Once again – no photos. GEE! I DO need to dust off the camera!

There truly hasn’t been much time to think about anything, except trying to stay on top of things.  Last weekend both of my adult children, Serge and Bevin, came.  We spent the weekend here in Eureka, including Miss Kitty with Mother.  It was a really terrific visit.  Lots of memories shared, etc.  I really hated to see them go!

Raced home from the airport on Monday to try to complete the math part of the new patterns for Spring Quilt Market.  I have a really neat new ‘twist’ to my Split Stripe premiering this Spring.  In another week or so, I’ll begin sharing that with you.   For now, I can only mention we have a new line up of patterns that I’m deep into writing and illustrating.

In fact, I really shouldn’t even take the time out right now to write this little note, so with this short ‘teaser’ in place, I’ll bid you adieu for a few more days!

Oh — one other thing – - some of my quilting friends know Lori, my fabulous stitching and retreat helper.  Tomorrow evening her daughter Cindy is getting married.  Lori made the gown, and has been mighty busy getting ready.  Maybe I’ll remember to take a camera to the wedding.

My friend Deb Tribble and I won a lovely BLUE ribbon at the Dallas Quilt Show last weekend in the 2-person master category for our Montana Feathered Star. It’s my piecing and Deb’s incredible quilting!

I’m totally thrilled.  A few years ago I had a short list of three things I hoped to accomplish in my Quilting Career.  I remember achieving the first two.  The third was “win a ribbon – any color – in a respectable show”.  BINGO.

Deb lives sort of across the road from us.  She is a magnificent long arm quilter, obviously, as well as a good friend I enjoy walking with (we’ve gotta get back on that schedule!)  and doing other ’stuff’ together.

We lost my Dad on March 17th. He wasn’t in pain. Daddy was a special man. He was gentle and caring. I was so fortunate to be with him so much in the final few days, and in the past 3 years. He shared a few ‘new’ stories and I heard some of the old ones a time or two more . . . the new ones were really special. We’ll all miss him.

My two adult children will join us in a week.  Daddy was an incredible bridge player —  won the last four times he played, too.  And, until a few years ago, quite the golfer.  His desire was to have his ashes scattered on a beautiful golf course.  His wish is our command.

Daddy was dismissed from the hospital today to what is called ‘comfort care’.  We’ve brought him to the Good Samaritan Home here in Eureka.  Mother is with us.  We’ll be visiting him daily, and she graciously has allowed this to happen in Eureka.

All my resolutions of posting more frequently went out the window last week. I failed to take my camera – apparently – and with the busy week of teaching, lost track of time.
BUT — when I finally arrived back in Kalispell at midnight on Sunday (instead of the planned 1:30 pm!) I found BOTH of my parents seriously ill.
Long story short – Mother has pneumonia though is staying at home. She’s improving gradually – WHEW! Daddy has at least four internal battles he’s fighting – and he’s in the hospital. When they release him, he’ll move to a care center.

Therefore, I’ve already broken my resolution, and promise it’ll stay broken for a while – until things settle down a bit here.

I’m in Kalispell, keeping an eye on them both.

I’m on my way to Chicago! Get to spend almost 2 whole days with cousin Linda before heading to the guild job there.

My day with my folks in Kalispell became fuller than I’d anticipated. Seems there’s a bit of a flu bug floating around, and Daddy managed to get it on Sat. Sort of the 24 hour variety, but it sure did manage to upset my Mother. Even more so when she caught it, too! So, I spent most of yesterday scrubbing, washing, scrubbing, washing . . . . and HOPE that all my hand washing, and the cleaning fluids I undoubtedly inhaled, will save me from the Revenge! At least I left there knowing the bathroom and kitchen are spotless! Mother was feeling pretty good by mid afternoon.

A small snapshot of the stitching area. We are 13, and it’s truly been an amazing weekend becoming acquainted with this fabulous group of women.

We’ve stitched (a huge collection of quilts have been completed!), laughed, visited, and we enjoyed really good food!  Evenings with the sound of sewing machines in combination with the Olympics, all stopping for some events.

It’s a gorgeous sunny day, which helps with the dismay of packing up and out.  The fellow with the ATV will arrive soon, to ferry all our stuff back across the ice to the parking area, and we’ll sadly part company.  I’m SO fortunate to have been invited – - – they are fabulous!

This is an incredible place! Gorgeous. We’re looking south from the deck off the back – this morning.

It’s been a stitching day. I’m quilting the Iola Mustang quilt. . . . slow.

And enjoying the new friendships. This afternoon 3 of us strapped on the snowshoes and struck out across the lake to the island you you barely see in this photo. Absolutely divine, and amazing how much effort, in snowshoes, it takes to slog through snow – on ice.

Now, the sun is setting, I’m still working on the same quilt, the delicious nachos are history, and somehow I’m thinking about the next food – dinner . . . .

It’s certainly a LOT of work to get ready for a retreat ! As I mentioned yesterday, I’m packing for a teaching trip to Chicago – BUT – before I leave I’m going to a retreat with one friend (and 11 soon to be new friends) at a lodge on an island on Salmon Lake — a bit south of the town of Seeley Lake, MT.

So — the machine is cleaned and packed, and I’m pin basting because my table is the right height!  Then have 2 other projects getting lined out —  it’s 4 days / 3 nights of quilt FUN!

This quilt is a 39″ square designed for my High School (yes – it’s been a LONG time).  I had my arm twisted.  The idea is to have folks sign it for the next 3-4 years — i.e. the classes of the early 60’s.  Then, I’m also making a lap size with 7 mustangs (you’ll see it later) that can be raffled.  Hoping to raise enough $$ to hand the school a nice ‘gift’ and this signed wall quilt. To sign it, they’ll need to be prepared to fork over some moo-la- just for the privilege, which will also get them ONE raffle ticket.

I have packed a camera — and posts will be dependent on access.

Oh yes – also packing my snow shoes.  I hear there’s snow – there!

How does that song go??

My bags are packed

I’m ready to go . . .

well, almost.

I will be leaving on a jet plane – that’s for sure!

And, in all honesty, parts of this particular packing are sort of bittersweet.  You see, I believe this is Frank’s final trip with me.  Frank, you ask ??  Frank Lloyd Wright.  He has provided many years of lectures and workshops.  His hat and cape, white shirt, slacks, and tie will go on top.   And, under the Hunter’s Stars you can see, are the 18 Wright quilts that are a part of the lecture.  When we all (quilts & me) come home, a couple of those quilts will go up on our walls.  I truly love them, and they match our decor.

Today is filled with writing and illustrating a couple of new patterns.  And packing.  AND — the sun is OUT again —  this makes 3 days in a row!