Wednesday Trash Day ~

No kidding Wednesday is our trash day.  But what I'm talking about is a different type of trash.  One that pollutes are skies here in Graham County.  We are known for our beautiful skies and especially at night when it's really dark, you can't even image the stars that you see,  God's beautiful galaxy is absolutely stunning!  The skies here are so perfect for viewing that we have an International Observatory with one of the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world.  I previously blogged listing a couple links here.  But in recent years we have become what seems to be the testing ground of many flight type patterns.  Some even have oily type of film / residue that the sun reflects off in the trails coming from flights.  Below and taken through our not so clean car window, on the lower left hand side is an oil film.  We see this often.  :(  I wished I had a better picture - I'm sure I'll have another opportunity.

4/20/15 6:14 AM 

I talk to many people and of all ages who have lived here all their lives.  When asked about the hazy overcast to heavily overcast days they can't recall a time when its been quite like this.  This isn't just today - it is often and on going.  I just happened to have noticed this morning there was excess amount of rows from the flying and of course I had my cell on me.  They started very early and by 8:30 or so - well you can see from the pictures.

It has been a windy May, however, even with the wind the haziness starts fairly quickly and within a day or the next day or two we are socked in!  Last week skies were awful!  Yes we have cars, big trucks and yes there is the mines, it doesn't come even close.  This is the worst - unnecessary and seems to be on purpose!  As you can view from the slideshow they are man made rows - - not clouds.  Here's a very interesting link to check out GeoEngineeringWatch.

Time was taken for my rant!
I'm so thankful for God watching over us.

Isaiah 40:26

Lift your eyes and look to the 

heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host

one by one,

and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and

mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 42:5

This is what God the Lord says--

he who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,

who gives breath to its people, 

and life to those who walk on it:

He alone sustains me ~

Earlier this year "Bib" sewing projects ~

I sooo wanted to make this bib pattern for our "sweetman!"  I had been searching for almost three years for my patterns I knew came in the move here and I couldn't find any anywhere!   Patterns I found in many specialty quilting shops over the years and on line; none of them! Most of the patterns were irreplaceable so I couldn't located any to repurchase even if I wanted to or afford to.  So it truly made my day when I recently found there in the container in a different box that I've over looked many many times! AUGH!  It literally made me ill to think of them missing!  The frustration it was even more so when I found them only to misplaced them a second time - oh my word!

In Ohio I purchased many cool cotton prints to use for kids and thankfully was able to use what I had for the bibs except for a few of the flannel backings.  I was invited to a baby shower for a friend at church and decided to make her a couple bibs for a little girl.  In the process I made up several.

I was happy how they all turned out.  While I was rooting through material I found leftovers pieces I used in a previous blanket for one or both of my nieces (its been years) and made this little throw to go with the shower gift to.  I stitched the hearts on top so they could fray with washing.  Just something simple.

I enjoyed working on this - my husband said it made him happy to see me sew and at times he was even teary eyed.  I'm always running around busy on the move (I never made it to the shower) - I'm thankful I was able to do this.  I've been slowing down a tad and trying to fit in things I've enjoyed in the past.

Years ago my sister and I were talking about blogging and said to me, "I don't have the luxury of time."  It offended me some because I felt that I was pretty busy, but felt sad to think she didn't have as much free time herself.  She was busy, though seemed to have that ability to plan things she and family enjoyed.  I was out somewhere shopping and saw this book - Women Who Do Too Much, by Patricia Sprinkle, "How to stop doing it all and start enjoying your life."  Upon seeing it I thought of her, I knew she enjoyed reading and it looked pretty good so I bought.  I never got around giving it to her and found it in with my other boxed up books to read.  I thought I'd check it out myself - that was two years ago maybe three - I've been to busy! LOL  I take time here and there for quiet  and when I get to bed - I'm done, comatose as my mom would say, but even then sometimes my brain remains busy.  I've slowly been changing that up.  :)

An Honorary Choctaw ~

In February we had the pleasure of escorting a dear friend to the annual Choctaw Nation Cultural Meeting held at the Hilton in Mesa, AZ.  The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is large.  In fact once covering a very large and possibly largest area in the southeastern portion of Oklahoma. Since many in the tribe are living elsewhere the Chief and tribal leaders travel to the tribe.  Art goes yearly and invited us, being a Choctaw - he made us honorary Choctaws for the day.   :)   

We made new friends and Art (center) got to meet up with old ones - so much fun!   He enrolled me in a beading class and I made a pair of earrings. 

I was so impressed with everything I saw and heard. From the opening prayer by elder Lilly Roberts (very moving)  - I wished I had a better picture or clip of the prayer!  She prayed in the Choctaw language and translated in english.  She also teaches the Choctaw language, a lovely woman.

Chief Gary Batton and Asst. Chief Jack Austin Jr. both had wonderful things to say about their people and plans for their future.

Chief Batton was amiable and I enjoyed watching him interacting with others.  Everyone seemed important to him.  He honored the elderly, as well as, the young and in conversation genuinely seemed interested in what you were saying.  We all need more of that!

I don't want to forget the dancing and again I wish I had been able to take video clips for you to see and enjoy.  

~

We did have such a wonderful time and enjoyed learning more about the Choctaw people.  Below are a few links of interest.  Again I'd like to throw out a big thank you to Art!  :) 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Clip on Cultural Revival (cultural history and preserving their culture - very interesting)

the opening on clip is from the previous Chief;  the Wheelock Academy Broading School.



Lastly from Smithsonian NMAI

I Hope You Enjoy!