Late summer growth, stitching, glasses and patience

 My little nature preserve seen from the bedroom window this morning

I deadheaded the butterfly bush yesterday, annoying a few bees who were busy in there loading up. This is one year's growth.

and the sage is going for world  domination again.

I heard the meter reader snorting in annoyance at having to peer through the zinnias to see the meters

And here's the current stitching, one block finished, one still in progress.

It's very entertaining to decide on color teams, usually three, for these blocks. And when they're assembled they'll look different again, because of neighboring colors.

Several people have commented on the patience it must take to do this kind of work. But patience doesn't come into it, really. It's so absorbing that it draws you along, a series of tiny pleasures. It would only take patience if it were dull work. But it's really one visual adventure after another.

Did I mention that I had my regular eye checkup? And that I have terrific eye health? Vision stable? And that he persuaded me to get reading glasses?? Yes, reader, I succumbed. 

Drugstore reading glasses don't work for astigmatism, which I still have. But it will be restful for close work. Reluctant reader here, not happy but resigned. And he assured me that this rx will be good for years. He stopped short of saying they'll see you out! His dad is my age, so he definitely sees me as an old party. 

Happy day, everyone, don't fight the inevitable! Well, not for too long, anyway.

Mission accomplished, two, Textiles and Tea

Today Handsome Son and I went to my doctor's office to discuss and sign my instructions for end of life care, including the DNR. I wanted them to meet under undramatic circumstances so that if they meet again later, they'll know each other, better all round.

I did change one decision after discussing it and understanding better the gray area, and now it's done, signed, filed with my doctor, original on my refrigerator, copy home with Handsome Son. 

Here cropped because of privacy issues, in place for the benefit of EMTs, first thing they see coming in 

Then sandwiches and iced tea provided by Handsome Son, then he worked on my Christmas present!

He checked my tires, adjusted fluid levels, recalibrated the tpms, finally getting rid of the low tire pressure alert on the screen. 

This was a lovely gift, mainly about peace of mind. Then we finished off a pot of hot tea, with toasted cranberry walnut muffins and had a wonderful visit. Christmas officially completed 

After he left, it was time for Textiles and Tea, with Maximo Laura, internationally famous Peruvian tapestry weaver, fifth generation of his family. 

I think he was in Lima, anyway I lost the connection for quite a while, so I went in search of more of his work to show you. 

See if you can breathe after seeing these stunning works!

Meanwhile, back on earth, about eyeglasses, Steve wondered how useful they can be to donate. Exactly the question I asked my eye doctor who used to collect them for donation to poor countries.

I wondered how useful, for instance,  Handsome Partner's glasses would be, massive correction in one eye, plain glass for the other, blinded by measles in childhood, before vaccine. 

Dr  G.  had gone in the past on charitable missions to Haiti with collections of donated eyeglasses, and explained that in affluent countries we're  used to exact prescription lenses that enable flawless vision.  

We don't realize that for people without access, even a near enough Rx is better than nothing, after examining the patient's vision for maybe the first time in their lives. Andy's massive correction could be the difference between being employed and being considered blind.

So they're not wasted, even when the Rx is not totally accurate. This surprised me quite a bit, but it certainly computes.

So this was a stellar day, and I fell asleep after Textiles and Tea, just so much activity, much of it emotionally demanding.

Happy evening, everyone. I hope your day was even half as satisfying as mine.

Solstice Greetings

Happy Summer Solstice to northern hemisphere blogistas, and Happy Winter Solstice to blogistas reading in Oz and NZ. and any other southern hemisphere readers I don't know of.

Longest day here, and wildflowers everywhere. They're tiny so you need to keep looking.

Here's vetch, finished flowering and now making tiny seedpods. I expect they're related to edible peas, same vining tendrils and small flowers succeeded by pods.

I forget the name of this creeper, which showed up a few years ago and has brightened the ground cover with a lovely green. I like that it climbs right over the top of the ground cover. Right now it's in yellow bloom for a few days. 

Sorrel everywhere, edible where they haven't sprayed it, a dark sour flavor great in salads. I've never had enough to make soup but I believe you can.

The summer Austenfest continues, with the BBC Emma. 

Low budget costumes, wonderful sets, great acting, except I think Harriet Smith and Emma should have exchanged roles. Mainly because though Romola Garai is a powerful actress, she's not up to the subtleties of Emma, and I think Louise Dylan, who plays Harriet, would be a very good Emma.  

Mr Woodhouse brilliantly played by Michael Gambon, Miss Bates likewise by Tamsin Greig.  You can tell who understands Austen and who's following a script.

I'm only partway through, since this is a four episode TV series. With subtitles, I'm happy to say.  And I may adjust my attitude as I see the last two episodes.

Then I will return the DVDs to the library where I found recently someone's put a box for collecting donated eyeglasses.

I'll add these prescription sunglasses to the collection. I used to donate old glasses through my eye doctor but the person who was doing it had to stop temporarily for Covid reasons. 

Meanwhile these will be useful. My eye doctor told me years ago he'd done voluntary work in Haiti, fitting people with the nearest to their required correction, free of charge.

I was doubtful, after Handsome Partner died, whether his glasses would be useful. He had no vision in one eye, so clear glass, and a massive correction in the other. Astonishing that he did great scientific research at a lab bench with such limited sight.  But I wondered could his specs be useful for anyone else.

Eye doctor, who knew him, explained to me that the glasses would be prized. With that correction even in one eye, it could make the difference between employed active and helpless. He was happy to take all of them.

Speaking of happy to receive, my next door neighbor is delighted with his little jar of plum jam, and as soon as I handed it over, ran for the muffin to toast for it.

Happy day all around.