I went to a class today that taught machine applique. I am quite excited about it. For the next couple of weeks I will be practicing on a table runner called oak leaves. By the time I finish, I should have it pretty well down pat. The leaves are quite curly, so I have to learn how to adjust for them. I also got an opportunity to purchase some REALLY fine fabrics at dealer cost. I now have the backing for the quilt that I have been working on while we travel. It has a lot of greens and browns in it. Next I must learn how to quilt on the machine.

Tomorrow I am going to stuff and roast a chicken for dinner. Should be nice for the three of us. We had salmon croquettes for supper tonight. We all love them.

Did I tell you that Chelsea has taken to sleeping in back of the toilet in the guest bathroom. I think it is because it is cool and kind of cave like. Animals sure are a puzzle sometimes.

Have a good evening.


Mary

Bobbie, Jim and I went pistol league shooting again. I am going down by myself now because I don't feel as pressured if I am alone. I did OK. Not great but OK. I seem to be pulling down and to the left. Frank, one of my friends, suggested how to correct that. I will try his suggestion next week.

I watched the debate tonight between President Bush and Senator Kerry. I think I learned a lot.

Tomorrow I am taking a class through the Quilt Guild on machine applique. I am really looking forward to it. I realized that I do not have an applique foot but should be able to get by with a foot that came with the machine and if I really like it I can order the foot for future use.

I have been sampling the Revolution Tea that the kind waitress at the St. James Hotel gave to me. The English Breakfast is great, the Chai is OK, the Earl Grey Lavender Tea is great and the green is the best I have tasted. I must look online to order more.

Have a nice Saturday, I know I will. We had corn and tomatoes for dinner. I hope for one more week this season.

Love

Mary

Dick has a bit of a cold. I hope he gets it under control quickly.

What about this flu shot availability fiasco? We are planning on going to the Piggly Wiggly next Thursday with Mother. The Visiting Nurses are dispensing shots there (unless they have to cancel.) Dick and Mother are in the high risk group. I am still under 65 and healthy so won't get one. Tommy Thompson doesn't look too good in this situation.

I am very tired now so I think I'll hit the hay.

Sweet dreams.

Mary

The Sheboygan Theater Company's presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar was REALLY good. The good singers and performers must have been waiting for this one. Dick was unable to go so I called my brother Randy's house and my neice, Jessica, was able to come. I am so glad she was free. She is a busy girl. Jessica is a Senior in high school, has a job AND is practicing for a production of Footloose at the high school.

Dick and I will have to go see that. It will be presented in early November is anyone is interested.

I am tired, so will go to bed now.

Today was a beautiful day and tomorrow is supposed to be just as nice. We are expecting much needed rain in the evening. God is indeed good.

Mary

Tuesday - we went grocery shopping this morning. Then I got my hair cut and then went to see Dr. Casey for an adjustment. We are working on wine too.

We filtered the Lemon Balm today. We will let it sit for a couple of days and then filter again. Then bottle. I tasted a bit and it has a very light lemony taste. Very pleasant. I think it will make a nice light wine in the summer time. If it matures as good as it is now, I will pick a lot more lemon balm next year.

I am going to listen to the Vice Presidential Candidates debate tonight. I am trying very hard to get informed. Dick said he is not going to listen because he just gets mad. I need info.

Dr. Suess said. "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Enjoy Wednesday. We are going to see Jesus Christ Superstar presented by the Sheboygan Theatre Company with Mother. It is the kickoff to the 2004/2005 season.

Mary

We had a very stimulating bible study this morning. We finished the current study of Psalms, having covered Psalms 1 - 72. We discussed the fact that the Old Testament seems often not to make any sense. I know that the bible is the word of God but - as Fr. Gene pointed that the Old Testament prophets told the people that in order to take possession of the promised land they must go in and kill every man women and child, burn the towns to the ground and salt the earth so that nothing remained. Did God really say that? or perhaps power hungry leaders. We must keep those lessons in mind. There are those who say the same thing about Iraq. But that is not right. It is not right to destroy a people for a principle or impose our ways for the sake of oil or power.

We are supposed to get a freeze tonight. I brought in the plants that I am really worried about. Tomorrow we shop, I get a haircut and got to see Dr. Casey for a neck adjustment. Busy days.

My friend Janet Thomas sent me several quotes about women by famous women. I loved the following. "Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out. But I can usually shut the bitch up with cookies." Helen Hayes. Do YOU believe that. I always liked her.

Love

Mary

The Packers lost AGAIN. And Bret Farve got hurt. Looks like a concussion. Hopefully he will be OK by next week. Things are not looking too good in Packerland.

I talked to Bart and Barb tonight. Bart sounds pretty good. It is later in the day and he seemed to be pretty up. Usually by evening before, he would be just drained. There are still things to be ironed out but the weather is helping and he said he is trying to keep busy and figure out how to occupy his time without getting reclusive. I am proud of him. Barb is enjoying work and has found a few women to quilt with so she has something for HER.

The next week is fairly busy but managable. Tomorrow I have bible study and the Rhine Plymouth Field and Stream. I can't remember where I put my bible study book so this should be interesting.

We had pork roast and roasted potatoes for supper. I also fixed spinach. Jim wouldn't eat the spinach. He asked where the noodles were. (The famous Kunert Spinach Noodle Egg Casserole which is the only way he eats spinach.) His loss. It was really good.

Yesterday at the Legion of Mary Breakfast, I was surprised that the speaker listed the "5 non negotiables" I agree with(1) cloning, (2) abortion,(3) assisted suicide. I am in need of more information on (4)stem cell research. I certainly don't believe in making fetuses for the stem cells alone, but see no problem in harvesting the cells from live births. The fifth is homosexuality. I really have a problem with that. I cannot believe that God made over ten percent of his creatures as homosexuals and that they are evil if they act naturally.

Have a great Monday.

Mary