Scarecrow, Mandalas and a Sailing Story

I found a fun place to put my scarecrow, I nestled him into my cotton boll wreath.  I made him many years ago, I dreamed up how to make a posable skeleton using rolled up aluminum foil and my sister Denise I worked together and made one for each of us.  

We cut out some denim jeans from an old pair she had, she sewed the seams on her sewing machine, she also sewed the little gingham shirt.  We cut out a circle of red felt and made the hat.  We cut out little patches and hand sewed them on.  We stuffed the muslin head, hands and feet and then the body and embroidered the face on.  It was a fun project and we did it all without patterns, just created as we went.

I brought out my Autumn inspired Lucy blanket I made last year to put on our guest chair.  The colors are just right for this time of year.  There is always something on that chair behind the plant that ruins my photos.. lol.. do you have a place where you toss things?  

I'm thinking I need to make a little crocheted pillow to go with this blanket.  Or get a furry pillow.. what do you recommend?

I got an Apple pencil when I updated my iPad and was experimenting what I could do with it.  I found a way to draw and write with it but had heard of others who used it for coloring on their device.  SO.. I did a search in the App Store and found this free app.  They have a whole bunch of Mandalas to color in so here are three I've done.  I really have fun with it!  Which is your favorite?  I'm curious.

Dayle decided to clean the fridge now that it's just us living here.  I'm so impressed with how nice it looks!  

I ran across this photo not long ago so I scanned it to share with you.  I was a member of Portland Yacht Club and had been the organizer of the Memorial Day Cruise to our out-station on Sauvie Island.  I sailed the 15 miles alone and here I am scrubbing up the hull so Stargazer looked pretty.  

I had a frightening experience when I was sailing back up the Columbia River to my houseboat where I lived for 5 years.  I was at the helm solo when I noticed smoke streaming out of the cabin below!!!  I left the helm and went below and grabbed the fire extinguisher and grabbed the tiller and kept going ready for action if I saw flames.  I will never forget that another sailboat came alongside, a man stepped on my boat as we moved along.  He assessed that I had a short in my wiring and so he cut the wires and told me.. do NOT turn off my motor until I got her safely home as I would not be able to start it again.  At which point he stepped back onto his boat (his wife was at the helm) and off they went.  I never even got his name.  (Later I realized that the burning electrical wire was very close to the fuel line.  The whole thing could have exploded and my boat and I would have been toast.)

I had 2 gas tanks and and the one I was using was getting lower.. imagine the nervous wreck I was hoping the gas would get me home as changing the line to the other one would have cut the motor.  One thing I'll never forget is two other sailboats from PYC fell in on either side of me and escorted me almost to my floating home.  They also took care of radioing the railroad bridge to raise to let us through.  I will tell you that when I managed to pull the boat into my slip in front of my houseboat and got her tied up I collapsed in a heap in the cockpit.  WHEW!

Dayle came and rewired the boat and fixed it all after this event.  

On that note.. lol.. I should bid you adieu.  I have errands to run today as there is much to do to get our place ready for departure.  My packing list is made.. now to start getting that done.  Do you have any trips to make this Autumn?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)