G is for Glass

 Reading now!  One of my favorite authors!  She features women in historical content

A family of glass makers through several centuries; located on the island of Murano, outside the city of Venice.  I’m always regretting that we did not visit the glass makers when we traveled Italy.  

In my head, as I read this book, I can picture the scene. 

Although, we didn’t visit the “mother” of glass in Murano, we did visit the sister location in Caracas, Venezuela and found this lovely platter to display wooden fruit pieces that were collected over a period of time. 

Glass is fascinating!  Take sand and heat to create glass! 

Writing and Reading

 As I follow this challenge

 
Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

today will be sixth day and should be letter F

My F day is FanFiction.  Do you know about this?  I didn’t until our daughter started writing for this.  She lives to write—actually has a talent for writing.  She self published a cozy mystery that paid for part of her college fees.  But, alas, she got a job—in a different field. 

Since she is a professional now, in her spare time she will write FanFiction. I have read some of her stories and they are quite good—of course, what else can I say,  I’m her Mother! 

“Fan fiction, also known as fanfic, is a writing genre where fans create stories based on existing fictional characters, universes, and plot points. Fanfic writers can continue canon storylines, place characters in new settings, or "fix" aspects of the original plot. Fanfic allows fans to use their imagination, connect with the fiction they enjoy, and collaborate with other fans. It existed before the internet, but the web has made it extremely popular.”

I just accepted FanFiction, then when I dug deeper, there is a lot more to this—even down to how it’s spelled—who would have thought!  Just go online and look—whoa!  

FanFiction or fan fiction authors do not get paid; they are writing just for pleasure of writing.  Is it legal?  Yes! 

I’m amazed at the number of FanFiction articles, authors and stories you can find on this subject.  Pick one and you can be entertained for hours, no charge, except the hours you use!  

Off to read more of daughter’s stories………

Bags, Purses, And Enid

Recently, our Historical Heritage Society presented a program on Enid Collins and her bags.  I knew nothing about Collins bags.  My friends, who have lived in Texas for more years than I, knew Enid, even owned one of her bags.  The program was presented by her son, Jeep Collins, who is jewelry artist. Although I was never one to carry a fancy purse, this program enlighten and added to my Texas knowledge.

Enid Collins is known in Texas because she lived and worked her magic on her purses in Hill Country.  At first, she made all the bags by her own hands; evidentially, when the bags became more popular, she moved into a factory, hired many workers and continued to embrace the purse market.

Her son has written a book about his mother and her claim to fashion fame.  You can find some of her bags on Ebay.  

Several of her creations were on display plus many attendees brought their Enid Collins purse to show.

Friend’s bag—such a lovely display—no two bags alike. 

A to Z Blog Challenge

 Somethings, bloggers find it hard to find an exciting feature to write on their blog.  In support of that, the month of April has been set as A-Z Challenge.  The theme for 2025 challenge is gratitude and blogging community.  Each blogger can list their blog location and if you are anything like me, go down the rabbit hole with all these posts.

You'll find bloggers writing fiction, talking about thrifting, animals, book reviews, Genealogy, history, gaming, entertainment, etc.  A wide variety of articles that will be published every day.

For me, I'll write about the same old, same old--hopefully, on the special day of the week, I  follow the letter of the day--this challenge does give you a nudge to write about something specific using the letter of the day.

Carry on, bring forth good works!!

Sloooow Stitching!

What is slow stitching?

 Join in—visit Jen Daly with her #100daysofslow stitching on Instagram

Or join with Jenny to stitch her monthly patterns

There are many forms of slow stitching—there is probably one just for you. 

I'm liking this slow stitching project.  I work up a few when I have time so when I sit to watch TV shows or listen to a book ( right now, I'm listening to Ernest Hemmingway's book

"A Moveable Feast" about his time spent in Paris.  Just lovely words describing the city, his friends, food, actions around the city.

My needle minder, Mr. Fox, is holding my needle.  I hate misplacing my needle—not with Mr Fox—I know where it is all the time!  

Another slow stitching event is hand quilting my heart quilt-- so many years in the making--definitely a slow work in process--might make this ready for next Valentine's Day.

 

What did you do last week?

 In the past few weeks there has been talk about reporting “what did you do last week?”

This report will hold me accountable!  I should like that—right?!  That is IF I can remember what I did last week!! Oh, I do have some proof with photos.  

• Here we go:
• Worked the February pattern for scarf--that was fun!  Once, I found my jar of beads!
  
  
  Now, this February’s pattern to my Estonian lace, with beads
• 
  
  
  Yay!  Finished a pair of socks!
  
  
• 
  
  
  One block from Riley Blake Designs—trying to use my hand dyed fabrics.  Must admit— this was a tough one!  Even had to rip out one corner--the square was turned the wrong way!
  
  
  
  Another block complete 
  
  
• 
  
  
  Sew with Me
  Block 2 --hope, this is a Christmas finish!
• 1
• 
  
  
  And of course, bought books!

• That’s pretty good for “what I did last week!”

Read! Read! Read!

I'm trying to read as many books as I can without a 'squirrel' moment--so far so good.  I'm back on an Agatha Christie--"Elephants Can Remember"  Didn't know about this book.  I am a member of an Agatha book club and every month, there is a different book featured--Many I haven't read--good thing.  I found a free recording and you can access it as well.  Listed below is the site.  In fact, there are many, many free recordings on this site.

This is a short book; one can listen to the whole book within 5 hours.  

I love listening to a book--a good reason to use your hands as your ears work too!

I just finished "A Girl Called Samson"  setting is Civil War;  went to Hollywood with "Severn Husbands of Evelyn Hugo"--Not one I enjoyed

Hit Paris with Ernest Hemingway in his "A Moveable Feast"--delicious reading; along came Great Gatsby author--Scott Fitzgerald--didn't know they were friends.

You can learn so much through reading

Now, I've moved into year 1377 with King Edward III--knew nothing about him at all!!

The descriptions in this book are outstanding--the leader through this year is Monk Athelstan and his assistant, the coroner of London Sir John Cranston, a drunk.  This is a first historical mystery series--I read all of Ellis Peters books and loved them.  

Not sure I would get into these characters but here I am on page 230 and wanting to finish so I can begin the second issue.

book is written by Paul Doherty, "The Nightingale Gallery"

Read on!!