Reflection

My creativity has been all but forgotten lately as we go about the bittersweet task of cleaning out my parents' apartment. My mother died four weeks ago today, just about four weeks after my dad's death. Such a shock.

My sister, brother and I have had our share of weeping, reminiscing and laughing as we find forgotten photos and memorabilia from the past. Apart from the furniture, knick-knacks and personal possessions, the greatest treasures are our own personal memories which we carry in our hearts.

I'm finding myself seeking some time for reflection, solace in time spent laughing with friends, and especially the comfort of time spent with my own family.

My good friend Debbie brought me two coneflower plants, one for each of my parents. I'm not much of a gardener, but the act of planting them with my husband became a kind of ceremony in a way. And seeing the lovely flowers each day gives me a sense of peace and appreciation for the kindness of a friend.

Thanks, Deb.

Cat Tale #3

We had beautiful, sunny weather in New England today. Early this morning I caught our cat Kristy stretching in the sun with a stone cat I use as a door stop. They are about the same size and look like pals on the carpet by the front door.
Like most cats, Kristy has her own special "hangouts" around the house, her favorite being our little screened-in porch. Sun, birds to spy on, insects to chase - did I mention sun? Cat heaven!!

Country Wall Hanging

I made this wall hanging last year and sold it at our fall sale at Lexington Arts & Crafts Association. It's entirely made from pieces of commercial fabric pieced together with machine satin stitch. The little lace inner border and flower buttons added, I thought, a whimsical touch.
Making little pictorial wall hangings is something I've enjoyed for many years. I have a big box of fabric scraps backed with fusible web, and, when the mood strikes, it's fun to snip away shapes, iron them down, and stitch up a picture!

For Mom

My dear mom passed away on June 28. Although she had been ill, her death came much sooner than expected. She was a kind, interesting, and funny woman who loved her family, all kinds of handwork, volunteering and doing crossword puzzles. She was a lady in every sense of the word.

If you have read my previous posts, you know that my dad passed away at the end of May. I can't help but think that she wanted to be with him. They were married for 64 years and knew each other since they were children. She recently told my aunt that she was "crazy about the guy".

After she died, there was a heavy thunderstorm. When that had ended, my niece Amy stood up and said excitedly, "Look out the window!" We raised the blinds at her hospital window and saw a huge rainbow stretched across the sky.

Thanks for the sign, Mom.
We love you.

Family Ties

In the past three weeks, our family has suffered a great loss. My dad had been ill, as I wrote in my last entry. Then, without warning, my mom suffered a ruptured aneurysm in her brain, had endovascular surgery, and is still recovering in the hospital. Four days after her emergency, my dad passed away.

I have so many, many fond memories of my parents together, and as I deal with the shock of recent events, I take solace in remembering some of the funny times I shared with them in the past few years. When my husband, daughter and I lived in New York, I would sometimes come alone for a visit to my folks' home in Massachusetts. After dinner, following their custom, we would watch "The Match Game" and "Wheel of Fortune" downstairs in the playroom, which my father had built years before. Dad's finger was always poised over the mute button on the remote control, ready to cancel the noise of commercials. The three of us would shout out answers to game questions, or try to solve the word puzzle.

Mom was always the best player, but Dad was master of the remote.

It's a sweet memory.

For Dad

I haven't had much time to post recently, as my Dad is in the hospital and I've been busy with family concerns. He is 89 and suffering with dementia, and it is so difficult to see him declining.

I'm showing a piece which I did about three or four years ago. I love roses and these peachy blooms were fashioned from several different peach fabrics while the vase is a sheer on sheer printed fabric. I stitched heavily all over it and used a little bit of embroidery also.

My Dad had a rose bush years ago with blossoms like this and once in a while he would present me with a single rose, the stem wrapped in waxed paper, when I came to visit.

This is for you, Dad.

Silver Clay Bracelet

Here is a gift I have just finished for my sister-in law's birthday. It is a bracelet with links fashioned from silver clay, separated by green glass beads lined with silver. I am not an expert at making jewelery, but I do enjoy working with the silver clay and creating a one-of-a-kind gift!

I found the toggle at our local bead store and thought it made a pretty addition. This is not the best photograph, taken under artificial light, but I had to get the bracelet packed up tonight so that I can get it in the mail first thing in the morning!