Relaxing and Christmas

Two words that in most vocabularies don't co-exist. Christmas is synonymous with "bustle", "hustle" and "wrestle" and very little "peace on earth" or "silent night". Stop, look, listen; these are words spoken to us as children learning a new skill. Somehow now it needs to be awoken in us again -- to wonder at the mysteries of God's love arriving one morn 2,000+ calendars ago ... The simplicity of faith is in contrast to the profundity of His work in those who believe He seeks and desires communication with man. John 3:16 is oft quoted but still resounds in its clear message: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not die but have life forever. (my paraphrase).

Stop, look, listen; God has provided an opportunity for us if we would hear His quiet voice speak to us today as He did in the days of Rome's rule centuries ago. Has man changed with all the gadgets and tech? We still long for meaning and significance, all of which God offers. Hebrews 11:6 For he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Find a quiet moment. Seek Him today. He came for you. He loves you.

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Sweater Quest

Adrienne Martini.  Sweater Quest -- My Year of Knitting Dangerously.  Adrienne undertakes a commitment to knit an Alice Starmore pattern "Mary Tudor" in a year with setbacks, tinks, and defensive postures from family, friends, pets and the sweater itself.  Chronicling all the mental lapses, intimidation and painful soul-searching this experience journal reveals a year of fascination, fear and sometimes flaunting of Alice. 

The personalized sweater is nicknamed "Lana" because of Adrienne's personalization of the pattern colors by substituting yarns, a horrible offense against the designer and literally an affront.  Copious detail is given of Alice Starmore's attempts to defend trademark of  her patterns, yarn choices and the singular use of any of her designs without any tweaks.

Fixating on Lana and Alice Starmore's design, Adrienne raises a thematic question similar to the one asked in a Breck commercial of old which is slightly modified for this situation:  "Is it or isn't it?"  My response after reading this spellbinding record of minutiae, "Only the knitter knows for sure!"

Summer Break

As you can tell, I've been on summer break with my blog.  Baseball season brings many commitments and challenges including scheduling travel, planning meetings and providing equipment to fulfill requests.  Beyond that there is payroll for 32 employees, contract payments to official scorers, alternate umpires and requests for reimbursement to Major League Baseball.  Throw into that a relocation of our office space just down the road -- 1,110 miles, and I'm having the time of my life! 

After visiting a cranofacial doctor, yesterday, I will be smiling more to relieve the pressure on the jaw joints.  So when you see that wicked grin, it isn't you I'm after -- it's my TMJ acting out.

Valley Forge - Martha Washington's Letter

 Dave and Susan, Frank and I toured Valley Forge.  So much has changed since we picnicked here years ago.  Model airplanes were still in flight but the roadways were redirected and the approach to the monument by car had disappeared due to deterioration. 

The excitement in Valley Forge was the newest archaeological dig behind the Potts home.  Martha Washington had mentioned in a letter about a cabin she and General Washington had shared during the Winter in Valley Forge.  The foundations were recently discovered and an investigation into the size and artifacts located on the site was being conducted the weeks prior and following our visit.  Unfortunately work had stopped for the weekend so we were not able to watch a any finds in process.

Historic Bethlehem

 Historic Bethlehem is quite that.  In 1758 the Sun Inn was established and at some point during the Revolution, General Washington stayed here.

Greenery grows out of the words above the lintel.

 Historic buildings are down every street.

Candles light the way along the path.  Not sure the emotion that the antiquities of the Revolutionary Era stir but it is indeed a pleasant, ironically "peaceful" sensation.    Historic Hotel Bethlehem was our base for the All-Star Events.  A historic bookshop across the street and a yarn shop a block to the west, couldn't have been better.

Tour Day around ABE

 First we started at Martin Guitar.  Our tour guide was first-rate but my memory is "out of tune" as to his name.  The factory tour used a receiver with ear phones for each of us and the guide had a microphone.  We didn't miss a word except when we were snapping pictures.

 Susan and I enjoyed our day together while the guys took in Citizens Bank Ballpark

The PCL umpires, Cory and John, joined Susan and I and their significant others at the Crayola Factory.  Unfortunately no pictures were permitted inside the factory which is quite a shame since I was having a very bad hair day.

Enjoying the Event

 Here is some of our peanut gallery:

All-Star Event

The annual Triple-A All-Star Game was held at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania in front of a packed house.  Family and friends were able to join me at this event and we were well entertained by groups dragging the infield!  Never saw a dance routine from a grounds crew before.

Once again the International League won the contest but it was a nail biter and a close score throughout the evening ending with a 2-1 score.  See, Lehigh Valley IronPigs Prove to Be Perfect Hosts.

It was groundhog day at Mom and Dad's.  Well actually several of the large fur balls were part of the illegal immigrant relocation program.  No animals were injured in this photograph or at any other time. 

A Murder Is Announced - Agatha Christie

Front row seats to enjoy the Evangelical Christian Academy production of Agatha Christie's play A Murder Is Announced.  What a great treat for a date night!  Frank and I had a wonderful time and I felt like part of the cast (Miss Marple) as I knitted my way through the unraveling mystery.  Kudos to ECA on the exhibition of talent!

Needleworks by Holly Berry - Yarn Crawl

The Yarn Crawl departed from Needleworks on a Tuesday morning with a first stop at A Knitted Peace.  After shopping for what seemed like just a few minutes but was actually over an hour, we headed on to the Brown Palace for a grand tour of the Old Lady of Downtown Denver which included views of the stained glass ceiling, the tea room and the Art Deco decor of the 8th and 9th Floors.  Thrown into the tour was a rest stop in the Eisenhower Suite and a lot of history of the determination of the ownership to survive the depression and resulting travel downturn with an imaginative redesign and change in purpose of the top two floors from hotel suites to apartments for the wealthy who rented out their mansions to also survive but needed a place to live.  After the tour we were ready to go ashore at the Ship's Tavern where we had a terrific lunch amidst the sailing ship models and seagoing decor.  Re-fortified (but sleepy) we headed on to the Lamp Shoppe which is a comfortable place to sit and visit while browsing through patterns.  Finally it was back to Needleworks and home, quite satisfied with the visual, social and mental experience but thoroughly exhausted.

Progress at our house.  Lumber has been installed in the front bedroom, living room, stairs and landings and are ready for finishing next week.  I'm so excited that we may have order again in the near future (along with some beautiful floors due to Frank's handiwork).  Insulation is being installed tomorrow and carpet measurements for the two other rooms is Saturday.  Of course, the projects will never end but this major one will be done.

Mother's Day

These flowers from Jonathan came round the globe to me for Mother's Day but with my purple thumb they might last through the summer.  So grateful for the gift and the memories.  The pink miniature rose bush is established on the corner of my desk in the PCL Office.

Celebration of Being a Conqueror

The Needleworks Knit Club met to celebrate Debbie's good news of graduation from a three-month checkup to a six-month regimen.  Knitting, food and good company is quite an excellent way to support her in the continued battle. 

The Light Bulb

As one ages, there is still time to learn things.  A light bulb turned on today; each time a new idea is discovered, an estatic joy of discovery gives the spirit a lift.   This is true in the physical, mental and spiritual realms. Wellbeing due to exercise sparks energy.  Solving a puzzle that has plagued my mind for weeks gives a different jolt to other Rubik's cubes.  Reading a book, True Spirituality by Francis Schaeffer, (a Christian classic from the 1970's) and pondering the philosopher's approach to the Life, gives pause, illumination and understanding of Scripture. All three areas increase my desire to know more about the world around me and the God who created it and me.

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

Today is the day my husband asked my father for my hand in marriage 32 years ago.  Amazing how time goes by.  The Luck of the Irish and the Blessing of the Lord have been upon us during these days.  Thanks be to God for His lovingkindness and faithfulness.

House Hunters a/k/a Meeting Planner Hotel Hunt

Two days of last week I spent in San Diego visiting, evaluating and analyzing hotel properties for the PCL Seminar in October.  One hotel was remote - Del Mar (1) with the availability of a shuttle to reach local restaurants, another downtown - Gaslamp Quarter (2) located with a multitude of restaurants and near to PetCo Ballpark, one a resort - Mission Bay (3) some restaurants in the vicinity, three restaurants on the property, great meeting space, worlds apart from the bustle of downtown.

Part of the decision process involves pricing and location.  Of course, the downtown property is by far the most expensive and the northernmost is the least expensive.  The prospective attendees considerations would motivate my decision as they enjoy having a multitude of restaurants and other facilities nearby. The purpose of this meeting is primarily business but should include some relaxation.  So did I choose property #1, property #2 or property #3?   That depends on what is acceptable on the pricing structure.  TBD tomorrow!

Nicke's Haircut

Nicke had a haircut this week and we've made a coat from an old XL sweatshirt to keep her warm when she goes out.  Unfortunately, she didn't wear it to bed last night.  As the evening cooled, she ever so subtly requested to be covered up with a blanket.  Not very subtly actually.  She'll be wearing the sweatshirt to bed tonight!

Still Life

Arranging a still life, with color and texture makes for an interesting photo and gives me an opportunity to be a little "artsy."  This was lots easier than trying to draw these objects by hand.  A variety of objects with smooth and rough edges; some reflective, others matte surface; some with qualities of wood, glass, cloth, steel, or food; some with tones of  light or dark;  several shapes and patterns, are frozen in time and created a depth of interest that may cause one to focus on some of the bounty provided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Punxatawny Phil and the Red Robin of Spring

The robins have spent much of the winter around our development.  What a wonderful reminder that Spring will be coming in about six weeks.  Phil and the robins are harbingers of what is to come!  It won't be long.