A First Quilt

Now that I’m retired, I actually have the time to get back to doing some of the things that I learned and/or enjoyed in my younger years. Quilting is one of those things.

I made my first quilt when I was in high school. It was a patchwork quilt made entirely of leftovers. At one time, I could have recalled every article of clothing, made by my mother, that was represented in my quilt.

Every square of my quilt was made from crimplene. Anyone remember that sixties and seventies word? Crimplene was a sturdy synthetic fabric that could be used for just about any style of clothing. It is now considered a vintage fabric. Crimplene is so tough that my quilt top looks pretty much the way it did over forty years ago! In fact, I’m probably going to have to replace the backing at some point. The backing is an old flannel sheet that was old when I made the quilt.

My quilt went off to university with me and to this day it continues to be part of my life. It hasn’t always had the respect that it perhaps deserves, but it’s still around. At one time, it was the favourite blanket of our sweet dog, Lady. Lady has been gone for some time now, but the quilt hangs on. I’m not sure if it yet qualifies as a family heirloom, but it may one day.

A patchwork quilt is a good option for a first quilt. If you sew, you can cut and save squares of fabric until you have enough for the size of quilt that you’d like to make. If you purchase new fabric for your quilt, remember to wash and dry it before cutting into it. Making a patchwork quilt is all straight line sewing and it will give you lots and lots of practice matching corners, which is important in quilting.

My first quilt was tied rather than being quilted by hand or machine. Tying a quilt is a great option for beginners. I used yarn, but you can also use embroidery floss. I tied at the intersections of the patchwork squares. Tying a quilt can be combined with traditional hand quilting or with machine quilting.

If you’ve ever thought about making a quilt, there are lots of patterns, other than patchwork, that are beginner friendly. It can be frustrating at times, but it is very rewarding to snuggle on the sofa with your handmade quilt.

There is lots of information out there about quilting. Websites and apps can guide you through patterns and techniques. As you plan and explore, don’t be intimidated by the quilting elite. Quilts have been around a lot longer than fancy long arm sewing machines and cutting templates. If our grandmothers and great grandmothers could make quilts by hand or with a treadle sewing machine, you’ll be just fine with your straight stitch machine.

So, why not give quilt making a try? Perhaps you could start small with something like a wall hanging, baby quilt or lap quilt. Or just jump right in and start working on a full size quilt. Quilted items make great gifts, but you may not want to give your first quilt away. You never know, it might just become a family heirloom!

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The Bicycle: History, Health & Hashtags

You would think that in light of the fact that the wheel has been around since 3500 B.C., the bicycle would not have been such a recent invention. It turns out that the first bicycle didn’t appear until the early 19th century. Just barely 200 years ago.

My love affair with bicycles began when I successfully maneuvered my cousin’s two wheeler at about the age of six. I’ve been cycling ever since. Riding my bicycle gave me a sense of independence at a young age. As I got older, it became a mode of transportation and then a form of exercise. Now, I look at it almost as a friend.

The first bicycle was called a dandy horse or a draisine. There were no pedals and the rider sat while using his/her feet to walk the “horse” along. It was made almost entirely of wood. These early bicycles were called velocipede by the French. It was a French metalworker who added cranks and pedals to the front wheel, similar to the construction of a tricycle.

Next came a variety of two, three and four wheeled versions that used cranks, treadles and pedals. Weight was always an issue and these vehicles didn’t roll very easily. Eventually, rubber tires and steel frames evolved into the penny-farthing, or high-bicycle. Its large front wheel allowed for greater speeds, but they were very unsafe. Riders were often hurt when they were thrown from their perch.

The safety bicycle was invented in the late 1800s. It was marketed as a safe alternative to the unsafe high-bicycle. It’s most significant contribution to bicycle history was a chain drive to the rear wheel. It also had a steerable front wheel, equal sized wheels and air inflated tires. The diamond frame was also introduced at this time. The coaster brake replaced earlier versions of braking mechanisms.

The safety bicycle remained popular well into the twentieth century.  It is, in fact, basically what you get if you buy a coaster bike today. I can remember my mother referring to my first bicycle as a safety bicycle. I think this was mostly to make her feel better. I’m not really that old!

Although the derailleur was developed in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the 1970s that multispeed bicycles became more popular than the single speed coaster bike. Recreational cycling saw the development of the mountain bike, the recumbent bicycle and more recently, modern technology has been used to create stronger and more aerodynamic bicycles. You can even get a bicycle with an electronic gear shifting system.

I’ve been riding the same bicycle for almost forty years. It’s a ten speed, but I only ever use five of them. Over the years, it’s had new tires, but not much else in the way of maintenance has been required. Now that’s a good investment. I recently had handlebar extensions installed so that I could ride more upright...an age related accommodation. Did I just say that?

Now that I have retired, my morning walks have become a morning bike ride...another age accommodation. Did I just say that, again? My morning bike ride is good exercise, but it’s also a good way to start the day. Cycling makes me feel good.

Like any physical exercise, bike riding improves both physical and mental health. It also turns out that cycling improves cognitive health, as well. Several research studies have shown that bike riding can kick your brain into a higher gear, with improved memory and reasoning skills. It should come as no surprise that bicycle riding has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease.

I love riding my bicycle and I ride it pretty much everyday, nine months of the year. I will be the first to admit, though, that I’m not a cycling fanatic. I do not ride when it’s snowing. I do not wear spandex when I ride. I do not do my own bicycle repairs. I do not go on multi day cycling trips. I simply love riding my bicycle. #morningbikeride #bicyclelife #bicyclelove

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Marvelous Mud

As I was mucking about in the garden, wearing my new wellies, I started thinking about mud. Slippery, sloppy, marvelous mud. This time of year, it seems that mud is everywhere, not just in the garden. And by everywhere, I mean to include my kitchen floor.

When you think about it, mud really is just about everywhere, with the exception, perhaps, of the North and South Poles. Mud is what you get when you mix dirt and water. If you’ve got both of these things, mud is inevitable.

With mud being so plentiful, it’s no wonder that it gets used for everything from adobe to art work. Mud has been a part of the human condition forever. It’s also a resource that we share with all living things.

Prehistoric people left evidence of their existence in mud. Human footprints recently found in Tanzania are estimated to be between 5,000 to 19,000 years old. In Tennessee, cavers found ancient drawings in mud on the walls of what is now known as Mud Glyph Cave.

Mud is still used in artistic ways today. Japanese artist Yusuke Asai creates incredible murals using mud. Some artists use dirt to colour their paints...mud paints. Pottery is made from clay, a form of mud. Kids create art in mud and with mud every time it rains or when the sprinkler gets left on too long.

Mud is not just for aesthetics. People have used mud in construction since prehistoric times. Mud bricks, called adobe, are air dried in molds. Straw is sometimes added to the mud mixture to provide additional stability to the finished bricks. Fired bricks are sometimes made from clay, a form of mud. Banco or ferey is a type of brick made with mud and grain husks. The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali is a Unesco World Heritage Site that is made from banco bricks. Mud is also used like plaster to cover walls. Mudcrete, a blend of mud and concrete, is sometimes used to build roads.

Mud is also used for recreational purposes. Mudding is a popular Motorsport activity and runners can participate in mud runs. There’s also mud wrestling for those so inclined.

How about a mud bath? Pelotherapy, or the therapeutic use of mud, has been used for thousands of years as a way to relieve arthritic pain. Some mud bathers actually lie in a tub of mud. Others smear the mud all over their bodies. I don't think that I could sit in a tub of mud, but rubbing mud on my sore knees or soaking my tired feet in mud sounds like something I just might like to try. If you travel, you might run across one of the mud baths recommended by American Express.

You don't have to go far to enjoy a mud mask. You can find prepared mud masks in the cosmetic section of many department stores or you can mix up something at home from a package. If you are the adventurous type, you could even give a made from scratch recipe a try. Your face will feel clean, smooth and rejuvenated.

You have probably heard at least one of the many versions of the jazz tune "Mississippi Mud" or perhaps Brad Paisley's "Mud on the Tires". And then, of course, there was McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters, the blues musician often referred to as the father of modern Chicago blues. Mud is in the title or lyrics of many popular songs.

Mud has made its way into our daily conversations in the form of figurative language. That’s as clear as mud. Here’s mud in your eye. Don’t be a stick in the mud. My name is mud. As happy as a pig in mud.

Pigs are not the only animals that like or use mud. Just like people, some animals, like birds and wasps, use mud to build their homes. Animals that wallow in mud, like pigs and elephants, do so, in part, because it’s a comfort behaviour that contributes to their wellbeing. Sounds like a visit to the spa to me.

It turns out that mud pies aren't just for playtime. Geophagia is the practice of eating mud or clay. While it sometimes has psychiatric implications, it is not uncommon for people who are living in poverty to eat dirt or mud. Some forms of clay, such as bentonite or kaolin are also used as digestive aids or as the base for some medicines. There are, however, risks associated with eating dirt or mud and it is generally not considered a safe practice. That being said, I highly recommend a large slice of Mississippi Mud pie. Consuming Mississippi Mud pie would not be considered a form of geophagia. Check out one of these awesome recipes at Epicurious or The Food Network.

Since 2009 we have been able to celebrate Marvelous Mud with International Mud Day. This year's celebration takes place June 29th. If you're interested in celebrating, check out some of the suggested activities at Kodo Kids or Artful Adventures. Or maybe you could just enjoy a mud mask. Either way, don't be a stick in the mud. Take some time to enjoy Marvelous Mud. Here's mud in your eye!


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You may view references here: Marvelous Mud References

Rainy Days & Mondays: Can They Really Get You Down?

While the link between sunlight and mood has been clearly established through clinical evidence, can a rainy day cause you to feel down? Karen Carpenter sang that “rainy days and Mondays always get me down”. Was it really the rain?

Some evidence suggests that rainy days can make you feel down and that if you are already experiencing depression, a rainy day can be even more of a struggle. There are many correlational studies that suggest rain also makes some people feel more negative about things.

Rain can make some people experience more pain and pain can make you feel down. Reduced atmospheric pressure on rainy days causes a change in the pressure on you. Fluids in your body move from blood vessels to tissues and put pressure on nerves and joints. If you have pre existing conditions, such as arthritis, your knees really do get stiffer and hurt more when it rains. There is also considerable evidence to suggest that rainy days produce more migraines.

Some studies maintain that it’s not the rainy day, it’s the lack of sunshine that makes you feel down. No sunshine means that your body is not producing as much vitamin D which in turn affects seratonin production. Low levels of vitamin D and seratonin mean an increase in feelings of sadness, or for some, symptoms of depression.

April showers may bring May flowers, but if it’s been raining for days it can be hard to see the bright side of things. Gene Kelly seemed very happy Singing in the Rain. You don’t have to actually sing to experience a lift in mood on a rainy day. Just getting outside will help. Even when it’s raining there is still some UV light getting through and this can help stimulate serotonin production.

Inside activities can also help the rainy day blues. Instead of taking a nap, try doing something that you enjoy, like listening to upbeat music, watching a funny movie, reading a good book or doing arts and crafts. The sage advice of getting up when you’re feeling down also applies. Getting up and getting active means exercising. Exercise produces endorphins, one of the “feel good” neurotransmitters in your brain. Find an exercise video on YouTube. Play That Funky Music or some Uptown Funk and give your dance moves a workout. If you have a stationary bike or a treadmill, hop on and put a few miles on the odometer.

Get up, get out, get active. You might not turn your Rainy Days & Mondays into Singing in the Rain, but you are certain to feel better.

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Easter, Eggs & Shaving Cream

Easter eggs have been around a long time. They were a part of spring festivals and celebrations long before there was Easter. Eggs symbolize new life. They were a natural fit for Christian beliefs and were easily assimilated into Easter traditions. Even coloured or decorated eggs predate Easter. Decorated ostrich egg shells, that were found in Africa, are over 60,000 years old.

Egg decorating in the Christian tradition began with eggs that were stained red to symbolize the blood of Christ. Over time, egg decorating took on many different looks, some of which continue today. Decorations often held symbolic meanings related to Easter or spring. Ukrainian Pysanka are perhaps the most well known decorated eggs. These amazingly beautiful eggs are decorated using a wax resist (batik) method.

When my daughter was about eight years old, my mother and I took her to a Ukrainian egg making workshop at a local art gallery. We have no Ukrainian family connections, but lots of curiosity and we learned the basics in an evening. That being said, I can assure you that it would take years of practice to be able to create the eggs that you see in pictures.

Over the years, as egg traditions continued, chocolate eggs made their debut in Europe in the mid 1800s. The popularity of chocolate eggs has grown steadily and today millions of chocolate eggs are consumed every year.

This year, I wanted to make some decorated Easter eggs to help give the house a spring look. I decided to try making some shaving cream Easter eggs. It was lots of fun and I’m pleased with the results. The marbled look is lovely and each egg is one of a kind. The directions were easy to follow. Shaving cream Easter eggs could be made with children, under supervision. The instructions include information about how to make the eggs using whipped cream so that they can be eaten.

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I wish for you a lovely spring day and hope that you have the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends on this holiday weekend. And, of course, I hope that you are enjoying some Easter eggs of your own.


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