The Last Sunset for September 2020

 The last sunset of September 2020, after a perfect day of sunshine the temp early this morning was 61 and in the upper 70's for most of the day a perfect autumn day.  On the up side of things the Covid 19 test was Negative. 

 I finally heard back from the surgeon's office, I'm scheduled for 2 more test procedures on the 14th and 19th of October to check the stomach function and stomach enzymes. The surgeon wants to be sure the stomach is in working order before he removes the gallbladder just in case the stomach is the culprit and not the gallbladder.  Yesterday marked 6 months since my first stay in the hospital because of this abdominal pain.

 

Slow Stitching while waiting on Covid 19 test

Another Sunday of stitching for September, I'm making some progress on the Autumn piece I am working on, not much but some stitching makes for a good day.  

On Thursday my son texted to tell me he tested positive after having the Covid 19 test, last weekend after a day in Orland he was feeling very tired, had a low grade fever for a few days, since having a heart attack in March and just not  feeling  right he went for the test. Two days later the results came back positive.

I saw him the day before he went to Orlando, not to mention earlier in the week  as well as just about every other day since I have been ill. I am considered a high risk and now exposed so I went for the test yesterday, I should have the result in a day or two.  What surprised me is my son and his finance live in the same house and she tested negative, so I wonder how selective is this virus?  Both are breathing the same air, they don't wear face mask in the house yet one test positive and one negative.

I am of the mindset she is either immune to the virus or she may have had it and not known which is quite possible.  My son feels great except for the fatigue which is what sent him for the test in the first place he thought the fever was from a cold or start of the flu.  He has worn a face mask since the early days back in March so that could be a factor in having a mild case, research shows there are 8 strains of this virus. 

On another note no word from the surgeon yet about me having the gallbladder removed or more test needing to be done first, frankly it irritates the heck out of me when a doctor's office doesn't follow through with their call backs and now waiting on the covid 19 test results has me out of sorts, but hey tomorrow is another day.

In the meantime I signed up to take part in a few SAL I am doing the free table runner from Kathy Schmitz here:https://kathyschmitzstudio.blogspot.com/2020/09/snowdrift-table-runner-snowflake-8.html

And the new Jacquelynne Steves here:https://jacquelynnesteves.com/falala/

Forth Worth Fabric Studio is hosting this Halloween SAL starting September 28: https://fortworthfabricstudio.com/blogs/patterns/2020-just-say-boo-halloween-mystery-quilt?

This one started in August but you can still get earlier free patterns its runs through October 25th

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/spellboundmysterysewalong

 This SAL starts October 1 https://rowbyrowexperience.com/wooly-block-2/

Here is my progress on the Autumn piece, I have added in some DMC variegated floss for the leaves to give it a bit more color, I am even mixing a strand with the Valdani floss just to mix things up.

Here is the link for the free pattern I am using:http://blog.creativekismet.com/2011/11/04/give-thanks-free-embroidery-pattern/  

I'm linking to Kathy's Quilts: https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2020/09/slow-sunday-stitching_27.html 

Happy Autumn!

 

Autumn

Crunchy leaves, a cool crisp breeze.

Oh what wonderful days are these!

Trees with apples, green and red.

Gather food, winter’s ahead!

Orange pumpkins, full and round.

The beauty of the earth abound!

Changing leaves, red and gold.

Shorter days are turning cold.

The veil between the worlds is thin,

Time for us to look within.

Mabon past, Samhain will come.

The ripeness of the summer done.

The wheel is turning, circling round,

The wonder of nature does astound!

Here where I live in Ocala, Florida, the equinox is on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

 

A Bit of Stitiching

 

Yesterday afternoon I finally caught up on some letter writing after a brief rest and hot cup of tea I had some time in the evening for some hand embroidery. I wanted to start this little project for fall, it's a free pattern. I am using Valdani 6 strand floss which I'm finding isn't all that great to stitch with. From the very first pull of the skein the floss tangled and knotted, right off the skein it looks frayed. 

 I will keep with it for now since I purchased this floss for a few autumn projects. Maybe I just need a bit of time to get used to the feel of the floss in my hand while stitching. The colors I am using so far are Autumn Leaves and Autumn. The other colors in the last photo are for the other projects I have in mind. Does anyone else buy colors and then design a pattern around them? Here is the link for the free pattern if you are interested http://blog.creativekismet.com/2011/11/04/give-thanks-free-embroidery-pattern/

I will link up to Kathy's Quilts today here https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2020/09/slow-sunday-stitching_13.html

 

First Sunday in September and Labor Day Weekend.

Time is moving quickly this month, it's hard to believe we are almost a week into September.  Tomorrow is Labor Day here in the USA in most cases it marks the end of summer with backyard barbeques, family picnics and a day off from work and in many states across the country the return to school.  This year it will be different, with many people working from home, and some kids set to start the year with online learning and somehow those barbeques and family picnics may look a little different, if they happen at all.
I have been invited to a few but I declined mainly because I finally have an appointment with the surgeon and want to get moving on the gallbladder surgery so I don't want to risk getting exposed to anything the other reason is I haven't had much appetite since March and I have been keeping up with friends and family via Facebook and Email, I would like to think most gatherings will look like this:

But I'm sure they won't and frankly this far into the pandemic I don't plan to risk or expose myself when I don't have to.

On the stitching front I haven't made much progress except to put in a few more rows on the shawl I am crocheting.

I had to unravel 5 rows and then once again after completing what I unraveled I had to undo 2 more rows, my concentration isn't at 100%  the pain distracts me and sitting up is still an issue most days. I am looking forward to the surgery. 
Today I plan to get started on some hand embroidery, I ordered this gingerbread ornament panel

from Forth Worth Fabric Studio. The panel is quit large and makes 24 ornaments front and backs. There is an advent calendar panel pattern to use with the felt panel, I'm just going to make the ornaments, here is the link. https://fortworthfabricstudio.com/collections/snow-sweet-from-riley-blake/products/snow-sweet-gingerbread-cookies-felt-panel
I still need to stitch the jingle bells on the witch and snowman piece which I plan to work on soon to finish it but not feeling 100% I don't want to mess with metallic thread right now.

I have been reading quite a bit but it doesn't give me the calm hand stitching does it helps keep the brain busy and I can read while lying down if necessary.  Recently I read:

I am currently reading one of my favorite cozy series by Sally Goldenbaum, A murderous Tangle, this is the 14th in the series of the Seaside Knitters Mysteries.

However, when the publishers of the book changed the series is now known as the Seaside Knitters Society Mystery, with this being the 3rd book under the new publisher. The books still have all the same main characters and the story line picked up right where the old publishers books ended. I really love this series, when I'm reading I am carried right to the seaside with every page turned, I can feel the ebb and flow of the ocean, I can smell the salt air and even feel the chill of winter as I read the story.
I am linking up at Kathy Quilts today for Slow Sunday Stitching click the link to see what Kathy and many other wonderful bloggers are stitching today.
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2020/09/slow-sunday-stitching.html

Wishing Everyone and Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Nature's Gifts

Nature gifts her bounty fair,

In root and leaf and flower,

And there within she leaves a drop,

Of all her wildest power,

For balm and salve the wise can make,

To heal the wound and mind,

And through the lore of herb and plant,

We see Great Mother kind.

~ Words by Robin Green-Elk

Artist Nicola Bailey.

It's September!