Nov. 20, 2007 - Summer is coming!!
Yes, indeed, I felt it this last Saturday!
The breeze stopped for an entire day and the air was hot...so hot hubby needed to hunt through the spider infested shed to find some pedestal fans as the ceiling fan was not playing the 'cool the family down' game. Oh, how nice it was...no shoes, cold drinks, ice-cream, kids swimming at the beach, cotton shirts...niiiiiiiiiiiice.
Until 6pm. As quickly as it had arrived, it left. The wind whipped up off the water and the rapid cooling of my home began...I sighed. Off went the fans, icecream was swapped for hot chocolates, and the doona was thrown back on the bed from whence it had been rescued just that morning.
But summer will be back - "occasionally" if I take to heart the meanderings of the locals who (by nature of the fact they have lived 80 odd summers in this seaside town) know. So odd for us who have just spent two sweltering hot summers in the Australian desert regions and have an abundance of summer wear lining our wardrobes begging to be worn again.
The upside of living in a cool climate (have I mentioned that between us and the South Pole there is nothing but icy ocean????) is that you always have opportunity to quilt.
As an unfinished quilt lay upon your lap it warms you. You find that you begin to relish snuggling up with a nice cup of tea, a good quilt design to embroider, and some Jane Austen to watch on the telly. And if someone is especially nice they will offer to refill your cup and bring some cake too. That's a very special joy to have at one's disposal. I'll just have to make lots of quilts whilst living here then, shall I?
Those knowledgeable locals also shared with me that they cannot remember more than 8 or 9 Christmases during their 4 score and ten years on God's earth when they did not wear cardigans...now, this is not the hot Southern Hemisphere summer I am used to. Does this mean the end of our family's traditional water fights on Jesus' birthday?? No more outdoor BBQ and sunning ones self while the children shower you in water bombs? The after lunch sleep under the ceiling fans whilst you recover your appetite for another round of BBQ-ing in the arly evening whilst fighting off marauding hoards of killer mosquitoes?? OH! But I love those traditions. Hmmmm....
Okay...new plan to formulate. Perhaps, finally, we can plan on the traditional Christmas Fare of roasted meats and vegetables, mince pies, plum pudding and brandy custard! It certainly would be interesting - and it sounds quite yummy. Perhaps I'll even manage to keep everyone awake after lunch and we can play board games, pull crackers, and sing songs.
Life is a constant carousel of change. Do we run from it or embrace it? Do we give in to despondancy because it's not what we'd hoped for, were used to, planned for - or do we enthusiastically open our hearts and lives to 'all things new'?
My arms are open wide.
God's blessings on you as the Advent Season approaches!
Jenny
PS: I have just finished the cot quilt for my newest grandson, due January! Have a look.
Comments
Nov. 23, 2007 - Ahhh! Summer...
Posted by jugglingpaynes
I don't mind the cool as winter starts coming our way. It's the short days that bother me. I'm a creature of light.
I just peeked at your latest work. I'm going to visit you some day and have you teach me to quilt. I love the frogs! And the camel driver pillow is beautiful. What wonderful works of art!
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
