Animals Living in Harmony!

Today as my family was driving up home to visit
the graves we came upon this unusual site.  How
often do you see a buffalo, zebra, donkey and two
small goats grazing together in harmony in the
same enclosed pasture?

It was really fun to see and the kids got so
excited to be up close to the animals and  to have
their pictures taken with them.

And, of course, we had to stop at the cheese factory
for an ice cream to eat on the way home.

A good time was had by all even though the day
later turned cold, windy and rainy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to my sweet granddaughter!

This evening we gathered together to celebrate
her ninth birthday with a barbeque and of course,
her favorite: chocolate cake and ice cream.

Isn't this just the coolest bike from her father?  I love
all the fun, bright colors.  She can't help but be happy
and have fun when she's riding this with her friends.

It's a tradition!  The famous $1.00 bill in a birthday
card started by my mother many years ago.  We
have chosen to carry it on and to never change the
amount.  Funny how we all look forward to getting
that $1.00 bill. I'm the one doing it now and
hopefully when I'm no longer here, my children will
decide to carry it on in their families.

Hailey and her father just before we cut her
cake.  The awesome twosome!


















Happy Birthday, Hailey!

Two-tailed Swallowtail

It isn't often that I get a chance to take a picture of a
beautiful butterfly at close range.  But, it happened to me
this morning as my friend and I were taking out her
garbage cans.  We just happened to glance down at the
grass and there, all neatly folded up, was this butterfly.
Even with its wings pressed together we knew it was
going to be beautiful.

I thought about running back into her house and
grabbing my camera, but I was afraid by the time I
got back it would be gone.  So down the road we went
setting out the garbage cans.  To our surprise and to
the delight of her cat, it was still there when we came
back.  It was slowly opening its wings and the
markings were beautiful.

Jo Ann held off her curious cat while I ran and grabbed
my camera.  I'm not sure if the butterfly was injured
or if it was too cool and damp for it to fly and was just
waiting for the suns rays to warm it up, but it hadn't
moved and seemed to be having difficulty opening
its wings fully.  I was able to take several closeups.

Here its wings are barely beginning to separate:

Although it fluttered its wings briefly, they would
close back up.  We weren't sure what to do and
wondered if it would be alright.  Because of the cat's
interest in it, we locked her in the garage and then
went in the house hoping it would be ok.

A few minutes later we looked out the window and
to our dismay the sprinklers were coming on.  So
we grabbed a piece of newspaper and sprinted out
side and carefully coaxed the butterfly on to the paper
then moved it to a little flowering bush at the
edge of the sidewalk away from the sprinklers.

When we looked later, we couldn't see it.  Hopefully, it
was able to take flight.

In the early afternoon, as I left to come home and was
driving down the country dirt road I was delighted to see
the same butterfly or its relative fly up from the grasses
along the road side and flutter by in front on me.
I couldn't help but wonder if it was "our" butterfly.

Arriving back home, I did a little research and
found out it is a "Two Tailed Swallowtail " and
ranges in size between 3.5 and 5 inches.
Scientific name:  (Palilio Multicaudatus). It is found
in the foothills (where Jo Ann lives), valleys,
woodlands and gardens.

What a treat it was for us to observe this beautiful
butterfly up close and personal and see its intricate markings
and beautiful colors.

On My Soapbox Again

Forgive me if I get on my soapbox once again and push
about the importance of having a yearly mammogram,
I was reminded again of how important they are and how
fast things can change as I spoke with a close friend
today.

But, let me digress a little back to March of this year.
I went in for my mammogram and received a call back
concerning a mass.  I was not too concerned as I had
spoken with my oncologist about it earlier and he
indicated it was a cyst, but we would watch it.  So,
back in I went, only to be told that it was NOT a cyst,
it was a solid mass and that I would need an ultrasound
guided biopsy.

Each time I tried to talk to them about a cyst, I was
told very emphatically that it was NOT a cyst.  So
in I went and 7 tissue samples were taken.  Went to
set up my follow-up appointment and the gal there
said, "At least you've had five good years!"  Can
you imagine what went through my mind?  In the
next few days I about had myself dead and buried.

The day after the biopsy I got a call and almost
didn't answer it when I saw who was calling because
results were not to be in for three more days.  But,
I did and was told they had good results for me.
It was consistent with ruptured epidermal cyst and
there was no cancer.

Needless to say, I was very relieved but a little
upset that the people there had insisted that it was a
solid mass and not a cyst and would not even
consider that it could be a cyst.  They should have
been a little more careful in what they said and how
they handled things, I thought.  But, I'm ok and
that's the important thing.  And, I'm glad I had my
mammogram because now we have a marker and
they can just monitor things from now own.

Anyway, back to the main reason I'm writing this.
Spoke with a dear friend this morning who had
recently found out she has breast cancer and just
had a mastectomy.  A year ago everything was
clear when she had her mammogram.  This year
they found a mass.   She wasn't too concerned
when she was called back in because she had
been called back in before and it turned out to be
nothing.  But, when they told her she had
cancer, she and her husband just sat there in
stunned silence and total shock.  As we talked, she
said if she hadn't gone in for her mammogram and
had put it off, she probably wouldn't be here next year. 
As things look now, prognosis is good. 

So, please don't put off making that appointment.
Even though my cancer did not show up with
a mammogram (Inflammatory Breast Cancer), it
is important you be checked---even if it is a cyst.
You just never know!  And don't forget  those
breast exams.  If you have any question what so
ever about a lump, rash, etc., call your doctor.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now!

One Down...

Finished the binding on my bow tie wall quilt this
afternoon while sitting out on the patio enjoying
this beautiful spring weather.  Well, that is enjoying
it except for the cotton flying from my neighbor's
cottonwood tree.  At times it almost seemed like it
was snowing.  We all wish we could convince him
to remove it or at least trim it.  But, don't think that
will ever  happen.

Because this little quilt is pretty scrappy, I decided
not to add a border and I really like how it turned out. 
It is approximately 20 inches square and can be used
as a table topper or wall quilt.

....Two more to go!

It's Time

Today I had planned to work in my yard, but even though it
looks sunny and warm out, there is a cold wind blowing and I
quickly bagged my yard work.  Thought about what I wanted
to do and decided it was time to sew the binding on three
little wall quilts that recently came back from being quilted.

Now when I'm sitting around in the evening I can stitch
the binding.  I'm not too sure if I like the fabric I chose
for the bottom right quilt binding.  But, it's on now and
I don't want to take it off and go buy more.  It will
probably be fine once I get it done.

Stay Safe and Be Well,

 Nola

It has been sometime since I posted.  Can't believe how quickly time passes.  Haven't done much quilting or stitching for the past month as my sister and I have been working on our father's history.  Am happy to say that it is now completed and in its binder.

Now his namesakes can learn about their grandfather who passed away before they were born.  It has been great doing this with my sister and we now have our four generation histories completed plus our parents histories.  We have started  working on pictures and stories of when we were little.  We both feel strongly that we need to get these done especially since she is having heart problems and I've been through cancer.  We need each other to help remember dates, times, places, etc.  Hence, no sewing.

(My father as a young man)

It seems that when I do have extra time, I'm out in the yard working.  Can't believe how quickly things have gotten ahead of me.

But, it is so nice being outside.  I love this time of the year before it gets so hot.

Thought I would share a few pictures of my special day with my son, daughter and SIL yesterday at the Bountiful Temple.  It was a wonderful day!

 

Today my heart is filled with gratitude for family.  I am most grateful for my noble heritage and for  my extended family.   Where would we be without family?