The Countdown Begins

It's the last week of August and my last week at home before I fly off to exotic destinations. Leaving on a Jet Plane

 

Let the list-making begin!  Must get organized and ready for nearly an entire month away from home.

 

Daddy & Me October 2020

First Stop, Paducah, KY.  While yes, it is Quilt City USA hosting the annual American Quilt Society quilt show...resuming next year, Paducah is also the home of  my family.  

My Mother has passed, but my sister, B-I-L and Dad still live there.
Which is the BEST reason to travel there. *

Daddy lives with my sister and she is due a break. 
I will be there taking care of Dad for two weeks.

Normally, I'd pack up Miss Ellie and take her with me. 

 

Miss Ellie 1951 Featherweight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, Kentucky is not my final destination.  From there I'll be heading east to spend time with my daughter in Washington, DC and Chincoteague Island.  Then on to Lincoln, NE for a software conference.  So, Miss Ellie will stay home and Elder Sister,
my Ukulele, will take her place as my second carry-on.

While in Kentucky, I will be working my regular job and Dad-duties during the day which leaves a lot of evenings with nothing much to do (Dad retires early.)  As I lamented this dilemma to my sister, she asked around and found me a loaner sewing machine.

Meet Fran.  The distant cousin of Miss Ellie and Ma Moo

Joy's neighbor, Fran, is loaning me her early 1960's Singer Rocketeer.  Isn't she beautiful?!  Frankly I can't wait to give her a spin.  I already love her and I have not even met her yet. 

What I will be working on:  A "small house" lap quilt for Dad's next birthday in February.  The idea came to me at our Zoom birthday party for Dad's 90th birthday earlier this year.  

I have eight (8) siblings--who all have kids--those kids have kids and even some of those kids have kids!  That is a lot of people/houses to represent.  I'll write the names on each house. 
I think my Dad will love it.

Here is a great tutorial by Jenny Doan.  It should be fast, fun and looks easy.  I'm hoping to finish the entire top while I'm there.   (I'm packing up a box of supplies and fabric scraps to ship.)

Of course I'll also visit a few quilt shops....they should be open by now.  When I was there a year ago many were still closed. 

 

From Kentucky I will officially be on vacation and will be headed to the East Coast. I have not spent much time on the other coast. 

My daughter has always wanted to visit the home of the wild ponies of Assateague Island. (HERE is a lovely video.)

If you've ever read the Misty stories by Marguerite Henry you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.  We won't be there for the "pony swim" or Pony Penning Days. 

We will stay in a little cottage across the street from the Chesapeake Bay. 
The plan is site-seeing, eating east-coast fish, drinking nice wine, hand-sewing, playing the Ukulele, relaxing...repeat...what could be better?

It is not certain whether I'll visit any quilt shops on the East Coast. 
We'll just have to wait and see.

By then, I'll be all refreshed and relaxed and  ready to gear up for work again; starting with the Software Forum in Lincoln, NE.  While there I'll also spend some time with my college roomie, Cori, and her D.H.

Cori (roomie), Me and MaryJo (fellow quilter and software person)
2017

 

This was taken at the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE.  If you get the chance, go visit.  It was so informative.
HERE is a great video.  I wish we had seen this exhibit.

 

 

Whew!  Busy month ahead, but I'm excited.  
 

Up, Up and AWAY!

*And, I'm making plans to retire there, myself.