Dismal News About Reading

Did anyone else see this article last week? It claims that 1 in 4 American adults did not read a single book last year. Disturbing, yes...surprising, no. We live in a culture that is satisfied (I would use the term "sedated") into being force-fed ideas and opinions by the television producers, all in the name of entertainment and relaxation.

There...that was a relatively short rant, and I am done now...so get off the computer and go to the library!

Deep Thoughts from Garfield

Garfield: circa 1979...back in the day. He expresses my thoughts on exercise pretty clearly, especially since the Boxer had me running "wind sprints" (read "painful asthma-inducing torture") yesterday during our workout. He'd better remember about my good 1-2 punch! Not that I can lift my arms!

Quote of the Day: Mark Twain

It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.

Textile Heaven

I love textiles...vintage tablecloths, embroidered pillowcases, bedspreads and quilts. Even my dishtowels are some from the 60's that I found on Ebay a couple of years back. I just enjoy the colors and the feel of them. So when the opportunity arose to make the 3-hour trek to Valley City, ND for a quilt show last Saturday, I jumped...took a shower, got dressed and packed lunch in 40 minutes flat. You have to jump on these opportunities when they arrive!

The Barnes County courthouse had 3 floors, including the hallways and the banisters, of quilts, quilts and more quilts. Incredible.
I especially liked the one above. It was all "Woodland Creatures" and had about 12 different animals, including a skunk!
And this one was wonderful because of the texture: the "stars" were all done in a striped chenille.

We then visited a little antique shop that we have found before, and entered again what I call "Textile Heaven", a little nook upstairs with a very low ceiling that is filled with tablecloths, doilies, bedspreads, pillowcases and blankets. I touched everything. And then found a white on white chenille "dots" bedspread for $6.25...without a stain on it!

North Dakota Beauty

The sunflowers are in full bloom in North Dakota. I went for a long drive this weekend. Gorgeous fields. I probably trespassed like crazy to get these pictures!

This was actually the view from the road...it made me think that the sunflowers were ignoring me!