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We left the fruit on the high branches, and some of the lower branches, of the persimmon tree for the birds and squirrels. I don't know if the neighborhood feral cats like persimmons. Molly the (wild) Cat sniffs her nose at the orange fruit.

The other morning good fortune struck. I not only watched a crow in the persimmon tree, followed by a bunch of tiny birds, but also a squirrel. That squirrel was chittering so loud, the Husband and I went out to the back yard to find out what all the fuss was about. I wouldn't be surprised if the squirrel was yelling at the tiny birds to get out of its persimmon tree, because that was where the furry guy headed after it ran down the birch tree in the next yard. 


January was a flurry of decluttering, reorganizing, and sewing curtains, along with getting as much heavy stuff done before my cataract surgery next week.  (My gosh, already, next week. Shudder) I was such a worker bee that I became physically, emotionally, and spiritually off kilter by the end of the month. The Husband was a super trooper bearing with Susie, the grumpy patient.

Curtains! Indeed, I did. I made curtains out of the pretty pheasant print fabric I mentioned in my last post. Pheasant, not peacock that I originally thought. I changed my mind when I saw the red batik pattern of a pheasant on the cover of my 1978 journal.


While I was sick, I skimmed journals I wrote in my twenties. One last read, I figure, before burning them, because, after all, I asked: Do I want someone reading my thoughts when I'm dead? No thank you.

Here's the but. But, after reading about getting the job that turned into a career 38 years ago, I'm not ready to burn the notebooks. It's fine. Several years ago I threw out over half of my collection of journals. Another day, yes.

Back to the curtains. I had 30 yards so I was able to make three double-sided panels. Easy-peasy sewing. I added a couple of Mama's scarves to fill in the gaps between the panels when they're drawn.  I'll probably add more scarves later.

The lacy valance is a crochet piece that was one of Mama's last projects. She was an amazing crafter, crocheting tablecloths and bed spreads of delicate and intricate design. Mama was probably in her 70s when she stopped crocheting. I suspect it was more because of her hands than her eyes. Of course, she may have just hit her limit of wanting to crochet. It happens. Sometimes I wonder if I've reached my fill for writing.


Hello Mosaic Monday!

Comments

  1. ...Susie, that gives you quite a bird and squirrel feeder! Thanks for the visit.

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    1. I never thought of the persimmon tree as being a winter feeder. I like that.

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  2. Best of luck on the cataract surgery. May it go smoothly.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. My primary doctor calls it a procedure. Quite common, he assures me like everyone else. Still, these are my eyes. :-)

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  3. The curtains and lacy valance look lovely. Good luck with the surgery, I hope everything goes well for you :-)

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    1. Thanks, Eunice. I wonder how many of my photos will look off when I see them with my improved eye.

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  4. I thought those were deflated balloons for a minute.

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  5. I have been thinking about you lately and hope all is well. Molly is good I am thinking as are you and your hubby. I love those drapes..so pretty and colourful. Glad your mom’s touches are everywhere.

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    1. Pulling myself out of my muddle, I am, Birgit. I finally get that adage about staying busy to keep your mind at peace. Something that. It does help. A bit. Hanging the crochet piece on a curtain rod wouldn't have been Mama's style, so I think. But, that's okay. I also think she would've been pleased to know I'm displaying it. :-)

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  6. The curtains are beautiful...LOVE LOVE LOVE that fabric! And it's interesting about the journals. I sometimes think of writing more of my memories but then....I get depressed thinking of a lot of my past! So I better leave it there. I do have a lot of old journals though. Keeping writing and sharing your art! You inspire us all!

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    1. Thanks, Diane. I am pretty happy with the curtains, especially since they were easy to do, once I realized I can fold the fabric so that the pattern shows upright on both sides. A friend couldn't figure how I did it. Me either now that it's done. Kind of like my journals. I forgot about the existential anxiousness I had back then,. These days, my anxiety is based on reality. So I think.
      I've been mulling over the idea of writing my memories, if just to put on paper my family's story.

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  7. Hello, it is nice to be able to feed the birds and wildlife naturally with the fruit trees. We do have blueberry bushes, they birds and squirrels love to eat. Your curtains are pretty and I love your Mom's lace valance. Some times I wish I kept a journal or diary just for the memories. Sending good wishes for your eye surgery. Enjoy your day, have a happy week ahead.

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    1. Thanks, Eileen. By the time the animals finish the persimmons, I'll be ready to sow, or just finished sowing, flower seeds. I'm hoping they won't eat too many of them.

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  8. Su-sieeemac - wonderful curtains, especially with the use of the scarves and the delicate crochet. I think it is normal to get bored with an activity when we do it too much. Good thing there are plenty of other options in the world. Good luck with your surgery, and I so appreciate your participation in Mosaic Monday!

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    1. Thanks, Angie, for the reminder. I usually think of being bored because there's nothing to do. So far from the truth in my world. lol

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  9. The squirrel put on a show for you. Lovely curtains too!

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    1. Thanks, Carol. With all the fields and orchards getting developed around us, I'm willing to share the fruit in our backyard.

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  10. I was wondering about those toppers on the curtains. Lovely lace. That's totally something I could do.

    When I was a kid we had a plum tree, and we'd see the half eaten fruit from the top of the tree that the birds got. We were more annoyed by this, but we'd get so much that we were giving it away, so the birds didn't take too much.

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    1. You certainly can, Liz! I bought a crochet hook yesterday, with the intent to finally learn how to crochet.

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  11. Lovely crochet, if i may brag a bit i too am a great crafter in rhe crochet arena. My 2019 pieces were a Christmas angel Christmas tree ornament for my granddaughter and a tabke cloth a wedding gift for a young couple.
    Thanjs for dropping by my Monday WRites this week. The leaves are from the bougainvillea

    Much💝love

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    1. You and Mama would've hit it off. I remember watching Mama do her thing with the crochet hook. She was quick! Her designs were so complicated, too. She could look at a piece and figure the pattern, just like that, so it seemed.

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  12. We have plenty of squirrels here in our backyard and they love to chase the birds ,except the Bluejays.....they chase back!!

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    1. Bluejays know what's what. I've seen one in the persimmon tree this year. So glad about that. They haven't been around for a while. Maybe this bluejay heard about the persimmon tree through the bird grapevine.

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  13. I think you'll like crocheting. it goes much faster than knitting. I had the hardest time though when I started, not holding the hook like a knitting needle and wondering why my hand hurt . . . may your eyes appreciate the surgery (procedure is just a 'feel-good' word for the same thing) after it's over. :)

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    1. The other day I was in the crafts store buying a crochet needle. Seeing all that gorgeous yarn made me feel all sparkle-sparkle. I'm waiting to see if crocheting takes before I buy any new yarn. I'm getting my left eye measured this afternoon. Onward!

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  14. What a great idea to leave the fruit for the birds and one chickeree. We leave apples on the trees for the birds and the deer eat the windfalls. I DO LIKE THE CURTAINS. cROCHETING LOOKS GOOD. i WOULD BE HESITANT TO THROW AWAY THE JOURNALS BUT AS YOU SAID--ANOTHER DAY.
    Opps caps---how did I do that
    mb

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    1. Thanks, mb. Yesterday, I threw out years' old story drafts and ideas for stories so I think I may be able to throw out more journals after tearing out pages that I think I may want to work on.

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  15. Curtains turned out great, perfect! And by golly it *is* definitely a pheasant, not a peacock isn’t it! You are multi-talented indeed and I am sure can do anything you turn your mind to, but I selfishly hope you don’t get tired of writing. Because I would miss you.

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    1. Thanks, Sallie, for the kind words. Now that I have the time, and still the energy, I can try doing different things. The Husband and I love the new look. The Husband says, the curtains make the room more cozy..

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  16. I love your artwork and never come visit enough. Golden Books are still my favorite. I bought one at Christmas time. I shop the thrift stores too and sometime I Hit a lottery of GB! Since I Have dolls I Like to pose them with Golden Books, i.e. Alice in Wonderland with the book at her side. It is always nice to see you here and I will come back again soon. HUGS

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    1. Hi, Anne! I didn't realize I was on your blog. I thought the writing so familiar. Wouldn't it be fun to write a book in the style of a Golden Book? hmmm.

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  17. my goodness! curtains before surgery! You are a workaholic! I got rid of some old journals a few years ago. I certainly didn't want my children reading them one day! Secrets are best kept secrets. I hope all goes well with your surgery. ps the curtains are lovely

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    1. A workaholic, hahahaha. That's a first for me. Thanks for putting a big fat smile in my heart. :-)

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  18. There is definitely things in my journals that shouldn't be read but I can't bring myself to throw them away. The hold such a history and I'm an open book. I stopped keeping journals in 2005 when I started blogging. Now I just have scribbled in and unreadable working notebooks.

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    1. I'm definitely tearing out pages of stories and ideas and setting them aside, but they may eventually be tossed in the to-burn box. It's a good exercise for me. I'm getting back to wanting to write again.

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  19. Love the curtains! Love persimmons as well, who knew they were so popular? Good luck with the surgery.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. I have this notion of throwing away my old journals, too, but I want to read through them first and maybe keep a page here and there if is good writing and not too intimate. So far I haven't done it, though. Too much other stuff going on.

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    1. It helps to have friends who say, "Let's have a bonfire!" That was our incentive last month to get rid of unneeded financial papers. Boxes of them. Because another bonfire is on the horizon, I'm making myself go through my journals and old writing projects. At this particular moment, I feel strong to say Done and Gone, but that could change.

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  21. There are no persimmon fruits left in February, but in late October, we also left some persimmons for crows and other birds customarily. The combination of the curtain and crocheted lace is perfectly lovely.

    Thank you for your comment. Your red down vest will protect you with smooth cataract surgery and good result for clearer vision. With best wishes.

    Yoko

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    1. Hello stardust, I appreciate the visit and kind words. :-)

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  22. Your critters are clever: persimmon is an excellent fruit!

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    1. This year's crop was delicious! I just remembered I froze some slices. An experiment to see how well they taste.

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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