Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday again. The summer is rapidly leaving us. I have absolutely no idea where the year is going. It seems like it is in a hell of a hurry to get over with and move on to next year. Maybe next year will make more sense.

The planters are dwindling down and are about ready to be cut down and made ready for something for fall. Fall, that is a crazy thought. It seems like I just took off the blower from last winter. The seasons do their own thing without our input. That may change before too much longer, hopefully I’ll be gone before that can happen, although our time change ritual may change soon. I don’t know how I will like that either. I guess we can always find something to complain about.

Busy!

Carol here! 

It's been a busy month, so far.  Lots of this going on...

A Good Day

Carol here ~ 

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday  Vanessa, Kailey, Jakob and Erin came over to enjoy the beautiful summer day and celebrate with me.

July

Carol here ~

It's hard to believe that July will be over in just a couple more days.  Where did the time go?

We headed up to Rangeley on Sunday to attend the musical comedy presented by Rangeley Friends of the Arts.  Daughter Erin was the choreographer and also a member of the cast.  A fun time with talented participants.

Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday, I’m still not sure how it gets here so fast every week. There is only one word needed for the weather, HOT. That about sums it up. I’m not a real lover of the heat. That said I spent yesterday morning moving about a cord of wood from my yard and stacking it in the neighbors woodshed. I’m going to need some more as he has purchased most of what I had stacked up on the hill. I’m sure I can find some more to make a new pile but probably not until it cools off a little bit. This stretch can’t last too long. I could not even imagine why anyone would live where it was this warm all the time. Another reason why you can keep Florida. I couldn’t imagine shoveling snow in the weather.

The flowers etc. are trying to stay ahead of the hot weather and the wind and are doing ok. I see no new flowers on this tomato but if these ever ripen there will be a couple salad’s worth here.

July!

Carol here ~

Happy July Everyone!  Wowser, it's coming in HOT!  Be careful out there ~ make sure you stay hydrated!

It was a busy weekend on our end of the pond this past weekend, lots of pond action ~ swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding etc.

Here is my cousin Lindy trying out my kayak as he has the same issues we had in getting in and out of our old kayaks.  My new kayak is a little heavier than my old one so he thought it might be a problem for him loading and unloading in and out of his truck.  Since we don't take ours anywhere but here on the pond that is not an issue for us.

Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday has arrived. We had company today, Vanessa and her kids came for a visit. The kids went for rides in the old kayaks, I’m pretty sure that neither one fell in. After a nice chance to sit and enjoy the beautiful day we were glad to be under the awning as the sky opened up and it poured. It rained for quite a while. Then it cleared off and was lovely again. I think tomorrow is supposed to rain. I will probably go to Portland to pick up my new glasses. I am in hopes they will make a big difference. I have never thought my current pair fit and therefore can never seem to see what I want to. Time will tell.

My planters are doing as well as can be expected. It has been hard to tell what needs to get a drink what with all the rain. Almost all my planters have to deal with the wind that is usually blowing down one pond or the other as well. Here’s a couple photos of their progress.

This and That

Carol here ~

I almost made it outside for patio binding yesterday.  We washed off the chairs and end tables  so they would be clean enough for a quilt to lay up against as we had not done that since they were brought out of storage.  But it ended up being way too windy, I couldn't keep my hair out of my face and the thread kept getting tangled.  Oh well.  Of course, I could of come inside to bind but decided a nap sounded much better .

I did finish up the binding on 2025-28 last week.

2025-28

Happy Quilters

Carol here ~

Lena Longarm and I are very happy quilters.  Yesterday morning, Jim from Western Maine Machines came over to service Lena.  He removed the Micro Flex handles that I no longer use as I do not do custom quilting any more and made a few other adjustments including the tension.  

I loaded a quilt on after lunch and got a good start on 2025-36.  

2025-36

Misbehavin'

Carol here ~

Lena Longarm is misbehavin'. I mentioned last week that her tension was not consistent and I had to keep adjusting it. That never happens, I usually finish up one quilt, load another and keep on going with no tension adjustment necessary.  I remembered that last time this happened I needed to replace the check spring. The check spring regulates the thread tension and stitch formation to maintain consistent pressure as the needle moves.  A worn spring leads to broken threads, skipped stitches, uneven tension and lots of snaggles, top and bottom.

Ugh.  Definitely what's happening.  That snaggle was just a few seconds in the making.

Quilts & Family

Carol here ~

The town finally got some sand down on our road on Monday so I managed to get a walk it yesterday.  Sunny, no wind, temp in the 20's, was very refreshing.

Dan mentioned last week that he pieced 45 quilt tops in 2025.  🙄 I have quilted 23 of them and bound 15.  Don't think I'll ever catch up.  Here are 8, 9 & 10.

2025-8

Not Yet

Carol here ~

I don't have any of the show quilts ready for you yet.  We've found the container of ribbons

and the paperwork which I've managed to organize by year.  Now the hard part ~ some of the judging score sheets do not have the name of the quilt on them, just scoring and notes.   

Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday evening. Labor Day is this weekend if you can believe that. I am finding it difficult, I have no idea where this summer has gone. 

The two graduated seniors are ensconced in their respective dorm environments, Kailey at MECA in Portland and Parker at Bates in Lewiston.  Evan returns to his dorm at USM this weekend as well. New adventures for them all.

Another Bag Request

Carol here ~

It seems like grand Evan has confiscated his mother's Chubby Charmer bag that I made her (many years ago) as I got a request from Erin for another.  I think I've actually made her several in the past including this well loved one that is still being used.

The Horseshoe Tourney

Carol here ~

Sunday was the 37th Annual Green Pond Horseshoe Tournament started by my mom, Avis Coolidge, a champion horseshoe pitcher. Sister Terri has kept the yearly event going since our mom passed in 2018. (minus a couple of c***d years)

It was a beautiful day for friends, relatives and neighbors to enjoy.

I'm just going to do a photo dump of the day. 

Choosing partners

A Birthday

Carol here ~ 

Thanks to all of you that sent me birthday wishes for my birthday yesterday.  I don't pay any attention to the number but I am grateful I am still here and able to be fairly active most of the time.

Erin, Vanessa, Kailey and Jakob came over, Evan was already here as he had worked the previous night.  I didn't know they were coming over until just a few hours before they showed up.  

Vanessa, Me, Erin

Summer Fun

Carol here ~ 

Erin had to have her car in for service in Auburn yesterday so Parker followed her down, picked her up and they both came here.  Evan was already here because he worked the night before.

Erin and I got a kayak ride in, it was wicked hot!

Birthday's and Quilt Retreat

Carol here ~

We headed to Readfield on Saturday to celebrate Kailey and Lucas' birthdays.  Kailey's 18th  was the week before but with all the graduation hoopla it was decided to wait and celebrate with her dad's, which was Saturday.  

We ate cake and had a nice visit then headed to Rangeley. Again. 

It was Michelle Hiatt's Quilt Retreat Weekend at the Rangeley Inn and we wanted to stop in. Many of the quilters are from our days of hosting so it's always nice to see them again.  I didn't take any pictures but here are a couple of Michelle's.  

Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday. Inside tonight because of the intense wind. There is no fire tonight as a result. I did refill the wood box today so it is all ready to go. The wind has caused a lot of pollen to fall and the edge of the pond is very yellowy. 

The wind also has caused the pine needles to fall with a vengeance. Today I blew them off the driveway again. If they are left they can divert water during a downpour and cause washouts. I would rather avoid that if possible. 

Plus it is very satisfying process seeing them blow away, leaving the ground bare.

Graduations

Carol here ~

This past Saturday we headed to Rangeley to attend the graduation of our grand, Parker Daniel Smith, from Rangeley Lakes Regional School.  He was very exited and immensely proud to receive several very large scholarships. Yay Parker! Those will be a huge help when heads to Bates College in late August.