Quilting and Do It Yourself Day at the Pima Public Library

Yesterday, we went to a DIY session (I went to one on quilting, Mark went to a session on mobile camera photography: both very good) at the library's first such event #libraryDiyDay.  I asked the security guard if the crowd (very busy) was a typical Saturday and he said "no" it was up by about 75%.  I know I enjoyed the event and learning about the resources the Tucson Quilters Guild offers.  http://tucsonquiltersguild.com/

I am not going to become a serious quilter but I am fascinated by the craft and watch Porter and Fons (or is it vice versa?) on PBS most Saturday mornings.  Last week I went to the Quilt Expo which is really for folks like the leaders of the library session who are really into quilting.  The Expo does show quilts but more products for quilting than the former.  In January there is a huge show at the TCC and I will attend to that. 

When I think about quilting, I sort of imagine a quieter time when people like my grandmother and great-grandmother gathered at quilting bees and talked and shared and learned from each other as they hand stitched their utility quilts.  Now, as I learned at the DIY session, most quilters have a mechanical/sewing maching and permanent quilting machine.  They can take the mechanical with them to meetings and events.  It's not an inexpensive craft: tools and fabrics are quite costly.  And many quilts now are more "for show" than for use.  I have inherited one that was well used and I want to get documented--a goal for 2014 maybe. 

The in-my-youth "sewer" in me (home ec. class was always a struggle but what I really learned about sewing I learned from my mom) would like to pick up a needle and thread again and I have unfinished embroidery projects in a bedroom basket.  Yet, the idea of working with fabric as in a quilt has some appeal.  If I do it, it will be a small product.  Time will tell.

 (from the Tucson Quilter's Guild website)

Getty Villa

As part of our annual pilgrimage to Long Beach, California, we visit either the J. Paul Getty Center or Villa.  It's fun to go to the Villa because we also get to enjoy the Malibu Coast and this year, after our museum visit, we drove to the interior along the Malibu Canyon Road and discovered more rural areas, hidden in the hills.  We'll explore that area again and try to visit the Paramount Ranch National Monument.  But for this trip, we are happy to share Villa photos and the experience which was made more joyful by my cousin, Craig, and his wife, Lynn's, companionship.

Mark put together the album, so enjoy:  https://picasaweb.google.com/115037493039149573213/2013GettyVillaVisit?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHhquziw_6OVg&feat=email#slideshow/5926225347160701426

California Living

Mark found this great little guest house through airbnb.com .  It's located in the historic California Heights neighborhood so several photos of this album show that area.  A few others show the man-made bay in Naples and (also man-made on a former bean farm), El Dorado Natural Park.  Such a terrific trip.  We now have a favorite place to stay when we can get to the coast!

https://picasaweb.google.com/115037493039149573213/LongBeach?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_m-4afq9XhPg&feat=email#slideshow/5924048386221588626

Family in California

Here's the link to a few of the many pics Mark took of the Fonte-gathering for Aunt Mollie's 100th birthday.  There are also photos, near the end of the album, of my cousin and his wife (Craig and Lynn Sjurset) with us at the Getty Villa.  Enjoy!

https://picasaweb.google.com/115037493039149573213/20130915?authkey=Gv1sRgCNKY77Hw2vbk9gE&feat=email#slideshow/5924043088705972226

Crest Ranch Little Free Library

A few months back I wrote about my unsuccessful attempt to host a Little Free Library in my front yard.  Although several neighbors appreciated the effort, someone complained to our HOA and so I was asked to remove it.  I did, but not without protest (anyone who knows me well, would know this to be consistent with my personality and passion).  Fortunately, I had supportive neighbors who joined me in convincing the Board that something they could support should be explored. 

So we formed a working group that met several times over the summer, enjoying mini-potlucks and expanding neighbor-to-neighbor relationship building.  Several of us took on specific tasks--one did the sign's design work, another wrote the sign text, a couple of us collected books and magazines, a husband built the bookcase and another toted it down to the community pool in his truck.  There were bumps along the way but we got it done.  Now the question will be how/if our other neighbors use the Little Free Library and support it with consistent donations.  Time will tell.  So, for those of you interested in the mostly-happy ending to this story, here are photos. 

P.S. If the LFL is supported, our HOA may consider a permanent, more artistic structure such as other neighborhoods have in Tucson and around the USA and the world.  At that point, our LFL may become "officially" registered, but for now, we have what we have...and I, for one, am glad for it!

 

Yours truly and another stalwart neighbor.

 

 

 

The Crest Ranch Little Free Library, circa September, 2013

 

Sentinel Peak Surprise

On Labor Day, Mark and I drove to Casino Del Sol to buy lawn tickets for the 9/12 CCR concert.  On the way back, we drove down Mission Road (I wanted to see the progress on the all-volunteer Mission Gardens efforts) and decided to take the "short but winding road" up Sentinel Peak (otherwise known as "A Mountain").  We haven't gone up there in years and it was a bit scary to take the one lane road up the south side where there are no safety barriers but a loooong drop down and a wide vista to distract a driver.

On the way up, we passed a group of guys gathered together on the side of the north side of the peak and, when we got to the top, besides the amazing view of Tucson looking north, we saw a fellow intently guiding his radio-controlled aircraft.  What a surprise!  I was absolutely enthralled and shouted to the guy "we should be paying you for admission to this terrific show in the sky."

You have to look closely into the clouds to see the plane, but it was moving fast so this was the best Mark could do with his phone camera.  I want to see more of this "sport-hobby" and am surprised that I find it so fascinating...but I do!

City View with the Catalina Mtns. in the background

 

You have to look hard into the center of the photo to find the plane, but it is there!

 

 

Here is the fellow flying his plane.