Wednesday Words, Something New

This morning (Tuesday) I was browsing through an October issue of "Good Times" while I was doing some "spring cleaning" at the farm.  I came across a quote from Helen Keller on page 18 and a "light bulb" came on.  Why don't I share some inspiring quotes on my Wednesday Words?  So here's the first one, taken right from that page 18.  Granted, these quotes will not be inspiring to every reader but hopefully there'll be an occasional one that inspires you, as it has me.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved."

I've always been fascinated with Helen Keller's story, how she was left both blind and deaf after suffering an illness at the tender age of nineteen months.  Yet this seeming tragedy in her young life led to her overcoming these disabilities. She went on to become the first blind/deaf person to be granted a Bachelor of Arts degree, was a speaker, activist and writer.  A movie was even made of her life, "The Miracle Worker,"which featured her young teacher, Anne Sullivan, who was able to break through Helen's darkness and bring her into the light of words and speech.  Another quote from her: "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."

Now, an update on my week so far.  Monday was far from a blue day.  I was planning to go to Torquay for quilting that morning, but changed those plans when I heard that Clare and Abbey were coming to Estevan.  Abbey didn't have school that day as the teachers had an inservice.  They stopped to visit Grandpa and brought a special treat - homemade raspberry ice cream! (I'm glad there was lots left for me!)  Then they came here for lunch and we all went to Torquay in the afternoon.  Clare made a quick trip to the farm and Abbey came with me to quilting.  She had a lesson in tying knots from Vi and she was on her way to becoming a quilter!  She also entertained us on the piano, playing the piece that she had played in the Weyburn Music Festival last Wednesday.  (She got an A!)

Left to right - Vickie, Verna, Linda

Left to right - Heather, Vi, Abbey

After quilting I made a trip to the farm as I wanted to pick up a few things before Todd's arrival next week - some pies from the freezer, a jar of peaches, a jar of pears etc.  Michael, the fellow who is "house sitting" at the farm, came home from work and soon had a delicious supper ready.  He had prepared chicken cacciatore the day before so just had to reheat that while the rice was cooking and supper was ready.  What a treat!  That was topped off with a fruit salad of fresh strawberries, bananas and oranges.

In the morning I was in a cleaning mood and decided to tackle the dusty collection of objects above the cupboards - special cans that once held Rogers Syrup, Nabisco Crackers, Robin Hood Oats, Tim Horton's Coffee etc.  There's also a collection of coffee pots and toasters from various decades.  I needed soap with degreaser to shine those up.  I should have taken before and after pictures!

I loaded up a few bags of cans and bottles to recycle, some Easter things, and I even found a pile of 12 inch squares waiting to be sewn into quilt tops!  I vacuumed out the Escape and got back to Estevan around four.  I was pleased to find Howard feeling much better than he was last weekend.  He was anxious to hear any news and had a good phone conversation with Laurel.  Then I headed back to the house, got unpacked and enjoyed a supper of leftovers from Monday's lunch.

I sewed up the nine rows of quilt blocks that I had laid out on the basement floor so will finish that top in the morning.  I need to wash the Escape and fill it with gas too, so will do that on the way to visit at St. Joe's.  Now I'm setting some kind of record - I have Wednesday's blog ready and it's still Tuesday!  I won't publish it until tomorrow so may have something to add.  Have a good "hump day" and rest of the week too.

Wednesday evening:  I had such a busy day that I didn't get my blog posted and now it's after 7 pm.
This morning I enjoyed a short drive to Bienfait where the Beginner Band played two selections as part of the Estevan Music Festival.  Carter plays saxophone, the very same instrument that his dad and his uncle Todd also played in band.  The group got marks of 81 and 82, quite an accomplishment after only playing those instruments since Sept. 2011.

I joined Shauna and Jamie at the Tower for lunch.  Jamie wanted to go to the Tower but was disappointed as she thought it would be high.  Towers should be, shouldn't they?

I spent the afternoon visiting Howard and Aunt Viola, came home for supper and now I'm going to publish this post before there's anything more to add!