random thoughts – Day 2,254 (Tuesday) – weather mood swing

It was sunny and hot (92 degrees). Until it wasn’t. Around noon, I ventured out to scope out the yard work situation. A small amount of raking occurred under the azalea and the dead leaves were set into the trash can from the free curbside stuff yesterday. I lasted about 10 minutes in the sun and heat before I went back indoors to sit on the couch under the ceiling fan. The window A/C units are in the shed, put there by a handyman last fall. 

Clouds collecting.

Later in the afternoon, it was cloudy. Then rainy and windy. It kind of snuck up on me. I was in the house with the shades lowered against the sun and heat, and eventually I realized it was less daylight-ish than it had been. When I looked outside, the clouds were gathering. With the sun in hiding it was safe to raise the shades and check out the changing conditions.

Before long, it got noisy with the wind whipping the trees across the street in a wild dance. Rain began pinging off the kitchen skylight and the metal stove vent pipe. Water poured off the roof and pummeled the back of the hydrangea. The sun reappeared while it was still raining, and there was some back and forth of clouds and sun for a couple hours and the temperature dropped to the 70s which was much more comfortable. The weather mood swing was in full effect. Whee!

Rhododendron is nearly ready.

Just as it was beginning to rain with a purpose, I noticed the rhododendrons are ready to start popping at each side of  the front door. After they bloom, I need to do a major pruning because they are wildly overgrown. There is another one in the back yard that is taller than I am and kind of scraggly.

I wondered how hot it would be in the lower-level church space where we dance on Tuesday evenings. It was warm, but not unbearable, but it got stuffier the longer we were there. It’s been better, and it’s been worse, and it surely will be both of those again. Hopefully, it will not be oppressive the night of our show.

We ran the dances for the show which was mostly okay until we got to the one where two of us are wrapped in silk veils. Silk is lovely and warm in the winter. In the heat it is hot and clingy and yucky. Just like last week, I kept stepping on the edge of the veil which made it hard to maneuver the thing. I have about three weeks to get that situation straightened out.

random thoughts – Day 2,253 (Monday) – treasure hunt

It was another beautiful weather day and I could get used to this, but I won’t because I know better. My heart has been broken by the weather too many times already in this lifetime. It’s supposed to be around 91 degrees tomorrow, and 87 Wednesday, but back in the 60s by the end of the week and for the next five days.

Sorting ribbons and trim and such.

The day didn’t have a plan, but a theme emerged along the lines of a treasure hunt. An excessive amount of time was spent early in the day looking for black Velcro which I was prepared to swear on my life existed in my sewing supplies. Four sewing drawers were rummaged through, plus two decorative tins with odd trims and notions, and the recently established and already messy ribbons and trims storage box. I found white and tan Velcro but no black.

In the process, ribbons and trims were carefully rolled, sorted by color and level of fanciness, and set in small snack size storage bags. Ribbon from two boxes were consolidated into one. 

After it all, I ended up using the tan fastener stuff on the purple velvet vest and it was officially declared done. The vest anyway. The top that goes under it still needs a tweak to tighten the bottom edge and while sorting through the ribbon stuff I got an idea for a potential change to the neck ties on the coin bra. And this, my friends, is how “work expands to fill the time allotted.” I anticipate more random change-ups in the next few weeks, mostly because there is still time.

Mid-afternoon, there was a curb alert post in one of the “buy nothing” groups with three chests with plastic drawers (perfect for sewing and crafts stuff!) and a big barrel (perfect for yard cleanup!). The post was 19 minutes old when I saw it. 

Finished. For now.

I mapped the route in Waze, then, as I was at the door, decided I should visit the loo. Along the drive, I imagined where I would fit the drawer thingies in the car, remembering halfway there that the cargo area still had two sets of snow shoes and some poles in it. As I drove up the destination street, a car passed me from the opposite direction on the cul-de-sac and I just knew it was the three storage unit things en route to their new home.

When I arrived at the house with the freebies, a woman was loading a wheelbarrow into the back of her SUV. She said she had come for the same barrel and storage things I had my eye on, but when she arrived, a lady was already loading all of those into her car. If only I hadn’t stopped for the toilet, I might have gotten at least one of the coveted items. Oh well.

It wasn’t a total loss. I got three flower pots, a bucket, and an indoor plastic trash can which will work for yard work, it’s just smaller the usual yard size. In other words, I’ll probably be able to load it into the back of my car myself and drop stuff at the yard waste area without assistance. This is still hypothetical. I took the items from the car and set the flower pots in the shed and the bucket and trash bin alongside the shed. Then I went into the house. I did not dive into yard work when I got home. Maybe at the end of the week when it’s cooler. We’ll see.

random thoughts – Day 2,252 (Sunday) – sunshine and calcium

Ferns in the sunshine.

It was a day of more of the same, except the weather was exceptional. Blue sky, puffy clouds, abundant sunshine and 84 degrees. The ferns in the back yard woods were pretty bathed in sunlight. The walk around the neighborhood didn’t require a jacket and/or speed walking to not freeze.. Thrilling! 

Dance practice was good. Our new troupe tops came in and were distributed. They are even prettier than I hoped. We ran through the dance for the May 31 show and the full program for a June 13 performance, where I know three out of the five dances well enough for muscle memory to be in effect, but the other two dances I don't know well enough to even fake it.

The note came from my primary care doctor about a  week ago about the DEXA scan. The verdict is “osteopenia,” which was the entire message from my doctor. One word. I wrote back and asked “What am I supposed to do?” Minimal helpful and hard to follow information arrived – specifically, “eat at least 1500mg of calcium from food sources.” Very little other info provided.

Now I’m reading articles online and reading labels and looking at charts I can buy (no printer, so I can’t just whip one off) and discovering with dismay how much stuff I like has zero calcium (potato chips). And how little calcium seems to be in a lot of other things I actually like. Milk is popular in the lists, but it stuffs up my sinuses and makes my throat phlegmy and because of that I have hated it since I was a kid. Seafood is popular on the lists, but I don’t see myself or my grocery budget taking a shine to oysters (barf), crabs, or sardines anytime soon.

Yogurt isn’t as cruel to me as milk is, and I may have to boost consumption from a bowl to a gallon daily. Maybe an entire cheese wheel every day? Tofu is on the list, but I have never succeeded in cooking an edible version of it, and usually end out throwing it out. Dining out so I can have properly prepared tofu is not likely to happen anytime soon, but maybe I can find a tofu cooking school. This is going to be fun. And by that I mean, probably not fun at all.

random thoughts – Day 2,251 (Saturday) – swept

The weather, one of my favorite topics to whine about lately, was greatly improved today. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and windows were opened. It was everything I hope for in a spring day. There were town wide yard sale events in nearby towns, a yard sale in my neighborhood, and a farmers market opening, but I did none of these things. I got swept up in the purple velvet vest sewing project.

The day’s goal was to finish the vest. When the side seams were taken in and the neckline reshaped, the arm holes were affected and needed to be expanded. The gold trim on the edges of the vest had been removed in several work areas, and remained sewn in place at the back neck edge. Today, the arm holes were fixed and the trim was ready to be reset. There was a challenge.

The neckline had been reshaped from a straight vee neck to a curved line inspired by the belly dance Turkish vest design. When the trim was being reset, there was no longer enough, because the shortest distance between two points is a straight line (old neckline), but I now had a longer curved one. There were two gaps in visible places where the trim ran out.

A message was sent to my talented and brilliant sewist friend with a photo of the trim gaps. She replied, “Space to sew on interesting notions?” I did the palm to forehead “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?” thing and sprang into action.

Gaps in the trim!

Scrap fabric from the big skirt project was fetched, which is, coincidentally, the perfect colors for the vest. In the space of 40 minutes, scrap fabric was lined with scrap fusible interfacing to provide support (proving that my tendency to save practically everything pays off eventually). From the scraps, paisley and floral motifs were cut out. These were pinned on the vest in the two bare spots, and elsewhere to make it look like a deliberate design.

Fray Check would help keep fabric edges from fraying. Surprise! When a bottle of Fray Check sits in a drawer for long enough (decades?), the liquid solution becomes a solid. The WalMart website was checked for the availability of the magic stuff, and a trip made to the store. This ate up a solid hour of prime sewing time, because it seems to be impossible for me to enter WalMart, find the needed item and exit immediately. The pattern drawer didn’t have any new costume patterns. The clearance aisle yielded a spool of trim for $1.50. The bakery discount rack was empty. The sweet potato fries were too high up on the freezer shelf to reach.

Back at home, there was an epic battle to get the cap off the new bottle of Fray Check. When I couldn’t unscrew it by hand, I tried my back teeth, which hurt but didn't help with the cap. Running the cap under hot water finally worked. The effort included swearing and the composition of an imaginary letter to the Dritz company about the excessively tight cap.

Almost done.

Finally, all the edges of the motifs were treated with the Fray Check and set to dry while I finished trimming up loose threads on the vest. The hand sewing of the motifs was slow going. It took a couple hours to stitch a paisley shape at each shoulder area, which isn’t even where the trim gaps were. 

It wasn’t quite finished today, but almost (which really only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and thermo nuclear warfare). Definitely tomorrow it can be completed after dance group, unless the gorgeous weather on tap sweeps me up in a hike or some outdoor frolic. 

random thoughts – Day 2,250 (Friday) – a break

We caught a break from the rain. The day started out gray and cloudy, but the weather improved and it was sunny later in the day.

Velvet dance vest,
ready for rework.

The indoor part of the day was spent milling about. There was some reading (The Cactus, by Sarah Haywood) and thinking about alterations needed to a newly acquired dance costume vest. Then, I reviewed some pattern pieces on hand, plucked out about a mile of stitches, and set about altering the piece.

There was trim to be removed and seams to be opened and restitched to take the top in a bit. A neckline modification needed to be drawn on paper, then the fabric cut, and edges hemmed. Fasteners needed to be shifted. More trim needed to be removed.

As the daylight that is so good for ripping stitches dimmed, I set the project aside for the day. It had already consumed more time than I first imagined, but that seems to be the case with all the sewing projects lately.

Part of the problem is I am winging it and learning as I go with most of the alterations. The biggest lesson is that it seems easier to make something from a flat piece of fabric than to alter a completed garment. The big challenge with sewing from scratch is finding a pattern to follow (or making one) and finding appropriate fabric. Also, seamstresses doing alterations deserve every cent they request in payment.

The outdoor part of the day happened around 6 pm when I took a break from the costume project and left the house for the first time in a couple days. I walked to the mailbox, then looped around the neighborhood. It was so quiet. I saw one car traveling on the street, and one other walker. Trees are still blooming, lawns are fresh and green, and the spring yard ornaments and décor are popping up in yards.

random thoughts – Day 2,249 (Thursday) – more rain

The rain continued. It was steady and at times, very heavy, and dampened (ha, ha) my enthusiasm to leave the house. I did not enjoy it. The forecast for tomorrow is “expect light rain.” I will probably not enjoy that, either. I’m thoroughly over it. 

Rainy day cake.

Today, I read. Baked chicken with honey, soy sauce, and ginger. Baked and frosted a cake. Practiced a dance. Worked on the straps for a dance top. Watched the water flow down the driveway. Looked at the back lawn and woods which were vibrant and lush during a lull in the precipitation.

Today’s high temperature was 53 degrees. The bright spot is projected to be Saturday with a high of 74 degrees, followed by Sunday at 81, Monday at 80, and Tuesday at 89. I hope so. I’m counting on it. My sanity depends upon it.

random thoughts – Day 2,248 (Wednesday) – chillin'

At 5:40, the morning brightness nudged me awake. By 6:00 I was out of bed and making coffee. That was possibly the brightest point of the day (in terms of illumination). It wasn't long before it got cloudy and gloomy. It rained (again). It was chilly outside (still). I was inside chilly and grumbling about the heat being on (again). I thought April was the month of showers and mud season but this year May is heavy in the action. Blah, blah, blah. 

Current table mess.

It was a day spent in the house with the exception of one quick trip out to mail a card and pick up some photo test prints for a project. Broccoli and brussels sprouts (current favorite vegetables) were roasted and lunched upon with risotto (current favorite grainy thing).

The dining / sewing table now has a bunch of photos in addition to piles of patterns and boxes of pins. In addition to looking at photos, there was time spent working on dance costumes (still), reviewing videos of the dances in the show, and practicing dances. Blah, blah, blah. 

After the upcoming shows are done, I wonder what I’ll do with all the free time. And where I will fit all the costumes. It will be fun to find out.

random thoughts – Day 2,247 (Tuesday) – time and balance

Another day gone in a blink. My biggest still-unanswered question is, why didn’t the days ever go by this fast when I was working? Maybe I need more stress and chaos to make the days feel longer, because they are disappearing much too quickly in the peace and quiet.

It stands on its own!

There was a bit of personal stress at dance group tonight, and time did stand still a little bit, so I may be on to something. I forgot a chunk of one dance that I practiced just yesterday. Then, I was using a brand-new veil that I will be using in the show’s opening number, and it is much lighter than the veils I’ve been using. Unfortunately, habit kicked in and I was still tossing it like the heavier veil I’m accustomed to, and it went badly, multiple times. It wrapped around my head. I stepped on it, I dropped it. I have a few weeks to practice away the kinks with it.

The 25-yard skirt had its first test run. The sturdy skirt that can literally stand up on its own had a successful debut at practice with no mishaps. It balanced out the scales a little, but couldn't make up for horrible veil work and forgetting a chunk of a dance. In the skirt dance, it was the music CD that had issues and it cut out twice.

random thoughts – Day 2,246 (Monday) – costumes and blinking

The day disappeared. The alarm went off and snooze was tapped. Blink, and suddenly it was 8:00. There was coffee, Wordle, and a shower. The trash was put out. Blink, and suddenly it was 10:30 and I was eating leftover pizza for a late breakfast/early lunch. I blinked. Then it was suppertime. I blinked. Bedtime was approaching. Maybe I need to stop blinking so much. 

After multiple sessions with jewelry pliers, a needle and thread, the attachment of the coin panels onto the black top, which took much longer than expected, was finished. I think. I hope. I’m definitely tired of working on it.

A list was drafted for all the costume parts and accessories for each of my dances in the June show, which will become the packing list for performance day. This year’s costumes are more complicated than last year’s, and there are unresolved issues with the costumes for nearly every dance I am in.

Trees ablaze.

I still need to add new fasteners to a dance bra. Something cool needs to go under the big 25-yard skirt, because when the twirling and skirt flipping is underway, there is a full-blown leg show happening underneath. The costume ideas need to be whittled down and finalized for the duet, which was easier before I had four different ideas for the bottoms. Jewelry for each costume was not even a spark of a thought until the other day, and so far, no ideas have ignited. And then there is the hair. Oy.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the costuming challenges, I committed to a photography exhibit. A couple hours have already been spent reviewing photos in the scope of the show. So far, 100 photos from my main file were segregated. Then those were reviewed and the field was whittled down to 25. The target number of photos for the exhibit is five or six, so there will be another big reduction done tomorrow.

To clear my head, I took a walk to the mailbox. The trees down the street are ablaze in maroon leaves and in one case, flowers, and I’m not sure when it happened. Maybe it was that blinking thing again. It was chillier than I expected, especially on the return leg when it felt like I was walking into a steady breeze. Bonus, being cold made me walk faster and the cardio didn’t kill me. Now I can start working on my personal best time again.

Bee in a blossom.

I was chilly enough that I just wanted to get home, where the heat is still running. Come on Mother Nature, it is mid-May and it can get warmer any time now, please and thank you. 

In the haste to return, I forgot that I also wanted to take a picture of the house from the higher point on the street so the roof shows for the full before and after showcase. I remembered it when I was in the driveway looking at the azalea with the fat bees buzzing around in the blossoms. Maybe next time. The second skylight hasn’t arrived yet, so there isn’t even a target date for the project yet.

random thoughts – Day 2,245 (Sunday) – low-key

To plan for Mother’s Day, Sis and I did what we usually do. We asked Mom what she wanted to do, knowing there was a high likelihood she would say what she usually says, which is that she doesn't really want to do anything. It is my understanding from a very unscientific survey of a small group of mothers with which I am acquainted that it is the sentiment of many mothers that they would just like to stay home in a quiet house and not be bothered. Despite the maternal guidance, Sis and I did what we usually do and made a plan anyway. I guess it’s not that different from when Mom was a younger mother and we were younger kids and we didn’t listen to her then, either. 

We invaded Mom's house for a low-key day. We drank coffee and ate and talked for several hours. My sister had stories of the latest workplace drama which are always funny when she tells them. My niece was in a wedding yesterday and had stories and photos to share. As a mostly antisocial, unemployed, self-directed sweat shop operator/worker with no colleagues, I didn’t really have any good stories to share.

Kiki at the window,
May 10, 2026.

Mom’s windows have a view of her strategically placed backyard bird feeders. Most any spot in her living room has a great view of the antics of the squirrels, chipmunks, birds and a menagerie of wildlife. As we commented on the action of the squirrels outside the window, I suggested we create a news desk and narrate the action like sports announcers or Olympics judges with score cards. “Squirrel number one executed a bold and magnificent leap from the tree towards the allegedly squirrel-proof hanging bird feeder and really stuck the landing. I give it a nine.”

Later, my delightful feline fur baby posed in the window long enough for me to take her picture. It had thundered and rained earlier and the grass was lush and green and the pavement was still wet in places, and she surveyed the yard beyond. She’d probably have more fun looking out back to the woods with all the critters which included a groundhog this morning, but she doesn’t seem to know that area exists.

random thoughts – Day 2,244 (Saturday) – food and work

The gray, rainy morning made it hard to get out of bed. It also washed away any desire to fulfill any of the potential activities for the day. Plant swap the next town over? No, thanks, it’s raining. Steampunk Festival in Waltham? Nope. Requires a drive, and it’s raining. International Gem and Jewelry in Marlborough? No. See above. And so on. There were flashbacks to the year when it rained nearly every weekend in the summer.

Fortifying breakfast.

There may have been no motivation for fun out of the house activities, but in the house there were bright spots. Breakfast was a winner. A fried egg with cheese on an English muffin with a schmear of butter and some apricot preserves really hit the spot, set a cozy tone for the day, and powered me through until suppertime.

Once fortified, the finishing work on the dance top was started. Music played from the laptop (Dark Cello again). The top was tried on for final fit adjustments and a couple seams were adjusted. Narrow elastic was added to the back bottom edge, learned from the stretchy top done a month or so ago. Topstitching was done on all edges to keep the lining from showing, learned from having made the same pattern many moons ago for my first belly dance show in Tennessee. Three sets of small hooks and eyes were added to the inside front edges, and the two decorative filigree clasps on the outer front. And it’s done. It took two shifts – the morning shift got a lot done, but when mistakes and frustration began creeping in it was time to set it aside and do something else.

 

Done!

A break was taken with a trip to the wet world outside. The quest was fruit for a salad for Sunday, and the initial plan was to go to Aldi, and if I didn’t find everything I wanted there, I would go to WalMart. I took a premature turn and ended up at WalMart first. It was crowded, but I found a parking spot and went in, dodging the raindrops.

I breezed through the produce and then checked the craft aisle for a scissor sharpener I saw Friday at another store, didn’t buy, and regretted during the morning sewing session when my scissors were not behaving. No scissor sharpener. I returned to the produce department and got pineapple, mango, and cantaloupe.  I interacted with people in the checkout line, so it wasn’t a totally antisocial day. When I headed back to the car it was raining more assertively than when I went in and the decision to not take an umbrella or even a hat was regretted. A dude in a tiny red car nearly ran me over as he backed out of a parking spot. That was fun. My hands were full so I couldn't even flip off the driver.

At Aldi, I got green grapes and some veggies that I knew would cost less than the prices I saw at WalMart, and then splurged on a gigantic refrigerated five cheese pizza. It was so big, it hung off the edges of my pizza pan. It was a good $5 expenditure and a great supper. For a rainy, crappy day it had some bright spots with good food and the completion of a task. Now it’s time to assess the remaining costume needs and wrap it up. There are other non-dance related projects in the queue that need attention.

random thoughts – Day 2,243 (Friday) – zoned out

On Thursday, I was in the zone, cranking out a sewing project. Today, I was more zoned out. 

A country drive was taken to a national chain store still carrying fabric by the yard and sewing materials. The list was short: a decorative fastener for the top made yesterday; some sort of trim for the top made yesterday; drawstring cord for the big skirt made a week or two ago; two types of hook and eye closings for a couple costume parts and to have on hand; and elastic to restock what has been used in recent projects. Some of these had already been looked for in WalMart without luck, so the net had to be cast wider.

Supplies.

At the destination retailer, I was greeted with signs declaring that all fabric was 30% off until Saturday and was tempted to look at it all, but stuck to the list and the original mission. The basic types of hooks and eyes were found (check!). The options for decorative closings were limited to buckles, satin frog closings (wrong vibe) and a metal filigree design in silver tone and gold tone. I got the gold tone filigree (check!). I scrutinized the trim rack. There were rhinestones, fringe, fringe with rhinestones, tassels, lace, pom poms, and nothing even close to suitable for the top. The ribbon display had reels of the wrong solid colors and prints that were all wrong, like mushrooms, butterflies, and polka dots (fail!). There was no cording in the fabric department, but the clerk there asked a colleague and I was led to the “wearable crafts” aisle and shown the 550 parachute cording that is used for bracelets and other woven items (check!). The skirt is big enough to be a parachute, so it seems appropriate.

The quick procurement of the list items didn’t stop me from slipping into a zoned out state and walking a chunk of the store. The wearable craft aisle is at the furthest location from the exit, so I had to navigate some square footage anyway. I discovered they sell sheets of glass for stained glass making and drooled over the wooden display cabinet with vertical slots holding the glass sheets. My glass sheets live in a milk crate and in a pile on top of the milk crate, still wrapped in packing paper from the move. The one from Tennessee. In 2013. I wish I was exaggerating. 

In nearly every aisle and department there were decorative letters in various sizes and fonts from two-foot tall paper mâché freestanding sculptures to two-inch flat wood cutouts. As I read through the alphabet in one area, I noticed there was no “I”. Then I noticed there was also no “U”. I even looked behind the neighboring letters. That had me checking each time I saw a display and in several areas that was the case. So weird. Why? If you are doing initials and yours happen to be an I or a U, or gawd forbid, both U and I, I guess you are out of luck, sucker!

While I was entertaining myself inventorying the alphabet in crafts and home décor, a manager type dude was talking with a group and going over the philosophy of the floor layout. “Imagine each display as an investment. You want to maximize your ROI.” He talked about displaying products that were movers, and what to do with others that weren’t moving. I tried to get away from the cluster and left the garden décor area, but they caught up with me again in the craft aisles. 

In my accidental and spontaneous craft store retail management class I learned the plan is to get all the rest of the fall stuff out ASAP. This store usually has Christmas on full display by June 25, so that tracks. It was interesting but there was a lot of info being relayed and I forgot most of it because I was shopping and not taking notes. I made my way through displays of pilgrims, pumpkins, autumn leaves, and straw bales, past the displays of drawer pulls and knobs, signs proclaiming “Dad's Garage” and “She Shed” and finally to the register and freedom.

View from the bedroom.

Back at home, the azalea is now fully exploded with color and visible through the bedroom window. The fiddleheads are tall and releasing their lacy fern fronds.

Inside, paracord was inserted into the skirt waistband, cut, and the end melted with a candle flame. The skirt is now technically 100% done and I tried it on again. It is definitely about an inch or two shorter than I would like and hovers above my ankle bone. I still have time to mess with it and make adjustments. One option under consideration is to attack it from the top and remove the waistband and add another narrow strip between the waistband and the skirt. The other option is to go on a crash diet and lose a few pounds so the skirt naturally sits lower. That might actually be easier than tearing the top of the skirt apart. Ripping out those seams will be a huge ordeal. I was pretty focused when I sewed it and did durable seams that were stitched and then topstitched.

random thoughts – Day 2,242 (Thursday) – back in the zone

Thrift store brocade pants.

There were a couple days away from the sewing machine, but today I was back at it and it was good. It all started with a pair of pants found in a thrift shop after my bone density scan on Tuesday. They are a pinkish red with a heavy gold metallic pattern, which under much of my indoor lighting photographs as orange with gold. I thought the fabric would make a good costume top. They had a red tag, which was this week’s designated color for the blessed and glorious price of $1.29. I recently paid $12.99 a yard for gold metallic embellished fabric for the 25-yard skirt, so there was no way on earth I could walk away from the pants at that price.

They were not pants I would wear as is (or at all) which alleviated any guilt from chopping them up. When I tried them on, the silhouette was weird and they were puffy like a balloon from the waist to the crotch then the leg tapered with a beautifully executed notched deep hem.

This morning, the elastic waistband was cut off and all the seams were opened up. The pants had a lining, which was a bonus, because the top I was making called for a lining and it spared me finding coordinating fabric. The pants might have been homemade. There was no evidence of labels of any kind, and I noticed when taking them apart that the pants had been cut without consideration for the pattern. The fabric design ran in one direction on half the pants, and upside down on the other half, which wasn’t immediately obvious, but once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.

The project, like all the ones before it, took longer than expected. There were hiccups and hurdles, and pattern alterations and design decisions. I decided to keep the notched hem and the lower leg pieces were the perfect width for the sleeves, which would not need to be hemmed. I was mindful of the direction of the gold motif, which required extra care with pinning and cutting. The original plan was to add trim using the green and gold portion of the border from the saree I made the harem pants from the other day, but the pattern is just too much. If anything, it needs a solid trim to calm it down, not one with even more gold thread. There is still some work to be done, but it requires the procurement of a decorative closure for the front and possible trim for the bottom and neck edges, closure of one seam in the back, and the tidying up of thread ends.

Pants transformed to a costume top.

While I was ripping seams, altering and laying pattern pieces, then finally sewing, a two-hour music collection called “When Cello Meets Dark Techno – Dark NeoClassical Cello” played on YouTube. It was a great backdrop for the day’s work and was played on repeat multiple times. While working and grooving, ideas were popping in my brain for dances, designs, photography, writing, basically everything. A notepad was at my side to jot things down. It felt amazing to be “in the zone” again. It’s been ages (years!) and I’ve missed it. A lot. Seriously. It felt so good I could cry, but I didn’t because I’m still emotionally stunted.

The day wasn’t all slave labor (me) under a cruel taskmistress (me). There were at least two breaks. I stopped mid-day to roast broccoli and brussels sprouts and make packaged risotto for lunch. The rest of the lunch became sustenance at the supper break with the addition of a lobster cake. There are mixed feelings about having eaten a pound each of brussels sprouts and broccoli in one day, but it was over two meals and it could have been the less healthy things I gravitate towards. Perhaps the lesson is to buy (and roast) more brussels sprouts and broccoli. And buy magical brocade pants to chop up.

random thoughts – Day 2,241 (Wednesday) – pets and rain

Tuesday had a trip to Lowell for a bone density scan, today had a trip to Worcester for a hair trim. I am living large this week and mingling with the world. While leaving the driveway on Tuesday, I had the chance to meet Mindy, a neighbor who moved in “up the street” in November. For some reason, people are vague with saying where they live. When I met Marie, she said she lived “up the hill” which is funny because there are some slight inclines but nothing close to a proper hill here. Then again, I grew up in Fitchburg which is all hills and I am definitely biased concerning hills.

Anyway, Mindy was walking with her golden brown dog named Socks. I asked if "Socks" was because of her white paws, but Mindy said that was the dog’s name at the shelter and she and her husband didn’t want to change it when they adopted her. I get it, that is why Moose was called Moose.

Kiki on the bed!

The big news at my house involves Kiki, who was named "Stanley" and erroneously believed to be male at the shelter. I just couldn't call her that and "Kiki" popped out one morning while leaving for work when I meant to say "bye kitty kitty." 

Miss Kiki has begun sleeping on the bed while I am in it. It has taken two years and three months to arrive at this point, but for the past five nights she has hopped up onto the bed and cozied up for some strokes on her little dainty cheeks and shoulders. 

A couple times during these five nights she has walked across my neck with her tiny, lethal claws which was a bit uncomfortable, and I hope she’s not calculating how much pressure is needed to murder me in my sleep. It would be dumb move on her part, because I’m pretty sure she has no idea where the bag of her food is stored or how to open the pantry door.

Bountiful blossoms in the rain.

This morning, while backing out of the driveway, I noticed the bush at the corner of the house has many more dark pink flowers opened than Tuesday, and also that the wind had blown petals from the flowering tree onto the lawn and it looked like snow. I didn’t want to stop for pictures just then, and figured I’d get them when I got back home. Ha! The joke was on me. During my time in Worcester, it began to rain and it kept raining the rest of the afternoon. Any pale pink and white flower petals were pelted into the lawn when I got home, and I had no interest in standing in the rain to photograph a bush, but I did get a picture from the living room window. The bedroom windows are closer, but they have full-length screens and it’s hard to get decent pictures through a window screen. I have tried and failed at this many times.

random thoughts – Day 2,240 (Tuesday) – changes

When I had my annual visit with the primary care doctor several months ago, she referred me for a DEXA scan. I somehow missed this note. A week or so ago, a call came from Lowell General Hospital to schedule said scan before the referral expired. Today was the day.  

DEXA scan day.

Instead of the usual routing via Routes 2 and I-495, which must have been extra horrid, Waze navigated me through a series of small towns where the traffic was light and the roadsides were scenic. The routing swapped out stressful highways for rolling farmland, barns, dairy farms, a wedding venue, an ice cream stand, and quaint town centers. It was a beautiful.

The technician was fun to chat with and scan was over quickly. We covered a lot of topics, including lost medical records, aging parents, and living in the south versus the northeast. We both felt we were at our peak physical shape at 50 when she was running half-marathons and I was playing roller derby, but things have changed. I would love to have my derby legs, butt, and stamina again.

The hospital gift shop is located near the entrance and I always stop in on the way out. There was the usual hospital gift shop items of stuffed animals and balloons on sticks and personal care items. Today, there were extra special surprises with a window display featuring rhinestone encrusted hard shell evening bags. A rack with logo sweatshirts included sequin shawls. Shelves displayed items for the upcoming parental celebration days for mothers and fathers.

The version of me from the 1990s through about 2018 would have pulled out a credit card and bought a fancy purse and a sequin shawl or two without a second thought. That version of me also had a high likelihood (or reasonable hope) of using said fancy items at dressy company Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve shindigs, or any number of fundraiser galas. Today’s version of me resisted. For one thing, the memory of all the fancy handbags and shawls and jackets that live untouched in boxes and closets is still fresh because it wasn’t that long ago all that stuff was moved into the new house. And now my blingy desires have changed and are regulaly met with belly dance costumes.

random thoughts – Day 2,239 (Monday) – annoyances and sewing

 This morning was one of those times where everything was annoying. Every. Single. Thing.

When looking at my budget spreadsheet, the row markers on the left of the screen didn’t correspond to the actual cell address rows. Why? No idea. Did they ever? Also no idea. But when I’m in a cell with an address of Column F Row 67, the guide on the far left should not be showing a label for Row 12. 

Then, a reminder arrived that the Internet/Cable bill is due soon. Cool. I forgot, so thanks. Went to the website to review the bill, because I haven't done so lately, and it was a three-ring circus of hoop jumping to log in and finally find a listing of the charges and what is included my stupid bundled package. There was swearing.

An effort to find some specific fabric online for a specific costume part was undertaken after receiving an email that fabric is 30% off at a certain hobby and craft store I happen to despise which is 30 minutes from home but is one of the few still in existence. An online search of the fabric was so frustrating and time consuming I could have driven to the store and been touching fabric before I got a single result on the screen. I bailed from the site. There was swearing.

And on it went. The laptop screen was speckled and spotty and wouldn’t wipe clean. The window shade got stuck. The bass-playing neighbor was at it for hours and I could hear it in my house with all the doors and windows shut. (I think I may take up trombone or mizmar or marching band giant drum to even the score.) 

Sweatshop, reopened.

In an effort to have one accomplishment for the day and knock an item off the sewing to-do list, I decided to boldly cut the pink floral saree fabric and make the harem pants to go under the too sheer skirt for one of the dances in the June show. It was not as straightforward as I imagined. The fabric is slippery so pinning the pattern took longer than it would with other fabric. Planning was needed to incorporate the metallic edging of the fabric to minimize cutting. 

When it was time to cut, changing the blade in the rotary cutter required a cutting tool to open the packaging of the cutting tool. After being cut, the fabric edges frayed almost immediately. There was swearing (lots!).

Pants completed.

During the sewing, the side seams puckered, which I didn’t notice until after finishing enclosed seams on both pant legs. The sadistic pattern companies design the waistband casings to be barely larger than the width of elastic they recommend, and the elastic never fits through at least one spot in the casing. I ended up using one-inch instead of two-inch wide elastic. There was swearing. 

I had to stop working on the pants for a couple hours and went back to the coin bra (still not finished). When I went to the couch for hand sewing, the scissors were over by the sewing machine and it ticked me off, because that was the ruling mood of the day. 

It took twice as long to make the stupid pants as it should have and I was ready to swear off sewing forever.  When they were finished (after 9:00 pm), I felt better and the aggravation had finally subsided.

Now that the sewing machine is hogging the dining table again, I guess another project will be undertaken. I still need a top for under the sheer top that will go with the sheer skirt. Costuming was definitely not this complicated last year.

random thoughts – Day 2,238 (Sunday) – doing

I must have been in a daze or intently focused on the pavement directly ahead of me driving to dance this morning. I didn’t notice much of interest on the drive which means I wasn’t looking. I don’t recall what great thoughts might have crowded out observation, either, until I got to the parking lot. Then I was thinking the two dogs in the yard behind the chain link fence and how it looked like they were having a grand time bouncing around all over the place.

After dance group and back home, I sliced up the five or six small sweet potatoes in the bowl on the counter, tossed them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and oven roasted them. The plan was to have some for lunch and the rest for later. It didn’t work out that way.

As soon as they came out of the oven, I filled a plate with sweet potato slices and a little soy sauce bowl with buttermilk ranch dressing. I ate them all, then refilled the plate. Then, because there weren’t that many left, I ate the rest, except for the 12 little slices that were scorched and charred and tossed into the trash. The rock-like scorching was probably because I was reading a book didn’t immediately leap to action when the oven timer went off, and finished a page or ten before tending to the oven.

When suppertime rolled around and the only thing planned for it had already been eaten for lunch, it was time to start over. The only thing of interest was frozen pizza, but the last one was eaten last weekend and I didn't feel like going to the store for more. I stared into the pantry and then the refrigerator and the freezer. Lots of ingredients, nothing I wanted to make or eat. The menu finally settled on the last two hotdogs from the freezer and boxed mac and cheese. It was neither the best nor the worst, but it was quick and easy. 

Back to working on the coin bra.

After supper, I finally picked up the coin bra again to finish sewing on the second coin panel. The multi-day green choli soul-sucking detour had diverted me from the previous task. After supper was the worst time to start a hand sewing task. Daylight, which had flooded the house all afternoon, was fading and the living room lighting is poor. But I was finally inspired to work on it again and needed to take advantage of having the energy for it. 

The tools had been strewn on the ottoman for several days – Mummu’s old thread clippers and fabric scissors with the broken handle, jewelry pliers for resetting the connecting rings, needle and thread. Some progress was made before mistakes began creeping in and it was clearly time to stop. The coin panel can be finished in the morning. There are still a lot of costuming things needed for the June show and it’s starting to stress me out, so I need to get back on the production schedule.

random thoughts – Day 2,237 (Saturday) – another rain day

The gloomy morning required the assistance of electric lighting, unlike the sunny mornings that require strategic setting of the window shades to avoid frying one’s eyeballs during the coffee consumption. Rain moved through periodically. I ventured out early between showers to mail a card and then visit WalMart to return three rolls of sewing trim I bought in a panic the other day and then decided to not use because it’s scratchy tulle and not soft chiffon.

WalMart was peaceful at 8:45 a.m. and after making the return I wandered the store. At the craft aisle, I discovered an unmarked cabinet filled with sewing patterns. I couldn’t decide if I was more surprised it existed or that I had never noticed it in my several trips to that aisle. The fabric available is limited to one-yard pre-cut packages of costume satin, netting, and cotton in prints that most sane adults would not want to wear, along with precut quilting squares, so the availability of patterns has questionable usefulness.

There was no pattern catalogue to flip through and it was a free-for-all excursion pawing through the large drawers. It reminded me of my afterschool hours spent in the public library where I would randomly open a card catalogue drawer and flip though the cards until something caught my eye in a wheel of fortune approach to what topic I would read about next.

There was a surprising number of patterns for aprons. Not just grilling aprons, but the 1950s housewife type of aprons. I had no idea they were popular, especially considering how many people live in sweats or jeans. Are we dressing up to cook now, or just protecting our wash and wear sweats from life in the kitchen? There were also many patterns for pet clothes, along with the usual patterns for clothes for humans including scrubs. 

Evening sky and lush grass 5-2-2026.

The rest of the day was occupied with rainy day leisure. A dancer friend was performing at the Renaissance Faire at the nearby apple orchard, but I couldn’t convince myself to go to an outdoor event in the rain and took a nap instead. I sat on the couch and finished a book while the laundry was done. I ate random things including crackers and grapes and yogurt. At some point when I wasn’t paying attention, the rain stopped. As the evening sky turned golden and then the reddish pink, the grass out back looked vivid and lush and like it’s going to need a trim soon.

random thoughts – Day 2,236 (Friday) – one hour today

Around 9:00 this morning, as I was still in my pajamas and on the couch reading a book (Defending Jacob, by William Landay), it occurred to me that I should probably get dressed. Barely five minutes later, a building supply flatbed delivery truck rolled up and parked across the street from my house. It was the materials for the roof replacement, and boy was I glad I was dressed. I’m also glad I have learned to listen to my gut or the voice in my head or whatever it is that nudges me in the right direction to avoid embarrassment.

I went outside to tell the driver the plan was to set the stuff under the carport and moved my car out of the driveway so that was possible. After parking next door in front of Mom’s house, I popped in and told her what was going on. By the time I got back to my house, the delivery guy had determined the forklift was too tall to clear the carport and stuff would be set along the driveway. Cool, cool.

The forklift had a problem.

I returned inside and the forklift returned to the driveway with a load of stuff. That’s when activity suddenly ceased. All was suspiciously quiet. Then I heard the delivery guy talking on the phone. He told the person at the other end of the call that the muffler had fallen off the forklift, and when it did, it nicked a line. Copper wire could be seen. There was smoke. Still 3,000 shingles on the truck. I heard all this from inside my silent house.

There was some pacing in the driveway and several more calls made. Someone somewhere was informed by the driver that maintenance was on the way. (And arrived promptly). Under the advice of Guy #2 (maintenance), Guy #1 (delivery) managed to move the forklift from its crosswise position in my driveway back to its roost on the back of the flatbed.

Busy on the street.

Guy #2 left in the maintenance truck with the liberated muffler. I continued monitoring the situation from the VIP area of my living room observation post. Before long, a second flatbed loaded with lumber arrived on the street. While I observed from the window, Guy #3 observed while Guy #2 lowered the forklift from the back of the truck and parked it alongside the original truck with my roofing materials. Guy #3 leaned on the truck and watched Guy #2 transfer pallets with shingles from the flatbed to the edge of my driveway. The forklift was returned to the second truck. Within a few minutes, both delivery trucks, forklifts, and drivers were gone.

The entire production, from the initial arrival, forklift troubles, arrival of other parties, and the departure of the trucks, took less than an hour. But what an hour it was. During the time the big trucks were on the street Meals on Wheels had an obstacle course to navigate to deliver across the street and neighbors were walking and driving by. It’s kind of fun having a front row seat to the action, even if the now-flowering tree is a bit of an obstruction.

random thoughts – Day 2,235 (Thursday) – defeat

 It was gray and wet and a perfect day for sleeping. I did not do this. By mid-afternoon, I wished I had.

After the usual morning activities, I settled on the couch with needle and thread to work on the green choli. Following the steps established Wednesday, I picked out seams, converted the remaining dart to gathers and basted it in place, and tried the thing on for the 100^th time in two days.

The conversion of the darts to gathers lowered the bustline by about a half inch, but it isn’t enough. The previous idea of slicing the back of the top to add width at the back was today deemed not necessary because the problem is not circumference, it’s definitely torso length. The correct way to fix the issue requires taking the entire top apart and either recutting new pieces from fabric, or cutting it horizontally at the upper bodice area and adding one to two inches of fabric, then attempting to set the sleeves back into what will be too large of sleeve opening.

Impediments to the continuation of the alterations plan include a lack of fabric in the correct color or an appropriate coordinating color. A trip to Salvation Army Store on Wednesday yielded nothing useable in an appropriate color, but I found a brand new hand-dyed large silk scarf for $1 that will be great for something else someday. Using the saree trim for the expansion would result in a two-inch horizontal stripe in bold green with gold metallic designs and look quite awful.  The saree fabric the border would be cut from is a busy pattern and would look wrong in the choli.  

Lots of the wrong fabric.

To confirm the absence of fabric in the stockpile, time was spent going through the two tubs of sewing fabric bought in another lifetime for projects that were never made. In one tub, I found a white linen bolero jacket and all the pieces for the lining cut out and still attached to the tissue pattern pieces; several yards of wool fabric and the pattern, zipper, thread and buttons for the suit that was never made from it; and dozens of other fabrics with coordinating zippers and thread. What is absent is something in the color and type of fabric needed for the current project.

Anyway. After assessing the state of the alterations, the time it has already consumed to still be no closer to being finished, and the shopping needed for fabric to proceed with it further, defeat was conceded. The green choli top, partly disassembled, has won the war. Choli - 1, Me - 0.

I sat on the couch and started searching for stretchy fabric 3/4 sleeve choli tops online. After arranging to borrow a long sleeve, sheer, tie front top, the search was refined a bit to focus on something for under the sheer top. There also still needs to be some sort of pant found or made to wear under the skirt, because it’s sheer. And the coin top needs to be finished for the other costume. Thank goodness I gave up looking for a job or I'd really be losing my mind.

random thoughts – Day 2,234 (Wednesday) – saree choli

The plan for today was to finish the coin bra for a dance, but it was temporarily set aside in favor of altering a green saree choli for a different dance. A couple weeks ago I bought a pink and green saree with a coordinating green choli top to go with my reddish-fuschia skirt. 

Top in need of alterations.

Without having tried it on, it looked like the top might fit, but when I finally tried it on, it was obvious it needed alterations. The first adjustment was to let out some of the side seams, which helped with the circumference, but the top is also several inches too short from shoulder to hem.

To address the choli,  the neckline, which sat too high on the back of my neck and collarbones, was reshaped. The hope was that the neckline change would help how the rest of the top sits in the torso, and it did somewhat, but only when I stood still. As soon as I raised my arms like we do in the dance, the top rode up in a manner that is definitely not suitable for public consumption.

There were Internet searches for altering tops but most results dealt with adjusting commercial patterns before cutting fabric and not how to fix a ready-made top. I would be winging it, without benefit of training as a seamstress or tailor. It felt like it would have been easier to make a top from a piece of fabric, but there was no fabric on hand in the right color.

Early in the alterations.

Bit by bit, stitching was methodically removed from parts of the top. The neck facing was removed first. The front bust dart was re-pinned to be more of a princess seam, which fit better, but the top still rode up with my arms raised. Next, the front facing with the fasteners was removed, then the front bottom band. The bodice pinning was removed and the pinned princess seam was basted into soft gathers.

Each action offered a small improvement, but one remaining issue seems to be that it is too small through the shoulders. The next potential step is to slice the back up the center and add a strip from the saree's decorative edging to expand the back by a couple inches and extend the shoulder line. The “slice the back” part causes me panic. That is where things could go very wrong. All the carefully removed stitches can be re-sewn, but taking scissors to the fabric is a different situation. I’ll have to psych myself up for that step.

random thoughts – Day 2,233 (Tuesday) – progress

Coin bra dance top.

Sewing resumed today, with the hand-stitched attachment of coin panels to a swimsuit top. This piece will go with the recently completed big skirt for the June show. The panels had been pinned on, and the edges on one side of the top were stitched, with additional anchoring stitches in the center to help support the weight of the coins. Even though they are pressed metal coins and not actual money, they have some weight.

The panels are a smidge large, so there is some careful placement needed, along with the removal of a few coins and support pieces. The other side will be stitched tomorrow. For the record, I'm immensely glad the coins panels are attached to each other and pre-shaped and I don't have to attach the coins individually. Between the skirt and the top, this dance costume is going to weigh a ton. 

Flowers on my tree.

There was a bit of guilt for being indoors on a beautiful spring day, but if I only sew on the less beautiful weather days, things very likely will not be done in time. A couple outdoor breaks were taken, so it wasn't a total loss. 

I walked to the mailbox, where I noticed an excessive amount of fluffy brown feathers strewn all along the edge of someone's yard. Something went down in the cruel world of nature.

I took pictures of the little pink flowers in the front yard tree which is now full. Notice was taken of the plywood set in the front yard by the contractor to mark the placement of the dumpster due to arrive this week for the roof replacement which will begin soon.

Progress is happening on multiple fronts – the weather, the costume projects, and the home repairs. It’s all good.

random thoughts – Day 2,232 (Monday) – home life

Miss Kiki commanding
her (my) space.

The day had a slow start. The alarm went off at 6:30 and I hit “snooze” and dosed off again. Shortly after, the Kiki morning alarm activated. Once started, the morning meows generally continue until I exit the bed. 

Once I’m up, she meows until she is hand-fed at least three Temptations treats, then she leaps onto the bed and takes over the space for the entire day. She will allow me to visit and stroke her face and tell her how beautiful and wonderful she is. It’s easy to do because she is those things. 

The slow start carried itself into a leisurely day. The house had been cleaned for company on Saturday and is still nice and tidy, so nothing was needed in that department. I sat on the couch and surveyed the orderliness that will hold until I get sloppy and the sewing machine comes back to the table. The ultimate goal is a dedicated sewing station in the craft room, but it’s not quite there yet.

Later, two dance friends came over. One to work on our choreography, the other to visit, observe, and provide advice on the choreography. It feels like a great system, having an audience to provide input. The dance is mostly finished, and now we are applying the polish and finesse. In about five more weeks we will present it on stage. We also checked out my too small choli for another dance in another show in June and developed a plan for reworking it. This means another sewing project in the queue and it's going to be a busy stretch of five to six weeks. Thank goodness I have money-saving domestic skills. 

random thoughts – Day 2,231 (Sunday) – quiet solitude

Early evening in the back yard.

The temperature was back around 60 degrees and the sun was shining all day. The drive to dance group this morning was highlighted by clusters of daffodils and bright yellow explosions of forsythia in yards and along the roads. The trees are beginning to dress themselves in pale pink and white flowers and the grass is becoming green again. Spring is a magical time of year. 

It was a nice afternoon to relax in solitude with a book. A much needed nap snuck in there, too. A couple times I thought there was something I was supposed to be doing besides reading a book, and I'll probably find out in a day or so when I get a "did you forget about Sunday?" query.

The refrigerator is stuffed with leftovers from the pre-comedy show gathering at my house last night and the eating will be very good for the next couple days. Before heading to the Polish American Citizens Club, we ate cheese and crackers, chips, veggies, dip, hummus, mini empanadas, burritos, etc. It was fun.

A mini empanada and a burrito were warmed with queso and served with guac and pineapple salsa for lunch. Sliced celery sticks were devoured with hummus as an afternoon snack. There is a container of empanada refried bean filling left and I may get kitchen experimental and trying making it into veggie burger patties.

Dining room peace and tranquility.

The sweatshop closure remains in effect at least until Monday while I enjoy the order and peaceful splendor of the dining area for another day or two. The machine may be at rest, but sewing has still been front of mind as I’ve been searching online for bulk rolls of at least 13 yards of black chiffon ruffle ribbon trim. It's not completely scarce, and there is trim out there, but I’m reluctant to fork out $35 - $50 for it and keep hoping for something in the yard sale "please make it go away" bargain price range. A gal can dream.

random thoughts – Day 2,230 (Saturday) – saying goodbye

random thoughts – Day 2,230 (Saturday) – saying goodbye

Today Aunt Jennie was celebrated and laid to rest after a lovely funeral at St John the Evangelist Church that was crowded with family and friends. Aunt Jennie married her husband (Albert) and lived in Townsend for most of her 88 years. She and Uncle Albert were married for 55 years when he passed away in 2011.

Aunt Jennie was one of six children in Dad's family. With Uncle Albert she raised seven feisty children of their own. She was a grandmother to seven and great-grandmother to six. She was the glue that kept the family connected and the cookout she hosted each August in her backyard was a summer highlight attended by her kids, their kids and grandkids, and her many nieces and nephews.

Aunt Jennie was talented and practiced the art of calligraphy. Cards from her were easy to spot in the mail and always felt special. 

Remembering Aunt Jennie.

She enjoyed crocheting and made countless blankets for homeless communities, nursing homes, family members, and friends. During the funeral service, Fr. Sean Maher asked who had a blanket from Jennie and nearly every person in attendance raised their hand, including him. Mine is striped in shades of aqua and white. My sister’s is purple. Mom’s is in neutral creams and tans. A basket containing the project in green, gray, and white that Aunt Jennie was working on was at the front of the church and later in the parish hall for the gathering.

Aunt Jennie was feisty, quick-witted, and had a wicked sense of humor. My cousin Missy, my sister, and I each hope we can have half our Aunt’s fire and pep as we age and her sudden departure leaves a hole. May she rest in peace.