All posts by Sherry

The Raven on the Water

Books

Author: Andrew Taylor

I picked this book up from a free shelf in the waiting room at BC Ferries in Comox as we were returning from Asher’s grad. I had started an electronic book but I wasn’t enjoying it so thought I’d switch to this one.

Two young boys have started a club where they imagine a world set in ancient Rome. They reluctantly add two more players to the core team but the power starts to shift and, eventually, a tragic accident kills one of them. But was it an accident? Many years later the past creeps into the present and one of the boys is searching for answers.

I was able to figure out the mystery shortly before the ending. I found the characters and their relationships to one another confusing; there were siblings, step-siblings, parents, husbands and ex-husbands.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Delfina

Quilting
From Little Handfuls of Scraps by Edyta Star

This was my June project for my stitching day with Stacia and Deloise. It didn’t look all that complicated but I really struggled with it. We sewed on a Thursday and I didn’t finish mine until Saturday; of course my sisters had their projects done by the middle of the first day.

What I struggled most with was getting the columns sorted. The photo of putting the column together was shown in landscape but when you put it together the picture was in portrait. I have enough trouble getting things align properly without that added hindrance. There were a few pieces along the way that had to be restitched and five of the ten corners were put together incorrectly the first time.

I’ve been attempting to use a more colour-coordinated pallet with my scrappy pieces. I’m not sure where the light fabric came from but I know I didn’t buy it; I think it may have come from Deloise at some point. The dark was in my stash and I’ve used it before, as well as the various greens. Green and purple seem to be my go-to colours this year. The gold for the strips and binding was purchased at a yard sale somewhere along the line. It was already folded as a binding; I cut the strips down but went with a double fold binding since it was already prepared.

Hopefully all of the pieces are going the right way in the final piece. It turned out to be a bit larger than it was supposed to. This one is approximately 12″ x 17″.

Suck it up Buttercup

Journal

June 22, 2024

While we were on Texada I had a phone appointment with my oncology doctor in Vancouver. He arranged for some blood work and a bone scan. The scan was originally scheduled in Vancouver but when we saw the cost for a one-night’s accommodation I called back to see if I could have it done in Comox. I was waiting all week for “the phone call” booking me in for an appointment. Late Thursday afternoon the hospital called. They had slotted me in for the scan in the middle of July but they had a cancellation for the next morning if I wanted it. I said yes, knowing that Pat had some commitments. Although I’ve not done it before, I knew I was capable of getting myself to the appointment. Pat responded immediately that he would do the driving and I hurried up to the clinic to get my TAP form (free ferry if you are travelling for medical appointments).

We left on the first ferry and went straight to the hospital when we got off. Although I was a bit early for my slated time I didn’t wait long before they called me in. The scan is a two-part process; first they inject you with radio active dye and then you come back in a couple of hours for the actual scan. I had a scan prior to my treatments so I knew it wasn’t scary. I failed, however, to take into consideration that finding a vein to inject the dye would be challenging. After an initial look and a poke the technician got warm blankets for both arms to see if she could find anything. A few minutes later she was back and after a couple more unsuccessful pokes she found a spot. She said she was pretty sure she got enough of the dye into the vein before she lost it again.

While we waited for the second part of the appointment we hurried over to Costco – just a block away. Before we took the ferry I printed out my list and checked the cupboards to see what we needed. For the first time ever we walked up and down every aisle on one side of the warehouse without adding anything to our cart. I remember the first time we went to Costco we hadn’t gone down more than a couple of aisles before we went back for a second cart. We got everything on the list, although there were a few things on the list that they don’t carry (I’ll have to update my list). We even found ginger beer which was something I added not really expecting to find it.

After we finished at the checkout we stopped for lunch – a Costco hot dog and drink. Since we still had a bit of time we stopped at Home Depot because it was on the same block between Costco and the hospital. The scan went well although it brought back some memories of my radiation treatments. I managed to pull myself together and they were very kind when they saw my tears. We weren’t even home before we got a call from the oncology doctor saying the radiologist had read the scan and everything was fine. When it works, our health care system is wonderful. We were home, unpacked and with the groceries put away before the puck dropped on the hockey game.

Now that I know there is nothing wrong with me it is time to “suck it up” and quit babying myself. That being my state of mind, this morning I did the vacuuming and then Pat and I moved a bit of furniture around (a chair from downstairs to upstairs and a chair from upstairs to downstairs). I’ve done a bit of sewing this morning and I’ll continue for a bit. I’m unlikely to finish anything but I’ll keep going.

Next Steps

Journal

Monday, June 17, 2024

I settled in to work in my sewing room this morning and realized I have several projects ready for the next step.

I have a couple of birthday cards that need to get finished up. I have one trimmed to size and another one that needs a bit of hand stitching to finish the top. Then they have to be sandwiched and quilted.

I need practice on making yo-yos before I start my temperature quilt so I cut some squares this morning. I’m going to do my practicing on a yo-yo wreath for the back door. I have a sewing date with Gail on Friday and we’re going to be making yo-yos.

I have birthday gift that requires more work. I cut out the fabric I need for it but I think I’m going to have to piece batting. Hopefully I have enough batting to finish it. If not, I’ll have to arrange to purchase more.

Although it didn’t take any effort I have my Tuesday sewing project packed and ready to go for tomorrow. I’m hoping to walk if the weather cooperates and I’ll try out my new-to-me fabric shopping cart. I’m ready to start a new colour on my Manx blocks.

I’ve made a start on this month’s UFO – quilting my Farmhouse quilt. It is slow going with a lot of thread changes and there are still a lot of spots that I haven’t a clue how to quilt. Hopefully as I move along I will be inspired.

I have two other projects sitting on my cutting table – another chicken project and fabric for making the covers for Elizabeth’s screen (one that Dad made). She picked out the fabric when we were in Calgary. I have to keep track of how I do it (step by step) because Kathryn wants to make one for her screen.

Lately I’ve been hooked on hand stitching – my Sashiko project and my chickens. I’m almost halfway done on my Sashiko panel; I have no idea where I’ll put it when it is done but it is mindless work for the evenings. I have my fifth chicken block almost finished – one more to go before figuring out how to put it together. I need to get them finished before I start on the temperature quilt which will mainly be done by hand.