Let the Couching Begin!

I've started the dreaded couching. This involves twisting two strands of thread 80 - 100 times (but who can count such a mundane task) then tacking this cord to the tapestry. In this way, the fringe of the shawl will be made. It isn't as bad as I thought, what could have been. I may actually get this done before Valentine's day. Maybe I'll gift myself with a new blank canvas on that day.

I've called the PALAC office to volunteer there to do office work. Nobody has called me to tell me if I can and what I'll be doing. I can see this very collaborative group discussing this now. OR they haven't picked up the message yet. It will be nice to help them, they are all good people.

All work on the shawl's fringe is being accompanied by David Copperfield. Dickens at this best. As I told Karen, it is a very sweet and smooth book. For a while I needed something crunchy, so I listened to all of the Reacher books. Most were "read" while I went to sleep and through the night. It was a good experience because it left me ready for David's life.

RINO

This is my view as I sit in my rocker and watch the sun go down. If not the best seat in the city, it's my favorite.

I went to the PALAC luncheon on Sunday. This room is filled with sept - oct - and probably nonagenarians. But they are by and large bright as the sun in my window just before it starts to set. I had a great time meeting new members and visiting with many I've already met. One delightful member who has been a member for 50 years mentioned, for some reason that the Superintendent of schools for La Canada way back when was... Couldn't remember this guys name. I sayed, "Max Rafferty?" Yes! However did I know? I don't know. Lucky guess, I think. But The Blue Max is the reason I'm registered as a Republican.

In 1968, yes, the middle-ages, I was too young to vote in the primary election since I wouldn't turn 21 until August. Too late for the June primary. Max Rafferty was a Neolithic Teaparty member. He defeated the liberal (or moderate) Republican Senator, Charles Kuchel. I liked Kuchel. I may have voted for him. Instead, we got Max Rafferty who was by then the Superintendent of Public Schools for all of California. He was doing horrible things to our schools. So that year, I registered as a Republican so that horrible people like the Blue Max would never win again. And I held my nose and voted for Alan Cranston. Cranston was never a very good Senator and I have been totally ineffective in voting in good candidates for California Republican office. We both try.

I'm still shocked that I remembered that at lunch. Guess the event was burned into my brain. Being around all these bright old-timers has helped my brain cells already. Just in a nick of time.

French Knots

Most exciting blog ever. Isn't this a little like watching paint dry? Maybe I should write about the body count in my brain because I'm listening to a Jack Reacher marathon. I'm mostly listening to the beginning and the end of each book, but I am re-listening to every book in order.

I haven't made French Knots in years. You can see them in the lady's flower basket. I think they are there to look like baby's breath. And they do. I'm now adding green tendrils to the leaves and flowers on the shawl. The worst will be the cording for the shawl fringe. Karen has been listening to me whine about that for weeks. I'm doing everything but. French knots have sort of built my confidence so who knows, maybe by February.

Tribune Co raised my insurance rates this year, or they would have if I'd stuck with UHC. Instead, I opted for PacifiCare. And was griping all the way. Man, I've turned into a whiny, bitchy shrew. Met my new doctor yesterday. Very competent doctor, efficient and customer-focused staff, easy access and parking, associated with a hospital in Pasadena, not Hollywood. I think I'm in love. Yes, we're talking knees, but this relationship is new. We have to check all my other body parts before we move south to the knees. I think Tribune may have done me a favor without meaning to. Thanks, guys.

Our Lady of the Garden

Doesn't she look done? I've started to do the finishing work, even though I haven't finished all the cross stitches. She has a Roman nose, no matter what kind of plastic stitching I can do to straighten it out. I need Per's doctor's help. She looks okay anyway. And the garden has discernible flowers. All-in-all, I'm pleased

Had lunch with my old bosses, Bill and Judy and Bill's wife, Jaine. Great people. And I found a very good new restaurant in Pasadena. It's Malbec on Green St. and has the worst parking in the world. But fabulous beef.