It's the little things~~~~

A nice morning temperature wise. It is 71 with a cool touch in the air. Of course the full strength of the sun is not out when it may reach 95. But I certainly am enjoying this morning air. The garden has been watered and laundry washing. Good start. Yesterday did the errands; gas, Staples for printer ink but forgot the one black that I needed!, then a quick stop at JoAnn's for foam for the footstool which I changed my mind about but...

look what followed me home. I just love Tilda's books. I must have this little darling and so she is on the to do this week list. Oh, that is right, The Brother Alan will be here on Tuesday. It is fine, I will have some time  as I do believe we are not going to be running all over the place....well, maybe she will have to wait a little. No rush. I cannot believe Alan will call her scary as he feels about Tilly! I just  love how Tone Finnager designs her dolls. She refers to those protrusions on the side of the heads as "tuffs". They are optional but I do think they are cute. Oh... and the monkey is adorable!
My friends, I would like to clarify a few things....the little things that throw me for a loop. The little things like getting gas. It is not that I can not it is just a reminder that Denny is not here to do it. It is not that I can not water the garden, it is that this was his hobby. It is not that I can not drive but did not have to. None of this is really complicated, but I know that I over think things-- but this new normal for me is not what I want but will and do make the adjustments. A couple of the kitchen knives need sharpening...I do not know how to correctly use the sharpening tool that Denny di with precision , so I will get them sharpened by someone who knows how to do it. There is always a solution I just have to take a step back and not panic. I am a very strong lady and I can and will make all the adjustments that I must...just a little at a time. My head knows what is necessary but my heart is still quite broken and does not want to do the little things.
Thank you for being here for me. Thank you for caring enough to offer hugs and kind words that are felt from everywhere. Thank you for being my friend when I need you the most. 

A special gift

Up early today and already had my morning coffee. I saw my pain management doctor yesterday afternoon and the leg is a little better but the muscle and tendons are still painful and swollen. So, continue with the gel medication. I managed to work on Alice yesterday but not enough to take a picture yet. The motif that I am working on seems to stitch up slowly, but then again it could be me!
When my Denny passed away our niece Tonya asked me to make her something of her uncle Dennis...

This is what I made for her, a memory pillow. She loves turtles and Denny like the Kokopelli. So when I saw that my friend Keith had the embroidery pattern for this I just knew it was perfect. Two symbols that represent two special people. I used a piece from a pair of Denny's favorite shorts taking advantage of the back pocket for a place to tuck in a photo and special note to Tonya. She was very pleased with this gift. As a little girl Tonya spent many weekends and other times with us. He had a special nickname for her  and when he was in hospital he talked of his Tonya Pafazzo and some of the special times with her. He enjoyed looking through our many pictures of her.

Sadly this is one he never got to see. Tonya and her husband Tony taken this June when they celebrated their marriage. A lovely picture don't you think? Tonya is the reason that I met and married Dennis. Special story and special young lady to us always.
I guess that about covers it. Off to get some laundry done and later to Walmart for odds and ends. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

The almost storm

Last evening the winds began to whirl and some dust was in the mix. Later a few loud thunder sounds but no rain in my area. The temp is at 80 and it is 5:24 AM and still dark outside. May each 106 today. It is all okay because I will be indoors today in the cool of the air conditioner waiting for the company to come out and check it. It is running okay but several times it has made very strange loud sounds so I thought it best to have someone come out and look see.  The doctor visit went well. Dr. Paul is a really nice young man. Still thinking about Dennis who was his patient for 13 years. The problem with my right side seems to be a muscle issue. There is a muscle that runs from the outside of the hip down and then around to the inside of the knee area. Mine is swollen which indicates some damage. If after a week of using the gel medicine it is not better then maybe and MRI. No furniture moving...limit driving (being on the right side, driving leg) and liberally apply the med 4 times a day. Good thing I already rearranged and cleaned the lanai and washed the inside of the living room windows and changed the curtains!
I have mislaid a couple of club ID badges and while looking I found

this note dated 9-14-15 from Denny...you know that  put me in tears. I miss him so....
The laundry is about ready  for the dryer and my coffee was delicious. Next on the list is making the bed and on to tatting. Sometime today I will start the task of going through my craft patterns and books...again...I try to do this on/off and weed out what is staying and what is going. I no longer want to hang on to patterns with the thought I may actually make them. It is unrealistic for many.  Better to find them new homes. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your kind words. Most of all thank you for your friendship.

Special bracelets

Dennis loved lighthouses and we often visited them while living in Rhode Island

.the fat one in the back is Old Saybook CT, a beautiful area, the red one is Southeast Block Island , The tall one is Boston Harbor MA. So of course when I received an email from Alex and Ani, my favorite bracelet company, I was happy to see a lighthouse.....

I knew I had to have it. Then I read the description...It is a charity charm with 20% of the dale going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Denny's diagnosis as you know wad Lymphoma.  It is named Lighthouse. The card with it says:
"A lighthouse is a welcoming structure, a reassuring sign of steady ground ahead, and an optimistic symbol of hope for all looking to move forward safely. It is an emblem of strength located at the edge of unpredictable tides as it provides navigational guidance and bright light in a storm. Resilient and immovable, this shinning beacon encourages perseverance even in the darkest times."
When I got to the boutique and spotted the next one, it came home with me also...

Live A Happy Life! I simply fell apart. This is also a charity charm with 20% of sale going to Up Beat Cancer. On May 24th during one of our conversations, Denny said these exact words to me. The accompanying card says;
"The path to living a happy life is inherently paved with hopefulness, and the journey offers no shortcuts. Hope cannot be fabricated or counterfeited - - it is manifested in only those who first believe in its existence. You can find hope and you can give hope; we must always remember: as long as hope exists, the road to a happy life awaits."
I can not say more ....time to sit back and sip a cup of tea even I on this very hot 100 temp day. Time to wipe my tears.
Thank you for visiting and the kind words and most of all, your friendship. 💔

Horses, a bear and a frog

Prediction is for a 107 temp day but it is quite nice right now at almost 7 AM. I will grind the beans and brew some coffee and sit at the sewing machine

and sew Glenda's teddy bear. I really enjoy creating these bears and always loved to make cloth dolls. There is that special satisfaction when you make something and then see the smile it can bring to someone. Speaking of cloth dolls, the doll is refreshed and back in the rocker..

pig tails all fluffed out and smelling of Downey. I was asked for the measurement of the rocker...at the high point of the backrest it is 19" and the seat is 7 wide and 10" deep....just enough for a little body.
When I bought the chair and then the curio, the furniture place gives you a stuffed critter for spend $100 or more....

The small horse is about 16" high and came home with the chair and the taller at 20" came home with the curio. You get to choose from a few different animals that change throughout the year. There was also the gold or white tigers but the horses were my choice. The brown one is sporting one of Denny's bandanas.
The pond needs some finishing landscaping but this guy has been sitting here for 12 years and before this he sat at our pond edge in RI

Each year Denny would paint him to bring him back to life and he has sat at various places along the pond edge. Somewhere along the years he lost his left foot...but still poses comfortably.  I will need to paint the trim at the top of the wall before I can add plants and such around the pond. Most likely I will head to Home Depot tonight or tomorrow for paint and a new nozzle for the hose.  Yesterday morning Dianna and I spent time roaming around and then lunch. I started not to feel too well so I came home early and sure enough my blood pressure was a tad high. Feet up and plenty of iced water. I hadn't really drank much all morning.  I am feeling much better today. I had thought about early yard work but no, inside and sewing will be my task. I am so glad we had this visit. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your caring friendship. Lets have a good day.

Waterfall

I was going through one of the garage cupboards... again ...and came across a calendar with beautiful roses...as I flipped the months I came across this......

Denny the artist tracking his haircut on the 4th and recycle on the 11th....it brought a smile to my mind this morning. Just another moment and memory to cherish.
Ta-Da...the waterfall is working

With much thanks to Don and Glenda for all the help. However, I think there is just one more spot to secure. Oh, maybe I am being paranoid...but I would rather take care of it now. So the water is not falling today to allow the area to dry out. This  feature was put in when the home was built so there is expected to be weak spots in the cement after all these years.

I have cleaned the area best as I can and will now think about the landscaping around the pond. The turtle planter is back and the wall pieces will remain. I need to take the frog in to repaint.....Denny did that every year. I will need to reposition the spot light also. Not sure what I will do about the Yucca plant which has gotten spindly. It has been there since the late 70s I was told. I may cut it back and hopefully let it regrow stronger. A few pots of annuals soon will add some color. I just need the weather to cool down before trying to work out there.

Yesterday this rag doll got a shampoo and laundered clothes....now back in the rocker. I will be off today to get a few supplies for a special teddy bear that I was asked to make and I am still looking for a foot stool for my chair. My list of ~~~To Do~~~Must Do has a new addition...my cell phone. Seems for everything I  can cross off, there is a new item added! The cell phone does not seem to keep it's charge as long as it once did. Just a simple AT&T phone that Denny got in 2012. Guess it is upgrade time. Since I do have a land line it is not an immediate need. Then again, I think it may also be time to look at new land line phones...just another item for the list. Well, I have had my coffee while we visited and some toast to start the day. Need to vacuum and Swiffer here and there before heading out later. I do appreciate the kind words and emails. Thank you for your friendship....let's have a good day.

A new Teddy Bear

Another morning starting out with heavy cloud cover...and although I know how important it is that we have rain here in the desert, right now I do not want rain...I am trying to get the pond working and the rains have put me two steps back fro every step forward. Today I will go to get the supplies to get the waterfall in the pond ready before any more rain. Next week rain may be okay...
Yesterday Home Depot came out to quote me a price to replace the rain gutters in the back and add them to the front. More than I anticipated, but then less than another quote. I have to make a decision soon. I was surprise to learn that they will only do the job if it is over $750.00. Something to think on this week. In the meantime

this teddy moved into my bedroom. This is for me to keep. It is made from 3 different Denny jeans and a some special embellishments. It is a medium size; sitting at about 15" and 20" standing.

First his heart...made from red velvet and tattered and broken. His right hand has the Levi tag which were Denny's favorite jeans--505 to be exact. Then his left hand...it was the hand that I held when we walked so it has hearts for our love. The back pocket will hold a special note and a trinket or two. A black velvet nose just because and the simple embroidery on the arms and legs. Denny loved when I made teddies for gifts.  The last one was for my great niece Natalia back in 2014 when she was born.  There is always something special about a teddy!
I have a special gift to make so I may make an attempt later or then again tomorrow. This morning is research a few garden plant that we have to find out how to care for them. This was my Denny's domain and I never paid too much attention, I just enjoyed. This bush is doing well....

It is Firecracker and currently is about 6 feet high. So nice to have this summer bloomer. Bright red/orange and full of them. It is actually considered a shrub but we always trimmed the base to train it to grow more like a small tree allowing space to plant below it. The hummer loves it. This year the heat and humidity is taking a toll on the garden. I am really looking forward to some cooler temps.
I was asked the other day about the size of the pictures....if you click on any picture it will open in a preview of the pictures and then clicking on them will enlarge them.  I just usually add them in the smaller format for space purposes. Well my friends it is time to do some vacuuming and maybe a laundry and of course dusting. Always a pleasure to have you visit. Thank you for the kind words and of course thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

It's all about the curio today

Last evening came the pouring rain and a bit of thunder. I do not like these storms! Today is beginning with very overcast skies and muggy. Actually there is a light drizzle falling. Now I have dirty rain water in the pond...and that means another morning (not today) cleaning it out and I better finish the cleaning this time and get regular water back in so this will not happen again. I am hoping that the waterfall connection is clear and I can figure the rock formation so that it will fall properly. For now, I may have to just put it back as a fountain. Two steps forward and one back. But, what I want to show you is my new curio

Doesn't it look lovely next to my chair? On Saturday Don took me to get it  and yesterday Glenda  (they are a team) and I arranged this and that for the shelves.

It is a perfect size; 59"x32"x13". This is the top of the curio. Both the angel and the dragonfly piece at the far right have a battery candle. So very pretty at nighttime. The stitched piece of violets  and the ornament is a piece of turquoise and copper.

 Remember to ignore reflections...mirror backing can be difficult! This is shelf one with angels, fairy and angel wings with a piece of tatting. On shelf 2, is my Cinderella...a couple of glass blown pumpkins as well as the coach and glass slipper and the Disney glass coach pin. Of course my stitched coach too.  In front of the Angels is a glass ball sitting on frogs. The front left is a Lenox dragonfly and sitting on the velvet slipper pillow is a beautiful hand painted needle box that I received as a gift from KimM.

On the third shelf is my needlework doll and the two Victorian ladies that Mr H bought for me when I first visited Arizona. They look lovely with the mirror to reflect the intricate back of their clothing. I decided to put the rose trimmed mirror here to help preserve it. In front of the ladies is a lovely dish with raised roses around the top from Italy. It was given to me 47 years ago ...a gift from Denny's cousin Tootsie that I treasure.  On the bottom of the curio are two Faeries sitting pretty and in the center is a fairy  atop a glass bubble. So pleased with this curio purchase as well as how Glenda and I filled it. Totally feels feminine with my treasures.
This weather has me feeling tired. I was ambitious yesterday morning and I made delicious Pizzelles. Today not ambitious at all. Maybe some teddy bear sewing as it all ready for the machine. Right now I need to finish my coffee. So glad to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

A Teddy Bear

Well now.....

Isn't this just right. Finished the teddy yesterday and it is sitting pretty. I love this pattern. It is a Simplicity pattern 

dated 1986 and I have made countless bears from it. This time the bear is special. It is from a pair of Denny's jeans and pieces cut rom one of my old blouses. 

I embroidered the Sorbello stitch along each arm top and on the top of the legs. My new favorite stitch.

I whip stitched the small inside pocket from the jeans to the back where it can hold a message or.....whatever. Fits nicely here. This is the smaller bear of three sizes.

Simple black buttons for the face. I really like how the back pocket looks for the face. I am not really happy with the ears of this pattern and have done them many ways in the past. The next teddy I will make a change. And how about the heart of this bear...

Indeed this teddy bear was made with love.....
I started the day with a problem. I took down the bathroom mini blind to wash and now I can not get it to snap into the bracket....Denny always put it back. So, tomorrow when Dianna and Sherry arrive to help with the pond, one of them I hope can get this back in place. I think I am needing a handy man. I suppose some of the things can wait until The Brother Alan arrives each year, but I really do not want his vacation time as work time. Just another loose screw for me to deal with. It was nice to have you visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Let's have a good day.

So many clouds today

Cloudy outdoors and indoors. The weather is certainly an active monsoon but we have not had rain since Sunday evening. Maybe some later today? Glad that the air conditioning drain is fixed, one less thing to deal with. Yesterday I had a nice lunch out with Dianna and then to Lowes...we bought a plant ... Calathea..




the foliage  closes up at night. It is part of a group that is called the prayer plant.
During the light of the day it is full and open...

Don't you just love how plants react. Some of these flower but I do not think this is one of the species that does. It is colorful as it is....burgundy underside  with two-tone green leaves when open. Nice addition to the kitchen. Yesterday afternoon I decide to finally start a denim teddy bear using a pair of Dennis' jeans. Like a fool I stood over the table and could not cut into the fabric! Well, on Saturday, I will visit over with Dianna and she will help me get started.  I have been sewing since I was 10 years old and this is ridiculous ! However, I am making this teddy and that is it...just starting it at Dianna's.
Today I will be having lunch across the courtyard with Robyn and Dave...she is making a cherry dessert! By the way...notice that my posts are not as early? Just can not get going in the morning. Lazy is how I would describe myself and surprisingly I do not mind. I need to get to the Post Office this morning to mail a package that should have been mailed back in -----, well before.  Since Abby and Kate did not know about it, it is not too bad. They are daughters of a good friend in RI.
Before I show and tell about today's word I should tell you that I did stitch each word in the order that Donna had released them....except for number 11. It was to be Forgiving and at the moment of stitching I was not and not now in a forgiving mood.  Sorry if that offends any of you, but it is my honest feeling and it is what it is. So I skipped that word.
Today the word is Peaceful.

This word was stitched in Denny's last days with the exception of the "l" at the end of the word. I refused to stitch it until he was at peace. It was a short but long illness , from May 19th to June 21 when he was finally without pain. So late on the evening of June 21st, I finished the word and added the date.

Of course there is a tatted Denny's Angel and the token charm that reads You are my guardian angel on the right side and on the left

side is a charm Made with love....this truly is my love to Denny project. The stitches around the word are a new stitch I found which I have forgotten the name but saw it demonstrated on Quilted Arts. Done similar to a cross stitch but knotted in the middle. There are many embellishments on this banner and I will tell you about them later.
Well, my friends, from your kind words I feel that you have enjoyed learning about the Words of Affirmation banner. It really was a help once Denny became ill. And the finishing was special because we had planned some of it together. Thank you for stopping by each day and for your encouragement and kind words. Most of all I treasure the friendship we have and for the new friends I have found. Let's have a good day.
NOTE ~~~~~ the stitch is the Sorbello Stitch...

Seven Angels

I really need a push sometimes. Yesterday I finished the seven angels.... Denny's Angels

that is  a total of 9; one for me and Dianna has one and these will finds homes and I will continue to make several more. As much work as they are, I enjoy making them and each one is a reminder that Denny suggested this project back in March. There was a sprinkle of rain early last evening but no storm. The temps are not too bad low to mid 100's but this monsoon humidity is unpleasant. Today I will be meeting Dianna for lunch or a late breakfast-- all depends on when the air conditioning guy arrives and leaves. Should be a simple fix. I was too lazy to vac the pond this morning...or was I just making excuses? Actually no, I woke at 3 am but dozed on/off and decided to get up around 6 and by the time I had coffee and toast, well I got lazy. Still hoping to relocate them to another abode.
Today the word is Thankful.

To be honest, I was miserable stitching this word. What was I to be thankful for? Here  I was stitching this at Denny's bedside while he was dying. Then I relaxed my mind to better times. I was and am thankful for all the years we spent together. Denny's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. A gathering time without gifts. A time to enjoy being together.  He once told me that he was thankful for meeting me and that I married him. The crocheted trim with the pearl beads was a practice piece when I was learning the stitch. He said it would look good someplace on the banner. I was the thankful one for meeting him and lucky that he married me. He took such an interest in all that I did. I know he will continue to watch all that I do.
Wonderful to have time to chat with you. Thank you for the kind words and most of all for your  friendship. Let's have a good day.

Trying to stay srtong

I must say that these monsoon storms are really rattling me. Last night we had not signs of any and that was fine by me. When Denny was here he enjoyed the storms and I always thought if something happens he is here. The winds during the monsoon season are quite strong and the area around me had some tree branch losses and even half of a large tree came down across the way from me.

The drain from the new air conditioner has actually moved about 8 inches so they will be out Wednesday morning to check it. The yellow arrow is where it was and the red where it is now. Today it is very humid so the pond vacuuming will have to wait until early tomorrow morning. Inside tasks: the kitchen floor washed, the laundry done , oven on self clean and the house plants watered. Just need to check on the Lantana in the backyard. With all the rain it may not need any water today.
Today the word is  Strong.

To the very end Denny was so strong. He wanted me to be strong and although basically I am a strong person, it is difficult to be so now.  It seems everyone tells me how strong I am. I just received a card and note from a former employer which took me by surprise. We have not spoken or seen each other for almost 16 years. She wrote "You have always been a strong woman", thank you Mrs P. for thinking of me. The yellow rose there in the picture is for me from me to Denny. I love yellow roses and he always gave them to me. A simple border of lace along the top of the word because being strong does not mean you can not be soft too. Denny was strong but a softy....
It is great to visit with you. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship. Let's have a good day.

PS there are a few of you that I do not have your email so I can respond to your comments....I do not have Google+ ... if you do, please send me your email.... 

Monsoon really has arrived

Well, 2 nights of storms...last evening there was lots of thunder and lightening as well as some rain. With the strong winds (around 40 mph+) there had to be debris

This 39 gallon trash barrel filled quickly with stuff from the yard as well as out along the garage. Today there is more accumulating but with the sky first dropping rain then the sun popping out and then back in again, I will just hold off for now.  We seem to have these storms at night which really is eerie with the howling of the winds and crashing of thunder. Denny would love it...
Speaking of my Denny, yesterday I finally made the move to set him on the bookshelf as he always said he wanted. It really took a lot for me to do this, but I am happy that I finally did. Now when I look there, he is there. Of course that then led to rearranging this and that and out with the Pledge....kept me busy and little time to be teary.
Today my word is Compassionate.

As I stitched this word, he was unable to continue to chat with me due to the pain meds. I hope he could feel my compassion for what he was going through. He deserved so much better than what he endured. Denny always liked my tatting and this was another that we wanted to include . He did love nature. I added the pearl beads because they seem so gentle. The buttons of course are from my button jar.....he would tease me about all the buttons I collected.
A new friend who visited my blog sent me a lovely email and offered me some advice...thank you Melinda for your kindness. Thank all of you for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

After the storm

Around 5:30 PM last evening we had a Monsoon storm...the winds were strong...strong enough to scatter pots and debris around the yard and the rains flooded part of the yard.....puddles everywhere. The wind howled and whipped the trees and bushes. Then around quarter past 6 it ended. Today the sun shines and the forecast is for maybe another event tonight. I do not like these storms and it was worse not having Denny here to tell me to not worry. I also did not have to call him in from the garage doorway or the front yard while he enjoyed the storm under an umbrella.
Remember the beautiful flowers from LuLu and Stan

The lavender roses dried to a lovely mauve and I put them on a mirror that belonged to Denny's mother.

His mother gave me her mirror many years ago before she passed. She told me it was from the early 50's and we loved it...marred and all. I usually rests on my bureau and still will. LuLu and Stan are dear friends from RI...Lu and I worked together before I left to move here. Amazing how a flower will change colors ....still lovely and caring memories from my friends fro Denny.
Today the word is Faith.

Now I have mentioned this before (and occasionally received  negative comments) but we were not religious; yes we were raised, baptized and married in the Catholic church...anyway when I began stitching it I told Denny that I did have Faith that the angels would take care of him for me. He told me they needed to take care of me for him. So, they are taking care of both of us. I put a star with a rhinestone  in the center to signify that there will always be a star in the heavens shining from Denny. The tatted butterfly because he loved to go to the butterfly gardens and the butterflies always landed on him never on me! Yesterday was a very long day and too many hours in the darkness. I have been trying to tat today but the cut on the pad of my right thumb is nagging and sore. I think if it would stop bleeding it will be okay. I am pleased to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement everyday. Thank you for your friendship....Let's have a good day.

A busy morning

Feels strange post at this time...later in the morning. The reason is that I was out by 6 to vacuum the pond, flush the pump, add back in the 12 gallons of water  and add the algae chemical. Of course even though I did not take a pond shower, I did spill some of the lovely green water on myself. The dust storm yesterday afternoon brought all kinds of stuff into the yard and across the garage so that was swept up before coming in for a normal shower.  Then it was make hummer food and  clean 2 of the feeders and fill them. While on this roll I cleaned the aquarium and now I am finished.....also tired. Yesterday we had strong winds and a  dust storm....

this was the dust storm looking out of my garage toward the East. Nasty stuff. I just poked out for a second. Not something you want to be in walking or driving. The winds were actually howling at times. Not sure of the size  of this one, but they can be huge and very dangerous to be caught in.
Today my word is Patient.

This was the next word to stitch and  the first word I did when Denny was admitted to the hospital.....he thought it was so fitting as did I. A simple word. He was the patient and I was being patient even though I knew it was going to take more than I had at the moment. Everyday at the hospital he would ask what I was stitching and when finished asked to see it. They were long days and I was able to usually finish a word. The crystal beads are beads he found among my many beads. They make me think quiet and gentle. We have many wind chimes that he hung both in back and in front of the house as well as indoors too. I dangled these in that fashion...they hang quietly here.
Thank you for the lovely comments regarding the Words banner. I am happy that you have been enjoying the story and planning that went into it.  Thank you also for the kind words and emails and cards. Thank you most of all for your caring friendship. Let's have a good day.

Words of Affirmation is complete

Well, at this point it is. This project as I mentioned before was started a few months before Dennis passed. He was very much a part of color, embellishment and ideas and also where to hang it. I thought I would show you the full banner and then for the week or so pick an area and tell you about it.

It is about 13 wide and 36 long. Denny thought it would be good to hang it on the closet door...a place where we would encounter it many times. His plan was to mount it differently than I did but for now this is how it is hanging.  This truly was a labor of love for me to work on. Each word has a special meaning for me and also because Denny really liked the project and gave input. By the way, it looks crooked but it is not...I guess I stand off kilter. I say it is complete and it may be so. However, I may find a charm or two to add. There is one thing I did not make yet...a yo-yo. Dennis mentioned it would be nice to "put one of those cloth circles" on it. I had a busy day yesterday. Dianna and Bob came by so Bob could fix the running toilet....Thank you Bobby! Then he also hung my new hummer feeder in the kitchen window out of the sun and helped with my front walkway. Dianna and I have been friends for a long time (worked together at Jo Ann's) and even worked on projects together. Now I can add her Bobby to my list of caring friends. I have been overwhelmed with the caring messages and kindness of all. Don stopped by to check the watering system to help me make some changes. It will make my care of the yard easier.
I love my Dragonflies and I received 2 beautiful pins.

This one is from a long time Rhode Island friend, Janet.  I will always think of her when I wear it.
Dear friend Glenda saw this and thought of me....

So pretty. Cards, messages, flowers/plants and emails have brightened my days. Dennis did not want any commotion. "Just cremate me and put me in a box on the book shelf with Sherlock and Zoe (our pooches). No service , maybe you could have a party with balloons (he loved balloons at parties). Having him home with me has really brought it to reality. I am never really alone~~~~~~

A package arrived from cousin Janice (in RI)...

Is this not the cutest thing! He/she is solar powered and has an on/off switch at the tip of the nose. Part pipe, part metal and a glass bottle for a butt....just too ~~ too cute! Now I need a name for he/she.....it could really be either. I must tell you that at 3:30 this morning the winds were crazy. One of the closed umbrellas fell over, the bushes and trees were whipping around as well as a few other yard things. Now it is quiet....not a leaf is moving and it is cloudy...after all, this is Monsoon season so maybe we will get rain??? or not. I have been working on Denny's Angels and hope to start at least one Denny Teddy Bear soon. I always liked keeping busy and more so now. Did I mention that I have one more cupboard in the garage to clean? It is the cupboard with the cooking stuff...pans and things. Did I mention I found the last (I hope) electric drill which brings my collection to I think 4. I know there are way too many frying pans out there. Yes, he enjoyed gardening, electronics and buying pots and pans for his cooking. I think a Fall garage sale is in the works! For now, I will straighten the house, make my bed and get a bread dough ready for baking tomorrow. Right now I need my coffee and my tatting. You are all so special tome...thank you for the kind and caring words and emails. Most of all thank you for the love and friendship. Let's have a good day.💖