Here in my hometown, we have had robins, grackles, and at least one hawk circling, so I feel like spring is sniffing promisingly at the edges of several more weeks of winter.
Speaking of winter, many of you will remember my dear Dad, because you sent cards and little gifts for his 90th birthday last year. He enjoyed them so much! He fell ill before Christmas, and passed away at the height of winter, just a few days after his 91st birthday.
Even when you think you have things set up to be easy for your loved ones after you die, there is still a TON of work to do regarding an estate. This was compounded by the reality that we had to move my lovely Mom and my adorable sister to where they are now sharing an apartment that has a lot less space than what either of them had before.
We jokingly (but not humourously) have called this period of time “The F**kening” because there was so much going on. At the same time we learned what was coming for Dad, we also experienced the deaths by 3 more relatives, and my sister underwent hip replacement surgery. There was a deep freeze that saw morning temperatures hit -52 degrees Celsius, Mom making an extraordinary trek with her walker into the hospital each day to sit and keep Dad company…and so very much more. Several times, Dad talked about keeping multiple balls in the air, which has me embracing what’s coming next…it’s time to make some things.
Make Something
I am finishing up the Legacy Quilt I’ve been working on for months, and it’s time get it done. I just need to add some tulips, and finish the quilting.
While Dad was ill I missed a couple of deadlines to apply to speak at big quilt shows about the Legacy Quilt and Valiant Hearts League, but Quilt Canada is coming up in June, so all is not lost! Dad has his signature on this quilt, as do some of you reading this, making it even more special than it was already gearing up to be.
In addition to being a kid during WW2, and serving as an Army cook later, Dad was a food lover. He’s going to join Ethel Rogers (also part of the Legacy Quilt) as a subject of an upcoming cookbook, and like I usually do, I invite you to be a part of it! Send me one or two or three of your favourite, tested and true recipes that you consider “comfort food” using the form attached. Note that the deadline for submissions is February 29 so that we can compile the book and have it published in time for 80th anniversary events surrounding the end of WW2. You’ll find the form here. And yes, I am having to fundraise like a fiend to pull this all off. Please have a look around here, and buy as much coffee as you are comfortable with, or choose to become a patron and help us out.
Hugs,
Pam
