Scent of a woman

Not the movie.
My sense of smell evokes memories more than my other senses. I especially noticed this after my mother died and I was sorting through her personal belongings. Opening a drawer in a dresser, or even opening a photo album would bring her right into my brain. She was about the same size that I am and many of her clothes fit me. When I would put on one of her sweaters it was like she had wrapped her arms around me. The scent is not a specific cologne or soap or detergent; it is simply her scent. She died in 2004 and her scent has almost vanished.
My aunt Marge died last summer. We are using her bedroom furniture in our guest room, and when I open the door to that room, I am a young girl and I am back in her home.
Last week we moved my mother-in-law to assisted living in the retirement home where she has been for almost six years. It is a smaller apartment, so we have moved a lot of her belongings to our home while we are sorting out what she will keep and what she will give up. Her scent is here too, but so is she. I wish it wouldn't make me cry.

Overheard

"You shouldn't retire until your grandkids are in school and your parents are dead."

Dave heard this remark this week while he was at Jim's Home Health store with his mother. The remark was made by a woman who was also at the store with her mother and who Dave had seen earlier in the day when they both had their grandchildren at swimming lessons.

Some people would be appalled by that statement, but we both laughed hysterically when he repeated it to me because, well, it is hard to explain unless you have been there yourself.

Play some games

I think people should play more games, like card games and board games. It is fun and relaxing and relieves stress (for me anyway--I suppose some people might get stressed out playing a difficult game of scrabble) and makes me laugh (again that is my view--probably because I play games with 3 other women who make me laugh). Gamin' gals, 2nd Monday of the month at the Civic Center.

Renate Hiller - "On Handwork"

I just saw this video on Mason Dixon Knitting and it helps me to express why I love handwork!

Pender "Barn" Quilts

Click to see a bigger image.
Dave and I drove to Pender, NE today to look at the "Barn" quilts that are hanging all over town, and also out in the rural area, a part of the town's 125th anniversary, or Quasquicentennial. This project started when several women from Pender went on a road trip through Iowa and spotted unique quilt block creations painted on barns. They put their heads together, designed and made 8 of the quilt blocks to display in Pender. Their idea caught on and now there are 147 quilt blocks in Pender and 40 out of town. We took a few pictures, but it was overwhelming since there were so many. It seemed like there were more houses with blocks than without.
We also checked out the quilt show at the Legion Hall. A nice variety of quilts, old and new, were displayed.

Trip to DC

Click on picture to biggify

Conversation with Austin

Me: "Hey, Austin, it looks like you are limping."
Austin: "Yeah, Grandma, my left foot little toe hurts. I cut it."
Me: "Oh. I am sorry to hear that."
Austin: (sadly) "It was my favorite one."