Paula's passing was followed in very quick succession by a long planned holiday. I'll do a separate blog post about it (so much to write about). In a way, the timing was initially awful but actually turned out to be a real blessing in disguise. Getting away for a week with Andrew and the dogs was perfect and helped a lot. My other worry was that while we were away the funeral would be held, but even that worked out, and the funeral took place on the Monday after we got back.
Coming home from holiday coincided with a continuing run of the most wonderful spring weather. We've been enjoying what has felt like tropical temperatures, and as I write, the neighbours are outside having a barbeque. I did one round of shifts at work in the library and that will be followed by a couple of weeks off for the Easter vacation. The last shift was a long one, as I was asked to cover for someone permanent who was away so did 5 pm - midnight.
As well as that, I have been making slow but steady progress with my foundation piecing quilt blocks. I sat down and traced out the eight designs, then had a marathon session cutting the strips and organising them block by block, neatly pinned in little plastic bags. I've been working on the rounds and am now about half way through the blocks. I love watching the design emerge and there is something very fascinating about turning straight strips of fabric into an elegant, sharply cornered, visually complex design. It's also very emotionally therapeutic. I started doing patchwork/quilting at a time when I was in an emotional low spot, and it has continued to bring me immense satisfaction on an emotional level - why, I.m not quite sure. There's something very reassuring about it - it's methodical, involves concentration and a certain amount of dexterity (I'm completely cackhanded yet I can do it, albeit on a modest level) yet it also involves a degree of creativity and a wonderful opportunity to play with fabric, colour and texture. I love the fact that much of what I have made has been given to others - there's somthing very special about home made gifts, and I also love the fact that in a very small and minor way, I feel as though I am part of a long continuum of women who have sewn and made patchwork and quilts over many hundreds (possibly thousands) of years.
On the Saturday when we returned, we went to the Hoddinott Hall in the Millennium Centre to see Cardiff Bach Choir. The orchestra and soloists were excellent, but I was disappointed by the choir.
On Friday, we went down to Swansea to see my uncle Warwick, who was visiting from London, staying for a week in a flat in the marina, overlooking the bay. Staying with him was his old friend Paul, now living in Italy - the two were in school together and have remained friendly during the successive fifty plus years, which is lovely. Paul is particularly notable in my own life for having bought me at the age of one, a very special teddy bear, called Suzanne who was my dear companion through childhood and continues to reside with us. She is now looking a bit battered and in fact could probably do with some repairs, but is still going strong. Paul is a really interesting person and the lunch flew by, with lively conversation, catching up on news, and hearing about Paul's new harpsichord, on which he is looking forward to playing Bach - sounds fab.
On Saturday, our two nephews, Thomas and James arrived for a short stay. James was keen to re-enter the showring with Boola, and Thomas came along for an enjoyable weekend break. We installed the boys in their bunks, and on Saturday night had a meal followed by them watching a film about owls called "Legend of the Guardians" or something similar. On Sunday, it was another glorious day and we made our way over to Rogerstone for the Greyhound Welfare spring show. The turnout was fantastic and it was lovely to see crowds of people, children and dogs of all shapes and sizes heading for the Welfare Grounds. We entered Boola in a few classes and had a chat to Paula, the organiser. James did very well, gaining a fourth in the Best Child Handler (Novelty) and then later on, going into the Pedigree ring with Boola and gaining a First in the Best Child Handler. We were thrilled and so was he. During the afternoon, Paula asked James if he would like to show her latest beautiful puppy, River, a gorgeous lurcher girl, only six months old. James did not win anything with her, but enjoyed being in the ring and as usual looked happy and confident, despite the big crowds. Thomas also took her into the ring, when James was in the Pedigree ring with Boola. We looked after River between classes and she was gorgeous, but a real live wire. She and Boola took it in turns to lie on the dog bed.
During the interval, there was a display by an obedience club and children from the crowd were invited into the ring to help out. Thomas and James dived in and were holding hurdles for the dogs to jump over while hurtling round the ring, diving through tunnels and going up the ramps. Amazing to watch and the boys really enjoyed it. Eventually came home, tired and happy, had dinner out in the garden then watched Muppet Treasure Island ( a real treat) and embarrassed the boys by the fact that Andrew and I sang along loudly and very badly to all the songs. James was also keen to phone his parents and grandparents to give them an update on the day's events. Monday, Claire and Alex (our third nephew) came over, and stayed for lunch before returning home en masse. Again, we ate in the garden and it was really hot - gorgeous.
I've been updating some pics on Facebook today including some from the show and Paula the organiser commented on some. She also has invited me to judge at the show in September! I've never done this before, but am immensely pleased and happy to be asked. I will have a think about it and maybe have a chat to someone else who's done it before.
One other piece of news is that Paul, Paula's son, will be down over the weekend, and he and the family will be making a start on clearing Paula's house, always a difficult and emotionally draining task. I was immensely touched, as he spoke to Andrew on the phone during the weekend, and asked if I would like to have Paula's quilting books and her other quilting things. I've written before how much it meant to me when she gave me her fabric stash so this is a very special gift, and again, will feel as though her legacy will be continuing.
On the Saturday when we returned, we went to the Hoddinott Hall in the Millennium Centre to see Cardiff Bach Choir. The orchestra and soloists were excellent, but I was disappointed by the choir.
On Friday, we went down to Swansea to see my uncle Warwick, who was visiting from London, staying for a week in a flat in the marina, overlooking the bay. Staying with him was his old friend Paul, now living in Italy - the two were in school together and have remained friendly during the successive fifty plus years, which is lovely. Paul is particularly notable in my own life for having bought me at the age of one, a very special teddy bear, called Suzanne who was my dear companion through childhood and continues to reside with us. She is now looking a bit battered and in fact could probably do with some repairs, but is still going strong. Paul is a really interesting person and the lunch flew by, with lively conversation, catching up on news, and hearing about Paul's new harpsichord, on which he is looking forward to playing Bach - sounds fab.
On Saturday, our two nephews, Thomas and James arrived for a short stay. James was keen to re-enter the showring with Boola, and Thomas came along for an enjoyable weekend break. We installed the boys in their bunks, and on Saturday night had a meal followed by them watching a film about owls called "Legend of the Guardians" or something similar. On Sunday, it was another glorious day and we made our way over to Rogerstone for the Greyhound Welfare spring show. The turnout was fantastic and it was lovely to see crowds of people, children and dogs of all shapes and sizes heading for the Welfare Grounds. We entered Boola in a few classes and had a chat to Paula, the organiser. James did very well, gaining a fourth in the Best Child Handler (Novelty) and then later on, going into the Pedigree ring with Boola and gaining a First in the Best Child Handler. We were thrilled and so was he. During the afternoon, Paula asked James if he would like to show her latest beautiful puppy, River, a gorgeous lurcher girl, only six months old. James did not win anything with her, but enjoyed being in the ring and as usual looked happy and confident, despite the big crowds. Thomas also took her into the ring, when James was in the Pedigree ring with Boola. We looked after River between classes and she was gorgeous, but a real live wire. She and Boola took it in turns to lie on the dog bed.
During the interval, there was a display by an obedience club and children from the crowd were invited into the ring to help out. Thomas and James dived in and were holding hurdles for the dogs to jump over while hurtling round the ring, diving through tunnels and going up the ramps. Amazing to watch and the boys really enjoyed it. Eventually came home, tired and happy, had dinner out in the garden then watched Muppet Treasure Island ( a real treat) and embarrassed the boys by the fact that Andrew and I sang along loudly and very badly to all the songs. James was also keen to phone his parents and grandparents to give them an update on the day's events. Monday, Claire and Alex (our third nephew) came over, and stayed for lunch before returning home en masse. Again, we ate in the garden and it was really hot - gorgeous.
I've been updating some pics on Facebook today including some from the show and Paula the organiser commented on some. She also has invited me to judge at the show in September! I've never done this before, but am immensely pleased and happy to be asked. I will have a think about it and maybe have a chat to someone else who's done it before.
One other piece of news is that Paul, Paula's son, will be down over the weekend, and he and the family will be making a start on clearing Paula's house, always a difficult and emotionally draining task. I was immensely touched, as he spoke to Andrew on the phone during the weekend, and asked if I would like to have Paula's quilting books and her other quilting things. I've written before how much it meant to me when she gave me her fabric stash so this is a very special gift, and again, will feel as though her legacy will be continuing.
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