Ramblings from Home

As we spend day after day at home while following the safe distance guidelines established for the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have used the time to do some fun and productive activities.

Starting with Josie's crochet projects which now includes 11 afghans:

She is working on two others that will just about deplete her yarn supply. She had completed most of those prior to this extended stay at home but still has finished three or four since this all started. There are a few more that are lined up for future projects if these "stay home" rules get extended.

I also have been busy trying to complete (probably) the most difficult cross stitch project I have ever attempted. This is one I started before last summer but stopped when I realized I wouldn't have it done in time for the trip to Jackson. It is very, very detailed and is taking a super long time:

As you can see, the final product should be well worth the effort.

We have recently expanded our projects to include puzzles. George has graciously loaned us three of his for us to get started. This is the first one that we completed:

As you can see, it is the Mesa Verde National Park and is really very nice. The second one that we just started is the first of two we ordered from Amazon but have taken forever to arrive as a result of a huge backlog at the puzzle producer. They never anticipated the huge demand for puzzles that was brought on by the Coronavirus impact. This is one is of the Grand Teton National Park is very difficult as a result of being 1000 pieces (versus the 500 of Mesa Verde) and the fact that the pieces are all the same shape and size:

There is no rush to complete this , so we will use this as a break from our other projects from time to time.

Finally, we have been active in our backyard trying to add some color and figure out how we can set up a permanent floral/garden area off the back of our patio:

One item that is visible in the upper right (above) is a beautiful cactus that blooms like this each year - for about two days. We have two of those in our yard:

We do get other, nice visits from the wildlife which we enjoy watching while sitting at our table on the rear patio. This butterfly flew by just yesterday:

We also enjoy watching the birds bathe in the birdbath that we have in the yard and we have already shown videos of up to 5 or 6 birds bathing at the same time. Add to that the many rabbits we have in the yard and the different species of birds and there is never a dull moment - not to mention the many golfers of all sizes shapes and skills that we watch.

As much as we hope that the virus winds down and a cure/vaccine can be developed, we are enjoying the time together and don't mind the stay at home rules that have been established. We hope everybody finds similar activities that help create a more pleasant and safe experience...