Updates and Upgrades

I continue to be entertained by sunrises in their infinite variety. Yes, I am still getting up a couple or three times a week and taking a walk before I'm awake. This is from last week. Today it was kind of misting rain, so I kept the camera/phone in it's pocket. I only saw one other person out tramping in the damp today.

There is a new quilt block finished,(Two more to go) for the Austen Family Album Quilt, however the light is really not good at the moment.I haven't found any decent photo editing in the Windows upgrade, so will have to look further afield, I think.  I've played a little with Instagram on my phone, but haven't quite figured that out yet either. I seem to be in a private maelstrom of upgrades/changes/new programs that is taking me a little time to sort out. Maybe a trip or two to You tube or similar. I contacted my cell phone provider the other day concerning a difficulty I was having and the tech I was talking to discovered some upgrades that had never been sent to me. It's all change, I tell you.

I finally finished a Craftsy class that I got a couple years ago; Janet Pray's Jacket Express.  I have wondered about the Islander System for a very long time. I did enjoy myself with the "no pins" approach and the smaller seam allowances that mean less trimming. The jacket is finished except for redoing a button hole on one of the pocket flaps. Another day when the light was bad and I cut too close with my buttonhole chisel.

Are you are making some discernible progress in something in your life these days? I'd love to hear about it. It does help to keep engaged and moving.

Old Maid's Puzzle for Tom LeFroy

Block 23 in the Austen Family Album Quilt commemorates the brief encounter/romance/acquaintance of Jane with a young Mr. Tom LeFroy. Apparently this relationship was not to be encouraged beyond the Christmas Holidays in the year 1795 due to Tom's lack of a fortune and Jane's lack of a dowry to bring to a marriage. It was unwise for such equals to marry in this case in those times.

If you would like more details you can of course visit the Austen Family Album Blog here.

The block itself I personally found to be rather uninspiring. It is shown to be composed of triangles and squares of different colors/prints. While being relatively simple, it had a rather unfocused feel to me. (Is this what others think of Old Maids, one wonders.) Neither am I impressed with my finished product. I guess there have to be a few like that. "You have to take the duds with the fluffies," as a college friend opined, likening life to a bowl of popcorn.

Sunrise in Fairway Villas

I have started a new regimen to try to keep up stamina and health. I get up relatively early and go for a brisk walk. I found a route which Google Maps tells me is just short of two miles. There is a gentle downhill side and a gentle uphill side. I've only gotten one blister - due mostly to a new pair of shoes. In general the early mornings are cooler and so far I have avoided walking when there is a real threat of a storm.

A rainbow at sunset

A Great Day for Photos

Today is a really lovely winter day in Florida.  The temperatures are hovering just below 70, the sun is out and there is just a gentle breeze from time to time. To take a walk today was not a difficult decision to make.  I headed across the bridge and walked seaward (or Gulf-ward  along the Cotee River.  There were a few trees blooming among the Spanish Moss hung palms and live oaks.  I don't ever remember walking along Grand Blvd. I have certainly driven along it. I found that there is a section of river-walk complete with benches and picnic pavilions. With today's weather conditions, some photos seemed in order.

I came across a small flea market in a church parking lot and saw some really interesting bird feeders made of glass ware - plates and bowls - and colorfully painted chick feeders to dispense the seed from a Mason Jar. I asked the couple if I could take pictures, and they were agreeable.  We joked about how the fellow drills the plates. bowls and jars inside a cardboard box to make the clean up easier if the piece being drilled broke in the process. He says he uses a diamond hollow point bit in case you're interested. I have some lovely old glassware, but this is not my field of expertise.



On the way back through the park I saw lots of ducks on the banks of Orange Lake and lots of kids playing in the play structure built maybe 12 or 15 years ago by volunteers.