I tend to leave music on any flat surface in the piano room – there’s church service music, choir, preludes, old favorites for Concord, all holiday music, beginner teaching books, duets, classical from years ago, and fun stuff I just like to sit down and play. People want to give me music all the time and I honestly don’t have the heart to tell them I don’t want it so I sorted music today. The best box is sheet music from the 40’s – I’m sure some of this is valuable – but not to me.
Anybody have thoughts here? Do you know anyone who would just love to have this old music?
I took a box to the post office today and because it was glassware I was sending I packed it really well meaning I had a huge box. Because of the size of the box the post office would charge $75.00. Nope. UPS $40. Yikes. I’m going to try a much smaller box with as much padding as I can get in there.
These quilts from Jan are going to Barbara.
Patti made this pillowcase in less than 30 minutes!
Photo taken early this morning – before the tree trimmers arrived.
Light! The single tree is in front of the piano room and I debate all the time whether I’d rather cut it down or would I feel naked without it. I had them trim it up so I could get sunlight for my plants but I’m still not sure. I really hate to cut it down but I don’t love it there either. Sigh.
So that’s what got me started cleaning and organizing in the piano room. One thing always leads to another, doesn’t it?
Sam is coming to help me move some furniture around – I love to use pieces in other rooms – most people like to leave it in its place but I think it’s fun to move it.
Here’s a question for you to ponder and answer.
“I never thought I’d…..
A witches gathering in Michigan
I don’t have lots of details but the witches parade had over 3000 entries – in a town of 600!!!!! Robbie is on the far right – we need a few more details. Who knows? This could be the start of witches parades everywhere! Connie would love this.
I never thought I would travel to all 50 states and make memories in each of them. We did all of our trips by car. My husband was working, and he said Go, life is short, and you will build many memories. Mom and I left on our first trip which lasted 6 weeks. We covered the New England states and had a wonderful time. Next year we did the Pacific Northwest and spent 8 weeks. Mom loved National Parks and Presidential libraries. We hit them all. I will never regret the many trips we took together, driving and exploring no timeline. It was a special time indeed. Mom passed in 2023, and memories of those trips are fresh in my mind. My mom kept a wonderful journal of our trips, which I treasure.
Kim – your husband urged you to go? I’ve never met a man like that – never.
Yes, he was all for it. He enjoyed our phone calls at night when I told him where all we had been. I have gone back to some of those places with him because he was so intrigued. He was a true workaholic so not home much and felt I should go. So, I did. Mom loved seeing the USA in her Chevrolet! We took turns on whose vehicle we would use. I saw all the states except Alaska with her but last year my husband and daughter did almost 3 weeks in Alaska, so my list is complete.
I never thought I would get out of the Steel mill valley in the Ohio River area. Growing up there no one aspired to moving away and even if you went to college you mostly moved back. Money was tight and when I went out to eat I would look at the price then look to see what I could get. I have been fortunate to have been able to travel and knew I was comfortable when I looked at the items then looked at the prices. I might still think it is too expensive but I am grateful I have what I have and can share with others less fortunate. Don’t forget where you came from and help those you can.
I never thought I would raise seven boys. There was always supposed to be at least one girl, but nope! I never thought I would be a caregiver, until about 5 years ago when DH and I decided we would take in which ever one of my folks was left. I never thought I would knit, or crochet, tat, quilt, or learn to repair vintage machines and sew on them. I finished 4 quilts tops so far for the mountain children. One infant quilt is finished and I’m working on two more tops. They are perfect, but they will be warm
*AREN’T perfect lol…..I couldn’t make a perfect quilt!
I ws born and raised in north central Minnesota, and my first trip to Iowa was to a youth conference at a Bible College in University Park. After that trip, I told everyone I would never live in Iowa, and I would never marry a farmer! Too many terrible pig smells in Iowa, and this was before Interstate, so passed by many farms coming and going. Well, guess what? I married a farmer, and have lived in the same house with this farmer for 56+ years. I learned to never say “never.” And it has been a wonderful happy marriage.
I loved all the pictures today. I had a busy day. Met at church and worked on more Christmas lap quilts to give to a local nursing home. We have 40 completely done, and need 20 more. We have the 20 tops sewn together and now the girls are working on tying them. It has been a group effort. There are three of us that do the sewing.
Another beautiful day here with above 80* and very windy. Like Mary said, we are suppose to get rain tomorrow. I need to take a gal from church to a doctor appointment tomorrow in a neighboring town. She has been sick, but also broke a bone in her wrist, and needs to have that checked out tomorrow. I offered to take her and she was so grateful for that. She is a widow.
Hello All! Patty, I really enjoyed making the potato chip quilt. I considered it “mindless” sewing. Someday that’s all I want to do and not have to stress over placement. I love the quilts that Jan is sending to Barbara. They will be loved! The reflection in the pond is beautiful. Our leaves really fell today in the winds. It’s really warm – near 80. For Friday’s football game it’s supposed to be in the 30’s! Brrr!
The first picture in your post made me catch my breath with a sweet memory of my mom singing Barney Google with the googoogoogly eyes. My mom used to sing that song, often while she was working in the kitchen. We lost her at age 92 in July 2021 after a hard struggle with Alzheimer’s. Today your post was not about nothing for me. Thank you for that gift.
Children of the Mountains Update: Hello everyone. My phone has been acting up for several days; had the Geek Squad clean it up yesterday. Thank you all for the wonderful items sent for the children. I sent a note to everyone to let them know their gifts arrived up to yesterday. Have a few that arrived today that I still have to log in. Let me know if you sent something and I didn’t send you a note about it’s arrival. Feel free to call or email me anytime. 828-551-8412 or barbarawawa1953@gmail.com. We received items from 26 different areas of the country as of yesterday. Items as follows: 11 Baby quilts, 23 child’s quilts, 27 books, 18 Baby Blankets. 6 children’s blankets, 7 adult quilts, 1 adult blanket, 15 hats (different sizes),, 2 crochet blankets, 2 pillows, multiple coloring books and crayons, stickers, multiple stuffed toys/animals, and 2 toddlers blankets. I received money from 2 individuals which will be used to buy pizza family dinners the day of our give away event. I’m planning the event for the 2nd Saturday in December in conjuction with Family Pizza Day at the Earthfare store in Asheville. The store was damaged but is up and running at present time. They will help in advertising the event and I will post plans as we go along. It will be a really fun day for the kids and this is what it’s all about.
I never thought I would love going out on bus trips, almost weekly, and I never thought I would take up tap dancing, the knee is holding up so far!
This a wonderful post. The quilts and fall photos are great. I especially love the pic of Greta napping; watching cats sleep is very soothing for cat lovers.
As for your tree dilemma, it looks good after being trimmed. It is difficult to take down a healthy tree.
“ I can’t believe I still have so much fabric.”
Thanks, Mary 🥰
Great post as usual.
I never thought I’d enjoy going to jail! My girls as so appreciative even when my mind is off kilter.
I have paper pieced for years, but couldn’t show them how it’s done.
That’s another thing…I never thought I’d miss my mind as much as I do! Some days it’s away on vacation.
If that were an evergreen tree, I’d say cut it down. But, you’ll miss the shade in the summer and sun in the winter.
The witches weekend sounds like a blast of fun.
Happy Halloween everyone.
Great post. I never thought I would get divorced, get remarried and then go back to school to get as Master’s Degrees in Library Science. I never thought I’d work in a library and find “my people”. I never thought I’d get macular degeneration and wonder when I’ll lose my driver’s license. Take it one day at a time. My second marriage was longer than my first. My husband Clayton died at 80 when I was 67. Now I try to keep busy now I am retired.
Love Teresa’s potato chip quilt. Stunning.
Always love to hear from Patti in Florida. A courageous woman, with something always going on!
I’d take the tree down as its too close to the house. We took a tree down in the back after it got hit by lightning and blew out our phone and tv. Love the sun in the back porch now, which is covered, so it’s only early morning sun in the summer. Our back yard is very small and that tree was supposed to be slow growing!
The witch parade sounds like fun.
Jan’s quilts going to Barbara are beautiful. Barbara plans on handing them out mid December.
I’d sell the whole lot of old music on ebay. Or take it to a thrift store nearby. ” One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
Never ever did I think I’d look forward to sewing in my free time. LOL
Hank’s Mom – your mom would be so proud of you!
I never thought I would be unable to answer this question because my answer would be about the election for President.
And, my opinion is to keep the tree if it’s healthy. Looks like many of us are in agreement on that.
Also, I spy Barney Google in that pile of sheet music- my uncle used to sing that to me as a little girl. Thanks for sparking that memory.
Mary, I used to play piano music every week for residents of a nursing home. They loved the oldies. The nursing home provided me with a big notebook of music I could borrow to play the music the residents loved. Maybe you could find a nursing home which can provide music to someone who plays the piano for them for them.
Susan – good idea!
Jan – I looked up Barney Google online because I was intrigued. That piece of music is in shreds – somebody loved that song! Such cute lyrics and I had never heard of it before. I think it’s from the ‘20’s – does anyone else know this song? I’ll post the music again.
It always made me laugh, and it still does! Silly lyrics that are just fun.
Mary, I am a tree lover so my vote is to keep your tree. The shade is wonderful in the summer. Now that it’s trimmed up you can see pretty good, I’d say. Loved the pictures today. The lake one was stunning! I’m always partial on the kitty photos too.
I never thought I’d be so busy after my husband retired. Lol!
Teresa’s potato chip quilt is so pretty. I really like the way she alternated blocks with light/ dark outer fabrics. It makes the quilt look so much more intentional and designed rather than randomly joined scraps. I made a potato chip top as part of quilt guild community service from donated fabric and was advised to just pick up what ever came to hand and sew it together. Wasn’t very pleased with the results.
I never thought I would have so many fun adventures with 3 hiking buddies over the last 20+ years. Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, England and more.
Sharon F – okay, that was just a tease – hiking??? National Parks? Tell me more.
Ha-ha, Mary, I didn’t mean to tease. Here’s a short version – I have a very good friend that I have enjoyed traveling with for walks and hikes for over 30 years. In 2001, we went on a guided hiking trip around Mt Blanc, hiking in the Alps in France, Italy and Switzerland. In that trip we met 2 other women and became good friends. Since then the 4 of us, frequently with other friends and family joining us, have gone on many hiking trips, mostly in the American west. Many hiking trips to Yosemite NP, including two trips on the High Sierra loop. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 3 times. Gorgeous hikes on the Big Sur Coast; down the Rogue River trail in Oregon, Glacier NP, Big Bend NP in Texas, Mt Rainier NP. A few of these were multiple days, staying in huts, (not backpacking !), but most of them were day hikes on popular trails. We’ve also done multi day hiking trips in England, which were so much fun, England coast to coast trail where we hiked all way from one side of the country to the other, and another trip in Cornwall. So much fun – hiking in beautiful scenery all day and relaxing with an ale in the pubs later. Now that we’re in our all late 60’s or 70’s we are choosing some easier trails or slower pace, but we’re still out there having fun in the beauty of the outdoors. Sorry to run on so long – but you did ask.
Sharon, I love reading this post, lucky you to find others to hike with.
Oh, I loved hearing about your hiking trips and friends! It sounds like so much fun – you obviously don’t have bad knees. Or maybe you do! All of that organizing to hike in other countries, too. Do you have any hikes in the planning now? I guess the only hiking in my neighborhood would be around the section filled with cornfields. Haha! I love chatting with my readers and finding out about their lives which are usually much more interesting than mine. Thank you!!
Mary, a lot of those pieces of sheet music are probably from the teens and twenties. It reminded me of much of my Mom’s sheet music. I kept some, donated some to an organization that does a huge book/misc. print items sale in February.
I never thought I’d be so invested in sports in retirement. Oh, the conversations I would like to have with my Dad. He went to his reward 30 years ago. I know he would have loved watching my girls play softball, both catchers.
Beautiful fall colors in the pictures. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jan
I never thought I would be a farmer’s wife! I vowed before I was married that I never wanted to be a farm wife and wash all those stinky coveralls! Well, Jay wasn’t a farmer when we married in 1970 but we soon discovered we did not like city life! Thus, farm life began in 1972. It’s a feat place to raise children! And yes, I have washed many stinky clothes and greasy ones!
Loved all the pictures. I like your trees trimmed. Makes your house more visible.
My 2cents… I would never cut down a living tree. Shade in the summer is invaluable.
Gorgeous pictures today. Hopefully I will get around to making one of those potato chip quilts – I certainly have the fabric scraps. The sheet music – check with a local or county historical or society/musium. They might like it for displays . Even check with the State Historical Library. Or perhaps a library for loaning like tapes and DVD’s. I love autumn and all it’s vibrant colors, cooler temps, walking through the crunchy leaves – the season just stimulates all my senses as nature shows off before it’s much needed rest. It ls like God’s version of the our grand finale of fireworks. As a kid, we did’t really “do” anything for Halloween – instead it was a season of thankfulness of a good harvest and our abundance of blessings. So all my decorating is just fall colors, but not Halloween; and it goes up from mid-September until the weekend after Thanksgiving.
I never thought (or dreamed) I would be using all the technology we have today – we didn’t even have TV until I was in high school. Now it seems the core of my life is computerized “stuff” and that is exciting. But I also hate it when it doesn’t work right or when AI changes what I’m trying to type!!! There are times when I really like just “on” or “off”.
I am so fond of those old songs and the sheet music. I used to have tons, but they didn’t make it in a move to a different house. I always loved playing them and discovering entertaining lyrics and often great music. I miss having those around and do hope you find someone who will truly use them as music, rather than craft projects.
Good for you for organizing your space!
I also have a large box of very old sheet music and music books that belonged to my grandmother. I do not know what to do with it so I am interested to see what suggestions people might have. I do not want to just throw it away.
I never thought I would join the Army and be an intelligence analyst. I never thought I would travel to India with my daughter and dance with a bear on the road to the Taj Mahal or ride a camel near the pyramids of Cairo or live in Kuwait and Germany. It’s been an interesting and wonderful life, both active duty and then as the wife of a career Air Force officer, living around the country and overseas.
Sue! – I would love to hear about your Army career! As well as your trip to India – I would just enjoy hearing it via email – would you? I almost joined the Army in my 20’s but when I went to enlist the job I was promised was no longer available and I declined. Probably a mistake on my part.
Please share more of your story, sounds wonderful and exciting.
I never thought I’d ever get the opportunity to travel outside the US, especially now that I’m older (72). But I’m thrilled to say that I will be traveling to the Tuscany region of Italy next October. The best part is that the trip is also a workshop with Susan Carlson, in my opinion the greatest fabric collage quilter anywhere. To have the chance to meet, and actually work on a fabric collage quilt with my idol in such a beautiful place, is simply blowing my mind.
Connie – I’m going to look up Susan Carlson as that is not a familiar name to me. I wish I felt I could tackle collage quilting. Your trip sounds fabulous – are you traveling with a friend?
I will be traveling with my sister who is also a collage quilter. After about 40 years making traditional quilts, I was burned out and needed to do something different. I love fabric and have such a huge stash that I knew I had to do something involving fabric. In 2017, I went to the quilt convention in Paducah. There I learned about fabric collage art quilts, fell in love with them and never looked back. I still love traditional quilts. Just don’t make them any more.
I never thought I’d give a presentation at a quilt guild. But I did, and it was fun!
Sunflower of Michigan…I loved the details of the witches parade. What a fun idea!!! Loved the pictures today Mary. I think trimming the tree first was a good idea Mary. I know you will enjoy the sunshine fall, winter and spring, but you might miss the shade it provides in the summer. We have had a glorious fall in New Hampshire. Now it’s time for yard clean up. Lots of leaves !!!
I never thought I would have gone every year to Myrtle Beach for spring vacations. We did as a family for over 30 years…..stopping on way to pick up one or more at college, picking up at airport another one. Now the kids and grandkids go carrying the tradition on.
Wonderful pictures to admire this morning. I look forward to seeing what everyone shares here. We got a new couch delivered yesterday so I know Mary how one thing leads to another and another. I decided to rearrange everything too.
I’m glad everyone enjoyed the trees reflecting on the pond, it’s a treat we get every fall. I wish Nancy had captured the large bare tree in front, it is a maple that had the most beautiful red glow before the frost that dropped the leaves in one night. I love fall but normally it is very rainy here and chilly as a prelude to the winter that is coming. We have been so dry the pond is lower than it has ever been and with no participation who knows what the winter will be. Without snow our ski resorts always suffer.
The question to ponder is so hard to answer and I don’t think I can settle on one reply – I never thought I would raise my boys by myself without their father’s interest and participation in their lives; I never thought I would live the majority of my life in Michigan being born and raised in Louisville; I never thought I would be a firefighter; I never thought I would be lucky enough to have a beautiful farm and rescue horses and raise so many dogs, cats and chickens. Boy am I lucky!
Linda – you’re a firefighter?? Tell me. We are expecting rain tomorrow – according to the weatherman but since he’s so unreliable I’ll believe it when I see it. I did notice on your pond picture the dock didn’t even meet the water. Sad. My rain barrel is empty and I don’t have enough water collected to last me thru the winter.
I never thought I would be a widow in my mid fifties. I never thought I would have the opportunity to travel internationally every year or two. I go with a group of people, some the same, some new ones each trip, and it has been a joy and delight to see the rest of the world. Now I need a friend that wants to see the United States. I thought that I’d be doing that with my spouse as friends are doing.
Lisa B – you’re a very young widow, I’m sorry to say. How are you adjusting/managing? You didn’t say when your husband passed away but it sounds like you enjoy traveling.
My husband passed in 2013, nearly 11 years ago. My daughter was through college, married, and living in California. My son finished college and had moved back home 3 months prior. He was a lot of help that 1st year. Then he moved out with a roommate for a couple of years before buying his house. I’ll add I live in SE Alaska.
Growing up in rural Iowa, I never thought I would see as much of the United States as I have. I think there are only two states I haven’t visited – Idaho and Alaska. The witches parade sounds like fun. I am thinking about making a pillowcase using the information Patti shared. Loved the picture of the trees around the lake. Beautiful reflection.
what a fantastic post tonight. everything caught my attention. the quilts are glorious as always. teresa, i hope you enjoyed making the potato chip quilt. i find i can make lots, then take a break for a while and gradually make more. i find them fun.
i’m no help on the music or the tree. i’d like to look at the music but then i’d be wondering what to do with it, so it can’t come here. i have never played by ear, only by sight. sometimes i get really rusty at it. the tree situation – i’m like 50/50. i think i would like looking out at it and maybe it will be better now that it’s been trimmed. you’ll have more light, which i agree is super important, more so as i get older.
all of those fall photos are just breathtaking. the reflection in the lake – oh my. the coven of witches and the parade sounds like so much fun. what a great way to bring attention and $$ to the town in a down time of year. sounds like everyone participating or watching had fun.
the pillowcase truly took 30 minutes from first presssing of fabric, to trimming edges, cutting off selvedges, doing the seams, etc. couldn’t believe it went so fast. totally different look but i think it would be great for donation or gifts. i have another 7 or 8 yards washed to do this with. am going to change a small bit to make a bit larger flap to make it more noticable. i want to do it tomorrow to see if my idea works. we donate to a group that helps put families in homes that have been in abuse shelters. they have requested more pillowcases for kids. i am sure they are all ages. maybe my kids would like them.
the couple that cleaned for me today were so sweet. the lady asked if i wanted her to take my large bag of tiny fabric scraps and throw it out. i explained the concept of dog pillows to the shelters. she liked that. then she wanted to take some of the stuff from the floor and put it on the one empty shelf – nope, that is the cat’s shelf. plus he would knock it over on top of me. aha, yes, the cat is important. then she saw the kennel quilts and was impressed that someone would make them for the shelters. hey, they cleaned my plantation blinds – that was way above and beyond in my book. i gave them cupcakes that mr. ed gave me.
playing piano for your own enjoyment is a great reason to do it. there are times i will do that, tho i will admit that doesn’t happen nearly as often.
i never thought i would have so much trouble getting around and breathing. what a great question.
more tomorrow. i was up early for me so i’m headed to bed. tomorrow is mr. ed’s birthday so i’ll be making him a card or something. he has an early meeting so will be gone early. patti in florida
I never thought I would teach high school kids for forty years! Or enjoy it so much!
Meredith – what subject was your favorite or your specialty?
AP American History, and Government. Do you remember when Jay Leno used to interview people on the street and their answers about American history were so wrong? Kids would laugh at that segment, but sure didn’t want to be like that. Teaching in election season was always challenging; separating how our system works and the real issues of the election from personality and media. Great fun!
Meredith – yes, I do remember that Jay Leno feature – I recently saw a geography piece on Kimmel. Nobody could identify the state of Iowa. If you like history and government you must really enjoy this election season – unlike many of us who can’t wait for it to be over. Ha!
Only six more days! Thank goodness!
I also think the single tree should go. Once it is gone you will not miss it. We just had a rotten
pine tree come down in a windstorm last week and I am already enjoying the open space that
resulted when it blew down.
.
I never thought I’d be a widow.
i’m so sorry. patti in florida
I never thought I would have the chance to go to Africa.
Mary have you tried pirate shipping? I did it today( my first time) it was $14 for 9#,box 20x16x10. It was really slick!
Mary,
I will give a few more details on the Witches Walk. It was in Caseville, Michigan which is a small town on Lake Huron. Population about 600 but summer and weekends busier. The towns most famous festival is in August over 10 days called Cheeseburger Festival. The town basically closes down after Labor Day and a few years ago two shop owners thought up the idea of a Witch’s Weekend with a parade too. So this year the chamber of commerce paid to have a Guinness Book of World Records person come to “count” the witches to make their parade the winner of most witches in a parade! My understanding was that there would need to be 4,000 witches to win and so I think they’ll have to try again. It was a hoot though! The parade was lead by the winged man on the large horse. Many stores and restaurants participated with sales and special food offerings. We had cocktails at the Brewery and our drinks had plastic spiders in them. There were costume contests, a cackling contest, potion writing contest and music with vendors in the park plus hayrides. The walk was about a mile long down Main Street with people lined on both sides! I don’t think I’ve ever been in a parade so it was fun!! So next year, we are going to do a themed idea for our costumes plus make walking sticks or brooms and face decorations! We have other cousins who are going to join us after seeing the fun we had. Thanks for listening.
All photos are great tonight. Linda, that lake reflection is breathtaking. Take care every one.
Robbie 🌻
Robbie – I loved to hear this! Who would have thought a witches parade would be fun? Not me but I’ll bet Connie would and she should organize this event at the lake. Sounds like community embraced the whole thing – a cackling contest? Hahaha!!!! Thanks for the explanation so I could wrap my head around a witches parade!
My non-professional two cents is…… the single tree needs to go…..eventually be firewood!
In college I had a roommate who was a terrific piano player and gifted in sight reading. Some of my favorite memories are sitting with her on the piano bench in the lounge, pulling sheet music and asking “play this”. Sometimes she played for her own enjoyment.
I never thought I’d be a single parent to two children, but I was. I never thought I’d be caregiver for a parent but I am.
Bonny – I am a pretty decent sight reader but can’t play a thing by ear! And are you a caregiver to a parent? I think so but can’t exactly remember – is your mom over 100? I am probably thinking of another reader
In about 45 days mom will be 102. I am less confident now of time away even during her naps. It’s quite a journey we are on.
I totally understand, Bonny. We are taking care of my mother who was diagnosed with severe atrophy of the brain. I think that’s a fancy way of saying dementia without Alzheimers. Anyway, Mom is a youngster compared to your mother — she’s a mere 91! Lol! Take care and keep a sense of humor.