Thunder Moon ~ July

Hi! Tonight and last's full moon, for July, is called the Thunder Moon.

Tradition was, July is the month with the most thunder storms [though actually here June is the more stormy month.] This name supposedly derives fro Native American tradition. The other name for July's full moon is the Hay Moon, an ancient English farming name, when once upon a time farmers used the full moon's light to add hours to their days of harvesting hay. Not something most of us think about---hay? I do recall the giant harvester trucks working later into the night under their bright lights to harvest---something?--back when I was a little girl in Illinois. Probably corn or soybeans, no moon needed.

Later last night, spooky!
[the small bright white dots are planes or ships.]

No, Thunder Moon is far more suitable to my life and times here at the beach. The other day the air felt so heavy and stormy, I was sure there's be a big storm by afternoon. The Weather Bug said ZERO chance of rain. Hmmm. Around 4 PM the clouds hurtled in from New Jersey, leaving the lifeguards to scramble frantically to clear the beaches.

In fact two people were struck by lightning at the beach in Point Pleasant NJ, which is far by road, but just over the water expanse as the gulls fly. Maybe 20 miles away? [see in the left corner where it says Long Branch, that's by Point Pleasant NJ. My beach is under all the yellow lightning Z's. Not far!

This is from my cell phone, another stormy evening. I know It's silly but I get such a kick out of the animated weather pictures displayed in real time on my iPhone. The lightning is even different each time, how cool is that. I also am very fond of the snow screen in the winter,lol.

Here is Mo patiently waiting for the rain to stop. Time for his walk!

I hope you can go out tonight and see the Thunder Moon and big planets in our summer sky. Little things, simple pleasures. Enjoy.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

Summer Porch Quiltalong [P2]: Basket Block

Hi! We are now showing our Summer Porch aka P2 blocks on the third Monday of each month. Lori's blog will show everyone's work so far. here

I made sure I was focused and got this block done in time. It's the most detailed and intricate block on the quilt I think,  except maybe for the Bicycle Wheels.

pattern photo

I loved making this block, so fun and cheerful. It was harder than it may appear, needing layering and planning to make it all work.

It's really large! 22 1/2". That's big pieces that must lie smoothly.

I'm feeling a tiny bit better but still am home all day [cannot really walk, can't drive, can't cook much], so I've been doing my hand sewing each afternoon with Mo. Some days we have to sit indoors which I don't much like, but he needs the AC. I snuck ahead on P2 and began the Sailboat and Whales block. Ooops, cheating.

By the time we're done we'll either be really good at Moon and Star points or we'll refuse to ever sew the motifs again.[Like I don't hand sew proliferating leaves anymore.].

pattern photo

  I made a mistake though, I placed the boat too high. It should rest on the blue water when done. Either the blue and whales will have to be an inch wider or I'll add at the top.

The next block, for July-August is a perfect choice! Watermelons! I just happened decide to prewash the bright pinks for the watermelon middles and I am glad I did! I soaked four choices in cold clear water and one or more ran a LOT. Must put in a rush order of Retayne.

pattern photo

And I finished the Children block on When the Wild Geese Fly. So cute.

But this project has only one more applique block then it needs a bunch of machine sewing which is still too painful for my hips and back, so I think I will begin my Ohio Sampler project. Ohio Patterns, Anita Shackelford

I can't quite decide how to re-size the substitute blocks from the Sue Cummings book[Chicken, Doggies, Shoe, Heart in Hands etc] ....

...so I will begin slowly, with the Pomegranate and the Cotton Bole. I plan to do the multicolored version's applique first, then the piecing of both the multi and the blue versions together, then I'll go back and do the blue applique blocks. Hahaha. This could, of course, take many years....


Having my quilting, and my blog and friends here---and dear Mo, has meant so much to me during this summer of illness! When one wakes up each morning facing a day of relentless pain, it is so encouraging to have a fun project to plan, and friends to share it with. Thank you all!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

PS The Watermelon dress was a success! Even Mo got a pressie, a new halter, escape proof? We hope.

Littlest surf shop t-shirt ever! Pink!

The red tankers, right on schedules, Sunday night.

Sunsets, Rainbows, Watermelons,Kitty!

Hi everyone! Now in mid-July the afternoons are too hot and muggy for me, and especially Mo!---to sit out on the deck and sew. Pugs have the notion they like lying in hot sunshine but it's not good for them. Poor Mo is relegated to the shady AC living room instead. But by evening the sea breeze picks up and long blue shadows bring cooling hours. We almost always try to sit out to enjoy the sunset.

Days are still very long. The sky begins to lighten at 4 AM and with sunset at 8.45, the blue twilight lingers on. This almost looks like an October sky! A harbinger of change?

I love it when the glowing sunsets turn the ocean pink as well.

And when the sun lights up the big ships far out at sea.

And the odd phenomenon of brilliants sunsets in the eastern sky, mimicking sunrise.

And look who's here! Kitty coming through the rosy air for her evening snack. I love her though I think she is not the original Kitty, but one of the Twins. And I think---I hope!---I spotted Stripey one night, though he'd be a very old cat-man by now. I miss his visits.

We've been having brief squally thunderstorms too. I always must go look for the rainbow, never will be too familiar or mundane.

I've had a few better days. The hip pain is hovering but mostly for now has relocated to my left forearm So weird and random. I was able one day to actually do some sewing! I quickly made this Watermelon sundress for Mo's little girlfriend who will be 2 soon! I hope she [and her mom & daddy], like it.

pug kisses!

Have a good weekend!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....