October the Thirteenth: Books and Quotes #Blogtober2021

 This is one of my favorite pieces of furniture. Supposedly, it was originally in the library at Iowa State University. I'm not sure that is true, but it could have been. The top part has holes for rods to hold periodicals, but I don't usually use them. Most of the time, I have seasonal books on the top shelf. The second shelf slants, and there are several dividers. It had to be in storage when I lived at the frat house, and it was one of the first things I brought here when I moved. I have most of my furniture now. It's amazing how much I missed it when I didn't have it. Our house is much more crowded than I'd like. We are still trying to decide what stays and what goes. And where it will go. And what would we replace it with? I am living with a lot of furniture that isn't what I would ever choose. And he is probably thinking the same about some of the quirky pieces that I have brought in . We are making it work...sort of.

This was going to be about books. Yesterday the newest Alice Hoffman book came out. I pre-ordered it, so I was able to start reading it today. It is the fourth and final book about the fictional Owens family. I already wrote about this a few days ago. The movie, "Practical Magic" was based on one of the books. I'm afraid I was pretty useless today. I spent most of it lost in a book. I love her writing. When I read her books, I find myself going back and reading sentences again, just because they are so wonderfully written. 

"Life was like a book, Jet thought, but one you would never finish. You would never know how people would wind up; the good often suffered and the wicked prospered and there was no explanation for the way in which fate was meted out as there was in a novel. Fiction made sense of the world."  The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

 I have another favorite book quote. This one is from Elizabeth Goudge's book, " A City of Bells":

"In my experience when people once begin to read they go on. They begin because they think they ought to and they go on because they must. Yes. They find it widens life. We're all greedy for life, you know, and our short span of existence  can't give us all that we hunger for, the time is too short and our capacity not large enough. But in books we experience all life vicariously"

Well, that is all for Day 13. I am going to bed early tonight. With a Book.

October the Twelfth: Oh, Happy Day #blogtober2021

                                                                             

     Today is our second anniversary. It was a pretty quiet day since John is still recovering from his surgery. I was surprised by a dozen beautiful roses.  

We have a wonderful, magical love story. I think it is probably made better because we are only young at heart. When we got married, he was seventy-five and I was seventy. Such babies! John and I first knew each other many years ago when our children were young. We belonged to the same parish, and our kids went to school together. We saw each other  at school functions, parties, and ball games. We were part of the same group of friends. My first husband Jim had also attended grade school with John and his wife, Candy.   We have a long history.

Fast forward many years. We both had long, happy marriages. But as life happens, things don't always turn out the way we think they should. We both lost our spouses, and we both lost an adult son. I worked at a funeral home, and it seemed that we were both running into one another at family funerals, and funerals for friends. We were Facebook friends. He left comments that he enjoyed reading my blog. I guess the way to my heart was through funerals and Facebook. One day, out of the blue, I got an instant message, asking if I would go to dinner with him. One year from our first date he asked me to marry him. He says that I said "Are you serious?" Twice. Actually, I was worried that he had fallen. He was walking across the room, and all of a sudden he was on one knee, proposing. Old People Romance.

We got married the next October. Originally we thought we would wait longer to give everyone time to get used to the idea. And then we remembered this is an old people love story. We had a perfect, low key wedding in a beautiful house. Everything was lovely. And now we are living happily ever after.

                                                                                    

                          

                                                                                

                                                                                       

Sweet Yet Sinister: October the Eleventh #Blogtober2021

              

       Halloween decorating gets more elaborate every year and starts earlier, doesn't it? I'm afraid I haven't done as much as I thought I would. This definitely isn't the year for my A-game. I'm sure I must still have things in boxes somewhere in storage. "Sweet, Yet Sinister" is the title on an altered book I made years ago. I guess that could also include my Halloween decorating style. I don't like things that are gruesome, but I don't want it to be too cutesy either. I am partial to witches and pumpkins. I don't really like bats, and skeletons, ghosts, and snakes.  And I think pumpkin heads on figures are creepy.    This year I guess I am mostly into vintage vignettes. I have groups of  holiday things setting about, but not all through the house.                                                          

My centerpieces often include a mirror or tray glued to a candle holder for height. This was last year, but includes acorns, vintage photos, candles, and a darling old book about children's parties. Leaves and little pumpkin lights completed this picture. I might do this again!

Here's the library with a Halloween bunting. My seasonal children's books are on display too. Whoops, no picture. Good thing I've got all month to revisit the scene.

A very small tree. It lights up.  And of course , we need a little cemetery scene. One says "Gone at Last"  And another says "I'll be back".  Quirky, and just a little bit sinister.

 An update on John. It's been two weeks since the surgery, and he is feeling a little better every day. At this point, he still wishes he had just lived with the rotary cuff pain instead. Probably four more weeks with the sling and then physical therapy. Tomorrow is our second anniversary, and I think I'll keep him.

October the Tenth: Books #Blogtober2021

 

"Just because your bookshelves are full doesn't mean you need to stop buying books. It just means you need more bookshelves." This is probably one of my main philosophies of life. I love books. I love having them, shopping for them and reading them. I love decorating with them. What's not good about a small stack of vintage orange and black books as a base for a witch or pumpkin for Halloween.? Bookstores have always been my happy place. They calm me down immediately when I walk into one. I love second hand bookstores the most. And independent book stores. And big chains. Libraries will do in a pitch. At one time I started to plan a pilgrimage to bookstores around the country, and maybe the world. That is still on my "bucket list".

Today I went to one of the Midwest's biggest book sales. It is held every year at our state fairgrounds. This year it celebrated its' sixtieth year. I have been buying books there for more than fifty years. When I got married (the first time), we had very little furniture when we began housekeeping. But we made sure there were bookshelves. I bought a lot of our first books at the sale. As the years progressed we kept adding shelves and bookcases to every room of our second house. We even turned one room into a library. When we moved to a small bungalow, I counted the books we had accumulated. I had over 3,000. It turned into a major downsizing project. I donated and sold many of them, but then we started again. 

For several years I worked in an historic house at Living History Farms Museum. During that time I collected many 19th century books about home life, cooking, crafting, sewing and decorating. I still love those books even though I'm not living in 1875 anymore. 

I've written many times about my love for England. And one of the reasons is that there are books everywhere. The stores often use books to decorate. The quaint little hotels in villages have masses of old books setting around. The pubs have shelves of books. 

                                                                        

I don't buy as many books as I used to. Now I keep most fiction on an e-reader because it doesn't use up space. I would still rather read a "real" book. John's a reader, too, so I moved into this house which already had a lot of books. We both still have boxes of books. I am looking for new places to put them. And weeding them out. More of his than of mine, I'm afraid. But I am trying to be generous. And I have a room as a library again. 

You may be wondering why I would even want to go to a book sale at this point. I like to make things with books. Some book lovers may be shuddering right now. There are many who think books are sacred. I don't. Well, except for the ones that I already own. But I can handle buying one to specifically cut apart, or alter, or use for other decorating. So that's what I do. 

                                                                           

October the Ninth: Pumpkins Now and Then #Blogtober2021

 I remember when jack-o-lanterns were basically one color and style. Real and orange and carved with a kitchen knife. For some, removing the "guts" was the best part. For others, the more squeamish, it was the worst. I saved a lot of pumpkin seeds, but I don't think I ever actually followed through and roasted them. In case you would like to, here's a recipe:       Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

This will be continued another day. I got a little too close to my deadline tonight, but I can say a lot more about pumpkins!

October the Eighth: Ghoulies, Ghosties, and True Love: A Victorian Halloween

Halloween has been a favorite holiday for many centuries. . It was a time to celebrate the harvest, acknowledge the past, and to look forward to the future. During Victorian times, Halloween was a night for tricks and surprises. It was also a night for fortune telling and romance. 

Many local customs were brought to the United States by the Irish and Scottish immigrants in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. One of these involved jack-o-lanterns, which were originally carved from Irish turnips. Other ancient superstitions were adapted to courtship rituals and games.  The Victorians, who were great romantics, enjoyed the folklore of the holiday. They revived a lot of the ancient customs. 

Halloween was known by many names. One was Mischief Night. This was the time when boys would often do tricks such as putting wagons and out houses on roofs, exchanging gates and signs, and covering doorknobs with molasses. The general merrymaking was considered mostly harmless. According to our local paper (Iowa State Leader, November 2, 1874) "Halloween brought with it the usual frolics of degenerate youngsters at the city." It was followed by a list of the usual frolics.

Halloween became a perfect time for parties.  While the boys were out playing pranks, the girls were staying at home, dreaming of their own true love. And planning parties in the dark, mysterious, and slightly scary atmosphere. Props would be needed for the popular party games. Charms would be hidden in cakes and breads, and in apples. Apples and nuts were used in many of the games, because of their association with harvest time. Finding a coin or ring in the refreshments was alway lucky. A coin represented wealth. A ring signified an upcoming wedding. If you found a button, you would stay unmarried.

Other popular games were played with walnuts. The shells were hallowed out and made into candles and set afloat. Each boat was given a name and set afloat in pairs. If they stayed together and floated peacefully, it was a good omen. If they crashed into the side, or sunk, not so good. Nuts could also be roasted by the fire. If the nuts blazed quickly, then the romance would be blazing too. Slowly smoldering, and turning to ashes showed a long and happy relationship. If they popped and moved away from each other, there wasn't much hope!

Many games were played with apples. Peeling an apple and throwing the peel over your shoulder would tell everyone who your true love would be, according to the initial that it formed. After eating a red apple, a girl could save two seeds. If she named the seeds after two gentlemen, she should put one on each cheek and wait for them to fall. She should get rid of the first, and marry the man who represents the second.

Sometimes apples were hidden in various rooms of a house, and couples would be sent to look for them. There were so many rules about proper behavior and being chaperoned, that young sweethearts often got very creative about ways to be together.

This holiday has gone through many changes since its' beginnings as a harvest festival. Through the years it has evolved from mischievous children begging for soul cakes, to little beggars asking for treats and threatening tricks.  A modern Halloween focuses on thrills and chills, and scary movies. And let's not forget the romance!

                                                                               

 

October the Seventh: Pinterest Fail?

 

I'm not sure if this looks like a pumpkin or not. I do know that there are about six million little pieces of fabric in it, and at this point, I am thoroughly tired of it. It does look a little more pumpkin shaped in the photo, than it does in the real world, so I guess it's a keeper.

This is a metal wreath form that I bought at the Dollar Tree. They really have some fantastic Halloween decorations there. It has become quite the popular place recently. They sell out quickly. I have read on several internet sites, stories of mad crafting women fighting to procure them. I happened to walk into our local store shortly after a delivery or I wouldn't have walked out with anything. At this point in my crafting life I am really trying to use what I have. There are lots of little bits and bobs in this pumpkin, including pieces of ribbons, trim, fabric, tulle, yarn, and jute. 

                                              

October the Sixth: Party Time #blogtober2021

 

When I was growing up, Halloween was a big, exciting holiday. I think it was probably the golden age of parties and trick or treating. I lived in a rural neighborhood without streetlamps or sidewalks, but we still managed to fill our paper grocery sacks with treats. And when I say treats, I am talking about the old fashioned goodies. I remember homemade popcorn balls, caramel apples, cookies, and full sized candy bars. This changed a lot by the time I was raising my children. There was a time when hospitals were doing screenings of treats and the rule was to throw away anything that wasn't safely packaged. By then, most kids only went to houses of people they knew. Now, I think there are lots of prescheduled events, such as Trunk or Treat in school parking lots. Kids still go trick or treating in some areas though. My last house was in a neighborhood with good lighting, wide streets, and sidewalks. We were told before Beggars Night that people came from all over town. So the first year, I was prepared with lots of candy. My mom and husband were back-ups and we all sat on our porch on a beautiful evening and listened to silly jokes. But by the end of the evening, I was raiding my kitchen for fruit and granola bars and just trying not to have to turn our lights out early. I kept a tally, and we actually had over 500 visitors our first night. It stayed the same for all six years I lived there. After I moved, it was back to only a few. I had a lot of leftover candy to eat. In our area , the trick or treaters still tell jokes, but I understand that isn't so popular as it used to be.

Our childhood costumes were pretty elaborate sometimes, but always homemade. Even as a child, I was usually a gypsy. One year I was a princess, wearing my aunt's old high school formal. It was pink and sparkly, and I got to wear my pony tail down and curly. I felt so glamourous. I was also wearing my winter coat and snow boots. Weather in our area can be pretty unpredictable! Another year my two friends and I went as the Three Stooges. I was Moe, and we had a little comedy routine. Sometimes we had to work for those caramel apples! 

When my own children were growing up, they were usually pirates, gypsies, ghost brides, or bums with coffee ground beards. Creative costuming was not a strong point with me. I think maybe because I was involved with Christmas craft shows at that time, and was busy making things to sell for the next holiday.  Sometimes we purchased a costume, but not often. We went to several Halloween parties for grown ups back in the days when we had couple friends, but I usually stuck to my basic costume. We had friends who were really a lot more creative. I remember a party when John was Kermit the Frog, and his wife was Miss Piggy. She was really a genius with Halloween. Once again, I was a gypsy.

I picked this photo because of the children bobbing for apples. We used to actually do this at parties! I can't even imagine it now, but we all thought it was a lot of fun at the time. This little walk down Memory Lane was interesting, but now I am feeling rather old. Until tomorrow  #blogtober2021

October the Fifth--In Sickness and in Health

 It's been a week since John had rotator cuff surgery. It's been a long week for both of us. I did have an idea about what it would be like-thanks to a couple of conversations with friends, and, of course, Google. I don't think John did. They told us that it would be six weeks of doing almost nothing except for some arm exercises. They said six weeks, but I'm sure John thought that meant about 3 days. He is ready to be recuperated and is so done with it.

Before I start my story, I need to say that he is a very good patient. He apologizes every time he needs to ask for help. And he hardly ever whines, whimpers, or complains. I understand it is a painful recovery, so I wouldn't blame him if wasn't quite so well behaved. Although he is a great patient, I'm not so sure that I am a great caretaker. I certainly have a new respect for people who find themselves in this situation for long periods of time.

Surgery was first scheduled to be early in September. Knowing how I feel about schedules, it wasn't really a surprise when it was changed. We thought he would be recovered enough for our anniversary trip October 12, but we realize now that isn't going to happen until later. Hopefully, it will still be fall when we are able to travel.

We left the hospital with a lot more equipment than we started with. They have a wonderful little machine with an electric ice pack now that he uses several times a day. It must weigh about fifty pounds, and has a long hose, and cord, and three buttons to turn it on. I don't know how many times I've nearly tripped over it. He also has a very complicated sling to keep his arm and shoulder immobile. He needs to wear it all the time, except for showers and the arm exercises.

We came home, and he got settled into the recliner, and just kept feeling worse and worse. He had quite a bit of anesthetic and his kidneys didn't want to work, and then he started having chest pains. So off we went to the emergency room. We were there for five hours, most of the time waiting. His EKG was fine, so that was a relief. When it was time to install (?) a catheter, I thought the nurse would have me leave or at least get out of the way. Instead, she said," Here, hold this sheet." And after a few days of carrying the bag, and helping him dress, and especially trying not to step on the tubes, I am feeling like we have a very intimate relationship. John and I have been married for just two years. We are both very private people. In fact, neither of us can understand the need for two bathroom sinks. (We watch a lot of home improvement television). We fervently believe that two people never need to be in a bathroom at the same time. Naturally, some of these beliefs have had to change recently.

Before we set up housekeeping together, we had both been alone for several years, and we have become very independent. And maybe we are a little bit set in our ways! We are both used to doing things on our own, and John usually fixes his own breakfast, and does his own laundry, and many other chores. I know, I'm a lucky woman. I haven't done much cooking for a long time, so that has been an adjustment. And obviously, we have very different ways of doing things. I am keeping busy trying to do things the way he likes, since he is my patient. I was pretty proud of my over-easy eggs this morning. I am usually an egg scrambler if I cook them at all. I like coffee for breakfast. Just coffee.

This past week has reminded me a lot of those years when I had toddlers at home. Sometimes, it felt like everything I try to do is interrupted by a need or a want. And naptime is a necessity that doesn't come a minute too soon.

Actually John is doing better now and he approved this message. I am grateful every day that we found one another. My worst problem currently is making sure that he follows the rules and doesn't try to do too much. I came home this morning just in time to stop him from getting into his truck and driving to the bank! He definitely is not ready to drive yet, even though he thought it was a good idea. Every day is a new adventure!

October the Fourth---Practical Magic

 

Alice Hoffman has written over 30 novels. I haven't read all of them, but they are on my list. Her genre is known as magical realism. They are a mixture of fact and of fantasy. My favorites are the books about several generations of the Owens family. The first book was "Practical Magic", written in 1995. It was made into a movie in 1998, starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as the magical sisters, Gillian and Sally.  The movie was different than the book. It was one of the few movies I've seen that I preferred. I remember in the book the sisters and Aunts lived in a creepy, scary old house. The house in the movie is one I still dream about. Although this house was never real, there are lots of photos from the movie available online.  Many people have wanted to buy it, but it's a house that never really was!

It was several years before another book telling this story was written. In 2017, "The Rules of Magic" came out, and we learned about the youth of the Aunts. This was followed by "Magic Lessons" in 2020. Magic Lessons told us all about the matriarch o the unlucky in love Owens women. Next week, on October 12, the final story will be available. "The Book of Magic" will tie it all together and let us know how the curse is finally lifted for Sally's daughters. I will be reading it as soon as I can. Unlike most series of novels, these are not written in order. This time I want to read them in chronological order. That means 1. Magic Lessons 2. Rules of Magic 3. Practical Magic 4. The Book of Magic.            Tantalizing Tidbit: Years ago I corresponded with a very interesting woman I met through the internet. She had purchased the actual spellbook used in the movie. Although they only showed a few pages, her book was completely filled with fascinating artwork. I lost touch with her. I hate it when that happens.    Several years ago I participated in a lot of online swaps with some very creative people. One of my partners in a Halloween exchange made a practical magic altered book for me. Here are some of the pages.

  I always enjoy putting the book on display this time of year, and looking through the pages. And of course this is a good time to watch the movie, and to have a Midnight Margarita.

                                                                            

          

October the Third--Acorns and Oak Leaves

I have moved a few times in the past several years, and each time until I had a house again I downsized more than I wanted. One of the hardest things for me was going through my sewing and craft supplies to get rid of things I would never use. When one is a crafter and scavenger by nature it is easy to believe that anything can have a creative purpose. My daughter was helping me to clear a room that was my "studio" in preparation for the move to my tiny space as a fraternity house mother in the coming phase of my topsy turvy life. She was getting quite exasperated since I kept saying that I needed to keep each bit of fabric, ribbon, and paper. She opened a tiny drawer, and exclaimed, "Finally, something we can throw away!" I was horrified, and said, "Meghan, don't you know how hard it is to find good acorn tops?" She just looked at me like I had finally gone over the edge. And maybe I had, because now it is really easy to buy bags of them on Etsy. That probably started my acorn collection. I have always liked them, but after my friends heard of that conversation, I started to be gifted with them. My daughter bought me my first acorn charm necklace. I think it was to remind me of that momentous occasion. But I have heard that wearing an acorn around your neck will help to prevent premature aging. And if you want to carry it in your pocket it will help to keep you forever young. 

Acorns have also been seen as a talisman to keep a person strong when facing difficulty. They are a sign of security and abundance. It was often said that setting an acorn on a window sill would guard against lightning. To sleep with an acorn under your pillow would help a person to overcome challenges.

         

Acorns are often used in fall decorating. These oversized acorns are on a shelf with pumpkins. I can tuck them into tiny spaces.

 Real acorns are often used in fairy gardens. I have seen the middles scooped out and replaced with the tiniest of gifts. Some of my favorite little people are made by the well known artist and author , Sally Mavor. They are amazing and very detailed. Many of them wear hats of acorn tops.

This darling fairy house was constructed by two of our granddaughters and has a roof of acorn tops.

"Great oaks from tiny acorns grow".  As the trees start to lose their leaves, make a wish, and try to catch an oak leaf as it falls. If you do, you will get your wish.

                       October is here. Dance in the leaves and keep an acorn in your pocket!

 

October the Second

 It's already the second of October and I am posting again. I just found out that this is really an official thing with a hashtag.   #blogtober2021 .I am not even sure how to do hashtags! I guess bloggers have been participating in this for a few years. I always wonder why no one reads my blog, but I'm pretty sure it is because I hardly ever write. When I first began, I planned to have a "lifestyle" blog, with lots of creative decorating and crafting projects, and hints and tips for family life. Who knows, maybe even recipes. Well, as we know, life happens when we make other plans and my personal favorite -- " All Gods laugh at schedules." (I think I made that one up)

It barely feels like fall. The leaves are just starting to turn here, and the trees aren't bare. I haven't put many decorations up yet.

.I think I may be turning into more of a minimalist lately. Everything feels crowded to me. After combining two households, we have too much of everything. I think I have just been moving things around. There is one thing we do need. More bookshelves. As much as I try, I hate to get rid of books. They are my comfort.

Life has been even more hectic than usual lately. John had rotator cuff surgery on Tuesday and it's been kind of rough, including a late night emergency room visit. He's doing better now, and is really the best patient. I had a bit of an idea about what it would be like. (Before the surgery I talked to a couple of wives who'd been through it. I think the word murder came up more than once!) It's quite a long recovery period, and he won't be able to use his right arm for several weeks. Right now he isn't even sure he should have gone through with it, but the results should be worthwhile eventually.

And just like that, two days of October blogging are completed.

Welcome October

 Happy First Day of October. Starting with pumpkins and ending with witches. What's not to love?

This is an experiment. Since I love October and Halloween, I am going to see if I can write more often. I'm not usually one who is up to a challenge, but I do love this time of year, so I think I can do it. I want to write something every day this month, before the end of the day if possible. Just squeezing it in tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow.