All Gone

My morning glories are long gone and the landlord put up new fences between the patios back in early November when we had some beautiful days. The morning glories grew through the fence to go visit the lady who lives on the other side. I had 3 plants that Fran traded me for tomato plants. Next year I'll have to plant more. They started blooming in August and delighted me every day.
Bob is doing very well. His eyesight is somewhat better. His home health care ended at the end of November. The people from Twin Tier Heath Care were great. We had RNs checking his vitals, an Aide who helped him shower and talked to him, PT and OT who got him moving. Now he walks around the house without a cane. The walker is here in case he has to go out on rough ground and he takes the cane when he has to go out. His last visit to the Binghamton VA went well. He walked up the steps and back down instead of taking the ramp.
I've done a bit of sewing. The Twister table topper top is done. I made an over sized pillowcase for the big pillow I bought. Now I wonder what people do who don't sew because the standard pillowcases are way too small.
Pat went back to Arkansas eager to show 'those Southern women' how to birth a pillowcase. She made one under our direction when she was here and even French seamed the side seam.
It's really time for me to put the Christmas tree up. Once I do that I'll be more in the spirit of the Christmas season. Only two more weeks. Gotta hustle.
Chris

Quick Note

Isn't this pretty. It's Beth R's wallhanging made for her daughter to hang in her office. She said her daughter likes Claude Monet. This is her second of this waterlily she's made.

We just wanted to update everyone that Bob is doing well, gaining strength. He has therapists nearly daily, 5 days a week.

Yesterday he had his first outing since he came home on Oct. 20. He went to see Dr. Herceg about the eye problem that developed when he was in the hospital.

The doctor who saw him in hospital said "Dry macular degeneration, call my office for an appointment when you get out of here."

We decided not to do that, but a appointment was set up with the office where I go.

A preliminary exam was done and his records were requested from the hospital.

After a thorough exam yesterday, Dr. said "there is a little macular but this is Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. The blood work and information indicates this. The optic nerve is pale."

The doctor will keep a close watch on his eyes and will see him in early January.

Possibly it will improve. We are hopeful and praying.

What's Happening

We've been busy the past month. Bob lost all strength and couldn't get out of bed on Sept. 23. I called 911 and the ambulance took him to the hospital, UHS-Wilson. He had a bacterial infection in his blood and had also had a silent heart attack. After a week at Wilson, he was transfered to Binghamton General, Krembs 6 for rehab. He finally came home on Oct. 20. He is improving and getting around using a walker. In the meantime Chenango Piecemakers had their show on Columbus Day weekend. Here's my Sue Had an Idea for a Cutting Bee, Jacob's Ladder quilt that was at least six years in the making.

Yesterday Triangle Guild had their show at Fall Festival in Whitney Point. I call this one Crazy Chickens. The chicken fabric came from a basket at Keepsake Quilting the first time I went there.

The snowman wallhanging was made by my cousin Ella Lane. She calls this one Dolly. Can you see why?

Thanks to all who sent cards, prayed and thought and asked about Bob. He's so glad to be at home again. Four weeks is a long time to be away in a hospital. He'll have an RN, aide and PT and OT coming to the house starting tomorow.

Chris

Just a few words about the recent flood...

Today I drove to Endicott on Rt. 17. Passed the Vestal Nursing Home with its ground floor missing all the windows. My neighbor who worked there until recently said the beds and other furnishing are piled in the front parking lot.
Home Depot has the parking lot filled with store items covered in mud. Ollie's, a new store here, which I didn't get to, is probably likewise stacked with flood refuse. Couldn't slow down enough on the road to see.
On a personal note, we were okay.
My cousin Marsha in Fairmont Park estimated 16 feet of water in her home. A picture of her in the Wed. Binghamton Press shows her in front of the house with her possessions piled at the curb.
Bob's nephew Unky (his father was Ernie, so they called him Unky, Bob told me) had his home flooded in the cellar. They have cleaned it and he, his wife and daughters are back. Two of his sons are with their grandmother.
Bob's niece Breanne had her home condemned. They were able to retrieve clothing and dishes & photos. Bob sister and brother in law are drying pictures when I stopped by today.
My granddaughter in Greene, Nikki, had 5 ft. of water in her cellar.
I'm so glad I live where I do. Thank you, God.
Chris

PA Quilt Extravaganza

On Sept. 15th I boarded a bus at the Oakdale Mall for the trip to Oaks, PA to visit the PA Quilt Extravaganza. Here's a few of the pictures I took. Thumbstall Quilters in Marcellus, NY had a display of their Do Not Touch the Quilts no larger than 12 x 12". This was one good one.

I find the catalog not real handy. Quilt lists are in the back, just a number, quilt name and quilter name.

The quilt above is Smiles. It is hand appliqued, hand embroideried and hand quilted by Sieglinde Schoen Smith. Sieglinde was the Best of Show winner at Lancaster several years ago with her Mother Earth's Children.

A special exhibit The Unspoken Truth about Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts about Racism featured this quilt, a copy of a poster in 1760 in Charlestown.

Marilyn Belford's Persephone, holding a pommegrate.
And here's a purple and lavender bargello My Purple Heart.
It was a foggy, rainy ride down and clear coming home. I met ladies from Afton, Sidney and Guilford on the bus. Learned some new sewing tips on the way. Laughed a lot.

Chris

Where Have I Been?

Didn't realize how long since I've posted. No excuse. Just plain lazy.

Here's a tiny bit of Ella Mae's garden with Logan, who started out as her granddaughter's dog, then he went to her daughter and finally came to live with her. He's an old guy now, about 14 which is 98 in people years. Hope his social security check arrives each month.

She had a bear back in early June in her back lawn. He tore down the bird feeders.

We haven't done much this summer. Too darn hot for a long time. I had to water plants twice a day to keep them going. Recently I started picking tomatoes from those heirloom tomatoes and have saved seed for next year. I have enogh tomatoes for salad and tomato sandwichs nearly every day, not to mention a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and fresh basil the other night. The patio is a real jungle this summer. I'm sharing my morning glories with my neighbor thru the privacy fence. Herbs are doing good. It will soon be time to bring in the rosemary, ivy, Swedish Ivy, Crown of Thorns (kids stay away from this with its inch long thorns) and the aloe plant.

Bob's been to the Dental Clinic at the Syracuse VA twice. The second time was for a consultation with the oral surgeon who had a cancellation after his appointment. He asked if Bob wanted his teeth out that day. Bob said "Okay" and it was done. Quiet ride home with him with his mouth packed with gauze. He's doing good, mouth is healing and he's eating more now.

My guild ladies are finishing up projects for Chenango Piecemakers show Oct. 8, 9 and 10th at the Oxford High School.

Only big news here is the flood last week. I came down Rt. 88 from my hairdresser's shop last Wed. afternoon to see the beginning of the landslide that has the east bound lane still blocked. A tree had slid down the hill and was on top of a pickup truck.

That morning the golf course at Chenango Commons flooded. McGirk's, a restaurant in the building was flooded. People have been working there since Friday, cleaning, tearing up stuff and all that is involved.

We were so fortunate that we are okay.

It won't be as long til I write again. (Sorry, Ellen. I know you watch for me.)

Chris

Open House

We had an open house for the Huntington cousins to meet Bobbie who was here for a family reunion up in Otsego County the day before. Gilda and Bobbie.

Bob who enjoyed the food.

Front L to R...me, Bobbie, Mark Liddle, Eric & Michelle Dingler, Jack Glover & my brother Bruce Gaylord. Gilda got us organized finally.

Matt Ward, Gilda's husband, Eric & Mickey (my daughter), Jack (my son), Mark & Tonie Liddle, in back brother Bruce. Everyone was milling around before Gilda the photographernazi got us organized.

We had lots of good food. I baked a met loaf & scalloped potatoes, set out relish tray and cheeses and crackers. Others brought salads, sweets and more cheese & crackers. It was a hot day & we sat outside and some stayed inside where it was cooler.

The canopy I got a few days before worked out great. Jack read directions and put it up. Mickey and Eric read directions and took it down. It's in a little blue bag with wheels that can easily stored.

We've been staying inside during the heat wave. Now that the temperature is lowering I will be binding a quilt. Yes, my Sue Had an Idea Jacob's Ladder came home and is quilted beautifully by Peg Springstead at Quilted Crow.

It's a bit dark out and rain is predicted. We need it so badly.

Chris