Little Fingers Stitch Gratitude and Love

During the past few weeks, Ive been honored to work on a Quilt of Valor with Mrs. Hansen's 2nd grade at Walnut Community School.  The eleven kids first drew pictures on fabric and colored them in with crayons.  I took the blocks home, set them in patriotic fabric and quilted all but their blocks.  I returned to the class yesterday so they could each "quilt" or tack their own block.  We had a great time!  I am hoping to take the quilt to Brooks Army Medical Hospital this spring.  It will be given to a wounded service person recovering there.  I must say that this quilt will be most appropriate for a Navy person.  The kids all know that my son is in the Navy, so there are several pictures of "Navy School"s on it!   The kids were so cooperative and fun.  I really enjoyed myself with this project.  More that that, I saw how the kids, at seven or eight years old, already have a sense of community and service.  Being President of the Community Club, I have conversed with the 2nd and 3rd grade teachers to help the kids develop this sense of community and pride by doing some service projects in town this summer.  It looks like the kids will be helping to maintain 3 memorial rock gardens at Peace Haven Retirement Home, help with some clean up projects in town and I think I will use them at the next blood drive to serve food to the donors.  Here in Walnut, it seems we have a lack of volunteerism, maybe we can boost that!

The Owl and The Pussy Cat (s)

Spending a considerably restful day at home on Sunday, I peeked out onto the back porch to see if I had left any kitties out there for too long, before remembering that they were actually on the 2nd floor balcony enjoying some sunshine.  

To my surprise...at the window by the back door I saw the back of the head of what appeared to be an OWL!  I rushed to the dining room window and sure enough a little owl was perched on the porch rail enjoying the sunshine.  Aren't owls nocturnal?  I thought they hid somewhere during the day.  I tried to get a pic thru the window, but because of glare, the screen and dirt (need to wash windows), I couldn't get a good shot.  I quietly went out the front door and snuck (sneaked?) around the house to get as close as I dared without him flying away.  The funny thing was that then, I realized that Lucy was watching the owl too!  It was all too cute!  Oh, did I mention that Possum could have cared less???

O country living!

I got on the net to see what kind of owl he is and he's called a Long eared Owl!  I hope he lives nearby and will visit us again real soon.  I will be watching.  I'm Pretty sure Lucy will too!

Side note:   After retelling this story to many, I was made aware of how dangerous this owl was to my cats and the fact that they were hanging off the balcony taunting him, could have led to their demise!  YIKES...a city girl in the country has a lot to learn!