Change is hard

 Many years ago, Dutch Elm Disease affected many trees in Luck, WI. 

The diseased elms were replaced with maple trees along Park Avenue.  These maples made for a very colorful drive down the avenue each fall. 

I snapped these photos in 2015.

Yesterday, I snapped another photo of Park Avenue.  All the maple trees have been chopped down, leaving a long row of rather ugly stumps. It was hard to see.

The Village of Luck is doing a big upgrade project that necessitated the tree removal.  I'm sure the residents are sad,  it made me sad to see those stumps.

Change can be hard to stomach.

I know the trees would not have been sacrificed if there was any other option.

But it is still 😔. 

2024 Spring Quilt Camp

 I am safely home after a very fun weekend of sewing at Quilt Camp.

The weather was perfect.  I had a lake view room this time.

I am only in my room to sleep, but took a few photos on the first morning before getting to the sewing machine. 

I wasn't as organized for camp this time.  That feeling filtered through my sewing as well.  I made so many foolish errors it was not even funny.  Luckily, most sewing can be undone and fixed.  I did throw away one wallet panel because I could not live with the poorly installed zipper.

I finally finished up my Dresden Plate turkey wall hanging.  This project reminded me why I do not quilt my own projects. 

I also made 2 graduation gifts. 

A small card holder and standard wallet makes a set. 

I'm so happy to have these completed.  Graduation is coming fast. 

This session of quilt camp was very fun.  I would say that this was the friendliest group of seamers that we have ever sewed with. 

My drive was uneventful and it was nice to get home to see Barley. 

I'm already looking forward to October.  Hopefully I'll be more organized. 

More on that later

 I spent the day in the sewing room tidying up & planning my projects for quilt camp.  Quilt Camp starts on Friday. My project list includes 3 graduation gifts, a wedding present & whatever else I can think up.

I also want to be able to teach others how to make a fabric ball, so I made my prototype today. 

Not my best sewing,  but you get the idea. 

A fabric sleeve with a balloon inside.  Clever & cute and quick to make, a perfect quilt camp project. 

More on that later. 

✂️🧷🪡🧵

I have been asked to teach a class on making Danish woven heart baskets. A local Winery wants to offer wine, cheese & scissor work for an evening.   I agreed to give it a try.  

More on that later. 

Emily & Michael ♥️

 I have given some thought to the way communication happens these days, especially with regard to social media but also with texting. 

I am sometimes caught by surprise when I learn of a death or other serious events via social media. But, I am learning, that this is becoming the stsndard method of communication in this day.  

Few people send out thank you notes, birth announcements and the like. It is just so convenient to post on social media and reach almost everyone who needs to know. 

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from a cousin containing a statement 'forward if you see fit' and a link to the obituary for her recently deceased, young husband.  I was shocked as I had not heard that he had passed.  But, as I think about it, I understand how much easier it would be to notify family & friends via email. The many phone calls that I made after Dad died were exhausting.  I am not sorry that I made those calls, but it was very difficult & very emotional. 

So,  I understand using email, and I'm getting used to the new conventions of communication.

My attitudes are adjusting to the reality of 2024.

Yesterday, I saw, on Facebook, that my great niece Emily, and her fiancé Michael, had tied the knot.  It is joyful news and I was delighted to see the family photos of Emily, Michael, and their precious Evelyn.

Here are the photos that were posted. The private courthouse wedding was on 2024.02.15.

Congratulations!

♥️

More Stella ♥️

 The Luck School uses Facebook to post information about the school and the students.   This was posted today. 

Our next “Academic Student Spotlight” features Stella Johansen, a senior at Luck High School! Let's get to know her and find out what makes her proud to be a Luck Cardinal! 

Current Classes: Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry II, AP Literature, AP Psychology, and Yoga

Extracurricular Activities: volleyball, basketball, track, NHS, Student Council, speech, Kinship, youth group, and Spanish Club 

Future Plans: Attend UW-Madison for Nursing 

How have your classes/extracurricular activities prepared you for life after high school? Taking more difficult classes is challenging but rewarding. To me, anything that even slightly prepares me for college classes is worth the extra work. Extracurricular activities have helped me step outside of my comfort zone, connect with other students/teachers, and feel more involved within the school and community. 

What will you miss most about high school? I will miss the small town feel, seeing my friends and teachers every day, playing sports, being in the same building as my two younger brothers, and going to school with my sister, Ruby. 

What advice would you give to students entering high school? Be involved. You’ll never regret playing sports or joining clubs. Work hard early so your senior year can be filled with classes that you want to take and will get you one step ahead. Go to games, support your classmates, get to know your teachers, appreciate the little things, and take it all in. It goes by fast. Also, don’t believe everything Mr. Brenizer says. 

What makes you proud to be a Luck Cardinal? We are one of only a few schools that still have one K-12 building. Coming from a family of 6 kids, I’ve appreciated growing up being able to look up to my older brothers in the hallways, and now being someone that my younger siblings can look up to in the hallways. Everyone is very close at Luck. We are a pretty tight knit school and community, and there are a lot of good things that come with that.

~

Stella has matured into a young woman who cares deeply.  Reading her thoughts brought tears of pride to my eyes. ♥️

Stella

 

Stella is a good student,  and she is a very kind and loving young woman.  I'm very proud of her and know she will do well at UW-MADISON next fall. 

Go Badgers!

Charli 🏀

 I only got to attend one of Charli's games this season and it was the Regional Tournament, game 1, at New Auburn.

Charli is a Senior &  #14 for the Spring Valley Cardinals and her sister Wynni, a Freshman, was dressed for this game as well. 

Wynni

Sadly, the Cardinals lost to New Auburn and ended their season earlier than we had hoped.

Charli was a good player,  now we will watch Wynni develop her basketball skills. 

Go Cardinals 

🏀 ❤️ 🏀