy2fuhqxxr2pnren6bLGnLGQ1Sxu7laG36ljRbfc6w0vw4NhyEs5jRS2ZtJD4nkDPzjioSBKTDv0u5uwu4HifmE3_SueiDa/s1600/SAM_2792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2ETKHFxUwsOBSR2FZJ6vLGBhgr3Mby6KKEORbgv2wOKmTzy2fuhqxxr2pnren6bLGnLGQ1Sxu7laG36ljRbfc6w0vw4NhyEs5jRS2ZtJD4nkDPzjioSBKTDv0u5uwu4HifmE3_SueiDa/s320/SAM_2792.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Rex? Stegosaurus?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzvAduPQT62M8uED2vVz4VaHaoMVXry_rgS0bhUzn-E1evRllPhwk2cHt54h6Qi6xDuTcNUuCxgTjD9AKiWGMlDIXw0waE2fxFXDFjSxSPfHaow9qfdu_tu3LkMDUYmI-0dODk1xkiy97/s1600/SAM_2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzvAduPQT62M8uED2vVz4VaHaoMVXry_rgS0bhUzn-E1evRllPhwk2cHt54h6Qi6xDuTcNUuCxgTjD9AKiWGMlDIXw0waE2fxFXDFjSxSPfHaow9qfdu_tu3LkMDUYmI-0dODk1xkiy97/s320/SAM_2797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely to see the patterns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGohCr6je2BMZM1JZZZM1gWEmsUKqQg4-JBBsCMmfWen-MtGmtIpEV2-jZc26yJ0kCFIcVjq-wM0bQbihHLeQNXO1h7FY8VqBBgDqHcKtJDJQn1XRZfrJaOJRUM_8k6XbwFIYAwdMpQUMy/s1600/SAM_2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGohCr6je2BMZM1JZZZM1gWEmsUKqQg4-JBBsCMmfWen-MtGmtIpEV2-jZc26yJ0kCFIcVjq-wM0bQbihHLeQNXO1h7FY8VqBBgDqHcKtJDJQn1XRZfrJaOJRUM_8k6XbwFIYAwdMpQUMy/s320/SAM_2798.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is 1/3 of the stash--love 'em all!<br />
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Thanks Betsy! Thanks to the Lord for making the rocks and giving me such generous friends.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-90093019824591465952015-07-06T14:09:00.003-05:002015-07-06T14:10:44.490-05:00Many Benefits of Being a Decluttering AdvocateBecause my friends know I enjoy de-cluttering and helping others do the same, I tend to be the recipient of great pass-along treasures when people make the break from their abundance:<br />
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My buddy, BC, has given me beautiful kitchen-related items over the years as she sorted through her parents' home. She even brought me Tupperware that a friend saved for her to give me! Here's a photo of the pink T-ware from a while back plus two items from the box of goodies that BC gave me last Saturday:<br />
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The sea-foam green tray perfectly highlights this African violet plant, sitting in its "Wizard of Id" baby cereal bowl:<br />
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Today, our mutual buddy and arteest supreme, AW, came by to work in her garden and answer my pleas to see if she'd like any of the gift stash from BC. After she was coerced to pack a few items into her pail I asked for some advice with arranging my farmhouse treasures from my mom, plus items given by friends. Well, I got the best deal of the day because my hearth and mantel went from haphazard and boring to this:<br />
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A rock from Betsy, crocks from Phil's aunt and uncle in Fork Union, milk bottles & carrier from Joan, cherry pitter & mixing bowl & ladle from my mom and...now it's easy to see and enjoy it all.<br />
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The Lord has given me generous friends. I'm very thankful.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-12833484597463941642015-07-03T07:54:00.001-05:002015-07-03T07:54:20.611-05:00The Last Stages of Sorting the Junk DrawerYep, after a few days of the initial sorting of the junk drawer Uncle Grumpy saddled up to the kitchen counter and asked, "I'll just put this all in a can for the shed, right?" Not so fast, Mister.<br />
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I spread out the mess on a couple of towels and started sorting. <br />
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With just a tad of protest UG joined in. We ended up with one pile to file in the newly-organized junk drawer, a small assortment to take to the manly shed plus a pile to keep in the house, tumbled together with no rhyme nor reason. <br />
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What to use to keep the no-man's land stash??? Tupperware to the rescue!<br />
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I knew there was a reason to buy that lunchbox at Goodwill way back when. It's been sitting on a shelf in my Tupperware shrine for several years and now it's back on duty.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-34411368434329120852015-06-29T18:30:00.002-05:002015-06-29T18:30:45.057-05:00The Final Frontier--the Junk DrawerIt took several days of leaving the contents of the <em>big</em> junk drawer out all over our kitchen island, but Uncle Grumpy stuck with it and went through <u>each item</u> before returning it to the drawer:<br />
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No purchased organizing supplies for this thrifty twosome! Empty stationery boxes and other recycled containers worked just fine.<br />
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Now, all we have left is the dreaded stash of washers, bolts, fasteners, unknowns:<br />
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UG stated, several times, that this should all be dumped into the time-honored coffee can and taken to the shed to store with the multitude of tools. We didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on that point, so I've hidden the bowl until he comes around.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-76637279767339406052015-06-23T10:47:00.000-05:002015-06-23T10:47:47.893-05:00In the Cool of the MorningWalked with a buddy today who lives in Woodlake, a community built on the west side of the Swift Creek Reservoir.<br />
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We were treated to a lovely breeze in the mid-morning, just in time to bolster our nerves for the 100 degree plus temps expected in RVA today.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-29107941822587222812015-06-19T20:07:00.000-05:002015-06-19T20:39:07.218-05:00Thrift Store Repair<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiny stitches, up and down, side to side and then
diagonally, trying to repair the binding on a beautiful, once-expensive flag that I
found this week at my favorite thrift store. The sky blue fabric along
the top edge was faded and there were just a couple of little rips from where
the flagpole had rubbed some areas a few too many times, but I knew I could
mend it easily; sewing is in my blood.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span style="background: white;">Coats, dresses, pants, silky blouses, costumes,
curtains, bedspreads, pillows, slipcovers--my house and my parents' house are
filled with my mom's handiwork. Growing up poor on a farm she received a
new dress at Christmas, sewn by her mother, and that was it. She must
have had clothes for school but there are so many photos of her as a teen,
wearing overalls and a man's shirt, working in the fields every spare
minute. In high school she made her first dress, horribly tight at the
shoulders, and wore it until it wore out. By the time I was old enough to
sit and watch her at the sewing machine, she was mastering complicated Vogue
patterns.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Patience was her best friend. She read the
pattern directions over and over before even washing her fabric in preparation
for cutting. Maybe she loved following along with the orderly steps and
seeing it clearly in her mind before starting or maybe each project was a
difficult challenge for her, I'll never know. She sewed scrumptious
designer dresses with tricky materials--chiffons, satins, silks.
Herringbone, stripes, plaids--everything had to match perfectly at the seams.
Even today I shop for clothes like a detail freak--turning shirts inside out to see if the seams are well finished and ensuring that the fabric design on
the front and back meets exactly at the side seams and continues across the
arms.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">She also loved to fix and patch her clothes when
they had seen too much wear. Ripped inseams would be reinforced and
re-stitched. Tears, even in noticeable spots, would be patched from her
remnant stash. Darning was a standby, with the aid of an upturned glass
or her wooden darning egg. My dad told me the story of how he
had proudly shown off his darned socks to the guys at the office after he first
got married. Even though he had grown up poor as well, he had never
before worn anything that someone had made new for him.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Although she tried and tried to teach me the
intricacies of making bound buttonholes, setting in shoulder seams without
creating that little ridge and the hemming stitch that magically curled up the
edges of a scarf as you pulled the thread snug, I only observed sewing and
didn't love it like she did. My skills consist of stitching straight
lines, following a few curves, and repairing great thrift store finds.
Because of what I learned at home I can usually spot stitching on a cushion or
clothing that will last versus one that will fray before its time.
Whether it's a couch or a coat, I look for matching fabric designs at all
the seams. Some folks might call this being "picky," but
my mom would approve of my critical eye. She would consider it getting
your money's worth.</span><br />
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</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">The repair job on this otherwise-lovely flag
isn't pretty but it's functional. When this temporary fix eventually
gives out the next step will be to just create a shorter flag by cutting off
the faded, torn top binding and making a brand new one for the flagpole to slip
through, or even replacing the binding with a contrasting piece of material
from my stash. I can see in my head how to do it, even if my fingers
aren't as fine-tuned as they could be. There's always a way. Thanks,
Mom.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily in her mother-of-the-bride dress. Nope, she didn't sew the tux.</td></tr>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-44269401678059127902015-06-18T19:14:00.003-05:002015-06-18T19:14:41.267-05:00RVA first-person--3 months with the KonMari MethodHappily surprised to read Sarah Fought's account of her three month journey to simplifying her home/life/mind, using the KonMari Method. I'm very jealous of her having just one item posted on her refrigerator.<br />
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<a href="http://rvanews.com/news/a-true-account-of-the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up/124633">Toward a less-cluttered life</a><br />
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I love the book, too. The principles and techniques work wonderfully, even if you don't talk to your belongings like I talk to my cat.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-7694033832399848752015-06-16T17:39:00.001-05:002015-06-23T11:02:10.452-05:00The Start of SummerDespite the record heat of RVA, today was pretty nice.<br />
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Swept out the playhouse and unfurled my new-to-me decoration; a real steal from Thrifty Quaker this past winter--about $4.00 for a double-sided, well-sewn flag. The decks of the playhouse are wide and I plan to relocate a comfy chair on the side that faces the back yard. Great shade and not too many mosquitoes. Saw a wild turkey scrounging for treats right below the deck this evening.<br />
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A more recent find from the same thrift store--a carved parrot. He looks right at home with the deer skulls (found in the woods, thank you for your concern) and should make for some interesting conversation when Uncle Grumpy and his buddies hang out and enjoy their stogeys.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-39971306079745497412014-07-23T15:19:00.001-05:002014-07-23T15:19:10.456-05:00Why Didn't I Think to Buy an Otoscope Back in the 80's???Great post by my buddy, Amanda:<br />
<a href="http://www.thekriegers.org/2014/07/adding-to-our-arsenal/">New Tool for a Mom's Arsenal</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-66440247823236297922014-07-17T22:08:00.001-05:002014-07-17T22:08:38.823-05:00Have Kayaks? Use 'emThis morning three friends and I set out on an unnamed reservoir in our kayaks. One person had quite a bit of experience--the rest of us, not so much.<br />
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Before putting our toe-sies in the water we made a pact--if someone fell out of their kayak we would paddle over to them and extend an oar; they would then grab the oar, hold onto the rescuing kayak, and we would take them over to the shore. We would not jump into the water to save them--understood? Okay, we're off.<br />
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Such high tech times; one of us had to respond to an e-mail during the paddle--crazy? No, just modern life.<br />
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Hardly any other boats on the water during our two-hour paddle. It was lovely.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-38008058952586813992014-07-13T21:01:00.003-05:002014-07-13T21:01:36.355-05:00Maybe this will save my flat summer hairA good work buddy passes along her perused magazines and I usually squirrel away several months' worth for my summer reading. Well...<i>Better Homes and Gardens</i> compiled a list of "Blogger Award Winners" in the June issue and I think I've found the answer to my most-pressing hair quandary--the dreaded part.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2014/04/hair-fix-the-dreaded-back-part/">Taming the dreaded part</a><br />
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If this stylist is right, all my hair worries will be over. I will save so much time getting ready in the morning. It will be lovely. Stay tuned.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-81195591777774282542014-07-12T21:30:00.000-05:002014-07-12T21:30:20.139-05:00Petersburg, Virginia--Great, As UsualBecky and I hit Petersburg today and learned a big lesson--the Farmer's Market is held under the bridge in hot weather! I didn't do my research and totally missed a great opp. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PetersburgFarmersMarket">PetersburgFarmersMarket</a><br />
However, we did cruise Petersburg Pickers <a href="http://www.petersburgpickers.com/">Pickers</a> and nabbed a glimpse of Kimberly Ann, the owner. Alas, no success in the quest for finding the perfect-fitting desk chair. <br />
The Oak <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOakAntiqueMall">TheOakAntiqueMall</a> was full of fun, vintage items, including three Camp Snoopy glasses from Mickey D's and Vera Neumann scarves <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/peipjm/vintage-vera-neumann/">Vera Neumann</a> that I almost took home.<br />
We queried shoppers at <a href="http://www.blingconsignments.com/consign.html">Bling</a> and decided to try lunch at The Brickhouse Run <a href="http://brickhouserun.com/">Brickhouse Run</a> --it was delicious. Fine service, too.<br />
To keep me alert on the ride home up 95 I asked Becky to stop by Demolition Coffee <a href="http://demolitioncoffee.com/">Coffee</a> before we hit the road. One of the most interesting coffee houses I've been to--great artwork.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-85674021244015733672014-07-12T21:09:00.000-05:002014-07-14T21:27:43.961-05:00Blueberry heavenThis may be difficult to see, but it is a delicious single-crust blueberry pie.<br />
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The baker, my friend Judy, said that she didn't add cinnamon or nutmeg to the recipe since <i>she wanted the blueberries to do the talking.</i> Well, the blueberries, handpicked in Dinwiddie, VA, told me to keep on eating.<br />
<a href="http://techpro360tour.com/360/adamsacres.html">Adam's Acres</a><br />
I was afraid to even ask about the recipe; if I ever once made this pie at home I'd never stop making it. The rim of the crust, mixed with vanilla ice cream, remained crisp and lingered in your mouth like a sliver of homemade toffee.<br />
My SIL, Beth, makes a crumble crust b-berry pie for our holiday gatherings, so I relish delicious blueberries mixed with sugar, flour and spices several times a year--although I have to be rude and push ahead in line for a little piece before it's all gone. If I can continue with my holiday treats and maybe sample Judy's pie once more before I breathe my last that'll be enough for me.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-62146203150093219482014-07-09T19:06:00.000-05:002014-07-09T19:06:19.151-05:00Feline-Assisted GardeningThe human digs and prunes, Stewey inspects. <br />
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If I work too long without taking a break, he wanders over for some personal attention.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"> How can you say no to a cat? </span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-42821239071054696322014-07-05T08:07:00.001-05:002014-07-05T08:07:08.708-05:00New Baby Boy on the FarmUncle Grumpy had a nice surprise this morning when he went out to feed the pregnant mamas:<br />
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Not a 4th of July baby; born early this morning. What to name him?Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-25286453033379708322014-06-29T18:01:00.000-05:002014-06-29T18:03:22.193-05:00Rockwood Park in Chesterfield and Powhatan State Park in Central VirginiaTwo parks in one weekend! First, a 1.5 mile hike in nearby Rockwood Park in Chesterfield County last Friday:<br />
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Our canine companion needed to keep his eyes on the trail; we had to quickly divert him from Mr. Black Snake just a few yards ahead!<br />
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Thankful for the water spigots along the trail to cool off his puppy nose.<br />
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Powhatan State Park, along the James River in Central Virginia:<br />
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Not completed yet, more trails to come. But there are lots of trails through meadows and woods as well as a canoe/kayak launch (kinda steep...) and open air picnic areas, shelters, bathrooms already available.<br />
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The James was a little higher than usual, with a more-than-slight current. Still, we saw stand-up paddle boarders leaving with no complaint about the river.<br />
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Looking for the second canoe launch area we came across this more rustic campground area. Turns out it's for folks paddling down the river who need a place to stay the night.<br />
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Very vine-y.<br />
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Entangling vine-y? Camp at your own risk???Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-19436374437265495542014-06-24T20:18:00.002-05:002014-06-24T20:18:34.997-05:00Real Life in Public Schools--a Teacher's ViewpointThis isn't a "gripe" article. I see the things the writer describes in the schools I serve; hard-working teachers overwhelmed by the work required in addition to teaching students. <br />
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<a href="http://iamjwal.com/the-tough-decision-to-leave-the-classroom/">the-tough-decision-to-leave-the-classroom/</a><br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-24048585219577769522014-06-24T13:59:00.001-05:002014-06-24T13:59:53.037-05:00 Dragon and Chicken Take a Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Adventures in dog-sitting. Tucker's favorite stuffed toys were smelling a little "ripe" from accumulated doggy drool, so they took a dunking this morning. Hand washed, spun out in the washer to remove the water then left in a sunny window to air dry for a few hours. Ahhhh, that smells much better.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-66553668654846334002014-06-22T16:34:00.001-05:002014-06-22T16:35:05.577-05:00Kingdom Come VBSVacation Bible School starts tonight and runs through this Friday at WEPC <a href="http://www.wepc.org/vbs-2014-save-the-date/">Kingdom Come VBS</a><br />
This morning I gawked in complete wonder at the ingenuity of the volunteer artists and beauty of the signs, sets and props all around the building:<br />
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The artist even applied pseudo pearls to mylady's gown.<br />
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Yep, duct tape gate.<br />
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Love the flames<br />
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Where the serfs live?<br />
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Look for a Royal Barbie above the flames.<br />
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Totally amazing. God-given creativity and tons of hard work.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-88336206104552055782014-06-20T11:43:00.001-05:002014-06-20T11:45:45.551-05:00Successful Week at the Boomer GymDuring the last week of school I only went to my boomer gym one time, which was pitiful. This week was much better, getting there the minimum three times--yippee! <br />
Very interesting to do the strength training and cardio in the morning instead of late afternoon. Lots of hard-working, sweating buddies lifting very heavy weights and racing through the cardio sessions. Motivating!<br />
<a href="http://www.zghealth.com/">My Boomer Gym</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-86289570729657210412014-06-19T09:21:00.001-05:002014-06-19T09:21:18.377-05:00Ellen Foster is an Interesting ReadWell, it's been a little hot and muggy to be working outside most of this week, so I've puttered around the house all day and in the late evenings I've been reading one of my "almost new" books from the thrift shop. The author sure has a great scheme for avoiding the use of quotation marks...<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ellen-Foster-Kaye-Gibbons/dp/1616203021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403187042&sr=8-1&keywords=%22Ellen+Foster%22">"Ellen Foster" by Kaye Gibbons</a><br />
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Sad in parts, of course. My favorite line, spoken by the main character about a teacher who helped her along the way: "She lived in the sixties. She used to be a flower child but now she is low key so she can hold a job."<br />
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I'd love to put that in the signature line of all my e-mails.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822712503959754889.post-19257234043220970712014-06-16T15:14:00.005-05:002014-06-17T17:22:36.848-05:00Lovely Father's Day PostMy work buddy, Fiona, wrote her Father's Day essay from a unique perspective:<br />
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<a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/columnists-blogs/in-my-shoes/in-my-shoes-a-new-view-of-father-s-dream/article_71757d0c-33c1-56a1-8c89-b7a3840b1772.html">http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/columnists-blogs/in-my-shoes/in-my-shoes-a-new-view-of-father-s-dream/article_71757d0c-33c1-56a1-8c89-b7a3840b1772.html</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871879166076919398noreply@blogger.com