October 31 Block

Boo!

October 30 Block

Today is Rick's 58th birthday.  Each year for 44 days he gets to be married to a younger woman.  Then it's my birthday, and we're the same age again.  When we got back from the funeral, it was clear we'd had a spot of frost here since my poor coleus and impatiens have faded to nothing.  Time to start the paper white bulbs in the house.... Mary

October 29 Block

The funeral was lovely and sad, and we ate lots of wonderful food and told funny and sweet Grandpa stories at the lunch....  Mary

October 28 Block

The family is gathering for Grandpa's funeral Mass tomorrow.... Mary

October 27 Block

Anne is burning a DVD of Grandpa photos for this weekend, so I'm posting quickly while she watches the World Series, game six.... Mary

October 26 Block

We had our first department chair candidate visit this week.  I went to the seminar he gave about his scientific research.  I went mostly just to see him interacting with other people because whoever gets the job will be my boss.  I honestly think I understood all of five words he said.  Everyone assured me it was very interesting research, but holy smoke, I am such an English major and not a scientist!  He did have some cool short videos of mice swimming mazes though....  Mary

October 25 Block

Rick has to give a talk on the other side of the state tomorrow, so it will be a very early morning for both of us....

October 24 Block

Terrible night's sleep last night.  I was nearly pinching myself at work this morning to stay awake.  I made it through and am off to bed the instant I post today's block.... Mary

October 23 Block

It's the start of new week.  The first of eight candidates for the new chair of our department arrives this week.  It will be an interesting six weeks....  Mary

October 22 Block

It was a lovely, sunny day, more springlike than autumnal.  JK and I met for coffee.  It was a sorely needed bit of sanity during these challenging days.  Rick and the girls are working at the Madison Food & Wine Show this weekend, sampling jams to promote the Innovation Kitchen.  Anne has a stool to sit on to keep the weight off her sprained ankle.  Eileen, thankfully, is more or less in one piece.  Rick is talking to all the food folks there about using the Kitchen to make their products.  It's a great opportunity to talk up the Kitchen, but all three of them will be completely worn out by tomorrow evening if they're not already.... Mary

October 21 Block

Today was Grandpa's cremation.  Eileen has been able to be with her grandfather throughout this entire process of preparation and cremation.  It's really a wonderful gift to have a family member who can deal with death with such honor and respect.  Some families brag that they've got a doctor or a lawyer (we have those, too), but we also have a funeral director.  As Eileen says, she meets people for the very first time on the worst day of their lives.  We are all very lucky to have her there to help and support us.... Mary

October 20 Block

Extra late meeting, and it's garbage night, so finish this, gather up the trash, and off to bed.... Mary

October 19 Block

I rather mindlessly put this block together, but then mindless seems to be the current mode in our lives.  It's really rather hideous, but somehow appropriate.... Mary

October 18 Block

Back to work today.  Tired, cranky, and going to bed early....  Mary

October 17 Block

We've spent the past two days moving things out of Grandpa's apartment.  It was a lovely space with delightful people looking out for him.... Mary

October 16 Block

Eileen asked if I could make a crap colored block today because right now the world feels pretty crappy, so for Eileen.... M

October 15 Block

Kathleen and Conrad, may they rest in peace.... Mary

October 14 Block

My father-in-law passed away this morning quietly, peacefully and surrounded by people who love him.... Mary

October 13 Block

Sometimes it's one hour at a time.... Mary

October 12 Block

One day at a time.... Mary

October 11 Block

Behind the bench at my bus stop are bushes that get hacked to the ground every year.  They then grow back with a vengeance to about waist high.  The pale lavender flowers form nondescript clumps of slightly fuzzy blossoms.  However, come autumn those flowers turn into clusters of bright purple berries.  I Googled the words "purple berry bush identification" and found out the bushes are called, appropriately enough, Purple Beautyberry.

October 10 Block

Difficult days, but Grandpa is safe and cared for by kind people.... Mary

October 9 Block

Today is my sister-in-law, Katie's, birthday.  Happy Birthday, Katie!!!!!!  Anne and Eileen had tickets (through Eileen's job) for the first Brewers' game of the NL Champion Series.  Since I don't have cable, I didn't see any of the game.  Rick watched with his dad at the VA and said it was a great game.  The girls had a wonderful time.... Mary

October 8 Block

Growing old is not for sissies, and neither is watching people you love grow old.... Mary

October 7 Block

Rick is at the hospital with his dad.  It looks like things are under control, but he is almost 91 so keeping lots of good thoughts.... Mary

October 6 Block

Tomorrow is Friday and then it's the weekend.  It comes none too soon.... Mary

October 5 Block

Not having cable television has advantages because I get three PBS stations:  regular PBS, the Wisconsin Channel, and Create.  There is always something interesting on with no commercials.  Right now it's "The Art of Quilting".  I've seen it at least a dozen times, and my friend JK even gave me a DVD of it.  I just never get tired of hearing quilters talk about their work.... Mary

October 4 Block

Prohibition, the new series by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick has just been wonderful.  It is a little eerie how much the political landscape of the 1920s matches our own in many ways.... Mary

October 3 Block

Proctored an exam today.  That was first.  Thankfully everyone behaved themselves and "kept their eyes on their own papers," to quote the nuns.  Then a faculty meeting that got me home an hour later than usual.  I'm tired and going to bed now.... Mary

October 2 Block

The beautiful colors in the center four squares of this block are fabric hand dyed by my friend JK.  Her color sense is amazing, and these colors are just glorious.  And match the maple tree outside our living room window in its full blaze of autumn color.... Mary

October 1 Block

Anne and I drove down to see my mom in Illinois today.  She's doing all right but having trouble with her knees.  At least she's got the good sense to use a cane while they figure out what to do to help....  Mary