slowly moving along

Last week's snow is slowly melting and the snow that was predicted for this week did not make a showing.

Each day more and more of the street pavement is showing. The piles are getting more and more dirty as they freeze each night.

The paths in front of single family dwellings have been pretty well cleared...

But the apartment buildings are a different story.

Each year, more and more of these huge condominiums and apartment buildings are going up.

Not only do they add a few hundred more people to our sardine-can trains, but I find that everyone's property is no one's responsibility.

Though the single dwellings beyond have the walks cleared, those around the apartment buildings are left for nature to clear ... and certainly add to the time it takes to walk any where.

Monday I had to go out to an afternoon English class and Wednesday morning the Gala quilt group met for a few hours of work.

My daughter and granddaughter came over and while I was reading to Leya, Norie took over my quilting for me.

Other than those times, I was glad to stay indoors working on quilting the background of the fan blocks, Friday's new group ... well, new to me ... met in a home that had a large wooden floor behind the sitting area. It was warm and sunny and I could spread the Gala quilt on the floor and mark the remaining background and one border for quilting.

That was a really big help, even if I didn't get any quilting done. I quilted all day today until I had to leave for an evening Scout meeting.

I think this is about a quarter of the blocks done. The quilting in to border will be a straight line cable. This is not really heavily quilted but the thinsulate batting is not going to shift even if the quilt should get heavy wear.

On the wall outside my window I enjoyed the winter visitors.

This Brown-eared Bulbul was working on that apple almost before the door was shut.

I don't know where they hang out but they really keep a close eye on the wall.

 The feeder is just a piece of plywood with two groups of nails hammered up from the bottom and some side pieces to hold it on the wall.

Sometimes I put tangerines and sometimes apples.

This little Japanese White-eye was waiting on the laundry poles for his turn.



This afternoon I put out a glass of juice for these guys but I was too busy working on the quilt to stop for pictures.


Tomorrow after church I have to take part in a special music practice,  then return home for more quilting.

My fingers are getting rather sore. I have a thin rubber thimble that helps  ... if I remember to wear it. Usually I have to stab my fingers a few times before hunting it up.

A good night's sleep and a break tomorrow morning are going to help even more.