Tuesday, Tuesday

It's a beautiful sunshine day here in Nebraska. Temps are only supposed to be around 80F which is very nice and relatively cool. We slept with the windows wide open for the past two nights and it was so nice. Dennis just texted that they had so many volunteers at the Mission this morning that he and Curt, his cousin, were going to Amanda's to measure the area under her porch. If you remember, Amanda was the lady that we attended her MA graduation in Kentucky last year.

Also you may recall, she had a double mastectomy last winter. Last Monday was reconstruction surgery. On Saturday the four of us, Dennis, Curt, Barb and I went to her house to help out. The guys set to work ripping out a lattice "storage" area under her porch that was dilapidated and she couldn't get her mower into. They dug post holes and poured concrete as well as cleaning out the area. Meanwhile, I did her laundry and a few other household tasks. Barb, a retired nurse, helped her shower and re-wrap the surgical area.

Now the guys are getting ready to start building the lattice gate for the storage area. They sure keep busy. Yesterday they rebuilt a lift on Curt & Barb's camper. Tomorrow they work all day at the food bank. Most days they find something to get into "trouble" together with. Ha!

I have a few more photos of South Dakota before I finish up the trip we took with Piper. First is the redecorated Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. It's all decked out for the 250th Anniversary of our great country.

When you remember that the entire thing is decorated with plants and seeds it's a stunning work of art. These photos were all taken off the computer.

Below is a photo I took as we drove by on I-90. It is the "Dignity of Earth and Sky" sculpture at the rest area at Chamberlain, SD. It overlooks the Missouri River and is 50 foot high. The other side is just as beautiful but we didn't stop this trip. Also at this rest area are many objects and displays that would have been used by Lewis and Clark on their expedition. If you're ever driving down I-90 and have a bit of time to stop, this is definitely a very educational and fun stop for all ages.

I missed the soap giveaway by Debbie at Araignee's Tangled Web and she graciously sent me four beautiful, yummy smelling bars of soap that she made herself. Oh my goodness, they smell divine! I love using her soap and was completely out, so I'm especially thankful. Debbie, thank you for being so generous to all of us. 

When we returned from South Dakota, Piper's Dad, Brad, had been busy. He bought her, her very own airplane! Well, technically it's his, but it's a learner airplane. It's a Grummon and only has two seats, one for the instructor and one for the student. He has been a flight instructor for years and Piper is finally old enough for her pilot's license. If I am honest, it scares me to death, but I have to accept that my baby girl granddaughter is growing up. It's a very nice looking airplane and fits perfectly into the hanger with Brad's Piper Comanche. (Guess where Piper got her name?) You can see the Comanche's wing on the left of the photo. That's Brad's full size pickup in the back right, so you can see the size of the hanger! It seems huge!

I finished the "Grace" baby blanket in blue that I showed you in progress last week I really like this pattern. It's free on Ravelry. I used Bernat baby yarn in a multi color of blues, green and white and plain white Bernat Baby with a "J" hook.

The picture below is my first attempt at the "Cooper Blanket" which is also free on Ravelry. My friend Terri at the "Yarnjoy" podcast on YouTube made it and it looked fun and interesting. We had lunch with Terri and her husband last year when we were in Texas. It's always nice to meet online friends face to face. This blanket is really fun. You make the mitered squares and then join them. Then you crochet each triangle corner piece individually, putting a border around the entire thing when you're done. Mine turned out to be about 40 inches square. I did use a "K" hook so it would be extra cushy and I think some little boy is going to love it. At least I hope they will. I used Big Twist yarn in White, Emerald, Sage and Turquoise. Can you tell where I ran out of sage in the upper right triangle? I had more but it was a different dye lot. I just kept going though. I hope it won't be too much of a difference and it will still be loved by someone.

That's about it. A quiet day is planned here. I took Zoey to the vet yesterday because her separation anxiety has been getting worse. When we got home Saturday after helping at Amanda's, her paw was bloody where she had been pawing at the door. She's so small that there was no damage to the door, but she barks the entire time we're gone. That's a no-no in a condo. We had a note on our door that said she barked the entire five hours we were gone! Oh no! We can't subject our neighbors to that. The vet is trying a medication that will hopefully help. We ordered a nanny cam that will be here today so we can see what she actually does when we're gone. She's such a sweet dog and obviously loves us so much. She is truly terrified when we leave her. Obviously we can't take her everywhere with us so we have to find a solution. Any suggestions from any of you? Have you ever dealt with anything like this? It does seem to be getting worse the older she gets. She's absolutely fine when we're with her.

Take care my friends and I hope you have a wonderful week full of blessings. Please remember to keep this world in your prayers. It seems to be spiraling out of control at an alarming rate but we know that God is in control and is with us through everything. He knows every hair on your head and loves you endlessly.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

All Creatures of our God and King

Text: St. Francis of Assisi

Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, Cologne, Germany 1623

1. All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

2. Thou rushing winds that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in Heav'n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice.
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

3. And all ye saints of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on him cast your care:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

4. Let all things their creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, al