Friday, November 18, 2016

A Parade, Crochet Progress and Trying

First let me thank you all who read and commented on my last post.  Yes, I probably surprised a lot of you for speaking out like I did, I really appreciate those who supported me and even for those who did not agree, but expressed their disagreement in a civil and thoughtful way.  I actually have received a few mean comments over the last two days which I did not post.  It's my blog and I have decided to keep things civil.  :-)  Now.. life has gone on over the last week even though I know I'm in a pretty deep depression.  I'm afraid for the future of my country.  

But some good things have happened too.  On Friday Dayle and I decorated our Ford Flex red car to drive in the Veteran's Day Parade in the Hollywood District of Portland, Oregon.  This high school band marched by us while we were waiting to pull out into the parade lineup.. I just noticed that these young people show what America is, a melting pot of diversity, and I'm proud of that.  


Our Sons, Children and Daughters of the American Revolution posing together.


Our SAR group marched ahead of our car and I must say, it was pretty neat to follow them in the parade.  My sister Roberta organized us all for the parade and her husband Teddy is a member of the SAR, he is a descendent from Daniel Boone's brother and he's in the buckskins on the left.  They were very popular with the people watching the parade.


I was charmed by these kids who painted their own signs as we passed and Dayle snapped a quick photo of them with his iPhone.  How cute are these kids?



I drove this year and I have to say it's kind of fun to drive down the middle of the street.. :-) .. I was waving a flag out my window and driving, too.  Smiling at the people wishing us a happy Veteran's Day and thanking Dayle for his service.  I had a magnetic sign made for his side of the car telling of his service and showing the medals he earned in the Vietnam war.  On my side I had a sign about DAR and the Portland Chapter.  We also had banners of flags down both sides of the car flapping in the breeze.  A nice day.  


I was surprised to see my new Camellia bush in bloom!  I'm so happy to have finally planted a Camellia on this old farm place, it's about time.


I hope it blooms again in the Spring.. do you know if it will?


I've been trying.. trying to accept the new normal of America.  But it's hard to do that when the president-elect is adding to his team one bad person after another.  First was Steve Bannon, a well-known white supremacist. How am I supposed to accept "him" if he is surrounding himself with a cadre evil people?  And each addition is as bad as the last.  So, I crochet.. and pat my warm dog, I asked Dayle to get the pellet stove started so we have the flames next to us to warm our bodies and our minds.  I remind myself to breathe.  I restrung my turquoise bracelet that had broken.. 


I gave my younger sister Denise 2 skeins of the yummy yarn I'm using in the Stained Glass colorway.  This is how far she's gotten, she took this photo and it shows her beautiful backyard.  


A closer look at the colors in her shawl.  This is a C2C pattern - Corner 2 Corner.


I had to show you the big bowl of crab and Dayle and Kristi picked out of the shell, she froze it in bags so we can have crab salad all winter.  :-)



I thought you might enjoy a photo of Buddy as he found a patch of sunshine the other day.  There won't be much of that today, it's only 44 deg. out!


We got a nice surprise yesterday, Gracie came for a visit with her son Tim and two of her darling granddaughters.  They brought us dinner!  They worked together as a family to make meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon and a green salad!  She knew that Kristi had a 5 hour surgery on Monday and was having a painful recovery.  She also gave her a card signed by the whole family and a jigsaw puzzle, and the same for me too.  Isn't that wonderful and nice?  And we all enjoyed their delicious meal.  Thank you, Gracie and family!  And so.. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.. sending love from the farm here.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

22 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about Kristi hope she is on the road to recovery and feeling better. How wonderful of Gracie and her family to visit and bring a delicious meal. I am lost for words with the political situation both here in the UK and in your beautiful country, I pray things will get better and keep myself busy. Have a lovely weekend Teresa. Forgot to say the parade looked amazing, how wonderful that Dayle's service was recognised and indeed honoured.

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  2. Gorgeous crochet, I love the texture and the sheen of that yarn, scrumptious. Lovely to see the parade in your home town and those sweet signs made by the children. How very kind and thoughtful. From what I hear the new government team sounds pretty dreadful. I am so sorry for the way things are going. I was watching President Obama with the EU heads of state on the news today. Goodness knows what they will make of the next incumbent and how they will deal with him. Your camellia is so pretty. I don't know if it will flower again, but the foliage is so nice even if it doesn't. I do hope all is well with Kristi, I'm sending my very best wishes for a swift recover. Wishing you and yours a good weekend Teresa. CJ xx

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  3. Teresa, I am also afraid for our country. I just do not think the new formation is going to work, but I voted and did my part. So, now I have to live with the election results. *sigh* Not happy.....

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  4. Im so sorry Kristi had surgery. They never tell you how bad it is going to be or you wouldnt go under the knife . SO nice of Gracie and family. I LOVE Your new header.
    When I get outside and work hard in the woods, I forget for a bit, and every bit is welcome.

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  5. Love your photos from the parade. I am pretty sure Grant is the high school that my nephew's twins attend! Also love your crocheted things. Good to have something to occupy your mind, isn't it? Hugs from "up north"!

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  6. I love parades! I am so happy you were able to participate. Is that a Sasanqua camellia? Mine blooms in Late November to January when it's coldest. It's very pretty with those strong yellow sepals against the red. I hope Kristi is recovering well.

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  7. Sending get well wishes to Kristi. Your crochet is so lovely! Pat xx

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  8. I think your Buddy has the right idea. We are all going to have to try and find that patch of sunlight to see us through this dreadful ordeal for the next four years. I'm loving that stained glass colorway. It's a perfect color for fall.

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  9. Glad you enjoyed your parade. We always went to the parade in Albany when I was growing up. It's huge and I was in it once. Hope Kristi is feeling better. It was kind of Gracie to bring food. That's what friends are for. It was chilly here too but the gorge had wind. 50 in Salem. Happy crocheting!

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  10. A great parade...keep snug and enjoy your crochet. Please wish Kristi well. Hugs xx

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  11. Dear Teresa, your Camellia bush is so pretty! It is especially pleasing to see its blossoms now that so many plants are getting ready for a winter nap. We have one blossom on the tip of a Hollyhock stem that has just opened up and is nearly the same color as your Camellia blossoms. Thanks for making the effort to celebrate Veteran's Day by participating in the parade in honor of the service of our veterans. I continue to be grateful for Dayle and all those who have served/are serving today, as my great nephew is in the Army, for the cause of peace. The crab looks delicious, and the shawls you and Denise are making are growing beautifully. Wishing you and yours well. Your generous kindness to me and my family over the years is appreciated by us, and encourages me to want to follow your good example in loving others. It was our pleasure to visit you and try to encourage you during a difficult time. Thank you for welcoming our efforts :)
    xx
    Gracie




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  12. I bet that parade was great! It's a wonderful sense of community and support. I'm loving the shawl. How nice of Gracie to surprise you, hope Kristi gets well soon.

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  13. Hello Teresa. Good to see your post. I was wondering how you were, concerned for you. How kind of Gracie and family to visit and make dinner. She is a lovely lady, and a shining light in the midst of ' darkness' at present.
    Beautiful crochet , gorgeous colours. I am sorry to hear news of Kristi, hope she recovers speedily. Buddy is so cute and must be a great comfort to you. I have two types of Camellia here, they bloom in Jan - March usually and not again until following year. Do take care of yourself Teresa. Hugs. Anne x

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  14. Try not to worry - I believe there are too many of us who do not, and never will, support deplorable donny watching every move they make. We marched in the '60's and we can march again! Get your safety pin and be vigilant. We need to come together and take back Congress in 2018, and the White House will undoubtedly follow in 2020. I believe (and pray) that this deplorable donny debacle is an aberration. We're going to MAKE AMERICA KIND AGAIN...

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  15. How lovely of Gracie and her family to visit and bring food & gifts. Hope Kristi is doing much better by now. Looks like it was a nice day for a parade. Will never understand why anyone thinks it is okay to leave mean comments. I totally feel your depression. Took me days to get back on track. I'm thinking now it is all just a really bad nightmare. Hugs from here, Tammy

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  16. Oooh, I do like that variegated yarn. It's very pretty.

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  17. Great photos of the parade , it's good to see those youngsters appreciating the servicemen and women, there is hope for the future Theresa. Best wishes to Kristi for a speedy recovery. I love, love, LOVE your shawl, I think you said it was your own pattern? The colours are so well matched. I find knitting and crochet helps me when I'm troubled, it doesn't solve the issues but keeping the hands and head busy helps me. I hope you can enjoy the rest of the weekend. Fiona xx

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  18. Seems like you had a great day at the parade. Aren't those children sweet? By the way I love your new header. The colours in that C2C shawl are gorgeous - I love the autumn shades. Crab - YUM - can you sense the envy? Hope you're enjoying the weekend. Xox

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  19. It was indeed a bitter election this time round for you folk! In South Africa we live with uncertainty all the time, our government is massively corrupt, yet there are many had honest people who soldier on and do a good job. Take heart and hope he moderates his proposed policies when he takes office xxx

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  20. I hope that your DIL Kristi is doing better now and that her pain level has decreased! That was very kind of Gracie to come over bringing comfort, food and love to you after the bad week you've all had. I do hope that the coming days will be better for your family.
    If I recall correctly that camellia is the same one we have, a camellia sasanqua, and it blooms from about this time (or earlier) through the winter-although severe freezes can damage its blossoms. If you are wanting springtime camellia bloom, look for camellia japonica plants. You have good taste in plants, so I know you'll find a pretty one.
    Wishing you peace and blessings,
    Aimee


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  21. Gracie was so lovely to visit and provide good conservation and yummy food. I am with you on the depression front, I am trying not to watch the news but alas it still seeps in on the computer and my phone. The shawl is gorgeous, I bet your sister adores her yarn. Dayle is our hero, all of us who live and breath in this country owe our freedom to very brave men and women just like Dayle.

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