It has begun!

Easter is not one day or one solemnity—it is a fifty day celebration, and the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday together comprise what is known as "the great Sunday". Every day is special because our Risen Lord walked on earth for those days before His Ascension.

Some of this; Some of That

Hello, back to some quilting, but it won't be much.  March 12th, I woke up with a very sore right thumb.  I could hardly move it.  And it was swollen.  Took some ibuprofen and carried on.  It was better the rest of the day.  Next morning, the whole hand was swollen and could hardly move it. Same thing - rested it and meds.  Long story short, last Thursday (13 days later) went to Doc and she says it osteoarthritis in both hands and wrists.  Not something a quilter wants to hear.  In the morning, it's a heat treatment for softening up the hands, so they won't be so stiff.  I can then work for a while. Well, not much when I can't even open the milk jug, pick up plate or other things with one hand. Have to watch everything I do with them.  Once I've taken the meds, and they kick in I get to work carefully.  After 1/2 hour of whatever, I stop and ice the hands and wrists. Rest a bit and then can do another session.  Not much that can be done for the normal wear and tear of this kind of disease.  If you know of a regime that might help, I'd sure like to hear about it.

So here is my report of the bits I did during Lent when I wasn't blogging, using that time to meditate. Wow, was I addicted to being on the computer.  I've weaned myself from I don't know how many hours to just one - half an hour in morning; half an hour at night.

What with making and binding baby quilts, cutting an isolette cover, creating a mug rug (photo top right) for an online swap, making blocks for two wips, and binding a raffle quilt (most done before March 12th), I've used up 8.21 yards in the last 50 days. My new YTD de-stashing is 13.08 yards. 
I've tripled my total, but doesn't seem like much for the 1st quarter of the year to be over. If I'm lucky, I'll get half my goal done at this rate.  How about you?  I'll show more later.  My hands are already hurting.

Come by and leave a comment of what you're up to.  I'll try to come by and say hello as my limited online time continues, but this time for a different reason.  Blessings!

WIPs Be Gone while I Adventure

An InLinkz Link-up

Ash Wednesday began the Lenten Journey, and I'm on an adventure with Pope Francis's Walking with Jesus. I read a chapter or two, write down a sentence or phrase to contemplate and fill my thoughts as I daily move thru Lent.  I'm finding I'm much more addicted to being on the computer than I realized.  It is good that I decided to take this journey.  This reduction in time from the blog during Lent is a reality check.

I'm continuing to be for the most part absent from the internet.  And while I won't be posting or commenting much at all, I've left open a WIPs Be Gone link so you can share with each other and keep encouraged to finish your projects.  It's hard to remain silent during this time to focus on walking a little closer to the Lord and finding the way, but it is paying off. I feel more at peace.

Contemplation or meditation can still be done these weeks  Therefore, I will work also on making some progress myself on a wip or two.  You'll find a link from me occasionally in the link party - a silent link.

Here are two resources you may find helpful if you would like an adventure, too.

Lenten Resources

KindSpring

Peace. I invite you to spend some time finding it while you quilt in this Year of Mercy.