Trying to Read

Today I had relatively few things scheduled. I went to Pilates class in the morning, did some shopping on my way home, then had hopes to finish the book I'm reading. The book, A Dead Man's Tale by James Doss is pretty good. It is set in the SW and has bits of humor and mysticism thrown in. It was so pretty outside that I sat on our patio to read. I feel asleep, but did manage to read a sizable chunk of the book, but I probably won't finish it by tomorrow when it is due at the library. I guess I'll just opt to keep it a day or two longer and pay the fine.

The library that we usually go to on Wilmot has just been remodeled. It's quite nice. It's not as grand as the Bellevue library, but has charm, including a beautiful view of the mountains. I'm glad that funding didn't disappear for its remodel.

Holiday?

Now that I'm retired, I don't seem to have many holidays. Today was a holiday for most people, but my usual activities were not canceled. The schools here in Tucson do not close for Presidents' Day. Instead there is no school on Thursday and Friday so that the children can go to the rodeo parade and rodeo. That makes sense. I did my usual coaching in reading with two fourth grade boys. My ASG group met today in spite of the holiday. I enjoyed seeing what other people are making. A woman gave a nice trunk show on vintage/heirloom clothes. It was interesting to see what women and children used to wear and look at how clothes were constructed. Clothing was constructed in the same manner from Victorian times until about the 60's. Then sergers and other developments changed sewing. We started buying clothes that didn't need to last very long. I suppose I have that mentality. When I make or buy an outfit, I don't worry about it lasting for more than about 3 years. I'm constantly donating things. It was a fun day, even though I didn't get a holiday. I'm not complaining.

PMB Day

Today my new friend Edna and I went to a Pattern Master Boutique users group meeting held south of town. Nine of us got together to share what we've been sewing and to help each other with design and fit problems. It was fun. We not only helped each other with sewing, but with life's problems in general. After getting more ideas for future projects, we started talking about life in the summer in Tucson. Most of the ladies live on larger lots on the outskirts of town. They all reported seeing snakes, bobcats, and coyotes, not to mention giant spiders, bigger than tarantulas in the summer. Tarantulas don't climb walls, they said and corn snakes are a blessing because they eat rattle snakes. Mountain lions are more rarely seen, as are bears. Interesting. I didn't hear anyone complain about bird mites!

Sewing with the Refugees

My sewing class with the refugees from Nepal is going well. We get together once a week on Friday afternoons. There are usually around 10 who participate. We have fallen into a comfortable routine. Setting up the room is automatic. The students are waiting for me to arrive, then we all move our machines and supplies out into the larger room. I don't need to ask anyone to start to work. They are self-motivated and help each other. They do ask me for help with the sewing machines, material selection, and design ideas. I try to reinforce some basic sewing vocabulary, which I think they are picking up. Usually I demonstrate some technique, then they carry it out. A few of the students are advanced in their sewing skills and take it seriously. Some appear to attend class for the companionship, but always work. They made a number of harvest bags to sell and a few bags from recycled jeans. At some point we need to move on. I just need to figure out when and what else to make.

A Leap of Faith Garment

Last night I gave a demonstration for the Eastside Evening Group of the Tucson ASG Chapter. It was fun. With her blessings, I used Sally's notes on how to create a simple bias skirt. I held a lottery to see who in the crowd I'd make it for, then used her dimensions to cut it to her size. It went together in a flash, with some serger magic. I showed the bias top made from just two squares of fabric, as shown in Threads Magazine a couple of years ago. That was well received also. I'm glad I practiced making the garments. They are "leaps of faith" garments--they are not intuitively constructed. You have to trust the designer and follow each step. At any rate, it was a fun evening. I was invited to model my bias outfit in the upcoming style show. It's not fancy, but is fun. I find that I'm making a lot of friends by volunteering to do things. One of these days I'll get my camera out again and post a photo of me in the outfit.

Just Busy

I haven't posted much recently mainly because I've just been busy. It's a good feeling to be connected with things here. I've made new friends through sewing and have enjoyed doing things with them. The gem show was a treat, even if I didn't buy much. Larry is feeling better after being sick with a cold for weeks. I'll have to think of more things going on here to report on. I'm not bored and have been having fun.

What a Crowd!

Tonight Larry and I wanted to do something different for a change. We have gotten into the routine of watching TV together at night and wanted something a little more stimulating. I had seen an ad in the paper for a free lecture at the U of A by Christopher D. Impey on the Big Bang Theory. It sounded like fun. We headed over to campus, figuring a modest crowd would show up. We were wrong! The huge crowd was lined up for 3 blocks waiting to get in the doors of the Centenniel Hall auditorium. I'm sure at least 2,000 people squeezed in to hear the talk. At least half were senior citizens. What intellectual energy! His talk was well done and entertaining. He used humor to make the material as assessible as possible, showing clips from Monty Pyton to Jim Carey with Stephen Hawkin. Next week there is another lecture. Maybe we'll go again. It's kind of fun getting out to something besides Dollar Day at the movies.

Larry Doesn't Get It!

I went to even more gem shows today, but dragged along Larry to help me find my way around town. We started out at the Hotel Tucson. I was pleased to have found it right away and also pleased that parking was easy. The tents there had many fossils and minerals and not so many finished gems. We appreciated how beautiful the geodes were. They varied in size from small balls to human size. Most were cut open and often revealed amethyst crystals. Some were made into tables. In addition to the geodes, we saw fossil wall placks and tables and lamps. We also saw a few dinosaur nests from China. That was fascinating. The eggs in it cost $2000 a piece, so we passed on buying it. Larry kept remarking that he just didn't get it. He meant that he didn't understand how so many people would crate such heavy pieces to Tucson for the shows. He also didn't understand why so many people come to the shows. He repeated himself when we parked for the second set, which was west of the Convention Center. We were again amazed at the scope of the shows and how much was there for sale. Apparently the shows are successful or so many people wouldn't attend as buyers and sellers. We passed another cluster of white tents as we drove down to 22nd St. We were too tired to stop, though. I bought a few little things: two silver Ohm pendants and another pendant with amethyst and silver.

Next year I will hope to go back to the bead show with Edna, who was a most instructive guide. I would also hope to go to the gem show at TEP with Cherie. I also won't hesitate to try going to some shows by myself now that I know where they are, how to park, etc. The show at TEP was really my favorite because it had such a variety and some very good prices. However, I had great success finding beautiful bags with Edna, so will try to find that show next year. I am remembering that we will be back in Tucson next year and that I don't have to do it all this year!

Gem Show Fun

Yesterday I went to a large gem show with my old friend, Cherie, who lives in Tucson. She had gone to this one at Tucson Electric Park several years in a row and knew her way around. We both found many treasures, most of which were inexpensive. There were spectacular fossils for sale. I was impressed by how they can be displayed as art. Some reminded me of cave paintings. There were minerals and geodes cut into sculpture forms that also appealed to me. I couldn't figure out where to put them at the house, though, or how I would get them home. They were heavy. I settled for a small sculpture of fossils, a Himalayan salt lamp, a few necklaces, and some onyx coasters. Cherie likes wearing pendants, so bought one and a string of tourquoise to wear it with.

Today I went to a bead show to check out a tip on African fabric and hand made bags. There were lots of people there. In addition to beads, there was a farmer's market to explore. I ended up buying some salsa made from Hatch chilis. Now I have to find time to cook along with having fun exploring.