AUGUST 22, 2010--Cannot believe it's been almost five years since we began this project as we sat in our living rooms watching the horrors unfold on television; just finished watching Brian Williams report on the first five days of Katrina. They taped his recollections five years ago when he returned from New Orleans. I'll be honest--the report took me right back to 2005, and there I was crying and thinking , "How did the country let this happen to people?" This report culminated a day when I saw a 9-12 month old husky hit by a truck, which didn't stop. Don't tell me they didn't feel a fity to sixty pound dog hit their bumper. So I opulled over, grabbed my cat-wrestling gloves in case he bit, and as I got close dodging cars which didn't stop, I saw he had died. No collar, no tags, and dead. Shame on the owner who didn't keep him at home and identified, and shame on the driver who didn't stop after hitting him.

You know I start teaching again Tuesday, and I need some hopeful, young, positive outlooks. I will say New Orleans has begun to recover--not just cosmetically, but as they said years ago--look at this blog's archives--it will take at least ten or more years. Imagine--the population that left and never returned. There are houses still abandoned and showing the tell-tale watermarks and national guard search spray paint--I almost think that's an image we should never forget. My son says so many business have moved out that the downtown will never be the same. . . .Thanks to the recent square arrivals. . . .Meredith, and I'll be picking up and dropping off more blankets soon from my Yspsilanti gals. Make a Difference Day is coming. . . .

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 27, 2010--So last Friday night Ursula and I are enjoying a cold beer on the deck and what do we see--a Great White Egret, trolling for frogs on the lake. How cool is that? I had never seen one in this area. So I added him to my lifetime bird watch list. Then last night, my son Tom and I are enjoying a visit while he's in town up at our human-made pond, and guess what--the goldfish had babies--lots of them. And besides all the frogs (too many to count) we have a huge toad living and swimming in the pond that had a stare-off with the rottweilers.It was hysterical. There's something about a rottweiler's face that resembles a toad--they must identify with one another. So the ecosystem is rich this summer. (I won't mention the baby garter snake also living near the pond.)

I know it's hot, but remember to sign up for Make A Difference Day.

JULY 15, 2010--Well, Murphy's Law is alive and well in northern Michigan this morning. It's hot, particularly humid, and the air conditioner crashed last night. Now I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri without air conditioning, and I remember the nights spent taking cold showers and going to bed in wet pajamas to stay cool, but I am now older, grumpier and don't like this one bit. But I know I am lucky, and thankful that we even have one. But hey--sometimes you just have to whine (she writes as the sweat rolls down her temple.)

OUR SHIPMENT TO HAITI UPDATE: We heard from Doug and Susan's Foundation and the blankets arrived safely and "were well-received" at the haitian clinic. Hurrah!

New goal: FIFTY plus blankets for the Gulf Coast by the November 1. . . we cannot forget the reason we began this project as hurricane season is upon us and people who were particularly hard hit by the storms now face more challenges as the economy of Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf Coast states is threatened. Remember they estimate to rebuild was ten years. . .

We also need to remember that Make a Difference Day is Ocotber 23, 2010. Have you sent me an email to say you'll knit or crochet a square on that day and have someone take your picture doing it so we can make a quilt of pictures of all our contri9buting squares? So far we only have three states committed--COME ON you all! Wouldn't it be great to have all fifty ?????? All you have to commit to is one square and one photo. If you're camera shy, get creative--a close up of your hands and the needles or hook.

Also don't forget to JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

JULY 13, 2010--Thanks to Helen from California, Bev from Colorado, the crew from Canyon Villas in San Diego and Carole from Pennsylvania! The squares arrived and will soon be pieced into blankets. It's been hot here and not feeling much like knitting season, but we're pushing forward! The girls down in Yspsilanti apparently have more blankets done for us, so there's a trip to them soon!

My husband and I had the greatest thrill a couple weeks ago meeting Jennifer from Illinois and her family who stopped and "dropped" off some squares. Jennifer has been contributing since the "Katrina" year and, besides doing beautiful knitted work, is a needlework "diva" with her own published designs of counted cross-stitch. Her business is Always Time to Stitch. She is in a competition for her designs at the following link--THE NEEDLE SHOW RETAIL--between July 15 and 18th when you can log onto the website, take a look at over 25 different designers and shops and purchase many different types of needlework designs and accessories. There is no fee to register you just need to enter your shipping info. All purchases are dealt directly with each individual designer. She and her family wandered the woods with us, fought off the dogs, loved the cats and we even got some pictures! It's so great to meet one of our squares.

Jennifer and Maggie July 2010