More of Michael's Handiwork

Michael has been a very busy boy this weekend. ****top to bottom****

~Shawl pin – made from Maple

~Size N/10 made from a piece of driftwood picked up on the Oregon Coast. (he thinks it might be Douglas fir) The thumb rest is wonderful

~Size 7 mm - Made out of Maple

~Size G made out of Myrtle wood – this looks funky but if you hold you hook like a knife, it is actually quite comfortable. We saw a similar one posted on a blog, so he thought he would try it.

He has one on the lathe now that he has gotten down to a 3 mm, trying to get it down to a C or 2.75. Cuz that is what I make my socks with! (have one done of my first pair, working on 2nd)

These are so smooth – almost sensual…………I can hardly wait till he gets the little one done to make my next pair of socks.

My Packer friend Jean Spring

My long time friend, Jean Spring passed away this morning at Unity Hospice in Green Bay, WI. Jean was diagnosed in January with terminal brain cancer. She was moved to Unity Hospice the end of January. She was not happy most of the time, but I think it was because of the circumstances. One of the things she wrote to me...

Double-whammies are a bitch!! First I find out that I have cancer, then I find out that it is terminal. On top of that, you can only get into this hospice if you have six months or less, to live. That really SUCKS!!

Even though she was terminal, she was always asking others if they were OK, She was concerned that Michael and I did not have enough time together. She was concerned for me to be careful and not break another ankle. She was worried I did not have the milk to make my latte yesterday morning! Jean was like that, always thinking of others. If she had it, she would give it to you.

Jean lost her job last year and had become homeless. She gave away all of her precious Packer memorabilia and White Sox stuff to her nephew. Everything she owned was in 2 suitcases. She ended up in the shelter in Green Bay, became sick, went to the hospital where they found the cancer through her whole body.

Two weeks ago, several of her PPCC friends were able to visit her --she had SUCH a wonderful time visiting with all of them. I had made my plane reservations for the weekend of April 10-11 to fly back and see her. I waited too long, and I am incredibly sad about that.

but I have decided to make the trip. Many of her friends are going to gather in Green Bay and have a service for her on the weeknd I am there. Some, like me, are flying in from around the United States. Others are driving up from Chicago, Joliet, Milwaukee and others live only a mile from the hospice.

Jean had friends all over the world. Bruce in England, Nate in Australia, and so many others, all made through the Packers Partners Club Of Champions, the official fan club of the Green Bay Packers. Even though we did not get to see each other more than once or twice a year, we have become family. Jean valued her friends in the PPCC and loved to have them visit. I was able to have a nice conversation with her last week via phone. I am so glad I picked up the phone and dialed her number.

While I am incredibly sad that I did not get to see Jean one last time, I am grateful that she is no longer in pain and is at peace.

Michael's new hobby

I have been asking Michael for some time to make me different things - scarf pins, crochet hooks, etc - so he finally bought himself a nice lathe. These are the FIRST things he made.....most all in one day!! The brown shape on the left actually has a solid ring around one of the pieces...he made it all in one piece. I would love to see the grand-kids figure that one out! :-)

The second one was just working to see how small he could make a piece and how thin....

The third one can be used for a candle holder and can stand on either end. The far right is a "goblet" with a lid! It is awesome!! The last one in front is a small "dish" that I can use to put my earrings in or paperclips.....he used a small scrap he had to see how just using the chuck would work.

All of these are made out of just scrap pieces of wood. The light color ones are actually out of birch from a tree our neighbor cut down. The wood is still so wet, it was "raining" on him as he was working on the pieces.

I can hardly wait to see what he makes when he gets good wood. i will post more pictures as he makes more projects.

And here is his first crochet hook! It is SO smooth!!!

David & Kessa maried on Pi.....

My step-son David married his lovely fiancee, Kessa, on Sunday 3-14. The reception was at 1:59. About 100 guests crowded into the barn at the Roadhouse Inn to wish the newlyweds well. They spent their wedding night in Beaverton and Michael took them to the airport the next day for a trip to Barbados. We look forward to spending time with our new DIL. Pictures to follow.