Overall Bill baby quilt

For Baby Jonathan, born June 20th

This quilt is an original adaptation of a classic design.

Twelve 9" machine appliqued blocks tell the story

of a day in the life of Overall Bill from his morning chores

through a fun afternoon and tender moment

with his true love, Sunbonnet Sue.

Set with 3" sashings, double prairie points for edging,

hand-quilted. Finished size 39"x51".

For the pattern and directions ($12 postage paid),

phone or e-mail me.

birthday girl

Only a short year ago I celebrated my birthday by sharing some of the lessons I’d learned in my fifty-five years of living. Some were light-hearted, others profound, still others were things that my experiences caused me to only begin to understand, to hope to believe, or just want to know. Maybe pondering those life lessons was the planting of the seed, for it began for me a most eventful year, perhaps the most eventful of my life in actual events as well as in terms of self-awareness, emotional health, and progress. It almost seems that all of my previous life lessons have paled in comparison to the things I have learned in this, my fifty-sixth year.

Things I thought I knew a year ago I have come to understand on a much deeper level; hopes and dreams are becoming realities and beliefs have been elevated to sure knowledge status. I now know the value of true friendship, because I have needed it. I now know that God hears my pleadings, for I feel His influence almost constantly. I now know the power of unconditional love, the sweetest gift two human beings can share. I know that I am the master of myself and have the power within me to become everything I desire. It used to be that I only wanted to believe these things, but my experiences this year have given me to know them, deep in my heart and soul.

I am discovering who I am and finding that I really like myself. My perspective has broadened, my vision sharpened, and my character refined. I am much more understanding and compassionate. I am more happy and relaxed, more patient and hopeful. I am enjoying my children and grandchildren with a new savoring of every moment together. I am using my unique talents with greater appreciation and joy. Sleep is more refreshing and waking is a welcome pleasure. I smile more often than not and feel more peace, joy and satisfaction. I love being alive.

The year went by very fast, and what a year it was, but it has been a wonderful beginning to the rest of my life!

the feral cat

For Dixie, "Angel Lady"

Fear gripped his soul. Misunderstood and unaccepted, he thought to hide himself away and live his days sequestered, “That is my lot in life; I need little and deserve less.” But time passes slowly for one without love.

Then one day he saw her. She ventured near. “Who is she? Why has she come?” For many days he watched her, studied her. He was given to see her soul, and it was very good. She opened her home and with gentle words and her kind, soft touch, coaxed him into her heart where he found safety. She called him Kitty Bom-Bom. “I will call her Angel Lady.”

“Savior” and “Saved” blurred through the years as spirits bonded in an uncommon understanding born of love and caring, until at last, after eleven years, the time came for them to part. For him, there would be solace in death, relief from the pain of a failing body. Angel Lady held him gently, putting nourishment into his frail form, until he was ready to leave her and the world they shared. His spirit lingered, watching as she put his lifeless body into the place she had prepared. She wept as she secured the special place and felt his spirit go away from her. There was much for him to discover in this wonderful new world. He would find a beautiful place, worthy of her, where he would wait patiently until she came, and they could share this perfect world, together, forever.

Father's Day

I’ve always considered the father/child relationship to be one of the most important relationships there is. From the child’s perspective, it is the relationship through which he learns about his relationship with his Heavenly Father. As a child learns to completely trust his father as an advocate (one who has the child’s best interests in mind), protector and provider, he can easily learn to completely trust his Heavenly Father as his advocate, protector and provider. When he feels safe enough to share his innermost feelings, concerns, and sorrows with his father, it is easy for him to know he is also safe with his Heavenly Father. A child’s love, respect, and honor of God are patterned after the love, respect, and honor he feels for his father.

For the father, this relationship teaches him things he otherwise could not know, namely an understanding of the godly attributes that characterize deity. He learns the delicate difference between “influence” and “control”. He masters the skill of teaching correct principles, by precept and example, so that the child can use his own agency to govern himself. He learns the deepest kind of love, born of understanding and coupled with compassion, that brings out in him the most tender feelings of kindness. He sees his children through God’s eyes and comes to understand his stewardship as a partnership with God in bringing about their eternal salvation and exaltation. In all he does, he considers the needs of his children before all else; they are of primary importance to him because they are of primary importance to God.

Considered in this light, fatherhood is a sobering, humbling responsibility. It may seem an impossible task. And yet we see many successful fathers all around us, striving to do their very best and making a significant difference in the lives of their children. My sons are amazing fathers, already masters of that ideal father/child relationship. I am very impressed with their deep level of devotion and sacrifice.

And so to you wonderful fathers everywhere, keep up the good work, it does not go unnoticed; we love you for all you are and all you do to bless those around you. You are our heroes!

settling dust

Jesse left early this morning, a symbolic end to the graduation festivities we have enjoyed the past couple of weeks. The many graduation cards adorning the living room will be tucked away in a pretty shoe box. The “shrine” Hannah prepared in the dining room, showcasing her awards, pictures, and diplomas will reluctantly be dismantled and put away. And Hannah will get down to the business at hand: being an adult. She is reluctant to be in Relief Society, although our ward does a marvelous job of transitioning. She may help Jackie in the nursery for a little while. There is summer employment to be secured (she has a good lead) and the very important job of finding housing for school in the fall. Registration will follow and then the grand adventure of college life will begin.

People tell me it will be hard for me to let her go. I admit that it will be strange to have only Isaac left for company. I hope I don’t smother him. I know we both will miss Hannah terribly, but things are different nowadays, we are always only a phone call away. Two of her brothers will be close at hand and two of my brothers are there as well. She will have her own transportation and she is familiar with the campus. She already has a promise of a job; the housing dilemma is her only unknown. So although we will miss her, it really isn’t hard for me to let her go, because she is smart, capable, and I know she is ready.