New Is A Matter Of Perspective

Everything old is new again! I received an email with this picture attached touting it as the "new" bootie style, just introduced. Really? I wore shoes exactly like these when I was in college, then they were known as chukka boots and I think I wore out two pairs in two years. They went with everything. Well, it was college, all I wore were blue jeans but these went with every pair of jeans I owned! The only thing "new" about these are the tassels on the laces, these are extra fancy (and the price, that's new!)! But, I'm here to tell you... these aren't NEW at all, simply reintroduced. They're still cute though. So, what's "new" with  you?

Life is Good!

The Price Of Postage... And More!

I bought a card the other day; the envelope had "extra postage required" printed in the upper right corner. Okay, I thought, I will need to stop at the post office on my way home from running errands and have this weighed before I send it on its way. When I did that, the postal clerk felt the envelope for any lumps or bumps and pronounced her verdict: "it can go for just 49 cents!" That's when it hit me, I wasn't even certain how much, exactly, a first class stamp cost anymore! Was her emphasis on the word "just" to imply that it would require only one stamp and no additional postage? I have been affixing Forever stamps on my outgoing mail for so long that I have failed to keep up! Am I alone? While being aware that stamps have been going up in price, the exact amount for one stamp had escaped me somewhere along the line. Yes, that was why she had said "just"... that's the price for one first class stamp. It doesn't seem that long ago, to me, that I was well-acquainted with the price of every, single, stamp! The mailbox was my friend when I was a poor college student and sent love letters to another college student half a country away (yes, that would be Mr. Goodneedle!). I washed dishes in my dormitory cafeteria for spending money back then, most of it went toward books of stamps! I have stacks of these letters tied with a ribbon that remain hidden away in a drawer; this is one of them. I can't decide which is more interesting to me this morning, the price of that stamp or the cancellation that reads: "PRAY FOR PEACE". Can the US Postal Service still promote prayer? I doubt that.  Anyway, you may be wondering when this particular letter was cancelled, it's been awhile: 15, 555 days ago!  This stamp may be obsolete now, but today I am going to PRAY FOR PEACE! Here's a timeless reminder that's as relevant today as it was way back on September 7, 1971; and it's still free to do, that price hasn't changed, not one bit!

Life is Good!

May 20, 1973

Forty years ago today I graduated from Vermont College. This photo was taken on campus in Montpelier the day of graduation; May 20, 1973.  Mr. Goodneedle had proposed the night before (notice that brand new engagement ring on my left hand!). I could only imagine then what the future would hold. Today I can look back and easily be overwhelmed with gratitude for all the joy, love and happiness that has filled these last four decades... so glad that he asked and even happier that I said "yes"! 

Life is Good!

Mountain Day!

I've been grabbing bits of time here and there to piece these split nine-patches; as I complete one I pin it to the wall. Row upon row, the quilt top is taking shape... like peaks on so many mountains this layout reminds me of the term "long-range layered views", which often appears in realtor's write-ups for the classifieds on mountain properties. Earlier this week a joy-filled memory came to mind from my college days, forty years ago! I went to a small Junior (2 yr.) College in Montpelier, VT. Back in those days, as the fall foliage came into peak color, we were surprisingly treated to an impromptu holiday! As students we didn't learn that classes had been canceled for the day until we descended the stairs to the dining hall for breakfast and were greeted by a large sign that read: "Today is Mountain Day"! We boarded buses and were transported to Stowe for hiking and nature in all its glory. Lunch was provided and we were bused back to campus by dinnertime. It was a great day, enjoyed by all and still happily recalled, all these years later! This happy, scrappy quilt has been named Mountain Day and will serve as a permanent reminder of those happy times!

Alongside my sewing machines I've used small, plastic, stackable boxes to catch my threads and dog-ears. The other day I was down in my husband's workshop and I found these two, turned, wooden bowls which he had just sitting on the work bench. I took them (wooden you?) and replaced my plastic boxes with his handiwork. I like these so much better than what I had before! I'm glad that I took them, they make me smile.I believe he must be happy that I'm enjoying them too... he didn't ask for them back!

Life is Good!