Friday, September 07, 2007

In the ordinary hours.........

...even the hummingbirds have gone quiet, the sounds of traffic off in the distance are muted, and only the wind chime sounds gently on the breeze. In those hours, I reflect on life, and think about things. No longer is "what's for supper" a pressing issue, nor the "Mom, I need a ride to the game". Those days are past now, and the memories of them lie among the pieces in my scrapbag. I can stay 'in the moment', only occasionally nudged by Ebby's demands or the ringing of the phone. The first Friday in Sept....winding down.
My lovely wax begonias have bloomed their little hearts out this summer. Despite wind and rain, some hail and hot, hot sun...they have thrived in the window box. They weren't the Winn-Dixie of the North for the hummingbirds...no, a fast food joint moved into the neighborhood. All flashy and bright red, with 4 feeding stations..no waiting in line! A few more weeks...that's all that is left to them. I could uproot them to a pot, to be carried inside, but they know..inside is second best. Winter sun is pale and cold...best to bloom full throttle for as long as the journey lasts...and to go in a blaze of glory when the Frost Fairy dances across WI in the near future.

Forever green this small quilt shall remain...an old pattern, and at the time, cut and pieced from templates. No quick sew and flip triange corners for this one! The finished size of the block is 3". And the plum colored lattice a strange addition, looking for all the world like 'stems'...which they aren't. I called it "Green Peace" back then, and I call it "Green Piece" now. Machine pieced, hand quilted. Looking closer,it has just two shapes....you could cut your square any size you wanted and adjust the little square accordingly. Four of these blocks joined up make a neat kind of love ring that looks like an X or an O..depending.

14 comments:

Andrea said...

What a sweet little quilt ! I love all the different green fabrics and the plum colour justs sets them off beautifully. I am a long time reader of your blog and fairly recently started my own. I have a handsome black and white Tom cat who would be a perfect boyfriend for Ebony - lol !

Jeanne said...

I know full well that we each have our own "stuff" to deal with in life, and that your life isn't totally perfect, but ***sigh*** when I read your descriptions of the Midwest seasons, and your lovely peaceful days, I often wish I were YOU!!

Hugs ~ Jeanne :)

Jeanne said...

Very cute, Finn! I love the plum border with the greens.

Kim said...

Great thoughts on the coming to the end of summer- beginning of fall. I love love love the little quilt. Enjoy your weekend :)

dee said...

what a great idea for those blocks. In true Finn tradition-I have two bags of them-in civil war fabric-140 or so. I started to make an anniversary quilt for our 25th next year. Never thought to put them together like that. They are all sewn into crosses and circles(hugs&kisses) I have a bag that haven't been sewn together yet though-thanks for the tip. You're so dear!

Barbara C said...

Your thoughts echo my own today as my "baby" just turned 17 and started to drive. My days as mom-chauffeur have ended and I often find myself thinking about the next phase in my life. Those memories are always going to be there, but now I have growing spaces in my life for new things. Life is always an adventure!

Your little quilt is lovely. I'm going to put that block on my to-do list.

Angie said...

You do know by now, dear Finn, that I just fall into your posts..your 'scrapbag' of writings...your words paint the most vivid pictures, and I want to gaze and gaze into them. Your begonias are beautiful. I don't know why, but that is one flower that I've never had any luck with. :D Seeing yours makes me think 'maybe next spring'. *s* I love your 'Green Piece', and have to ask if I could pay you the ultimate (so they say LOL) compliment and save that picture in my 'quilt ideas' folder to make 'one of these days'? Hugs, dear Finn and Mz. Ebby.

MARCIE said...

I just want to sew flowers to the tops of those things that you won't call stems. But it is pretty cute as is!

Libby said...

I have to admit, Finn - I see leaves and stems, too . . . flowers aren't necessary. Maybe it's ivy just climbing a wall *s*

~Bren~ said...

Your Green Piece is lovely. I made a similar one with 1x2 inch rectangles. It is a fun block to hand quilt.

atet said...

Finn, what a lovely little quilt. And as always, thank you for making me think about the changes I'm seeing around me in a new light. Don't know why this fall I haven't wanted to let go of summer, but, ya know, it's time. Thanks!

meggie said...

Green Piece/Peace is quite lovely Finn!
And your begonias are the best flowers I have seen for a while!

Cher said...

they look like upreaching arms to me Finn....a sweet little quilt.

Jenni said...

I really like this little green quilt, very cool feeling.