Hot Wednesday

It's heating up in Tucson. Today it reached the mid 80's. It's supposed to reach the mid 90's by Friday. I'm happy that the mornings and evenings are pleasant. Of course, the natives say that it's not hot till it reaches 100.

I've been keeping myself busy sewing these days. I'm try to make a pair of pants with the new software program I have for drafting patterns. I also am working on some tops for hot weather. I also have a stack of novels to read. I never seem to get bored around here.

It's Been Awhile

I'm not sure why I haven't blogged for awhile. My life seems rich. I have been busy doing some fun things and the days seem to go whizzing by. Noteworthy this week was a visit by some old friends, Paul and Janet, and their daughter Libby. They came Sunday afternoon and stayed with us that night before heading off to Madera Canyon for a few days of birding and hiking. We went hiking at Saguaro East, out to dinner at El Charro, then off to the Desert Museum the next morning. It was great to reconnect. We first met each other in 1974 and I feel fortunate to still keep in contact. Other highlights of this week include teaching how to make a simple shrug to my neighborhood ASG group, getting together with Edna to look at Pattern Master together, starting my line dancing and yoga classes again after a couple week's break, and teaching sewing to the refugees. This weekend we have off from retirement activities. I hope to rest up a bit!

Turtle Parts

I've been cutting up fabric for turtle pillows like crazy. The national ASG Community Service project this year is to make turtle pillows for the Hole in the Wall Children's Camps, which serve children with severe illnesses. Some of my friends in my neighborhood group have taken on this project with much enthusiasm. They have recognized my skill in using a rotary cutter to cut out the pieces needed for the turtles and have relegated cutting tasks to me. We found some suitable fabric for free at the Aviva Sew-a-thon last Saturday. Today I cut for over 3 hours. Next Millie is supposed to put together the pieces into kits for others to sew up into turtles.

It's fun to have projects to work on with friends.

Booths, Books, Authors

Larry and I went to the Tucson Festival of Books today. It was a huge event held on campus at the U of A. Organizers estimated that 100,000 people came over the two days it was held. Authors, publishers, organizations, food vendors, etc. had booths to help publisize their causes. Authors from around the country came to give panel discussions on various topics. I had the pleasure of hearing a couple of women writers whose novels took place around the time of wars, a panel of mystery writers who set their books in Southern CA, and then concluded the day by hearing JA Jance. She's a celebrity both in Tucson and Seattle, and is a snowbird like we are. She is revered at the U of A where she was given an honorary doctorate and was dubbed queen of the bookfest. I'm looking forward to reading her latest books.

Tucson seems to have lots going on besides the rodeo and gem shows. There are many classes, lectures, concerts, and festivals to give intellectual stimulation for a variety of tastes. This is the first March we've been here. I like what is happening!

Sewing Bags

Today I did another charity sew-a-thon. This time it was sewing bags for Aviva, an organization that serves children removed from their homes and placed into foster care. They are given attractive bags in which to pack up their possessions and move instead of having to use paper bags for their possessions. I spent 6 hours working with at least 100 others on these bags at Pima Community College. It was a fun day. I feel fortunate now to have enough sewing friends to recognize some of the participants and to have friends to sit with. I was impressed with how well the organizers had things planned. They even had greeters to unload cars and give directions. Door prizes were given out, along with snacks and a nice lunch. Everyone I talked to wants to do it again next year.

Fabric Distribution Day

Today I worked for Iskashitaa at the fabric distribution day. Iskashitaa gets many donations of fabric, sewing machines, and other sewing related things from estates or charities. We use some of the materials in sewing classes. The other materials are given away during distribution days at the office. Recently I've found some fabric treasures that I think would be good to use in class, so I had fun looking through the giant stash. I now have piles of material in our garage that I will eventually get to my sewing students or back to the office for another distribution day. A large number of refugees are interested in sewing, which is gratefying. I feel like I am able to put my sewing knowledge to work for a good cause by volunteering with their sewing program.

Larry and I decompressed tonight by going to dollar day at the movies. We saw Tangled. I was a fun movie.

Demo Day

Today I went to Green Valley for the ASG chapter's Demo Day. It is a big event held at a country club during which 5 presenters give lessons on how to sew different things. The group breaks down into smaller groups and each rotates to the different presentations. It was fun. I participated in the fashion show at lunch time. I modeled my bias top and skirt outfit that I made following easy methods outlined in Threads Magazine. The outfit was a big hit. I got many compliments. I also was asked to model 3 other items for people who couldn't be there. I was flattered to be asked to do it. It made me feel like I was part of the group. I had many people greet me by name and chat. Tucson is feeling more and more like home.