More trees and skating 'stuff'

Here is a picture of the Block-of-the-Month (October) that I must show at Cabin Fever this Saturday to obtain the November block fabric. We've already made this design as part of a block with four different sections, so I cut and sewed this one in about 90 minutes. And, it's a perfect 12 1/2 inch block. I am making progress; it's that 'scant' 1/4 inch seam. As you can see, I am thinking about embellishing this block with a little dog, but he looks strange in this picture so I may bag the idea. I think it's a scale problem.

On another quilting front, I deliver my 34-blocks (minus the two designs I made that I get to keep) for the holiday block exchange in which I participated. Lesson learned from this experience: I'm not a production quilter. I like taking time when making blocks, including the cutting and sewing. I didn't get my fabric until nearly Fall, so I felt rushed to make the blocks. I think they turned out pretty well. I'm curious to get the blocks from the other participants.

On the doggie front, we get one doggie (Merlin) feeling better and the other gets sick. DeeDee was ill on Monday, so off we went to the vet. Now she is on Pepcid and a bland diet for the week. She was still feeling *punk* up until yesterday when she seemed to bounce back. Today, we are going to the eye surgeon to check on her retinal atrophy. Still considering whether we should have her right eye done, so at least she could have some vision. She seems to grow more anxious as she loses more sight, but this could just be our imagination. Merlin is doing very on the medication regimen and even is doing some good morning stretches which he certainly couldn't do 4 weeks ago. He still can't jump onto his favorite couch to sleep. And, DeeDee has commandeered it anyway. Typical DeeDee behavior, as in "I'm the queen and I get whatever I want!" Right now, in fact, she is barking because I am eating my bagel and she wants her share of it (which she will get, as will Merlin).

Also on the 'four paws' front, today I am meeting with the supervisor of the S.O.U.L. (Source of Unconditional Love) program at Mercy Healthcare/Catholic Healthcare. My friend Madeleine, who started this program 15 years, and I were talking about the need they have for some 'arms and legs.' As a former volunteer - with our wonderful Samoyed, Henry - in the program I really wanted to help. I'm meeting today with the hospice/home health supervisor to see what needs to be done. I can volunteer a day a week to this endeavor and look forward to helping keep the program running. It is a wonderful way to bring some joy into the lives of others who are experience some very difficult times.

Yesterday I skated for two hours, which was great fun. My BSB was there on the ice at the same time, so I got to catch the glimpses of her during practice and her lesson with Coach J. She is getting ready for her dance test this Saturday, but she was very kind to help me with the Ten Fox outside Mohawk. Her advice really helped a lot. When it was time for my lesson, Coach J asked me what I wanted to work on and I immediately said, "Dance!" before she could suggest freestyle. I had been playing some Christmas ice dance music and she said, "I heard the Argentine Tango music playing. Let's work on that." This dance is so much fun, with a wicked twizzle that is scary but very cool. We drilled the Paso again and Coach gave me an exercise to improve the footwork section. Ugh. I cannot do what she suggested but will keep at it. It's less than a month until our Coffee Club Exhibition and Cookie Exchange and about six weeks to the rink's Holiday Show when Maddie and I will be doing the Paso. The clock is surely ticking! Must, must, must work on the Paso more to avoid total embarrassment.

Onward!